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Right before Raya, I was privilege to get an invitation to attend one event with pretty well known person, Chef Amia El Shafei if you do watch Masterchef Australia in this meet and greet session. I have to thank Nuffnang for extending the invites to me that attended at Blu Med, Mid Valley.

[UPDATE: Close down since 2015 Jan]

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 The event took place in one of a new restaurant, Blu Med Ristorante at The Gardens.

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Some Buffet Spread dishes being prepared for all the guess that arriving.

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 Food were pretty decent.

masterchef (4) Those of you who watch Masterchef Australia which is aired on Astro Lifetime Channel, this person certainly would not be stranger to you as after being as a contestant in Master Chef Australia, Season 4, she have huge follwers worldwide since then with her bubbly personality and leads her to win ‘Woman of the Year Award’ in Australia. masterchef (5) Born from mixblood that Dad is Egyptian and mom is from South Korea, Chef Amina learn quite a good recipe from both country. Her great culinary skills that impress by family members that had encourage her to apply in this show. masterchef (8) Well, in this event we are being thought how to cook simple meal that can be prepared just within short time frame. masterchef (9)

Tamarind, Chili and Lemongrass Prawns

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To prepare this great dish, all we need to hunt is fresh tiger prawns, follow by just pan fried it.

masterchef (11) I love the taste of the prawn which is juicy and succulent with the tamarind sauce his slight sour and spicy that makes it a perfect dish to go along. Near to our Prawn sambal but this have its own kick. masterchef (16)

 Here you go on the recipe for you to cook along on this dish.

masterchef (13) Next dish to be cook is Pandan Cake dessert, and she randomly ask one of the crowd to assist her in scooping out the pandan cake from the Chinese tea cup. If you mix it in a right way also by spreading some oil in the cup, it should not be sticking on the cup and easy to come out with a gentle push. masterchef (14) Masterchef Australia Amina El Shafei preparing Steamed Pandan Cake with Lychee, Rambutan and Longan. However I think its something similar to our Chinese version of Huat Kuih, the pinky type. masterchef (17)

 Another recipe for you to follow ..

masterchef (15) Its a pleasure to meet such a well known chef as when I posted up in my Instagram (taufulou) my friend were like OMG, you are with her, please tell her I love her. . This is how well know is she to the MasterChef Fans. Those of you who love cooking, chef Amina wishes to write a recipe book and host cooking lessons. Not only that, as one of her wish is to open a Middle Eastern mezze restaurant with her sister, Eman. Catch MasterChef Australia, first and exclusive on weekdays at 7pm, with same-day repeats at 11pm on Astro Lifetime Channel 709.

In Changkat Bukit Bintang surely is a well known street to many of you. Street party, Bar HOpping & good food is where all those headline would fall into this one street. By strolling up and down this street you will find yourself being harrest by all these aggressive bar people to get you into their outlet. Of course there are some other outlets that approach you in a more friendly polite manner. IT really depends.

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One of the most recent visit is The Steakhouse by Werner Kuhn’s establishment and I am sure many of you have heard this well known pork place in the area – El Cerdo. Its the same owner as you just need to walk across the street. This place would be my second visit and make no surprise to me that on weekdays the restaurant is on 80% capacity also known as one of the best place to hunt for steak in Changkat Bukit Bintang.

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If you are looking for a place with 1 stone kill 2 bird then The Steakhouse is one of the restaurant to consider as it is also part of The Whiskey Bar that seriously offer lots of whiskey that my jaw would drop off. If you look/ read thru their list you will be amazed on what kind range they are providing.

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Its a connected place whereby one outlet offer classy bar seating area and next door is more for dining.

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This is what I mean that they have a few cabinate that display most of their available Whisky and they have a lot of classic and 25 years old or even more than that available in here.

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AT their bar counter, there are mountains of opened whisky that you can order by shots.

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Not only that, if you love cigars then they do have it here and you will enjoy it by sipping on your whisky.

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Heading back to The Steakhouse as the menu is pretty straight forward. As what You see now is the only menu that they are offering. 3 pages as the last page is desserts.

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Being at such a bar before heading to Whisky, I started off with Cocktail ..

1) Margarita @ RM28 pretty decent as I find that the alcohol is very much strong and hint of lime is slightly visible.

2) Whisky Sour is one of my favorite drink. Easy to drink and lemon skin slices being added in to enhance on the taste. It pairs well with most of my starters. I had 3 glass. 😀 @ RM28

3) Classic Mojito @ RM28 is a well balance alcohol with mint leaves is sufficient enough to pull up the taste of it. .

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Next I ask the floor manager what is good to have next then he introduce drinks from Spain.

1) Rose Raspberry Sangria @ RM28

2) White Wine Pear Sangria @ RM28

Both are equally good and consider one of the best I have tried so far or maybe it suits my taste bud. A well balance of alcohol with fruits and among that 2 I prefer the White wine Pear Sangria more as its a bit alcoholic yet I can still taste the sweetness of the fruits being added in. Not only that, its chill enough and pretty refreshing. It goes well with my salad, Oyster and very very well with my escargot.

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Upon ordering our starters, we do not know what to get and the manager highly recommend us to get their Oyster as its fresh and flown in a day ago. We order without any hesitation and no regret after all. I am not a big fan of oyster but I ended up having 5 pieces myself. ITs so sweet and tasty just with squeezing a bit of lemon and 2 drops of tosbasco.  1 Fresh Live Oyster on ice with Shallot-Wine Vinaigrette RM9/piece. If you pair this with the right choice of white wine, it will be a bomb!

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Came next is Portobello mushroom with spinach & seafood @ RM26 per piece which I find it reasonable as coated with aromatic baked cheese serve along with big size mushroom and prawns.

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Something tone down abit your taste bud would be Caesar salad as they served their version here slightly different. Instead of using bacon, they are using smoked duck to enhance the taste of it also its slight chewy. One of the reason they using this also wanted to hold onto their Pork FREE status.. RM26

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Wow wow.. Looking at this picture makes me droll again as this is one of the places that serve really good escargots. It was baked perfectly with garlic herb butter and cheese. It was so aromatic upon it was serve and its perfect in taste as it smells that the snail is a bit chewy and did not over cook it and we drink the whole thing especially on the garlic herbs sauce that left behind. A MUST ORDER! RM 12 per peice

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Before we head into our red med, Duck Foie Gras is the last to serve. Nicely done = and the foie gras are still moist paired in chef’s special sauce. RM42

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The soup are prepared ahead and then baked in oven with melted cheese on top of the croutons.  RM22

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Mushroom soup with olive oil @ RM 20

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Beef Stroganoff @ RM48

This is one of the dish would falls into my very highly RECOMMENDED dish. I love this dish as I have tried a very good one over sea and locally its still hard for me to find one and I must say, finally I have found something that I like. YOu must not miss this dish when you are here as the potato rosti being pan fried till crips on both side and soft in the inside also as the side serve with beef stripes are tender and. Mushroom sauce taste pretty good too.

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BBQ Short Ribs @ RM78

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On my last visit, I did order this and this round order this again as I find it very good. Season well, then went into grill till the outer layer end up with grill mark yet inside is cook just nice. The meat is so soft that just by using fork, it easily tear off.

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Grilled Black Cod Fish @ RM58

Thick black cod fish fillet served with parsley, potato, mushroom and creamy wasabi pesto sauce

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First read to appear is Charcoal Grilled Australian Grain Fed Beef Medallion @ RM88

A medallion shaped cut beef and then charcoal grilled then place on hot plates upon serving to the customer

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Black Angus Tenderloin @ RM98

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Cook to the condition as I like medium rare and the steak is still juicy with the mark left behind too as the hot plate is still grilling on the beef while you are eating. Juicy and tender.

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I am very full till now then flipping thru what whisky set I should try, Full Japanese series or full 18 years old series. Ended up trying both.

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Serving the whisky takes a bit long as you all might know that its just pouring on a shot or 2. Well, one of the reason as they have this very unique kinetic mechine help to shape ice, just by putting a square cube of blog ice in the middle then let the top cover do its magic.

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Tadaa… after about 3 minutes it had been shape up like that to be added into the glass and serve with the set.

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Japanese Tasting Set which consist 4 different years whiskey on your tasting tray. Each were explained on its characteristic and tasting method. Please do not spoil this great whisky with coke as many of you do. ITs either on neat or mix with water. On this tasting series is the Japanese Suntory distillery’s famous Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu ranging from 12 to 22 years. In here still Yamazaki is the winner for me.

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Next tray is Perfect 18 means 5 taster of 18 years old whisky from 5 different whisky disstealeries

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Last but not least, when you are full till like a fat pig could not walk, who say you cant eat anymore! There is always room for dessert no matter how your full condition is. Love the Mango taste and the original is not bad too.

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Tiramisu @ RM22.50

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Baked Cheese Cake is pretty decent as its soft that can still taste on the cheese not too thick either. @ RM22.50

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Looking at their own dessert signature series, Andreas Special on the left come with difference ice cream! It come with white chocolate ice cream, milky chocolate mousse, chocolate crumble, banana in passion fruit and pear in red wine. If you are slightly adventurous and would want a slightly well balance taste then don miss this. AS Andres special (left) have a quite well balance taste with sour, sweet, and slightly bitter end then you must hunt this down!

 

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Werner and Andreas Special @  RM22.50 each

As the dining came to an end I discover that their most expensive beef is not the best I have had and I find that The Steakhouse have its advantage as the one slightly cheaper taste better for me. Moist, juicy and just right! Since everything is juicy, our receipt also very juicy.

Location:
The Steakhouse KL
No.48, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur

GPS: 3.14748, 101.70822

Tel: 03-2143 2268

I remember quite long ago when I first start reading blog, this Sarawak laksa known as one of the best in KL that was blog by many bloggers on the quality of the food that similar to be compare to their origins. Little did I remember or I have nearly forgot about this place existence till my friend bring me here to satisfy on their cravings

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Kedai Makanan Nam Chun  is a typical coffee shop where you can find in most of housing neighbourhood that house many types of hawker stall but this particular ones house 2 special stalls that have attracted many East Malaysian patrons to be hunting their favourite food which is famous for Sarawak Laksa and Kuching Kolok Mee.

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Some where along those lines with a few reviews that I read, apparently this is one of the best but with slight inconsistency of quality      ( in other blogger review)

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Dining in here could be hot and  you would just want to spend a quick 15 to 20 minutes.

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Here is my bowl of Sarawak Laksa. I have never tried before laksa from the east and this would be  first experience. 2 prawns sitting on top of the noodle nicely decorated to make it colourful for my picture. Slightly thick soup base with a bit sourish, a bit strong taste of coconut milk, spread with some egg slices and  coriander leaves with a bowl cost RM5.00. One of the most unique thing is the special type of vermicelli that they are using, thicker then normal mee hoon.

According to my friend, today’s quality was so so compare to other time that they have had.

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Kolok Mee, is another type of East Malaysia food that is top with many slices of Char Siew, some fish ball and blend in taste. IT taste normal for me besides that, apologize that the noodle had been stir as she is too hungry and makan first.

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This is not East Malaysia food already as I was sitting there looking at old uncle cooking, what makes me order that he have a special pot of soup base that added on to cook along and I thought that must be his own soup base that had boil for long time to cook along. Not only that, he also have another side smaller pot that added on alot of mince meat after he had done the instant cooking.

This would have been a good perfect bowl of Instant Pork Noodle Soup if the mince meat wasnt that salty. The uncle is very generous with its ingredient and a huge bowl like that cost RM6.

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Right after my meal, I was looking something to much some more then discover this little tricycle and went check it out. Its a motor that filled with home made nyonya kuih~

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When I saw the selection I drool as the texture and quality that this little stall have to offer. By the look and colour texture had attracted me already.

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I bought nearly everything a piece each. Conclusion, I love it so much and I ta pau another RM10 bucks worth of Kuih. Highly Recommended if you love Nyonya Kuih. One of the best that I come across.

-= KA CHING =-

Food rating 7/10 ,  not bad lah, will come try again -Stamped-

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

Location:

Nam Chuan Coffeeshop,
2-4 Lorong Ara Kiri, Lucky Garden,
Bangsar 59100
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia


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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 .

I guess I did pay a visit to quite a number of restaurants in Straits Quay that some I do not even bother to blog about it. Till, we do not know what to eat and seeing the number of crowds in this shop Blue Reef Fish & Chips, we decided to put our steps in to give it a try.

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A place which offer cozy dining place and nice concept too . .

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Well, you can see anyone seating out here cuz the weather is killing us unless is at night.

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Price list. .  most of the mains are offered fried.

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Lets start eating ..

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S Galore Mackerel Beer Batter @ RM 40

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In our plates we have Spanish Mackerel

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Squid, prawns  and lots of frieds.

Both of us eat till very ‘jelak’ cause too much fried stuff and we even make a take away for the remainings and she cant event finish too. I guess a plate like that can be shared by 3 people. We find it a bit too dry at the end.

Just a plain simple fish & chip place and for the price that we are paying in total of RM55 with 2 drinks I think we can hunt for better food in return around the area.

-= Ka Ching =-

Food Rating 5.5/10, ~ so so only la! -Stamped-

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

Location:
Blue Reef Fish & Chips @ Straits Quay
3A-G-20, Block A, Ground Floor,
Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang,
10470 Tanjung Tokong,
Penang, Malaysia

Tel No. 6016-4059182

Business Hours:
Mon – Fri:10:30am-10:30pm
Sat:10:30am-10:00pm
Sun:10:30am-10:30pm

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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