Restaurant Goldview Hakka Food, situated next to Giant at Taman Paramount, is one of those restaurants that is somewhat a victim of its location for the fact that it is located just a stone’s throw away from the more established Kong Sai, the famous herbal soup & rice stall that is Meng Kee, and another rather popular outdoor tai chao place – Ming Heong.

This was why it took us all these while before finally giving it a try, and that turned out to be a nice little surprise.

Restaurant Goldview Hakka Food at Seapark

Restaurant Goldview has a pretty basic set up, there’s air conditioning indoor and a couple of tables outdoor on the balcony. Interior decoration was done probably in 5 minutes, but it is clean, and the tables & chairs are rather comfortable.

The photos here are from 2 separate visits.

“fa tiu kai”, omelet with preserved vegetable, hakka fried pork with black fungus

“Fa tiu kai” (RM 19, medium), a type of clay pot drunken chicken cooked with Chinese wine, is as good here as anywhere I’ve had. The flavor seeps its way through the poultry and mixing those sweet, fragrant sauce with steamed rice will leave you wanting for more.

We also love the simple “choi poh fried egg”, or omelet with preserved vegetable (RM 6, small), though usually taken with porridge, it goes pretty well with rice as well.

Hakka fried pork with black fungus (RM 12, small) is one of my favorite dishes in Hakka cuisine (New Grand View’s wantan mee has this), but the version here was just passable in taste, perhaps the pork we had wasn’t fatty enough, or that the taste of namyu (preserved red bean curd) was not as strong as I prefer.

salted steamed chicken, “mui choi kao yok”

Hakka salted chicken (RM 12, small) is a steamed chicken dish that carries a hint of saltiness, goes pretty well with rice, and would have been better with a more superior (chili) sauce or other condiment. This is something that Kong Sai fared better, but truth be told, it didn’t disappoint.

We love the “mui choi kao yok” (RM 12, small) here, the cut was excellent. Those glistering fats in between layers of meat topped with that perfectly cooked skin, oh my. I can have this pretty much every meal. I suspect that their “wu tao kao yok”, or yam with pork belly, should be equally as good.

and the spicy soup “lat thong” was superb! KY, Winnie, Horng, Yuki

Last but not least, for those who can read the signboard in Chinese, you’d notice that spicy soup is mentioned on their business name. So naturally, we had to order a bowl to share.

There’s a choice of kampung chicken, pork stomach, and lala as the main ingredient. We had wanted to try lala but ended up with pork stomach (RM 14, small) instead due to availability.

The soup was super peppery and spicy, but in a good way. It was one of the bests we’ve tried and I dare say, on par with Kien Kee at Seri Kembangan. If you find yourself here, this is a must order.

We ended up with less than RM 15 per person for dinner, excellent value for pretty awesome food. This is a place that we surely will visit again. Other dishes that I wanted to try include trotter vinegar, sweet sour intestine with pineapple, salted fish steamed pork, ginger duck, and more.

Hakka food might not be the most popular type of Chinese cuisine, but you should definitely check this place out.

Address:
Goldview Hakka Food Restaurant
26, Jalan 20/16A
Taman Paramount
Petaling Jaya
46300 Selangor
GPS: 3.107092, 101.62475
Tel: 03-8076 8766
Operation Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm (Closed on Tuesday)

Whenever we wanted a bowl of good fish head noodle, Woo Pin at Taman Desa usually comes to mind. The place undoubtedly serves very good and reasonably priced fish head noodle, it is far from where we stay (PJ), has lousy parking situation, and is often packed to the brim on weekends.

Last weekends, I finally tried the Kaki Bola Dua fish head noodle at Taman Paramount which is much closer to home.

Kaki Bola Dua XO Fish Head Meehun, PJ Taman Paramount

The restaurant is situated just a stone’s throw away from the famed restaurant O&S. Parking isn’t hard to come by, and there’s air conditioning. All positive signs so far.

There are three types of soup to choose from – XO, shiong tong, and tomyam flavor. Of those choices of soup, you can then pick deep fried fish head, fresh fish head, fish paste, fish filet, and so forth.

three different flavors of soup to choose from

The fish of choice here is the traditional “soong” fish. I picked deep fried fish head and specifically asked for the meaty part (which apparently you can if you’re not a huge fan of excess fish bone) with the classic XO soup with milk (RM 8.30), appropriately listed as the first pick on the menu.

I asked for more “meaty” part of the fish head, delicious

The fish head noodle came in less than 15 minutes or so despite a heavy crowd, and it well worth it. The fish crispy and fresh, the soup rather flavorful, and most importantly, the home made chili sauce accompanying the noodle has quite a bite as well.

For those looking for a bowl of good fish head noodle in around PJ, this would be a good option. I have a feeling I’ll be back to try out their other flavors.

Address:
Kaki Bola fish head noodle
No. 23, Jalan 20/14,
Paramount Garden,
46100 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor
GPS: 3.107316, 101.625090
Hours: daily 7.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 9pm

One of my favorite things to have for late afternoon “tea time” snack is a good plate of mamak rojak. (also known as passembur in the North, such as Penang)

The typical set up is a truck that offers rojak and cendol, and they are usually parked at a predetermined area, sometimes with a couple tables and chairs for a make shift dine-in area.

Hasan’s Rojak and Cendol truck, outside seapark market

Hasan’s Rojak is one of the more famous rojak vans around. The operator usually stationed the van opposite PJ Seapark wet market, behind Kedai Kopi Khong and just a few shops away from the Ayamas shop.

There are usually a healthy crowd around the van, most will order for takeaway, but there are a few tables under giant umbrellas should you decide to have a quick meal on location.

a proper plate of mamak rojak, I like mine with sotong too

The rojak comes in two versions – normal (RM 3.70) and with sotong (RM 5.00). I always go for the version with cuttle fish, as their version is pretty close to those you get from Penang style “sotong kakung” consistency, with great texture that’s not overly chewy.

Other ingredients were spot on, and the slightly sweetish rojak sauce packs a punch in flavors. It is easy to see why this is one of the more popular rojak places.

unfortunately they ran out of cendol this afternoon

Like most other such set up, they also offer cendol and ice kacang. As luck would have it, they ran out of ice while I was there, so I guess I’ll have to go back there again!

Address:
Jalan 21/17 & Jalan 21/22,
Seapark,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.110142, 101.621673
Hours: noon to evenings

Whenever I think of beef noodle, like most people, I usually think of Ngau Kei at Tengkat Tong Shin, and to a lesser extend, Soong Kee at Lot 10. Little did I realise that one of the better beef noodle stalls is located just a couple kilometers away from home, at Seapark’s Restaurant Tong Fong.

restaurant Tong Fong at Seapark, PJ

The restaurant is of a kopitiam set up and located right behind KFC at Taman Paramount, or Seapark (these two names are pretty much interchangeable). At the corner of the stall, right by the entrance, is the beef noodle stall that offers mixed beef noodle, beef ball noodle, wantan noodle, pork ball, and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, braised sirloin with radish.

beef noodle with radish soup

The braised sirloin with radish soup is something that I haven’t come across before. With the meat so tender and radish absorbing the flavor of the beef, it was quite a hearty stew-like concoction that I find myself liking very much.

If you order the dry version, the thin wantan noodle is topped with sweet minced pork and vegetables not unlike the version at Soong Kee and Ngau Kei, and equally as delicious. If you haven’t had this version of radish soup before, you should give it a try.

the “usual” mixed beef noodle, dry version

I’ve also tasted t heir normal mixed beef noodle that comes with tripe, beef slices, and beef balls, lacking only beef tendon (I shall ask the proprietor about that next time) and found my taste buds quite agreeable to this dish.

A meal here cost between RM 6 to RM 10, give it a try if you’re a fan of beef noodle!

Address:
Tong Fong restaurant
Jalan 21/17,
Seapark,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.110142, 101.621673
Phone: 016-348 8141
Hours: breakfast and lunch

I love a good bowl of bak kut teh, and while it is generally true that you often get the best bak kut teh at Klang, going all the way to the “ah beng country” isn’t always practical.

For those who aren’t familiar with bak kut teh, there are actually two versions. There’s the thicker broth infused with pork bones typical of Klang’s style, and then there’s the Teow Chew version that is lighter but more herbal.

bak kut teh, best served with yau char kuai

Heong Kee at Seapark is a bak kut the stall that offers one of the better Teow Chew style bak kut teh.

The unassuming stall is situated just a stone’s throw away from the KFC at Seapark (which is also the first KFC I visited in Klang Valley more than 20 years ago, but that’s not the topic for today.) There are about half a dozen foldable tables by the stall, with a canopy just in case the weather turns back.

ideal for quick dinner, so long as weather permits

I like the fact that the meat here is always very well cooked, and while the soup is not the most intense, my taste buds are happy with them. You can also add enoki mushroom, yau char kuai, and innards.

A meal here will cost about RM 10-12 per person, they also serve pork tripe soup, vegetable and a few other dishes here.

Address:
Heong Kee Bak Kut Teh (香记肉骨茶)

Several weeks ago I was invited to sample one of the latest non-halal authentic food joints in PJ at Thai Camp.

I, for one, am happy to see this emerging trend of Thai restaurants that offers pork dishes. Currently, within 15 minutes drive in PJ, we have My Elephant at Seksyen 17, Surisit Thai kopitiam at TTDI, and I’m Spicy at Seksyen 17, adding Thai Camp into the mix is certainly a good news.

Thai Camp is situated next to restaurant Mei Yun, Taman Paramount

Thai Camp occupies just half a shop lot along Jalan 21/1 at Taman Paramount, directly next door to Mei Yun kopitiam that is famouse for it’s lala dishes and Hokkien mee at night (though we found better versions these days at Alisan’s mamak row at PJ SS4).

There are only some 10 tables in the air conditioned restaurant. Interior decoration is simple but offers a conducive dining environment.

Even though the restaurant is fairly small, kitchen is manned by owner’s Thai wife and mother in law who insist on preparing food in traditional way, hence efficiency is something that they are still overcoming. Be prepared to wait for a bit before food is served. Do call in to book and perhaps speak to the owner to avoid disappointment in wait time.

Pla Neung Ma Naw, Thai steamed fish

We started off with Pla Neung Ma Naw (Thai steamed fish, RM35), steamed tilapia on a bed of Chinese cabbage and soaked in gravy with generous amount of lime, garlic, chili padi, and more. The somewhat light tasting fish combines well with the intense gravy, goes very well with steamed rice.

I can only imagine that this dish would be even better if we have Barramundi instead (though it’ll certainly be more pricey)

Tom Ka Kai (coconut milk Thai chicken soup), Moo Ma Naw (spicy pork salad)

Next up was Tom Ka Kai (Thai soup with coconut milk, RM 18), a departure from the usual tomyam soup that is served at basically every Thai restaurant. The soup has a strong santan flavor and isn’t nearly as spicy as most tomyam dishes. Those who love coconut milk will enjoy this.

Moo Ma Naw (spicy pork salad, RM15) consists of sliced pork with cabbage, fish sauce, lime, garlic, chili padi, and other ingredients, a good substitute for Thai mango salad, both are sourish but this packs a bit more punch in spiciness and porky sweetness.

Phad Phak Ruam (stir fry assorted vege), Phad Kra Pao (roast pork with basil)

Phad Phak Ruam (stir fry assorted vegetable, RM 15) comes with cauliflower, carrot, broccoli, and some small shrimps for sweetness. The sauce tastes of a mixture of Thai concoction that includes fish sauce. I really liked it, but at the same time also find that the side of shredded raw cabbage on the side (comes with every dish) is a bit unnecessary.

Phad Kra Pao (roast pork with basil, RM 18) turned out to be one of my favorite dishes here. Chopped long bean, chili padi, and roast pork can’t really go wrong.

Kai Yeaw Ma Khra Prao Grob (fried century egg)

The last dish we tried was Kai Yeaw Ma Khra Prao Grob (fried century egg, RM 18). It was really something that I haven’t tasted before. I’ve had century egg as is, or steamed, but never fried. The treatment gave it a slightly crispy exterior that I thought was pretty interesting, and the deep fried kailan accompanying the dish proved to be a worthy side.

We had a rather good dinner at Thai Camp, and I actually went there again a week or so later. This is definitely a more than decent Thai restaurant to visit, but until they improve kitchen efficiency, don’t head there when you’re already very hungry.

At the time of review, Thai Camp hasn’t yet started to serve desserts, but it is something that will come in the future.

Address:
Thai Camp
37 Jalan 20/7
Taman Paramount
Petaling Jaya,
46300 Selangor
GPS: 3.109748, 101.626287
Tel: 012-345 1768
Hours: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

For many prawn mee and loh mee fans out there who used to frequent Choon prawn mee stall at O&S, here’s their new location just a few shops down the road.

Choon Prawn Mee at the new location (same row as O&S)

Yeap, the stall at O&S is now taken over by another operator (reportedly not nearly as delicious), so if you want to get the familiar taste, here’s where you have to go. The new place is air conditioned, slightly more expensive, and much more comfortable compared to O&S.

Additionally, opening hours are longer as well.

Penang style lor mee, pork intestines extra

In addition to prawn mee and loh mee (starting from RM 6.50) with all sorts of extra ingredients such as extra prawns, intestine, pig tail, ribs, and squid, the shop also offers other dishes such as kuih teow th’ng (yet to try), toast, nasi lemak, chee cheong fun, and so forth.

well satisfied with my breakfast of lor mee

For my visit, I went for my favorite – Penang loh mee.

For those who aren’t familiar with Penang version of lor mee, it is pretty similar to prawn mee, but in addition to prawn, bean sprout, fried shallot, and sliced pork, there’s usually half a hard boiled egg, minced garlic sauce, and of course, those thick startchy broth.

The version here is as good as any, and the extra RM 2 I paid for those intestine was well worth it. Now I feel like I want to have a bowl with all the extras!

Address:
Choon Prawn Mee
13 Jalan 20/14, Taman Paramount
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.106983, 101.625309
Tel: 012-265 8193
Hours: 7am to 4pm (Mon-Sat), 7am to 4.30pm (Sat/Sun/public holiday)

One of the toughest Penang hawker dishes to hunt down in Klang Valley has got to be char kuih kak. Outside of various pasar malam, there’s only one other stalls at Jalan Sayur that I am aware of, until I went to the hawker row right beside the Seapark wet market a few days ago.

char kuih kak at Seapark, next to the morning market

For those who has never been to Seapark in the wee hours, there’s actually a row of hawker stalls on the same road where My Burger Lab is located. The stalls usually open by around 6am so if you’re looking for earlier breakfasts, this is definitely a place to check out.

char kuih kak as breakfast, glorious

The char kuih kak operator does not have any table nor even plates, the only option is “tapao”.

I ordered a pack of char kuih kak (RM 4) with eggs and took it to the office for breakfast. It wasn’t the best version I’ve tried, but definitely managed to satisfy the cravings for a bit.

If you’re a char kuih kak fan, this is one more place to check out.

Address:
Char Kuih Kak
Jalan 21/22, Sea Park,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.110397, 101.621757
Hours: mornings

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Transitions lens, works well in a movie theater too

Went to the movies with my Transitions lenses glasses, great clarity under low light condition, basically no difference compared to a clear glass. The cool thing is if you walk out from the cinema and it happens to be afternoon, you won’t get hit by the glare like Thor’s Hammer.

It’s funny how sometimes the restaurants closest to us is the one that manage to miss from the radar screen while we seek out for others located miles away that offers similar food.

Such is the case for Hoe Fong chicken rice at Seapark that offers a version of chicken rice very similar to the stall under the tree at Segambut and Jiang He at Imbi.

Hoe Fong chicken rice at Seapark

Hoe Fong is located at Seapark opposite the morning market and offers a version of chicken rice that is unlike the usual. Instead of steamed and roast chicken, they have the chicken deep fried in boiling hot cooking oil and then serve with a few slices of cucumber.

A plate of chicken rice is RM 6.50 and comes with rice and soup as well as chili paste and minced ginger as condiments. A popular thing to do is adding dark soya sauce on the aromatic rice.

deep fried chicken is delicious, and don’t forget to order the Penang loh bak

Hoe Fong also happen to serve Penang loh bak that turned out to be one of the better versions I tried in Klang Valley. If you’re a fan of loh bak, you should really give this a try.

Address:
Restoran Hoe Fong Chicken Rice
Jalan 21/17
Sea Park
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.109911, 101.622097
Tel: 016-276 1472
Hours: lunch

For all these years staying within a kilometer or two within Seapark, I never knew the existence of this row of hawker stalls in the morning right beside the wet market until about half a year ago when introduced by my ex-colleague, Kelvin.

Seapark Morning Market curry mee

The reason that made me want to visit this hawker row was the picture of curry wantan mee shared by Kelvin that looks rather delicious. So a particular fair weathered morning not too long ago, I did just that.

dry “curry mee” with a side of tofu pok

The stall operates from around 4 am and usually sold out before 9. If you want to have super early breakfast, this is definitely the place to go.

The dry version is what most people go for, you have a choice of kuih teow, yellow noodle, or meehun as stomach filler, with the other ingredients being minced meat, sliced fish cake, fried fuchuk, and a side of curry broth with tofu pok & fish ball. Of course, there’s the all important fragrant chili paste as well.

this is available from around 4 am in the morning

So how does it taste?

Well, I’ve never had this exact same combination before, but I think it works pretty well. There’s sweetness from dark soya sauce, the spiciness and fragrance from sambal paste, and savoriness from meat and fish ball/fish cake.

For RM 5, this makes a pretty good breakfast. Now if they also offer coffee, that’ll be great.

Address:
Curry wantan mee
Jalan 21/22, Sea Park,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.110397, 101.621757
Tel: 011-2628 4688 
Hours: from 4am to 8-9am