SOONG KEE@SETAPAK SERVES MORE THAN BEEF NOODLES

Established in 1945 by its eponymous founder Soong Kee, this 6-decade old lou jiu phai (notable brand name) beef noodles in Kuala Lumpur drew only loyalists during the early days.

Today, the business has grown beyond its original premises, with newer outlets making their way into mall-based food courts and independent set-ups appearing in commercial suburbs.

Although synonymous with beef noodles, Soong Kee has expanded its menu to include non-beef offerings, to widen its appeal amongst today’s familial crowd of multi-generational diners.

Our recent visit to Soong Kee in Setapak is an enlightening experience – we discovered new things to enjoy in addition to getting reacquainted with the tried and tested.  Firstly, the signature Beef Ball Noodles (dry/soup RM8.90) and Five Spice Beef Tripe Noodles (soup/dry RM10.90) especially the kon lou (dry) version remain a perennial fave to hit the spot. 

Here’s the unexpected clincher: meehoon or rice vermicelli is even better than mee when it comes to capturing the lush flavour of that beefy mince.

If you want more of the extra lieu (ingredients) such as Beef Balls (5 pcs RM5, 10 pcs RM10), Beef Slice (RM10), Five Spice Brisket (RM12) or Five Spice Tendon (RM13), the various items can be ordered a la carte.

Should you have family members in tow who eschew beef, Soong Kee now offers alternative options such as Char Siew Wantan Mee (dry/soup RM7.90) and Chicken Curry Mee (RM9.90). We can vouch for both the noodle variants especially the latter. Not only is the spice quotient pleasantly tantalising, the coconut milk creaminess is also nice enough without being cloying.

 

Accompanying comfort food dishes such as Fried Wantan (5 pcs RM4, 10 pcs RM8), Wantan Soup (RM6.50), Fried Dumplings (RM6.50) or Dumplings in Soup (sui kow) are plump and chockful of tasty mince filling; crowd-pleasing fare for both adults and kids.

 

 

Healthy Poached Vegetables (RM5.50) and succulent Steamed Chicken (RM9) are also served should you wish to supplement your meal with more substantial dishes for the family.

Call Soong Kee tel: 03-4141 8124 /016-924 0507 for delivery or take away (self pick-up) orders. Soong Kee is open during CMCO from 10am to 8.30pm daily. Address: 22A, Jalan Danau Niaga 1, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur

BAZAAR JALAN KERINCHI AT CAPRI BY FRASER KUALA LUMPUR

With Kampung Kerinchi right at its doorstep, it’s savvy of Capri by Fraser Kuala Lumpur to capitalise on the idea of conjuring up a lively bazaar atmosphere for the upcoming buka puasa period.

 

Billed as Bazaar Jalan Kerinchi, the hotel’s Caprilicious restaurant will showcase over 120 mouth-watering specialities, based on five rotational menus. Located right in the heart of Bangsar South City, Capri by Fraser Kuala Lumpur should be a convenient buka puasa outpost for residents and the working crowd in that area.

Decked up with the requisite Hari Raya decor, the high ceiling and spacious Caprilicious has ample room for a buffet line, hot and cold drinks, dining space and a shaded patio where ten cooking stalls will be serving up hawker-style fare during Ramadan.

 

Right off the bat, the Mee Mamak was on-point — the noodles had a nice smoky aftertaste with the faint zing of chilli heat. Also up my alley was Ikan Bakar — the assorted fish like stingray and kembung rubbed with turmeric and ground spices, and wrapped in banana leaves for grilling emerged with perfect doneness.

 

As expected, the stall proffering Satay with complementing condiments proved to be a perennial crowd fave. Well-marinated, the skewers of chicken and beef held their own, with or without peanut sauce.

 

Rice lovers should make a beeline for the aromatic and spice-laden Nasi Biryani. Pair it with some Fried Chicken for greater taste satisfaction. A whole Roast Lamb in addition to Burger, Murtabak, Roti Canai, Ais Kacang and Cendol form the remaining stall offerings.

Senior Sous Chef Fikri Fauze recommends Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak but this acquired Pahang speciality isn’t for the faint-hearted. Cooked with fermented durian, the yellow fish curry hit the spot for me as I’m an avid fan of the ripe, pungent gravy.

 

 

My top picks from the extensive cornucopia include Pucuk Paku Tumis Sambal (fern shoots with ground sambal), Sambal Taucu, Telur Dadar (omelette with chilli), Gulai Tulang Rusuk Kambing Nangka Muda (rich young jackfruit and lamb ribs curry), and Ayam Percik Panggang (roast chicken basted with spicy sauce).

 

 

 

 

Dessert ran the usual gamut from dainty Kuih Bahulu cakes to Fruit Rojak. Assorted fritters such as Goreng Pisang, Goreng Keledek and Keropok Lekor as well as Malay kuih and tropical fresh fruits are laid out to wrap up the meal.

 

 

 

Early Bird vouchers at RM98 nett each are still available until 5 May. The regular price for the Buka Puasa dinner is RM128 nett per adult while senior citizens get 50% off the normal price. Children 5-12 years old will be charged at RM48 nett child.

 

A special Bazaar Jalan Kerinchi dine and stay package is available at RM390+ per night, applicable from 8 May to 1 June 2019. Perks include:

·         daily buffet breakfast or pre-dawn meal

·         Bazaar Jalan Kerinchi buffet dinner for 2 adults and 2 children below 4 years old at Caprilicious

·         Complimentary parking for 1 car

·         Complimentary in-room internet/Wifi access

For reservations at Caprilicious, call tel: 03-2386 0891. Room reservations can be made via tel: 03-2383 0888. Address: Capri by Fraser Kuala Lumpur, No.5, Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South City, Kuala Lumpur. Website: www.capribyfraser.com