Fresh Unique Seafood 23 Restaurant @ PJ

This is long overdue post and it's dated back to Chinese New Year 2011, yea, almost 6 months ago. A good friend of mine came back from his long work in Dubai and our group of friends manage to get hold of him to treat us a good dinner since he got good USD allowance! He is always so good and generous and we picked Fresh Unique Seafood 23 in PJ for the food feast!


The main entrance of the Fresh Unique Seafood 23 Restaurant located in Petaling Jaya. If you want to opt for jockey parking, just stop by the entrance and the jockey will take over. It's only RM5 but if you want to save some money, there is a large underground parking that will cost you RM2 with direct access to the restaurant.

The usual seafood restaurant set-up, a good display of their live seafood available for the day. It's just not decorative in my opinion as you can actually choose which one you fancy to eat that night. Similar arrangement in other seafood restaurant but variety is a little lacking comparing to the other newer opening.


Of course we are eyeing all around for lobster ...


Geoduck ... the funniest looking seafood in my opinion. Why it looks like that?


and Alaska Spider Crab!


A snapshot of the dining area that's a little run down, been so many years anyhow, still comfortable though.


Since the dinner falls near to the Chinese New Year, it's just a tradition for us to order the Yu Sheng or Malaysian called them Lou Shang. It's the same but Yu Sheng is the correct terms which is direct translation from Chinese, meaning Increase in Abudance. While Lou Shang means Prosperity Toss. It's common now that people use raw salmon in Yu Sheng like above.


This is how a plate of Yu Sheng looks like, I'm sure all Malaysians are familiar but for the rest, it's a sign of prosperity and good luck for Chinese to eat this during Chinese New Years. Every year, I can easily have 5-7 times of this dish, just because I eat with other friends and it's a must have every table. It's quite nice, but not deliciously tasty though. Keeping up with tradition, why not. You will notice people hunting for the salmon because it's small and limited! Haha...


While waiting for food, posing for camera shooting.


First to come is the Boiled Prawn also known as Pak Cheok Har. As long as they serve boiled prawn, there is normally no problem with it. As it's not seasoned for you to taste exactly how the prawn should taste. Importantly the prawn must be fresh, which it is. Easy way to identify that is to see if the prawn meat will stick to the shell or not. If it's sticky and hard to remove the shell, then it's not fresh. The prawn meat will also tend to be a little softer as well. QC check down then dip it into chili sauce and put it into your mouth, very nice ...


Some greens on the table, believe me or not, I never touch anything on this plate! Not it looks or taste funny, but for those that know me, I'm not really into vegetables. Maybe because there are just too much food on the table for me to ignore it completely! =)


We have the Clam (Lala) in Superior Soup. It's one of my favourite as somehow the soup always manage to capture the lala taste very nicely, so I walloped three bowls here. The clam is also fresh and the size is also just nice, not too small.


We have this Scallop with Chinese Vermicelli and Garlic. It's a little weird combination, but just put everything together and put it into your mouth. The taste is enriching and the scallop is just so delicious. I love this dish, only complain is each of us only get one. I want more, but shy to ask =P


Eating in seafood restaurant, of course we couldn't miss the Crab, and we ordered the Salted Egg Crab. Basically it's cooked with Salted Duck Egg, a chinese delicacy. The taste is delicious but only downside it's not that healthy I think. The crab is fresh as it's alive before cook, and the size is just in good portion for a good savour of the crab meat taste.


Too much seafood is a little crazy, so added up some red meat for my craving. We have the Deer Meat in Ginger and Spring Onion. No funny taste and soft tasty deer meat is very good. It's not overly cooked or overly seasoned, just nice.


Finally a fish to complete the meal. Planning to eat a little healthy and a little different variety, we got ourselves the Grilled Fish. Not very sure what fish is it, but the meat is all good with a little salty taste. Having it with the chili sauce provided is delicious.


After we are clearing off the food on the table fast and suddenly my colleague asked, like not enough eh? All of us shouted Alaska Spider Crab and this is what we get! Many thanks to James & Ely!! The size is a little crazy, but we still manage to finish everything! Cows...


As the Alaska Spider Crab is too big, so we decided to split it for two type of cooking style. First to come is the Alaska Spider Crab in Superior Stocks. The superior stocks sauce is good, but a little overkill in my opinion. The crab meat taste has overcome by the sauce and with the sauce simmered into the crab meat, it taste a little fun. The Alaska Spider Crab meat is all good, and it doesn't taste like crab anymore, more like lobster meat.


Next to come is the Alaska Spider Crab in Salt & Pepper. The cooking is a little too dry and again it killed the meat crab taste again. The meat crab is still good but without the taste, I'm a little disappoiinted. However, I think salt & pepper is better than the superior stocks. At least there is no funny taste on the mixture of the superior stocks sauce with the crab meat. I'm putting high expectations here, and the plate serving is good by all means, but I'm just expecting more from Alaska Spider Crab!


The toilet is quite clean and I can't help to bring my camera and take a snap. My friends said I'm crazy, but I'm doing all these for my blog reader, which is you. I'm sure you want to know how the toilet looks like, no?


Here is the cows gang and with all the food above, there are only six of us! From left, Pang, James, Ely, Karen, and Leong. All still can smile after those foods, I'm crazily filled and couldn't walk properly.

The dinner is generously paid by James & Ely, many thanks for the food. Such an enjoyable moments to feast and chat together again, just like old times. Concluding the dining place, it's a good seafood restaurant and I'm sure it's marvellous ten years ago. It's a little run down now but no doubt it still serves very good seafood at a price though. If you are looking for cheaper or better experience, then there are always options out there. Just for a quick bite with colleagues and friends because you don't want to think of where else to eat, it's always a good place to drop by. At least you know the tables are always available for you, that's a big plus point in my opinion. Who in the mind think that you should stand and wait for a table when you paying for the dinner??

Fresh Unique Seafood 23 Restaurant
Lot 9B-3, Jalan Kemajuan, Section 13,
46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: +603. 7960 2088
Mobile: +6016. 210 4266
Opening Time: 11.45am to 2.30pm / 6pm to 10.30pm
Location Coordinate: N3 06.865 E101 38.552
Website: http://www.unique-seafood.com.my/

Dragon One @ Ipoh

There are these Shanghainese restaurants sprouting all around KL over the last 2 years and everyone know how Shanghai Dumpling taste like. The same is happening in Ipoh and my mum brought me over to try out this Ipoh very own Shanghainese restaurant named Dragon One. Yea, the name is a little of copy cat to i-Dragon but that's just the English name. Their chinese name is more meaningful, and it's definitely creative.



Since the opening of this restaurant, it has been drawing crowds and my parents are part of the group that love their food very much. Let's see how they fare agaisnt the giant player in KL.


Dragon One opened its restaurant right in the middle of the famous De Garden in Ipoh, and that's the hottest place in Ipoh as when I'm writing. If you are looking for Korean food, Pappa Rich, Tutti Fruitti, Japanese food, and etc, it's all here. It's one of the famous hangout place for Ipoh people day and night.

Back to the restaurant, the entrance is facing the main parking area of De Garden and as you can see, it's targetted to local folks. Very heavy chinese styled and decorated, however, it's not that important as we are more concern about the food quality.


Once you step in,  the place is fully air-conditioned with fans in helping the ventilation. Kitchen is hidden and the floor is spacious. All dining tables are dark brown in colour except the soft seating at the side of the walls. Comfortably decorated although it feels a little cheaper than the giant player in KL. Also there are plenty of waitress around attending to your needs.


Small gesture of toothpick and tissue box for every table, just the way I like it. A little more investment, you will actually save on the waitress that you need to hire, more efficient!


This place is famous with its dim sum so first to come is the Black Sesame Dumpling with Peanut Powder priced at RM4.80. It's not a mistake, RM4.80! The black sesame is very nice and the peanut powder adds up nicely but the skin is a little too thick to my liking. If you ask me how to improve it further, make it softer and thinner skin, it should be just perfect! For that price, anytime I will take another plate!


Second to come is my family favourite, the Stuffed Rice Flour Roll with Chinese Croissant and Squid Paste priced at RM6.80. Yea, RM6.80 only for the whole plate! The serving is so plate that I think you will be feel with just this plate for yourself! Lots of exclamation, but that's the price we are having in Ipoh. Love every bit of it. Let's get into the food, the crispy hot chinese croissant is nicely wrapping the squid paste. The rice flour roll is only adding a little syling into the food and dipping the piece into the sauce provided, it's heavenly like. It's so nice that I will come back to this place just for it. You will never find similar plate anywhere else, I only know this restaurant selling it. Must try!


Next to come is my mum's favourite, the Stir Fried Vermicelli with Minced Pork priced at RM8.80. Now this is a little surprise plate as it got capsicum and the vermicelli is more like spaghetti noodles. Put all those together with a chinese stir fried style, it ended up very nicely. The vermicelli with minced pork is very tasty and delicious. My mum finished the plate, nearly.


For more stir-fried plate, here come my favourite of Stir Fried Bean Sheet with Preserved Vegetables priced at RM6.80. The pricing is really killing me, RM6.80, I love Ipoh. For those that hate noodles, this is the plate they are looking for. The transparent thin bean sheet is super nice. The preserved vegetables gives a very nice taste to the overall plate and importantly, it's not oily. I love every bit of healthy food but the the main attraction is still the bean sheet. It's so nice ...


More dim sum to come and we got the Steamed Prawn Dumpling with Spinach priced at RM4.80. Cheap price again, and the dumpling is very big. Prawn is fresh and again same problem, the skin is too thick to my liking. Nothing special, you can skip this and order the rest.


Everywhere got this dish, so Dragon One also. The Steamed Shanghainese Meat Dumpling with Superior Soup priced at RM6.00. So far, if you ask my opinion, nothing beats the i-Dragon for this dish. However, I think only this restaurant in Ipoh serves it now, so for Ipoh people, here is your nearest restaurant if suddenly you have a craving for the Shanghainese Dumpling! Not getting my vote but nice to have it in the menu. At least my mum no need to drive all the way to KL to eat it.


More surprise that this restaurant also serves tong sui and also snow ice bowl. We ordered the Snow Ice Honeydew Sago priced at RM5.90. The ice is a little big as you can see and still it cannot be compare to the famous KTZ desserts in KL, but a nice addition to the menu for a little twist, if you need.

After all those foods, and guess what! The total bill summed up to only RM51.60 including service charges of 10%! The service charge is a little high, but considering the low food pricing, I'm more willing to pay them. That's the price for food in Ipoh, crazily affordable and yummilicious as well. If you are having the same food in KL, I'm sure the bill will ended somewhere above 80 bucks. Rating is good, but with the pricing in Ipoh, it gives a good boast and it's very nice! No need to drive all the way from Penang or KL to try this out, but a nice place for hangout for Ipoh people and those that happen to be in Ipoh for a visit.

My best vote goes to the Stuffed Rice Flour Roll with Chinese Croissant and Squid Paste and it's so nice that the three of us even order another plate! Of course, we couldn't finish it so we take away the remaining and continue the enjoyment at home. A warning, don't take away, it's only nice to eat when serves hot. It's not bad but it's much better when it's fresh.

Dragon One
G-R-15&16 De Garden
3 Persiaran Medan Ipoh
31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-5495 393
Fax: 05-5494 405
Opening Time: 12.00pm till 3.00pm, 6.00pm till 11.00pm
Location Coordinate: N4 36.703 E101 07.083

Ah Loong Grilled Fish (Crabs) Seafood Restaurant @ Kepong

There is this place that served the one of the best grilled crab in the soil and I always wanted to share it with all of you but it's located so far away and I couldn't frequent the place as much as I wish. Last week finally we have some free time and I grab my camera to get it cover for you guys.

I'm sure KL people are well aware of the Kepong area, and it is particularly famous with its grilled seafood. I'm not local to that area but I've been recommended on this particular restaurant, Ah Loong Grilled Fish Seafood Restaurant that's sandwiched between a good row of grilled seafood restaurant.


Ah Loong Grilled Fish Seafood Restaurant is a typical chinese run-down restaurant at the uptown of KL but continuously pouring out extremely good food. The restaurant layout is small but they make full use of the open space behind the shop (where I'm photographing) to squeeze in easily 30 over tables.


This is how it is typically looks like when you decide to pay them a visit on the weekend. Most of the tables are located open space, so you wouldn't want to come here if it's raining. When we reached by 8.30pm, the crowd is scary. It's on the weekend of course, but still the crowd continues filling all the tables till 10.00pm. Not all the tables belong to Ah Loong of course, but there are still a spectacular numbers that's belong to them. From the crowd, I'm sure you already know how good is this place. Let's go.

We made our order and waited for quite a while. The serving here is actually quite fast, depending on what you are ordering. Asking for grilled crab will takes a much longer time comparing to other dish, as they have limited grilled area. I've warned you but it's worth the wait, trust me. How long I've waited for our portion of grilled crab? Not longer than 1 hour...


We got ourselves a large orange juice to kill the thirst and it's keeping us afloat while waiting for our food. This glass of fruit juice cost RM6.00. Standard price everywhere, no problem.


First to come is the common fried rice that's priced at RM6.00 only. We ordered for a single person and the serving is huge! We check the price, RM6.00 is correct, but the portion is crazy! Go anywhere and order a fried rice that's RM6.00 that can match the size of this plate, I dont think you can find any out there. The fried rice is good, somehow we fancy friend rice when eating crabs, possibly influence from fatty crabs earlier. Nothing spectacular but you can skip the white rice and order this. It's good.


Next to come, we get into a little adventurous this time and took the recommended Yin-Yang Tofu priced at rather hefty RM24.00. If you are not someone that fancy Tofu then I don't recommend this dish. The white tofu is cold and quite raw in taste. The prawns served are also quite raw in taste. My wife basically didn't touch the white tofu and I have to wallop everything. That's a big tofu for a single person! While the black tofu is something more decent.


The colour looks a little scary but it's easier to eat. The cheesy buttered sauce that's served together help adding the flavour to the good black tofu. What is it made of? I'm not sure, but it's a nice plate of adventure for those that haven't try. For that price, I rather go get another plate of crabs!

After a long long wait and we are finally also complaining, the boss know that we are waiting for a long time, so everything I turn my head to them, they tell me it's coming. Small gesture, but at least I know that we are not forgotten.


Finally the grilled crabs are served and it's beautiful. Minimal order of crabs in this place is two crabs so we ask them for smaller one. This plate cost us RM38.00, reasonable charges to me. For grilled crabs, the colour of crabs served is fantastic showing that it's not overcooked and a check on the meat texture, it's not undercooked as well. It's done just perfectly well and the smell is irresistible. The crabs served are of salty taste, suppose to be some kind of marinate before grille and it's very delicious.


To me, most important point of eating crab is to make sure the crab served is fresh. How to identify? Basically for fresh crab, the meat wouldn't stick to the shell and the meat is still juicy. And that's what you will be expecting from this place. Fresh juicy, salty grilled crabs, it's so good that I nearly voted them serving the best crabs in Malaysia. I love the simple salty and sauceless style of cooking that allow me to taste exactly how the crabs suppose to taste. Maybe I'm a little exaggerated, but it's very nice. As said, good food is hard to describe in words and it's the same here. Everything goes together so well that me and my wife will just travel around the KL to this place for another bite. Try it out, but please prepare to wait, it will takes a while.

The bill totalled up to RM70.00 for both of us and as expected, there is no tax or whatsoever in this place. We normally don't mind having an expensive dinner but we are both equally disappointed with the Yin-Yang Tofu. For that price, we can easily order another grilled fish that guarantee more satisfying experience. Anyhow, the grilled crabs still manage to shut our mouth for the day and keep a smile as when we are travelling back home. This place serves much more than grilled crabs, and you can basically order everything recommended on the menu, I guarantee a special dining experience. We didn't order because there are only two of us. Given a choice, we will feast at this restaurant! Other highlights are such as grilled fish, salted egg crabs, kam heong crabs, fish steamed in nyonya style, lala soup, stir-fried four heavenly king, mussels, fried pig intestine, and etc. The list is endless, talk to the lady boss there, she will recommend.

Nearly forgotten, double thumbs up!

Ah Loong Grilled Fish Seafood Restaurant
Lot 12-14 Jalan Kelab
Jinjang Utara
52000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 012 386 2832
Location Coordinate: N3 12.743 E101 39.495

Dragon-i Signature @ Pavillion KL

We are visiting Pavillion earlier and decided to dine in the Dragon-i Signature restaurant located at the lower ground floor. If you would have notice, this place is exclusive with the name "Signature" and as you can guess, the food & price is also premium here. If not how to afford the higher rental in Pavillion right?



We are just longing for the traditional Dragon-i's food therefore we stick to the usual routine of ordering in usual Dragon-i restaurant around the whole Kuala Lumpur. A glance into the menu, and immediately you will notice additional food served, main addition to the premium restaurant is the family-sharing dish for family dining. Most of the tables within the restaurant is round, strongly indicating family union dining experience, but as you can guess, the price is premium as well.



The entrance into the Dragon-i Signature is the usual corridor decoated in major dark colour with stripes of red decoration to bring out the chinese culture. Dimmed lighting and it's always a good welcoming ambience for a fine dining. Move in then you notice the different immediately.


Interior of the Dragon-i Signature restaurant is obviously different from the usual franchise, as you can see multiple round tables are set-up for family dining. Chinese saying of dining table must be in round shape, usually indicating chinese way of equal food sharing for all diners and also most important element of full rounded family reunion during dinner. That's the major different from Western culture.

All right, now come to food, let's see what is our normal favourite order.


First to come is the XO Style Prawn Carrot Cake priced at RM12.00 that you shouldn't miss. It's a little pricy for a small plate of carrot cake but it's a must order for anyone. It's the most delicious carrot cake no matter where you go. Enough said, best carrot cake I've ever eaten.


Next up is the special Seafood Sour and Spicy Ramen priced at RM13.00. A healthy choice of food and my sisters love it so much that they will order is everytime they go Dragon-i. Origin from Sze Chuan, the sauce is sour and a little spicy. Seafood is plentiful and the ramen is also crazy delicious. I personally think it's a little too sour, but it's good for sharing. To have the whole bowl for myself, I doubt I can finish it.


Signature dish of Dragon-i and it's made famous to all Malaysian since the Dragon-i open its door, the Shanghai Steamed Meat Dumpling (Xiao Long Pao) priced at RM9.80 per basket. We ordered three basket and still manage to finish everything. It's by far the best Xiao Long Pao I've ever tried, and the specialty is the skin is crazy smooth & thin with delicious meat and soup within. Each Xiao Long Pao is hand made through glass wall for all diners to witness and the signature 18 plaits shaped in pagoda jewel alike.

Way of eating is simple, take up the Xiao Long Pao by it's tip top and rest it on your spoon. Puncture the the skin and enjoy the soup within first. Then dip the Xiao Long Pao with a dab of black vinegar and complete the spoon with a few slivers of fresh ginger. The taste is incredible and not to mention the experience. For those have tried, you know what I meant. For those that yet to try, go try it out now.


Then we ordered the Steamed Rice with Chicken, Mushroom and Chinese Sausage Bucket priced at RM18.00 for sharing as well. Everything in the wooden basket is simple but yet they compliment each other so well. The chinese sausage, steamed chicken, vegetables, rice and the sauce. It's delicious and I will take this anytime, the sauce is the killer actually, not the mention the smooth steamed chicken.


Finally, I decided to try something special called Seafood Fried Mixed Rice on Hot Stone Bowl that's priced at RM22.00. Seafood, I'm not sure where is it. The five types of rice served is crazily delicious served incredibly hot. The hot stone bowl keeps the whole experience good. There is not much meat, not much taste, but I love it. It's those type of healthy food that you don't mind having another spoon, exactly what I'm looking for. Love it.

Total bill summed up to RM130.00 including 10% service tax and 6% government tax for the eight of us. If you notice, the dishes here are a little more expensive than the usual franchise restaurant, but the food is truly fabulous. It's by far one of the best Chinese cuisine I truly recommend. There are other choices that serve Chinese Cuising but I love Dragon-i the most. Good food is what makes me continue writing.

Dragon-i Signature
Lot 1.13, Level 1
Pavillion Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2143 7688
Fax: +603 2143 7588
Opening Time: 11.00am till 10.00pm
Website: www.dragon-i.com.my

Soon Fatt Restaurant @ Ipoh

More Ipoh food to come and this time I'm going to show you the best fried noodles. This tiny shoplot named Soon Fatt Restaurant is opened before my dad is born and my grandfather love to eat here. Then my dad has been eating here since he is very very young until now he brought his children around. If the shop is still open later, I will also bring my children to eat here, the food is good and importantly, that's part of Ipoh Heritage.



What's very impressive is that the food taste exactly same as 50 years ago when my dad ate it. Till today, it's still very good and nice. I'm trying to make it a habit to eat there everything I go back Ipoh, just a very homey feeling I'm experiencing. Let's go to food.



There is only one thing you need to order here. The fried bihun mee. That's it, that's what my grandfather ordered, and that's what I ordered. It's hard to explain, but you got to try it and tell me. The bihun and mee is different, much thinner and smoother, the sauce is crazily heaven like, and those little ingredients within just complete the plate.


This is how the shop looks like, and again, this is how it looks like 50 years ago. If you are visiting it, take a good look at the cabling, switches, clock, the sign, fridge, mirror and etc. Surprising the fan is still turning.


Other than the fried bihun mee, we love their egg tart and dim sum as well, especially the chicken wrapped with bean curd skin or called "kei chak". Try that as well.

Well, this is one of the oldest and nicest restaurant I know that still existed. It's pure heritage thing and I'm not sure if anywhere else can match this. Special recommendation and it only open for dinner till night.

Soon Fatt Restaurant
32 Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar
30300 Ipoh, Perak
Tel: 05-241 6674
Location Coordinate: N4 35.706 E101 04.962