Priced at RM888++ per table of 8 pax, Standard Chartered credit card holders will not only be taken on a gastronomical journey; they will also be treated to free fortune cookies. The 8 participating restaurants in this campaign are Li Yen, Ritz Carlton; Shanghai, JW Marriot; Celestial Court, Sheraton Imperial; Tai Zi Heen, Prince Hotel; Zing, Grand Millennium; Gu Yu Tien; Elegant Inn; and last but not least Chynna, Hilton KL.

8 is such an auspicious word to the Chinese. Pronounce as “fa” (發), it signifies fortune and wealth. So let’s usher in the new year with a prosperous feast at Shanghai, JW Marriot.

Located on Level 1 of JW Marriott KL, it is the only authentic Shanghainese restaurant in KL. Shanghai’s elegant interior is reminiscent of the stylish city of Shanghai in the 1920’s. It reminds me very much of the TV series “The Bund” (上海灘).

*rendition from the background*

浪奔　浪流
萬里滔滔江水永不休
淘盡了世間事

混作滔滔一片潮流…

While there were no sights of of pretty ladies clad in cheongsams parading against a backdrop of Chinese mafias in suits, we have a bunch of corporate slaves who brave the traffic and make their way for the luscious CNY dinner.

The great meal started off with 鸿运大捞生 Salmon Yee Sang. The yee sang, which consists of crispy crackers, salmon sashimis, fresh scallops and  grated vegetables was drizzled with a special concoction of mustard sauce, peanut sauce and sweet sour sauce. The crispness of the vegetables and the tangy sauce is so refreshing and appetite-whetting. Toss the colourful salad higher and say Lo Hei at the same time to usher in prosperity and abundance for the year of RABBIT!

干贝竹笙云吞炖鸡汤 Double-boiled superior wanton soup with dried scallop and bamboo pith.

There’s something about Chinese superior soup that makes me feel really comfortable. It could be the nourishing elements; or the thought that it gives me healthy, glowing skin. The double boiled soup was subtly sweet; the bamboo pith had a nice crunch and the wanton was so stuffed with ingredients that it was on the verge of bursting!

松子菊花鱼块拼炸金砖 Deep fried grouper fish with sweet and sour sauce accompanied with Deep-fried goose liver wrapped in bean curd。

The grouper fish was sliced in a special way that when deep fried, the batter will transform into a beautiful shape of chrysanthemum flower. The crispy, non greasy delicious piece of fish is coated with a delicious layer of sweet and sour sauce. Deep-fried goose liver wrapped in bean curd is a very unique dish. The chef overturned the bean curd, exposing the spongy layer that became really crunchy after deep fried. The goose liver, fully imported from France was really smooth and velvety.

a delicate, pretty dish.

宝鼎水笋肉 Braised Shanghainese pork with vegetables

Everyone agrees unanimously that this dish looks too pretty to be eaten! According to Chef Wang, the dish underwent a rather tedious preparation process. Layers of pork bellies were slowly braised to achieve tender meat and jelly like consistency of the fat. Then, he sliced the pork bellies carefully and assembled the different layers to form a pagoda. Dig in to reveal the hidden treasure inside the “pagoda” – exquisite bamboo shoots from the mountain of Zhe Jiang province in China.

Gorgeous piece of pork belly and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness. Not a dish that can be prepared easily; credits have to be given to the chef for his exquisite skills and experiences.

虾仁纪子炒饭 Imperial fried rice with shrimps and diced chicken

Full of wok hei, the fluffy fried rice was really, really good! SO good that not even a tiny grain was left unattended.

苏浙苑精品小笼包 Steamed Shanghainese meat dumplings

Shanghai takes pride in signature dish – Shanghai Xiao Long Bao. Yrue to its name, it has exhibits the key characteristics of a good xiao long bao – thin skin and juicy innards.

元肉莲子汤年糕 sweet glutinous rice cakes with red dates and dried longan

Probably my least favorite of the night, bland tasting glutinous rice cake from Shanghai is just not my cup of tea.

麻花年糕 pan fried glutinous rice cakes with red dates and dried longan

I love glutinous rice cakes, infused with (lots of) sugar, and all that sinful stuff that you wouldn’t want to know! The crispy outer layer and the gooey sweetness of melted nian gao oozing out was so comforting. What a perfect ending to our amazing meal!

So if you are a Standard Chartered holder, you get to enjoy the Extravagant 8 Menu for only RM888+ for a table of 8 pax, additional diner will have to pay RM111+ each. Hurry and make your reservation because the Extravagant 8 Menu is only available for a limited time only – 20th January 2011 until 17th February 2011.

Shanghai
1st Floor, JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
183 Jalan Bukit Bintang · Kuala Lumpur, 55100 Malaysia

Chor 8: Bai Tin Gong

The ninth day of Chinese New Year is a significant day for the Hokkiens, it is a day of gratitude for their ancestors’ relive. The story goes like this: intruders invaded the village – the Hokkiens ran for their life and hid themselves under the clusters of sugarcane – tntruders left, the Hokkiens came out from the clusters, and it is on the dawn of the ninth day of CNY. So, the Hokkiens believe that our life and prosperity are granted by the heavenly god (tian gong).

Mum’s BFFs preparing turnip meat balls.

delicious!

Curry Chicken

Offerings for Bai Tin Gong:

chickens (checked)

fruits (checked)

altar (checked)

sugar cane (checked)

HUGE joss-sticks (checked)

sugar tower, longetivity buns, nin gou, glutinous rice with red dates (checked!!)

kuli aka helpers (checked)

and now we are ready!

whole roasted pig!!!!!!

crispy skin. oh lala

However, things are a little bit different this year as the Chinatown of KT took on the look of the famous Temple Street of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Even the usually quiet KT town is suffering from traffic jam during the festive period. Definitely a rare sight!

The street of Chinatown has been decorated with lanterns and other ornaments to usher in the new year.

The 200-year-old Ho Ann Kiong Chinese temple in its full glory, few days before it was destroyed in a fire.

Read about the fire here

The organizer also blasted off a bunch of fireworks display.

Yee Sang with a twist – the addition of kerepok.

Many of the traditions of Chinese New Year center around food either being cooked or eaten. Most of the food signifies good luck and fortune, eg Yee Sang 余升 means an increase in abundance.

KampungBoy’s family begin the first day of Chinese New Year with a vegetarian meal to garner good karma by refraining from eating anything that has been killed.

Vegetarian Pandan Chicken

They also finished off the meal with tang yuans that are symbolic of “reunion.”The round shape of the tang yuans portrays “togetherness.”

fairy sticks

We wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year of the Tiger!

Do share us your CNY celebration too.

ADVERTORIAL

If you are thinking of buying a new notebook/netbook, here’s a piece of good news for you. Celcom Broadband offers bundle packages for HP netbook and HP notebook and the USB modem will be given for free as well.

The ultimate package for ultimate mobility includes:

1) Celcom Broadband + FREE USB modem + get a netbook at RM 888. From RM68/month. No contract.
2) Celcom Broadband + FREE USB modem + FREE HP netbook. RM 88 per month.
3) Celcom Broadband + FREE USB modem + FREE HP notebook. RM 119 per month.

Pantai Seafood, under the same management as Unique Seafood (PJ) Sdn Bhd (read our amazing geoduck experience here), is famous for its fresh seafood picks and good dishes being value for money (approximately RM20-RM30 per pax). We have been here a few times (friends’ birthday, CNY dinner, etc) and Pantai Seafood has never disappointed us.

The infamous “Jiu Da Ming Chai” (mandarin) or Nine Signature Dish is featured on the first page of the menu. If you are completely clueless on what to order, this would be a good guide as most of the signature dishes are really nice, other than the siong tong lala that we don’t quite like.

Nine Signature Dishes

Deep Fried Pork Knuckle

Yi Song Kai Lan (Kai Lan done two way)

Salted Egg Crabs

Yat Tong Gai (Chicken in a Bucket)

Otak Otak Tofu

Pak Cheok Har (Poached Fresh Prawns)

Siong Tong LaLa (Steamed Clams in Superior Soup

Yee Sang with Jelly Fish

Deep Fried Pork Knuckle (in its original state)

Deep Fried Pork Knuckle (cut into bite size servings)

Ostrich Meat in Special Sauce

Salted Egg Tofu

Tofu in Otak-Otak Sauce

Drunken Prawns

Salted Egg Crabs

Butter & Cheese Crabs

Deep Fried ManTou

Yi Song Kai Lan (Kai Lan Done Two Way)

Stir Fried Choi Dam

Longevity Noodles

Getting here could be hectic for those who are not familiar with PJ/Damansara area. Hope this would help – If you are coming from LDP, head towards to NKVE toll, keep left when you are near to Shell Petrol Station and BHP Petrol Station. Turn left into the road between the two stations and go straight. Turn right at the first junction; do not panic when you see a narrow bumpy kampong road with wooden house and plenty car workshops along the way. Go straight all the way and look out for a big neon light crab sign board on your right.

Pantai Seafood Restaurant

Lot 13575, Jalan Cempaka PJU 6A

Kg Sg Kayu Ara

Petaling Jaya

Tel No: 03 – 7725 5099/1099

#1 Chinese Festive Decoration at Home (the mini mandarin oranges are so sweet and juicy!)

#2 Cuteness Overload

#3 Angpow Giving Ceremony to Perak Thalassemia Society

#4 Ipoh Girls (@ Maria’s, Josephine’s Cafe & Friends’ Cafe)

#5 Assam House, Greentown (very nice halal Nyonya Food)

#6 Weng Seng, Gunung Rapat (my family’s favorite neighborhood restaurant)

#7 Homemade Turnip Pork Balls

#8 Fortune Cookies and Banana Agar Agar (sounds eccentric but nice!)

#9 Bai Tin Gong on the 9th Day of CNY

Happy Chinese New Year!

KampungBoyCityGal wish YOU a prosperous year ahead. Gong Xi Fatt Cai!

Picture from: www.corporategiftscompany.com

Growing up in a traditional Chinese family, winter solstice is a rather big festival attached with great importance. My mum has always been telling us that we’ll be one year older after finishing bowls of brightly coloured tang yuan, which symbolizes reunion. For me, it is supposed to be a time of gathering with families and friends for a heart warming dinner as such:

(From L to R)

Steamed White Chicken. Stir Fried Assorted Vegetables. Braised Mushroom & Chicken Feet. Pan Fried Prawns. Siu Yoke & Char Siu. Sea Cucumber Soup with Cabbage, Fish Balls & Pork Balls.

There’s nothing as blissful as looking around the table and seeing faces you love and serving them good food.

Happy Winter Solstice everyone!

Yes, we had a not so romantic v-day celebration this year because it coincides with the eight day of Chinese New Year (bai tin gong). Nevertheles, KampungBoy enjoyed himself tremendously for taking part in such ceremony for the very first time while I had so much fun meeting my friends and relatives. Our place is crowded by friends and relatives, chatting away or trying on their luck on a game or two while waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

I can still recall the story behind BaiTinGong vividly – During the Song Dynasty (Mongols), a massive massacre happened to the clans in Southern China (Fujian, Henan, etc) because the clans are seen as a threat to Mongols’ kingdom. The Hokkiens ran for their life and they hide themselves under clusters of sugarcane. After days of locating them but no avail, the Mongols left. It was the dawn of the ninth day of CNY. So, the Hokkiens believe that their life and prosperity are granted by the heavenly god (tian gong) and sugarcane plants are their refuge. Up to today, the Hokkiens still regard the ninth day of CNY as a significant day and a pair of sugarcane that resemble unity and strength was placed on both side of the offering table main gate.

Paper piles that will be burned after the prayers ritual

Sugar tower

Roasted pig

Did you watch the Digi Feng Sui Master advertisement? Hoping that every corner of our house will be a “hou wong” (very yellow) spot, my dad came out with a somewhat quirky idea that whoever who turn up in yellow outfit will stand a chance to win cash prizes. My mum was one of the people who wore yellow that night too!

Today marks the seventh day of Chinese New Year, which is the common man’s birthday in Chinese believe too. I would like to extend my warmest wishes to all of you, Happy Birthday!!

What is greater than Yee Sang (raw fish salad) to celebrate our mutual birthday? Toss the colourful salad higher and say Lo Hei at the same time to usher in prosperity and abundance for the year of RAT!

On the first day of Chinese New Year, we would wake up earlier despite staying up late the night before. It is a tradition in my family to lit joss sticks and gave lavish offerings to our god and ancestors, hoping that they would grant us a better year. Bear in mind that sweeping floor is a taboo on the first day, as the elderly believes that it will sweep all the good fortune away.

My siblings and I are always enthusiastic to wear something in red and to visit relatives to extend our loud and auspicious New Year’s greetings such as ???? (Gong Xi Fa Cai) but it is always followed by ???? (Ang Pow Bagi). Grin

This year, we were invited to witness one of the most spectacular sights during Chinese New Year; it’s a performance by a champion lion dance troupe from Johor. The drum rhythmic patterns are closely tied to the feline and agile movement of the lion. My parents never missed a single opportunity to take a picture with their most favorite people ( or god?) in the whole wide world too.

On the second day of Chinese New Year, traditionally married daughter will go home to visit their birth parents. However, this year my family has decided to visit the maternal side of our family another time where the traffic congestion would ease up. At our Ipoh house, we performed a simple ‘Hoi Nin’ prayer and lunch, wishing that we will be blessed with good luck and prosperity in business.

My wonder-mum actually whipped up a feast for our simple “Hoi Nin” lunch. Almost every dish has a symboli meaning and auspicious to ensure a prosporous New Year!

Steamed Whole Chicken – It symbolizes completeness and prosperity

My parents believe that having Siu Yuk (Roasted Pork) that was offered to our god and ancestors earlier will bring us luck.

Wang Choi Jau Sau (windfall profit with little effort) with Fat Choy Ho See (getting rich and good things happen). Pork trotters are braised together with dried black moss, dried oyster and mushroom for long hours until the trotters turn soft and chewy.

Nin Nin Yao Yu – Fish actually represents abundance or having more than enough to spend. Towards the end of the dinner, some part of the fish are left untouched to represent the meaning.

Ha Ha Dai Siu – I’m pretty sure that everyone knows that. Prawns in Cantonese (ha) sounds like laughter which is why prawns represent happiness.

Days before Chinese New Year, my family would give the house a thorough cleansing and “makeover” to sweep away all the bad luck and make way for good luck for a new year. My mum loves to decorate the living hall with paper cutouts of zodiac of the year and upside down “fu” that symbolize luck of fortune has arrived. Various food and offerings are put up at the altar of god and ancestor as appreciation for their blessings.

Here comes the fun part, Chinese New Year cookies/snacks making. My siblings and I will help mum out in whipping out goodies; from deep frying crab filament sticks, arrowhead crisps and chicken floss spring roll to baking goods like almond cookies and groundnut cookies. Of course, some cookies that is pain stakingly tedious such as kueh kapit (love letters) and chicken flavour biscuit (gai zai beng) are bought.

The most important part of would be the New Year Eve cum reunion dinner among our families. My parents are so going to kill me if I’m absent from any of these dinners. Family members would gather around a round table, having the obligatory steamboat and a beer or two. Steamboat is less hassle to prepare where all various ingredients such as sliced meat, sea cucumber, fish ball, jelly fish, leafy greens and tofu are cooked in a simmering broth. To some people dismay, the leftover are use for some stir fry dish on the next day.

After the dinner, we often stays till the wee hour, as it was long believed that by doing so our parents would live a longer life. In return, our parents would give us some age suppressing money (ya sui chien) to be placed under the pillow to signify infinity good luck.Stay tuned for more Chinese New Year posting, then you’ll be able to understand the sudden bloatedness in me.

Daisy Mocha Cookies (Recipe from Agnes Chang’s I Can Bake)

A:200g butter/margarine, 120g castor sugar, 1 eggyolk, 1 1/2 tsp coffee paste

B:420g plain flour, sifted, 60g chocolate rice

1. Cream ingredient A in a mixer till well combined.
2. Mix in ingredient B and form into a dough.
3. Place the dough in between 2 layers of grease proof paper and roll it to 3mm thick. Cut with cookie cutter and arrange them on a greased tray. Decorate with chocolate chip.
4. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180C for about 15-20 minutes. Cool on rack before storing.

Special Melting Moments (Recipe from Agnes Chang’s I Can Bake)

Ingredients:
200g butter/margarine
80g icing sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla essence
¼ tsp salt
120g self raising flour, sifted
120g corn flour, sifted

1. Cream butter, icing sugar, vanilla essence and salt till just combined.
2. Add self raising flour, corn flour and mix into a soft dough
3. Spoon mixture into a piping bag fitted with a big star nozzle. Pip into a greased baking tray to form the shape of a rosette.
4. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170C for 15-20 minutes.
5. Cool on rack, sprinkle some icing sugar or chocolate chips if desired.
6. Store in air tight container before serving.

It was raining cats and dogs, and we actually braved the traffic snarl from KL to Kota Damansara because we knew that the dinner hosted by Chef Steven is going to be a reward for all the hassles gone through.

Double Happiness “Seong Hei Lam Mun” (RM 13 per 100gram) is served in a jiffy because everyone was famished by then. When it came we were pleased with the presentation of the dish: the re-assembled lobster, tail inverted, with the flesh sashimi-ed to be eaten is served on a bed of ice. The translucent chunks are so sweet and crunchy, especially after seconds of boiling in the superior soup. All of us enjoyed it immensely.

Later in the meal, the head, is served ala braised yee mee style. It was another stunning sensation because the broth is surprisingly sweet and the yee mee is done perfectly, not too soggy and not too hard.

Eight Treasured Duck (RM 80). According to Chef Steven, the duck is marinated and braised until fork tender, then glazed in its own simmering sauce. A deft cut from the cleaver revealed the outburst of ingredients such as chestnuts, chinese mushrooms, button mushrooms, carrots, chinese sausages, lotus seeds, ginkgo and wood fungus.

Boneless Fish with Meat Paste (RM 18). The chef painstakingly deskins and debones the fish, chopped the flesh into slivers, reassembled the glue-ish slivers and sheets of thin fish skin to the fish head. I’ve tried the same boneless fish at Ah Lit and Banting’s Beggars Chicken place, I think that mei chi xuan’s version flares well.

Dried Oyster with Stuffing “Hou See Fatt Choy” (RM 50). Another surprise of the evening. The rich mouth-feel of the sauce with the bouncy fish paste with strains of black moss, slightly gamy oysters is simply divine! It is always startling to discover that dried oyster (hou see) and black moss (fatt choy) is match made in heaven. Hou see is usually spotted whenever fatt choy is around, vice versa.

Salt and Pepper Fish Baits, Pak Fan Yu (RM 20). Whitebaits dressed in light batter, are deep fried and served over a light seasoning of salt and pepper. It was too bland for my taste bud though, would prefer a heavy seasoning of salt and pepper.

Fried Potato with XO Sauce (RM 15). Being the carb lover, I enjoyed the texture of crunchy stir fried potatoes and the flavor of the XO sauce.

Pumpkin with Tofu “Wong Gum Moon Ngok” (RM 20) is definitely something light to end the day. The golden-brown concoction of pumpkin goes well with their home made silky smooth tofu.

Dear bulging tummy, I’m so sorry, the tofu is not the end yet! It was very thoughtful of BBO to bring us some Lychee and Chestnut Light Cheese Cake, and I just can’t say NO to desserts. Please allow me some space, will ya?

And so, the night ends with a beautiful rendition of birthday song for Christine and some sharing session with Chef Steven.

What makes the menu so interesting is the way the new dishes all emphasize texture and the contextually auspicious name. When is better then, to have the auspicious food for Chinese New Year? Do make a reservation in advance for the Chinese New Year menu.

Restaurant Mei Chi Xuan
No. 32A1, Jalan 5/10,
PJU 5 Dataran Sunway,
Kota Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.

Tel: 03-61416122
H/P: 016-2783089 (Steven)

Read Also: First Visit & Second Visit

The ninth day of Chinese New Year is a significant day for the Hokkiens, it is a day of gratitude for their ancestors’ relive. I still remember the story that my primary school teacher told me vividly.

Long time ago, some intruders invade the Hokkien province and when they ask the locals what is their origins, they answered “Hok-Kien-Lang”. The intruders misinterpreted it as LANG (wolf) and thus a massive massacre began. The locals run for their life and they hide themselves under the clusters of sugarcane. As soon as the intruders has gone far, the locals came out from the clusters, and it is on the dawn of the ninth day of CNY. So, the Hokkiens believe that our life and prosperity are granted by the heavenly god (tian gong).

My Hakka family beholds the belief too. So on the eighth day of CNY, friends and relatives are invited to our house to join us for the prayer.

Fruits, Ang Ku Kueh, Huat Kueh, Mi Ku, roasted chickens, roasted ducks, and roasted pork in whole are arranged accordingly on tables wrapped in red colored paper. My mum cooked some curry chicken and char bee hoon for the guests. Last but not least, Hakkas must have yeong tofu so we ordered 200 pieces of it from the famous Dai Shu Geok. Everyone pray to Tian Gong and wish that their business will be prosperous in the coming year.

Home made agar agar in coconut and pandan flavour is finishing real fast! I love those mould in assorted flowers and fruits design.

Ops! A mild open burning is going on. It’s a tradition for the family members to fold the paper gold ingots (yuen bao) and burn it as a way to send cash to your ancestors or god.

Youngest Sis and Cute Little God Brother