Klang Valley food crawl: The Sequel
The past couple of months of my time off in Malaysia have really flown by. It’s been amazing to have the chance to properly catch up with all my family and friends based here. As the Asia leg of my 3 month weekend draws to a close and I repack my bags for London and what promises to be a roller-coaster of a year ahead at Cordon Bleu, here’s a tribute to some of my favourite, most memorable eats I had in and around the Klang valley this trip back.
Restoran ZK Curry Fish Head
I was brought to ZK by my sister and brother-in-law who insist that this is the best Curry Fish Head in town. And as we watched the lunch time queue of fish head curry aficionados get longer and longer every minute past 12 noon, it didn’t take long for me to be convinced.
Restoran ZK in Kampung Attap
Whereas fish head curry gravies can often get a bit full-on and overly thirst-inducing, ZK’s gravy, though extremely tasty is still light enough for you to pile gallons of it onto your plate of white rice. Add to that one of the largest, most meaty fish heads I’ve ever eaten, and a helpful team of waiters here that will spoon extra curry gravy onto the fish head as it gets dry and it’s no wonder it’s such a favourite amongst the lunch crowd in town near Kampung Attap.
ZK’s Fish Head Curry
Once you’ve downed the inevitable 2nd plate of rice, be prepared for some proper food coma…
Restoran Bismillah Nasi Briyani & Ayam Madu
This 30+ year old establishment on Jalan Semarak (just off Jalan Tun Razak) serves up my favourite plate of Nasi Briyani in all of KL. It’s easily the most fluffy, fragrant and greaseless Briyani I’ve ever tasted. I could literally lap up an entire plate of the rice without a drop of curry or any dishes on the side.
Restoran Bismillah on Jalan Semarak
But plenty of curries and side dishes there are. They do a whole range of the usual Mamak and Nasi Kandar staples to accompany their Briyani here. But if there’s one dish that keeps me coming back for more, it’s their gorgeous Honey Chicken (‘Ayam Madu’). Deep-fried to a crispy dark brown and smothered in their signature honey gravy, it’s pure, unadulterated deliciousness. Make sure you ask specifically for chicken thighs or drumsticks though… I find the breast meat can get a little bit dry.
Honey Chicken (‘Ayam Madu’) and Nasi Briyani
Whereas service at your average Nasi Kandar restaurants and Mamak stalls can often be a bit brusque, you will find some of the most friendly and efficient guys at your service here. Even during a roaringly busy lunch service, they were patient enough to deal with my mother’s repeated special requests for extra gravy and extra this and that. A must visit.
Village Park Nasi Lemak
No trip back home for me is complete without multiple doses of Nasi Lemak. And if there’s one Nasi Lemak I crave more than any other, it’s got to be Village Park’s.
Village Park Nasi Lemak
Yes, I’ve blogged about Village Park before, but there’s no prettier, more mouth-watering sight than a freshly fried batch of their dee-frickin-licious chicken coming out of the kitchen to be piled onto the hot counter alongside their other dishes. I particularly love how they only serve up chicken legs here. It’s juiciness and goodness guaranteed with every bite… none of this dry, chicken breast nonsense. Have the chicken with a spoonful of their fragrant rice and some of their spicy sweet sambal and it will make for one seriously good mouthful.
Village Park’s dee-frickin-licious Fried Chicken
Be warned. The chicken is properly addictive.
Restoran ZK
No 76, Jalan Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Restoran Bismillah
No 21, Jalan Semarak, 54100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Village Park Restaurant
5 Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
p.s. You will find Part I of the Klang Valley food crawl from earlier this year featuring Village Park, Jalan Gasing Ipoh Chicken Rice, Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee here.
G.