Restoran Chang Rai Thai Food @ Taman Seraya, Cheras, KL

Original plan to eat elsewhere diverted to Restoran Chang Rai, as the other restaurant wasn't open. Blessing in disguise does happen when my buddy recalled this yummy Thai restaurant she once had near Cheras area. 

From the outside, the restaurant looked pretty ordinary, but my impression of this place immediately changed when our food was served.

Entrance of Chang Rai 

When asked for recommendation between the Red or Clear Tom Yum soup, the lady recommended the Red type. We went with the recommendation and we were pleased that we did. 

Although it does looked pretty oily, but one sip to the soup, we smiled... The overall taste of spiciness was well balanced by the mild sourness apparent from the broth. The richness  and fragrance of the soup that derived from the raw ingredients and herbs used in the making of the Tom Yam paste was highly satisfactory. Adequate seafood which includes prawn and squid were used, with lots of abalone mushroom. 

For a mere cost of RM18, this is a pot of soup that is very much worth it.

Tomyam Seafood. Price-RM18

The fish cake was tasty, with the right texture for my tastebud. Taste wise, thumbs up, and I just loved the fragrant of the spices used within.

Fish Cake. Price-RM12

The paku vege was real fresh and I love the slight crunchiness when biting this breed of vege. It is not too leafy yet just enough to fulfill our need for vege. Stir fried with sambal and  onion, this plate of paku was highly delicious.

Paku Vege. Price-RM12

The talapia fish was fantastic. It was absolutely fresh, and the lime juice used, together with cuts of chilli and garlic made this entire dish so appetizing and smells good. 

The fish shape platter used for this steam fish was the traditional type whereby it uses charcoal, and it kept our fish piping hot throughout our meal.

Talapia Fish, Lime Steam. Price-RM40

The pandan chicken came in a much bigger size that what I usually have in other Thai restaurant. Of all dishes, this was the only let down to us. It has a strong fragrance of the spices used, however, lack taste. It was bland, which somewhat suggest that perhaps they forgot to add the salt. Look wise, it surely gotten a pass. 

Pandan Chicken (min 4 pcs). Price-RM3 each

The 3 of us left with almost bursting stomach. Highly satisfied, with double LIKES for all dishes, except for the Pandan Chicken. Am also very satisfied with the whole dinner price that came to RM108 including 2 coconuts.

Definitely a recommended Thai restaurant serving authentic Thai dishes, for those coming or live near to this area. 

Restoran Chang Rai Thai Food 
27 & 27A, Jalan Bunga Tanjung 18, 
Taman Seraya, Cheras,
56100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-4288 5257, 012-694 7996

Business Hours : 11am-11pm 

FB link, here
Website link, here

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

Kinnaree @ Jaya One

I can't wait to blog about Kinnaree for the total opposite reason from me having enjoyed a meal here. Alice, a long lost friend whom I got in touch recently through facebook, happened to be having dinner at Jaya One, while I too had appointment with another friend. Thus, dropped by to meet up with Alice before my dinner. When she told me she's chosen to try Kinnaree, I wanted to tell her no, as I've been there when they were first opened. I didn't enjoyed 1 bit my lunch during the 1st visit, however, I thought to myself, what about a 2nd chance.

For this matter, I was proven that 2nd chance is really not required. And somehow, I can't seem to relate how they could have gotten award and quotes from some publication complimenting the food here.

The best thing I felt of Kinnaree is the really nice ambience

Alice was joined by 2 of her friends, and having ordered the dishes, she insisted I had some share of it while waiting for my friend. None of what I was served the other night satisfy my taste bud.

The most basic dish that needs to be of standard of any Thai restaurant has to be its tom yam soup. Eagerly trying out the soup, this tom yam prawn soup was wrong from the very first sip. It tasted a little less plain than plain water, added with spiciness, which went through directly to my ears and stomach.

The pandan chicken was ordinary tasting, and not aromatic at all.


The fish tasted alright. Fried till really crispy, topped with Thai chilli sauce.

Can't go too wrong with kangkung.

Simon, Alice and I. Thank you Datuk for being our cameraman.

I doubt I will ever return here for another meal. For this meal we had, the total bill came up to RM183, which is totally not worth it. (Anyway, thanks Datuk for the dinner).

Kinnaree Thai Restaurant
12-1 Palm Square, Jaya One,
72A Jalan University, 46200 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-7957 3910 / 014 688 9098(Natalie)
Fax: 03-7957 3920

URL : kinnaree.jayaone@thaiinspired.com

**Halal

(my actual visit here : 260509)

My Elephant @ Section 17, PJ

My Elephant is quite a hidden restaurant - located at Section 17, behind Food Foundry. They offer really good deal for its set lunches.

Fresh flowers on the table

Had lunch with Ivy, and for variety, we opted for 2 lunch sets to be shared. At the price of RM8.90, the sets are offered with fruit of the day, and choice of either Pandan or KraChiap Cooler (Thai Roselle) drink.

For the price that we are paying, the portion are big enough. We almost can't finish this them all.

Phad Thai Set.Price-RM8.90

From the 2 sets, we prefer the Fried Glass Noodle set, as it is more tasty. (Thanks Ivy for lunch)

Fried Class Noodle Set.Price-RM8.90

Ivy & Me. Restaurant is with simple deco. This shot looks like we having meal in overseas

my Elephant
CG-4, Happy Mansion,
Jalan 17/13, PJ
Tel : 010-220 1283

(my actual visit here : 230409)