The market for Korean fried chicken in the Klang Valley seems to have set prices on the higher end, despite being merely chicken wings. The 6 pcs set that came with a bowl of wedges and raw cabbage clocked in at MYR19.90 whereas the 4 chicken fingers with fries came at MYR13. The chicken wings here were dry and flavors weren’t bold either. Chicken fingers were akin to chewing battered cardboard. Would I return? Absolutely not.
The food here packs a great punch, and the portions here don’t play it down either. The salted egg calamari (MYR18.90) here is one of the best I’ve had recently, lightly stir fried with a salted egg salad to further exhibit the fragrance of the dish. Ended the meal with a Molten Lava cake (MYR21) that was comforting and definitely crowd pleasing.
Filipino food surprisingly hasn’t really made its mark in Malaysia, considering the proximity of the two countries. Nevertheless, better late than never! The Beef Salpicao (MYR22) was the dish of choice here, exuding savory, peppery goodness. Grab a bowl of their avocado or ube ice cream if you still have the space for it!
The sister restaurant of the Singaporean Common Man has finally set its foot in Malaysia at Bangsar South, whipping up porky renditions of familiar brunch fares. I went with the Brioche French Toast, which has a light toasted crisp on the outside that melts completely with the softness of the brioche once bitten into. The bananas, bacon and caramel gave it a sweet, savory and earthy flavor respectively and I’d be a fool to not order this again on my next visit, which will be happening very soon.
Just as I thought Thai Iced Tea (MYR8.90) couldn’t taste any better than I could possibly imagine, this one really hits the spot. Incredibly rich tasting and sweet, this cup of goodness could constitute a meal on its own. The Mango Sticky Rice (MYR9.90) is also one of the best I’ve tried with and its sweet and savory coconut milk sauce.
This was the star of the night - the Sundanese Double-cooked Beef (MYR21) is made from Australian-imported beef steak slow-cooked in coconut milk, then flash-fried for a crunchy finish. This is probably the best tasting version of a beef rendang I’ve ever had.
Sarawakian cooking is not familiar to many in the Peninsular Malaysia, but I’m glad this is one of the first I’ve gotten to try! Served with Adan rice that is native to the paddy fields of the Ba’kelalan tribe, paired with the chutney that’s bursting of fried onion flavors, this set meal definitely did not disappoint. Would definitely revisit to try their house made burgers and sandwiches.
Taking over what used to be Battery Acid Club, the minimal setting transitioned this seemingly sophisticated looking restaurant into the ambiance. However, the food was rather disappointing despite reasonable prices. Pork chop was probably the best of the lunch dishes (MYR 19), however it was a tad bit overcooked and dry, though flavor was good. The ramen was a complete letdown and frankly a lazed effort, as the ramen broth was basically the same broth as the complimentary broth that came along with the set lunch. We were hoping the Cream Cheese (MYR9) would bring someone light, however this was just as disappointing, presenting simply a huge dollop of cream cheese, sweetened by the passion fruit sauce and slightly tart with dehydrated guava pieces. I’m hoping that with such a decent space, the newly opened restaurant will reinvent their menu in the near future.
Only being a month into its opening, this restaurant is bound to become a stalwart in Plaza Arkadia. This Smoked Duck Breast (MYR 39.90) packs one hell of a punch; crispy, glazed skin over a juicy, smoky and flavorful meat. Many have tried and tested, but dare I say this is one of the best duck breasts I’ve had in KL thus far.
Tucked in an alleyway in Chinatown filled with little lanterns by a rustic door, this bar can’t get any more promiscuous. Dressed in full orient, this bar picks off where PS150 started and will soon be the next go to bar in the area. The silky and comforting Red Dates Clover Club (MYR35) on the left and the Asamboi-cinnamon-like Morinda Rose Salted Cocktail (MYR35) were the highlights of the night.
Troika Sky Dining has made itself known for its commendable service and and dining experience, this trip certainly did not let that reputation crumble at the slightest grain. The ambiance was a gasconade of romanticism, utilizing minimal to dim lighting, allowing the lights of the KL skyline flow throughout the area. We started off with the Fuego Guacamole served with baked lotus and beetroot chips, the torched salmon ceviche, the grilled pine mushrooms and the soft shell crab as nachos. Each boasting a flavorful semblance, hitting the necessary marks but nothing over the top. Each starter ranging from MYR20-35++ mark, but as portions are traditionally tapas sized, do not except a fulfilling meal on starters alone. Proceeding to the rare French beef flank, embossed with a peaty whiskey salt rub with a hint of yuzu, served alongside a bowl of black pepper sauce. The generous 500g serving at its tender glory, a MYR 125++ does the seemingly steep pricing all the paramount justice. Ending the contentment of our meal up to this point with the berries pavlova, pouring a flaming brandy concoction over the pavlova dome, not only did this prove to be an aesthetic appeal but one to the tongue as well. Digging deep to the bottom of vanilla Chantilly and macerated berries, the light hearted dessert wrapped up our meal at a MYR35++. As Fuego is an outdoor rooftop with a limited seating area, it's best to make your reservations for tables close to the balcony and the best view of Kuala Lumpur for the utmost noteworthy dining experience.
The minimalism in each piece allow their colors to shine collectively on the wooden board, each one holding a different flavour from the other. The shoplot is located on the row directly opposite to Kompleks Selangor at Jalan Sultan, housing a commendable number of street hawkers and shops of traditional architecture. A slight hint of discretion on their part, I suggest to look out for a dim and spacious setting, as the store really stands out from the other shops around it. The sandwiches boasted a mixed array of flavours, as well as emotions, jumping around from the sweet and savoury, favourites were the Orange chicken and pesto slice, Apple salted caramel and cheese slice and the salmon slice. Each piece proved to be rather promising, but paired with the hot chocolate, your tastebuds will go on a psychedelic joyride. Priced at MYR25 for 5 pieces, I'd say it's decent for a snack but rather steep if you were to actually fill yourself entirely with the sandwiches. Cakes and coffee are served here too. The choice of selection for the opening area allows patrons to encapture the crumbed remnants of the city's historical significance, props to The Front Door for their location choice! nevertheless, the innovation of reducing a slice of bread from each sandwiches only allows room for more, so remember to keep track!
