Being a Penangite living in KL, one of the many hawker foods that we always miss is the famous Char Kueh Teow. When I first came down to this part of the country many years ago, this is the dish that I always avoid when fixing my stomach at various kopitiams. On the rare occasions that I gave it a try, the experience was usually quite horrid.

yeh, that’s the size of prawn i love

However, recently I have started to experiment with the various “Penang” char kueh teow places in KL again, thinking that there must be a few good stalls around. I now employ a standard litmus test before I make my order. It is very simple, I will order in Hokkien, and if the hawker answers in anything other than a perfect Penang version of Hokkien, I simply excuse myself and go for my second choice. The test has proven to be very useful thus far.

now you see it, now you don’t

I have actually heard of this place from FA before decided to give it a try. The kopitiam is nameless and is located at the other end of the same row of shops that has the famous kopitiam with loh ngap (duck), very good roti bakar, and seafood porridge, among other things.

The char kueh teow was surprising good, not as great as the two famous Penang stalls, but plenty close enough to warrant a trip for anyone who loves this dish. The prawns are pretty big, and the dish comes complete with cockles and Chinese sausage too. I usually like to have mine extra spicy for some extra kicks. I finished the plate in no more than 5 minutes.

the unnamed kopitiam housing this char kueh teow stall is situated by MBPJ building

Upon looking at me snapping pictures, the stall owner actually came up to me for a chat. Apparently he is the 2nd generation owner of the stall, handed over from his mother and the stall has been in operation for some 20 years.

As usual, there will be people who are quick to point out that it used to be better, and the son isn’t as good as the mom’s char kueh teow. To me, I think most of us don’t realize that char kueh teow is not something like great art works, where Picasso’s son wouldn’t do better. Our taste buds are getting less by the days, and most often than not, we would have been exposed to wider variety of good food since 5 years ago. Don’t commit the fallacy, just give it a good honest try, I think you’ll like it.

Address:
Jalan Tengah,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS:3.099046, 101.644467

Tags:  char-kueh-teow,  ckt,  hawker,  penang-food,  PJ,  state

Posted by KY | 22 Comments »

If you ever think of having malaysian-western style breakfast, with roti bakar (toast), milo, and perhaps half-boiled egg, head to PJ state, there you will find the best roti bakar this side of klang valley.

simple, yet very tasty

There are several factors that set this roti bakar offering from the rest. Firstly, the bread is not your run of the mill Gardenia type, but rather a specially made bread not unlike those old school Bengali Roti.

Secondly, a generous layer of butter or kaya is spread to the bread prior to toasting, instead of after. This allows the filling to seep into the bread from the heat, bonding the flavor into the bread itself. Lastly, instead of electric toaster, charcoal is used.

I always end up ordering at least a serving of roti bakar (RM1.20) even if I have something else as the main meal for breakfast. Perhaps you should give it a try too.

old school charcoal toaster

You can find the map to the place in myseafood porridge post.

Address:
8 Jalan Tengah
Off Jalan Yong Shook Lin
Petaling Jaya
GPS: 3.099378, 101.644478

Tags:  bread,  breakfast,  kopitiam,  PJ,  state

Posted by KY | 11 Comments »

After posting about the seafood porridge at PJ state, there were a few people, including Saygore and Pam who left comments saying that I should check out the Lou Ngap Fan (卤鸭饭), or “loh” duck rice. So we did just that on a Saturday evening.

even got paranomic shot, stim or not?

Now as opposed to the more common roasted duck rice, this place serves the Lou Ngap (that’s in Cantonese). Instead of roasted, the duck is cooked in a thick gravy with lotsa flour, much like Loh Mee style.

are you hungry now?

We ordered a whole duck for the 6 of us, add sides dishes of salted vegetable, Chinese mushroom, boiled egg, and pork with vinegar. The duck was pretty awesome, with just the right texture, not too hard nor overly oily. The sauce/soup was in just the right viscosity, though I’d imagine it won’t be terribly good if it gets cold, but with 6 hungry souls, we never had that problem.

The pork was commendable, the mushroom goes well as a side dish, the eggs were alright. However, the salted vegetable is something rather interesting, it is served as is, with nothing accompanying. It wasn’t really very salty at all and does serve as a very good compliment to the duck. Much like how those marinated ginger goes well with sashimi in way of washing off the prior taste so that your taste bud is leave afresh for another bite. Highly recommended.

don’t you love those bank logos?

The stall starts serving at around 5pm and ends whenever they run out of duck, usually around 9pm or so. Give it a try if you’re around the area. You got the map anyway, right?

Also, check out spymy, a digg clone but concentrate more on regional blogs. A good compliment to pps & blogsmalaysia I’d say, give it a go.

Address:
8 Jalan Tengah
Off Jalan Yong Shook Lin
Petaling Jaya
GPS: 3.099378, 101.644478

Tags:  duck,  duck-rice,  kopitiam,  PJ,  state

Posted by KY | 17 Comments »

So one day while going to PJ State for some banking needs, I ended up in this kopitiam right next to UOB bank. As I was pondering what to have for breakfast, the claypot thingy on the other table captured my attention. A closer peek, and I just had to order it. Seafood porridge.

well kerol seemed happy, no?

I ordered seafood porridge, while my housemate kerol had the crab porridge. We had to wait for about 25 minutes before the food came as the business was pretty good. They do give you something to chew upon (yau char kuai) while waiting.

omfg tasty sial

The seafood porridge came with fish, prawn and plenty of lala (type of clam) while the crab porridge came with a whole crab. Parsley and thin sliced ginger were standard. The porridge was very soft and cooked beyond recognition of individual rice grain. The taste was very good, with just the right amount of sesame aroma while indulges you on rich seafood sweetness. You gotta try this.

The seafood porridge is RM 14 while the crab, RM 14.50. They do serve cheaper alternatives, and I believe there’s crab porridge that doesn’t come with all the shell.

map, foo!

Address:
8 Jalan Tengah
Off Jalan Yong Shook Lin
Petaling Jaya
GPS: 3.099378, 101.644478

Tags:  kerol,  kopitiam,  PJ,  porridge,  state

Posted by KY | 26 Comments »