Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Recommended)
Address: 78, Jalan Dedap 7, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6WXi1abUHZdhRjN16
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
Important Disclaimer: This Food Review will be discussing about Eating Shark Meat.
If you are Uncomfortable with this Topic, please stop reading further and step away. Thank you.
Plain Water (Iced) = RM1.00
Hometown Style Shark Fish (Small) = RM38.00
Fried You Mai = RM16.00
No Service Charges
Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.
As I did my research on Places to Eat in Taman Johor Jaya, I came across this Interesting Place that apparently offers Shark Meat Dishes so of course I had to give it a try.
The Actual Place is a Classic Tze Char Eatery in a Old Looking Kopitiam housed in a Row of Shophouses. Even on a Weekend Afternoon at 12.15pm when I reached there weren't much Customers besides me and 1 more table.
The Place is Very Unassuming with a Simple Humble Vibe. Not Air-Conditioned of course, but still felt Airy and Comfortable. The Place seems to be owned by a Family and there is a Sweet Friendly Elderly Lady who warmly welcomed me as I entered. The Actual Owner is a Younger 大姐 whom I guess is her Daughter. She also has a Very Friendly Welcoming Demeanor and I appreciate her Patience in explaining her Menu. No issues with Customer Service, very Family-Styled Tze Char sort of Place.
Anyway it took 5 Mins for the Glass of Plain Water, 16 Mins for the Shark Dish, and 20 Mins for the Veggies. Everything was served up within 20 Mins. Quite a Long Timing considering there weren't Much Customers when I was there.
Plain Water (Iced) = RM1.00
Unfortunately this Place does not have any Drinks/Beverages that are Zero Sugar, not even Teh-O-Kosong. Every Beverages they have are Canned Processed Drinks, so I could only choose this. So do take note if this is an Important Factor for you.
Hometown Style Shark Fish (Small) = RM38.00
When this was first served up, it came with a Nice Delicious Appetizing Aroma of Bellpepper. Bellpepper is an classic ingredient in Tze Char that always delivers a Delcious Aroma. Very Simple and Humble Looking in Presentation, the Whole Dish is just Shark Meat Pieces lying on a Pool of Dark Sauce Gravy Zhup with no other Garnishings.
Quality of the Gravy/Zhup
The Bellpepper Aroma of course comes from this. I was immediately impressed when I tasted it because it was a Creamy and Surprisingly Thick and Collageny in Texture. I say Collageny because this doesn't taste like its only Thickened using Cornstarch. If I leave it alone for awhile, there will actually be a Layer of "Zhup Skin" formed on top. Already this is a More Higher-End Level of Tze Char Level of Zhup.
Not Entirely Smooth in Texture, there are Tiny Bits of Fish Pieces giving it a Slight Gritty Mouth Texture. The Actual Taste Profile taste like a High Quality type of Gong Bao Zhup that wouldn't be out of place if served in a Higher End Chinese Restoran 酒楼 type of Standard. Spiciness is Slightly Elevated but doesn't bite and lingers in your Throat as a Gentle Heat. I appreciate the amount of Culinary Effort in this Zhup. Of course its Perfect to 下饭 if you eat with Rice.
Quality of the Shark Meat Pieces
There were 19 Small Bite-Sized Pieces given for the Price. They're cut small, but not stingy. The Actual Meat Texture and Taste doesn't taste that much Different from a Stingray actually. Soft and Tender with No Fishiness or Wierd Taste. Actually the Taste Profile relies 100% Solely on that Dark Gravy/Zhup.
I like how Soft and Tender the Shark Meat was though, because it easily Disintegrated in my Mouth with the Slightest Push of my Tongue. Delightful. I have eaten Shark Meat in the Past and I would describe it as a More Firm Fleshed Type of Fish with a Noticeable "Not so Pleasant" Fishiness.
I'm happy that the Shark Meat in this Place doesn't taste like that. Not Gamey or Fishy at all. Eating this is really like eating a Very Soft Tender Stingray with a High End 酒楼 level of Gong Bao Gravy Zhup.
Fried You Mai = RM16.00
Ordered this as a Veggie Side. On the Menu, I had no idea what a "You Mai" Veggie is. Hahaha my Knowledge of Veggie Varieties is not strong. Only when it was dished up, did I go "Ohhh so this is You Mai!" Yea its a Classic Tze Char Dish that is Soft Tender, abit Oily Texture. If you have eaten enough Tze Char type of Veggies, you will also be Familiar with this.
Bright Green and Beautiful, Outside is 滑滑 with a Slight Veggie Crunch. The Gravy that comes with this was Light and Watery, Saltish but Not Overly Salty. It tastes like a Sesame Oil + Oyster Sauce Mix.
Classic Simple Mix, but it works well here to enhance but not drown the Veggie itself. Amount of Veggies is not alot, just about enough for 1 Person and was Overall Warm and Comforting to eat. It is a Oily Dish but I have no issues with it.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At the Price of RM16.00 (S$5.20) isn't Very Cheap at all for this Plate of You Mai Veggies. This was a Classic Tze Char Plate of Boiled/Stewed Veggies with a Simple and Classic Taste. No Slimy, No Sandy and Clean Tasting, I have no issues with this. If you have no issues with the Price of it, sure go ahead and order it if you want a Veggie Side.
At the Price of RM38.00 (S$12.50) for this Plate of Shark Meat, this is of course their Main Signature 招牌菜. Once again, not Super Affordable, but given that this is Shark, the Price feels more Justified for me.
The Soul of the Dish for me however, is that Beautiful Dark Gravy in this that was done really well with a Decent Amount of Culinary Effort in it. Its not just a Simple Dark Soy Sauce + Oyster Sauce thickened with Cornstarch type of Gravy, there is Effort in this. Collageny and Richly Robust, this taste like a Higher-End Level of Gong Bao Sauce that you would expect to taste from a Higher End Chinese 酒楼 type of Quality.
The Shark Meat themselves also weren't Slouches. The Main Thing I like about them was how Super Soft and Tender they were when they easily Disintegrated in my Mouth with a Slightest Push of my Tongue. Actual Shark Meat is far more gamey and firmer in Texture and this Place done it Very Well. From what I understand this Tenderness is achieved because they use Younger Sharks compared to Older Sharks. Not Gamey or Fishy at all.
Both Dishes impressed me Culinarily. They look simple but I appreciate the amount of Effort behind them. I have also no issues with the Humble Friendly Family-Vibe of this Place. The Owner 大姐 was Genuinely Friendly and Welcoming with a Smile.
I complimented on her Culinary Skill and Effort she has put in her Dishes. She appreciated the Gesture. What I am concerned is the Relatively 冷清清 feel though even on a Weekend Afternoon. Maybe they're more Popular during Dinner Time? If you are here in Taman Johor Jaya looking for some Tze Char, is ok with the Prices on the Menu, I can recommend to give this place a try.
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