Showing posts with label sausage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sausage. Show all posts

Friday, April 07, 2023

THAI ISAAN TEMPTATIONS AT MERA

Coated in airy-light wisps of batter, the crispy catfish with green mango and cashews or Yam Pa Dok Ko (RM48), is the show-stealer at Mera. The huge chunks of deep-fried catfish form a sublime combination with a tart-salty-tangy salad of shredded mango, onion and roasted cashews.

While most Thai restaurants in the Klang Valley serve central Thai food, mostly Bangkok-style, we rarely come across any Thai resto showcasing Isaan food. Now, Mera at Damansara Kim has an Isaan-born chef at the helm, tasked with ensuring the authentic essence of Isaan cooking is retained whilst catering to Malaysian palates.

Dishes from the North-eastern Thai province of Isaan flaunt bolder, more robust flavours: making them spicier and sourer. Culinary influences from Laos and Cambodia also hold sway, with fresh herbs such as lemongrass, galangal, lime, chillies and garlic commonly used. Glutinous rice is another staple; a perfect vessel to capture those punchy, vibrant flavours.
Aside from the memorable crispy catfish salad, Mera serves several typical Isaan salads. Topping the list is Som Tum (RM38), fresh and crunchy Isaan-style young papaya salad with full-blown spicy-briny-sour-garlicky accents. Cherry tomatoes add a tinge of fruitiness to it. 


Another popular option is Larb Moo (RM48), spicy-salty minced pork salad seasoned with fish sauce, chilli flakes, lime juice and assorted fresh Thai herbs. However, the one we tried tasted somewhat underwhelming so if you prefer a no-holds-barred version, let the Mera team know.


Happily, the flavour quotient is dialled back up by Tom Sap, hot and sour pork soup. Thanks to the various aromatics: sawtooth coriander, cilantro, lemongrass, dried chillies, onion and tomatoes, this clear, sweet tom yum soup gets the thumbs up.


Grilled Isaan sausages or Sa Kork Isaan (RM48) are also worth sampling. The stuffing is made using fermented pork mince, rice and garlic, and laced with strands of glass noodles, rendering the sausages with a distinct tang. This popular Isaan street food snack is usually enjoyed with chopped bird’s eye chilli, raw cabbage or cucumber and cut ginger.


Fat. Lean. Gelatinous. These varied meat textures make Kao Ka Moo (RM48), a comforting dish of braised pork trotter with hardboiled egg utterly delectable and soul-satisfying. To counter any discernible meaty richness, we savour the melt-in-the-mouth chunks of pork with blanched greens, pickles and a zingy house made chilli dip.


Kor Moo Yang (RM58) – barbecued pork neck is another crowd-pleaser. The pork slices look rather lean at first glance but on closer inspection, they bear an irresistible layer of fat on top, amplifying the pork’s juiciness. A salty-sweet chilli and toasted rice dip helps to boost the smoky, fatty taste profile.


The flavoursome party continues with Moo Yang Nam Tok (RM48), spicy and sour grilled pork salad. Tossed with shallot, cilantro, lemongrass, mint, basil, and crushed roasted rice; each stimulating mouthful leaves us hankering for more.

 

Speckled with aromatic fried garlic bits, Gai Yang (RM48) – Isaan-style grilled chicken cuts a swath with us too. Marinated with lemongrass and fish sauce, the juicy and tender chook comes accompanied by a tantalising dip of lime juice, fish sauce, chilli flakes, palm sugar, chopped coriander and toasted rice.


Steamed with lime, chilli and garlic, the deliciously tender squid dish of Pla Muk Meung Manao (RM68) instantly reels us in with its bold, piquant flavours. It’s irresistible when paired with the scrumptious Crispy Pork Fried Rice (RM38). We can’t get enough of the fluffy, wispy egg-coated fried rice studded with cubes of crispy pork crackling.

 

Pandan juice and pumpkin purée bestow jade green and cheery orange hues for the dessert of glutinous rice balls in sweetened coconut milk. Known as Bua Loy (floating lotus in Thai), the soft and slightly chewy balls, interspersed with strips of jackfruit in the coconut milk, broth prove nice and light yet interesting enough as a sweet conclusion to our meal.


Currently, an a la carte menu is available at Mera. Diners with advance reservations may ask for the chef’s table, featuring a specially composed menu priced from RM150++ upwards per person.

 

For reservations, call MERA, tel: 018-268 2333. Address: 6, Jalan SS20/10, Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

A GALORE OF GOODIES FROM FOODIES GOURMET MARKET & CAFE

Not many restaurants come with a delicatessen and food retail section but Foodies Gourmet Market & Café (GMC) embraces this concept. It fulfills a niche where discerning gourmets can shop for quality Halal beef and lamb, imported German sausages, and premium seafood products, while home cooks searching for ready-to-cook burger patties, truffle and extra virgin olive oils, Kikkoman sauces, imported spices, cooking ingredients, condiments, and kitchen knives can buy them here.




The austere interior is practical and casual; its laidback vibes put patrons at ease and eager to discover Foodies GMC’s range of ready-to-eat fare. Once satiated, perhaps they’d be inspired to buy the ready-to-cook range home.



Foodies GMC serves wallet-friendly steaks: notably tender Australian Grilled Ribeye Steak (RM53, approximately 200g) with a choice of black pepper or mushroom sauce, and a juicy grilled Pure Grass-Fed Aussie Striploin Steak (RM42, approx. 200g) with rich mushroom sauce. Mixed salad and potato wedges are the standard accompaniments.


Raising the several notches above the fast-food bar is the Awesome Wagyu Burger (RM32). The winning formula lies in Foodies’ choice of using brioche as the base and a Wagyu beef patty as its core ingredient. For palate-pleasing allure, sautéed mushroom, tomato, lettuce, caramelised onion, katsu mayo, and cheese are piled on.

 

Another comforting house speciality to try is Boss’s Favourite Beef Goulash (RM21), a Hungarian-style stew with tender cubes of Australian beef. The Chef Signature Smoked Duck Quiche (RM20) is memorable for its deliciously custardy filling studded with pieces of smoked duck in it.


Hallyu fans will take an instant liking to the Spicy Korean Style Lamb Chops (RM36). Marinated in gochujang sauce, the grilled hot and mildly sweet lamb shoulder chops are guaranteed to tantalise the tastebuds.


If you prefer tamer but equally pleasing flavours, the slices of roasted Smoked Duck with Caramelised Apple Chutney (RM30) should hit the spot. The intermingling of savoury-sweet accents are stimulating and nicely balanced by the mixed salad with citrusy sweet dressing.


Family-friendly and crowd-pleasing fare such as Grilled Lamb Sausage (RM30) – this spiral, herbed sausage comes with toasted tortilla pieces, mixed salad and Siracha mayo dip, or grilled German Chicken Sausages (RM31) on mixed vegetable bed with ketchup mayo and mustard dip will find favour with both young and old alike.



Instead of dory, New Zealand perch coated in crispy batter is featured in FG Style Fish & Chips (RM29). Served with Chef’s signature tartare sauce and potato wedges, it’s a hearty serving enough to leave a light eater replete.

 

Looking for Japan-inspired specialities? Possible choices include Japs Chicken Chop (RM19) glazed with garlic teriyaki sauce, and Japanese crispy fried Chicken Fillet with Katsu Sauce Sandwich (RM21) pass muster.


A failsafe option like Meatballs Pasta (RM20) with house-made chicken meatballs in creamy tomato sauce is available too so Foodies GMC has all the bases covered when it comes to family dining.


Dessert is simple but delightful. Tempting choices range from soft XL Berry St Doughnuts (RM10) with caramelised apple dices, chocolate sauce and cream to crispy fried Banana Foster (RM10) drizzled with sweet soy and buttery sauce.



For more information about Foodies Gourmet Market & Café, call tel: 012-213 5277. Address: No. 29, Jalan BK5A/3A, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Selangor.

 



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