Boat Noodle, Sunway Carnival Mall @ Seberang Jaya

Boat noodles originates from Thailand and if you are in Victory Monument in Bangkok, there are plenty of boat noodles restaurant to choose from. My personal favourite is the one where the staffs wore orange shirts. That is the original or most popular restaurant serving boat noodles in Bangkok to go for. Boat noodles are actually noodles served in bowls by sellers on boats along the river. But this has been modernised and we now have them served in air-conditioned restaurant in shopping malls. So, unlike what my friend had in mind, the noodles are not served in boat shaped noodles. There are few variants to the original dish when it comes to its broth - usually pork based with pork blood or clear and light soy sauce. 

Anyway, this little humble dish invaded Penang just a couple of years ago on the island side at Summerton, Bayan Baru (near Queensbay Mall) and recently, it is now opened in EAT at Level 2 of Sunway Carnival Mall in Seberang Jaya. Yay for home turf! Good news to my Muslim friends, it is halal! Double YAY! 

Common condiments for boat noodles for chilli lovers.  

 The other side of the menu

 This is actually the whole menu. 

Noodles or rice as mains and they have other side dishes and desserts, too. 

 The kitchen where the noodles are made. 

 The drinks counter and cashier. There is an order form on each table and you just have to fill up your own order and hand it to the waiting staffs. FYI, the service is a bit slow. From order to meal on table, it took around 15-20 mins during my visit. 

 Signature side dish - grilled chicken meatballs. RM3.90

Seriously?

 The rest of our order. 

 The drinks are by Chill Chill and you can actually bring home the container if you can't finish it or just as a souvenir. There is a lid and the cashier can give you a little plastic carrier for the drinks. 

Iced Lemon Tea RM6.90 and drink of the day RM3.90. The drink of the day was lemongrass tea. 

The Chill Chill Agenda.  

   We had a late breakfast so wasn't prepared to have more than 2 bowls each. We ordered one of each of broth - Pathumthani and Ayutthaya. RM1.90 each. 

 Ayutthaya broth - strong herbal taste. 

 Pathumthani, lighter soy sauce broth. I prefer this one. 

As a customary end to our meal, we stack 'em bowls up and take a photo. 

As we live, there is a long queue outside of the restaurant. Good thing about this place is that it can cater to big groups. I don't think you can RSVP in advance. 

I would recommend it for first timers and also light eaters. For more information, check out their Facebook page here or its website here. 

Doraku Japanese Restaurant, Sunway Perdana @ Seberang Jaya

Yet another Japanese restaurant in Sunway Perdana (now there are 3 including Sushi Zento and Japin, which recently reopened) and this new establishment offers a more diverse menu of Japanese and Korean dishes. It was opened formally on 14th July 2016 and I took the opportunity to check out their food the very next day with friends and the following Monday with my family. Both occasions were lunch time and the set lunch menu has yet to be introduced. 

First impression upon entering, the ambience is very warm reminiscence of a fishing village. All the wood work and decorations make you feel like you are dining adventurously. The owner put a lot of effort and money into decorating this restaurant that there is also a white wedding kimono hanging on the wall. Luxuriously done. This restaurant comprised of 2 shop office units at ground floor and it accommodates big groups, too. Best to RSVP if you are coming in a big group to avoid disappointment. 

Then we proceeded with the menu. As it is new, my friends and I arrived about 10 minutes before 1pm just before the peak hour for lunch. So, getting seats for 4 was no problem. Promptly greeted by the staffs at the entrance and seated almost immediately. The menu is thick, extensive and it can take some time to decide what to eat. Colourful, descriptive but exorbitant prices. After we have placed the order, I looked at the menu from cover to cover, am amazed with its extensive selection of sushi, sashimi and overpriced set menus. Fans of sashimi may love this place.  

Collagen ramen??

It got me curious. What is collagen ramen? It is a rich broth made from free-range chicken down to its bones. I ordered it and my friends ordered other dishes that has cheese in them. 

 Seafood Doria - RM23.00, one of Doraku's signature dish

Cheese and curry don? 

 My Collagen Ramen

I am actually very impressed with it. 

At RM21.00 a bowl and it has lots of vegetables comprising of cabbages, carrots and bamboo shoots. It is worth every penny and it is huge! Enough to be shared with 2 persons. The broth is amazing! I felt so pampered after eating this. Generous portion of pork meat, too and they might want to go easy with the seasoning for the hard boiled egg. It is a bit salty. I rate this bowl of ramen 8/10. 

When we ordered earlier, the staff did advise that not many people could take the cheese dishes as it is heavy which is true to one of my friends. So, it depends on what you fancy eating that day at the restaurant. We did not get drinks and had only plain water (refillable). That too is at RM1.50 per person which is ridiculous but looking at the amount of effort put in to the restaurant, it didn't bothered us much. Do order green tea instead. It is also priced at RM1.50 too. I was flabbergasted when I saw the bill on Monday when I revisited the restaurant with my family.

This lucky cat will bless you each time you walk in and out of the restaurant! Haha..  

Ok. So fast forward Monday. It was a good start last Friday to the restaurant with my friends and colleagues that I decided to bring my mom and sister to check it out too. We ordered to share unlike last week when we each ordered individually. 

 Mabo Ramen - RM19.00. It is exactly like mabo tofu except there is ramen in them. It was a bit of a disappointment noting how big bowl the collagen ramen was on Friday. This is definitely not enough for sharing. 

 Kurobuta Katsuni - RM31.00. 

A very good deep fried pork cutlet soaked in omelette and soy sauce concoction while being kept boiling/simmering until you've finish it. The sauce is a nice compliment to the bland ochazuke (below). 

Salmon ochazuke - RM25.00. 

It is basically rice with tea. I don't think I've seen this anywhere else in Penang (maybe there is but I didn't get to try them). It may not be pleasant to people who enjoy strong flavoured food. But, this is a good and healthy options for people who cannot take too much salt and fat. Subtle to taste and very healthy. 

There is not much publicity about this restaurant yet except for this one which I found through Google shared by FlashnGo Ken's Facebook page here and the post is in Chinese. It has all the necessary contact information you need for the restaurant. To ease reference, Doraku is in between Al Nur Nasi Kandar and PTPTN office at Sunway Perdana Commercial Centre, Seberang Jaya. 

Service charge of 10% and GST of 6% applies. There is a few hours break in between lunch and dinner service. Opens at 11.30am til 3pm and reopens by 6pm til 10pm. You will need to use MPSP's parking coupons on Mondays to Saturdays, 9am-9pm. Sunway Perdana or Bandar Sunway as a whole as this business area is infamous for hardworking council officers issuing parking summonses at an hourly interval.  

Steamed cup rice, Jalan Danby @ Bukit Mertajam

A small sized image will not do justice to this plate of rice famously known as "Steamed cup rice with minced roasted and barbecued meat". Available only at Jalan Danby in old town Bukit Mertajam. Best served with lightly salted preserved vegetables soup with a generous serving of pickled birds' eye chillies and white pepper powder!

P/S: Dinner only and you have to wait for seats.

Artichoke Cafe, Raja Uda @ Butterworth

My favourite brunch, lunch and dinner (maybe!) cafe in Butterworth to date! After all the hawker food stalls of course.

It is wonderful to know that the cafe scene in Butterworth is expanding and a lot of cafes open up along Jalan Raja Uda and at the heart of Raja Uda where Jalan Ong Yi How is. There is a question of sustainability and often, the restaurant that you've just dined months ago, will be replaced with some other joints already. But, I am glad to know that Artichoke Cafe did really well since its opening last year and I did not regret my visit to this cafe in particular for brunch.

Brunch starts from 930am until 1130am only. After that, they have the lunch menu which I haven't got the chance to try yet. I'll probably do that some other time as I've been having my Saturday brunch with this cafe for the past 2 weeks.

Their crockery are dainty. My friend ordered latte and I had the rose apple tea. Due to its colouring, it wasn't my cup of tea that day. LOL..  

Spinach and mushroom egg benedict. 

Oh, you could also get a bottle of water with as many glasses as you want for free. It is refillable, too.  

This has got to be the best dish ever! Egg Cocotte. 

After having this, I made my own version of it as lunch at work.

The Full Works. 

If you are feeling extremely hungry, this full breakfast is for you!  

Spanish Omelette

Love the chorizo sausage inside! And rocket leaves salad!  

Best of all, you can bring your own card game and play for as long as you want while catching up with your friends. 

Artichoke Cafe
Opening hours: 9am onwards, daily
Facebook page is here.

Cho Dong Jib, Queensbay Mall

I got bored.

Haha.. 

I've been too busy with work since my last post and somehow, I got inspired to write again. 

As a Korean food lover, I'll always find time to check out the new restaurants or shops selling Korean food and this outlet is not an exception. A branch originated from Seoul, South Korea and now located at 5th floor of Queensbay Mall, Cho Dong Jib replaced Taiwan Bull and the restaurant does not look like a typical Korean restaurant in Penang. One, their chairs are made from barrels with cushions on them. The tables are stainless steel with a built it stove in the middle. The water flasks are also stainless steel. So, you don't have to worry about ordering drinks because most Korean restaurants offered RO water for free and unlimited refills. 

A little disappointment with the limited choices of ban chan but it is just trivial. Newly opened outlets are still trying to adjust to the needs and demands of customers and I see this establishment going for the long run with more floor and waiting staffs. Be early, as the restaurant has limited seats. 

Bean paste stew or doenjang jigae with tofu. Bear in mind that their ala-carte dishes are served separately with rice. So, don't forget to order a side of rice to go with your soup dishes. The rice is purple in colour and it is really yummy. 

Next, we also ordered this spicy pork stir fry with rice. The unique part of this dish is that it is served on a saucepan. Yup, a saucepan with handle. I did not manage to get a fuller shot. 

Last but not the least, my order of tteokbukki ramyeon or rice cake ramen in spicy broth. I wished there are more than 4 ricecakes in them. 

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience. Suitable as quick lunch or dinner.

Their Facebook page is here.
Tel: 04-644 9311
Opening hours: 10.30am to 10pm

Chinatown Express (天天) @ Chinatown Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England

Sweet and sour pork with egg fried rice - a bomb! 

An affordable place for Chinese food is at the top of Chinatown's gate, facing directly opposite St James Park is Chinatown Express. Although they have changed the staffs or maybe chefs, but the food is still the best. GBP5.80 will get you a main course and an appetizer. 

I totally forgotten about its salt and pepper squid. Don't forget to try their Thai Fried Rice, too. 

The link to the reviews on Chinatown Express in Tripadvisor is here. 

Rasa Sayang @ London Chinatown, England

Chinatown is located behind or beside Leicester Square. There is also a London Underground or Tube Station with the same name - Leicester Square. There are not much Malaysian food options in England so when in Chinatown, and if you are missing home food, do have some good Malaysian and Singaporean food here. 

They are famous for their nasi lemak and char koay teow. Both are priced at GBP8.50 each and they are packed really properly if you have taking them out. So, we bought 2 boxes of nasi lemak and a box of char koay teow as take out so that we can have them back in Newcastle (after 7 hours bus ride). 

It was the best meal that I've ever had in the UK so far. Malaysian ones of course. 

Their webpage link here. 

Korean Table All Ban 올반 @ Northam All Suites Hotel, Penang

After 5 days of GM diet, I decided to go easy for the rest of the diet. No carbs at all and I am still fine. So, GM suggested to go for vegetables, fruits and meat for Day 6 and a Korean barbecue fits today really well. 

I had to choose between Jung Won (情园) at Mount Erskine or Korean Table All Ban (올반) at Northam All Suites Hotel. I got to know about Korean Table All Ban through kenhuntsfood's Instagram and I was instantly hooked! As for Jung Won, as the title of my post has stated, I'll save it for next time. Besides, none of my followers in IG went there before and I am sure those who love Korean food would love to check this restaurant out too. Something different than the ordinary Korean restaurants that we've tried in Penang. 

It is a semi-fine dining due to its dainty portions and it is in Northam All Suites Hotel along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. Only got to know through google that they opened just in April 2015 and their tagline is "affordable". Plenty of parking just outside the hotel on Saturdays. Parking coupons are not needed after 1pm  on weekends as the parking zone is on green zone. 

There are two options: 

(1) Seok Chan RM29.90* per person; or 

(2) Man Chan RM39.90* per person. 

(*Excluding 10% service charge. No GST.)

The difference between the two is that Man Chan has 3 extra meat dishes. So, if you want to have more meat then Man Chan is for you otherwise, Seok Chan will be enough. I went with my mother and sister; and we ordered Man Chan for 3. The meat dishes were a bit too much for us to finish as it came only after you have had the grilled meat with ssam (lettuce wrap), pork ribs stew, loads of banchan (side dishes) and japchae (vegetarian glass noodles stir fry). 

Lots of photos ahead! 

 A poorly captured photo but nonetheless, you get to see what is being offered for Man Chan. You get to choose between stews as well as soup too. 

So, All Ban means "All Rice" or where people all gathered over "swamp grass". 

The interior 

One of the many quotes on its wall. The restaurant has black walls.

Simple and elegant.   

Got Jeol Li - freshly made kimchi. You don't get the zing or acidic taste unlike those prepacked ones from supermarket. Those pre-packed kimchi had been fermented. So, this one has yet to be fermented over time. Crunchy and fresh. Not spicy at all. You get to taste the shrimp paste in them too.  

 Salad with house dressing. The red petals are cabbage leaf. I didn't touch much of this due to its dressing. I could not touch mayonnaise until after tomorrow. 

 Pumpkin porridge (ho bak juk) - smooth and light. 

Jeon - Korean pancakes, not too oily and it has crispy parts that I liked.  

Mixed grill - spicy chicken charcoal BBQ and sweet charcoal pork BBQ. 

The pork tasted like bulgogi and it was so divine! Must try! 

A basket of lettuces and ssamjang were given too to eat with this meat platter. 

 Jam Gahe - stir fry glass noodles. 

 Dainty banchan portions!!!

All different, haven't tried most of them before. 

Bibimbap (mixed rice) 

I resisted this terribly. Tempted so much! 

Kimchi jigae (kimchi stew) 

Sweet and sour pork instead of spicy stir fried octopus (they ran out of octopus apparently). 

Its coating is really unique as it is not made from just any flour but glutinous rice flour! The sauce has a strong pineapple taste instead of tomato unlike how the usual sweet and sour sauce is. 

Samgyetang (chicken with ginseng and glutinous rice). 

Miraculously, I didn't manage to eat any glutinous rice at all. Haha..  

As for dessert, we had these. Watermelon and red bean cubes. I think they know we are too stuffed to eat anything else. You get to choose between tea or coffee. So, I didn't expect to get a glass of warm lemon drink as "tea". 

The service is good and I enjoyed the meal very much. The restaurant was not full unlike the one downstairs where the buffet is. Quiet and peaceful ambience to enjoy while having a meal. There was a big group of Koreans dining there during our visit this afternoon. So, I think it must have been acceptable to them as well. The price in the menu was not expensive too but I think with the portion it came with, it might be not enough for those with big appetite. But for women, it could be just the perfect meal. 

Korean Table All Ban

Northam All Suites Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah,
10050 Penang
Contact: 017-519 3221

Opening hours: 12-2.30pm and 6pm to 10pm; Closed on Thursdays from June 2015. 

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