21 March 2024 ~ Random Updates from the Family Front

On Monday this week, my two older girls, Alycia and Sherilyn, found themselves donning a new hat as servers at a mega event held at the iconic Sepang International Circuit. The occasion? The much-anticipated launch of the Infinix Note 40 Series mobile phone, an event that drew guests from across the globe. With the hubby, the caterer, needing extra hands to ensure the event ran smoothly, Alycia and Sherilyn stepped up to the plate, leveraging their experience from working part-time at a café on weekends.  Fortunately, Alycia had no class on that day and Sherilyn is currently on a semester break.

Sherilyn at her dad's central kitchen. It was a very busy day for all his staff.

While rubbing shoulders with international guests and media was undoubtedly a highlight, the real thrill came towards the end of the evening. Picture this: drifting on a sports car around the F1 circuit under the starlit sky. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left Alycia and Sherilyn exhilarated and buzzing with excitement. They also got to bring home each an Infinix power bank as a door gift.

Despite the late night, Sherilyn wasted no time in seizing the next opportunity for adventure.  The following day, she got up early to embark on a road trip with her college mates to Penang. Despite a late night and an unpacked luggage bag, she quickly prepped sushi for brunch for herself and her friends, to snack on in the car. They planned not to stop for lunch so that they could reach Penang earlier. One of her friends drove the car. As I type this post, Sherilyn is making her way back to KL after a memorable two-night stay at an Air BNB condo, filled with laughter, exploration, and the joys of youth.

Delicious assorted sushi, prepped by chef Sherilyn. 

100 Plus canned drinks for her friends.

As a parent, witnessing my daughters embrace these moments of joy and discovery fills my heart with pride and gratitude. From serving at a prestigious event to embarking on spontaneous road trips and overseas holidays, they are truly making the most of their college and university years... before they enter the workforce.

Restaurant Fatt Hei Len at Taman Taynton View, Cheras

In the heart of Taman Taynton View in Cheras lies a hidden gem of gastronomic wonders - Fatt Hei Len Restaurant. Tucked away in a neighborhood area, this unassuming Chinese dai chow type restaurant may not catch your eyes at first glance, but once you step inside, you'll be greeted with an air-conditioned ambiance buzzing with diners eagerly savoring the delights on offer.

Among the array of tempting options, we decided to start with their signature Sang Har noodles - a tantalizing concoction of freshwater prawns fried to perfection atop a bed of flavorful deep-fried noodles. The succulent prawns paired wonderfully with the crispy noodles and egg sauce, leaving us craving for more.

Another standout dish that captured our taste buds was the steamed Lala clams generously garnished with chopped garlic. The aromatic garlic infused every bite with a burst of flavor, making it an instant favorite of mine.

For the adventurous palate of the hubby, we ventured into trying the stir-fried pig intestines, which turned out to be a surprising delight. Cooked to tender perfection and seasoned with a harmonious blend of deep-fried dried shrimp and garlic, it was a dish that left a lasting impression.

Of course, no Chinese meal is complete without a vegetable dish, and Fatt Hei Len did not disappoint. The sautéed sweet potato leaves with garlic were executed flawlessly, boasting the coveted 'wok hei' taste that elevates simple greens to gourmet status.

The homemade tofu and fried yam basket with ku lo yoke provided a satisfying crunch, while the braised chicken with yellow wine in clay pot was a comforting indulgence (my all-time favorite), with kampung chicken steeped in fragrant yellow wine sauce, reminiscing of a confinement dish.

This time we didn’t get to try the famed "Pau Heong” Rice with River Prawns, a dish that came highly recommended. Priced at RM156 for a double portion, I’ve read rave reviews on this unique dish, only after we visited Fatt Hei Len. The giant freshwater prawns are nestled amidst explosively fried rice, with chunks of water chestnut, carrots, and peas.  Sounds interesting and unique!

As we savored each dish, we were pleasantly surprised by the reasonable bill that awaited us at the end of our meal - a mere RM276.65. Considering the quality and quantity of the food we enjoyed with big freshwater prawns, it was indeed a steal.

From their unique and mouthwatering dishes to their warm hospitality, this is a place we'll undoubtedly revisit. 

Sang Har noodles with two huge freshwater prawns.

Braised kampung chicken with yellow wine in clay pot.

Yam basket with ku lo yoke.

Fried homemade tofu.

Stir-fried Sang Cheong aka pork intestines with fried dried shrimp and garlic. I am not a fan of innards but this dish is very nicely executed. It's very aromatic with crunchy pork intestines.

Even a simple sauteed sweet potato leaves with garlic was very well executed, with 'wok hei' and aroma of garlic.

Steamed lala with loads of minced garlic. 

Fatt Hei Len Restaurant

8, Jalan 30A/119, Taman Taynton View, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

Open daily; 11.30am-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm

Tel: 03-9133 8985

A Delicious Surprise From Croisserie Artisan Bakery

There's something truly special about surprises, especially when they come in the form of delectable treats from your loved one or a friend. Today, I had the pleasure of experiencing one such delightful surprise from my hubby, and let me tell you, it was a moment of pure culinary bliss.

As I went about my day, my phone rang, and to my delight, it was my husband on the line, asking me to go to the lobby for a surprise. Now, I must admit, I'm a sucker for surprises, particularly when they involve food. True to form, my hubby never fails to deliver when it comes to satisfying our taste buds with delectable snacks and goodies.

This time, it was a box filled with an assortment of handmade European pastries, along with a tantalizing salmon quiche and freshly baked sourdough bread from Croisserie Artisan Bakery.  This is not the first time that he surprised us with pastries from Croisserie, one of his favorite bakeries.

A loaf of fresh-from-the-oven and still warm sourdough bread, on the right.

There's something undeniably alluring about handmade pastries, crafted with care and attention to detail. Each pastry looked like a work of art, perfectly golden and inviting. I sampled every piece (just a quarter from each piece), despite the looming threat of elevated cholesterol levels. In fact, I could already feel my cholesterol level shooting up just by smelling the pastries 😂

Smoked salmon and spinach quiche.

From flaky croissants to chocolate tart, macadamia tart, and quiche, each pastry was a symphony of flavors and textures made with quality ingredients. And let's not forget the pièce de résistance – the salmon quiche, with its creamy filling and buttery crust, was a savory delight that left me craving more.

But perhaps the true star of the show was the poppy seeds bun filled with thick pieces of quality butter and red bean paste, something that’s both unique, not too sweet, and delicious.  We liked the freshly sourdough bread too, with a crispy crust and soft, chewy, and slightly sour interior. The sourdough bread was still warm when we sliced it.

Poppy seeds bun sandwiched with thick wedges of quality butter and red bean paste.

Kwan Kee Store - Hong Kong's Michelin Pastry Shop in PJ

Kwan Kee, a popular street cafe recognized by the “Michelin Guide Hong Kong” opened its first store in Malaysia in Petaling Jaya in November 2023. 

Kwan Kee was awarded Hong Kong Michelin Guide-Recommended Street Food for 6 consecutive years from 2016 to 2021. They use the traditional stone grinding method to make the flour instead of using store-bought ones.

Hubby came home with two boxes of Kwan Kee desserts last night. I didn't eat them until the next morning, right out of the fridge.

One of the boxes consists of rolled glutinous rice flour dough wrapped with assorted fillings such as red bean, crushed peanuts and durian paste.  This dessert reminds me of the traditional soft and chewy Chinese Banana Rolls or Banana Mochi Rolls typically sold cheaply in wet markets and night markets. This used to be my favorite childhood Chinese cake. Though no bananas were used, I liked the faux banana flavor.

Rolled glutinous rice flour dough wrapped with assorted fillings such as red bean, crushed peanuts and durian paste

Steamed red bean cake, black sesame cake, and almond cake.  I like the almond cake the most.

Our verdict:

Nothing exceptional. I very much prefer our Nyonya kuihs better as Nyonya kuihs are made with coconut milk, thus impart a more aromatic flavor and texture. And Nyonya kuihs are way cheaper ;)

These steamed cakes from Kwan Kee are a tad steep, priced at RM6.90 per piece but the size of the cake is pretty big, bigger than the standard kuih size. Flavors are mild (some reviewers on Google commented that the cakes taste bland) and not overly sweet.

Kwan Kee's menu is rather extensive and if you're a dessert and kuih lover, you can give this Michelin Guide Recommended Street Food a try. But be prepared for the long queue.  

Kwan Kee Store

Address: 14, Jalan SS 2/67, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Phone: 016-211 3353