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[FOOD] 20140517 Number 6 Restaurant @ Patong, Phuket


Phuket is one of the popular island destinations in Thailand, welcoming millions of tourist from all around the world. During a company event back in 2014, I got the opportunity for a short visit to Phuket for its beautiful beach and vibrant night life.

While I have skipped most of the pubs and clubs at Bangla Road in Patong Beach, food is something I will never skip when visiting a new place. While looking for a dinner spot at Patong Beach, we were recommended to give Number 6 a try. Please be reminded to inform your cab driver to go to the one near the beach instead of the one uphill as they have another branch up north of Patong Beach with free transportation provided at the same price and quality but a different environment.

Number 6 is a family run business, serving typical Thai cuisine at a very reasonable price, hence its popularity among tourists gained over time. Despite not being the best Thai food around, what I liked about Number 6 is the service, speed and reasonable priced food at decent quality. Typical serving here ranges from THB70-THB200. Not to sure any price increased after so long.

Number 6 Restaurant
Thanon Ratuthit Songroipi Road, Patong, Phuket
Telephone:
Opening Hours: 8:30am until 12:00am

TO GO


Most of the hotels and resorts in Phuket will provide transportation to Bangla Road or Patong Beach. Otherwise, just catch a taxi or cab to either one destination, or best to get the driver to drop you at Jungceylon Shopping Mall, which is the biggest shopping mall at Phuket todate.

From there, walk towards north along Thanon Ratuthit Songroipi Road until you reach a cross junction, continue straight and you will see UOB bank at your right side. Number 6 Restaurant is just further ahead at your left.



SPECIALITY


*pardon me for the poor quality pictures as colleagues are very hungry after the long queue*

The restaurant was packed and a long queue was seen during my visit but the waiters and staff efficiently cleared the queue, making the waiting time as short as possible for hungry patrons. We were seated quickly and menu presented immediately and off the waiter go to serve another table. Everything here is swift and fast to cater the huge crowd. Dishes are also served very quickly after order as most of the dishes are popular dishes that will be ordered by every table.

Fried Mince Pork with Sweet Thai Basil - THB100 (RM11)

The waiter recommended fried mince pork with sweet Thai basil, which is a very common dish in Thai cuisine. The serving is rather small but reasonable for THB100 but the taste beats my expectation as the dish was very fragrant and flavourful albeit tend to be at a saltier side, which goes well with rice by the way.

Garlic and Pepper Squid

Next to serve is the garlic pepper squid, with fresh squid stir fried with garlic and pepper. Not to bad for a dish like this but can give it a pass if you want to try something else. Price should be around THB100-130.


The stir fried chicken with cashew nut taste very much like our Malay style paprik. No complains for the portion and taste.


Green curry chicken is typical with no surprises. Just to compliment with white rice.


The grilled squid was surprisingly good with fresh seafood, grilled to almost perfection with nice char flavour and trace of garlic with tender and succulent texture. We liked it so much that we ordered a second dish to satisfy our carve.

We also ordered a plate of Pad Thai after our meal to try out and it tasted not too bad although there are more Pad Thai selections around. Overall, the meal cost us about THB200 per pax including beer. Not too bad for a satisfying meal (or probably too hungry).

SUMMARY


I would recommend to give Number 6 a try if you have no other options in mind. It is not the best restaurant around but definitely one of the recommended one mostly predicated by the affordability and decent quality. However, if taste or time is your main concern, you probably need to look for somewhere else.

Taste
☆☆☆☆
decent Thai cuisine with some surprises
Value
☆☆☆☆☆
Bang for buck at a tourist area
Service
☆☆☆☆
Fast and prompt but tend to overwork by the crowd
Cleanliness
☆☆☆
somewhat dirty and oily environment
Opening Hours
08:30am until 12:00am (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 7.893641, 98.298480
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[FOOD] 20150113 Som Tam Nua @ Siam Square, Bangkok


Som Tam, or also known as green papaya salad is a very well known Thai dish which is served in almost every Thai restaurant in the world. It's basically green papaya (unripe papaya), thinly sliced and served with other toppings like dried shrimps, nuts, long beans, chilli etc pounded and crunched to bring out the flavours and lastly with the sweet and sour sauce and a sprinkle of fish sauce.

Many reviews, blogs and even news portal have recommended this restaurant which specialize in Som Tam, known as the Som Tam Nua (or Somtam Paradise in Thai) which is located at Siam Square, Soi 5.

It's a restaurant, covering three shop lots and is nicely renovated. Besides som tam, they have other signature dishes like the fried chicken wings, BBQ pork shoulder, Thai style fried fish to just name a few.

While they do have a few outlets around if not mistaken, but it is recommended to try the original oulet at Siam Square, Soi 5.

392/14 Siam Square Soi 5
Nearest BTS Stations: Siam Station
Telephone: +6602 - 2514 880
Opening Hours: 10:45am until 9:30pm (Daily)

TO GO


Siam Square is located just opposite Siam Paragon, and next to the newly opened Siam Square One. Just take the BTS from any line or any public transportation to drop you at Siam Station, towards the Siam Square side, look for Soi 5 signboard and walk inwards until almost the end where you will find the signboard of Som Tam Nua.



SPECIALITY



Due to its high review, it is much recommended to come earlier before the lunch hour to beat the crowd. The restaurant is nicely renovated with a warm atmosphere and a counter in the middle where you will be able to see your som tam being prepared. Communication might be an issue as the waiter here speaks limited English. My orders are done by pointing the menu and numbering it. "This, one."


They have many variant of som tam, which is differentiated by the toppings added on top of the original som tam like the salted crab, dried shrimp, salted egg, pork or pork rind. Price range from 75 Baht (RM8.30) up to 90 Baht (RM10). Frankly, nothing to shout about the som tam. Maybe my expectation were too high, or maybe there are many better options out there, or even in Malaysia. At this price, it's a bit rip off. Nevertheless, it is fresh and is still a good dish.

Fried Chicken - 150 Baht (RM16.50)


The famous fried chicken, served in a basket which cost 150 Baht (RM16.50). Almost every table in this restaurant has this basket of friend chicken wings. The wings are well marinated and deep fried until crispy, maybe a bit overdone. Recommended.

Stir Fried Thai Rice-Flour Noodles - 110 Baht (RM12)

The stir fried Thai rice-flour noodles looks decent from the picture but it was a disastrous dish. I regret every single bit in ordering this dish. It's basically stir-fried soggy rice-flour noodles which coagulate into one big slimy chuck of noodle ball and taste nothing near to what it looks. Avoid at all cost unless you like soggy noddles, or maybe just my luck in getting a lousy dish.

 Crispy Fried Fish - 105 Baht (RM11)

The Crispy Fried Fish is also another signature dish here at Som Tam Nua which is actually deep fried talapia fish with their special spicy sauce that is full of herbs. The size of the fish is actually quite small and should be sufficient for 2 to 3 person.


The fragrant rice is served on a banana leaf and it is quite big in portion. However the price of 20 Baht is a bit steep for Thailand but understandable for a restaurant with this setup. Besides rice, they also have sticky rice which is served in tube basket that costs 25 Baht.


Overall didn't really enjoy the meal and was let down by all the highly rated reviews for this restaurant. I would consider this restaurant decent but overrated.

SUMMARY


Overall a decent meal but was disappointed due to high expectation. I might still come back next time to try some other dishes in the future. The fried chicken and fish are good but the soggy noddles is definitely a no no.

Taste
☆☆☆
Decent but nothing to shout about. Roadside stalls sell pretty much the same at a cheaper price. Credits given to the fried chicken.
Value
☆☆☆
Despite the nicely renovated interior, I still find the price a bit at the high side but still affordable.
Service
☆☆☆
Understaff and not attentive. Difficult in communication sometimes.
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆
Opening Hours
10:45am until 9:30pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
Yes
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.744523, 100.534257
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[FOOD] 20141220 Hua Cheng Restaurant 华城渔港 @ Leyuan Road, Luohu, Shenzhen


If you are looking for a dinner place in Shenzhen, you probably would want to come to Leyuan Road (乐园街) as it is known to serve cheap and fresh seafood (although some comments claiming that it is no longer cheap due to tourist crowd).


The whole street is basically filled with seafood restaurants, each having their own method to attract patrons. You will see some restaurants are crowded with customers while some others might be trying to pitch you to their empty restaurants.

I was recommended to this particular restaurant known as Hua Cheng Restaurant (meaning: Chinese City) 华城渔港, somewhere along the middle of the row of shops before the junction, just next to the Luohu Cultural Park. It might look like a pretty normal restaurant from the outside, but it is actually 3 intermediate shoplots with 3 storeys interconnecting, and most of all, it's full of patrons! 3 multiple by 3, that's a whopping 9 floors of humans devouring huge amount of seafood.

Generally the seafood here are fresh but the prices are not that cheap in comparison. Also to take note that the prices are quoted per 500g (斤) in China, not to be confused with our Malaysian's version of kati. Per kg of mantis prawn may cost up to RMB96 (RM60) or meat crab at RMB136 (RM80).

101, Leyuan Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province
广东省深圳市罗湖区乐园路101号
Nearest Metro Stations: Jordan, Exit C2
Telephone: 8218 1660 / 8223 7488
Opening Hours: 10:00am until 11:00pm (Daily)

TO GO


Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

Travelling in Shenzhen is not as convenient as Hong Kong, with destination distanced away from Metro stations. I would recommend taking cab or public buses if you somewhat able to communicate in Mandarin as it will be the most convenient way to commute. The cab and buses are fast and reliable in comparison to our lousy Malaysian buses.

Unfortunately for Leyuan Road, the nearest Metro station, i.e. Hubei Station is quite some distance away. If you do not plan to exercise for a bit, you can take a cab and tell him "Le Yuan Lu, chi Hai Xian" (meaning: Leyuan Road, to eat seafood).




SPECIALITY



You may order off the menu or you can also go out to choose the seafood that you want. The prices are transparent as stated on the board above the aquariums (provided you know how to read Chinese). The prices quoted are inclusive of preparation and cooking unless stated otherwise.

OK let's cut short the words and move on to the pictures. 

Zucchini Salad 凉拌青瓜

The locals like to have this zucchini salad (凉拌青瓜) as appetizer which is coated with chilli, garlic and vinegar. The crunchiness of the zucchini cuopled with the kick from the sweet and sour taste is refreshing and appetizing.

Salt and Pepper Mantis Prawn  椒盐濑尿虾

Here comes the salt and pepper mantis prawn 椒盐濑尿虾. The mantis prawns were deep fried before the stir fry with salt and pepper. De-shelling these prawns definitely poses some challenge. Unfortunately the prawns served are kinda small in size, hence less flesh available. The prawn meat is sweet and juicy despite being deep fried. The coating of the salt and pepper further enhances the flavour. Overall not a bad dish despite the small size.


Next is some don't know what stuffed tofu. Well, our Yong Tofu in Malaysia is way better. Ok, skip.


The steam chicken is one dish that will tests the mastery of the chef in the understanding of how to cook a chicken, as the outcome will directly affect the taste. Although this dish fairs quite well in terms of the standards but still way off from the best chicken I had. Would like to compliment on the ginger dipping sauce.

Ginger Spring Onion Flower Crab 姜葱花蟹

Noticed flower crab 花蟹 are quite commonly served as a crab dish here as compared to Malaysia where we generally serve mud crab or meat crab. Flower crab has a softer shell with sweeter flesh and of course, a smaller size. The ginger spring onion flower crab 姜葱花蟹 served was fresh and you get to taste the sweetness of the crab despite being stir fired with ginger and spring onion.

Steam Turbot Fish 清蒸多宝鱼

This steam Turbot Fish 多宝鱼 is a rare dish in Malaysia as we seldom see this kind of flatfish in our common restaurants here in Malaysia. I was quite looking forward to try the taste of this fish as it was my first time. The flesh is firm yet tender and refreshing, with a special flavour to it.

Overall was a pleasant meal, coupled with some local QingDao beer. I'm not too sure on the pricing for the individual dishes above as I didn't foot the bill. The total damage inflicted was above RMB300+ (RM160+) including titbits and force selling for a box of tissue, you make the call. 

P.S. I still prefer Klang's seafood.

SUMMARY

Taste
☆☆☆☆
Seafood is fresh and recommended.
☆☆☆
For other non-seafood dishes
Value
☆☆☆
Not really cheap seafood but acceptable for the quality
Service
☆☆☆☆
service is excellent with prompt checking
Cleanliness
☆☆☆☆
Overall clean 
Opening Hours
10:00am until 11:00pm (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A


GPS: 22.547680, 114.127644
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