So What's all the Fuss about? @ Tim Ho Wan, Mid Valley

I'm sure by now I'm considered the very outdated one to have tried the latest and most talked-about Dim Sum brand to arrive in Malaysia all the way from Hong Kong - the famed Michelin Stared Tim Ho Wan.

The queue is still crazy on weekend mornings but the family-in-laws and I managed to wait for about 30 minutes for a table on a Sunday morning. So phew~! But if you are a little late please do expect longer queue!

The queue when we arrived on a Sunday morning around 9ish.

The queue later one when we were already having our food.

So, I've heard of good and bad reviews where I think the bad reviews are from people who have too high an expectation on them. I mean, you can't blame them, Dim Sums from Hong Kong? Sure nice one right? And with a restaurant that has a Michelin Star, you just couldn't help but to expect the best!

Personally, I find certain dishes in their menu like super duperly awesomely delicious but there are also some that were total letdown. So to makes things easier, here are my list of 'must eat' at Tim Ho Wan (not in particular orders):

The Glutinous Rice In Lotus Leaf doesn't look very promising when you first open it up, but once you reach the fillings where the hot gravy from the pork mixture oozes out and mixes with the rice... Oh man, that awesome flavour just makes you keep digging for more of it! Big big love for this one!

The Baked Bun with BBQ Pork is Tim Ho Wan's signature dish so really, even if I say I hate it you should still give it a try. LOL! In fact, I don't hate it at all! While the filling isn't that impressive, the unique skin does make a lot of difference here - Crunchy and a little sweet on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. Very nice, indeed!

Then the Pan Fried Carrot Cake, which is to me, one of its kind. The very nice texture from real radish (you can actually see the strips of radish if you cut it) makes it not so artificial while the ham in it added a chewy texture to the dish too. Very yummy!

Steamed Rice with Chicken, Sausage & Mushroom is perhaps a very common dish you can find anywhere else in town but to me, this one here wins big because of the uber tender chicken and sausages and the gravy that they pour into it before serving you at the table. Very nicely done! :)

At first glance, the Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce looks really just the ordinary pork ribs you can find in any other Dim Sum places but once you grab a bite of the pork ribs you'll know it's crazily different! I have no idea what they did to make those ribs so tender it kinda melt in your mouth and it really reminds me of the one I had in Hong Kong years ago! Plus, that gravy OMG so yummey FIL couldn't stop dipping the Fried Carrot Cake into it to eat! That was the only dish we ordered another one so you know, this is really in the top of our favourite list yo!

Save your stomach for some awesome dessert as you dig into the refreshing Mango Sago Pamelo! Thick Mango gravy with sago, pamelo of small bits of mango sounds good to you? Oh yea it sounds and tastes good to me! Sweet but not too sweet and just the right dessert to finish up your meal! Love it!!!

And here are the other dishes we tried which I find them either not too bad, mediocre or worse.

Supposed to have three pieces la but people were too fast before I could snap a pic! This Bean Curd Skin Roll with Shrimp aren't too bad actually, just not fantastic. 

We had both the Char Siew and Shrimps Chee Cheong Fun, which I don't think are the best I've had.

The Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (Siu Mai) are okay too, just also not the best I've had so far.

The Prawn Dumplings (Har Gao) too, despite having very fresh prawns, failed in terms of the very important Har Gao skin.

Then comes the Tonic Medlar & Osmanthus Cake (I'm not even sure are those English but anyway, this is the 'Guai Fa Gou' la). I'll just say it didn't really impress me.

I didn't actually try the Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg & Salted Egg cos it was mainly for Jolie but at RM10.50, I honestly think the portion is waaaaaaaaaay too small.

Our breakfast that day cost us slightly over RM200 (that was before GST and without the Steamed Rice), which I think wasn't too bad, it'll probably cost the same in several other Dim Sum places in KL. We went back twice after that on weekday nights and there were no queue so if you don't find eating Dim Sum as dinner weird (which we obviously don't), it's better to go at night to skip the queue.

Here's the latest menu with their prices which is quite confusing cos it's GST included but it will appear to be different in your bill with the GST being calculated later on a total that includes the 10% service charge, the price for each item become totally different. So let's just say the prices here are just for your rough reference.

So, what's my verdict? I agree food are a little overpriced, but really not too much difference also compared to other Dim Sum places I know. So I won't really fuss about that. Food wise, you just need to know what to order cos there are some really good ones but there are also some that I can't even say they are good, especially at a Michelin Star level. I do hope they expand their menu though - with that one-pager menu and after cutting down the non-favourites, we are often left with only a few choices to order. Why can't they bring in the beef brisket/stomach??? I miss that at Hong Kong Dim Sum in Hong Kong and Perth the most! Anyway, we have gone back twice since the first visit, so I guess that explains we kinda like the food there! :)

Tim Ho Wan
27-G, Ground Floor,
The Boulevard,
Mid Valley City

We Found Gem @ Taiping Thiam Kee, Taipan

Not that we haven't gone past this shop before, but Taiping food brought over to be sold in KL? You can't blame me for having some doubts in them, really. But finally we gave it a try on a night we wanted some light dinner (which didn't exactly end up to me that 'light') and we are so in love that we have gone back too many times after that!

Anyway, just a little introduction, Thiam Kee is indeed a real brand in Taiping,  one of the more famous stalls at Taiping Larut Matang's Hawker Centre selling nothing but Chicken Hor Fun. I heard this shop here in Taipan is operated by the children of the boss but they have of course expanded their menu to many more stuff, from Taiping's famous Teowchew Fried Kuey Teow till dishes like Nasi Lemak and Roti Bakar. It sounds like a full-fledge commercialised Kopitiam.

They even have a picture of the famous rain trees at Taiping Lake Garden!

The restaurant has a simple set-up, but great environment and very clean too.
The first time we were there, Deardo actually tried their Prawn Noodles but it wasn't anything to shout about so we shall skip that and jump to the main stuff here...

Chicken Hor Fun (Chicken Strips), RM6.

Chicken Hor Fun with Chicken Thigh, RM7.60.

Awesome Sambal Belacan that tasted exactly the same as the one you would find in Taiping!!!

The Chicken Hor Fun comes in two styles - with chicken strips or with chicken thigh. I found them equally satisfying in terms of taste. Now here's the thing, both Deardo and I really are crazy over their Hor Fun soup here because it tastes EXACTLY the same as the ones you can find in many restaurants/stalls in Taiping. That distinctive taste that you can only find in a Chicken Hor Fun in Taiping, you'll get it here in Taipan, no kidding! The taste of the soup and every single ingredients, including that Sambal Belacan that is OMG so yummy and it makes us feel so at home!!! Deardo who normally doesn't put any chili in his food actually wants that Sambal Belacan every time he goes there! Ahhhh... So yummey~!!!

Teochew Fried Kuey Teow, RM7.60.

And then we had the Teochew Fried Kuey Teow, a dish that we have not found anywhere else outside Taiping until we came to this restaurant here. Yup, if you are from Taiping, you'll know that this is a different Fried Kuey Teow - with a little more liquid, the dish's main ingredients are fish balls, fish cakes and Char Siew and that is something you don't find in Fried Kuey Teow anywhere else. We were really skeptical at first but man that dish turned up to be at least 85% the same as the ones in Taiping! Only thing that makes a difference I think would be the absence of the Char Siew since Thiam Kee here decided to go pork-free. But the flavour, the gravy and everything else tasted just perfect!

Side vegetables, RM2.

We ordered an additional cabbage to share, which was ok la not too bad, but not fantastic. At RM2, that's probably the cheapest side vegetables I've ever had in any proper restaurants anyway.

What makes two Taiping Lang so happy? A meal that literally brought them home! :)

It normally cost us less than RM25 for a meal of three dishes (yup two isn't enough for us cos we couldn't decide which one to have) with a drink and that's actually pretty affordable too! Well, you know what, we couldn't care much about the pricing anyway cos every time we finish a meal there we would be talking about it non-stop in the car, about how good the meal was, how it really reminds us of our hometown. Seriously, it just feels like we are drunk with the food there!
If you are a Taiping Lang in KL this is a place you must go and if you are not from Taiping but isn't afraid of trying out new flavours, here's my honest recommendation! Ahhhh... Damn I need to go back again for another Chicken Hor Fun fix soon!

Taiping Thiam Kee Noodle House
39G, Jalan USJ10/1,
47620 Subang Jaya,
Selangor
Tel: 03-5621 9199

Really Good Teochew Mee Pok @ Tang Pin Kitchen, SS2

So we go past this restaurant almost everyday on the way home after work but never stepped foot into it until recently we decided to give it a go.

The restaurant prides themselves with their homemade fish balls and fish cakes, plus their signature Teochew Mee Pok, which looks to us just like your usual Hakka Mee. Don't ask me, I've never heard of Teochew Mee Pok before this despite the fact that I'm a Teochew. :p They also serve homemade Tong Sui, Soya Milk and Tofu Fa.

The place looks tidy and clean although you can see all workers, including kitchen staff are sadly, foreigners. Anyway, we went ahead to order our dinner...

Mee Pok, RM7.

The Mee Pok, which doesn't come with too big a portion, consists of noodles that really resembles Hakka Mee, minced pork, generous amount of pork lard and a side bowl of fish cakes and vege in soup. It was truly yummy with the homemade fish cakes tastes really different compared to those commercialised ones. Shirlexia approves! Deardo had to order another one for himself after listening to my good reviews! Haha! 

Fried Chee Cheong Fun, RM5.

Mini Dumplings, RM6.

We also had the Fried Chee Cheong Fun, which was despite a little salty, was really delicious! The Chee Cheong Fun were really soft and has a nice texture to chew onto plus bonus points for those generous amount of fresh and fat bean sprouts! The Mini Dumplings were also one the few dumplings that I really like - flavourful, good amount of fillings and best of all, they don't come covered in greasy oil! Love them! 

Homemade Soya Bean Milk, RM3.

Tried their Homemade Soya Bean Milk too which isn't too sweet and doesn't even come with ice when I ordered a cold one! Thumb-up!

Loving our dinner! :)

That dinner of so much of food cost us RM28 (before April 1st) and we thought that was very reasonable! So we obviously went back a few times and have since tried a few more of their other dishes...

Curry Chee Cheong Fun, RM4.50.

First up, Curry Chee Cheong Fun, which was not too bad especially with some minced pork and minced dried shrimp as toppings, but not the best I've eaten in my life.

Homemade Fish Noodle & Glass Noodle, RM7.50.

And then the Homemade Fish Noodle and Glass Noodles, which is quite a unique dish but surprisingly very delicious, With the homemade fish noodles being really fresh, springy and tasty, this is a great option if you want to skip noodles all together! Yumzzzz...

Fu Chok Skin Roll, RM6.50.

Another side dish we tried was the Fu Chuk Skin Roll which resembles a 'Zha Leong' (Yau Tiu wrapped in a Chee Cheong Fun, a common dish you find in a Hong Kong Dim Sum restaurant) only this one comes with the Fu Chok Skin Roll which tastes really awesome. I don't particularly like the sweet and spicy sauce that comes with it though.
Now I only wish I can persuade Deardo enough to try the Teochew Fried Porridge with me one day! :P

Tang Pin Kitchen
No. 24, Jalan SS2/24,
47300 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-7877 2376

Another Letter to My Future Son

Hey baby!

Mummy and you, the bump!

Well that's what your papa loves to call you by nowadays and he is almost sure that your name would be 'Baby Wong'. What nonsense lar he! 

Mummy's loving a nice dessert or sweet drink after meal now, baby, are you sure you are our kid? We never liked sweet stuff yo! 

As we are nearing to the date of seeing you in real person, mummy and papa have been seeing the doctor on a weekly basis and I must say I'm just so proud of you baby, for staying so strong, healthy and just the right size so far. :) Mummy is the one who is having a little problem with the blood pressure but don't worry, it is still pretty much under controlled. Doctor said we might be seeing you earlier than the given due date so you know what? I'd say yay, bring it on! I will be seeing my little baby boy soon!!! ;D

Papa and Lil' Jolie playing. I still can't imagine how would it be like seeing you two playing like this... :p

One thing for sure though, is that I'm gonna miss having you in my tummy. Your somersaults, kicks and punches can sometimes be so painful but they never failed to make me laugh or smile, cos these are just signs that you are really strong and healthy, and that you are just too cute! There was this one time I went to the toilet to poo but you kept tickling me at the bottom and then I lost focus and no poop came out... LOL! I know it's disgusting but it was really funny! #truestory :p

Papa paying for some toys for you at a toys warehouse clearance! 

I always read and talk to you like a crazy woman, even your papa always laughed at me but now he is doing a lot of that too! He even sings to you you know! Ahhhhh... These precious moments are going to be something we will miss too! And I think he is getting excited too to see you!

Papa hard at work there...

Wefie with your little baby cot!

Your stuff are so mini even your papa has to agree they are too cute! :)

More stuff are done in preparations to welcome you, my royal highness! Baby cot, bed sheet, blanket, pampers, wash up your clothes, etc. Your baby cot looks lovely and papa had some wonderful time putting it up and we can't wait to see you sleeping in it soundly at the corner of our room, SOON! Got most of your stuff before GST strikes but there are just some leftover that I'm eager to get them real soon!

Mummy pampering myself to some pedicure! Yay!

Catching up with Aunty Karen here, who has self-proclaimed to be your godmother!

And me sitting kangkang (cos this is the most comfortable position already) with Aunty Maddy and Aunty Lea on another catch-up date.

In preparation for the confinement month, mummy has been spending more time out of the house recently with not only your papa, but also mummy's friends. It just feels right to be out as much as possible before being confined at home, especially when I always feel better and energised when I'm out than when I just sit at home! :)

Say hi to Mummy Shirlexia! 

Physically and mentally, mummy is feeling good, although the feeling of exhaustion, breathlessness, swelling legs and face and the insecurities on the changes to my body are still bothering me. I would still get emotional from time to time, but for now they are mostly tears of joy thinking about having you or got so touched by your papa's words. Many said I look like a surprise pregnant lady (meaning if you see me on my back you won't realise I'm pregger) and that always make my days! Haha! 

Bird Nest for the mummy and the baby! :)

It's good to stay positive during pregnancy and I'm feeling a lot of positive vibes and love coming towards me and you baby! Friends are showering me with gifts and good advice, some are already asking what to give you and me as gifts... And you know what? The other day, thanks to your Gugu, I got to eat a bowl of bird nest! Say I'm suaku I don't care, but that was probably the first bowl of bird nest I've ever had in my entire life! I remember I've probably had a scoop or two of them but never one whole bowl like that! See how lucky you are baby! :p

Just so happy that your papa gave me a hi-tea treat and we really enjoyed it! :D

Mummy throwing some basketballs at the arcade, one of the earlier activities that papa and mummy loved to do when we were just a new couple! :)

As for papa... He is recently busy with his car since he wanted to modify his car as much as possible before GST. I let him do whatever he wants because I feel like as I grow bigger and heavier, your papa's love for me and you have also grown 'bigger and heavier'. Hehe... He would help whenever I needed him to, be it just standing up or climbing up somewhere to take some stuff at home. Not only that, he has been answering to my ridiculous requests before giving birth e.g. having hi-tea at a 5-star hotel! He has been very encouraging too, assuring me everything will be alright whenever I'm worry about anything. You must remember most of the time I'm the positive one but now he just turned the table around! :)

Mummy and papa on a secret video shoot where papa surprised me by planting a kiss on me! *blush~*

What I really like about your papa is that although in many many ways he is a typical Chinese husband (and dad too, probably, you know being bossy and all), there are still many many ways that he acts like a non-Chinese guy, especially the way he deals with me, almost like I'm the whole world to him and I'm just really grateful to have found him *tear tear~*. He is a great husband and I'm pretty sure he will be a wonderful dad to you too! :)

Well, I'm not sure if this will be the last letter to you before I pop and see you in real person but regardless, I want you to know, papa and mummy can't wait to see you and we will love you like nobody's business okay! 

Till then, see you soon!

Lots of love,
Mummy Shirlexia