Boat Noodle @ Empire Damansara, PJ

When I first visited Empire Damansara due to a show I was watching at KLPAC, I was overall very impressed with the layout of the building. I love how the tall structure made me feel like I'm in a building overseas. 

Having seen how Boat Noodle has expanded in their business in Malaysia, I somewhat notice that amongst all F&B outlets in Empire Damansara, this distinctively show a busier patronage by walk in customers. Queues are a common sight, and the only difference is how long or short the queue is.

Not sure how much this is true, I've heard my friends said that amongst the outlets for Boat Noodle, this one at Empire Damansara is the outlet that serves tastier noodle. Hmm.. 

The concept of Boat Noodle are pretty simple, incorporating interior close to street food style, and I liked that they carry some Thailand-feel with its deco and Thai writing on its signboard etc. 

Inside and outside of Boat Noodle

Simple guide for ordering

They have the right marketing gimmick by introducing this style of eating. Small bite size of noodles served in bowls, priced at a low RM1.90, and during the beginning of their operation, I've seen many that seem to be in "competition" (in friendly manner, of course) on who is capable to eat more number of bowls, where the finished bowls are stacked up. Somehow, in all honesty, if one follow their heart, and just eat as they like, they will end up paying much more than eateries that offer a decent size of noodle at a fixed price. 

I loved both their variant of Chicken Thai Rice Noodle. They holds certain similarity in taste, both comes in tangy gravy that used dark soy sauce (1 with lighter sauce color), chicken broth, fistful of chopped coriander and spring onion, a chicken ball, a strip of chicken, and noodle enough for about 2 tablespoon size. Amongst the many types of noodles available, I really love the Thai rice noodle, the texture and the taste of it. They taste very similar to what you could have tried in streets of Thailand, and I give a big thumbs up in their authenticity of taste.

Chicken Thai Rice Noodle (Pathumthani & Ayutthaya). Price-RM1.90 each bowl

Their Thai Iced Tea is highly recommended, as it carries strong flavor of tea, and good taste of milk. Of course the small chunks of ice filled up almost the entire glass, but I guess that dilutes the sweetness a little, and overall a delicious glass of tea.

Chatting away at Boat Noodle, made me wanting for more. This round, go for their side dish. We ordered the Grilled Chicken Meat Ball. We were pleased with the 2 sticks of 6 meatball, which was grilled to perfection, and the meatball was chunky and filled with elascity. Just the way I would like it.

Cha Yen (Thai Iced Tea). Price-RM6.90; Grilled Chicken Meat Ball. Price-RM4.90

The fried chicken wings despite doesn't look too appetizing, as in the size of the wings seems relatively small, but the taste totally made up for it. Fried together with some lemongrass, the spices that went along with the marination comes through perfectly, as the taste was seriously yummy. Something that would make me crave and to return to have more.

Chicken Wings. Price-RM4.90

When I ordered my 2nd round of the Chicken Thai Rice Noodle, somewhat the presentation seems fresher with more visibility of the fried garlic, and we got few more strips of chicken, as compared to our first order.

We also ordered the Ka Num Tuay, served in saucers, which is the cold coconut milk with pandan dessert. Coconut milk tasted mild yet good, with the slight saltiness, and goes well with the bottom layer of pandan which is sweet. However, if the texture was softer, I would have been much better.
 

Ka Num Tuay. Price-RM1

Boat Noodle proves to be THE place to dine, whether for small or big eater, for proper meal, or even snack in between. Kudos. 

Boat Noodle 
G3A, Heritage Lane, Empire Damansara, 
Damansara Perdana, 
47820 Petaling Jaya

Tel : 019-477 3119 / 016-330 4762

Business Hours : 
Mon-Sun : 11am-9pm 

FB link, click here

Chili's Grill & Bar @ Jaya, Petaling Jaya

My most frequented Western restaurant ought to be Chili's Grill & Bar. This brand from Texas, Dallas first entered Malaysia in 1994, and I will always remember this to be my favorite Western restaurant for dining amongst friends and family. 

Having opened its latest outlet at Jaya Shopping Centre, I made my way there to have my dinner, and also to check out one of this latest neighborhood mall.

The entrance of Chili's at Jaya Mall

I have always liked the ambiance of Chilli's, which gave a very Westernize feeling, and customers can opt for the normal dining area or the bar area for drinking purpose.

The arrangement of seating are pretty much the same across their outlets, and this outlets holds some big mirror and walls that comes in colorful strips, kept close to Chilli's colors. 

Seating that maximize their space

My all time favorite has to be Triple Play, now also known as Triple Dipper. This order is good as appetizer for a few to share, or as a main meal for one or two. 

It is a platter combining 3 of Chilli's favorite appetizers, which includes Chicken Crispers, Wings Over Buffalo and Southwestern Eggrolls that comes with 3 different sauces for dipping. 

The Wings Over Buffalo are chicken drumette marinated in their spicy buffalo wing sauce which is done perfectly, as I could taste the marination even to its bones. It has a very crispy texture, and well fried. 

The Southwestern Eggrolls carries a soft and crispy tortilla wrapping around the ingredients, which includes smoked chicken, jalapenos, black bean, corn, green pepper and spinach. This has always been my favorite, as the mix of ingredients blends in well with the cheesiness within, and the crispiness of the tortilla.

The Chicken Crispers are fried and battered chicken stripes. As much as it still taste good, but over the years, this has significantly dropped in its standard, as the batter coating the chicken mostly fall off the meat, and oil is visible within the batter. 

Triple Dipper. Price-RM32.95

At times I crave for their Quesadilla and at same time, would like to be a little healthy, thus I choose to have the Quesadilla Explosion Salad. This salad comes with 4 pieces of quesadilla filled with cheese, and the salad comes with grilled chicken, tortilla strips, lots of lettuce, tomatoes, cilantros, and lots of cheese. The dressing being vinaigrette gives a sourish taste, that makes you wanting for more. 

The overall salad was really fresh and I was pleased with the amount of the salad that builds up like a small mountain in the middle of the plate. 

Quesadilla Explosion Salad. Price-RM26.95

The blackberry and strawberry sparkling soda was yummy with a good taste of both. Lemonade tasted good too.

Blackberry Strawberry Sparkling Soda & Lemonade. Price-RM9.95 each

All this while, we have been highly satisfied with the food quality served in Chilli's, and the standard of cleanliness. However, for this particular visit to this outlet, we were somewhat disappointed with the quality of the cleanliness of its cutlery, whereby even after requesting for the 2nd time, we were still not happy with the stain looking fork and knife, and had to wash them ourselves before using.

Chilli's Grill & Bar 
Jaya Shopping Centre
Jalan Semangat 
46100 Petaling Jaya 
Tel : 03-7931 5719

Business Hours : 
Sun-Thu : 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat : 11am-12am 

Passion Road @ Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kuala Lumpur

I've heard about Passion Road for a while. I was somewhat impressed when I found out that Passion Road is only open for events during weekends, and as for weekday, they are open only for lunches, from 12noon till 2pm, serving selected set lunches, and menu varies every few days. Menu is available on their FB page.

I've seen photos of events taken during night at Passion Road. Mesmerizing. Beauty. Nice Feeling. Suited space for event to take place, most definitely. 

I liked how the entrance is surrounded by big trees, and plants all over. Gives a feeling of nature within the hustle and bustle of the KL city. 
 

Lovely entrance

The entire set up all suited for events, with long tables, and I love the set up of the table at the corner which is decorated tastefully. 
 

Nice table for picture opportunity

They have 2 different set menu. 1 is the Standard Set Lunch priced at RM11 nett  per set, and the Premium Set Lunch is priced at RM17 nett per set.

I opted for the Normal Set Lunch that came with Black Pepper Udon Noodle, a drink and a dessert. The price is highly reasonable which is why I see they have lots of customers during lunch time. 

The black pepper udon noodle was fried well, tasty, and with lots of black pepper used. There were some prawns, chicken and some vegetables accompanying my noodle. Decent plate of noodle, and I definitely loved their sambal. 

Black Pepper Udon Noodle.

Drink that comes with each set 

The dessert served as part of the set was corn with green bean. Rich taste of coconut milk, but I'm not a fan of this kinda dessert, thus I did not really finished.

Corn and Green Bean dessert

My buddy ordered the Special Set which was the BBQ Lamb set. The portion was really big for only a mere cost of RM22 nett. It came with brocolli and cauliflower with mayonnaise salad, a portion of fried mee hoon, despite that we were not sure how this fit in the set, and 3 big slices of lamb. 
The lamb was tender enough, and goes really well with the sauce.

Lamb Set. Price-RM22

Both not fan of coconut, we did not really enjoyed the cheesecake, which only carried a very mild taste of cheese, and the dryness of the coconut wasn't something that complimented a cheesecake well. We just left the dessert after taking a tiny bite to sample.

Coconut Cheesecake

 

Passion Road has definitely create a name for itself for an ideal location for events, be it wedding or corporate functions. 

Lunchwise, they offered fair quality of food at highly reasonable price. Therefore, trust they will be able to continue draw crowd for their set lunches, which never seem to bore customers, as it is being changed every 2-3 days. 

Passion Road 

16 Lorong Yap Kwan Seng, 

50450 Kuala Lumpur 

Tel : 03-2166 7111

Business Hours : Mon-Fri 12nn-2pm 

FB page, click here

 

Char Kuey Teow Jalan Batai @ Klang

The news of shoplots at Jalan Batai has to be closed to give way to new development has certainly draw some disappointment especially towards the office workers that frequent the coffee shops here. There were quite a handful of famous stalls which includes fish head meehoon, wan tan mee, and this char kuey teow. 

After reading news that it has now moved to Klang, I made my way there. There was a slight battle between the angel and devil in me, as I was having a sore throat, which may not be a good idea to have fried kuey teow. But my craving somehow took over.

Made up by first ordering their self boiled longan drink to soothe my throat. I must say this tasted really good, much stronger taste of longan as compared to what I've had before.

Loh Hon Kor drink. Price-RM1.80

The fried kuey teow aroma was apparent once the plate landed on the table. Each bite was filled with 'wok hei' giving it enough kick to the entire taste. The noodle was clearly separated, as I don't like those sticking together. At times it amazes me, similar ingredients used, such as beansprouts, scallion, cockles, egg which are used by most cook, but theirs taste especially good. They also gave very generous 2 big prawns. Yumms yumms!  Overall not too oily, just right I must say.
They managed to fry it so well that every part of the food on the plate has taste to it, that they don't miss any tiny part.  
 

Fried Kuey Teow. Price-RM5

Frying plate by plate

This is the lot, with hanging banner as signboard

One has to factor in that they will have to eat withstanding the hot and humid weather despite that the row of food court is sheltered, however, the taste of this yummy plate of kuey teow makes up for it.

Char Kuey Teow Stall 
No 3 Lot 206 Jalan Gelugor,  Klang 

Tel No : 016-9498042 / 014-6218042

Business Hours : 
8am-5pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-8pm (Sat & Sun)

Restoran Hou Moon @ Klang

Being a KlangNite, I have lost count of the number of times that I had my lunch in Hou Moon. This restaurant is located near to Pin Hwa school. 

Hou Moon occupies 2 shoplots, and from the outside, one wouldn't be able to see how crowded it is. Honestly speaking, their volume of business used to be many folds more than current, where it was a usual scene to have people around your table waiting for their seat, however, this sight is not seen for its current state of business. 

The entirely dark window that occupies 2 shoplots

Once you enter its door, you will see a simple and very basic interior, filled with lots of tables, for one to catch up over meals. I would reckon this is how a typical Chinese restaurant would look. 

The basics of its interior

With the variety of food offered, and their air-conditoned environment, we would still opt to have our lunch here. 

We always enjoyed ordering their soya bean drink, sealed in glass bottle for sharing. It has a very natural taste, and not too diluted, and right level of sweetness. 

Soya Bean. Price-RM4.50

As the starter of our meal, we order their char siu, and somehow it looks better than it taste. It has the right level of fats within each piece, and being roasted to carry the crispness by the sides, however, the overall texture is way to hard, to our liking. 

Roast Pork. Price-RM15

We ordered the 'Four Heavenly King' vegetables, which usually means the combinations of 4 types of greens, which usually combined petai, but what was presented to us was just 2 types of vegetables ie. the long bean and brinjal. 

This plate of vegetable was tasty, fragrant, with it being fried with dried shrimp. I would have liked this better if it wasn't this oily, and if the long bean was not this hard. 

'Four Heavenly' Vegetables. Price-RM15

We ordered the salted egg yolk mantis shrimp. The mantis shrimp meat was in good size, and they tasted decent, but lacks the taste of salted egg yolk. 

Mantis Shrimp with Salted Egg Yolk. Price-RM16

Restoran Hou Moon is famed for their fish head, which popular method of cooking are the ginger or asam (carries some hot and spicy taste) steam. 

The fish was undeniably fresh, with firm texture felt. Generous use of ginger which was really fragrant. Overall take on this, slightly disappointing on the taste part, as it tasted rather bland. 

Ginger Steam Fish. Price-RM16

My experience on this particular day wasn't one that wouldn't help if I were to recommend this place to another person. It was perhaps the quality of chef that has changed, but some improvement would definitely lend a big help, should they dream to see their glory days in the past, to come to realization again. 

Restoran Hou Moon 
34 & 36 Jalan Hip Hing, 
Off Jalan Goh Hock Huat, 
41400 Klang 
Tel : 03-3343 0467 

Business Hours : 
Mon-Sun 09:30-15:30, 17:30-21:00 

Closed : every Thursday