[FOOD] 20150426 Restoran Pik Wah (MABA) 碧华楼酒家 @ Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur
If you are bored of normal Chinese restaurants and looking for somewhat a more premium yet affordable restaurant around KL, then probably you should give a try at Restaurant Pik Wah Lao 碧华楼酒家.
This hidden gem located at the lower ground floor of the Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) at Jalan Hang Jebat (opposite Stadium Negara), at fringe of Jalan Sultan is well known among the elderly as a place that serves quality Chinese cuisines.
The restaurant exists for quite some time since the 70's and features some unique dishes that are not found elsewhere in Klang Valley area. The dishes varies from the common dishes to fancy and premium cuisines that you probably can't miss.
The restaurant is often full of patrons especially weekends even there's no on-going functions and it is advisable for you to reserve a table before coming. There are also a few (but limited) private rooms available with complementary karaoke function, but the catch is with minimum spending of RM1,000-00 otherwise additional surcharge of RM100 will be imposed as they will assign one waitress to serve your room exclusively.
The restaurant is often the choice for celebrities, politicians and businessmen to meet and dine. Suitable if you are planning for a dinner celebration.
Restoran Pik Wah (MABA)
MABA House
Basement Level, Stadium Block,
6 Jalan Hang Jebat,City Center,50150 Kuala Lumpur
碧华楼酒家
Nearest LRT Stations: Plaza Rakyat Station
Telephone: +603 - 2072 3668
Opening Hours: Noon - 03:00pm; 6:30pm - 10:30pm (Daily)
TO GO
Despite being located at the city centre, Restaurant Pik Wah Lao 碧华楼酒家 is shyly hidden away from the busy roads of Kuala Lumpur along Jalan Hang Jebat at MABA House, which is opposite the Stadium Negara (National Stadium). Getting here is pretty easy, just beware of the horrible KL traffic jam.
There are ample parking at the tier parking next to MABA House, which will charge RM5 per entry after 6pm or hourly prior to 6pm.
SPECIALITY
I have been to Pik Wah Lao for a few times and have tried quite a variety of their dishes but not all. They have a few signature dishes such as the Portuguese Grilled Pork Ribs, Flying Snakehead Fish, Lemon Steamed Grouper etc that I have yet to try and would love to try some other days. They also have this daily promo for some common dishes at half price without compromising on the quantity! A very good deal I must say.
Special Braised Pork with Bun 招牌红烧骨 - RM30
I tried their special braised pork belly that comes with a fried bun. Unfortunately the waiter cut the pork belly into pieces immediately when serve before I was able to take a picture. The restaurant emphasizes a lot on their gravy which you are able to taste that they really put in effort and attention to every gravy for each dish.
The soft pork belly, accompanied with the rich gravy will definitely make you ask for more rice. Another thing to highlight is the rice served is actually quality fragrant rice instead of normal white rice. Taste wise is predictable just like any other braised pork, but with more attention to their gravy. For RM30, the portion is definitely worth it.
Stir-fry Green Dragon Vegetable 清炒青龙菜 - RM25
Green Dragon Vegetable 青龙菜 (a variant of Chinese chives) is gaining popularity in Chinese restaurants recently as more and more Chinese restaurant offering this special vegetable with unique taste. Surprisingly, Pik Wah Lao only charge RM15 for this delicious stir-fry vegetable that is enough for a table of 6 while other normal restaurants can easily charge the same with but smaller portion and less tasty. Very very cheap if you ask me.
Claypot Seafood 海味煲 - RM20/pax
The captain introduced us to try the claypot seafood when I asked some dishes with sea cucumber. The picture above is portion for 4 which cost RM80 but has abundance of dried seafood such as sea cucumber, fish maw, dried scallops, dried oyster etc which worth every penny paid for this claypot. Again, the gravy is very rich and strong with the essence of dried seafood however, a little disappointment is that I believed it was prepared in bulk and heated up based on portion ordered. Don't get me wrong, it still tastes very good but lack of the taste of a dish that was prepared separately.
Slices Smoked Duck 海蜇熏鸭片 - RM18 (half price)
RM18 for a plate of smoked duck breast with jelly fish? That's a steal and the portion is definitely generous. I don't think you can find this price anywhere else. Despite half price, it didn't compromise the taste at all as the duck breast is well marinated and smoked to perfection with a thin layer of fat beneath the duck skin. Coupled with the marinated jellyfish slices makes it a great combo for starter or main dish.
Steam Patin 清蒸巴丁鱼 - RM100/kg
Fish the highlight of this restaurant, from the cheapest Talapia, to the expensive Grouper or snakeheads. The captain politely answers when I asked her for the current prices for different fishese available. The patin above (please ignore the blue tint from the TV screen reflection) was quoted RM100/kg and the bill also came at RM100 with no extra charges (unlike some restaurants that will tell you unable to weigh exactly 1kg and charge you more for the extra pounds). The fish was so fresh and steamed to perfection, not too cooked nor uncooked. The soy sauce was also the key with a hint of tangerine skin that adds a lemony zest to induce your taste buds without overpowering the fish itself.
Stir Fried Lotus Root and mixed vegetables with Macadamia 杂菜莲藕炒夏威夷果 - RM45 (portion for 10)
A very light vegetable dish that's very healthy that's slightly more expensive than normal dishes but worth it for the portion. The picture might look small but it's actually a very big plate that's more than enough for 10 person.
Special Minced Pork Homemade Taufu 招牌家乡豆腐 - RM30 (portion for 10)
The special homemade toufu with minced meat and crispy radish. Initially I thought this toufu is no where different from normal restaurants but I was proven wrong because the toufu is actually very flavourful and again the attention was on the gravy with the mince pork and crispy radish which goes very well with rice. RM30 for 10 person? That's another steal.
Ginger Paste Steam Grass Carp 姜蓉芫鱼 - RM60
This is by far the best grass carp I ever tasted. I ordered grass carp as other fishes were not available during our lunch. Traditionally, we will have the impression that the grass carp is full of bones and the flesh is somewhat mushy especially the bigger fish. However, Pik Wah Lao proves me wrong again as the flesh taste like toufu texture, which is firm yet like pudding. Makes me wonder why other restaurants' grass carp taste so differently. Mind you, the fish above is as big as two palm combined but only price at RM60. Yum yum.. never knew grass carp can be so enjoyable.
Abalone with Braised Goose Feet 鲍鱼焖鹅掌 - comes in set meal
Another dish that I would like to highlight which is part of a set meal was the abalone with braised goose feet. It's my first time of trying goose feet as it is a rare delicacy in Malaysia as not many places do serve goose, let alone goose feet. The abalone was cooked just right with the gravy as highlight to add flavour to the texture. The goose feet skin absorbs most of the flavour of the gravy, which makes it very flavourful. I ate it just like how I would normally do while eating chicken feet, just that this is not as soft as the latter.
SUMMARY
Much praise was heard for Restaurant Pik Wah with its unique culinary and dishes served. Do not miss out their special dishes like the Portuguese Grill Pork Ribs (prior booking preferred), various method of preparing fishes, etc. Spending here may vary from standard price to more premium pricing, depending on what you order. The restaurant starts to fill up by 6:00pm onwards, so be sure you made your reservations earlier hand to avoid disappointments.
I will definitely come back again whenever I feel like having a better Chinese meal once awhile.
Taste
|
☆☆☆☆☆
One of the best Chinese cuisines around town
|
Value
|
☆☆☆☆☆
Tends to be premium, depending on what you order but definitely worth it.
|
Service
|
☆☆☆☆☆
Captains occasionally might be a bit harsh but the waitress are excellent.
|
Cleanliness
|
☆☆☆☆
Run down restaurant but well maintained
|
Opening Hours
|
Noon until 03:00pm
6:30pm until 10:30pm (Daily) |
Wifi
|
Yes
|
Parking
|
Ample
|
Website
|
Nil
|
GPS: 3.142837, 101.700289
0 comments: