Food Review - Ishin

Name

Ishin Japanese Dining
Address

201, Persiaran Klang, 3¾ Mile, Off Old Klang Road, 58000 KL. Tel: 03-7980 8228

Food

Japanese

Location
Old Klang Road

Getting there

Located along Old Klang Road, one would think that the place would have a lot of traffic but in truth, that’s not the case because it’s situated at a peculiar location (it’s actually a residential area) on the Old Klang Road that’s a little quieter than one might expect. Right on the corner itself, it’s visible from Old Klang Road if you slow down after the 1st Shell station.

If you are coming from Mid Valley heading towards Pearl Point or OUG, the restaurant would be on your left. You need to lookout for the 1st Shell station on your left. It’s just about 500m after the Shell station.

Parking

Altho’ there isn’t a lot of parking spaces, it would be enough for diners as it is situated in a quiet residential area of Old Klang Road. Diners can opt to park along the road side or let the valet staff park your car for you when you dine there.

Service

The service is exceptional. They even have valet parking for diners. So the valet staff (I saw 4 of them) greet diners with a warm welcome even before you enter the restaurant premises.

As we were there for the very first time, we had some trouble deciding on what menu items to pick. We took our time trying to decide what to have and eventually asked for some help from the waiters. They warmly welcome guests with a smile and are very patient & polite.

Ambience

It’s a 2-story bungalow. It’s brightly lit, clean, minimalistic and uncluttered décor makes the place a little more formal and makes it seem a little high-brow, than say Bubba Gump’s. Right at the corner on the left as you enter is the sushi bar where the sushi chefs would prepare your food before your eyes.

The place does not have any music and without the din from diners, can make you feel a little conspicuous.

Taste

I had ordered the Ishin Bento Set Dinner which I thought was a nice introduction to the food served there as diners get samplings of the best they have to offer, incl:

- Tempura

- Tofu with Bonito flakes

- Sashimi

- Chawan Mushi

- Miso Soup

- Rice

- Teriyaki-Grilled Mackerel

Very good overall but for the sashimi pieces on my Bento set were not as fresh as some other I have had before elsewhere, BUT still top-notch.

The freshly rolled Maki have a very fresh taste to it with the soft & tangy mango slices nicely decorated on top of the maki together with the rice wrapped around a crunchy deep-fried shrimp centre. It makes for a very interesting blend of taste & sensation when consumed.

Presentation

The presentation is impeccable and makes me a little hesitant in desecrating it by eating. Very nice! The way the maki were presented with the giant prawn head and tail on the maki long plate makes it almost a piece of art. We had ordered a mixture of both the Phoenix Roll & Hawaiian Roll.

Another visually interesting item is the 3-Taste Mini chawan mushi (steamed eggs), where they are painstakingly put into 3 egg shells with their tops cut off, to be finally garnished off with 3 varieties on the tops.

Variety

There are literally so many items on the menu (plus also a few not on the menu – you need to ask the waiters for these and they would be more than happy to assist your dining experience) that diners unfamiliar with their menu might find picking a meal a little daunting.

They also offer a quite few house specialty items like wagyu beef. These are priced higher than the standard menu items, with one going up to RM180 per item.

We also had some dessert:

- the black sesame ice cream

- 3 flavors mini mochi ice-cream (ice-cream wrapped in mochi but they are REALLY SMALL!!!)

Value for Money

The sets are really good value. Most of the Set Dinners range from RM38-RM42 and the Set Lunches, from RM19-22. Of course the ala carte items cost more.

Overall

It’s a pretty good place to dine or to bring that special someone for a memorable evening. It would be a good idea to call first to make reservations as the place is usually quite packed.

Food Review - OKR Bak Kut Teh

NameOKR Dry Bak Kut Teh (Dinner Only)
Address
Off Old Klang Road
FoodBak Kut Teh
Location
Old Klang Road (diagonal to the Post Office)
Getting there
If you are coming from KL/Mid Valley towards PJ on OKR, you need to look out for the Post Office next to the OKR Wet Market on your left. Right before the post office is a small lane to the left.

You can’t miss it once you turn in as it is right at the prominent corner and very well lit.

Parking
This can be a bit of a challenge, but if you are patient, and don’t mind doing a few 3-point turns, you will eventually find a spot at houses or the school near the stall.

ServiceThe Bak Kut Teh is prepared only after you order. So it may take about 10-15 minutes before it can be served. Ambience
This place is not a crowd magnet as it is not a place that would attract diners based on appearance or cleanliness but it’s not so bad that would turn you away either. However, this is not the place to bring your expat friends.

VarietyThis place is unique because it serves both the dry and soup variety.
Taste
I like both the soup and dry varieties served here. Altho the soup variety is served in a claypot, it is still the strong dark-colored herbal type, not the watered down type that is typically served in a claypot. The soup is to die for.

The dry type is also served in a claypot. It is prepared with okra, onions, dried red chilies, Chili Padi and fine cuttlefish strips. It is too savoury to have on its own but mixed with rice, it’s quite a treat. However, it can be a bit oily.
Presentation
Quite nicely done for a stall of this category as I would have half expected the food to be served in plastic bowls. Both the BKT and rice are served in clay ware.
Value for Money
It is good value as pork prices are quite high these days. They do not scrimp on the parts you request for unlike some other stalls. That is to say, if you request for Pai Guat, they give you Pai Guat.
Overall
Not something to have everyday, but you have to try this, because, let’s be honest, when was the last time you had dry BKT?

Food Review - Steamed Fish Head - OKR Ah Wang

Name
Ah Wang Bak Kut Teh

Address
4 ½ Mile, Jalan Klang Lama, KL (013-2282288)

Food
Steamed Fish Head/Bak Kut Teh (Dinner only)

Location
Jalan Klang Lama/ Old Klang Road (OKR)

Getting there
It is located on the Old Klang Road (OKR) between the Taman Desa & Kuchai Lama junctions. If you are coming from the city towards PJ, you need to look out for the Kuchai Lama traffic light junction. Make a U-Turn there to get to the other side (ie: heading back towards Mid Valley). The stall is located just before the new highway running perpendicular to OKR.

Parking
Parking can be a bit of a challenge as diners need to find a spot on OKR itself. However, the good thing is that the stall owners know this and have appointed a “traffic controller” (complete with reflective gear) to help diners find empty parking spots when you turn on the car indicators as you approach. I have never had any trouble finding a spot.

Service
Service is considered fast as there is ample staff (locals) to attend to your seating and orders. In my experience, the food comes out rather fast. You may need to wait for approx. 10-15 minutes for the food to arrive at your table.

As usual, these kinds of stalls provide the small plastic basin with hot water for the utensils. They normally would bring the chopsticks and Chinese soup spoons. You may request for forks and spoons.

Payment is also rather quick & hassle-free.

Ambience
This is a typical no-frills Malaysian dining where the plastic tables & chairs are right next to the road and under the sky. About half of them are covered in case there’s rain.

On the cleanliness scale, it’s considered clean for stalls of this category.

There are a couple of TVs there as well to kill time while you wait (or eat).

Taste
We have only tried 2 varieties so far (eventho’ we have been there enough times to try all varieties). We have always gravitated back to the Ginger variety. It comes with generous portions of finely chopped ginger, parsley and spring onions on top of the fish head steamed just right. The sauce (well I’m not sure if that’s the right word) ALWAYS tastes just right.

Presentation
“Simple and fit for purpose” would best describe it. It comes on a stainless steel plate resting on a chaffing dish that helps keep the fish dish hot to the end.

Variety
There are a few varieties for the steamed fish heads and they come in 3 sizes (L/M/S):
- Ginger (Giong Yung)
- Soy Sauce (Si Jub)
- Plain Steam (Ching Jing)
- Assam

We usually go for the Ginger variety (S) and rice.

Other items include:
- Bak Kut Teh (of course)
- Pork Leg Vinergar (Jue Geok Cho)
- Pig Trotters (Loe Jue Geok)
- Peppered Pork Tripe Soup (Wu Jiu Jue Toe Tong)

Value for Money
This place is high on value for money. 1 order of the fish head (Small) plus rice is enough for 2 of us. If you fancy, there are other side orders like tofu and vege dishes but we usually struggle to finish with just the fish and rice alone.

Overall
If you’re looking for a quick and simple healthy meal that not only tastes good but is virtually cholesterol & oil free, this is it. Try it and let me know if you agree.