Showing posts with label Pork. Show all posts

[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
Read More

[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
Read More

[PLACE] 20150113 Thong Lo Food Street @ Thong Lo, Bangkok


Street food is what Bangkok is known for, and to find abundance of street food, you need to find a food street where the food stalls gather. Similar to our Malaysian version of "wai sik gai" (Glutton Street) like those in Jalan Alor, Pudu or PJ SS2, There are many street foods around Bangkok, some open in the morning, some in the night, some all day long.

Thong Lo Food Street would probably be one of the well known ones with some famous stalls around. The Sukhumvit Soi 38 transforms into a busy street after 6pm with shops and vendors opening for business.

The number of tourist is less here compared to hot areas like Chinatown or Pratunam. You may find most of the common street food like soup noodles, rice, pork satay, mango sticky rice, desserts, pad Thai etc including the famous stalls like the Pad Thai Fire Look and Ning Mango Stick Rice that I introduced in separate posts.

Sukhumbit Soi 38 is very accessible via BTS as it is just right below the BTS Thong Lo Station and spans across more than 200 meters. It opens from 6pm onwards until mid night.

Sukhumvit Soi 38, Thong Lo
Nearest BTS Stations: Thong Lo
Telephone: Nil
Opening Hours: 06:00pm onwards

TO GO


The Thong Lo Food Street is conveniently located under the BTS Thong Lo station. Just take the Sukhumvit Line (Light Green) and exit at Thong Lo station. You wouldn't miss the sight of the busy Sukhumvit 38 street from the station.



ATTRACTION



Restaurants, shops stalls and street vendors are all here waiting for you if you are looking for your dinner or supper.


There are more locals than tourists here but nevertheless you will still spot some around due to its convenience by the BTS station.


Stall selling Thai dessert, which I guessed should be something like the red ruby or sweet soup with condiments.


The famous award winning Pad Thai Fire Look at the alley on the right of the street.


The famous Ning Mango Stick Rice which serves very quality mango stick rice, definitely recommended.


Pork satay (skewers) and sausages like those you commonly seen around the streets of Bangkok.


This fruit juice stall sells cheap and quality juices with price ranges between 20 Baht to 40 Baht, depending on the type of juices.


Passion fruit juice is one of the recommended juices because you rarely see this in other place, but you need to bear with the blended seeds although it is edible.


Too much spicy food in Bangkok and need something thats lighter? Try the congee stall as well as it serve Cantonese-liked porridge which is cooked into very fine and almost watery texture. The one in the picture above is the salted egg with mince pork, Chinese style.


Last but not least, a glimpse on my dinner, the Pad Thai by Pad Thai Fire Look.


SUMMARY


Overall the Thong Lo Food Street has many to offer especially with the famous stalls around to guarantee your journey here. The price seems to be on the higher side with minimum cost per dish of at least 40 Baht and up. However, the people here don't speak Englishv very well, most of the ordering are done by pointing and numbering. Those stalls who are familiar with tourists will have a picture menu ready and you just need to point. It may not be the best food street, but it also will not disappoint.

Attraction
☆☆☆☆
who can resist food street??
Cleanliness
☆☆☆
food by the street, but that's what makes it delicious
Entrance Fee
Nil
Opening Hours
06:00pm onwards (Daily)
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.723467, 100.579003
Read More

[FOOD] 20150113 Pratunam Food Street (near Big C) @ Pratunam, Bangkok


If you are staying nearby Pratunam area and looking for breakfast after your comfy sleep in your hotel, why not head down to the food street at Ratchadamri Road, nearby Big C supermarket if you have already tried looking around Pratunam Morning Market.

The food street mainly caters for office workers who are off to work early as I observed most of the customers are mostly locals who are buying breakfast along the way to work. The food street stretched from the bridge at Ratchadamri Road down to the Big C Supermarket. You may also find some clothes vendors along the streets as well.

There are more food choices here compared to Pratunam Market as the later mostly cater the clothing market. You can find variety of food from staple rice and noodles, or street snacks and food like sweet potato balls, fish cakes, pandan kuih etc. You can even get a quick fix with a cuppa from the cafe or road side coffee stall, or a milk tea as an alternative.

This post will mainly introduce the morning session of the food street. When the sky turns dark, there will be another shift of food vendors that will gather in front of Central World.

Ratchadamri Road (both sides, from bridge until Big C)
Nearest BTS Station: Siam Station
Telephone: N/A
Opening Hours: Morning

TO GO


Just take a walk from your hotel location towards Big C supermarket or Central World Mall. If you are taking a cab, just head to Central World will do. Alternatively, you may walk from BTS Siam Station (all lines) from Siam Paragon towards Central World direction.


SPECIALITY


Staple food like rice, fried or soup noodles and vermicelli are common breakfast for South East Asian countries. You may find these food commonly available around streets of Bangkok.

Sweet or Savoury Crepe - 20 Baht for 3 pieces (RM2.20)

Different flavours of crepe from the sweet to the savoury. The fillings includes grated coconuts, cereal, nuts or fruits. 


Came across this fish cake stall which sell deep fried fish cakes. The fish cake will then be cut into slices and then topped with special green chili sauce which is sour and spicy and some cucumbers. 

Deep Fried Fish Cake - 20 Baht for 1 packet (RM2.20)

It may look like normal fish cake from the outside but it taste surprisingly good until the extend that I purposely went back the next day to look for it but found out it was not there. Probably on alternate days or free for all basis. It has a texture of tofu but flavour of fish. Coupled with the sour and spicy chili sauce makes a delicious and appetizing combination.


Next will be the coconut crepe or kuih like. Not sure what is it called in Thai. It's actually a batter with coconut milk and then pan baked till cooked with toppings like corn, yam, chives or original flavour.


The stall is manned by an old lady, constantly preparing batch and batch of the coconut snack.

Coconut Milk Kuih - 20 Baht for small packet

The old lady will randomly pack the different flavours for you and it's available in small portion (20 Baht for 16 pieces) or big portion (30 Baht for don't know how many pieces). This coconut snack is savoury with the strong presence of coconut milk. I personally like the corn and yam flavour, but it tend to be a bit too salty for me. Grab some water after that!


Not forgetting the delicious pork satay (skewer). It is much cheaper here that each satay cost only 7 Baht. The uncle handed me 3 pieces fresh and hot from the grill and offer me for 20 Baht. I obliged. Locals tend to pair the pork satay with sticky rice. Very friendly couple.

Thai Milk Tea - 25 Baht (RM2.80)

After so much food, it's time to get something to quench my thirst. I noticed many locals went to this stall at the side of the alley instead of the ones at the main corridor. It must be either cheaper or better in quality, or maybe both. I pointed to the old lady for a milk tea and she understood. The tea here in Thailand is different from ours in Malaysia. It's a kind of red tea which is literally red in colour when brewed. Hence the milk tea is more to orange colour instead of brown colour like our teh ais. The flavour is also different from our Cameron Highlands Teh Boh, and I should asked for a kurang manis version instead as the sweetness level is pretty much like our fellow mamak stall.


Local snacks like crackers and fried anchovies are also available in this market. I asked for a sampling but didn't like the flavour.


Not forgetting the famous Thai Fried Chicken, which can be found every where around Bangkok. There's a famous one at this location, in front of Central World during the night shift. The fried chicken here has a harder curst, which I believe they have add glutinous rice flour in their batter prior to the frying.


Everything can be grilled, even the stick rice and eggs are not exempted!



Yes, even bananas can be grilled.


Found my sweet potato balls in front of Big C. I asked for a 20 Baht mixture of both types and the vendor happily agrees even though his normal price is 50 Baht for more because I told him I'm very full from all the previous samplings. Nothing much to shout about the sweet potato balls as the night market in Malaysia has better ones.


Last but not least, I found the Pandan Kuih in front of Central World. It taste like Pandan Pancake but lack of a wow factor. This packet also cost 20 Baht, as it is pretty standard pricing for street food in Bangkok.

SUMMARY


What a filling food hunt along the food street and you need to come back in the night for the second round of hunt. However, the food quality here maybe a mix of high and low. Hence, hunt your food diligently!

Taste
☆☆☆☆
Huge variety of local street food but the quality might be hit and miss
Value
☆☆☆☆☆
Most of the food are priced at 20 Baht
Service
☆☆☆☆
Most of the vendors are very friendly to tourists
Cleanliness
☆☆☆
by the road side
Opening Hours
Everyday
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.747701, 100.540810
Read More

[FOOD] 20141224 Chan Kong Kei 陳光記飯店 @ Macau


Chan Kong Kei is probably one of the more famous restaurant in Macau serving Cantonese style roast meat found in places like Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Running for generations and serving famous dishes of roast duck/goose/pork with their unique recipe of black pepper duck, this little eatery nearby Senado Square is often packed with locals and tourists. So make sure you are early to secure a seat.

Rua Do Dr. P José Lobo 19
南灣羅保博士街19號
Nearest Bus Stations: Avenida Do Infante D. Henrique
Telephone: +853 2831 4116
Opening Hours: 11:00am until 9:00pm

TO GO


The restaurant is actually located a few streets away from Senado Square and travel by foot is highly recommended. It is easily spotted by the main road, beside Luk Fuk Jewellery shop. Alternatively you can take any bus that travels through Avenida Do Infante D. Henrique Road.

Bus No. 3, 3A, 3X, 10, 10A, 10B, 11, 21A, 26A, 33, N1B, N3.



SPECIALITY



You will be able to spot this yellow sign board sticking out far to grab your attention with a picture of a bald guy, Chan Kong.

The restaurant is packed during dinner time but luckily no queue was seen during my visit on Christmas Eve night. Service is mediocre and the waiter will assume you are Chinese tourist by conversing in Mandarin during order.


Ordering is pretty simple, just choose whether you want single, double or triple meat combination and to be pair with either white rice or bowl of soup noodle (wanton noodle). They also have congee, if you fancy one. The black pepper roast duck is their signature dish, hence, it is a must try.


I saved a few pieces of the duck meat before it completely submerged in the soup to preserve the texture before it became soggy. The duck meat is tender with hint of sweetness and black pepper. I ordered the soup noodle because the white rice looks too plain for me. Single serving of meat with rice or noodle combination costs MOP36 (RM15).

If you fancy some exotic dish like duck blood, you may also find it here in Chan Kong Kei with their signature duck blood vegetable. Well, I will skip that.



Good business, almost finish selling already.

SUMMARY


Another roast meat? I had a lot of roast meat during my whole Canton trip, the best being in Yat Lok in Hong Kong, followed by this in Macau. If you fancy some roast meat during your visit in Macau, Chan Kong Kei is a place you will find quality food at reasonable price.

Taste
☆☆☆☆
Good, but not as good.
Value
☆☆☆☆
Reasonable
Service
☆☆☆
Too crowded
Cleanliness
☆☆☆
Slippery floors
Opening Hours
11:00am until 09:00pm (Daily)
Wifi
Nil
Parking
Limited
Website
N/A

GPS: 22.192012, 113.541539
Read More
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)