Pal Gae Ook Korean Chicken BBQ and Aftermeal Desserts @ Hartamas

Last Sunday, we finally indulged in something Hubby had been raving about for weeks—a visit to Pal Gae Ook Korean Chicken BBQ at Hartamas.

The star of the show? Charcoal-grilled chicken that boasts a smoky and juicy flavor. The restaurant also offers unlimited refills of their homemade sauces and side dishes (banchan). While the variety of side dishes is limited, what they do offer pairs beautifully with the main dishes.

As usual, hubby took the lead in ordering, ensuring we got a good sampling of their unique menu:

Chicken Dalgalbi: We tried both the soy sauce and spicy versions. Both were tender and flavorful, with the spicy one packing a pleasant kick.

Chicken Wing Shrimp Dumplings: This dish was a standout! Each chicken wing had a shrimp cleverly stuffed inside—an unexpected but delightful combination.

Corn Cheese Fondue: Creamy, cheesy, and perfect for dipping. This dish was comfort food at its best.

Rice Balls: These were a hit with everyone. Packed with flavor, they were the perfect side to the smoky grilled chicken.

While the food was undeniably delicious, the portion sizes were on the smaller side. I was still a little hungry by the end of our meal. Fortunately, Alycia came to the rescue with a great suggestion—a dessert of bingsu next door at Aftermeal Desserts!

Conveniently located next to the Korean restaurant, Aftermeal Desserts was the perfect spot to satisfy our post-lunch cravings. Hubby ordered two bingsu shaved ice desserts, each refreshingly light and packed with flavor. We also shared a decadent burnt cheesecake, which was rich, creamy, and simply divine.

Hubby also thoughtfully picked up takeaway Korean BBQ chicken and seaweed rice balls for Sherilyn, who wasn’t feeling well and stayed home. With almost a month of chronic sleep deprivation due to her demanding architecture course, she’s been falling sick frequently. It breaks my heart to see her so exhausted, sleeping on the floor or couch at home or in the university work studio to keep up with assignments. Yet, her determination is unwavering—she remains resolute in her choice to continue her architecture studies.

Yummy Korean rice balls. These taste better after grilling.

Steamed eggs.

Chicken wings with shrimps inside.

Cooking corn cheese fondue on the BBQ stove 

Bingsu and burnt cheesecake at Aftermeal Desserts. 

Iron Lady milk tea fluffy snow ice kakigori with QQ taro balls. Very, very refreshing and yummy!

Cass chose Biscoff Caramel Kakigori Showtime. We find the caramel too sweet.

The original burnt cheese cake and the passion fruit tea ice were nice.

Sunday Feasts: A Meaty Lunch and a Family Reunion

Last Sunday was a day filled with delicious food and family gatherings. For lunch, we decided to try out a new spot called Meat Attic. The menu was packed with hearty, meaty options, so we went all out and ordered their house-made sausages, a ciabatta beef sandwich, premium pork ribs that melt in the mouth (which came with a hefty RM168 price tag), and roast pork fried rice. It was a truly indulgent, porky feast—definitely not the cheapest lunch, but worth every bite.

Later that evening, we gathered with hubby's relatives for dinner at Buddies Restaurant in Cheras. His uncle's family, who were visiting from England, were the guests of honor, and it was wonderful to see everyone come together. The entire Sunday was filled with great food and even better company, making it a day to remember.

Meat Attic - Roast premium pork ribs that melt in the mouth alongside sauerkraut and fries (RM168). It looks like a small portion in the photo but the ribs were pretty chunky. We couldn't finish it and doggy-bagged the leftovers.

Meat Attic - roast pork fried rice.

Meat Attic - Ciabatta sandwich with full-bodied and flaky thick-cut salt beef.

Meat Attic - housemade garlic sausage with sauerkraut. 

Meat Attic - scallop pasta.

Meat Attic - mashed potato

Meat Attic housemade sausages. Their sausages are nitrate-free and filler-free, from plumply juicy pork bratwursts to aromatic lamb merguez.

Buddies Restaurant - pan-fried prawns, sauteed assorted vegetables, braised eggplant with minced pork, clay pot braised pork belly with salted fish.

Steamed fish, fried rice, sauteed kangkung with belacan, and pork ribs.

Claypot lamb, cha siu, and another portion of claypot pork belly with salted fish for the boys.

Hubby with his cousins from England and another cousin who just returned from the USA.

Sunday Lunch at Mitsu By Two Chefs

Two Sundays ago, we indulged in a truly sumptuous and luxurious lunch at Mitsu By Two Chefs Japanese restaurant. This outing was a much-anticipated treat, especially because it's one of the few times hubby gets to unwind and enjoy a meal with us during the weekends. His busy schedule means he doesn't always have time to dine with us, so he makes sure our weekend meals are enjoyable.

Hubby is always generous when it comes to treating us to good food. After a week of hard work, he loves to reward himself with his favorite dishes, and trying out new places and cuisines is one of his passions. This Sunday was no exception.

Here's a glimpse of the delectable feast we enjoyed:

Unagi Don Set - The Unagi Don Set is our family’s favorite as all of us love grilled eel. It came with perfectly grilled eel glazed in a rich, sweet sauce served over a bed of fluffy rice and accompanied with an onsen egg and pickled radish. 

Saba Set - The Saba Set featured succulent grilled mackerel that was both savory and satisfying. The fish was cooked to perfection, with a crispy skin and moist, flavorful flesh.

Bara Chirashi Set - The Bara Chirashi Set offered a vibrant and colorful presentation of assorted marinated sashimi pieces over sushi rice. Each bite was a burst of fresh, delicate flavors. Alycia chose this set. She mixed too much wasabi into her rice and each spoonful made her eyes and nose watery 😂

Mitsu Chirashi Don - The Mitsu Chirashi Don was another delightful bowl of assorted sashimi, but with a unique twist that only Mitsu By Two Chefs could offer. The quality and freshness of the fish were outstanding.

Tsukune and Charcoal Grilled Chicken Thigh - The Tsukune, or chicken meatballs, and the charcoal grilled chicken thigh were both deliciously smoky and savory. The Tsukune was juicy and perfectly seasoned, while the chicken thigh had a wonderfully charred exterior and tender inside.

Grilled Tebasaki Wings - The grilled Tebasaki wings were another hit. These chicken wings were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a subtle seasoning that left us wanting more.

Grilled Sweet Corns - The grilled sweet corn provided a nice balance to the savory meats, offering a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that complemented the other dishes beautifully. We liked it so much that hubby ordered another portion.

Hamburg Don - The Hamburg Don featured a hearty hamburger patty served over rice, topped with a rich sauce. It was a comforting and satisfying dish, perfect for a hearty appetite.

Ikura Salmon Don Set - The Ikura Salmon Don Set was a feast for the eyes and the palate, with vibrant salmon roe and fresh salmon slices arranged beautifully over sushi rice. The burst of flavors from the ikura was particularly delightful.

Sushi Platter - Finally, the sushi platter was a true masterpiece, showcasing a variety of expertly crafted fresh sushi pieces.

We thoroughly enjoyed this luxurious meal, savoring each dish's unique flavors and textures. The only downside was that Sherilyn couldn't join us again, as she was busy rushing to complete yet another assignment. 

Dining at Mitsu By Two Chefs was a wonderful way to spend our Sunday afternoon, and we left the restaurant feeling satisfied. If you're looking for a place to enjoy authentic and luxurious Japanese cuisine, Mitsu By Two Chefs is definitely worth a visit.

Mitsu By Two Chefs

Address: Tower D, 01-10, Millerz Square, Megan Legasi, 357, Jln Klang Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, 

Phone: 011-1633 2534

Mitsu Chirashi Don

Charcoal-grilled skewered meat and sweet corn.

Unagi don set - all the set meals came with appetizers of a bowl of super crispy deep fried fish, refreshing salad, and purple dragon fruit.

Hamburg don.

Bara Chirashi Set

Saba set

Ikura Salmon Don Set 

Aesthetically pleasing sushi platter.

Add on RM8 for a cup of coffee.

Tofu cheese cake - light and not too cloy or too sweet.

Sunday, 14 July 2024

Today is Day 4 post-laser surgery of my left foot to remove a viral wart.  Even though the doctor told me that I only need to keep the wound dry for two days, I am still keeping the wound dry for a few more days as I can't risk getting the wound infected. The hole from where the wart was removed is big, like a crater with oozing blood!

Walking on the tip of my toes is tiring as the wound is on my heel. Putting pressure on the heel/wound will cause bleeding and pain. My calf is also achy from tip-toeing for weeks, as is my entire body as I have to do some acrobatic stunts when I shower to prevent the bandage from getting wet 😅.  

On a more positive note, the bleeding is not as bad today, even though Alycia accidentally kicked the wound with her hard sneakers yesterday on our way out for dinner.  And why did she kick my wound? She was playing with her phone while entering the lift! 😣

That was so painful! And she got an earful from me for playing with the phone while walking.

Lunch today is at Seoul Korea, our favorite authentic Korean restaurant. Sherilyn did not join us because she stayed home to work on her endless assignments and then went to the dance studio. She's now learning how to draw floor plans and site layouts. Her assignments are also getting tougher now.

Our lunch at Seoul Korea. They serve the best Banchan (appetizers).

I brought a tiffin carrier and soup container (for the Korean ox tail soup) for the takeaway food for Sherilyn. 

Sherilyn's dinner of takeaway Korean. She also air-fried a piece of ribeye steak that I marinated yesterday.  Did I tell you that air-fried steaks are delish? And it's almost mess-free and free from scary oil splatters. I marinated the steaks with Lea & Perrins sauce, black pepper, soy sauce, garlic powder and spices.

Our Sunday Dim Sum Brunch at Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine

This Sunday, we had dim sum brunch at Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine, located at Menara Hap Seng. For once, we managed to have brunch before 12 noon as Cass didn't go to the skating rink for practice. Instead, she went on Monday morning, as the next day was a public holiday. What made this brunch even more special was that our three daughters were able to join us, making it a rare family gathering on a Sunday.

It was only when we reached the restaurant that I found out that Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine was included in the Michelin Guide's Point of View list for the years 2023 and 2024. This recognition added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to our meal. Knowing that we were about to dine at a Michelin-recommended restaurant heightened our expectations.

Hubby took the lead in ordering and went for the usual suspects that we all love: char siu pau, char siu so, egg tarts, siew mai, har gau, fish paste, stir-fried radish cake, Zha Leong (Hong Kong-style fried Chee Cheong Fun), Hong Kong-style shrimp toast, Malaigou, custard buns, steamed pork ribs, pork and century egg porridge, and lotus leaves rice. One dish that stood out was the deep-fried unagi spring rolls. Each dish was a delight, showcasing the delicate flavors and expert craftsmanship that Elegant Inn is known for.

While the dim sum spread at Elegant Inn was impressive and the quality of the food was undeniably high, I have to admit that I still prefer the dim sum at Xin Cuisine at Concorde Hotel. We found that several of the dim sum dishes tasted rather bland. 

Nonetheless, our Sunday brunch at Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine was a wonderful experience, enhanced by the company of our three daughters and the relaxed atmosphere. It was a treat to dine at a Michelin-recommended restaurant and enjoy such a delicious spread of dim sum. 

Elegant Inn

02-01, 2F, Podium Block, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, 50250, Malaysia

De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan @ The Linc KL

Last Sunday, my family and I went to De.Wan Restaurant for lunch, a dining establishment I had long yearned to visit. Renowned for its exquisite Malay cuisine, this restaurant is owned by Malaysia's beloved celebrity chef, Datuk Dr. Chef Wan. As a fan of his cook shows since I was young and his infectious sense of humor, I was thrilled to finally dine at his restaurant.

My intrigue for De.Wan was fueled by the rave reviews I'd heard from my sisters-in-law and hubby’s relatives, who would sing praises of the delectable dishes whenever they visited Kuala Lumpur from overseas. In August of this year, when my eldest SIL from England came to town, we had initially planned to visit Chef Wan's restaurant. Unfortunately, we had to cancel our plans when her son fell ill with a stomach flu.

So when my husband suggested dining at De Wan Restaurant, I wholeheartedly agreed, excited to indulge in an authentic Malay culinary experience.

Our order included a delectable lamb Kuzi, a mixed satay platter featuring succulent beef and chicken, the savory Rendang Tok (beef rendang), Chicken Kapitan, sambal eggplant, Nasi Telur Terengganu (rice), Nasi Pandan Delima (rice), and a delightful bowl of Cendol.

Crispy and yummy fried peanut crackers as appetizer, on the house.

Our delectable spread.

Satay with chunky, lean, and tender meat. 

Chicken Kapitan

Sambal egg plant.

Two varieties of aromatic steamed rice 

My favorite Cendol with a scoop of ice-cream, thick coconut milk, gula Melaka syrup, kidney beans and cendol jelly. At RM20 a bowl, it is more than enough for the four of us.

Every dish was executed to perfection, boasting the use of premium ingredients and a generous infusion of herbs and spices. The standout for me was the Cendol, which was thick, creamy, and easily one of the best I've ever tasted. I savored every dish hubby ordered, except for the Lamb Kuzi, as I'm not particularly fond of lamb. While the prices may be on the higher side, the generous portions and the quality of the ingredients justified the cost.

The menu

The menu

Our delightful meal left us yearning for more, and we've already planned to return to explore the other treasures on De Wan's menu. The restaurant offers an enticing array of Malay dishes that I can't wait to sample.  The service rendered by the waiting staff was excellent and they were very friendly and helpful.

There was a 25% discount for Public Bank card holders. So if you're a Public Bank debit card or credit card holder, do quickly visit De.Wan before the promotion ends.

We couldn't finish the lamb kuzi and beef rendang and had them doggy bagged home for dinner the next day.

After lunch at De Wan, we made a pit stop at Bean Brothers, a café chosen at random by hubby. Sherilyn, who always seems to have assignments in progress, continued her work at the café while we enjoyed coffee and cakes. The café, with its chilly air conditioning indoors, prompted us to opt for outdoor seating, where we observed pet parents enjoying the ambiance with their fur babies.

After coffee and cakes, we did grocery shopping at Ben's Independent Grocer (B.I.G.). I love the variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, and groceries available at B.I.G. 

A wide variety of minced aromatics is available, such as shallots, garlic, turmeric, galangal and much more. They are sold by their weight. This is the first time I have seen readily minced aromatics sold fresh in a supermarket. This is really convenient for time-pressed working parents who cook regularly. Now I know where to get them when hubby's kitchen staff are too busy to prepare them for me.

De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan @ The Linc KL

360, Jln Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Tel no: 03-7890 6016