BOUNTIFUL CHEF’S SPECIALITIES AT NEW HARVEST

 

Not all chicken rice are created equal. In Klang, it's no secret if you wish to eat Chef Simon Lee's signature Chicken Rice (half chicken RM70 small, RM80 medium, RM90 large; whole chicken RM125 small, RM135 medium, RM145 large), you need to pre-order the dish at least a day in advance.

Using free range chicken weighing about 2kg, Lee said he sourced the Dutch breed of chickens for his speciality dish. We had the chance to sample the delectable chicken recently: its corn-yellow skin and tender, succulent meat proved scrumptious to the bite. It made perfect pairing with Chef Lee's aromatic and deeply flavourful chicken rice.

Accentuated with pandan, ginger and shallots, the rice was good enough to be eaten on its own. Rice lovers will find it hard to stop at just one bowl. 

Lee honed his skills as a disciple of a veteran Chinese chef who made a name for himself in the local Chinese restaurant scene back in the day. Having garnered a wealth of experience under his torque, Lee now holds court at his own New Harvest restaurant in Klang.

Those in the know considers New Harvest an 'old is gold' dining bastion; a haven where pricey specialities of shark’s fin and abalone command leading roles, sharing the stage with comforting chicken rice and familiar homey braised dishes.

Looks can be deceptive as the air-conditioned, austere interior of New Harvest appears like any other neighbourhood Chinese restaurant. It's simple and pragmatically furnished yet its pulling power is undoubtedly the chef’s la sau choi (signature specialities), boldly depicted on the colourful wall-to-wall backdrops.

Our lunch commenced with Stir Fried Scrambled Egg with Crab Meat (RM12 per person, minimum 3 persons per serving). Those old enough to remember will find much pleasure to taste this crowd-pleasing opener which had dominated Chinese banquets in the yesteryears.

Wrapped up in fresh iceberg lettuce, the fluffy-soft egg embedded with dices of sweet, crunchy water chestnuts and toasty pine nuts stirred up some nostalgic memories for us.

Then New Zealand shark’s fin, fish maw and Japanese dried scallop formed a luxurious combination to entice us in Chef Lee’s Braised Superior Small Shark’s Fin Soup with Dried Scallop (RM48). The unctuously gummy and superbly flavourful broth warmed our hearts, tummies and palates profusely.

According to Chef Lee, 5 kilos of chicken feet along with old chicken, lean pork and Yunnan ham were used to simmer the soup for 12 hours before it yielded the desired results. Aside from the fins, we also relished those umami-packed dried scallops and spongy fish maw.

 

The culinary bar was raised further with the Braised Australian 3 Head Abalone with Goose Web (RM118). One look at the lustrous sauce was proof enough the dish befit a king.

We were in gastronomic heaven once we bit into the toothsomely resistant abalone, contrasting against the meltingly tender goose web. Coupled with that incomparable sauce, the whole ensemble had me counting my blessings and lucky stars.

Who would have thought peanut butter was the unlikely secret ingredient to Chef Special Stewed Pork (RM48)? Similar to ‘tung por yoke’ (braised pork belly named after Song Dynasty’s famous writer, poet and calligrapher Su Dong Po), Chef Lee made his version with tong gwai, garlic, ginger, cloves and star anise. The silky, luscious sauce was soul-satisfyingly yummy although the pork belly was a tad on the lean side.

 

Stir Fried Mixed Vegetables with Almonds (RM25) lent some balance to our meal. Water chestnuts, baby corn, shimeiji mushrooms, celery, sweet peas and almond flakes formed a sublime combination, teasing our tastebuds with a medley of varied crunchiness and delicately clear accents.

By now, our tastebuds were already saturated by the earlier spectrum of unapologetically huge flavours. Still, the plate of notable Fried Prawns with Pumpkin and Butter Milk Sauce succeeded in snagging our approval as we got our hands dirty, devouring the drool-worthy crustaceans. It was such fun, licking off the creamy sauce off the prawn shells before we sunk our teeth into the sweet springy meat. 

Slices of Klang homegrown Eng Kee pineapple and cantaloupe wrapped up our lunch on a delightfully refreshing note. 

For reservations at New Harvest, call tel: 03 3345 2288. Address: 19, Jalan Goh Hock Huat, Klang, Selangor

CITA RASA RAMADAN MALAYSIA AT DORSETT GRAND SUBANG

Traditional Malay and kampung specialities await diners come buka puasa time this year at Dorsett Grand Subang. The extensive Cita Rasa Ramadan buffet, offered from 13 March to 9 April, will also highlight hawker and bazaar food-inspired fare where chefs on duty cook, grill and serve popular dishes on the spot.

When confronted with a vast selection, the trick is to be discerning and choose rare and cherished specialities for the best experience. Our recommended choices include the myriad of Ulam-ulaman, Kerabu Jantung Pisang and Seafood on Ice.

Fans of Sup Gearbox will be stoked to find a dedicated stall dishing it up with offal, beef bones and tripe. Sizzling Satay, a whole showpiece of Kambing Bakar, Nasi Biryani Gam Kambing, hot-off-the-grill Chicken Shawarma, Mee Goreng Mamak, Roti John and Murtabak beckon from various stalls manned by chefs on duty.

If you enjoy Tandoori Chicken and freshly made Naan, you’re in luck too. Curries to fire up the tastebuds include Ikan Patin Masak Tempoyak, Kari Kambing, Ayam Rendang, Kari Kepala Ikan and Ayam Percik among others.

In addition, you’d find Pajeri Terung, Ayam Goreng Kunyit, Sotong Masak Kicap and Seafood Marinara to complement rice.

 

Dessert run the gamut from assorted Malay Kuih and Bubur to colourful jellies, decadent cakes and glasses of frothy Teh and Kopi Tarik to cold drinks: Soya Bean, Sirap Bandung, etc. to leave everyone replete.

Cita Rasa Ramadan is priced at RM188 nett per adult and RM150 nett for senior citizens 60 and above. Children between 6 to 12 years old is charged at RM90 nett. Early Bird pricing at RM158 nett per adult is available from now till 13th Mar 2024.

Prepare for your Hari Raya shopping with local designer apparel at the Mezzanine Floor of Dorsett Grand Subang. Dress up to the nines with fashionable creations by Masrina Abdullah, Maswira Majid, Evita Mairesse, Izwani, Huda Hassan and Hasfitri Yusof.

For reservations at Dorsett Grand Subang, call tel: 03 5031 6060 or email: fnb.subang@dorsetthotels.com

A TASTE OF TAIWAN FOR CNY AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KL

 

In conjunction with Chinese New Year, Executive Chef Mike M C Wang from DoubleTree by Hilton Taipei Zhongshan brings a showcase of Taiwanese specialities to Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur from now until 24 February.

Under his guidance, the Hotel team’s Chopped Pepper Stinky Tofu Beef Noodles garnered third place at the 2023 Taipei International Beef Noodle Soup Competition. For the showcase in KL, Chef Wang proffers a tamer but no less delicious version of Beef Broth Noodles.

We recommend savouring the deeply flavourful and umami-rich beefy broth with strands of silky smooth, toothsome wheat noodles and sliced beef. One sip of the tasty broth will entice you to return for more.

This speciality along with a DIY Yee Sang station will be among the drawcards at the Hotel’s Prosperity High Tea Buffet (12 noon – 4 pm) every Saturday and Sunday between 4 and 26 February. Priced at RM148 nett per person and RM74 nett per child, the lavish line-up will include a clown appearance and a kids’ lounge.

 

Distinctive dishes by Chef Wang will also be served at the Regal Reunion Dinner Buffet (6.30 pm – 10 pm) on 9 and 10 February at RM198 nett per adult and RM99 nett per child.

Signature specialities to look out for include Braised Eight Treasure Seafood Soup, a popular banquet offering in Taiwan and Special Fish Head Casserole, a heartwarming dish with chunky slabs of fish head.

 

Infused with black vinegar, the thick, seafood-nuanced broth comes laden with slices of black mushrooms, enoki mushroom, diced prawns, jellyfish, crabstick, dried scallops and shrimps, carrot strips.

Exuding a sense of comforting homeliness, the casserole of fried fish head, Chinese cabbage, red chilli, beancurd and mushroom melds together to form a soulful, salubrious dish.

Taiwan’s famed Three Cup Chicken is another delightful option to please the palate, alongside a piquant Hunan-style Steamed Whole Barramundi with Dried Chilli and Pineapple Sauce.

 

Besides the guest chef’s culinary handiwork, the Prosperity Dinner Buffet from 11 – 29 February priced at RM168 nett per person and RM84 nett per child will highlight Sashimi Counter, a parade of Continental, Malay and Indian delicacies.

Expect freshly grilled satay, noodles cooked on request, fresh assortment of salads, Indian tandoori chicken, fish tikka masala, glutinous rice in lotus leaf wrap, fried kway teow, hot and cold drinks, and Chinese-style roasts.

A wide array of dessert to hit the sweet spot such as Mandarin Mousse and Five Spice Sable, Wolfberries and Osmanthus Jelly Delight, Panna Cotta with Diced Mango and Basil Seeds and Chinese New Year biscuits: Kuih Bangkit, Pineapple Cake, and Peanut and Almond Cookies beckons.

For reservations, please call Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton KL, tel: 03 2172 7272 or visit EatDrinkHilton.com