Showing posts with label heritage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heritage. Show all posts

Thursday, January 23, 2025

CNY SHOWCASE OF KL’S CHINATOWN BEST HERITAGE FOOD


Speciality dishes and delicacies from 18 of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown famed restaurants, bakeries and street food vendors take centrestage at the ‘Jom Celebrate Reunion Dinner, Chinatown KL 2025’ initiative this year.

 
Only four tables of 10 persons will be available from 25 January to 16 February (except 29-31 January), to cater for the customary family reunion meal, and subsequently for Chinese New Year dinner from 7 pm onwards nightly.


Scheduled to be held at the original premise of Seong Ying Chai, a ‘lou chiu pai’– an established bakery since 1935 – behind Jalan Sultan, KL, the *festive dinner commences with Golden Pear Yu Sheng from Westlake restaurant as the auspicious curtain-raiser.
 
Assorted ingredients: fried yam strips, colourful pickles, freshly shredded pear and vegetables, pomelo sacs, candied peel, toasted sesame seeds and ground nuts evoked that cherished nostalgic taste, pulled together by a tart-sweetish plum sauce.

Leonard Lee, manager of Seong Ying Chai, informed us ‘ma chao’ chicken is the poultry of choice for Kam Kee’s Hainanese Steamed Kampung Chicken. Served with house concocted chilli and ginger sauces, the scrumptious offering enticed us to return for additional helpings thanks to its bright yellow skin and splendidly tender texture.


A bowl of downhome Fish Paste and Malabar Spinach Soup from Sai Kee left us gushing over its clear broth brimming with handmade fish balls, Malabar spinach and clumps of ‘egg drop’.




A culinary stalwart in Chinatown, Sze Ngan Chye has drawn legions of customers as long as I can recall. Hence it's only befitting Sze Ngan Chye’s Signature Salted Duck is slotted into the menu. Dipped into savoury bean sauce, the duck’s slight gaminess added to its allure.


Topped with freshly chopped coriander, the on-point doneness of Han Kee’s slippery smooth and soft Steamed Fresh Fish (patin) augmented by house-made with soy sauce and aromatic oil, ticked all the right boxes for us.

Prosperity Pork Trotters with Seamoss (fatt choi) from Hong Ngek drew gasps of delight as we eagerly relished the juicy, fall-of-the-bone tender meat smothered in viscous collagen-rich, seamoss-threaded sauce.

Two vegetarian dishes, Stir-fried Lotus Root with Celery from Voila and Vegetarian Kottu Roti from The Lankan brought a balance spin to the meat-centric menu.

The former comprised lightly sauteed lotus root slices with sweet peas, celery, cashews, red and green capsicums; beguiling for its delicately clear flavours.

True to our Malaysian Muhibbah spirit, aromatically spiced kottu roti – a popular Sri Lankan street food staple of chopped roti, vegetables, and spices – lent an unexpectedly welcome contrast to the proceedings.  

Kiew Yee Baru stepped up to the plate with the perennial Cured Meat Claypot Rice: a huge serving of chunky liver and pork waxed sausages, waxed duck atop rice sprinkled with chopped spring onion. Finished with a drizzle of the house mixture of soya sauce, this speciality will surely leave everyone replete.

Finishing the meal on a pleasantly sweet note will be Seong Ying Chai’s classic Almond Tofu Pudding in the famed Air Mata Kuching from Luo Han Guo Longan Dessert. We love how the combo refreshed our palate after the intense riot of flavours.


Liu Bao Aged Tea from Kean Gun Tea Merchants will keep cups filled throughout dinner whilst Cold Brew Tea from Montea in addition to Cranberry Muffins from Aooo will complete the dining experience.


The ‘Jom Celebrate Reunion Dinner’ initiative by Persatuan Rakan Budaya dan Pelancong Kuala Lumpur & Selangor is co-organised by Seong Ying Chai and supported by YB Tuan Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang.


Guests can also purchase a special 8-Treasure Box (RM188 each) consisting of Seong Ying Chai’s Lion Head Gong Zai Bing (baked pastry with pandas lotus paste), TK Lim’s Sliced Meat Jerky, Sweet Potato Ball’s Fried Peanut Dumpling, Ho Yoke Kee’s Lucky Candy, Washington’s Golden Grill Sponge Cake Rusk, Chai Huat Hin’s Dried Persimmon, Machi Popo’s Black Sesame Puff and Fung Wong’s Mini Walnut Cookies.


Priced at RM1,388 nett per table of 10 persons, table reservation for the ‘Jom Celebrate Reunion Dinner, Chinatown KL 2025’ must be made at least 3 days in advance on first-come-first-serve basis via mobile no: 011 1179 9082 or 016 3810 810. 

*Kindly take note necessary changes to the set menu are anticipated with substitutions offered by the 21 participating vendors.

Saturday, August 31, 2024

DISCOVER ROYAL KLANG TOWN VIA HERITAGE WALK

 

The rich historical and cultural heritage of Royal Klang Town came to light after we went on the Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk (RKTHW) hosted by Tourism Selangor.
In collaboration with the Royal Klang Town Municipal Council, our media group was welcomed to Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery, one of the town’s landmark buildings. According to Mayor of Royal Klang Town, Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan, the Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk (RKTHW) reinforced the state committee’s efforts in preserving historical buildings and cultural practices.
It was a Muhibbah affair as members of the media were invited to experience various activities onsite. After we saw how Lo Han Guo (monkfruit) herbal drink was brewed, we sampled the drink itself.
Then we watched how meticulously Malai floral garlands were made. Another group of enterprising ladies taught us how to use coffee beans and saga seeds repurposed into little trapezoid pouches for the folk game of Batu Seremban.
A popular snack vendor was also at hand, to rustle up freshly made Vadai for us to savour. The chosen activities were integral to Klang’s multi-cultural identity and can be experienced during the RKTHW.
After the immersive activities, we spent some time touring the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery. The well-curated exhibits and displays proved insightful, enabling us to learn the history of the Selangor sultanate and how the royal families spurred the state’s progress and development throughout the centuries.
We then proceeded to Chennai Silk House to admire the vast textile selection and how the team helps shoppers with their needs: from purchasing saree fabrics to the tailoring of bridal and special occasion attires.
The heritage walk route also covers notable locations and significant places such as Royal Klang Club, Alam Shah Palace, Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang Convent School and Church, Masjid India and Balai Bomba Klang.

The complimentary RKTHW tour begins at 9.15am and ends around 12.30pm, every weekend. Registration begins at 9am sharp at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery. Contact Klang Municipal Council Tourism Department, tel: 03 3375 5555 ext. 1013/1235 for more information.




Sunday, August 18, 2024

REAL FLAVOURS OF MEXICO RULE

 

Meet the real enchilada when you dine at Flavors Of Mexico Asia. Chef Ivan Chavarria Hernandez will tell you the rolled fried black tortillas (coloured with charcoal powder) stuffed with mozzarella known as Flautas (RM18) are the authentic Mexican ones.

Accompanied by salsa roja, pico de gallo (chopped tomatoes, onion and serrano pepper with salt, lime juice and cilantro) and sliced radish, the moreish speciality is one of the many delicious things to enjoy at his restaurant.
 
Opened some months ago, Hernandez is keen to introduce his native food to local diners albeit with subtle Asian flavours incorporated.
After trying Jarritos, Mexican bottled soda, we were surprised by the moderate sweetness. Available in seven flavours, I like the Tamarind flavour best followed by Fruit Punch and Lime.
Coctel de Camaron (RM26) comprising diced prawns, avocado cubes and onion in smoky chipotle sauce relished with crunchy corn chips proved incredibly addictive. Add a dab of the chef’s house-made chilli oil for a zingy boost.
Unlike the Tex-Mex version, the Nachos here came laden with chopped tomatoes, pickled onion with pico de gallo, beans, creamed avocado, sour cream, jalapenos and fresh coriander. Cheese sauce is merely drizzled on as it’s not supposed to overwhelm everything on the plate.
A hint of Japanese influence was apparent in the Ceviche (RM24) with Chips once we tasted the tangy-savoury lime-cured tilapia in seafood broth. Mixed with diced avocado, tomatoes and onion alongside fresh herbs, the corn chips disappeared in a twinkling.
“Vendors selling paper cups of corn chips down by the beach are a common sight back home. That’s why I use the same plastic plates lined with ‘newsprint’ paper, to evoke the same vibes here,” said Hernandez.
Ardent taco lovers like us had a field day feasting on five types of Tacos (RM10-RM16 per 4-inch piece). Piled with marinated and braised lamb with fresh herbs, topped with cured onion and guacamole on the tissue-thin house-made corn tortilla, the scrumptious Birria Lamb Taco brought us up to gastro heaven.
Surprisingly, the vegetarian-friendly Hongos Taco scored well too thanks to the cohesive combination of blanched spinach, black bean mash, sautéed mushroom and vegetarian sour cream.
Equally rave-worthy is Taco de Pollo Al Pastor featuring marinated chicken with red chillies, achiote (Mexican paste of annatto seeds, cumin, pepper, coriander, oregano, cloves and garlic) and pineapple relish. 

Tasty but more ho-hum options in my book are Taco de Camaron and Taco Baja. The first had tempura prawn with chipotle mayo and pineapple relish whilst the second consisted of tempura fish with pico de gallo, coleslaw and sour cream.
Hernandez also told us churros was Spanish and Portuguese iteration of Chinese yu tiao (deep-fried crullers). “They just added eggs and sugar to the original recipe. In Mexico, we serve it with chocolate or cajeta, caramel sauce spiked with rum but the alcohol is omitted at this restaurant.”
Lightly crunchy on the outside and custardy on the inside, the ridged tubular Churros Con Cajeta (RM17) hit our sweet spot. We recommend chasing it with Horchata (RM10), chilled rice milk served with a dusting of cocoa powder too.
Now you know where to go for truly Mexican fare with Asian touches. There's also a small selection of Mexican treats and groceries for aspiring home cooks to attempt replicating the Mexican dishes on their own.
For reservations at FLAVORS OF MEXICO ASIA, contact via DM @flavorsofmexico.asia (Instagram). Address: Ground Floor, Hartamas Shopping Centre,Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: Tues-Sun 12noon-8.30pm

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