A REGALICIOUS HOT POT EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER

TBH, I’m not a fan of hot pot but Regalicious Pot proved to be a mind-changing experience. It was love at first sip once I tasted the resto’s flavoursome Regal Golden Chicken and Fish Tripe Broth (RM139.90, additional soup RM49.90).

Do notify Regalicious at least a day prior to your visit if you wish to sample this golden yellow, smooth and creamy-gelatinous soup. According to CEO Stanley Chew, the team needs time to prepare the salubrious broth using cordycep flower, goji berries, red dates, chicken feet, and dried scallops. Rest assured; the wait will be worth your while.

 

Chew recommended we savoured the purity of the soup before dipping chunks of the “ma cao” (horse grass) chicken into it. The sublime soup and succulently tender chicken left an indelible impression, whetting our appetite for more.

The second pot of Regal Seafood Porridge Broth (RM68) was lighter and its clear, delicate sweetness soon intensified once an array of ingredients: Handmade Squid Balls (RM9.90), Handmade Pickled Pork Balls (RM14.90), Handmade Abalone & Fish Paste (RM25.90), Fresh Squid (RM12.90), Handmade Assorted Balls Platter (RM49.90), and Ring Rolls (RM8.90) among others were added in.

We also sampled slices of Fresh Pork Shoulder (RM19.90), Premium Smoked Bacon (RM20.90) and Premium NZ Lamb Leg (RM28.90). Just cooking them briefly in the bubbling hot soup were enough for optimum texture and taste. The ingredient selection especially the various seafood and meat balls are made in-house hence the taste is better than those commercially produced ones.

In line with Regalicious’ food for health preservation approach, several premium soup base such as Regal Black Truffle Fungus Broth (RM98), Regal Coconut Chicken Broth (RM98), Regal Fish Broth (RM68) are available; to offer some differentiation from other hot pot restaurants. Other choices include Regal Nourishing Broth (RM25), Regal Hot and Spicy Soup (RM25), Regal Tomato Broth (RM25.90) and Regal Pickled Cabbage Broth (RM25.90).

Aside from the main dining area which are tastefully conceived with booth-type seating, Regalicious has 12 private dining rooms on premise. A standard VIP room for 4 requires a minimum expenditure of RM100 per head.

 

Catering for groups of 4 – 30 persons, the VIP and VVIP rooms are luxuriously furnished with chandeliers, plush furnishings and even in-room karaoke system. The toilets are no less impressive, outfitted with vanity mirrors and gilded sinks and loos.

Depending on the size of your dining party and budget, the resto has hot pot sets for 2 – 8 persons. The Hot Pot Set for 2 (RM98 upwards) proffers Dual Soup Hot Pot, Fresh Pork Shoulder, Boneless Chicken, Handmade Fish Balls, Prawn Balls and Dumplings, Bursting Pork Balls, Cuttlefish Pork Balls, Sea Urchin Balls, Handmade Ramen, Beancurd, Brown & White Shimeiji and Vegetables.

A set for 4 (RM168 upwards) features Dual Soup Hot Pot, Fresh Pork Shoulder, Premium Smoked Bacon, Handmade Squid Balls and Pickled Pork Balls, Handmade Abalone Paste, VPork Balls, Fish Balls, Lobster Balls, Premium Japanese Crabstick, Handmade Ramen & Carrot Noodles, Brown & White Shimeiji and Vegetables.

The September promotional Special Seafood Set (RM288): Japanese Oyster (sashimi grade), fresh Prawns and Abalones, Clams, Handmade Lucky Pockets, Handmade Pickle Pork Ball, and Handmade Black Truffle Seafood Paste delivers great value for money.

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Register as a lifetime Regalicious member for a one-time fee of RM50 per person, to enjoy exclusive benefits such as welcome treat worth RM288, a free dish worth RM19.90 on each visit, and free upgrade to a private room.

 

For reservations at REGALICIOUS POT, call/WhatsApp: 011-51693441. Address: 52, Jalan Eco Santuari 8/2A, Eco Santuari, Telok Panglima Garang, 42500 Selangor.

 

SEAFOOD GALORE AT PENGHULU SEAFOOD

Penghulu Crisp Fried Thai Style (market price) or ‘Lai Sa’ Fish in Chinese, was the show-stealer during our maiden lunch at Penghulu Seafood.

Sliced then coated in a sheer dusting of flour, the fish slices were fried until crisp. Afterwards the tilapia slices were assembled back as a whole fish, served with a heap of sliced onion, chilli, curry leaves and fried garlic crisps. We enjoyed the deliciously on-point fish. A separate dip of plum sauce, kalamansi lime juice and sugar lent it extra boost of flavour (not that the fish needed it).

This was one of the dishes at Penghulu Seafood. The restaurant specialises in Muslim-friendly Chinese cuisine with 46-year-old chef Wan Yee Kwong helming the kitchen team. Ikan bakar (grilled fish) and steamboat with fresh seafood and premium ingredients are also on the menu.

Us avid noodle fans thoroughly relished the Fried Tenderloin Beef Noodles (small RM24, medium RM35, large RM46). Topped with a thick, eggy sauce, the subtly smoky-charred noodles and sliced beef primed our appetite in anticipation of other goodies to come.

 

Thai and local influences melded nicely in the Grilled Stingray. Marinated with a dash of turmeric, the fleshy stingray’s natural sweetness proved enticing. Such a pity the two accompanying sauces were a tad watery and failed to perk up the dish. Hopefully the restaurant will work on improving the sauces.

 

Don’t let the fiery hues of the E San Seafood Tom Yum (S RM24, M RM30, L RM44) be a deterrent as the well-balanced soup tasted milder than expected. Chilli fiends can always request for the hotness to be dialled up.

 

Surrounded by deep-fried shredded kailan, the Garlic Mixed Seafood with Kailan (S RM50, M RM75, L RM100) proffered a nice milieu of textural contrasts: tender and springy squid and prawns touched with a Thai-style dressing of fish sauce, chilli, salt, sugar and lime juice against the savouriness of crispy greens, silverfish and dried shrimps.

According to the chef, his Pattaya Chicken (S RM24, M RM35, L RM45) was another pseudo-Thai creation. After the chicken had to be fried using the ‘oil bath’ method, the chook came piled with sliced onion, fresh coriander, Thai chilli and fish sauce, and lime juice. The chicken was tender and juicy, with the piquant sauce tantalising our tastebuds.

A surefire crowd-pleaser, the Belacan Four King Vegetables (S RM20, M RM28, L RM38) comprising long beans, petai (stink beans), eggplant and okra stir-fried with pounded chilli and belacan (shrimp paste) was robustly spicy.

The chef’s Chilli Prawns (S RM42, M RM60, L RM80) – sizeable crustaceans drenched in a mouth-watering tomato-chilli sauce, echoed the flavourful accents of Singapore’s chilli crabs.

 

We found the salt and pepper accentuated Deep-fried Soft Shell Crabs (M RM44, L RM85) passed muster whilst Teochew-style Steamed Jenahak (snapper, market price) with its requisite accompaniments: sliced beancurd, kiam chye (salted mustard leaves)and shiitake mushrooms should appeal to those who prefer clear, understated flavours.

For dessert, you may order Thai Pumpkin Custard from Penghulu Seafood’s sister restaurant E San Thai next door. The delightfully soft steamed pumpkin with its custardy centre was the perfect closure to our indulgent lunch.

For reservations, call Penghulu Seafood at 011-5633 6377. Address: G-G-3A, Block G, Jalan PJU1A/3, Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Business hours: Mon-Thurs 11.30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm. Fri 11.30 – 3pm. Closed Tuesday.