Food Review - Kim Lian Kee

Location
VIVA Home Mall, Jalan Loke Yew (not to be confused with the VIVA Mall as I was.)

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Getting there

The restaurant is located on the 1st floor of the VIVA Home Mall. This mall is very easy to spot as it is located along the famed Jalan Loke Yew (parallel to Jalan Cheras) and right next to the new hotel - VIVATel.

Parking
If you are going to the VIVA Home mall, then you'll have no problems parking as there are tons of parking at the mall itself or if you are trying your luck at the free weekend parking at the shops right outside the mall, you may also do that.
Ambience
One interesting aspect of this place is that its kitchen is located right smack in the middle of the dining hall. I guess that's why they have a separate section for the diners outside on the verandah. The seating on the verandah is rather interesting as it overlooks the constantly busy Jalan Loke Yew. So I suggest you try it out there if it's not too hot for you.
Presentation
The food comes quite nicely presented on dainty little oval plates. I have to say they have very nice plate-ware as their logo appears on each of them. They seem clean enough and I think the place is still fairly new and thus, the logos on the plates still look pretty clear & vibrant.
Variety
All the standard noodle varieties are found on their menu, even the Not-so-Standard Loh Mee, Claypot Loh Shu Fun (which Literally means Rat Noodles) and Moonlight Hor Fun (with a raw egg on top). So in terms of variety, there's definitely reason for a repeat visit, which was what I did, unfortunately.

Taste & Value For Money
Yes, the noodles here taste good despite the person doing the cooking may not be a Chinese at all (Yes, it looks like many of the foreigners are really picking up these culinary skills very quickly).I have to say each time I eat here (I've been here 4x thus far), I ask myself why do I even come here? The prices are a little on the high side for the portions and ingredients (or the lack of it) we get for the prices that they charge. On average, each menu item is around the RM10-11 (and this is before the taxes mind you) and the portion is similar to a snack or tapas - ie: just enough to tantalize but not enough as a full meal (unless you are trying to lose weight).
I actually tried to count the pieces of shrimp in my plate of noodles the other day when I was there. Wow - there were 3!  I think that was my lucky day. So what do you get for RM11 - 95% noodles and 5% of ingredients if you are lucky.
Having said that, it's easier to accept what I have to say next - which is, despite Kim Lian Kee's reputation and pedigree as a big name in Chinese Fried Noodles (especially for the Hokkien-Style - where the noodles are fried in thick dark soy sauce), I have had quite a few equally good, if not better, Hokkien-Styled noodles even in unassuming street stalls. And these places only charge between RM6-7 per serving and their sizes are very much more reasonable.

Verdict
Overpriced and over-rated. Definitely not worth your time or money unless it's just to sate your curiosity as to how good Kim Lian Kee Noodles actually taste. But then, you know what they say about curiosity.

Food Review - Lilian Bak Kut Teh

NameLilian Bak Kut Teh

Food
Bak Kut Teh
Location
Klang – Nearby the Klang Jusco
Getting There
This is a tricky one because I am not entirely familiar with Klang. The landmark to look out for is the Jusco that is visible from the Federal Highway if you are entering Klang from KL. Once on the road that leads to Jusco, just follow the road until you pass Jusco on your left (with the Fed Hwy directly behind). The road is an anti-clockwise semi circle that leads back to the Fed Hwy. The restaurant is at a row of shops at a left turning just before the Fed Hwy.

ParkingAmple parking on the street in front of the restaurant.
Service
Service is warm and friendly as it is a family run business where you will be served by “uncles” and “aunties”.

Taste
The rice was fluffy and nicely done, not clumpy. The BKT and the soup was very fragrant- which makes it hard to resist. I personally prefer the non-clay-pot version because the flavors are stronger as there are no vegetables or Tau Pok, etc to “water down” the flavors. However, it is still very good BKT.
Ambience & PresentationIt is quite an old place but it is very well ventilated, kept and clean. A point to note is the way Chinese Tea is served because it is very different from how KL/PJ does it. The hot water re-fill kettle is placed on top of a gas tank right next to the guests’ tables where guests are expected to self-serve. Guests are given the clay tea-pot, traditional tiny tea cups and a small pot complete with a quaint little strainer for guests to filter out the tea leaves from the beverage.

Variety
The BKT is available in the standard clay-pot or non-clay-pot varieties. We ordered the clay-pot version with the works (ie: Mushrooms, lettuce, Foo Juk, Tau Pok, different parts, etc).

Rice is a must to go with the fragrant BKT soup. The rice comes in a plastic plate but there are condiments that are a must for the rice – the fried shallots! For added oomph, some like to add the black soy sauce, chili padi and chopped garlic to the meal.
Value for Money
Under RM50 for 2 pots of BKT with rice, vege and Chinese Tea. Go try it!
Overall
Good BKT. It’s not the best but Klang is after all BKT paradise. So, you can’t really go wrong. Good food at good prices in a quaint little place that serves up a dose of nostalgia.