Project-κ 21: Dry Bak Kut Teh @ Terminal 2

Seremban may not be so famous for its Bak Kut Teh as it is, after all, usually associated with Klang! However, this restaurant called "Restoran Bak Kut Teh Fei Chan" at Terminal 2, Seremban offers a new twist to the traditional bak kut teh! They have DRY bak kut teh and other signature dishes! Now, now.... dry bak kut teh isn't something totally new! Klang apparently had this for centuries (exaggeration here)! And so, to find this in Seremban is really my first. Hence, the need to recommend this place not only to tourists but locals alike!

Besides the said traditional bak kut teh (that is meat in soup) and the dry version, they also have a couple of dishes which are worth mentioning and highly recommended by me! One of it, which is my family's favourite, is the Spicy Burning Meat (for bao yok). I wouldn't elaborate the traditional bak kut teh as seen below as I believe everyone would have known how bak kut teh tastes like. Strong and flavourful with herbs which is perfect to be eaten during these cold monsoon seasons at night! It literally warms you up! :D

The dry bak kut teh..... didn't taste as what I would expect it to be! Haha.... when I heard of the word DRY bak kut teh, what I had in mind was meat (and other common bak kut teh ingredients) being stir fried till all the herbal essence being infused into the ingredients, dry or in thick herbal gravy. Try to imagine the traditional bak kut teh being slow boiled till dry so that the meat in it locks in all the herbal goodness! (OMG! My saliva is drooling!) Hahaha..... :P

But Fei Chan's version was somewhat similar to braised fried pork (char cu yok). Stir fried in onions, dried chillies and ladyfingers. The half fatty and skinny pork chunks are tender and flavourful to taste! It was not bad..... like I said, a change to the traditional type. Worth trying!

Now, the highlight would be the Spicy Burning Meat! I love this! My family love this! We all love this! LOL!!! Pork slices being stir fried with LOTS of dried chillies, bird's eye chillies (cili padi), dried shrimps and salted fish. Then topped with onion slices and onion leaves! It tastes really really good! This is highly recommended! Seriously! Don't be afraid because of the name of this dish... it won't burn your tongue off! I mean.... it's not THAT hot! But hot enough to keep you perspiring and mucus running from your nose throughout the whole meal till you find yourself an air-cond to cool you down! Hahaha.... But really..... it's good! :P

Of course, like any restaurant in their right mind, they do serve greeny vegetables stir fried to your liking and also yau char guai too. Below is a sample of vegetables (bo lei sang choy) I ordered just to complete the healthy balance diet! :)

Also, this restaurant serves Chicken in Rice Wine, Chicken in Hua Tiao Wine, Braised Trotters in Vinegar, and Sauna Bak Kut Teh (recommended by chef) which I have YET to taste them! 

Restoran Bak Kut Teh Fei Chan

31-G, Jalan Era Square 3,

Era Square, Seremban,

70200 Negeri Sembilan.

Tel. no.: 010-2799972

Business hour: 11am - 3pm; 6pm - 10pm

Opens everyday EXCEPT Monday

Project-κ 20 : Pork Belly Noodles (Chu Lam Fun)

Seremban beef noodle is no stranger to anyone now. Come Seremban, the few first things that a local will recommend would be the beef noodle itself, located at Seremban Wet Market. Recently, there's this restaurant made a few adjustment to the famous beef noodle by catering it to the non-beef eater, like me! What they are selling is somewhat similar to Sin Yee Kee's signature dish, only that they replace beef slices with pork belly slices! And beef balls, with pork balls....

The reason why I choose to blog about this place is not because it is exceptionally tasty (it's not bad I would say)...... but I find it to be kinda special... I mean, why in the world it takes people SO LONG to come out with a pork version beef noodle???!!! Padahal, it's just replacing those miserable slices of red meat! >.<

Anyway....... The place is located at Jalan Rahang Kecil, opposite Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) Seremban. Right after the traffic lights (if you are coming from Bukit Blossom or Taman SEA) at the flyover, take an immediate left and it's there! The restaurant reads, "Restaurant Hing Hoi", with a big, bright yellow signage.

There are quite a few other dishes being sold there like Fish & Chips, Fried Chicken rice, Chicken Chop, Century egg porridge; but the only things worth mentioning are its Pork Belly Noodles (Chu Lam Fun) and Paper wrapped chickens (Chi Bao Gai).

Priced at RM4.50 per bowl, its Chu Lam Fun is not bad, really. Just like the beef noodle, it has the usual fried preserved vegetables (char choy), sesame seeds, peanuts and thick gravy! Tastewise, I can't compare to the beef noodle because I don't take beef (remember?). Though not very generous with the pork, the tenderness and flavourful slices made up for it. By looking at the picture, it doesn't look appetising right? Yeah I know.... the cook could have spend some time on presentation! LOL! But it tastes better than it look. You should try it... just for the sake of the owner coming up with this idea! Hahaha.....

Paper wrapped chicken (Chi Bao Gai) is sold at RM3 each! I find it rather pricey. But its their signature dish! The chicken is wrapped in a piece of paper (yes! literally!) and deep fried! So, you've got to tear the paper before eating the chicken. The chicken is less oily if cooked this way. The juiciness of the chicken is retained but the only messy part is tearing off the oily piece of paper.... Of course, this is a favourite among lots of children! :)
I didn't order it this time because I don't feel like eating oily stuff then.....

The place was kinda crowded initially when it opens. But yesterday when I went there, it looks rather quiet. I am not sure why..... maybe it's because of the service... I was shocked when a customer shouted at the waiter for showing attitude when he was short changed. I don't know who is right or who is wrong.... but it wasn't a pleasant sight.... lots of tension I tell ya!
Sometimes, good food but bad service would make a horrible experience.

But for me..... it's OK lar~~~

Project-κ 19: Tai Chow @ Medan Selera Permai (Permai Food Court)

I've blogged about Medan Selera Permai having really good satay before (here), this time... I'll blog about a tai chow (literally translated to "big fry" which loosely mean stir fry) stall situated at the corner of this food court. By day, it sells economy rice while by night, it cooks up a storm with its tai chow dishes. 

Of course, just like a typical Chinese restaurant, this stall is able to cook almost any dishes you can find elsewhere but priced at a lower price. I (or rather my dad) had ordered a few of their specialties a.k.a. chef's recommendations. First up is wu tao kow yok (braised pork with yam), this dish has a distinct sweet taste mixed with a hint of salt and spices. The pork slices in between yam pieces are half skinny and half fat. The fat will literally melt in your mouth! This is definite my dad's favourite dish!

Any youngsters or if you have a sweet tooth, you'll definitely enjoy the next dish - marmite chicken! Bite size pieces of chicken are fried to perfection and coated in thick, sweet marmite sauce!! I absolutely love this! Actually....it's the sauce that I love the most! LOL! XP This dish also comes in pork ribs too! 

Another heavenly dish would be the assam fish! This is a must-have! Every time we dine here, we'll order this! The fish is really fresh and huge! Served with an array of greens like okra, tomatoes, onions, etc. the sour and spicy sauce makes it really finger licking good. And OH! There's pork crackling in it too!! Yum yum~~

I'm not sure bout the price although it is stated on its sign board cause I can't read Chinese. But I think it's RM6 for greens while RM8 onwards for meat dishes! :)

Project-κ 18: Laksa @ Restoran Asia

It's rather chilly these few days with the rain, isn't it? Well, I can't think of any better days to eat a fiery, hot and spicy bowl of laksa other than today! Went for food blogging out of the blues and decided to introduce Restoran Asia in Rahang, Seremban, which is no stranger to any Seremban-ians at all! LOL!

To make things clearer, there is actually another restaurant with the same name located at Senawang. I'm not sure which is the main shop and which is the branch, but I think both serve equally good laksa! 

The one in Rahang is located right opposite the post office. If you are coming from Bukit Blossom, the shop is the 3rd before the traffic lights. You got to keep your eyes wide open as its sign board is kinda faded, so it ain't attention grabbing at all. Moreover it is sort of being blocked by a stall by the road side. 

A typical bowl of laksa is served with half an egg, tofu puffs, fish cakes, and si ham (cockles). Of course, if you prefer, you can opt out the cockles if you don't like them. I know I don't! LOL! Below is the 'normal' bowl of laksa minus the cockles..... They'll give you few pieces of pork to compensate for the lost cockles. :P

I, on the other hand, ordered one with curry chicken in it! 2 pieces were given and it tasted pretty good. But somehow I think it's pretty expensive as my bowl of small laksa with curry chicken costs RM4, which is the same price with a big portion of laksa.

What I like about Restoran Asia's laksa is the hot soup itself! It's rather thick and creamy minus the oily and greasy feeling!! There wasn't much oil in it and I like how the consistency of the soup - some sort like a gravy instead! Taste wise it's HOT!! But not as much as to being unbearable! A very satisfying taste for a chill windy day!

And together with the noodles, oh......before that, of course, like most noodle stalls, you can choose your favourite noodles be it beehoon, yellow mee or kwey teow and can be mixed too......you'll be given a small plate of extra chilli to add to the spiciness and 'omph' you require! I like the chilli too.... it's pretty good and tasty. My aunt once bought their home-made chilli by bottles! Haha... XD

Price are RM3.20 for small; RM3.70 for medium and RM4 for a large portion. Additional of 80 cents will be charged for chicken curry. 

The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch right till 2 or 3pm. Notice how blur the writing on the sign board is? So, open your eyes wide guys! :D

Restoran Asia

Jalan Semarak 2,

Rahang, Seremban.

Project-κ 17: Kedai Makanan dan Minuman Kawan

Went "blog walking" one day and saw a blogger blogged about this place serving "the best porridge in Seremban". While I do not fancy porridge that much, I didn't bother trying this place out the first time I read it. Then again, since I am being so idle at home during my holidays I've decided, what the heck! Just go and snap some pictures....besides, Project-κ has not been running for quite a while already! So, I went there yesterday with a friend of mine after a karaoke session at GreenBox! :P

Kedai Makanan dan Minuman Kawan is situated at Temiang. From Temiang's KFC, go straight and turn right at the first junction. Then at a second junction, turn right again. You should see a Chinese temple on your right and this restaurant is located on your left just 10 meters away from the Chinese temple. It is a corner lot shop. Next to it is Seremban Kee Mei Siew Pow.

We reached at 6pm but the shop just opened and workers are busy laying out chopsticks. Rupa-rupanya business starts at 6.30pm on weekdays and 6.00pm on weekends. According to the blogger, Kedai Makanan dan Minuman Kawan is closed on every Tuesday. So we decided to walk about till it's time. 

["The 3 stooges"]....was bored waiting for our order so I snapped this 3 bottles of condiments on our table. We came back at 6.30pm sharp and the shop is already packed! Only 2 tables remained empty!

The "general" look of porridges served. Topped with spring onions and shredded fried noodle-like-thingy.

[My friend's chicken porridge] The texture of this porridge is quite smooth! Served with generous amount of chunky chicken pieces. Taste wise it is flavourful. You don't need "the help from the 3 stooges" at all! LOL! My friend gave a 2 thumbs up for Kawan's porridge!

[My chee cap (pig's offal) porridge] I want to confess, I HATE offals!!! I told me friends, I eat (almost) everything except beef and weird stuff, offals included! I just don't like the taste!! Nonetheless, I brave myself to sample this bowl of offal porridge for the sake of writing this post. Surprisingly it is quite edible! Unlike offals served elsewhere, the offals in this bowl of porridge is (I hate to admit it) quite delicious! There was no smell or weird taste in it! A mixture of tripe, liver, pork and fried intestines are served. I simply LOVE the fried intestine! Simply awesome! Crispy and very very flavourful! My bowl of porridge was even more flavourful than my friend's chicken porridge! Texture wise, it is a little more "rough and rice-y" than its counterpart. And I managed to finish everything! This is amazing considering I don't fancy offals that much! Each bowl of porridge costs RM3.50; accoding to baby_sumo there are fish porridge too. But too bad, on that day, only this 2 are available. 

[Our side order of a quarter of pak cham kai (steamed chicken)] In order to have the "complete experience", we don't wanna miss out on the numerous steamed chickens hanging on the stall. I've read that these chicken are so good that they are sold off in an hour's time! And true enough. It is quite tasty! Priced at RM10 for a quarter, the chicken are so smooth....smoother than those found in the porridge! And you bet....rich in taste too! Definitely one good helping of steamed chicken. May even give famous Ipoh Chicken rice a run for their money! LOL! 

The only stall in the whole restaurant that operates during dinner time. Do give it a try! :)

Project-κ 16: Pizza Italia @ Oakland Commercial Square

Just realized I was suppose to blog about this when I was rummaging my picture folders. These pictures had been stored in there since last CNY. LOL! And if you would realize, the pictures for this post is of much better quality cause I used my friend's DSLR that time! All rightee.... It was lunch during a CNY outing and someone recommended we go to Pizza Italia for some away-from-the-ordinary-lunch! Haha.... This place is situated at Oakland Commercial Square, very near to Columbia Asia Hospital.

The restaurant has an actual Italian cook! So you know that you are enjoying some authentic Italian food.... well, from the taste and hands of an Italian at least! :P 

We ordered a couple of pizzas...and I'm so sorry...I couldn't remember the names as it was last January trip and my memory isn't that good! LOL! But these has no beef in them as most of you may have know already, that I can't take beef. :)

Regular pizzas were priced at RM 16 while large ones are RM 21. I usually order pizzas from either Pizza Hut or Domino's, so I can only compare Pizza Italia's pizzas to them. I find them to be fresh...like duh....they knead the dough only when orders were taken. The base was soft and not over-burnt. Just cheese pizzas tasted kinda plain to me....I don't know....maybe I'm used to getting chunky pieces of meats on my pizza that I don't fancy cheese-only-loaded pizzas. *shrugs* However, those with meat on them tasted pretty decent. Not great....but above average!

Pizza don't-know-what's-its-name-1 with seafood was pretty good.

Pizza don't-know-what's-its-name-2 just cheese tasted plain to me. :/

Chicken Lasagna was pretty good too! Nicely layered of cheese and meat makes this an enjoyable dish. :)

The restaurant's interior

Apparently Pizza Italia doesn't have a signboard. So, you'll need to look out for the red canopy or this cute little sign on its glass door.

Address: 480, Jalan Haruan 4/4, 

Oakland Commercial Center, 

Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Check out other bloggers' review: Here and here

Project-κ On Hold......:(

Darn! After putting on braces, I can barely chew properly! So, how can I enjoy my food now? Let alone taste them! Sigh.....looks like Project-κ gotta be put on hold guys.....*sob* I really REALLY miss eating like the good old days....... Just hope everything will be sorted out soon......I do literally mean my teeth! LOL!

*thinks of all the good food*
*stomach growls*
*hungry*
*sad*
:'(

Project-κ 15: Thosai @ Lingam's Curry House

Many people, Indians aside, especially Chinese, doesn't like thosai very much due to the sourish taste. But that's because they do not know what to order! Being a Malaysian, with abundant of Indian food around, thosai can be considered as one of my favourite breakfast. And in Seremban, we have just the place to get very good thosai! Located at Jalan Yam Tuan, very near to the Perodua showroom in town, Lingam's Curry House serves one of the best thosai in Seremban! An Indian friend told me of this place once when I was still in secondary school but never got to try it until this year. And you bet, once I've been there, I am totally hooked on it and make it a must-eat-place everytime I come back to Seremban and in time for breakfast! Lol!

I couldn't stand the hunger made by the delicious aroma emitted from the thosai's being prepared, so decided to get a few of vadai and munch on it first. =P
These vadai's are not bad, and if you get it freshly made, you'll be enjoying it hot and crunchy especially with some chutney dip!

One of the food I ordered - Thosai Rawa. Thin, crunchy and absolutely delicious! There were generous amount of onions, red and green condiments (peppers I think) in it! Eaten either with the spicy or white chutney is simply great! I totally recommend this to those of you who doesn't like thosai due to the sourish taste. Believe me, this is not at all sour! You'll like it.....guaranteed! RM1.20 per piece.

Another wonderful thosai - Thosai Ghee. Thin and crunchy just like thosai rawa, but minus the onions and pepper and with a distinct ghee (butter) smell and taste! This is a MUST order if you don't mind the calories (it is butter after all)! But mind you, this thosai isn't at all oily! I simply love this but I have to keep the fat in mind everytime I eat it! Haha.....but guilt aside, this is one heck of a thosai! A piece of this is priced at RM1.50.

There are of course many other food available like nasi lemak, the different kinds of roti's, more types of thosai's and rice in the afternoon. Though I didn't manage to try all of them, I'll definitely make a second, third and most probably more visit here again! XD

Below is the menu board

The restaurant signage from the side

The restaurant from the front

Project-κ 14: Prawn Noodles @ Sam Kok Tei

Another must-try when you go to Sam Kok Tei (triangle square) at Jalan Yam Tuan in the evening, is the prawn noodle sold near the main junction, right opposite Domino's pizza and almost next to the silky, smooth Tau Foo Fa at the bus stop.

Sold at RM 4.00 per bowl, this, I swear, is probably the best prawn noodle in......*let's be modest*.....Seremban, will do. LOL! Famous blogger VKeong recommended his best prawn noodle in the Klang valley but I would say, our local prawn noodle beats his F-L-A-T!!!

One can choose from the different types of noodles available and each is served with fishballs, fu chok, kangkung, beansprouts and of course, the superb, spicy-sweet, lip-smacking, big-sized prawns!

The prawns are worth your every penny and highly recommended by me! Try it! It is so good that I ate the whole thing including its head AND shell! LOL! Also, do sample their homemade chilli paste for the ultimate taste of the noodle. I scooped spoonful after spoonful of it onto every bite of my noodles. It's soooooooooooo good! Yes, it's spicy, but there's a hint of sweetness in it too. I think it's the same marinate that they use for their fabulous prawns.

The stall is managed by an old couple. They told me that they had been in this business for more than 30 years already! Due to their old age, they confessed that they can't cope with too many customers at once. So, please be patient if you were to wait long after ordering. Haha....

Closed on every Wednesday and Thursday

Opens at 6pm - finish (usually 11pm)

Note: Also closed for the whole stretch of Chinese New Year (15 days)

Project-κ 13: Curry Leaf Restaurant

Besides Top Curry House, there's also another great place to go for a decent Indian meal in Seremban. More popular among the Chinese, maybe because it was managed by an Indian-Chinese couple and has more Chinese-style dishes amongst its array of available choices. But don't get me wrong here, the spiciness and that "Indian taste" to their food are not compromised nonetheless. Which is good news for Indian food lovers like me! *wink wink*

Curry Leaf serves almost all types of Indian food imaginable: from banana leaf rice to nasi briyani; roti canai, thosai to naan bread; tandoori chicken to varuval mutton; different different types of vegetarian dishes; your regular teh tarik or teh halia to a refreshing lassi drink that comes in assorted flavours! Below: Mango lassi priced at RM3.50 per glass.

One of my all time favourite is their fried squid - perfectly deep fried in red flour batter, sprinkled with sesame seeds, with a squeeze of lime, topped with ringed onions and of course, curry leaves! It is very crispy with a slight sweet, spicy and sour lime juice flavour which makes this a perfect dish for anything you are eating especially rice.

Another notable dish is their fried chicken. Bursting with flavours, crispy batter on the outside and tender meat on the inside! Tell me......who doesn't like fried stuff?? LOL!

At RM5.00, you get to enjoy their banana leaf rice. Comes with 8 vegetarian side dishes (yes guys, you read that right....8 side dishes!) - pumpkin, varuval potatoes, brinjals, long beans, sambal tofu, cabbage, bittergourd just to name a few; papadams; a choice of hot fish, chicken or dhall curry, this is one heck of an economy rice! Taste wise, it is definitely your above average type of banana leaf set! Just nice for the Chinese palate and tastebuds.

Their naan bread also deserves some limelight too. I've ordered a garlic naan here. Naan is a healthier version of bread as it is baked in a terracota clay oven and not fried - ideal for weight watchers. Haha.... It is non-oily, topped with a generous amount of chopped garlics and and has a strong buttery taste that can still be tasted even if you dip it in your choice of curries! I totally enjoyed this - very much!

********************

Curry Leaf Restaurant

No. 1274 & 1275,

Jalan Rasah, Seremban

Project-κ 12: Dim Sum @ Min Kok Restaurant

Occasionally, we get cravings to go for something a lil' more expensive for breakfast - dim sum! So, where better place to go in Seremban, if it's not Min Kok Restaurant?

Serving, what I think is, the best egg tarts, this is the perfect place to be for a lazy late Sunday breakfast.

Their egg tarts are kind of special because it is layered with a base of kaya! Imagine the taste of sweet kaya and smooth egg filling together with the crispy-easy-to-crumble crust! This is no doubt one of my favourite egg tarts in Seremban. I can't find these anywhere but here. A must order if you are having breakfast here! Erm-em!!

Other dim sum are quite good too. There are a lot of varieties and price wise? Pretty much dim sum pricing....not very expensive, really. And not very cheap too. XP

Steamed char siew pow

Crispy yam dumplings! (Woo kok)

Fried fu chok with fish paste; Char siew chee cheong fun; variety of fried pork, char siew and tofu

A handful of dim sum available. These are just a few from the many served.

The restaurant - front view

How to get there??? Map below:

Restoran Min Kok Sdn. Bhd.

Min Kok Dim Sum Sdn. Bhd.

No 7645, Lot 5990,

Jalan Labu Lama, (Terminal 2),

70200 Seremban,

Negeri Sembilan.

Tel : 06-7618458, 06-7619717, 06-7615157

Fax : 06-7615428

http://www.minkok.com/

Opening hours (7 days a week):

Dim Sum

7.30 am - 2.30 pm

Restaurant

12.00 pm - 2.30 pm

5.30 pm - 10.30 pm