Soi 19 Thai Steamboat & BBQ @ Kuchai Lama, KL

Sawadeeka! ❤ It's time for Thai Hot Pot!

Woohoo, this is my first time trying Thai-style hot pot with classic Thai beer. Where can you find this in KL? It is right here at Soi 19 Thai Steamboat and BBQ Restaurant located in Kuchai Lama (right opposite Wisma FGA). 

From far, you would notice the brightly-lit red signage with two Thai restaurants located side by side. Both are under the same owner, serving a wide variety of Thai street food which means you don't have to travel to Bangkok for the authentic Thai flavours! 

*There are plenty of parking lots here. Soi 19 customers can enjoy RM4 flat parking rate upon ticket validation. 

The interior of Soi 19 is pretty simple and cosy, suitable for friends' gathering and family dining.

Soi 19 Lifestyle Moo-Kata has been recently awarded with the World Top Gourmet Award 2017, so how can we not try the food here right? Just a little background about Soi 19 -- Unlike other Thai eateries, Soi 19 focuses on serving the Central-Southern authentic Thai menu including the famous Jim-Jom (Thai Steamboat) and Mookata (Thai BBQ + Steamboat).  

Jim Jom (Pork Set) @ RM39.00

For first timers, you must try this Thai hot pot set that comes with 300g of sliced pork and mixed vegetables. Served boiling in the hot pot, the clear broth exudes a very fresh herbal aroma as it is cooked using several herbs such as galangal, sweet basil, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. 

When added with meat and other ingredients such as seafood, the flavour of the soup develops into something sweeter and deeper in taste. Despite of using only simple, staple ingredients, it actually tastes very good and comforting in the stomach. 

Remember to mix the pork slices with egg before putting into the hot pot, for a smoother meat texture.

Personally, I find that the broth tastes incredibly good with vegetables and pork alone.

But if you want to enhance the sweetness in it, you may add some seafood too.

I am surprised that Chang beer actually makes the broth more flavourful, sweeter and smoother.

Highly recommended!

Don't forget to dip the condiments with the 3 homemade chilli sauces too.

My favourite is the green one, which is extra spicy with a bursting tang form the lime zest.

Pork Bone Soup @ RM19.90

Fans of hot pot may also try this Pork Bone Broth, infused with equally great amount of Thai fresh herbs i.e. the basil leaves.

For richer flavours, you can add more herbs, chilli for an extra fiery kick,

or lime to add sweetness and tone down the spiciness.

Cockles @ RM16.90

Apart from the signature hot pots, Soi 19 also serves a huge variety of authentic Thai snacks, salad, rice and noodles. I don't usually take raw cockles but this is really juicy especially when dipped into the fiery hot chilli lime sauce. 

Thai Spring Roll @ RM9.90

The spring roll kinda reminds me of the homemade ones I had in Vietnam. But this is well-loaded with minced meat and fresh herbs that give a perfect balance of crunch and juiciness. Glad that the meat is very moist inside and pairs well with the condiments. 

Moo Sam Chan Tod @ RM9.90

Hog lovers must try this spicy 3-layer roasted pork! Unlike our traditional Chinese roast pork, this Thai version exudes an interesting sourish salty flavour that gets us hooked and keeps us reaching for more. Very addictive! 

Fried Pork Ribs @ RM9.90

My personal favourite is the deep-fried pork ribs that tastes similar to the Chinese style Nam Yu pork ribs. It tastes good on its own, but if you prefer a more balanced flavour, try wrapping the pork with lettuce, chilli, garlic and sauce. This way, it cuts through the saltiness perfectly well. 

Pad Thai @ RM12.90

After plates of snacks / finger food, here comes the remaining carb-loaded dishes. I am always a huge fan of traditional Thai-style fried noodles and I am glad that this actually hits the mark although it leans towards the sweeter side. Just mix the peanut, chilli flakes, beansprout and chives together and it is good to go. Simple but delicious! 

MAMA NOODLE SERIES

Do you know that Mama Noodle is another famous street food in Thailand especially during late nights? Whereas in Soi 19, you can enjoy the hearty Mama Noodles for lunch and dinner. Using the chewy Mama instant noodle as the base, there are several types of toppings and soup bases for you to choose from.

Mama Big Prawn Noodles @ RM10.90

In this large bowl of noodles, there is an abundance of solid chunks of fresh prawn, minced meat, hard boiled egg, fish ball and more. The spicy-savoury soup base tastes rather heavy for me, but overall it is a very hearty combination that can easily fuel the rest of your day.

Mama Seafood Noodles @ RM10.90

Mama BBQ Spicy Chicken Noodles @ RM8.90

Among the 5 types of Mama noodles, my personal favourite is the spicy BBQ chicken. The BBQ chicken is crisp at the edges and lean inside, exuding deliciously charred aroma. Taste wise, it is slightly sweet, reminding me of Thai Moo Ping. If you are going adventurous on your taste buds, try this! 

Mama Special Pork Noodles @ RM8.90

 Mama Bittergourd with Minced Pork Noodles @ RM8.90

For those who can't take spicy food, they also have original soup base to pair with the noodles. Interestingly, the bittergourd is stuffed with minced pork and glass noodles like our local Yong Tau Fu. Again, the soup falls on the more savoury side. 

Thai Sang @ RM39.90 

Last but not least, we have our very first Thai-style Lou Sang to usher the auspicious year of 2018! Composed of colorful condiments such as fresh vegetables, pork, crispy crackers, peanut and chilli, the prosperity toss tastes refreshing especially when drizzled with the special homemade sweet spicy sauce. Great for sharing for 6-8 pax. 

Here's the map to Soi 19 Kuchai Lama outlet.

If you find that Kuchai Lama is a little far for you, you can visit Nong Mai by Soi 19

located in Damansara Uptown to enjoy the same authentic Thai cuisine too.

Soi 19
15, Jalan 1A/114,
Off Jalan Kuchai Lama,
58200 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 017-699 0889
Facebook: fb.com/19.SOI

Business Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 5pm - 2.30am
Fri - Sun: 5pm - 3am

Nong Mai by Soi 19
54, Jalan SS21/58,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Contact: 017-888 6619
Facebook: fb.com/Nong-Mai-by-Soi-19

Business Hours:
Mon - Fri: 12pm - 2pm, 5.30pm - 1am
Sat - Sun: 5pm - 1.30am

Tery Pork Cafe @ Kuchai Lama

*wave* Hailing for all pork lovers! 

When the word 'pork' comes into my mind, it reminds me of expensive pork ribs and German pork knuckles. For more affordable choices, I totally have no idea until the foodies bring me over to Tery Pork Cafe.

Recently I have discovered this totally porky cafe, with surprisingly affordable price tags! Little sister to the Southgate Commercial Centre outlet, this Tery Pork branch at Kuchai Entreprenuer's Park retains its 'no-frills non-halal' personality as a cafe serving mainly PORK, with other chicken, fish and lamb options for non-pork partisans. 

Opened its door since early of year 2012, Tery Pork at Kuchai Lama is a double-storey outlet, with its brightly-lit ground floor ready to satisfy your pork craving on a casual dining. Whereas the upper storey plays a host for parties with karaoke singing facilities. 

To my surprise, a porky restaurant can have such an extensive menu, with flavours from the West and East, ranging from:

• Soup(汤类) 
• Salad Treat (前菜) 
• Local Delight (本地色彩) 
• Sandwiches & Burgers (三文治与汉堡) 
• Lunch Menu (午餐) - Only available at Southgate's outlet 
• Pasta (风味意粉) 
• Tery Chef Specialties (主厨特选) 
• Pizza(猪G皮萨) 
• Green Curry (青加哩) 
• Side Snack (零食) 
• Ice Blended (冰沙与饮料) 
• Fruits Tea (果茶)

#1 Freshly Green Salad with Sliced Pork Streaky 
(绿色菜蔬拼熏腩肉) @ RM10.90

The healthy salad comes with a choice of Goma (Sesame) Dressing or Balsamic Vinaigrette. More Japanese-inclined, we chose the former one and it tasted great for me as I paid attention on the little touches of tangy sweetness with the soft fatty pork streak. 

#2 Back Ribs 
(助骨排) @ RM35.00

If you'd love to taste on truly lean pork meat with minimal fat, the chef's signature back ribs would definitely top your choice. The ribs were nicely done with a superb smoky taste. The sauce, mash and veggies were nice additions. 

  #3 Baby Back Ribs 
(软助骨排) @ RM38.00

Both ribs are equally good, but if I were to choose the better one, I'd opt for baby back ribs as the meat is more tender, juicier and of better texture with some chewy soft bones. 

#4 Pork Shoulder Steak 
(猪颈肉扒) @ RM25.00

Served on a bed of crinkle cut French fries in black pepper gravy, the pork shoulder steak tasted as good as it looked. The meat was well-balanced between lean and slightly fat layers, all so fresh and well-cooked. It was even better to have chilli sauce and honey mustard dips to keep the flavours going.

#5 West East Sausages with Streaky Platter 
(东西煎肠一族) @ RM25.00

For the sausage platter, it is a fusion dish comprising of one smaller Asian sweet sausage and 2 huge sausages from the West--- one richer and more peppery than another. Thumbs up to the mashed potato which is smashed from a whole, creating a smooth texture with chunky bits in it. 

#6 Crispy Thin Pizza with Roasted Pork and Minced Meat 
(烧腩肉碎卜脆饼) @ RM9.90

For me, serving the thin crust pizza was thumbs up. It felt like I was having crispy crackers with savory pork stuffings. For those who go a little adventurous, you may try the spicy versions out of 6 types of pizza in the menu.

#7 Stone Bowl of Salted Fish and Belly Rice 
(锅旦花腩咸鱼饭) @ RM9.90

My first thought when this was served to me was how large the portion was! The hot stone bowl of rice had won hands down with its strong aroma wafting in the air and perfectly balanced flavours despite of using many rich-in-taste ingredients.

#8 Stone Bowl of Ginger Sausage Rice 

(锅旦腊肠姜饭) @ RM9.90

Very similar to Korean Bibimbap, the use of hot stone bowl was a refreshing change from the usual plate of Chinese sausage fried rice. Here the rice was soft and smooth when paired with raw egg, and went a little crusty at the bottom of the bowl.

#9 Ramen Braised Pork Shoulder Meat 
(猪颈嫩肉炆拉面) @ RM10.90

Next on the menu was the slices of braised pork shoulder, which was served on top of a bed of springy ramen, and garnished with fried onions, making for a delightful combination of textures. Again, the pork shoulder had stole the show with its chewy charred taste.

#10 Ramen with Braised Pork Rib and Bacon 
(加厚炆排卤熏肉片拉面) @ RM13.90

It was actually a Chinese-styled noodle dish which uses Chinese Hakka Mee, so thin and springy enough to tease your palate. But the rib and bacon were definitely a better option to shoulder meat, as it came with a crispy exterior and soft inside. 

#11 Pork Rib Rendang with Rice 
(冷当助排骨饭) @ RM11.90

For truly Malaysian dishes, you shouldn't miss the rib in creamy rendang curry, together with a sunny side-up egg, cracker, veggies and a bowlful of rice. I'd definitely appreciate a more generous helping of the rendang as it was merely a dollop to cover the pork. 

#12 Green Curry Pork Shoulder Ramen 
(猪颈肉碎青加哩拉面) @ RM9.90

The green curry was just acceptable as it was too peppery and pungent for my liking. However, the fresh pork shoulder did help it noticeably. 

#13 Pork Meatball Spaghetti 
(肉丸意通粉) @ RM12.90

No major complaints about this dish, but a richer and thicker tomato sauce could have livened it up. Nevertheless, I was satiated with the bouncy pork meatballs, so moist and tender. 

#14 Spaghetti with Pork Sweet Sausages 
(猪甜香肠意通粉) @ RM10.90 

In the non-spicy aglio olio style, the chef had created an unique combination of pasta and sweet Thai sausages, sprinkled with cheese powder. This was only good for people with a sweet tooth, or for sharing because the sweetness of the dish did slightly overwhelm your palate.

 #15 Chocolate Lava Cake

The cafe does not offer any dessert or pastry, but we were fortunate to have a small gathering with the owner, Mr. Fong, while indulging in this sinful molten lava cake.

 #16 Karaoke Facilities

Did I not mention that the second floor of this outlet boasts karaoke facilities in addition to a roomier space for birthday parties and small soirees?

#17 Left: Earl Grey Passion Fruits (百香果普洱茶) @ RM4.50

Right: Yam Taro Ice Blended (芋头冰沙) @ RM5.50

Besides freshly brewed coffee, Tery Pork also offers a wide array of fruity concoction. Both ice blended beverages are rich with real fruit flavour, so refreshing and chilling! Alternatively, beers are great for parties here.

#18 Back: 

(Left) Earl Grey Milk Tea (普洱奶茶) @ RM4.50

(Right) Blueberries Green Tea (蓝莓绿茶) @ RM4.50 

Front: Vanilla Dragon (龙果) @ RM5.50

 


Verdict:

1. I'm truly amazed with the fusion food here, cooked in Chinese methods while using Japanese condiments and finally presented in Western style. 

2. Recommended: Baby Back Ribs, Sausage Platter and Stone Bowl of Salted Fish and Belly Rice
3. Pricewise, you'd find value for money at Tery Pork, considering the high quality fresh pork used.


Tery Pork
No. 38, Jalan Kuchai Maju 10, 
Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, 
58200 Kuchai Lama, 
Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-7982 3188

Facebook: fb.com/Tery-Pork

Main Outlet
Tery Pork
C-1-6, Level 1, Block C 
Pusat Komersial Southgate 
No. 2, Jalan Dua, 
Off Jalan Chan Sow Lin, 
55200 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-9226 0216
(Comes with delivery service from Food Panda)