Iketeru - 池輝 Japanese Fine Dining at Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Iketeru or 池輝, located opposite KL Sentral Station, is among the few restaurants in the Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur, that offers an exquisite dining experience. This restaurant is frequented by Japanese themselves for the food served are undoubtedly of the highest quality.



You will find yourself stepping into a refreshing and relaxed setting, with water running down walls to greet you, as the platform leads you towards the simple and humble interior. There's a variety of seating options including teppanyaki tables, a sushi counter and tatami rooms.



We ordered the Unagi Kabayaki, Chicken Teriyaki, Soft Shell Crab and Tofu Steak to go with garlic rice. The garlic rice is a simple dish but its actually quite aromatic in flavour.



Goshina, the sashimi set costs MYR150 (USD 40+) per plate, serves four types of fish and squid. Sashimi at Iketeru is one of the freshest you can find in city.



Iketeru is open everyday between 12:00PM to 10:30PM. Highly recommended for its quality of food.

Food & Tea @ Tropicana City Mall

Does Tropicana City Mall ring a bell? It's a new shopping mall along the Sprint Expressway, situated right at the corner before the exit to LDP Expressway, opened some time in December 2008.

It is my first time to this mall to dine with my girlfriends and I find that the interior of the mall, is too spacious, just felt rather empty. We met up for dinner at Food & Tea restaurant restaurant, located on the 2nd level. I was optimistic as the Menu looked interesting. As usual, I go for the chef's recommendation.

The fried rice my girlfriends ordered is still acceptable, though a bit on the oily side. But I warn you not to go for the Butter-Fried Chicken with Rice. It is a definite NO-NO-NO!!! It does look promising doesn't it (see image below).



I thought it odd that I couldn't smell anything when the dish arrived, but gave it the benefit of the doubt and starting digging in. After all, when one is hungry, everything seem to taste good right?To my horror, I was disgusted by the taste, or should I say, lack of taste!! Food are still edible if its tasteless, but if its horrible, I'd say the taste bud would scream NO ENTRY! Even my brother who never cook can come up with a dish that tastes better.

One dish is all it takes for me to conclude that I will never step into this shop ever. The chef obviously placed no effort at all in ensuring the quality of the food being prepared.

I LOVE YOO! 老油鬼鬼

Do you recall some breakfast scenes in a Hong Kong drama? A common meal to start the day of a Hongkee is rice congee with "You Tiao". You Tiao is actually a salted strip of dough fried till golden brown. Its appetizing by itself, but equally good when dipped in the congee.



I LOVE YOO! @ The Gardens, MidValley serves just that, except they have choice of congee with Dry Scallop or Dry Oyster Peanut. This simple combination of a meal may sound bland and unappealing to some, but for rice congee lovers, this one of the many ways to savour the best of congees.



The two times that I've been there during the weekends, the crowd just continuously flow to this tiny stall at the Lower Ground of The Gardens. The many helpers there worked unanimously together serving the plentiful patrons hours after hours, and I can't imagine if they even have time for a breather until the day is finally over.



Also on the menu is Sesame Ball, Yam Ball & Sweet Potato Ball, Tau Foo Far (Soy Bean Curd), buns and for drinks, soya bean and coffee.

Well, you'll just have to try it yourself to understand what attracts people to such a simple meal.

Awana Kijal (3) - Where To Eat

There are a few restaurants within the resort vicinity:
1. Restoran Kampung Meraga Beris restaurant (Picture on Left) is where buffet breakfast is served in the mornings.
2. Little Canton, this chinese restaurant serves tasty food.
3. Windows Steak House has a very nice deco.
4. Waterfall Cafe & Lounge sits near the pool and golf course. You can access the bar from the pool as well. Daily live entertainment in the evening except Thursdays.
5. Atrium Coffee Lounge is right at the centre of the lobby with free wireless access.
6. Oasis Hut at the beach comes handy when you need a refreshing cool drink after some fun on the beach.
7. Studio One is a bar & pub. They may actually have Karaoke singing available in there (we didn't check it out though).



There are two rows of shop houses outside Kijal Resort about 8 minutes walk away.

1. Pertama Kijal ==> Chinese

Address: 12 Persiaran melor, Pantai Pelancongan Kijal, KM28, Jln Cukai-Dungun, 24100 Kemaman
Tel: 019-9932828 / 019-9932868

Most of the dishes are very good and seemed to be MSG free. Very tasty and my family prefers this restaurant anytime. Seafood are generally more costly.



2. Grandview Cafe ==> Chinese, Western
Address: 12 Backrow Persiaran Bunga Raya, Kijal Beach Resort, Kijal 24100, Kemaman
Tel: 09-8642486, HP: 012-9089382

The menu is exactly the same as Pertama Kijal, except it has extra choice of Western dishes. All their dishes are a little bit more expensive than Pertama Kijal.



3. KFC



4. Korean
We never saw this shop open the few times we were there, not in the noon, and definitely not during the night. So we're not sure if its actually still available.



5. Malay mamak



See also:
Awana Kijal (1)
Awana Kijal (2) - Things To Do

Uncle Lim's

Nasi Lemak lovers, this is one shop to savour the authentic flavours of sambal with sotong and curry chicken. This is one dish that's well worth the price. The other commendable item is Uncle Lim's Laksa. Also on the menu are chicken chop, variety of toasts, half boiled eggs, etc., typically those that you can get from the chinese kopitiam.


They still use the all-time classic tea cups (though not stained) which kind of brings you back to memory lane of the coffee-shops our grandparents used to frequent back in those days. Though now, you can enjoy the "kopi"(coffee) and "teh"(tea) all in the comforts of an air-conditioning.

You'd be surprise how many uncle(s) and aunty(s) spend their time there, catching up on times and sipping their hot cuppa with toast or a half boiled egg.


The outlet at Ikano lower ground floor is really really good. Its almost always packed to the brim. You just need to have some patience to queue up and self-service your favourites.

The branch at Berjaya Times Square is really lacking. My whole family agreed that the Nasi Lemak and Uncle Lim's Laksa wasn't as good. We didn't bother trying other dishes since the signature ones were hopeless.

Cool Retreat to the Highlands (3) - Where To Eat

We always want a good meal during our vacation don't we, but you just never get lucky at times.

Hope the following reviews on restaurants around Cameron help you decide where you should have your next meal:

Food @ Brinchang

1. Golden Wing Restaurant (corner shop of the row behind the main road, from Tanah Rata direction, turn left at the end of the row of shops along the main road)
==> Steamboat, Chinese food

An elderly Singaporean who frequents this place every time he's in Cameron highly recommends this restaurant for its steamboat. Apparently, it has the best soup and steamboat.

Assam fish is a MUST try**!

We were really eager to try this restaurant, but unfortunately we missed it because its usually closed 2-3 days right after the holiday season.

Tip: 20% discount for phone reservations.
Contact: 012-5176223, 019-5556223


2. You Hoo Restaurant (next to Chop Joo Seng Mini Market)
==> Steamboat, Chinese dishes

This restaurant was packed on the last day we were there. Worth trying.


3. Restaurant Highland (behind Yoo Hoo)
- Steamboat, Chinese dishes

The history of this restaurant was rather vague but it seems the restaurant closed down for some time and is now re-opened in Brinchang. Apparently, it used to be the best steamboat restaurant in Cameron Highland and its the only shop that uses charcoal for the steamboat.

Rather quiet place, probably because of its location. Tourists would not even realize there's a restaurant behind the row of shops.

Fried rice is MUST try though**


4. Restaurant Cameron Highland (next to Yoo Hoo)
==> Steamboat, chinese dishes

We tried the steamboat here and the soup was tasteless. Besides the food portion was too little so a definite no-go for steamboat.

The chinese dishes looks promising though. But unless I'm staying in Cameron for weeks, I probably will not visit it again very soon.

Not recommended.


5. Jew May Yen
==> Steamboat, chinese dishes
One review recommends the Taufoo, Hong Mei Pork Ribs, Curry Fish Head

Contact: 05-4914020


6. Silver Star
==> Steamboat, others, there might be some western dishes too

A tourist trap warned by many for its expensive dishes.

However during our stay there, this restaurant appear to be only one that's mostly packed.

Will you take your chance on this? :-)


7. Hong Kong
==> Organic steamboat
Slightly more expensive than the other steamboats at ~USD6(MYR18)/person

No recommendations available.


8. Restaurant Kwan Kee
==> Steamboat, chinese dishes, seafood

No recommendations available.


9. O.K. Tuck
==> Steamboat, Chinese dishes

We tried several dishes, which was really just mediocre.


10. Restaurant Fong Lum
==> Steamboat, chinese dishes, seafood

One of the most brightly lit restaurant in Brinchang.
No recommendations available.


11. Palm Leaf (opposite Public Bank)
==> Thai food, fried rice


12. Raju's Strawberry farm (opposite Equatorial)
==> Milk shake, ice-cream, waffles, scones

Contact: 05-4914649
Address: F-12 Green low, Kea Farm


13. Ferm Nyonya - No recommendations available.
14. Hotel Kowloon - No recommendations available.
15. Country Lodge - No recommendations available.
16. Restaurant Sri Sentosa - No recommendations available.



Food @ Tanah Rata

1. T-Cafe
==> Apple pie, scones, breakfast
Highly recommended by many, this is one of the best rated cafe in Cameron Highland.

Contact: 05-4914018 / 019-5722883
Address: 4, 1st Floor, Main Road


2. Mayflower (opposite Regal / Kurnia Bistari bus station)
==> Steamboat


3. Yong Teng (row of stalls opposite Maybank)
==> Pancake, chicken chop, fried mee, nasi lemak
This stall is operated by a mute couple. You make your orders writing on a piece of paper.

They have the regular Malaysian breakfast menu and the price is very economical. Its not all that great a food but decent enough to fill your tummy, though their service was rather slow.

There was no one else around when we order a nasi lemak, chee cheong fun and a pancake but it still took them quite some time to prepare.


4. Bunga Suria Restaurant
==> Indian banana leaf



Other food places @ Cameron

1. Pepper fried fish, steamed mushroom @ a restaurant in Tringkap
2. Western breakfast @ Bala Chalet (very $$$)
3. Summer Palace (very $$$)
4. Roast Chicken, schnitzel @ Lutheran Mission
5. Cameron Valley (5 minutes before Tanah Rata from Tapah)
6. Western @ Smokehouse (very $$$)


OVERALL TIPS:
a. Average cost of Steamboat in Cameron,
- Clear soup ~USD4 (MYR12-14)/person
- Combination soup (two flavours) ~USD9 (MYR28-30)/person
b. Seafood would be expensive in Cameron


Please do share your comments on the food if you've been to these restaurants. Thank you.


See also:
Cool Retreat to the Highlands (1)
Cool Retreat to the Highlands (2) - Accomodation
From Highlands to the East

Ikan Bakar anyone?

I'm sure you've heard of the famous "Ikan Bakar" (Grilled Fish) at Bukit Aman. No? You should really go give it a try. Everyone will tell you: once you've tried this "Ikan Bakar", there wouldn't be another one that you'd want to have.

Was it really that good ??

Went there for the first time yesterday for lunch. It was packed, and you see lines of fish on the grill, and people all over.

The grilled catfish (Ikan Keli) is a must try, you wouldn't want to miss that. The sauce that goes with the grilled fish was superb! It's slightly brownish like sauce with raw onions and chilli, slightly sour and tad bit spicy. Couldn't exactly figure what sauce that was but it was good. It complements the fish nicely. Your grilled fish would not be the same without it.

You can just have the fish alone or with rice and other dishes that you can get from the food court beside it.

On some days, it will be so packed that the catfish will be sold out.

We did try the grilled string ray as well, but it wasn't as good as the grilled catfish.

Price ?
Average: MYR6-15 (USD2-5)

How to Get There ?
On Jalan Parlimen from city centre, turn left at the traffic light before Lake Club into Jalan Cendrawasih.

Then take a left turn into Jalan Tanglin. Go straight until T-junction and turn right. Take another left into Jalan Cenderasari and follow the road to the right passing Tanglin Hospital.

Its located just beside Methodist Girls School, you wouldn't miss it.

You can park your car at the large parking area on your right and walk towards the food court like building. The "Ikan Bakar" is next to it.