Pure fish broth, derived from boiling 100% sea fish bones for 8 hours, forms the base for most of the specialities served at NelayanKU restaurant which opened in December 2021, a stone’s throw away from the Pavilion Bukit
Jalil.
NelayanKU is part of DTS Group, a
self-sufficient seafood supply group with diversified businesses and interests in
the aquaculture industry: from hatching, nursery, farming, and aquafeed R&D
supply, to the processing and distribution of fresh and frozen seafood, and production of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook seafood.
Founder Raymond Tea who hails from three generations of fisherfolk and
farm-fishing family, aims to
replicate the cherished taste of freshly caught fish and seafood he grew up
with through the house specialities at NelayanKU.
Rich in vitamins and
nutrients such as Omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids, iodine, calcium, magnesium, zinc,
phosphorus, collagen, and protein, the restaurant's signature fishbone soup takes pride of place here. This nutritious stock is the secret formula to many of NelayanKU's key dishes.
Wading into the appetiser selection, we find Live Irish Oysters (RM4.80 per 50-70g pc, RM7.90 per 90-110g pc, RM10.80 per 125-150g pc) making a rare appearance. Served au naturel with wedges of fresh lemon, it's easy to appreciate the mollusks' fresh, unadulterated taste of the briny sea.
True to the 'waste not, want not' culture of humble fisherfolks, even parts of fish like barramundi wing (pectoral fin) are turned into tempting nibbles known as Myfisherman Wing (RM18.90). The crisp-fried fins yield delicately sweet and surprisingly fleshy meat when you bite into them.
Another stellar 'by-product' is Golden Right Leg (RM8.90) using shrimp feet. Lightly dusted in seasoned flour with salt and pepper, the delicious morsels are fried until they turn golden brown and crispy.
Lemongrass, turmeric, and Korean-inspired hot & spicy marinades suffused tender chunks of barramundi for the Fish Skewer
Set (RM26.90) with plenty of enticing flavours, making this a noteworthy curtain-raiser. Those fish skewers are delectable enough to savour on their own even without the house green chilli dip served alongside them.
Seafood congee at NelayanKU
Moving on the main meals, each Fisherman Set comes with a bowl of NelayanKU speciality soup
with a choice of carbs, and a drink. A blend of spices and fish stock based on the founder's grandmother's recipe, results in a mildly spicy yet aromatic Fisherman Curry Soup (RM28.90) that's reminiscent of simple, downhome curries of yesteryears.
Although it lacks the heavy richness of most curries, this humble version
may appeal to those who enjoy its spicy-savoury taste. Plain rice serves as the main canvas to capture the curry’s
nuances alongside the inherent sweetness of fish slices, la la clams, prawns, and
squid rings. A topping of dried mini shrimps lends some crunch to the ensemble.
A blend of pumpkin purée and pure fish stock goes into the making NelayanKU’s Fish Bone Golden Soup (RM32.90). The thick,
hearty broth brimming with the delicate sweetness of pumpkin makes it a
splendid match with ramen. Again, the noodles are accompanied by fish slices,
la la clams, prawns, squid rings and a topping of dried mini shrimps.
The Fisherman SSS or Asam Pedas Nelayan (RM28.90) is the
restaurant’s take on Vietnamese-style hot and sour soup. Sliced onion and fresh
lime wedges are the garnishes to perk up the broth. Sweetened by a slew of
seafood, the mildly tangy broth exudes some heat to tickle your
tastebuds.
You can also customise your own bowl
of noodles: select original Fish Bone Soup (RM2.50), Fisherman Curry Soup
(RM4.50), Fish Bone Golden Soup (RM5.50), Fish Bone Sour and Spicy Soup (RM3)
or Soy Sauce (RM2.50), then combine it with your carb of choice: meehoon,
crystal rice noodles (kuey teow), wantan noodles, ramen or rice. Depending on
the choice and portion size, prices range between RM1.80 – RM4.50.
Enhance your customise bowl with a
choice of sliced fish: barramundi, silver pompano, golden snapper, giant tiger
garoupa or giant tiger garoupa fish head (RM7.90 – RM16.50 ranging between
60g-100g). Other varieties of seafood available include sea prawns
(RM5.50-RM9.90), crab & cuttlefish balls (RM10.90), Alaskan scallops
(RM6.90), clam meat (RM2.50), barramundi fish maw (RM10.90) and squid ring
(RM2.90).
Fans of Curry Fish Head (RM69.90) will
find ample succour in the chunks of
giant tiger garoupa fish head, eggplant, long beans and tomatoes used to prepare the house speciality.
Dessert promises to be a unique affair
with Myfisherman Collagen (RM9.90 each) puddings. The collagen is culled from
the boiling of fish scales before selected ingredients such as red dates,
soursop, passion fruit, steamed egg and chrysanthemum are added as flavourings.
Once refrigerated into jelly-like collagen, the chilled puddings become
wholesome, nutritious dessert. The red date and chrysanthemum versions are
pleasant for their delicate sweetness while the passion fruit’s mild tartness
is a nice palate-cleanser.
The brightly lit, sleekly designed
restaurant also incorporates DTS Home Mart – a one-stop retail shop for patrons
to buy DTS group’s Ready-to-Cook (RTC) and Ready-To-Eat (RTE) seafood products,
imported frozen seafood and fresh seafood such as oysters and lobsters from
Europe, Asia and South America.
For more information, please call NelayanKu
& DTS Home Mart, tel: +60 12-987 7855. Address: B-13-01, Pusat
Perdagangan Bandar Bukit Jalil, Persiaran Jalil 7, KL. Business Hours：10 am – 10 pm. Website: http://www.nelayanku.com.my/ & http://www.dtshomemart.com/
