Hokkien Mee@O&S Restaurant

You may be confused as the tittle above which said "Hokkien Mee" but the photo shows prawn mee instead. Well, in Penang we call our prawn mee as "Hokkien Mee" but in Klang Valley they would call it "Har Min"(prawn mee). The "Hokkien Mee" here would be a totally different version. It would be referred to the "fried thick egg noodle with dark soy sauce".

This Hokkien Mee stall based in O&S Restaurant at Paramount Garden in PJ is the only other Hokkien Mee that I would normally eat besides the one in Asia Cafe. This is also the only place that I would purposely come to savour a bowl of Hokkien Mee. Having said so, the taste of their Hokkien Mee is the closest I can get in Klang Valley to the original taste in Penang.

Today I ordered a standard bowl of "Loh Cham T'ng". It means mixed Loh Mee's broth with the Hokkien Mee's. This way you can taste both version in one go! This may be new to KLites but it is quite common in Penang. Give it a try and you would agree with me that it tastes good. The standard one is RM4.00.

If the Hokkien Mee only gives you 50% full, you may also try this "Fried Tong Fun" from Fried Kuey Teow stall. It tastes quite alright. Their Fried Kuey Teow is not bad either. -RM4.00

If both the Hokkien Mee and Fried Tong Fun give you 80% full, you may also try this Penang's version " Chee Cheong Fun" - The prawn paste type. This is nothing, compared to the one that sold in Penang. But somehow here is the only place in Klang Valley that I know of, serves Penang's version. Small one is RM 1.80.

If all the above still leave some space in your stomach for dessert, You should try the "goreng psiang" there. I like the tempura-like batter where it is very crispy while the "pisang raja" inside is soft and moist. FYI, it is only good to eat-in and not "ta-pao". It becomes soggy after 15 mins. RM0.60 a piece.

The "goreng cempedak" is quite good also. But damn it - 3 pcs for RM2.00.

It's very crowded during lunch time and also weekends. You may have to wait for table if you come at the wrong time.

O&S Restaurant is located at a corner lot of Jalan 20/14, PJ Paramount Garden. Location map.

It's just right opposite the Caltex petrol station. You may also double or triple park your car like them... but don't be surprised to find summon placed on your car windscreen after your meal.

Jaya Palace

A special occasion brought me back to Jaya Palace the 2nd time yesterday.

The interior...

Contemporary design with a touch of oriental splendour.
Spacious and cosy.
Shelved-up pillar with Chinese teapots on display as decor.

Live seafood which we did not dare to walk near let alone ordered.

But we ordered these...

Spinach tofu with Japanese mushroom... It tasted good and priced wonderfully at RM 42.00++

Braised beef ribs... It was tender and tasted OK... but I'd prefer the BBQ ribs at Tony Roma's where the price is about the same - RM52.00++

The whole smoked duck... it had a wee bit of smoky taste and in my opinion it was the most outstanding dish amongst the rest of the dishes that we ordered. It was reasonably priced as well- RM 68.00++

Braised pork knuckle with some "siew pak choi" in abalone sauce... It tasted delicious but I'm sure there are better one out there especially with the price of RM 57.00++.

Mixed seafood claypot... It was the biggest letdown of the night. It tasted normal and the seafood ingredients were rather limited for the price of RM120.00++. That's about all the seafood ingredients you can see on top of the claypot. Underneath was stuffed with plenty of Broccoli.

Conclusion...

I don't know whose idea that was to have dinner there but obviously it wasn't mine. I guess the one who made the suggestion must have been regretted after the meal as the damage done was rather severe - RM436.45 in total for seven adults that includes...

- 2 small plate (sauce plate to be exact) of braised groundnuts which I didn't think it was something interesting to snap a pic, served before meal that cost RM10.00++ respectively. I think it was ridiculous.

- Chinese tea was RM14.00++ for 7 pax.

- 11 bowls of plain white rice was RM16.50++.

Honestly speaking, it is indeed a good place to entertain and impress your clients especially if you wanna prove that your company is still financially sound in this difficult time. - 5 star restaurant with 5 star pricing!

Having said that, I'm not sure if the nicotine in tea that made me stayed awake until 2 a.m last night or the bill caused the insomnia. But I guess the one who footed the bill would have the same sleeping disorder last night (or even more serious).

For those of you that money is not a matter, you can make your reservation at:

Jaya Palace Restaurant

No.12, Jalan 51A/223

46100 Petaling Jaya

Tel : 03-7968 2000

Healthy Lifestyle

A piece of advice from doctor...

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it. Don't waste it on exercise.

Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer. That's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster.

Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn!

And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken.

Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable).

And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine. That means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Anyway, 1% of traffic accidents are caused by drunk drivers. So people who don’t drink are very dangerous because they cause 99% of traffic accidents.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one.

If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain ... Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! .... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.

In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger.

You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO … Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!!

It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand, chocolate in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'WOO HOO, what a Ride!'

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

1. Eat and drink what you like.

2. Speaking American English is apparently what kills you.

3. 'Today’ is a gift. That is why it is called ‘The Present’.

Restoran 88

Restoran 88 is located in a housing area off Jalan Kuchai Lama. It's not visible from the main road but...

never fail to attract score of customers. It is always full of people during weekends but not necessarily need to wait for table - at least we never had to on all our visits there. The foods arrive fast even though it is full of people.

Our food came after 15 mins...

Sambal petai with minced pork and dried shrimp... It tasted a bit salty but nice to go with rice. RM12.00

Fried deer meat with ginger and green onion... the meat was tender and juicy. It was not bad but not something extraordinary as well. - RM 20.00

Fried chicken innards with dried shrimp... Sorry folks, can't comment on this one as I didn't try it. But I guess it must be good as the plate was polished clean when we left. - RM15.00

Sizzling seafood in Nyonya sauce... This is the "must have" dish if you visit Restoran 88. The sauce is wonderful. -RM30.00

Buttered mantis prawn... Crispy and tasty. - RM 20.00

Steam Patin fish... we brought our own fish there- a huge Patin fish from Termeloh. They provided the service that cost RM 15.00.

Little rice container was placed on the table for own self-service. RM1.50 per person and it's "all you can eat!" - The rice in the container is refillable.

Overall, I would say the food was decent and the price was reasonable. You may find their address below;

Restoran 88

No.15, Jalan Betalong

Continental Park

Off Kuchai Lama

58200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 012 3151 335

Business hour: 11 a.m - 1 a.m

Location map.

Lum Mee@Damansara Uptown

This Lum Mee restaurant in Damansara Uptown has been around for ages but I just didn't bother to give them a try until recently. Well, not because someone has already told me the food was lousy but it was just too hassle to find a parking space at that area especially during lunch hour anytime of the day. By the time you manage to get your car parked, it is most likely all your appetite for food will be long gone.

This MKP Lum Mee is actually branched out from their original place in Pudu. Their Pudu's restaurant has been in business since 1969. I tried their Lum Mee in Pudu years ago and again their location as well as their cramped and stuffy restaurant deterred me from going back after since.

Back to the MKP Lum Mee in Damansara Uptown, I managed to illegally smartly park my car just across the street opposite their restaurant today. Apparently not their Lum Mee that managed to draw me in to their restaurant in such a way as I was not a big fan of Lum Mee anyway. I actually had some banking to do at HSBC which was a few shops away. Since I had already parked my car, so as well I took the opportunity to try their Lum Mee...

That's about the variety of foods that served there.

But you can have quite a selection of noodles for your broth bases.

The standard Lum Mee... It looks like Loh Mee but the broth is not as concentrated as Loh Mee's broth. It tasted OK but I found the ingredient given was rather limited for the price of RM5.00 a plate. Only 2 small prawns and a few shredded chicken were given. Anyway, thumbs up for their sambal though - hot enough!

I chose the thick egg noodle for my Lum Mee... the combination was just perfect.
Fu Chok rolls for my side dish- RM0.90 a piece and nothing to rave about.

Luckily I was there before the "peak hour" and by the time I left, more office workers were streaming in for their lunch break.

The MKP Lum Mee is located same row as HSBC in Damansara Uptown.

To All The Fathers of The World...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

21 June 2009

The Unfortunate Thing Happens...

In April I wrote about Seri Penang's RM1.00 Char kuey Teow at Ikano Power Center and again their Curry Laksa in May. It's very unfortunate that I don't have the chance to try their June's promotion which is supposed to be "Yangzhou Fried Rice". Well, they are closed for good.

Early of June, I visited Ikea and saw the shutter of Seri Penang was down and wondered if they were having a day off as the owner was getting married.

A week latter the shutter was still down but there was a notice from the management of Ikano saying the place was closed for the day but stated no reason. I was again wondering if this time around was the owner's father getting married to his mistress.

I was taken aback on my 3rd visit where I saw this....

The whole place has been sealed up and a poster was put up to look for new tenant. For those of you who would like to operate a restaurant there, be hurry to contact Ikano and don't forget to do the Opening Promotion for the first 3 months which you can offer RM1.00's food liked what Seri Penang did and I will definitely patronise your restaurant to show my support then.

Before it closed down...