Dodo Dim Sum & Bowls [Halal] @ Subang Parade

Guess what happens when you crave for steaming hot dim sum while your friends are asking you out for a Thai feast instead? Don't worry, now you can enjoy the best of both worlds at Dodo Dim Sum & Bowls!

Located in Subang Parade, Dodo brings us a whole new concept that I personally have not heard of.-- the first multicultural restaurant in Malaysia specialising in handcrafted dim sum and Thai street food including the famous boat noodles. It is my first time having dim sum together with Thai dishes, and I am excited for it!

[Cheap Eats] Customise Your Own Pasta @ Palate, SS15, PJ

No doubt the cafe food in KL/PJ is getting increasingly expensive, but this is definitely not the case in Palate because Palate serves pasta at as low as only RM5 per bowl! Where else can you find such a good deal in Subang area?

Yes, you hear me right. Palate features a simple, fuss-free menu that allows us to “mix and match” without blowing our budget. Just order a basic pasta / rice, then add on your favourite toppings which are priced from RM1 to RM6 per item.

BASICS

❤ Fried Rice / Aglio Olio (RM5)

❤ Carbonara / Bolognese (RM6)

ADD-ONS

+ Spicy Flavour (RM0.50)

+ Fried Egg (RM1.00)

+ Mushroom (RM1.00)

+ Chicken Sausage (RM1.20)

+ Mussels (2 pieces) (RM1.20)

+ Baby Squid (3 pieces) (RM1.20)

+ Chicken (RM2.00)

+ Crispy Chicken Ham (RM2.00)

+ Cheese (RM3.00)

+ Tiger Prawns (3 pieces) (RM6.00)

Aglio Olio + Prawns (RM11.00)

Among the varieties of pasta, my personal favourite goes to the aglio olio which gives a nice spicy kick without being overly greasy to my liking. As for the customised toppings, I think it is a very good idea because you can truly have your say in what you really want to eat. Plus, simple comfort food like this is great when the wallet is tight. 

Carbonara + Crispy Ham + Mushroom (RM9.50)

Bolognese + Baby Squid + Mussels (RM8.40)

Sambal Cheese Chicken (RM17.00)

Palate's menu goes beyond the wholesome pasta. Among the wide variety of main courses, snacks, desserts and beverages that are equally friendly to the wallet, my top favourite is the spicy cheese chicken served with rice, vegetables and egg. 

Each piece of the tender chicken breast is well coated with creamy spicy-sweet sauce, and most importantly it is super cheesy! Highly recommended!

French Croissant (RM6.00)

Light eaters have plenty of food options here too, how about having a buttery croissant with homemade strawberry jam and butter? Another thing to highlight here is, the chef actually makes the strawberry jam from scratch! Try it out and I bet you'll love it :)

Potato Pockets (5 pieces) (RM10.00)

Another unique snack specially created by the chef is the crispy hot potato pockets filled with mashed potato and served with homemade romesco sauce. Ultra light and crisp on the outside, the mash filling is soft and creamy. Be warned, this is pretty addictive! 

DESSERTS

Homemade Gula Melaka Ice Cream with Cornflakes (RM8.00)

Speaking of homemade offerings, there are more from the dessert menu! It impresses me when I was told that the Gula Melaka and Nutella ice creams here are also made from scratch. I can't decide which is better, because both strike the right level of sweetness without being overcloying.

Deep Fried Oreo Cookies with Homemade Nutella Ice Cream (RM12.00)

And this is my first time having deep-fried Oreo cookies which turns out to be a pleasant surprise,

all thanks to its crispy outer shell and sweet cream inside. Unique and interesting!

BEVERAGES

Pear Milk (RM6.00) / Raspberry Latte (RM10.00)

I would say Palate is a hidden gem when it comes to unique beverages! To be honest, I wouldn't have expected that it actually has so many interesting drinks on the menu. For instance, the flavoured latte is available in various flavours such as rose, coconut, hazelnut, raspberry and strawberry.

Grapefruit Iced Tea (RM12.00)

Look at the foamy layer of this drink, it does look like a glass of champagne, isn't it? It is great to have this bubbly sweet handcrafted iced tea served in champagne glass as a sweet endnote of the meal. 

Love Potion No. 9 (RM11.00)

Surprise comes one after another. If you love something refreshing, try the handcrafted sodas infused with various fruits such as apple, strawberry, pear, mango, pineapple and passionfruit. Mine is a tangy concoction of kaffir and pea flower that turns purple after adding the lemon puree; Isn't it pretty?

Ambiance wise, Palate's simple and warm interior makes it a cosy hangout place for friends and families.

I don't mind spending hours here with my work while enjoying the yummy treats.

Location wise, it is just a few doors away from Cosans Coffee. Parking here is ample, or alternatively you can take the LRT to SS15 station and take a short 10-minute walk to reach Palate. 

Verdict:

1. Palate is an underrated eatery that serves good quality pasta at really affordable prices, and also a hidden gem for unique eats. Here you can always enjoy good food within your budget.

2. Recommended: Aglio Olio, Sambal Cheese Chicken, Raspberry Latte, Gula Melaka Ice Cream

Palate
48, Jalan SS15/4,
47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor.
Contact: +6011-3987 9961
Facebook: fb.com/PalateMY
Instagram: @Palate.MY
Business Hours: 11.30am - 10pm
Closed on Wednesdays

Chicken Up: "Best Korean Fried Chicken in Singapore" is Here in SS15, Subang Jaya

When we first heard that the “Best Korean Fried Chicken in Singapore” has just landed in Malaysia, we know we gotta check it out!

Chicken Up, a Korean Fried Chicken chain restaurant from Singapore has recently opened its doors in the heart of Subang Jaya, right next to SS15 Courtyard mall. We are surprised to see long queues here since noon till late evening, so what are exactly in Chicken Up that keep customers flooding the restaurant?

The casual interior exudes warmth and comfort for families and friends to hang out anytime here.

The menu is quite extensive, as it offers a wide variety of traditional and contemporary Korean food which we all love. But being first timers here, we just go for the Top 12 Best-selling Food on the menu. Let’s check them out one by one…

Number 1 Must-try Item: Chicken Up Signature Fried Chicken

Ganjang Soya Signature Chicken Wings (4 pieces) @ RM18

The No.1 Signature dish here is the Ganjang Soya Chicken Wings – 4 pieces of crisp deep fried chicken wings dipped in Chicken Up’s special soya sauce. Well-marinated, well-flavoured, juicy, aromatic yet not too salty. No wonder it bags the title of being the “Best Korean Fried Chicken in Singapore”!

Also available in 3 other flavours – Original Crispy (Most basic, simplest flavour), Yangnyum (Sweet and spicy) and Spicy Yangnyum (Hot and spicy) – I’m sure you’d find something that suits your palate.

Yangnyum UP Mega Half Chicken (4 pieces) @ RM28

Those who are feeling peckish may opt for the Mega Half Chicken – a fresh half chicken marinated for over 12 hours and nicely portioned into 4 huge pieces before being cooked with different sauces. To have a feel of the Korean sweet sensation, we opt for the thick, non-spicy Yangnyum sauce.

The sauce coats every bit of the chicken perfectly with sweet flavours!

The resulting taste? A tad sweet for my liking, and it would taste better with a more sticky sweet sauce and more crisp exterior of the chicken.

If you’d love to explore the senses, it also comes in 5 different flavours (Spicy, Original Crispy, Ganjang Soya Sauce, Yangnyum and Spicy Yangnyum).

Bulgogi Fries @ RM26

If you’re not a huge fan of chickens, perhaps you can share the simple Bulgogi Fries with your dining partners. It is a plate of crisp fries loaded with thick chunks of soy-marinated bulgogi beef, onions and spring onions. Being a very popular snack in Korea, I must say, the rich and savoury flavour of Bulgogi Fries is pretty addictive! But remember to eat it quickly before it turns cold / soggy.

Yangpa Bomb @ RM18

Something new that I can find in Chicken Up is the Yangpa Bomb – two crispy golden onion petals served with whipping cream and cheese dipping sauce. Imagine how much effort is made to create a “flower-shaped onion”? Honestly I’m impressed!

Texture wise, it is pretty similar to the fries – Crisp and addictive! But the onion lends a delicious sweet flavour which contrasts well with the savoury sauces. Overall, it is an interesting option for communal sharing.

Snow Squid Topokki @ RM68

Surprise comes one after another. When the sharing platter of spicy Snow Squid Topokki is served, we are totally blown by its beautiful presentation...

Look at the whole deep-fried squid sitting at the centre on a bed of topokki and spicy sauce.

On the ring, we are overwhelmed by the huge amount of kimchi fried rice, delectable seasoned eggs, cream cheese and buttered corn. Be warned that the portion is seriously huge; Recommended for 3-4 pax.

The waiter will then cut the whole squid into smaller pieces and turn on the fire to allow the sauce to boil along with the sides along the ring.

As soon as the egg starts to get cooked, the waiter will quickly stir the egg so that it doesn’t harden.

Special mention about the excellent service level here – I find it pretty good despite of the huge crowd as the waitpersons are well-verse with their own dishes, attentive and chatty too.

As soon as the topokki boils, the spicy sweet flavours of the sauce are well-infused into the squid, creating a fiery sensation upon each crunchy bite of the squid. We also love the chewy soft rice cake, fish cake and vegetable drenched in the sauce, although they can fill our tummy rather quickly.

If you find it too spicy, take a dip into the creamy “snow cheese” to tone down the spiciness.

Melon Bingsu @ RM38

As for the sweet ending of our meal, it is the imported Australian Melon Bingsu that you shouldn’t miss! What’s better than having a refreshing, cooling, and irresistibly sweet treat after a spicy hot meal?

Apart from the crunchy sweet melon balls, I am in love with the creamy milk ice base. Specially made of condensed milk, I find that the shaved ice is smoother and milkier than usual. Delicious!

*Good news for birthday peeps! Enjoy a Signature Melon Bingsu FOR FREE

during your birthday with a minimum spend on RM300 per table.

Oreo Bingsu @ RM28

For those with sweet tooth, Oreo Bingsu is a great option too, if not the Watermelon Bingsu (RM28).

Strawberry Soda and Blue Lime Soda @ RM13 each

We are excited about the unique beverages here as well, both the alcoholic option – Watermelon Soju – and also non-alcoholic ones – “Lightbulb drinks” filled with soda, juice or smoothie. Ours are of Strawberry and Blue Lime flavours; both equally zesty and thirst-quenching. Did I forget to mention that you can bring home the lightbulb bottle too?

Verdict:

1. Overall, it is a family-friendly restaurant for delicious Korean chicken dishes. Great location, interesting modern Korean dining concept, huge portion, and reasonable price. 

*Do expect an average spending per pax of RM50 or more.

2. Revisit? Yes! I’d definitely be back to try out other recommended ala carte items such as the hearty Ugly Tang, Seafood Spicy Noodle, Mama's Ginseng Chicken Soup and more.

3. Recommended: Ganjang Soya Sauce Chicken Wings, Snow Squid Topokki, Melon Bingsu

Chicken Up Subang Jaya
No.7, 7-1, 7-2 Jalan SS15/4E,
57500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor.
Contact No : 017-5779377
Website: www.chicken-up.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Chicken-Up-Subang-Jaya
Instagram: instagram.com/chickenupmy
Business Hour: 11:30am - 12:00am daily (Last order 11.00pm)

Big Hug Burger @ SS15, Subang Jaya

Of late, the popular burger scene in KL/PJ seems to be taken over by various new food trends, but Malaysians' obsession towards real, good burger has never died.  Specializing in crafting homemade burgers and pastas in various unique flavours, Big Hug is a cafe-like burger joint that you should check out if you are in the vicinity of SS15!

For the past 2.5 years, Big Hug Burger has been a popular hangout place among youth and families with kids because the outlet is cosy, comfortable and most importantly, family-friendly. Don't forget to take picture with the iconic huge teddies there! 

No doubt it attracts huge crowd of students everyday, but  there are also plenty of families coming from the neighbouring areas. Hence, Big Hug has created a kids play corner to keep your little ones entertained while you are waiting for your meal. 

At the other corner of the restaurant where the open kitchen is located, you can observe how every component of your burger is being prepared. Don't worry about the smoky smell or stickiness, as Big Hug manages to keep the area well-ventilated. 

Big Hug Burger XXL @ RM20 (Ala Carte) / RM27 (Combo)

Despite of the rising cost, the burgers at Big Hug remain a real treat. For only RM20, you can get a jumbo sized burger of 15cm diameter loaded with large crispy chicken chop, melted cheddar cheese, pineapple slices and vegetables. You can just top up a little more for a side of thick cut fries and bottomless (Yes, refillable!) soft drink. 

Just a self-portrait to show how H-U-G-E is the burger!

The secret sauce is the killer component of the burger! Tangy, peppery and savoury, the homemade sauce reminds me of cheesy Twisties snack. It pairs surprisingly well with the rest of the ingredients, and keeps me going for more! I'd wish I can ask for this secret sauce as an extra dip for my fries. 

Nacho Nacho's Beef Burger @ RM23 (Ala Carte) / RM30 (Combo)

Next up is another special creation that replaces the homemade sesame buns with two thick slabs of breaded mozzarella cheese. Layered between them is the thick Australian beef patty which I find it remarkably moist and soft, allowing each bite to burst with juicy goodness. For the best enjoyment, just dip it into the cheesy bolognese sauce and let it melt in the mouth!

SO CHEESY!

For our combo meal, we switch the fries with a grilled jumbo chicken sausage generously drizzled with cheese and mayonnaise. This generous meaty combination can easily fill our stomach to the brim! 

OMG Pasta with Soft Shell Crab @ RM22.90 (Ala Carte) / RM29.90 (Combo)

Many may not know that Big Hug Burger also serves wide varieties of pasta including Tom Yam Pasta and Satay Pasta! Latest on the menu is the double soft shell crab pasta with house specialty creamy salted egg yolk sauce, topped with ebikko and curry leaves. 

As the name suggests, it's actually "Oh My Golden Pasta" because of the salted egg yolk sauce, and I am totally blown by this amazing dish! It pairs surprisingly well with the well-marinated seafood and homemade al dente fettuccine, neither too salty nor mild. The creaminess hits nicely just at the right consistency, without being too heavy for one. 

Quattro Mushroom Pasta @ RM18 (Ala Carte) / RM25 (Combo)

For vegans, Big Hug Burger has gotten you covered. Presentation wise, the mushroom pasta is very interesting as it comes with self-produced charcoal and original noodles and is then topped with both sauteed and deep-fried mushrooms.

Aromatic chilli garlic sauce and crunchy mushrooms make a great combination and it is best savoured while hot.

Apart from the quirky warm ambiance, the reason I should revisit this restaurant is to try out the rest of the exotic burger flavours such as Nasi Lemak Burger, Satay Burger and loads more unique seasonal items! 

Verdict:

1. The burgers and pasta are of great value for money, considering the great taste, generous portion and use of good quality ingredients.

2. I truly appreciate the effort for making the sauces, patty, buns and even the pasta noodles from scratch! They all combine into distinctive tastes that you can't find elsewhere! 

3. Recommended: Big Hug Burger, OMG Pasta with Soft Shell Crab 

4. Revisit? Definitely a YES! I'd love to try the rest of the unique items on the menu.

Big Hug Burger 
CT-G-03, Subang Square Corporate Tower,
Jalan SS15/4G,
Subang Jaya,
47500 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Contact: 603-5613 4788
Email: bighugburgers@gmail.com
Facebook: fb.com/BigHugBurgers
Instagram: @BigHugBurger

Business Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12noon-4pm, 6pm-10.30pm
Sun: 5pm-10.30pm