MORE THAN DIM SUM AT SANTAI YAMCH'A

 

Patrons can santai or chill out at Santai Yamch’a Dim Sum Restaurant over a plethora of Halal Dim Sum, Mee Tarik and Rice whenever they step in.

Dim sum takes pride of place here with familiar options such as Prawn Siew Mai (3 pcs RM12.80), Har Gao (3 pcs RM12.80), and even Loh Mai Kai (RM10.80). Freshly steamed upon order, the delicate morsels taste agreeable and pass muster with minced chicken and prawns making up the key filling.

Handmade in Santai’s central kitchen and available from 12pm to 6pm daily, the Prawn Cheong Fun (2pcs RM16.80) is commendable. We find the flat rice noodles smooth enough, with springy pieces of prawns enfolded within.

The Shanghai Red Oil Dumplings (3 pcs RM12.80) dial up the interest factor further; each dumpling piques our palate with its tart vinegarish accent and leaves behind a slightly tongue-numbing mala effect.

More textural contrasts arrive in the form of deep-fried Prawn Beancurd Rolls (2 pcs RM9.80). Served with Japanese mayo on the side, these crispy offerings should appeal to those partial to fried dim sum options.

For the young and young-at-heart, the minion-lookalike Nerdy Red Bean Bao (2 pcs RM10.80) and “googly-eyed” Custard Lava Bao (2 pcs RM12.80) may prove too cute to resist. Pillowy-soft with generous red bean paste and custard filling, the steamed buns are delicious to boot.

A wide selection of kopitiam-style beverages is served here. The house Cham (RM7.80) – a kaw (strong) blend of local kopi and tea is best enjoyed ice-cold but if you prefer it hot or less kaw, let the serving team know.

Other recommendations include Sirap Bandung Cincau (RM8.80), 3 Layer Tea (RM7.80), and Asam Boi Lemonade (RM8.80).

Apparently, the Mee Tarik (hand-pulled noodles) is also a crowd-puller. Variations range from Dry Mee Tarik with Soup Chicken Dumplings (RM18.80) and Mala Mee Tarik with Beef Slices (RM25.80) to Dry Mala Mee Tarik with Salted Chicken Chop (RM17.80).

Overall, the noodles boast springy toothsome texture, with the beef slices version emerging as the most popular in our dining party. The ‘dry’ mala noodles accompanied by chicken chop also gets the thumbs up thanks to the flavourful chicken chop and noodle pairing.

Should you wish to supplement a side dish, try the pan-fried Gyoza (3 pcs RM10.80, 5 pcs RM15.80).

Rice fans won’t feel left out as Santai also serves Grilled Chicken Teriyaki with Crushed Egg Rice Bowl (RM21.80), Nasi Lemak Bunga Telang (RM25.80) with Fried Chicken Whole Leg and Sweet & Sour Sauce Hainan Chicken Chop with Fried Rice (RM24.80).

Deliciously tender and smothered with a tasty teriyaki sauce, the Grilled Chicken Teriyaki rice bowl makes a hearty, delicious combination with the fluffy scrambled egg, and pink pickled ginger strips.

Coloured with butterfly pea flower juice, the fluffy Nasi Lemak Bunga Telang with Fried Chicken Whole Leg (RM25.80) accompanied by all the condiments is a hefty serving guaranteed to leave you replete.

Another regular crowd-pleaser is Sweet & Sour Sauce Hainan Chicken Chop with Fried Rice (RM24.80). Although we find the sweet & sour sauce too generous for our liking, we reckon most diners will probably find this offering up to their expectations.

SantaiYamch’a Dim Sum Restaurant, Lot LG122, Food Street (Old Wing), One Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03-6261 0888

JAPANESE CLASSICS TAKE CENTRESTAGE AT KAZUMA

Traditional Japanese cuisine in serene surroundings. That’s the dining concept behind Kazuma – Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s freshly minted Japanese culinary outpost.

Kazuma, meaning harmony, peace and serenity in Japanese, is currently helmed by guest chef Tsutomu Haneishi. He captains the Kazuma team in creating an array of classic Japanese specialities, using market-fresh produce and imported seafood from Japan.

Cosy and mellow-lit with paper felt pendant lamps and strategically placed spotlights, the wood-trimmed interior is evocative of the Japanese 'residential architectural' style, incorporating a long bar and a sushi counter. 

Lattice work frames and shoji windows complement decorative eye-catching blond lattice woodwork overhead. Sleek modern furnishings in warm red shades denoting the sun, joy and happiness, and beige hues complete the resto's understated look.

Tucked away in a discreet corner are two semi-private rooms for those who wish to play host for corporate purposes or personal occasions.

By day, value-for-money set lunches such as Kazuma Bento (RM69), Beef Yakiniku Bento (RM58) and Sushi Bento (RM60) are fast becoming top draws among the office crowd.

Prettily presented in compartmentalized lacquer boxes, these set lunches comprise dainty morsels in various preparations to tempt the tastebuds. Whether you’re partial to sushi and sashimi or cooked food such as braised beef and tempura, the bento set offerings are varied enough to please most palates.

A la carte items are competitively priced. For instance, sashimi lovers can savour Iso Sashimi (RM48) featuring 3 types of sashimi: maguro, salmon and hamachi. 

The Hama Sashimi (RM110) features 5 types of sashimi without breaking the bank. The fresh raw fish slices are of a decent thickness to leave you satisfied.

If you have a penchant for sushi rolls, try the house Dragon Roll (RM34) – a delicious rice roll topped with sliced avocado, and ebikko, with a deep-fried prawn at its core.

A nice curtain-raiser to go with your favourite tipple is Camembert Cheese Harumaki (RM21, 2 pcs). Although not authentically Japanese, this crispy fried spring roll filled with camembert cheese and perilla leaf is delectable. The Thai chilli dip served on the side lends a touch of punchy sweetness should you desire it.

Highly recommended is Saba Ichiya Boshi (RM20 – half, RM34 – whole) – the housemade seasoned and dried mackerel which is grilled until the skin is blistered and crisp. A dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice atop the fish is all that's needed to savour the fish’s sweet flesh. Oishii!

Tori Negimisoyaki (RM23) proffers meltingly tender bites of grilled boneless chicken; the skin touched with a dab of savoury-sweet miso paste to tickle the tastebuds into going for repeat helpings.

Another perennial favourite to sample is Kushiyaki Moriawase: grilled skewers of Sasami Mentai Mayo (RM8) – chicken fillet with spicy fish roe mayo; Tori Tsukune (RM8) – chicken meatballs; Tebasaki (RM8) – chicken wings; Negima (RM7) – chicken thigh & leek; Tori Kawa (RM6) – chicken skin touched with salt or teriyaki sauce.

When it comes to dessert, the Japanese prefer to keep it light and simple. At Kazuma, the Ichigo Daifuku (RM15) – a whole strawberry coated in a thin layer of red bean paste and glutinous rice ball or Abekawa Mochi (RM15) – glutinous rice cake cubes coated with crushed almonds are perfect to wrap up the meal on a lovely sweet note minus the guilt.

For reservations, call Kazuma Japanese Restaurant, tel:03-2149 2666. Address: Level 1, Wisma Concorde, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL. Business hours: Mon- Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm; Close on Sunday and public holidays.