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Food can sometimes be very different if we are adventurous enough yet at times it can be a dissapointment. Recent discovery on something new in Bukit Damansara is this outlet called Maliqa Mediterranean Cuisine that serve HALAL Mediterranean food, and I must say its actually a hidden gem in the area. Open its door not too long ago already have build up well with many return customer with its reasonable pricing and food quality.

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 Also further understand that Maliqa in term of Arabic origin used in Persia it means a title of Queen Consort.

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From the meaning Queen and the interior designer which is one of the owner himself that design the whole place to assemble the look and feel of Persian.

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For welcoming drink, we were greeted with their Honey Yogurt drink. This is one of the drink that you shall not miss, smooth and not too sweet yet I do not mind to have the whole jug by myself.

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Something new to me is this Pirincli Yoghurt & Corbasi. It looks healthy for morning breakfast as I was on diet for that week and surely this would be a great soup for me. Something simple and the taste is a bit salty papperish end.

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Another soup came by is Spicy Seafood Soup

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 Fried Mushroom for appetizer to much on before the mains are coming over.

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Lamb Shank were good as the lamb were braised till soft and aromatic with their house special gravy and risotto is cook to my likings. Lamb taste is pretty strong and those of you who do not really take lamb then this is not encourage.

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Maliqa House Steak werent bad is just that on that night I find it abit over cook for the steak. Gravy is good which is light that did not overpower the taste of the steak. Its one of their signature dish for Maliqa.

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 Risotto

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One of their dish that must not miss is Turkish Moussaka.

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Cook to perfection that the cheeze on top is perfectly baked with ingredients in it can be eggplant or chicken, with the awesome special sauce make this dish irresistible. – Recommended!

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Tiramisu

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Apple crumble and vanilla ice cream

For diners who are looking for something new to hunt for, then Maliqa would offer you another great dining experience that is own by local. Its a HALAL outlet and those of you who keen to bring alcohol, there are no extra charges. Yap, NO CORKAGE FEE.

Location:
Maliqa,
No 49, Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Plaza Damansara,
50490 Damasara Heights, KL
(The row behind Aliyaa and CIMB Bank, past Chef & Brew)
Food served is halal

Tel: 03-2095 0002

In Japan or as seen in a movie, there are alot of small little famous eatery around neighborhood that hidden around a corner. There are a new hidden gem in the heart of KL with many of my friends saying that I did not know there are actually a Japanese restaurant there regardless they walk by that route almost daily. Ozeki Italia is actually a new restaurant that located at Ground Floor of Wisma Cosway, directly oppostive Novotel Hotel. A small little restaurant that operate not more than 4 months that serve pork along that had slowly gaining its reputation among local food hunter.

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Its not a huge restaurant that estimated full house capacity about 50 pax at one go. Therefore, to dine here, it is highly recommended to make your reservation. I always love Japanese cuisine and as far I as understand there are actually very less Japanese Chef explore other part of the world to learn other country cuisine and to my surprise  the current head chef had resides in Italy for 30 years and had been travelling around small town to learn their recipe therefore OZEKI Italia is actually a combination of Japanese and Italian cuisine that sparks the interest in me.

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The ambiance certainly do give me I am ship to Japan to dine in those small little outlet which alot customers are willing to queue for their good food.

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With the quality of chef produce, the price is definitely reasonable and apologize for the blur menu.

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IF you are adventourous then leave your meal to the chef as our first dish came out right from chef’s idea is Chef’s Recommendation @ RM58. Grilled Fresh Sanma with Bacon Tomato Sauce. ITs a very unique combination here with first hint of fresh sweetness of seafood is tasted then follow by strong seasoning of green gravy on top of it which is strong sourish salty. Regarding on this dish, it is best to pair with white wine and I think it will absolutely bring out the freshness and taste of it.

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I have always love pork burger and this is one of a unique dish, Polpetine @ RM 32. Duck hamburg steak served with spinach sauteed, dry raisin, pine nuts & topped with half boiled egg and chef special Japanese sauce

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We were brief by the manager, there are actually 2 ways in eating this. Original purpose,  you will poke on the egg yolk to let it ooze out and pair it along. There are also people dislike the taste mixture, you remove the egg yolk to the side of the plate then only poke as only little part is mix with then only pair along. The difference I got is, original taste without egg yolk taste much better but with egg yolk dipping with the soy sauce on plate makes it better as for after taste.

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Home made bread as I whack 3 of this. ITs so good, soft and serve pippin hot which is fresh from the oven. Rarely you will find such a great bread especially the charcoal bread that made in house by the chef.

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Something looks ordinary which is Insalata Prosciutto RM 28 – Mixed salad, Parma ham, grapes, Mozzarella cheese with Japanese dressing. Parma ham taste, fresh finely slice and mozzarella cheese give the well balance sweetness of the salad makes it a superb dish. Recommended!

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DiavoleRM 38 – grilled marinated spring chicken with Japanese Citron Pepper and Olive oil, served with potato & mushroom sautee, dressed with japanese citron pepper and balsamico sauce. A young age chicken being well marinate and grill to perfection that the meat is juicy and soft with the light seasoning is enough to make the taste awesome~

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I have always finding it hard to find good Rissoto. I must say that this Risotto OstricheRM 34 is one of the best I have come across especially from a Japanese Chef that cook it so authentic. Risotto cooked with assorted Mushroom & Parmigiano cheese topped with steamed Japan oyster on Hot Sizzling Plate. Something simple that keeps me digging into it until its finish then I stop. Cook to perfection that its just moist enough and taste of mushroom and parmigiano cheese well balance. Recommended~

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Spaghetti MerluzoRM 48 .Spaghetti tossed with homemade corn marigold paste, cooked & chopped garlic and olive oil; topped with grilled black cod fish with Japanese soya sauce, sprinkled with Japanese assorted chilli pepper

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Indeed it is a very satisfying meal and its hard to find one eatery that offer such authentic food. Not only that before I walk off they have dinner buffet on every Sunday and price is very reasonable. Surely I am coming back for more.

Before I end this, a new discovery is that, in this restaurant they have chef that specially cook to cater on our local taste as they have discover that different people especially Chinese have stronger taste bud therefore the food cook on the day will be specially for you as in the kitchen they are being inform its Chinese guest. If it is Japanese diner then it will be tone down according to the authentic taste. For me, it is best to let the restaurant manager or the person that took your order saying you prefer authentic taste. Again it is up to you as you cant complain as you wish to try it out.

Highly recommended restaurant if you wish to try out some authentic taste and please bare in mind with food that you are not familiar with, please request the manager how you enjoy best of your food.

This Dining With Moola experience is courtesy of Moola, the first-ever Cash-Back Lifestyle Programme specially designed for shoppers to enjoy free shopping, great savings and best deals in town. Moola is a mobile application that utilises QR code technology for all interactions; from member registration, Moola accumulation and redemption, to the actual shopping.

Moola Frenz who dine at Ozeki Italian Cuisine are entitled to a 10% cash back everytime! What’s more, you can also grab FreeMakan vouchers for even MORE savings here!

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*NON-Halal

All pictures and video taken with Samsung NX 210 

Location:
Ozeki Italian Cuisine
Wisma Cosway, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2148-9390
Open daily for lunch and dinner.

One of the place that I recently visit certainly make it a hidden gem around the area. It was a surprise to me that, in that area actually hid one nice restaurant, although I went to KLPAC for some local stage show a few times. Neither did I know there is actually that exist here. KLPAC is actually like a new dimension as you enter the guard house with tress flanking on both side that will lead you to a abandon house smack right in the middle on the narrow road. Just follow the flow you will reach to another end of the park is Samira by Asian Terrace.

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Here we are today hunting for Thai Food that is located directly opposite KLPAC and you will see this red brick wall standing tall with bamboo tress hidden behind it.

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Right here in the park, this is where the restaurant is hidden in that you actually sit in it, you will get to enjoy the view of the park and pond.

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Getting into the restaurant is pretty tricky, as you will be entering a little maze and you will reach this wooden bridge with  a huge pond next to it.

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As follow the flow of the wooden bridge, you will reach the main area of the restaurant.

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The ambiance of the place is truely amazing, that you got transported back to another world. Found out that the previous owner runs Japanese restaurant and it was taken over that now serve Thai Cuisine.

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Surely it is a nice place to have quiet and peaceful dinner with family and friends, or would make it a nice place for your special occasions.

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or you can be seated outside chill on the wooden bench and table.

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overlook the pond and park.

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In Thai food range is hard for me not to order this few drinks – Ginger and Lemongrass, Lemongrass and Basil drink.

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The first serving caught me by surprise, as it the first time I came accross Crispy Catfish with Mango Salad @ RM20, fried to perfection that it is very crispy as you bite you can still hear the cracking sound. Easily to be peel off , eat along with mango salad gives you another new bursting flavor. – Recommended!

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Vietnamese Yam Salad is another new dish to me, that hardly come across a Thai restaurant serve such a unique entree dish. Yam was fried to crisp shower with some lime juice, fish sauce and sugar. Sourly is not just the taste as to make your taste bud to wake up up,  chilli padi is added in to make it sourly spicy.

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Another one of my favourite entry as I just love sour dish to kick start with. Huge juicy prawns top along with pamelo, as you take one full bite of it, mouth had been burst with sourish juicy pamelo follow by spiciness at the end. Thai Pomelo Salad is something that you must not miss for as start.  RM 24 REcommended~

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Tom Yam Goong is one of a thai soup that you must not miss too. If this soup is serve pippin hot then it would have been a perfect dish. serve along with seafood – prawns, squid and fish fillets. @ RM30

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Grilled Norwegian Salmon With Basil Leaf is something that I truely enjoy, as I do not really love basil taste on my food, yet they are able to tone it done and blend well with the gravy giving it a perfect mix of balance with the thick sauce that cook with mix herb.

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Southern Thai Masaman Curry With Beef @ RM 28 will be a perfect pair with white rice.  Gravy is thick yet slightly sweet in spicy curry, and rich with spices that cooked with tender beef slices is just delicious.

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Traditional Thai Tom Kha with Chicken

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Steamed Squid with Chilli and Lime Juice @ RM 28 – juicy squid brought to steam first then drench in sourish soup. I love the soup and chewy squid with my rice.

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Grilled Fish Fillet in Banana Leaf (Otak-Otak) @ RM 32

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When this dish was serve River Prawns with Lemongrass Sauce, we were like ‘wahhhhhh’ as it was set on the table it feels like the prawn got rape as it is tremendous huge prawn that was place on the table. I had 3 of this that making it particularly like I am having the whole plate already as prawns were very fresh, with roe and the lemongrass sauce @ RM35

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Pineapple Fried Rice that smells very fragrant, cannot deny it is with pineapples, and spices akin to kunyit @ RM18

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Do not ask me why, as I just love Phad Thai Noodle with Prawn and Egg @ RM16 and I would say its one of the recommended dish that make it well fried with ‘wok hei’ and mix all ingredient in, just comes to my liking.

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Pineapple Lamb in Coconut Sauce is another new dish to me. Mild in coconut taste with slightly thick gravy yet hint of pinapple sour sweet taste is detected after that. I just place this whole bowl infront of me. – Recommended

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Spicy Chicken With Chef’s Special Sauce @ RM 22. Chicken is well prepared with outer layer fried to crips with meat is soft. It is very    fragrant with spices in thick coconut milk. Another star for the night.

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Pan Fried Banana with Ice Cream @ RM12

Mango Sticky Rice @ RM 18, that mango is fragrantly sweet and by dipping a bit of coconut gravy with sticky rice and eat along all in one bite gives you the satisfaction.

At the end of the meal, all of us were satisfied with the  amazing dish that this restaurant have to offer as I find the food price is decently price along on the quality that we had, surely we will return again for more. It will be another recommended Thai Restaurant in my list.

Location:

SAMIRA BY ASIAN TERRACE
Lot 268 Sentul Park
Jalan Strachan
Off Jalan Ipoh
51100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 012-9213880 .

Although I don really come to Desa Park City, it certainly is one of a nice neighborhood place to chill in. Everything seems so calm and peaceful, with people jogging around, playing tai chi, taking their dogs for a stroll and just feel nice to be here. – Soi Thai Restaurant

[UPdate – NO Longer in Operation] 

Not only that, as Desa Park City also have a little eatery place that smack right in the middle of the field and host quite a number of restaurant. One of the restaurant that I previously went that serve pretty nice food is a Italian restaurant right at the corner. Now, dropping by here again is a new Thai restaurant that open its door since last year October and heard quite good feedback on it.

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Soi Thai Restaurant its like a hidden gem in this neighborhood that serve nice authentic Thai Food. I got lost when I first look for this restaurant as it always appears in my mind that all restaurant are only on ground floor, as this restaurant is located on the first floor.

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Soi Thai offer very pleasent dining experience with simple interior and their staff is very helpful

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Price wise are very reasonable and there are quite a range to choose from.

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Pandan Leaf and Lemon Grass Drink, Thai Ice Tea,

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Started off with usual Thai dining with kerabu, Green Papaya Salad with Dried Shrimp and Peanuts. I just love the taste of it, sourish which is good for stomach before heading to main course and its quite spicy with little chili padi being  mix along, and a bit of salty cuttle fish just blend the taste well.

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Soi Thai Combo

This is a combination of pandan chicken, fish cake, thai wantan and croquette platter.

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One thing to hunt for in this plate is the Pandan chicken. Well marinated and fried to perfection as the meat is ginger pale yellowish with a bit hard crust on the edge and its soft yet aromatic.

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We ended up order another Thai Style Otak-otak as it is so good that each of us took 2. Steam to its softness like near eating jelly to my likings, and some prefer it to be harden abit. For me, I am okay with either version.

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Thai Green Curry Chicken pairs well with rice.

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Steamed Siakap with Lime and Chili Sauce sourish with lime base and we drank it like soup. Spicy yet its good till my tears nearly drip.

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Something that you must not miss is their Signature Fire Pot with Seafood Tom Yam (4 to 5 persons). By the smells of it already thrill us to drink in asap with its sourish spicy smell that poke thru our nose is something that we can wait to put our hands on. To our delight, the taste is as good as what we smell. Spicy yet the soup is filled with seafood taste and sourish after taste. Just a perfect pot of Tomyam. – REcommended~

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This is something worth to recommend Thai Red Curry Roasted Duck mild in curry taste, with duck meat is quite soft.

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According to my friend, this is a very rare receipi that not many restaurant in Klang Valley able to cook this dish – Choo Chee Deep Fried Fish, is actually one of a signature dish in the restaurant. Deep fried fish shower with mild spicy flavor and skin is crispy with soft meat filling. – REcommended

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Pineapple Fried Rice

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Thai Style Kicap prawns

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One of my favourite dish that I would not miss to try out is Authentic Pad Thai. Turns out to be good as the glass noodle is thin and small which it is suppose to be and fried with ‘wok hei’ covered with omelet. Mix all up is exactly the taste I have in Bangkok.  Just that Malaysia version do not add sugar. Recommended

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Coconut and lemongrass jelly with passion fruit

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Water Chestnuts and jackfruits in coconut milk (Thub Thim Krob)

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Black Sticky Rice with coconut milk

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Mango Sticky Rice topped with coconut milk

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Sweet Tapioca served in coconut milk

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Steamed sweet banana topped with Vanilla Ice Cream

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At the end of the meal, since we are few days ahead and decided to celebrate Ken’s Bday along. 😀

Cannot deny that, this Thai restaurant is quite good around the neigbourhood and its worth to try as we are quite surpise with the taste that they can offer. Certainly will come back again, along if you ask me where to hunt for nice Thai food, this restaurant will falls into one of my recommendation list. 🙂

Soi Thai Restaurant 
FF-26, The [email protected]
No 5, Persiaran Residen
Desa Park City
52200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel:   +603-6280 7059

What is your reaction when your friend ask you to dine in Bangsar? For me is usually errr, got other place ah? lack of budget lei go there makan. . . Well, before on a journey head back to Penang  my friend just tell me, do not worry about that as it would not burn a hole in your pocket yet you will enjoy the food that we will recommend you is Restaurant Sin Lai Ping.

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When reaching, I said, ahh good good at least something different and I can help to promote in Bangsar. This corner shop which is Restaurant Sin Lai Ping that are not sooooo pack with people yet my friend mention that this is one of the best Chu Char stall that they happen to come across and used to come here at least once a week. This kopitiam is tug at another side of Bangsar or I would say opposite old Bangsar Village is one of the hidden gem I recently discover if you are looking for cheap and nice eat in Bangsar.

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This is one of my friends favourite, Butter chicken that is very aromatic as the gravy is creamy thick with a bit of spiciness at the end as they fried along with chili padi. Chicken is well fried with crispy skin on top and you definately have to eat along with rice as to eat it raw like that its a bit salty. – Recommended!

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Next is this unique dish that I am ordering as I always used to order salted egg chicken, fish but never with squid. It turns out to be good as the squid is fresh and chewy and the are able to fried the salted duck egg stick along with the squid.

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A simple KangKung Belacan fried to perfection. Just loving it. .

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Claypot Pork Belly, is another dish that must not miss, well blend of taste with dry chili, thick soy sauce and a perfect combination with rice.

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Best of all, they provide free soup upon request.

I must say that this place is definitely a highly recommended place by me if you are looking for nice and cheap Chu Char around the area as its worth the price we are paying and its more on the cheap side. Total for dinner is about RM 70 for 4 pax. Highly Recommended~

 *NON-HALAL

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 9/10,  very good for the price they charge~-Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
No.16, Lorong Ara Kiri 3,
Lucky Garden, Bangsar
016 221 7313 / 012 372 7301
(Closed every alternate Sunday)


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Along the highway as I always travel back and forth, by trailing away Nibong Tebal small town sign board along the highway as it was last round that I was heading back to KL by following my best friends Ian, both he and his friend decided to bring me to dine in this small little town. They told me that you will be surprise what they can offer for that kind of cheap price. Cheap as in SERIOUSLY CHEAP. *doubting.

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Nibong Tebal is actually located at Penang, Mainland and I rate Swee Garden Seafood restaurant is a hidden gem in the town as a place that famous among local that is about 10 minutes drive away from the toll exit to reach here. Which is pretty easy to drive here by recognizing a huge flyover to make  a turn.

Was told by both of them have to reach here freaking early to avoid massive huge dinner crowd that many dining tables will spill out to the road side as we reach around 5.30pm to have a very early dinner before heading back to KL.

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AS early as 5.30pm there are quite a number of families are already dining here.

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Fried Lala with Ginger is something that is fried simple yet infuse with chinese wine in it make it very addictive with hint of some spicy from ginger and fine slice chili.

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Asam Prawns is a big fat juicy prawns that well prepared and marinated. I whack nearly half of it.

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Simple fried veggie nothing much to shout about.

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Signature Crispy Fried Pork Knuckle 

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A portion that most of the table would order or I would say must not miss. Deep fried to perfection that the skin is very crispy, yet the meat in it is still soft and the amount of fats in between is just nice. This is not German Pork Knuckle therefore they do not serve any gravy along as this is Chinese Cross over cuisine. Just serve along with pickled shallots and tomato slices. – Recommended!

Total Damage we had for the dinner is about RM 75 for 3 pax which I would rate it reasonable cheap and not as ‘very’ cheap as my friend mention since its located in this small town, as also since we have a huge chunk of Pork Knuckle and some seafood along its decently price in this small town.

Surely I would not mind to recommended for you to drive all the way here to try it out for travelers also.

*NON-HALAL

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 8/10,  pretty good for a small town operator~-Stamped-

–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-

Location:
SWEE GARDEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
No 1, Jalan Punai,
14100 Nibong Tebal,
Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia.

Telephone : 604-5934768

Business Hours : Dinner only, from about 5.30pm onwards.

GPS Coordinates : E100 28′ 39.2″ N5 10′ 8.0″

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