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

Five Senses @ Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

It is true that downtown Kuala Lumpur has tons of restaurants, so why come here? The answer is the spanking new restaurant with an aesthetic menu that tinkers with classic Cantonese food, just enough to make things interesting for your 5 senses. 

Behold the sense of sight, an open kitchen that flirts with your stomach. 

House Made Bean Curd Pancake with Black Fungus (RM33) - The meatless option spotlight a house made bean curd pancake with some black fungus.

Wok Fried Australian Scallops with X.O. Sauce and Asparagus (RM58) - Not quite a vegetarian yet? Pair your greens with some fresh scallops, stir fry with X.O. sauce. 

Honey Glazed Black Cod with Teriyaki Jus (RM68) - Despite the Japanese heredity, this superlative cod fish fits perfectly in the menu.

Pan Seared Stuffed Prawn with Enoki Mushrooms in Honey Maki Jus (RM68) - The enoki mushroom was tucked between the sizzling fresh prawns. 10/10 for taste but 0/10 for plating. 

Carving the peking duck can be a meticulous process, but is a well appreciated art.

Famous Authentic Traditional Peking Duck in Two Series (RM108) - Series 1: Not all Peking Duck are created equally good. This dish was less dazzling compared to its peers, with wraps that were a tad too thick.

Secret Home Made Crispy World Class Pork Belly (RM33) - Wait for 30 minutes and crackles with some pork belly, as it goes round and round your plate. 

Fried Noodles with Duck Meat - Series 2: Empty spaces will be filled with this gigantic plate of noodles. 

Verdict: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN

Smitten Dishes:

Honey Glazed Black Cod with Teriyaki Jus

House Made Bean Curd Pancake with Black Fungus

Yung Kee Restaurant @ Wellington Street, Hong Kong

Life is full of drama and Yung Kee family feud goes like this - The founder Mr. Kam Shui Fai who passed away in 2007, left his restaurant business to his 3 children, with the eldest son Kam Kin Sing and second son Kam Kwan Lai receiving 45% stake each. The remaining 10% was given to his daughter Kam Mei Ling, which she eventually sold to her second brother. In July 2010, the older son filed a wind up petition in Hong Kong court, threatened to close the business unless his younger brother buys out his 45% stake for a whopping HK$1.51bn. The court case is still on going and lucky for me, Yung Kee is still open for business. 

Preserved egg and pickled ginger - This dish may not be everyone's cup of tea but it was definitely mine. The preserved egg was bouncy and has a jelly like feel.

Roasted Goose - Supposedly the best in town, Yung Kee's goose was succulent, juicy and tender. 

Barbecued Suckling Pig - The BBQ suckling pig was another crowd pleaser. With a proprietary blend of spices, each piece was heavenly.

Omelet with Bitter Gourd - Fluffy omelet dances away with the crunchy bitter gourd. 

Homemade Clay Pot Tofu - The clay pot was filled with freshly made bean curd, luxuriating between the mushroom sauce.

Seafood Vegetables - The scallions and carrots were embraced by the fresh squids, adding bright notes to the pale seafood. 

Yeung Chow Fried Rice - The prawns and roasted pork were tossed into the rice with some eggs and scallions, for what could consider a stand alone meal.

VERDICT: SOMEWHAT SMITTEN


Smitten Dishes:
Preserved egg and pickled ginger
Roasted Goose
Yeung Chow Fried Rice

Yung Kee Restaurant
Address: 32-40 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: 852 2522 1624
Operating Hours: 11am -11.30pm (open daily)

Fat Boy's Burger @ Publika

If you are a burger fanatic who feels restrained by options, Fat Boy's Burger will taste like freedom. The menu is extensive with savory, spicy, sweet, umami burgers, dictated by your choice of meat, sauce, bun and toppings. You can have as many permutations as you want. If you are out of ideas, don't fret, just choose one of the popular burgers available on the menu.

Wimpy (RM19) - He maybe wimpy but he sure knows how to clam the sandwich well. The juicy Beef Patty was cushioned on a Sesame Bun, paired with Cheddar Cheese and Fried Egg. It was further coated with some homemade Fatboy's Sauce. 

Sky is the limit when you create your own. While the Big Fat Bastard burger was on every other table, I have decided to create my own version - hearty Honey Oat Bun pillowing the sultry Beef Patty topped with Guacamole and Curry Remoulade. The result? Soul satisfying! 

VERDICT: TOTALLY SMITTEN

Lei Garden Restaurant 利苑酒家 @ West Kowloon, Hong Kong

Success doesn't always come easy, at least for the founder of Lei Garden, Mr. Chan Shu Kit. The once financially loss making restaurant has successfully transformed itself to become one of Hong Kong most reputable fine dining restaurant, with 10 branches all over Hong Kong, 2 in China, 1 in Macau and 2 in Singapore. We came here with high expectations and we were not disappointed. 

The combination of great service, elegant table setting and delicious cooking are the reasons why Lei Garden is still in business after 39 years. Its Mong Kok outlet was recently awarded two Michelin Stars, with the other 9 outlets being awarded 1 Michelin Star each. That's a whopping 11 Michelin Stars! 

Crispy Roasted Pork - Save the Char Siu for another day, Lei Garden is all about Siu Yok. This dish itself is worth a star. 

Steamed Beef Balls - Once you have properly stoked your appetite, dig into the beef balls, a platoon of delightfully fresh minced beef coupled with some fragrant scallions.

Pan Fried Turnip Cakes - Swipe these lovely square shaped turnip cakes with some chili sauce to take it up a few notches. 

Stir Fry Kailan - Simple hearty vegetables dotted with some shallots.

Braised Garoupa with Ginger and Scallions - Continue your parade with some piping hot Garoupa fish imbued with rich flavors.

Steamed Shanghai Xiao Long Pao - These packages were juicy, filled with lean pork meat. The soup was absolutely delicious!

Steamed flour rolls with green onions -  Meet the silky Chee Cheong Fun, it's so smooth that it might just slip through your chopsticks!

Lobster Broth Hand Made Noodles Soup - Pile of noodles flooded with a rich lobster broth. Just when we think it couldn't get any better. 

Crystal Dumplings - Steaming hot packets filled with diced vegetables, herbs and meat.

Salted Egg Custard Buns - A deceptively simple dish of sweet and savory.

Baked Mini Egg Tarts - These egg tarts were much eggier and less creamy than the English tarts.

Custard Layer Cake - Gallop away with some exceptionally flavorful warm custard layer cakes.  

VERDICT: TOTALLY SMITTEN

Smitten Dishes:

Crispy Roasted Pork

Steamed Shanghai Xiao Long Pao

Lobster Broth Hand Made Noodles Soup

Lei Garden Restaurant @ West Kowloon

Address: Shop Nos 2068-70, 2nd Level, Elements, No. 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Telephone: 852 2196 8133

Operating Hours: Mon to Sun - 1130am - 3pm, 6pm - 1130pm