MIDO Korean BBQ is authentic Korean

MIDO Korean BBQ is authentic Korean

by | Nov 28, 2017 | Food

The taste buds of the Koreans can tell better than most Malaysians do when it comes to picking which is authentic Korean restaurant and which is not.

I sought the help of a Korean lecturer, Dr Lee Chul Woo to help out with our Authentic Korean food trail.

With the background information that he is providing about the Korean culture, we hope that Malaysians can better enjoy it the way the Koreans enjoy their cuisine a few thousand kilometres away from home.

We kicked off the food trail with MIDO Korean BBQ in SS2 Petaling Jaya. Its managing director, Cho Youn Ho, a young 30 plus year old man, is in fact, an engineering graduate from Taylor’s University who now sees his greater passion in the food and beverage business.

 

With Malaysia as his second home, Youn Ho decided to return to Petaling Jaya to set up the MIDO Korean BBQ. When we met with Youn Ho, we were already half way through the meal; he had arranged for his staff to serve us with some of his signature dishes.

The evening started off with some cold Shikye, which is a traditional Korean drink. The drink is a great way to chill away especially after a hot day. The drink is simply rejuvenating and refreshing.

A fellow student friend of mine, Chua Eng Keong managed to join us to try out some of the Korean cuisine. Chua is also a foodie fan. He particularly finds the Ginseng chicken soup (RM48) to be one of his favourites.

The chicken leg and pork BBQ (RM28) is served alongside with the lettuce. Without Dr Lee’s guidance, we would have just taken the chicken leg and pork BBQ meat separately only to find out that the meat was to be eaten together and wrapped in the leafy lettuce. What a healthy way to eat!

Between the pork and the chicken BBQ, all three of us prefer the chicken portion of it. The way it was done and the sauce that comes with the BBQ meat gives it just a perfect taste to the taste buds, coupled with the freshness of the lettuce.

Since this is a Korean BBQ restaurant, its signature dishes are mainly BBQ signature dishes. However, what I like is that they also serve vegetable salad in the house and it comes along with any BBQ dishes. I particularly like the Korean sauce that comes with the vegetables. This is all about eating healthy.

Typical of Korean restaurants, the banchan refers to a variety of dishes served in small portions. This is unique in Korean cuisine which helps to whet the appetite.

The banchan and an ice-shaven dessert known as Bing-su are also on the house when you dine at MIDO. Bing-su is the equivalent of our Malaysian ice-kacang but it has a different sort of ingredients and worth trying out.

What I like about MIDO is that it is not only to enjoy the food but children get to expose themselves to the Korean culture. Unfortunately, during the food tasting session, my children were unable to make it.

Before the meal, Eng Keong managed to put on the Korean traditional costume for a photography session. As a special request, he was allowed to pose with the costume enjoying the Korean cuisine.

To make it a more enriching experience for Malaysians, I am suggesting to Youn Ho to get his staff to adorn the Korean costumes themselves and speak a few simple Korean phrases.

MIDO Korean BBQ Restaurant is located at 11 Ground Floor, Jalan SS2/64, Petaling Jaya.

Tel: 03-7865 9779

Business hours: 11:00AM – 11:00PM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midokoreanbbq/

Waze location:  https://www.waze.com/livemap?zoom=17&lat=3.11922&lon=101.62052

Restoran HSBC – Hot & Spicy Bangsar Cuisine

Restoran HSBC – Hot & Spicy Bangsar Cuisine

by | Nov 21, 2017 | Food

Restoran HSBC in Lorong Maarof, Bangsar has become a household name for the past 17 years not because it is owned by a bank.

After all I am not a fan of the banking group, but the acronym which stands for “Hot & Spicy Bangsar Cuisine” has its uniqueness that is not often found in other Chinese restaurants. The two entities are a world apart.

It was set up a family restaurant in 2000 by Jeevan Simon, with the help of his wife, Uma Revathy and brother-in-law, Ravinder Nadarajah. At that juncture, Jeevan had decided to give up his banana leaf rice to concentrate on his passion for Chinese food. But, for an Indian to run a Chinese restaurant?

Why not? Malaysians operate Japanese, Italian and Western, Thai, and even Korean restaurants, so why can’t a Malaysian Indian operate a Chinese restaurant. After all, Jeevan comes across as an Indian who understands what understands what the Chinese tick.

In fact, I was wondering whether Jeevan is a lost descendant of Admiral Cheng Ho or Justice Pao. Both were well-known Chinese heroes but they looked more Indian than the average Chinese.

Hailing from Penang, Jeevan’s success in the food business is largely due to his passion for anything that satisfy his taste buds.

So besides the Chinese dishes, he has also introduced a wide variety of cuisine such as Nasi Ayam Dulang (RM12.50) which he claims to be from Bali. His HSBC Special Tom Yam Soup (RM10 per pax) and HSBC Special Pineapple Fried Rice RM12.50 also received positive feedback from the foodies invited to the food tasting session.

Every year, he travels to other countries where he would try out different kinds of gastronomic.

“When I find something interesting, I would come back to try to reproduce it,” he said. “Sometimes, I have to improvise it to suit the local tastes.”

For those who love crabs, they can also try Jeevan’s curry leaf crabs (RM45 a kilo). He uses the smaller blue crabs which I understand are more acceptable to Muslims.

Because Jeevan wanted enough foodies to help finish up the dishes that he wanted to introduce, it turned up that I received a lot of thumbs-up for his other dishes, too. I particularly like his Special HSBC Kailan (RM20 for a medium serving) and his Kung Po fish fillet (RM15 Small).

Others picked the HSBC Special Chicken ((Medium) RM20) and Cheong Cheng Style Deep Fried Siakap.

In fact, since they do have a wide variety of gastronomical delights, I can understand why some older couples in the neighbourhood prefer to have their dinner there almost every night.

By the time we finished our meals at 6pm, other customers already started streaming in. They included expatriates, Eurasians and even Malay customers.

Restoran HSBC is located at
84, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-2282 7221

Business hours: 11:45 AM – 2:45PM, 5:45PM – 11:45PM (Sunday – Saturday)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeevanUma/

Waze Location: https://www.waze.com/location?h=w283cdhjh

Smoked Duck Caesar Salad gets our thumbs-up at Eatlicious Restaurant

Smoked Duck Caesar Salad gets our thumbs-up at Eatlicious Restaurant

by | Nov 10, 2017 | Food

I seldom give anything a “highly recommended” rating but the smoked duck at Eatlicious Restaurant deserves my highest appraisal.

They call it, “Smoked Duck Caesar Salad” (RM17.90) but I think it should be renamed “Miss Smoked Duck Universe” because it is a winner dish.

I do not know how they do it or what they use for the duck, but the moment the first piece reached my taste buds, I just fell in love with it.

As I told my wife after the food tasting session last night, to take the first piece of the smoked duck is like seeing a pretty girl and falling in love with her at first sight. The best part is: I want my one and only wife to enjoy the dish on our next visit since she missed it!

This is not just my feedback but at least, this was the way most, if not all eight ordinary food tasters, could say of this soon-to-be bestseller dish, if they can maintain the consistency.

I loved it so much so that I cannot resist but to set aside other reviews to do this one piece first. Maybe, I will just forget about the video clip that I was planning to do for the sake of getting the news out first before anyone does!

Although the restaurant located just beside Sunway University is barely one month old (they were officially open on October 10), the chef has been around in the food and beverage business for the past 20 years. That explains it!

They also have lamb shank priced at RM38.90, Baked Chicken Curry Cheese Rice (RM16.90), Chicken Wings (RM13.90) and Set Cheese Ball (recommended, price: RM15.90).

You can also try their Fried Oyster Mushroom (RM8.90) as a snack if you are a fan of mushroom. Targeting mainly at students, they also have Chicken Carbonara (RM14.90), which my six-year-old daughter, who is normally a small eater, finished to the last bit.

Explaining the concept of Eatlicious, manager Lee Ek who invited us here said their Chinese Herb Chicken Rice (RM11.90) and other à la carte dishes are to have a place where they can have at least a nutritious meal.

Their Thai Style Fish Chip also comes with rice and priced at RM13.90. According to Chan, a student had finished the whole lamb shank by himself, but most people would share the dish.

So far, the prices are reasonable but the only downside is that the restaurant is not open on Sundays due to lack of workers.

Eatlicious Restaurant is located at No 41, Jalan PJS 11/9, Bandar Sunway

Tel: 03-56118328

Business hours: 11 am – 10 pm
Closed on: Sundays

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatlicioussunway/

Waze location:  https://waze.com/ul/hw2832n3hy

Waltzing to J&D Espresso

Waltzing to J&D Espresso

by | Nov 9, 2017 | Food

Next on our Waltzing Matilda food trail, we waltz over to J&D Espresso in Bandar Utama, where they claim to serve ‘bloody good coffee.’

Located at the Mini Oasis Centre at the traffic light junction between Lebuh Bandar Utama and Persiaran Tropicana, I admit having passed by the place umpteen times, but never thought that behind the façade of what appears like a pub is, in fact, a cosy place with some good Aussie cuisine for breakfast and brunch.

They are closed in the evenings, but for those who can swing there before 6pm, the one thing that I can recommend is their Porky Lasagna. J&D’s Lasagna is one of the better ones that I have tasted around town. It gets my thumbs up. Besides me, two other invited guests also gave it the thumbs up!

Memories

Although I was looking for a real good Quiche Lorraine the way I liked it, without that, the lasagna would do to bring back memories as a student who would order almost the same items every day for two weeks in a row at the university cafeteria.

For me, a quick lunch was either the Lasagna or Quiche, or sometimes the German Shepherd’s pie, for just a couple of Aussie dollars back in the 80s. I hope the next round when I visit J&D, they would have their Quiche; it is worth tasting it, if you have never tried it before.

For a start, since most quiche is still not that popular in Malaysia, let’s begin by learning how to pronounce the word. It is not pronounced as ‘kuey-chi’ or ‘quee-cheh’ but ‘[keesh]’.

The next time you visit J&D, ask for Quiche Lorraine and let us know how you like the taste.

It is impressive that one of the invited guests, Raquel Ho, a young lady who has lived in Melbourne for a number of years when she was young, said that she “really likes the pizza”. I never expected her to also say that she likes the fries the way it is prepared.

Although a pizza serving in Australia is unusually larger and rich in ingredients by comparison, J&D’s Aussie with an Egg Pizza (RM25) which features pork bacon, cheddar, mozzarella and fresh farm egg, is good to try out.

Several guests including 11-year-old Ariel Mak, also enjoyed the pizza as well. I was not so much a pizza type of person while living in Australia; therefore, I would not comment much except to say that the first time I had a real good Italian pizza was many years down the road when I was on a holiday trip to Melbourne.

My auntie and I were staring at two “small” pizzas that we had ordered, which turned out a much bigger portion or as big as our “large” pizza here in Malaysia. Both of us had a tough time to finish the two small pizzas although they tasted great!

Fish and chips brought back memories of student days. During the summer vacation, when I had more free time, I would take a walk to the nearest milk bar at Morton Street (in a suburb known as Clayton, Melbourne) to pick up some fresh milk. I would then pick up my favourite packet of fish and chips from my favourite shop operated by a Greek couple.

For only A$3, I could get a nice big packet with a big slice of fish and lots of chips to have a sumptuous meal. Sadly, there is no way I can expect to taste the same favourite fish and chips, although I did try to look out for the same shop on another visit to Melbourne.

So, when another invitee to the food tasting session, Sid Fong told me that he really likes the fish and chips at J&D, I told myself,

“Yes, I have done my job at introducing what a good dish the fish and chips really is!”

Although it is simple, the Vodka battered Fish and Chips (RM29) has brought delight to Sid’s taste buds. I wonder if it is the vodka, the batter or the dory which is served with herbed fries and salad.

Expatriates who miss their Aussie morning breakfast can try out J&D’s Big Aussie Brekky (RM34), where one can choose either the sunny side up, poached or scrambled egg. The plate comes with it pork bacon, smoked garlic sauce, cherry tomatoes, mushroom medley, baked beans, artisan bread and crispy mushroom croquet.

I picked “sunny side up” as it reminded me of how much we have failed to appreciate the sun, especially after being in a few days of gloomy winter days in Melbourne, where the weather is unpredictable and everyone in Melbourne knows that you can have four seasons in one day. The sunny side up also has a tale to it, because it reminds me of a phrase very popular during my Grandmother’s era,

“The sun is shining on your backside. You are still not awake yet!”

Now, about the Gourmet Pork Burger (RM25) which was another guest, Rich Joseph’s favourite. As Rich said, most people may think that the burger looks small, but it can be very filling indeed.

Besides the Aussie cuisine that I sought for, J&D also has its own creation. A more recent one is their Bacon and Eggs Pancake (RM25) which I kind of enjoy, as it is basically a fluffy pancake. I can actually do without the poached egg, but I would not barter the pork bacon, mushrooms and herbed spinach.

For most part of the day, I noticed that one or two older people walk into the café but it is mainly the young and upcoming professionals who come here because of the ambience, and I suspect, also for the food as well.

Check out the earlier restaurants on our Waltzing Matilda food trail: Bonfire. There are more to come. For more Australian outback songs, tune in here. Also, to read my article on the Waltzing Matilda Food Trail, click here.

J&D Espresso is located at
Oasis Business Centre BU11, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya Tel: 03 78869693/ 017 3133931

Business hours: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

Whatsapp:  017-313 3931

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JnDEspresso/

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/fwGpqVFGCu82

Waze location: http://waze.to/smrenUCkSkPAxIB9Y-

Website: http://www.jnd.com.my/

The other articles on our Waltzing Matilda food trail series:

Pastries that are authentically Aussie

Bonfire Restaurant

Nostalgia of food from Australian Outback

Have you tasted Ayam Panggang Kenyalang in Seremban?

Have you tasted Ayam Panggang Kenyalang in Seremban?

by | Oct 9, 2017 | Food

Have you tasted Ayam Panggang Kenyalang in Seremban?

A weekend’s trip to Seremban with the kids to visit the Jelita ostrich farm, without checking out all the good food that Seremban town has to offer, is simply unthinkable.

Most people can think of the usual stuff like siew pow, beef noodle, roast duck and so on, but what about Ayam Panggang Kenyalang on the way to the ostrich farm?

Call it a “birdy” holiday, whatever, but since it is halal, everyone can enjoy the grilled chicken for which Awang Putra Tamam, 46, is famous for is sold at a stall along Jalan Jelebu, Seremban. This road leads to the LEKAS Highway. Awang has been operating the stall since 2004.

And, coincidentally, it is named Warong Ayam Panggang Kenyalang, which comes from the colloquial name for Sarawak, “Bumi Kenyalang.” The Kenyalang is the hornbills.

Hailing from Miri, Sarawak, the father of three grown-ups used to sell about 50 birds a day, but now, the number can reach 100 on good days.

The prices are also reasonable. A whole chicken is RM20, half a chicken is RM11.

Prior to this, he was operating from his stall in Rembau. When he shifted to this outlet, located just some 500m from the junction between Jalan Ampangan and Jalan Pantai, his loyal customers have followed him.

It draws quite a crowd especially during lunch hours. Day trippers from Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya do buy a whole chicken back home, after they have tasted Awang’s sauce here.

His chicken is grilled over charcoal for a good 45 minutes and it comes with a specially concocted sauce that makes the chicken taste good, especially since he selects only chickens which are three kilogrammes and below.

“The meat of younger birds is usually sweeter,” he quipped.

The chicken can be served either with rice or noodles. The chicken rice is normally priced between RM6 for an ordinary plate to a quarter chicken served with rice at RM7.For those who love the Sarawak style “Mee Kolok”, Awang too has his version with strips of ayam panggang as well.

To find the place, one has to really use the Waze or Google Map, as it is easy to miss the Kenyalang signboard. There are several other stalls along the same stretch of road, but we only know this one to be good.

Read also our two other write-ups on where to eat in Seremban: Seremban Seafood Village and Lucky King Bun Restaurant. More to come.

Warong Ayam Panggang Kenyalang
is located at Batu 2 Jalan Pantai, Ampangan, Seremban 70400 Negeri Sembilan.

Tel/ Whatsapp:
012-284 8086 or +60 17-213 5549

Business hours:
10am – 10pm (seven days a week)

Facebook:  
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ayam-Panggang-Kenyalang/110870008995103

Waze location: 
https://waze.com/ul/hw22x80t9f

Google Map:
https://goo.gl/maps/t8HJHVbwiKL2

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in all sorts of gastronomical delights – Western, Middle Eastern and Asian.