SS2 Food | SoloMen Cafe - Japanese Ramen Donburi Coffee Dessert Cafe

SS2 Food - SS2 is indeed a popular area for cafe hoppers which normally serves Pizza, Burgers and Pasta besides coffee and cakes but this recently open cafe, SoloMen Cafe in SS2 is rather unique in a way. Instead of serving these standard cafe dishes; SoloMen Cafe serves Japanese popular dishes.

SoloMen Cafe which is located at 16, Jalan SS2/24, Petaling Jaya, 47300 Selangor has its origin from the popular Ramen Tei Japanese Restaurant in Shah Alam which has a history of more than 20 years serving Japanese dishes. SoloMen Facebook

The Chef at the SoloMen Cafe has mastered the skills to make its own Ramen; that is consistent and have a chewy and springy texture. Not many Ramen shops make its' own Ramen as it is quite a tedious task but it ensures the consistent quality of the Ramen that it serves.

Solomen Cafe concept is a very Internet friendly cafe; besides having a fast Internet access, there are many power sockets which come equipped with USB charging enabling people to work in the cafe.

The first dish for our review is the Pan Fried Gyoza (RM11.90). I am not a real fan of Gyoza as I find that not many chefs have gotten the right balance in terms of the gyoza skin and its filling. At SoloMen, we were told that the Gyoza skin is in-house made too, while the filling has been marinated. So, if you just taste the Gyoza without any sauce; you will be able to taste its' natural flavour. At other restaurants, the sauce will come with sho-yu but here the concoction is made up of chilli oil, imported vinegar and sesame seed.

For fans of fried Japanese dishes; can order the Tonkatsu (RM20.90) which is a Deep Fried marinated Pork Chop with bread crumbs. The outer layer was fried to a crisp while the meat texture which was marinated was still juicy and went well with the sweet sesame sauce that came along.

One of the thing about SoloMen Cafe, their Japanese dishes has some Chinese influence in it as there are places in Japan which serve these dishes and our next dish which is Hoikoro (RM16.90) is one such dish. This dish looks like the Chinese stir fried vegetables with sliced pork but instead of using oyster sauce which the Chinese do, it is using a miso paste. The miso taste is not very strong but does blend in with the condiments. Best eaten with a bowl of white rice which you can order.

After our side orders, we move on to the Ramen, here we got an opportunity to taste 3 Ramen; the first which to me was the best was the Negi Miso Ramen (RM20.90). When the Ramen was laid on the table, it looks quite plain with thin strips of Cha Siew and leek, but upon tasting the broth, it has a thick strong taste and texture which went perfectly with the in-house made Ramen. Partnering with the finely sliced leek adds a complimentary taste to the broth.

Our second order of Ramen; is the Tonkotsu Ramen (RM20.90). Before our order of this Ramen, we were told by the Chef, that their version of this popular soup based is different from those served at other restaurants; in that the soup based is not the typical thick and strong meaty flavour but rather a more subtle taste which is boiled in low flame. It is also topped with a boiled egg, seaweed and slice Cha Siew. Another notable difference is the use of chopped preserved sweet vegetable that the Chef has added which infused a totally different taste to the Ramen.

Our last noodle is the Gomoku Hiyashi Chuka (RM18.90) which is a cold noodle. The condiment which was sweet corn, sliced cucumber, sliced Cha Siu, sliced artificial crab meat and vegetables are layout in a nice round pattern. The Ramen is served with chilled vinaigrette sho-yu broth.

After the Ramen session, we move on to taste the Don (rice) dishes, the first of which is the Hokkaido Buta Don (RM22.90). The sliced pork; are first pan fried and then coated with the special in-house made; sweet sauce which was perfect with the white rice. It has that smoky taste and its aroma alone was sufficient for you to drool on this simple rice dish. This is a very popular dish in Hokkaido; that is why it is aptly named.

Our last main dish is the Beef Gyudon (RM24.50). This is another one of the Japanese popular dishes. So, we have gotten to taste after all the pork dishes that we had earlier. Loaded with chunks of onion in a homemade ginger sauce, it has all the flavours that one expect from this dish.

For desserts, you can choose from the variety of cakes that are available at the counter or you may choose their imported ice-cream. We decided on the Matcha With Azuki (RM10.90). Besides the green tea ice -cream and azuki, this dessert came with corn flakes chips that add a crunchy texture to the ice-cream. We like the strong flavours of the matcha ice cream.

To end our meal today, I ordered the Matcha Latte. For diehard coffee drinkers, SoloMen Cafe also serves a variety of the coffee and tea.

SoloMen Cafe SS2 Location Address Map

Lobster Promotion at Tung Yuen Halal Chinese Restaurant Grand Blue Wave Hotel Shah Alam

What is the latest halal Chinese food promotion in Shah Alam? You can try out the latest promotion at the Grand Blue Wave Hotel Shah Alam Tung Yuen Halal Chinese Restaurant Lobster Promotion.

Starting from 15th July until 30th September 2017, Grand BlueWave Hotel Shah Alam (GBWHSA) is serving you a specially crafted luxurious Halal certified Seafood Chinese cuisines promotion, which is the ‘Baby Lobster Meets Hai Xian Delight’ at Tung Yuen Halal Chinese Restaurant. 

This ‘Baby Lobster Meets Hai Xian Delight’ promotions are exclusively prepared by Chef Patrick Ng and is available at Tung Yuen Chinese Restaurant, Level 1 daily for lunch at 11.30am till 2.30pm and dinner at 6.30pm till 10.30pm. 

You can expect the use of quality ingredient and fresh seafood that will be served with rich and flavorful taste.

This promotion is available in set for a minimum of 5 persons, priced at RM75.00+ per person and accompanied with 6 courses Chinese menu which are the Daily Special of Chinese Chilled Appetizer, 

Pan Fried Trio Seafood with Spicy Sauce on Hot Plate, 

Steam Garoupa Fish with Spicy Bean Paste, 

Braised Top Shell Abalone Slice with Hong Kong Kai Lan and Roasted Garlic, 

Fried Rice with Seafood and Anchovies topping

and finally, Pan Fried Chinese Pan Cake.

The set does not end here as there are special choices for you to choose (Select 1 cooking type) for soup and the baby lobster. For the soup, there are 2 choices, which are the Boiled Szechuan Soup and Double Boiled Fish Maw Soup. 

Other than that, choices for baby lobster @ 150gm each (1/2 portion per person) are Baked Baby Lobster With Cheese and Pan Fried Baby Lobster with Vietnamese Sauce which you can eat with the Mantou.

Guests are encouraged to make a reservation in advance by booking through Tung Yuen Chinese Restaurant at 03-5511 8811 ext. 2616 or Telemarketing Department ext. 2724. All prices are subjected only to 6% of GST. Tung Yuen Chinese Restaurant is well-equipped with Halal certified, endorsed by JAKIM.

Tung Yuen Chinese Restaurant is the Chinese restaurant located at floor 1, Grand BlueWave Hotel Shah Alam that offers you an array of Chinese cuisines. The restaurant acquires an official endorsement of the HALAL certificate from JAKIM on 1st November 2009 thus the restaurant served 100% Halal Chinese cuisines in the First Southeast Asian Five Star Hotel Accredited with Halal Friendly title.

Tung Yuen Chinese Restaurant Location Address Map

Butaya Izakaya 豚家居酒屋 Sri Hartamas Japanese Food - Casual Japanese Dining

Sri Hartamas is a very happening place and finding a casual Japanese restaurant that serves Japanese food can be a real task. We recently found out this new place Butaya Izakaya Sri Hartamas Japanese Restaurant located at 14, Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Link to Butaya Izakaya Facebook

One of the first stress relieving matters when dining at Butaya is the ample parking place in this little-hidden area in Sri Hartamas which is famous for difficulty in finding a place to park.

Next; the decor at Butaya Izakaya Sri Hartamas is one that offers a simple no frill Japanese decor with stools type of casual dining which you can see families dining here as well.

There are many choices of Japanese cuisine that you can choose from at Butaya Izakaya; notably the sashimi offering, Udon, Ramen, Salad and so forth. But, for me; what stands out is the Yakitori selection that you can choose from.

As a fan of pork we just felt satisfied with the different Yakitori pork offering (from RM4 onwards) which includes multiple choices of different parts of the pork which includes the innards offering like liver, kidney and etc which is not offered in other Japanese Restaurant.

The other things that I like about Yakitori meals are that these dishes are the perfect compliment with a nice cold beer or sake after a hard day at work. With a simple salt, sprinkles combine with the aroma of a freshly charcoal grill is magical enough to revive your senses.



One of the key features of an Izakaya is the offering of multiple snack dishes, we have the chance to sample a few of them i.e. the Cucumber Wih Sesame Dressing (RM8.00); As it is served chilled; this snack dish is perfect to start off for our long night.



Next, we had the Spinach Dashi (RM7.00), which is a specially concocted dashi sauce served with boiled Spinach with sprinkles of sesame seeds and julienne seaweed.



Followed by a special Luncheon Meat Tamago (RM12.00).



We particularly like the next snack dish which is Pork Karrage (RM14.00) which has a crisp on the outside and tender juicy pork meat on the inside. Served with finely chop cabbages with mayo sauce on the side.



After this, we had the crunchy and crackling Fried Pork Skin (RM9.00) which was perfect with the cold beer that we had ordered.



The other non-fried snack dish is the Boiled Salted Pork Belly Slice with Spicy Miso sauce (RM15.00); another chilled dish offering.



For Gyoza fans, you can taste the Pan Fried Gyoza (RM14.00).



Another Luncheon Meat based dish is the Luncheon Meat Egg Pizza (RM15.00).



The last dish of the snack food that we had is the Takoyaki (RM12.00).



After the snack food, we also tried out the other dish offering which is the special Sashimi selection (RM75.00)



and for those that love Pork Kidney (including yours truly) can try out this stir fried delicacy.



and for those heavy eaters; can order the Tonkatsu Ramen (RM22.00) or other choices of Ramen and Don that are available at Butaya Izakaya to filled up your tummy.



Our personal dining experience at Butaya Izakaya is one of a laissez faire where we can have a leisure taste of snack dishes with a drink; while catching out with friends and families for a long night of simple delight.

Butaya Izakaya Sri Hartamas Japanese Restaurant Location Address Map

MAZE @ Menara Lien Hoe Persiaran Tropicana Petaling Jaya - Hi Tea With A Twist

Of late Hi-tea session especially on weekend has been gaining traction, there are many hotels, restaurant and cafe offering these for their late afternoon. We got a chance to taste out the Afternoon Hi-Tea as MAZE @ Menara Lien Hoe Persiaran Tropicana Petaling Jaya Selangor. Maze Facebook.

What is unique about MAZE @ Menara Lien Hoe Persiaran Tropicana, is it has a dual identity, a coffee salon by day and a gin parlour by night serving you gin cocktails and gin Dim Sum (more on this on our next review session).

MAZE @ Menara Lien Hoe Persiaran Tropicana is the perfect setting for Afternoon Tea as this place is specially designed with hand-picked furniture that makes each corner a unique dining experience.

Having high tea is one of the best moments in the world i.e. taking a stress-free break to pamper yourself to some fancy treats while you talk for hours with your girlfriends or your loved one? What can possibly get better than this?

There's nothing like a warm cup of tea, good company, and some specially crafted Gin Infused savoury offering of Smoked Duck Canapes, Mediterranean Sandwich and the Smoked Salmon Sandwich.

For the sweet offering, you can delight yourself with the Butter Croissant with Salted Eggs Yolk Dips, Peanut Butter Danish, Mixed Fruits Tarts, Dark Hazelnuts Tarts and Passion Fruits Meringue Tarts.

and finishing it with a La Noir Rose Macaroon on a laid back afternoon in Petaling Jaya.



The above set is at RM78++ for two.

MAZE @ Menara Lien Hoe Persiaran Tropicana is also the third and latest entertainment outlet by M Group, the company behind CHAZE (Whisky Luxe Lounge) and LAVO (Restro Wine Atelier).

MAZE @ Menara Lien Hoe Location Address Map