Paradise Dynasty @ Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya

We wanted two things after a few hours of walking at Paradigm Mall: Food and Drink. Located on the first floor, Paradise Dynasty did a good job in fulfilling our needs.

 Just in case you can't decide what to order, I suggest that you go on a dumpling adventure. You can't go wrong with their signature Dynasty Xiao Long Bao, which comes in 8 different flavors. 

Signature Dynasty Xiao Long Bao (RM23.80) -  Let's break down why this is the Xiao Long Bao you want. To start, the ratio of the skin, soup and meat was perfect. The skin was not too thick and not too thin, the soup was sweet, infused with meaty goodness that was carefully curated. But what really tied this little package together was the final craftsmanship. 

White - Original

Black - Black Truffle

Light Orange - Crab Roe

Grey - Garlic

Bright Orange - Foie Gras

Green - Ginseng

Yellow - Cheese

Red - Szechuan

Beijing Pork Dumplings (6 pcs for RM9) - Unlike the Xiao Long Bao, the dumplings were served on a plate instead of a bamboo steamer. It was meticulously wrapped and sealed with ground pork meat. This classic dish is just about the best thing you can get for RM9.

Smitten Dishes:
Original Xiao Long Bao
Black Truffle Xiao Long Bao

Beijing Pork Dumplings

VERDICT: TOTALLY SMITTEN

Auntie Sim Kitchen @ Uptown Damansara

It's an urban legend that there are no good Teo Chew restaurants in Petaling Jaya. Just look at Auntie Sim who has created a boisterous kitchen devoted to traditional Teo Chew cuisine. Located in the vibrant Uptown Damansara (same row as Pappa Rich), Auntie Sim's Kitchen is open straight through from breakfast until dinner. 

Teo Chew Olive Fried Rice (RM7.50) - A simple fried rice elevated by exceptional ingredients such as olive vegetables, chopped long beans and diced shrimps. Think twice before sharing this signature dish!

Braised Duck and Mixed Pork Combo (RM32) - At Auntie Sim's Kitchen, you will find familiar favorite like the Braised Duck and Mixed Pork Combo swimming in a rich umami sauce. All the proteins were well marinated and it doesn't get more Teo Chew than this dish.

Stir Fried Fish Maw with Sea Prawns (RM35) - There are many classic dishes available, but we made beeline for the stir fried fish maw and dancing prawns, topped with shaved scallions and red pepper.

Stir Fried Kai Lan - It would be a shame to miss the greens in any meal. So remember, don't let the big dishes define your experience. 

Verdict: TOTALLY SMITTEN

Smitten Dishes:

Stir Fried Fish Maw with Sea Prawns

Braised Duck and Mixed Pork Combo

Teo Chew Olive Fried Rice

Porridge Time @ SS2 Mall

Porridge/ Congee - This comfort food is usually the first non-milk food given to babies and often eaten by the elderly. Besides being an everyday meal, porridge is considered to be a food therapy for the unwell, with different ingredients yielding different therapeutic values as well as flavors.

Located at the food precinct of SS2 Mall, lies a no frills porridge shop. Porridge Time not only offers patrons a good variety of porridges, it also encourages diners to create it own version of porridge by selecting different ingredients. Popular sides such as You Tiao, Fried Fish Cake and Fried Fu Chok are available to complement the heart warming dish.

Peanut Porridge with Salted Egg - Being a Teo Chew, having peanuts in the porridge is essential as having water in the porridge. The texture of the porridge was smooth, with a well balanced water and rice. Delicious!

Kung Po Style Farm Frog - The farm frog was fresh, however the taste of Kung Po failed to find its way into the tender meat.

Yu Tiao - I'm golden brown and I'm beautiful! Dip me into the porridge!

A surprise present from Jen - KOKO Black 

KOKO Black X'mas Collection - what a great way to end the meal with some sweet treats. 

According to Chinese tradition, people have vegetable porridge in the Spring, green bean porridge in the Summer, lotus root porridge in the Autumn and preserved meat porridge in the Winter. In Malaysia, we have claypot porridge with frog's leg all year round. =)

Verdict : SOMEWHAT SMITTEN