TOP CATCH SELECTION AT NELAYANKU

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/ 

 

LE MEI’S WASABI-SPIKED AND NUTTY MOONCAKES #FTW

The fleeting yet noticeably zingy presence of wasabi was inescapable the minute I bit into the wedge of Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Wasabi and Pistachio Nuts Mooncake from Le Mei, Le Meridien Putrajaya.

I was hooked at first bite as the tantalizing taste had me returning for more. Since wasabi and pistachios aren’t the norm in mooncake-making, I applaud the chefs at Le Mei for daring to push the envelope when it comes to creating new variants of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival confection.

The mooncake’s subtle sweetness also scored with me as did the smooth lotus-pistachio paste. Handcrafted by the Le Mei team, the signature mooncake is priced at RM33 each and needs to be ordered 3 days in advance.

Another nutty variant comes in the form of Pandan Paste with Hazelnut Mooncake (RM30 each). Again, the thin baked skin encasing the fragrant pandan-scented filling flecked with hazelnut bits was palate-pleasing. The mooncake also had a nice glossy shine to it.

To please purists who prefer the tried and tested, I’d recommend the White Lotus Paste with Single Egg Yolk Mooncake (RM33 each). The confection is on-point, ticking all the requisite boxes and should leave no room for complaint.

Two other flavours: Assorted Fruits and Nuts (RM38) and Mini Snow Skin with Raspberry and Cashew Nuts (RM20) are also available. The Signature Mooncakes of Le Mei have to be ordered 3 days ahead of your desired collection date.

Available until 1^st October, Le Meridien Putrajaya’s Mid-Autumn Festival gift box features a sturdy laminated gift box with a magnetic flap, clad in a mosaic of colours and rabbit motifs reflective of the celebratory Mid-Autumn Festival.

For more information, please call Le Meridien Putrajaya, tel: 03 8689 6888 or email: dining.lmputrajaya@lemeridien.com 

AFTERNOON TEA APPEAL AT PALM COURT, E&O HOTEL PENANG

Tea time at the new Palm Court of Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) Penang harks back to the halcyon days when well-heeled ladies, lovey-dovey couples and even an immaculately garbed gentleman or two gather for a cuppa and light refreshments prior to dinner.

Named after the legendary Palm Court Bar that used to operate below the echo dome in the lobby during the Sarkies Brothers’ era, the new Palm Court retains its charming old world ambience: overstuffed sofa lounges, wingback chairs, ottomans and coffee tables intersperse with starched white tableclothed tables make it a welcoming haven to escape the tropical weather.

 

In the old days, bachelors, planters, traders and sailors converge at the Palm Court for their glass of stengah (equal measures of whisky and soda water, served over ice), today it's business and leisure travellers, close girlfriends and small families who are drawn to the resto's a la carte assortment of Indian and Malay inspired dishes, Chinese noodles and casual international favourites for lunch or dinner.

The Afternoon Tea (RM88 nett per person) is a favourite mainstay here, featuring triple-tier stands of finger sandwiches and dainty pastries. For a touch of luxe, the Champagne English Afternoon Tea is RM168 nett per person inclusive of 1 glass of champagne. 

Out of the 13 varieties of tea, we selected Orange Passionfruit, Japanese Sencha and Organic Earl Grey to accompany our selection of savoury and sweet temptations.

From the appealing assortment of sandwiches presented, it was obvious much thought has gone into the whole repertoire. Upping the ante on the plain ol’ cucumber sandwich, the Palm Court team proffered Cucumber, Dill and Cream Cheese Pullman Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Tartare Wholemeal Finger Sandwich, Marinated Tuna Flake Sandwich, Crab Meat Slaw Sandwich, Corn Fed Chicken Ragout Gougères (cheese choux pastry), Truffle Scented Egg on Poppy Seed Butter Bun, and Organic Spinach Quiche to set the ball rolling.

Being waited on hand and foot, luxuriating in the hallowed setting made the experience thoroughly enjoyable. After the on-point savoury appetite pleasers, we made short work of the Raisin and Plain Scones with clotted cream, house-made strawberry jam and for a touch of the tropics, pineapple jam.

By the time we were ready to hit on the Red Velvet, Opera Cake and Fruit Cake, we had struggled a little. There were still Fruit Tartlets and Millefeuille to contend with but alas, it was a lost cause as having downed copious cups of our tea, we were hard pressed to make short work of everything. Overall, it was an exceptional afternoon to remember.

Note: Review conducted prior to Malaysia's Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The English Afternoon Tea is now available every Saturday & Sunday from 3pm to 5pm at Palm Court, E & O Hotel Penang.  Limited seats available; to reserve click: http://bit.ly/PalmCourtBooking