Bulgogi Brothers (Korean BBQ) @ Paradigm Mall, Malaysia

Bulgogi Brothers is now open in Malaysia..

Bulgogi Brothers is a Korean casual dining restaurant in Koreaknown for its signature traditional Korean dish, Bulgogi or "fire meat". The first Bulgogi Brothers restaurant opened in Gang-Nam, south of Seoul in 2006. Now, the restaurant has over 35 outlets in South Korea, including one in Canada and 3 in Phillipines. In April 2012, Bulgogi Brothers was awarded by the prestigious National Brands Award for Best Korean Restaurant.

Bulgogi Brothers is a regular haunt among Korean celebrities and is known for its authentic Korean cuisine prepared by renowned Executive Chef Changbu Jeong . Among Chef Jeong's signature dishes are Hobak Juk (pumpkin soup), Sogogi Naengchae (cold salad with barbeque beef), Seoulsik Bulgogi (beef Bulgogi dish with vegetables), various Korean desserts and Bulgogi's signature drinks - the Black Raspberry Ade and Plum Ade.

Now, Malaysians too can get a taste of Bulgogi Brothers as they are set to open their doors to the public at 6pm on 11th August 2012! Their first outlet is at Paradigm Mall in Kelana Jaya. There will be other outlets opening at Pavilion KL (29 August), e@Curve (Sept) and MidValley Megamall (Nov).

Located right next to TGI. Fridays

Contemporary decor

Bokbunjajoo (RM58.50) - sweet red wine made from Korean black raspberries

1.6 million tonnes of kimchi consumed every year in Korea (approx. weight of 5 Petronas Towers)..

We were invited to a sneak preview of its menu yesterday at Paradigm Mall. However, please note that we did not try all the dishes shown in! this bl ogpost as there was not enough food to go around. I will only comment on the dishes that I have tried.

Complimentary oksusu cha (corn tea)

Complimentary ban chan - so sad that I did not even get to try the kimchi here

Korean kimchi

Complimentary corn, sugar snap peas and sweet potato - I think the corn has been boiled in vinegar water.

Haemul Doenjang Jjigae (RM26.90) - slow cooked doenjang broth or soybean stew with shrimps, soft shell crab and vegetables - didn't try so no comment

It does look very good though

After photos, it was taken to the kitchen to cook and then served

Janchi guksu (RM17.90) - known as "party noodles" in Korean as it is usually eaten during special occasions such as wedding and birthdays, served with seafood broth and garnished with lots of vegetables - I liked this however it was cold when we ate it.

Bulgogi bibimbap (RM29.90) - combination of beef and vegetables, served on top of rice and special spicy sauce. The spicy sauce is served separately so you can decide how spicy you want it to be. This was very good, the portion I got had the crispy bits from the bottom of the bowl so it was nice and crunchy. Beef is very flavorful.

Never burp alone..

Bulgogi Brothers Special (RM81.90 for 400g, RM121.90 for 600g) - the beef used here is Australian beef. This platter is a combination of Unyang and Gwangyang-style bulgogi. The Unyang-sik bulgogi is a considered royal cuisine and made in heart-shape, said to be very popular with couples in Korea. The Gwangyang-sik bulgogi is thinly sliced seasoned beef served with leeks, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and onions. These will be grilled tableside by the server as each table is equipped with a customized induction cooker. I managed to try a little of both, and preferred the Gwangyang-sik bulgogi, however I guess if I was going on a date with Hubby, the heart-shaped one would be pretty sweet ;P

Sizzle, sizzle

Yukhoe (RM45.90) - julienned raw beef marinated in a mixture of chillies, served with fresh pears and cucumber - no comment cos didn't try :(

Seoulsik Bulgogi (RM52.90) - beef marinated in their special bulgogi sauce made with apple and pear, served with glass noodles, enoki mushrooms, leeks and onions - this was my favorite dish, very nicely marinated and also possibly cos it was still hot when served to us.

Haemul pajeon (RM27.90) - Korean style pancake with seafood and green onions - didn't try so no comment

Soji-to (RM14.90) - the popular Mojito is given a Korean twist, made with soju instead of rum - didn't try so no comment.

Makguli cocktail (RM27.90) - sweet and milky makguli (rice wine) mixed with strawberry or pineapple liqeur - didn't try so no comment.

Full menu can be viewed on my Facebook page here, as well as full set of photos.

Opening times: 11am to 11pm.

Pork-free.

Location: Bulgogi Brothers, GB13 & 13A, Ground Floor, Paradigm Mall, 1, Jalan Kelana SS7/26A, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Website:http://www.bulgogibros.com.my/

Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/BulgogiBrosMalaysia

Dim Sum at Dragon Gate Dim Sum Restaurant, Kota Damansara

I would love it if all of you could share with me your favourite dim sum joints, as I do love my dim sum and its something that I can eat everyday if time permits!
A favourite of many is the one at Jalan Ipoh, which frankly I wont eat there even if you pay me to.
Another is the chain of Jin Xuan and Hong Kee. I find Jin Xuan Ok but rated a No-no for Hong Kee.

Surprisingly I have not tried many of the dim sum in the hotels, though I reviewed a lot of hotel buffets, CNY dinners and F & B promotions. Im getting a Starwood card soon, and that should cover some of the hotels I that I planned to sample for their dim sum!

I have no idea where to head to for my weekend dim sum fix this morning. But last week, by popular suggestion, this Dragon Gate outlet was recommended by a few friends. Intrigued, I headed over to test it out myself.

I like the large, spacious outlet and the outdoor dining space immediately. We were served pretty quick, but do note that I was pretty early as well; turning up at about 8.30am.

As per the usual, a fella came around with a huge tray stacked with containers of piping hot dim sum. I chose the regular favourites of char siew pau, siew mai, fishballs, prawn dumplings with scallops and a bowl of porridge. Everything was within the price range of RM4.00 RM6.00. Not too expensive but not exactly cheap either.

The siew mai with salted egg was alright, and the same verdict goes for the char siew pau (BBQ Pork buns) and the prawn dumplings. The dim sum here falls in the category of Ok, decent. can eat, cant complain but not particularly memorable category. The Garlic Pepper Fish Balls was something I would recommend though; bouncy andimbued with realflavour of fish.

The porridge was good; smooth and flavoursome with no added seasoning required.

Im a char siew pau addict and although this wasnt perfect, it was close. It just needed a bit less fat, tone down on the sweetness level and more meat.

I should make my own BBQ Pork Buns. Hmmfood for thought.

This was something that a fellow foodie Jason recommended. The Shanghai Rice Sheets fried with Shrimps. RM6.00. He advised us to eat it when its hot as the sheets clumps up once it cooled down.

It was something of a novelty and definitely wo! rth orde ring if youre here.

Next was the Siew Loong Pau or Xiao Long Bao- Shanghainese Meat Dumplings. It took forever (about 5 reminders and 40 minutes) to arrive at our table. If it was my order I would have thrown a fit but since it wasnt (Im not a fan of siew loong pau unless theres foie gras inside- just like the ones I had at Sky on 57 by Justin Quek in Marina Bay Sands :P) I occupied myself with the other items on the table and figured that if it still wasnt served by the time Im done, then we will just leave without sampling it.

Good? Ermm.. I dont think so. It was too salty for me but I concur with my breakfast partner that the broth within did boast of a hearty and rich flavour.

So will I return?
Maybe. And if I do it would be for theBacon Rolls with Honey Sauce,Spinach Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun andSweet Potatoes and Yam Cake. Time to sample some of their less ordinary items!

Dragon Gate Dim Sum Restaurant,
1-1, Jalan PJU 5/3,

Dataran Sunway,
47810 Kota Damansara
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel No : +6017-626 7026

Hours:7am to 3pm daily.

Directions: (if youre coming from LDP)

Drive pass the turning into The Curve on your right. Go all the way straight andpass Palm Spring Condo. At the next traffic lights, turn right. This is where Giant looms ahead. Look on your left for the shoplots and you will see Dragon Gate. You cant possibly miss it unless youre still half-awake.

Asami BM Prawn Noodle Specialist @ Bukit Tengah, Penang

The notion that they are the Prawn Noodle Specialist was enough for me to try Asami a newly opened restaurant in Bukit Tengah. What makes it different from the normal hawker style prawn noodle would be the better dining environment and the option to add various additional toppings. But I should note that this concept is not new, as the prawn noodle stall of Old Green House at Burma Road has been doing this for years.

Both dry and soup version of prawn noodles are available here. The dry version seems to be more popular in BM compared to the rest of Penang and you could probably find it at other coffee shops in BM. I wont say the prawn noodle here is bad because I did finish everything. But the truth is, I expected better from the specialists.
The taste and quality of the soup are run of the mill and if I use Soon Lee as the yardstick, Asamis prawn noodle really paled in comparison in every aspect. Kudos to the fish balls and braised egg though, both were delicious and helped to make the noodle more enjoyable. As for the mantis prawn, my advice is to just skip it.

I know I am nitpicking, but it is all because they are the specialists!

Asami BM Prawn Noodle Specialist
No 7, Jalan Limau Manis 4
Taman Limau Manis
Bukit Tengah
14000, Bu! kit Mert ajam
Business hours: Mon Sun (7.30am to 5.30pm)