Chong Yen Steamed Fish Head @ Chan Sow Lin

It has been a while since I bring food blog onto the table and this time around, I'm going to introduce the all time favourite and famous, the Chan Sow Lin Steamed Fish Head. For those that don't know, there are many Chan Sow Lin Fish Head in the area as all are riding on the success of the brand built. It's just the same that Klang is famous for Bak Kut Teh, Ipoh for Tau Geh Chicken, Penang for Laksa & Char Kuey Teow, and Chan Sow Lin located within KL is famous for their Steamed Fish Head.

Reputation is built over time and it must have recognition of good majority before it's accepted. The fact is, most of the restaurant around Chan Sow Lin does serve good Steamed Fish Head, therefore the brand. As with everyone else, we wil tend to have our favourite and so-call "Original" Chan Sow Lin Steamed Fish Head, fact is, we also don't know which one is the original. But we think this is the best in the group. So let's check out the Chong Yen Chan Sow Ling Steamed Fish Head!


Chong Yen Chan Sow Lin Steamed Fish Head Restaurant is originally located in Jalan 3, Off Chan Sow Ling and recently they have just moved over to their new premise inside the Jalan 4 since December 2010. For those that are not familiar with Chan Sow Lin, stick to my GPS coordinate. It does not looks like when you driving in, but don't worry. I verify my coordinate before posting it here.


Once you reached, this is the shop you should be looking at. Yellow industrial shoplot with a small banner. It's not hard to spot the shop once you reach the location, it will be hard to direct if you don't know the place. That's the price to pay to find the best Steamed Fish Head =)


As when we arrived in the Saturday afternoon, the place is fully packed. High ceiling, good floor space and very good air flow in the shop. It's much more comfortable comparing to their old shop, not to mention much more hygenic. The bad comments earlier is all diminished with their new shop. Nice!


We have the whole family this time, so good thing is I can introduce more food for you guys. First to come is the Stewed Chicken Feet. Lots don't like to eat chicken feet as they think it's dirty, anyway its the contact point to the floor all the time. But I think there are more bacteria in the meat itself, considering the amount of germs living within. Anyway the stewed chicken feet is good, fulfilling the main criteria that enough time must be allocated to stewed it to ensure softness of the chicken feet.


Then always some green on the table, Boiled Choy Sum Vegetables with Oyster Sauce. All good, nothing to complain about.


The simple steamed Tofu dish, again just a simple healthy dish that we are putting in to balance back our hefty lunch!


A truly chinese dish of Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetable. It's very delicous and I seriously cannot find any dish that's served here that's not nice.


Steamed Fish Maw and Fish Stomach with Soy Bean Sauce. Fish Maw is my favourite and fish stomach is all good. Fish maw is soft and springy while the fish stomach is all new experience. The fish maw goes very well with the soy bean suace while the fish stomach is basically quite tasteless but the springy texture with the soy bean is quite a fun to chew on. Try it out, my must order.


And then come the highlight of the day, Steamed Fish Head. The portion is serve based on the numbers of patrons and we got a medium fish head size. Normal price shall range from RM18-40, depending on size. For steamed fish that's not fresh, there is no hiding as the taste cannot be cover by anything else. The muddy taste is no where to be found and the fish meat is very good. The steamed ginger and garlic sauce that come with the fish head is also good and compliment well.


Moving on, the Cheong Cheng Steamed Fish Head, that's steamed with a good amount of soy bean sauce. As the photograph shown above, the sauce is very addictive that will clear off your rice without your realising it. The fish has the same quality of no muddy taste and good fresh texture. Only comment is the soy bean sauce is a little too salty in my opinion, but that's their idea of soy bean sauce anyway. If you don't like it to be too salty, then you should just stick to the normal ginger and garlic steamed fish head.

For good food, as usual you wouldn't see me writing too much to describe how good is the food because there is no way I can find the right word for it. Whenever you see that in my blog, no need to hesitate. Just find a day and go test it out. I might be wrong, but the rest of the patrons there cannot be wrong. I personally think the steamed fish head that's serve here is if not the best, then it must be one of the best! Definitely better than the Ah Wang Steamed Fish Head that I posted earlier. It's different as Ah Wang is good for conveniency to my house, but Chong Yen serve the best Steamed Fish Head and that's my vote for the best. End of Story.

Oh, before that, my always important information for every food post, how much it cost? As I didn't write the price tag for each food, meaning I didn't pay for it. For this place, allocate around RM15-20 for each person and it should be more than enough. Price mentioned is of course for sensible portion depending on your patrons size. Happy food hunting!

Chong Yen Steamed Fish Head @ Chan Sow Lin
No. 22-24, Jalan 2/89C
Off Jalan Chan Sow Lin 4
55200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 012-231 8129
Location Coordinate: N3 07.092 E101 42.813

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

Sungai Besi Wan Tan Mee

Introducing the best Wan Tan Mee in the town. This tiny road side stall is very famous for their Wan Tan Mee and it's located just right beside the Sungai Besi Highway, therefore they are more known to be the Sungai Besi Wan Tan Mee.



This place open from late evening all the way till morning 4.00am. It kind of remind me of my college life in Inti College Malaysia, where we are frequented a wan tan mee stall that open from midnight till morning. As you are studying / working late and suddenly hunger for food, anything taste good, especially wan tan mee. And this tiny stall served one of the best. Let's see.



The appearance of the stall is the same since I visited it few years back and of course, the taste of the food is still same as well, very nice.



An overall view of the stall. It's located beside a car accessories shop, i think that's why it's open only late evening. Got to wait for the shop to close first, right? There are plenty of tables, and so far I have no problem finding my seat everytime I visited this place. No problem on that. Car park also plenty, just find the place and you will noticed lots of car parking beside the road, and there are also plenty of parking beside the stall.

A simple concept of park at the road side, get a table, order and eat then leave. That's how I love Malaysia's style of eating.


The usual serving of pickled green chili and the sambal chili from this stall. It's available on every tables, so self serving please.


There is only a single thing to eat here, the famous Sungai Besi Wan Tan Mee. The usual ordering would be with either Char Siew or Wild Boar Curry. Both are my favourites on this place and our usual order would go this way. A good plate of Char Siew Wan Tan Mee priced at RM4.50 for each of us.


Then I will get a plate of Wild Boar Curry priced at RM7.00 for sharing. Is the curry really good? Not really the best you can find, but somehow it's very nice when eat together with the Wan Tan Mee. Loving every bit of it.


The next must order is the Dumplings priced at RM6.00. This is the smallest bowl they served and RM1.00 for each dumpling is very much well worth the price. It's big, juicy and delicious. I love the dumplings served here. If you are ordering this, then you can forget about their wantan. Dumplings is much better than wantan.


Wrapping the dinner up with Longan and Winter Melon drink that's priced at RM1.70.
The whole dinner summed up to RM23.70 and I think it's pretty cheap. Considering the premium they should be charging because they open up the shop till 4.00am for you. It will be more favourite must stop if I suddenly feel the hunger in the middle of the night. It's currrently my favourite place for supper.

So coming back to the quality of food, is it really that good? I love their Mee and somehow I think they are using another type of mee. The usual Wan Tan Mee got a funny taste and girls normally hated it. The mee served here don't have that taste and it's very nice. The Char Siew and Wild Boar Curry is not the best in town, but somehow they pair up together very nicely with the Wan Tan Mee and giving it a full 10 marks experience. Plus the yummy Dumplings, it's just a place that keep attracting us to go back. Go try it out and tell me if you love this place. As far as the people I know, they all love it.

Sungai Besi Wan Tan Mee
190H, Jalan 2 1/2 Miles
Sungai Besi
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-9222 8177
Location Coordinate: N3 07.336 E101 42.539

Hong Bee, Fine Nyonya Cuisine @ Cap Square KL

On the other day, we happened to be hanging around in Capital Square Shopping Complex, and we thought why not look around the place for lunch. In fact, I think lots of people don't know where is Capital Square Shopping Complex, at least I didn't know earlier. It's actually a small shopping mall that's located off Jalan Dang Wangi and very near to Jalan Tun Ismail. The building is comprised of 4-storey and a TGV with 6 halls. It's an integrated lifestyle mall with condominium & office tower within the vicinity.

As we are scouting around the ground floor, we found this shop named Hong Bee, Fine Nyonya Cuisine. Nyonya Cuisine, yes I'm familiar. But Fine Nyonya Cuisine, that's something new. So quickyl we grab a seat. The place is basically empty when we got there because it's a weekday in odd hours like 10.30am.

There is meaning in their shop name, where the "Hong" means Rich while "Bee" means Taste Good. So their shop name is Rich Taste Good, yes of course. Where got Not Rich but Taste Good? Just a lame joke, forget about it.


The front shop display of Hong Bee explaining origin and specialty of their Pai Tee.
As we are seated, I can't help to notice the environment is very good with stylish modern touching. The food is very down to earth, and available from stuff like Kaya Butter Bun till Portugese Curry Devil.


A sample of some simple breakfast listing on the blackboard. A little pricey, yes, but don't forget that you are eating within the Golden Triangle Area, so don't complain.


Some very classic set-up of tables & chairs. Outside there are more confortable bamboo chairs for a good sip of coffee / teh.


This is just a random shot and it shows a mixture of classic Nyonya shop with a touch of modern set-up.


We ordered our food (to be reveal below), my wife suddenly very gung-ho about photography, so she started reading the latest copy of Digital Camera and challenge me to get the better photo. Of course I said yes! Let's do it. The right side shown the best shot she got, and as you can see, she only know how to tilt the camera (the skill that I teach her earlier) to challenge me. Hehe ....


As she firing the shutter, I grab the magazine and try to get some tips as well. The right side shown my shot. Who is better? Please vote =)

As we continue to argue whose shot is better, the food arrived. It took a while even without any customer, we never complain because the environment is so comfortable that we decided to enjoy our longer lunch.


Classic Teh Ice and Teh-O Ice that come with the set-lunch. Nothing to shout about, it's nothing better than the usual Teh-O Ice served by other famous franchise around the town.


Nyonya White Rice with lady finger served. I personally think it's very classic, considering how they even put thoughts into this simple white rice. Can't help to snap a photo of it.


The rice is served together with this bowl of Devil Curry or known as Portugese Spicy Pork. I don't know how it ended up in the Nyonya Restaurant, but I have to admit that it's quite good. The bowl is full of meat & ingredients and it taste very good. The sauce itself is very tasty, pairing up very nicely with the rice. There is option for you to change the meat, if you dont fancy pork, and we took up pork + chicken.


While I opted for the recommended Sek Bak or known as Nyonya Braised Pork. The plate looks regular, but the portion is infact very big! The whole plate is filled with braised pork, and I have difficulty finishing it. This is for some very heavy meat eater, of couse, I finish it also =) Very nicely braised pork and the meat is very soft and tasty. A little big portion, that's all.


An overview of the lunch we had, and there are supplement clear soup for our lunch set. A nice add-on, and no complain. The stuff here is quite good, but if you are not staying nearby Capital Square, then I don't see how you can get a chance to try these stuff. Luckily there are offices & commercial building around, and sure this shop is one of the office favourites lunch place.

Do try it out if you happen to be around the area and it would be a nice Fine Nyonya Cuisine experience under your belt. I didn't keep the receipt, but this lunch is costing me around RM30 for two person. Not too bad. They are on the Facebook as well, check them out, but their food photo is not as nice as mine =) Hehe, maybe they should ask me to take photos for their food.

As we are making to our exit, my wife noticed this water fountain just outside of the shop. With her still gung-ho feeling, she plays around and snap somemore photos with different effects.


A slow shutter to feel the rushing flow of the fountain.


A quick shutter to freeze the waterflow displaying a clear shot of water movement.

She is improving, underestimate to get her the Canon S90 =)

Hong Bee, Fine Nyonya Cuisine
G-47, Capsquare Centre
Persiaran Capsquare
Off Jalan Dang Wangi
50100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6012 324 7200
Location Coordinate: N3 09.294 E101 42.002

Restoran Million @ Jalan Ipoh

You know, there are lots of these old restaurant dotted around the KL city that have survived over a few generations and we visisted one of it located nearby Jalan Ipoh called Restorant Million. I didn't know this place until my sister brought us over. With five of us in the car, we drive off this find this place.


Restoran Million, located just opposite the Mobil at the U-turn road of Jalan Duta & Jalan Ipoh. It's some very old restoran, so don't expect the hygiene to be fantastic. The parking there is havoc but keep an eye for the barricade cone in front of the shop. If there is an empty space with one of those in front of the shop, then it's privately reserved by the shop, just give it a horn and they will let you park. That's how they do bussiness earlier, and it never change =) Nice touch making me remember those old times.


My family always bring our own tea when we eat outside, not sure what tea is this, but its sure good.


Ok, here comes the most famous Mee Sua with a price tag of RM14. The ingredients inside is crazily alot, just by looking at the photo. We got egg, pork, vegerables, peanut (crunchy and special taste), squid, and prawns. This plate is a must order in Restoran Million, it's so good that I don't need to try other Mee Sua, I vote this as the best Mee Sua in the world. Unexplainable in words, it just stimulate your tastebud and making you ask for more. One plate is not enough, so we got another one in the middle of our lunch =P

ps: dont be fooled by its look, it's better than you can see.


The other highlight is the Porridge. We ordered the Fish Porridge and it's fantastic. An important element of a good porridge is the softness of the rice and it should be blended smoothly with the water. Just like the baby food, it's smooth and don't make you feel that you are eating rice soup instead. This pot cost RM12.00 and it's very big pot. We nearly can't finish it.


This dish is called Crab Meat Ball and it's recommended by the lady owner. It's served with the chilies sauce made by the shop, but there is nothing to shout about this. Not sure why she recommended it anyway. This plate cost RM8.00.


Ok, this is another special dish that should have the highlight. Shanghai Chao Nien Gao (Fried Sticky Rice Sticks) that cost RM14. If you search online about the Restoran Million on this dish, you will be surprise to see that many misunderstood that this dish is the hokkien style Pek Kueh. Doubt if I'm correct? Ask the lady owner there, surprise to find this dish in this shop though. Not sure how it relates but it's available. My sister went to Shanghai last year and she said its the same.

Its not the best food around, but the mee that's made from Chao Nien Gao is special and you should try. It's almost same with Hokkien style, only the mee is very special. Try it, let me know if you like it.


Then since we are so near to the Ipoh Road Yong Tau Fu, my mum insisted on the similar Fried Tau Fu that's served there. I personally think this Fried Tau Fu is better than the one from Ipoh Road Yong Tau Fu, but my mum said otherwise. Can't remember how much this dish cost, but it's less than RM10.

The food is quite good except the fantastic special highlight of the Mee Sua, but when you are eating in this kind of old shop, there is a rush of nostalgia feeling and even the food is taste nostalgia. Something that's not same when you eat in a new restaurant or other places. I would strongly recommend you to try it out in help serving the one of the oldest restaurant in the city. It's not cheap but nor expensive. It's an old shop, so ladies, don't expect to use the toilet there.

Restoran Million
No. 517, Jalan Tiong
3rd Mile Off Ipoh Road
51100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-4041 3245
Location Coordinate: N3 10.969 E101 40.919

Elcerdo at Werner's Place @ Changkat Bukit Bintang

Ok, this is another overdue post. Sigh, just too busy with works until recently finally got some time to sit down and update my blog. This time is a very interesting post with my recommendation to a Spanish Restaurant located in the middle of the Golden Triangle. As you would guess, Spanish Restaurant in Golden Triangle, must be expensive. Yes, it's expensive but you will want to visit it after finished this blog. Let's see.



This is my third visit to this place and I would still say it's one of the best restaurant around KL. This dinner is set-up a day after my wife's birthday together with my friends. Let's say this, I did a few good favours to a friend of mine and he owed me a few dinner, which I decided to pull it together for a big one like this. He brought his girlfriend and I'm with my wife. Four of us decided to go for the El Cerdo @ Werner's Place in Changkat Bukit Bintang with its motto of "Nose to Tail Eating" experience. Non-halal friend, sorry, but you got to stay away from this post.

ps: Besides, El Cerdo means The Pig in Spanish =)


The famous Hoegaarden beer originated from Belgium. Any beer lovers will recognise this wheat based beer that's serving all around the European Restaurant. My friend particular ordered a big full pint at RM26.00 and the girlfriend finished it by herself! Crazy, I just sip my water while watching them savour it. Incredible couple.


Boquerones at RM19.50. This is the best ham I've ever eaten. Super crispy & juicy bacon stuffed with white wine marinated anchovies and served with onion rings, salad with tartar sauce. A very nice appetizer and my friend said this is the best dish of the dinner. A must order!


Elcerdo's Farmer Sausage at RM28.00. Three different flavour sausages served with sauerkraut and mashed potato. Juicy sausages but there are other better sausages out there. Overall it's good, matching the quality of sausages from Euro Deli. I prefered the German Sausages.


Elcerdo's Signature Dish and our main highlight of the day. "Chochinillo Al Estilo Segoviano" Roasted Suckling Pig. We ordered the whole suckling pig because my memories tell me that half piglet is not enough! The menu will tell you also that it's for four person. However, a whole suckling pig for two guys and two girls are proved to be too much. If you are four in the diner hall, you should stick to half piglet to enjoy every piece of it.

The interesting part of the signature dish, is that the manager himself will come out and tell how the signature dish is been prepared and all about its tradition. The piglet is normally 3 weeks old and will be marinated in white wine for 48 hours and then roasted to perfection for 4 hours. You dont need to pre-book for this dish but due to popularity, it's better to make reservation to avoid disappointment. I'm wondering where they get all the pigs, and the manager told me the piglet come from Spanish! What the ...

In follow to the tradition, the diner will need to take the white plate and hit the table 3 times then "chop" the suckling pig (yes with plate, it's very soft including the bones because of the 48hrs marination). Then you will have to drop and break the plate into the wooden barrel for good luck. You can wish for the either wealth (hold plate with each hand furthest apart) or love (hold plate with both hands nearest possible) before dropping the plate, and you must choose only one to have the wish granted. Interesting, I got my love beside me, so I choose ... wealth! because with wealth, she will love me more! =) Nice.


The signature dish is served at RM219.00. The dish come complete with salads, special Elcerdo's sauce, and more potatoes. The skin is crazy crispy and the meat is very juicy tender with a very good aroma of piglet plus white wine. I voted this as the best suckling pig I've ever tasted. Although the serving is very big for four of us, but we still finished it! So imagine. You will be hearing the sound of plates breaking every while and then, an added experience in Elcerdo. Without ordering this dish in Elcerdo, you will feel out of place when everyone start throwing the plates. Hehe...


I hinted that it's my wife birthday to the manager and this happened. We are given a house shot of vodka with lime for digestive and a little gift of piglet (next to the candle) as a gift to her. The manager told her that piglet is a goodluck symbol for Spanish and to wish for luck, gently rub the piglet head to have it come true. Nice, a truly unforgettable experience. You will remember this pig if you follow my blog earlier.

As said, this dinner is a return of favour from our friends and a very thank you for the dinner. I'm just taking favour as reason to meet around my friends and next time I will treat you guys back. It's nice to gather around, talks and laughs with good foods. Incredible, I love to live my life like that. Thanks again!

Elcerdo @ Werner's Place
43 & 45 Changkat Bukit Bintang
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2145 0511
http://www.elcerdokl.com/
Location Coordinate: N3 08.852 E101 42.455