Fei Fei Crab @ Damansara Jaya, PJ

Let’s Get Crabbing!

It’s been 8 years since Fei Fei Crab Restaurant started their first restaurant in Desa Aman Puri, Kepong. Fast forward to now, Fei Fei Crab has 4 outlets to date which includes Crab Generation and Crab Sifu in their family operated restaurants. The latest outlet to hit our PJ dining scene is at Damansara Jaya under Fei Fei Crab Restaurant.

Situated along a busy row of shoplots in an urban housing area, Fei Fei Crab Restaurant is now serving up a feast of crab and seafood treats to all PJ diners on daily basis. The restaurant is a no frill restaurant so diners should just expect a decent minimalist ambiance flagged in their themed orange color serving up signatures of Chef Minamikon.

From a young age, Chef Minamikon has been working up his experience under Chef Steven before he open his first Fei Fei Crab restaurant eight years ago. Garnering his own repertoire over the years, diners can expect lots of creativity and deliciousness in his menu at all his crab restaurants.

We arrived on a public holiday for lunch and there was a solid crowd already at the restaurant ordering up classic as well as modern Chinese dishes for lunch. The menu has lots of tempting photos of the dishes, so much so you might have a hard time choosing since they all look so good. Fei Fei Crab obviously is famous for their crab dishes so choosing one should be a no-brainer.

We started off with the house signature of Fried Pork & Chicken with Yam Cake (RM35). Showcasing best of duo of pork and chicken plus a yummy yam basket, one cannot go wrong with an order of this dish. The chicken was crispy and coated in a yummy sweet and creamy glaze while the pork rib was nicely crusted and flavour with garlicky bits. The creamy and crisp yam basket was decent. It’s a lovely combination of meat that goes well on its own or with rice.

Thai Style Sour Steam Seafood (RM98) has diners drooling over the array of prawns, squid and lala all nicely bathed in a tangy and piquant Thai style sauce. The sauce has a solid balance of sweet, sour and savory with some heat while the fresh onions and coriander as well as hints of lemongrass aroma really whets the appetite for more. The seafood is also cooked nicely and served on a warmer to keep it warm and comforting.

One cannot really go wrong with steamed fish as long as the fish is fresh and cooked just right. The Hot & Spicy Steam Tiger Grouper (RM13 per 100g) was another dish that warrants an order. Simplicity of the cooking method showed off the fresh and sweet notes of the highly prized tiger garouper. The mount of punchy spicy garlicky and black bean topping enhanced the flavours of the fish well, boosting extra umami notes. Hand me more steamed rice please…

Porky goodness prevails in Pattaya Pork Knuckles (seasonal price). A mega hunk of full glorious pork knuckle cooked for hours before being finished with a crispy deep fried bath is served with pickled onions and a moreish Thai sauce on the side. Some dishes just takes extra love and effort and this one pays off well.

The crispy skin coupled with soft and tender meat of the pork are lighted up with the tangy and bitey pickled onions. The sauce added more oomph to the pork. Bits of gelatinous fats of the pork also made the dish more heavenly on the palate. Minor quips but I wish for the skin to be more crispy evenly as some were a tad chewy. Other than this small quip, I really love the pickled onions with the pork knuckle a lot.

One of my personal favorite of the lunch was the Lala Veggie Soup with Black Pepper (RM28). Chef Minamikon really took a gamble and added black pepper and butter to the soup, making the dish more delicious than the classic version. The soup was so creamy and rich with a good hint of peppery notes that really went well with the fresh sweet clams and soft spinach. I polished my bowl and had extra soup because I enjoyed it so much.

For diners of all ages, one cannot go wrong with an order or Scallop, Prawn and Clams Tofu (RM38). Housemade bean curd made from egg and soy bean milk, the tofu was superb. Smothered in a typical brown gravy, the tofu also comes with some scallops, prawn and pacific clams with broccoli and a topping of crispy kai lan leaves. Comfort food at its best…

The time came for crabs and we had two sauces whipped up with XXL size crabs. Currently on the market price, 2 pieces of XXL crabs seen here are about RM136. Prices changes according to market price. Fei Fei Crab also serves Large and XL size crab for affordability.

While there are plenty of sauces to choose from in their signature list of crabs, one cannot go wrong with the Salted Egg Crab – Creamy version (depending on sizes and market price). Take a serious look at the glorious and sinful this crab looks! All golden and glistening in full glory, the salted egg crab sauce is unctuously superb. Enjoyed it hot for best flavours. The richness of the sublime salted egg yolk and cream hit all the right flavours of what we love in a salted egg yolks. One can still enjoy the sweetness of the crab flesh despite all the richness of the sauce too. Must order!

While you are at it, order their Fried Chinese Bun (RM5 each roll) to mopped up the sauces.

Our next sauce was the Claypot Kam Heong Cheese Crab (depending on sizes and market price). While Kam Heong sauce is usually a much pleaser on its own already, this version is amped up with cheese. The spices of the sauce reminded me more of curry notes than the usual Kam Heong and with the addition of cheese, the sauce is made extra rich and creamy with peppery spices. Served in claypot, we enjoyed the dish slowly as the sauce is better when its warm. Our table of diners favored this sauce over the first one while I enjoyed the Salted Egg one more.  A solid adversary to the first crab dish in its own way.

Fei Fei Crab has got so much more to offer on their menu. The restaurant serves comfort Chinese dishes with lots of crab dishes for crabbies like me. No frills, just solid Chinese comfort food for daily savoring. Prices are decent for the quality and portions. They have branches in Cheras, Puchong, Kepong and now Petaling Jaya, so head on over to your nearest location of Fei Fei Crab, Crab Generation of Crab Sifu!

FEI FEI CRAB

PJ Damansara Jaya

19, Jalan SS 22/11,

Damansara Jaya,

47400 Petaling Jaya,

Selangor

Tel: 013-207 9978/ 010-270 9978

Business Hours:

Lunch 12pm-2:30pm

Dinner 5pm-10:30pm

Closed on Mondays

Kepong HQ

7, Jalan Desa 2/7,

Desa Aman Puri,

52100 Kepong,

Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 016-237 3794

Business Hours:

Lunch 12pm-2:30pm

Dinner 5pm-10:30pm

Closed on Mondays

Just Nyonya @ Bandar Menjalara, Kepong

Nyonya Soul Food

Nynoya cuisine has always been a part of my favorite list of cuisine that I can never get enough of. As my family hails from the northern Baba and Nyonya heritage, it makes sense why I adore the cuisine so much simply because I grew up eating it and loving it. Living in Kepong, there is hardly any Nyonya restaurants available here so I was pretty thrilled to see Just Nyonya Restaurant in Bandar Menjalara one day when we drove past the area.

Just when I thought I would go to Just Nyonya to try, a good foodie friend of mine invited me to go with her to Just Nyonya one weekend. Just Nyonya has been churning out dishes of Northern and Southern Nyonya cuisine for a year already in that location. Just Nyonya is owned and run by chef K.S. Tan whose 30 years of culinary career in the Peranakan restaurants has him learning the tricks and trades of the labor intensive cuisine.

The restaurant is relatively simple in décor. Light pale walls are decorated with few Nyonya memorabilia throughout the restaurant. Well ventilated and cool, dining at the restaurant was really comfortable and at ease.

The menu at Just Nyonya is filled with lots of classic Nyonya dishes that hails from Northern and Southern Nyonya cuisine so there’s plenty of dishes to please many. I was pleased to see some of my favorite dishes there, especially a very hard to find classic of Perut Ikan.

While waiting for our food to arrive, we sip on our hot and cold house brewed Serai Tea (RM 4.00)

When the Perut Ikan (RM 16.90) came, I knew it was going to be a good one at sight. Looking rustic, the hodgepodge of pickled fish stomach may not sound appetizing but the flavours of the dish is divine. Cooked for hours and has lots of vegetables, spices, herbs and the salted brined fish stomach, the version here is piquant and moreish. It has just the right hit of tangy notes and the various textures of the vegetables with pineapple and soft fish stomach. I kept savoring spoonfuls of the Perut Ikan happily because this version was so delicious. A must order if you enjoy Perut Ikan!

A bowl of bright orange curry of Sweet Potato Leaf Masak Lemak Keledek (RM 13.90 small) was next. This dish was also a crowd pleaser simply because we enjoy how creamy the curry was and it also had just the right balance of spices in this light curry filled with soft braised sweet potato leaf. The distinctive pungent dried shrimp gave the light gravy a wonderful boost of umami flavour. We literally ended up enjoying the last drop of curry in this bowl.

Since my mom makes a solid Kapitan curry, I had high hopes for the Chicken Kapitan (RM 16.90 small) here. And Just Nyonya’s version didn’t disappoint. Thick, robust and a nice hint of creaminess with a soft tang, the curry makes you want to pile on more steamed rice. We loved how generous Chef Tan is with the gravy as the pieces of chicken is literally smothered in much happiness. It is not too spicy so it is a great rich curry that many will enjoy even if you are not a spicy fan.

Chicken Pongteh (RM 16.90 small), a dish that hails from the Peranakan in the South, is another dish that literally beckons for rice. Unctuous savory and sweet notes are the flagship of the thick bean paste gravy. Tender chicken pieces and melt-in-the-mouth potatoes cooked in the thick bean paste sauce is literally comfort food for many while they were growing up in the Nyonya clan. Just Nyonya’s version has a very good balance of savory and sweetness that the adults enjoy just as much as the young ones.

Tempra Egg (RM 11.90 small) is Chef Tan’s tweak on the classic Tempra Chicken. Instead of chicken, we had fried egg drenched in the Tempra sauce that has loads of onions and minced chicken. It has a light savory flavour with hints of tang. Not spicy at all, the dish was a hit with the kids.

Chuan Chuan Fish (RM 34.90 small) is a Nyonya staple and most households, though shares similar recipe, have their own version that is slightly different. Here, it is crispy fried fish drenched in a savory bean paste gravy topped with onions, tomatoes and spring onions. Simple comforting flavours that is a sure daily favorite…

Just Nyonya’s Nyonya Asam Prawns (RM 38.90 small) is what every asam prawns should be. The unctuous tang of the asam sticky glaze on the prawns will have one sucking the shells to every last bit of its sauce. Yes, it’s that awesome. Prawns were firm and sweet too but the asam glaze is what makes this dish utterly addictive and so delicious! Another must order …

More dishes to savor and another Nyonya favorite of mine is Otak Otak (RM 13.90 per piece). While most recipes varies, the one here is pretty yummy. Laden with spices, the fish custard has a good hint of creamy and robust note. While most Otak Otak are steamed, this one is also grilled lightly for a smoky note.

Last of the savory lot, we also had their Inchi Kabin (RM 16.90 small). Piping hot, these pieces of chicken are well marinated with lots of aromatics and fried to crispy and deep amber hue deliciousness. Juicy and tender, we polished off this plate happily between the adults and kids.

Our Nyonya meal ended with some refreshing sweetness of Cendol (RM 5.00), ABC (RM 6.50) and Sago with Gula Melaka (RM 4.00). The desserts are very generously filled with ingredients and makes a good ending to a lovely meal at Just Nyonya. Enjoy slivers of cendol with creamy and nutty red bean topped with thick coconut and rich gula Melaka in Cendol or tiny pearls of Sago drenched in creamy coconut milk and gula Melaka are desserts that I can never get enough off. I also enjoy the hodgepodge of ingredients in the ABC with fine saved iced and doused with gula Melaka and syrup.

With decent pricing and good portions, Just Nyonya proves to be a solid place for Nyonya food. Flavours are solid for most dishes with top favorites of mine that includes Perut Ikan, Chicken Kapitan, Sweet Potato Leaf Masak Lemak Keledek, Asam Prawns and more. There are also set lunch with very decent pricing and I spied Nyonya Laksa on the menu too. I will definitely be back to try other dishes on their menu!

JUST NYONYA RESTAURANT

25, Lorong 5/62a,

52200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +60 3-6279 9996 /+6019-260 3996

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Just-Nyonya-1490709431184380/

Business Hours:

Lunch          12.00pm – 3.00pm

Dinner         6.00pm – 10.00

(Close on Tuesday)

Dining Hall Western Cuisine @ Bandar Menjalara, Kepong

Hearty Western Fare by Dining Hall

Tucked in an area filled with Chinese cuisine, Dining Hall caught my attention on regular basis since I often pass Bandar Menjalara area frequently. The restaurant is a simple no frill one serving up a mix of western cuisine. Located in a shop lot in the heavy populated business area of Menjalara, Dining Hall caters to Western cuisine lovers from the menu filled with lots of Western classics from salads, pasta to seafood, pork dishes, steaks and more. They also have a full list of beverages from coffee, juices, smoothies and beer.

The restaurant interior is simple and spacious. It is designed with minimal décor and offers diners options to dine in big or small parties. Choose indoor seating or al fresco seating. The restaurant has neat white walls with wood panels on one side and white brick wall on the other side. There are banquette seating and regular seating too. Half globes of yellow lighting are hung over the tables, giving the restaurant a warm and soothing ambience. At the end of the restaurant, one can catch a glimpse of the slight open kitchen space with a big chalkboard showing specials of the day.

I have been to Dining Hall before to celebrate my son’s birthday. The restaurant is quite a popular choice for many diners as each time I pass by, there seems to be a good crowd enjoying their meals there. My earlier visit was also a pleasant one and we love their pork chop and pasta dishes a lot. Service was pleasant that day despite the crowd.

Our drinks of Hot Honey Lemon (RM7.30) and Japanese Cucumber with Sour Plum (RM9.40) arrived. Since there was a light drizzle that evening, the Hot Honey Lemon was perfect to warm me up while the Japanese Cucumber with Sour Plum was refreshing and lightly savory from the sour plums.

We started with Dining Hall Salad (RM17.90), a medley of juicy grilled chicken thigh served with mix greens, radish, cherry tomatoes, konyaku bundles, pine nuts and finished with a plum whole grain mustard dressing. I really enjoyed this salad. The dressing is tangy, lightly sweet and flavourful. Everything worked really well together from the nicely chargrilled chicken thigh to the nuts and even konyaku bundles which added an interesting texture to the salad.

Seafood Marinara (RM30.60) proved to be a good choice with its abundance of prawns, mussels, squid and clam meat cooked in homemade tomato sauce. The tomato sauce is surprisingly fresh with a light heat. I would love it to be more robust and tangy but it’s pretty minor as it’s just my preference. The noodles would be better if it was more al dente but the seafood was fresh and yummy. The dish still marked pretty well for its value as it has a good portion of seafood.

We also had the Char Grilled Norwegian Salmon Steak (RM34.85) and was pretty happy when we saw a nice portion of the fillet beautifully char grilled. Now I am very picky with fish and have always love my salmon cooked medium. I was happy when this one was cooked to my liking. It was still tender and medium cooked and the teriyaki sauce goes really well with the salmon. The tomato salsa served was average only as I would have preferred something more filling if I were to order this main dish. If you love salmon, make sure to order this as it is very good and cooked to my likings.

Grilled Premium Pork Belly Chop (RM38.15 – medium) was definitely the star of the night. I had this before during my son’s birthday celebration and this round was cooked consistently as the last time I had it. The pork belly chop comes in three sizes from small to medium and large so diners can choose the portions to their likings. Obviously it is a signature dish at Dining Hall.

The pork belly chop is beautifully grilled with a nice smoky note. It is super delicious, moist, sweet, and tender with a good bite. It is also beautifully layered with fat and lean meat. The pork is served with pepper sauce for extra heat and with mashed potato and apple salad. A Must-order dish at Dining Hall!

I like the hearty menu at Dining Hall. Two dining experiences there and I was pleased with both. Food is value for money with its quality and portion. Beverage price is slightly above average though. Ambience is simple and casual, perfect for casual dining. I would definitely returned for their Grilled Premium Pork Belly Chop!

DINING HALL

No. 53, Jalan 3/62A,

Bandar Menjalara,

52200 Kepong, KL.

Tel: 603 6279 0112

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DDininghall

Business Hours: Daily 12noon to 11pm

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