Restoran Tiam Oon, Bamboo Garden, Jalan Ipoh

AS OF OCTOBER 2012, this restaurant has moved to a new location. Look out for more updates on the blog.

This is a hidden gem located within Bamboo Garden. Operating from what looks like a house, it's quite popular with the locals for a quick lunch.

It has quite an extensive menu made up mostly of various types of noodles.

Signature dishes are Hokkien style noodles. I've tried the tapioca noodles in dark soy sauce which is very tasty and highly recommended. The chewy texture of the noodle makes for a nice change for the usual mee and beehoon.

We were recommended the Stewed Pork (Khau Yoke) Noodles which was very good.

Crispy fried foo chook makes a great side dish.

On another visit, I tried the Hokkien Mee which is top class and recommended.

The Ginger Fried Rice was fragrant and tasty too.

And the fishcake was springy and flavorsome.

Overall a simple, unassuming place for a quick and reasonably priced lunch. It's hidden in the housing area but not really difficult to find. After the Petronas station, turn left at the traffic light. Cross the bridge and go past the cross road junction. After the junction, Tiam Oon is located about 200 meters ahead on the right side of the road. The signage is not prominent but look for the house with lots of tables on the outside. The seating on the inside is much cooler.

And ask for the Kat Chai Shin Mui (blended lime with assam boi) for a cooling refreshing drink - the version here is really kow.

Contact : 016-6553773 or 016-2367337

S.Wine at Publika, Solaris Dutamas

It's a full pork fest at S.Wine, the non-halal cafe situated inside Ben's Independent Grocer (BIG) at Publika in Solaris Dutamas.

First up is the pork burger; juicy, thick and succulent. Accompanied by crispy fries and a side of coleslaw, it's almost perfect. Highly recommended.

 The Serrano ham with melon was good.

The watermelon and longan salad was a clever mix of sweet, savory and tangy.

 Spaghetti carbonara had too much sauce for our liking. It was runny even after mixing in the raw egg yolk.

The spaghetti aglio olio on the other hand was excellent, al-dente pasta with juicy mushrooms and crispy roasted pork in a light olive oil (and lard) sauce. Recommended.

The Hainanese pork chop is very popular. Quite a large serving and good for sharing. Old school tomato based sauce and lots of crispy fries on the side.

The Lemongrass Pork Chop on the other hand is served with rice, duck with salted vegetable soup and an omelet. The well marinated pork chop is great with the rice. Recommended.

The roast pork rice was served with the same duck with salted vegetable soup, which is quite nice. The roasted pork was good but not exceptional.

The rice with pork cutlets was tasty and somewhat better than the roasted pork. It came with the same soup too!

Overall, good food and good service too. They don't take reservations so go early for lunch or dinner to get a table as the limited number of tables gets filled very quickly.

If you still have place for desserts, go to the Plan B Roasters outside and have a choice of cake with the excellent coffee there.

Riverview Small Village Restaurant, Bamboo Garden, Jalan Ipoh

Located behind the Petronas station at Batu 4 Jalan Ipoh and beside Sg Batu is this small restaurant appropriately called Riverview Small Village Restaurant. Their signature dishes include what can be described as a White (or pale) Hokkien Mee. With lots of lard, its tasty to the last strand of noodle.

Thanks to my friend KK Chong for recommending a few other signature dishes, firstly the fish (or frog if you prefer) porridge.

Chinese style scrambled egg, light and fluffy.

And their signature Ma Yow Yee with salted vegetable gravy, which is great with rice or porridge.

Sit at the upper deck if possible as the lower deck near the river gets the exhaust fumes from the kitchen and you end up with greasy smelling clothes after lunch. It gets a little warm on hot days so take off your ties.