Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (Average)
Address: Beletime Mall, Danga Bay, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wfoa9vy9kTc3hB9H9
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
烧鸡腿 1 Ala Carte Chicken Drummy = RM10.00
D2 羊肚菌炖鸡 Morel Mushroom Stewed Chicken Soup = RM12.80
No Service Charges
Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.
Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.
The Eatery itself seems to be focused on Roasted Meats, Chicken Rice and Chinese Styled Stewed Soups? Do note that not all the Soups on the Menu may be available. See your luck what is available that day. The Staffs are Friendly, Polite and Welcoming, and the Owner appears to be a Somewhat Elder China-Chinese Man.
A Slight Mini Altercation, Disagreement? among the Staffs as I observed.
As I silently observed the Eatery during my Meal, I noted some Slight Bickering and Disagreements between the Staffs about something. It wasn't anything Too Serious, No Voices were Raised but still noticeable enough for Customers to hear. I feel this is something that can be improved. Anyway it took 2 Mins for the Herbal Soup, and 3 Mins for the Roast Chicken Drummy to be served up.
烧鸡腿 1 Ala Carte Chicken Drummy = RM10.00
In Google Reviews that I've read, apparently their Roast Duck is Highly Raved but it was not available when I visited, so this was the Alternative that I chose. I was immediately impressed with the Presentation when the Dish arrived.
Even though it was just 1 Chicken Drummy, I thought the Effort that was put into the Presentation looked Very Decent and got a almost 酒楼 type of Flair with even some Veggies as Garnishing. Definitely above level compared to a Typical Simple Kopitiam Level of Presentation which I appreciated.
Quality of the Chilli
Quite Interesting Taste for this one. The Taste for this initially for some reason tasted like Candy. Sweet and Sourish with Gritty Pieces of Chilli Pieces. Slightly Spicy that will kiss your Tongue abit. This is a Perky Sweet Sourish Chicken Rice sort of Chilli is how I'd describe this.
Quality of the Ala-Carte Chicken Drummy
Chicken Skin visually looks Jiao Jiao but delivers a Nice Decent Roasted Flavour. Its not like 脆皮 Crispy type of Skin but has a Nice Tender Bite. Meat itself was Nicely Roasted and Not Too Chickeny. Soft and Tender and didn't taste dry.
The Zhup that they lum for this has a Sweetish Saltish Savoury Taste. Overall not Super Impressive Michelin Standard, but slightly above Standard SG Kopitiam Chicken Rice sort of Level.
D2 羊肚菌炖鸡 Morel Mushroom Stewed Chicken Soup = RM12.80
This was the Soup I chose because of the interesting 羊肚菌 in the Name.
Apparently thats the Chinese Name for Morel Mushroom as I understand.
The Dish consists of:
1 Chicken Drummy
1 Full Shitake Mushroom
3 Morel Mushrooms
2 Oysters
1 Small Longan
Few Strips of Herbs
1 Red Date
Some Goji Berries
Perhaps because of my taking out every Ingredient to observe, I could feel that All of the Staffs of the Place going into a sort of "Panic Mode" observing me. Especially the China-Chinese Owner who noticeably felt the Most Tension when approaching me. I probably should do this checking of ingredients more discreetly in the future huh? Hahaha.
Quality of the Soup
Just like a Typical Chinese Herbal Soup of this type, the Amount of Soup given was about 1 Small Bowl. The Soup itself tasted Robust Gao Gao, not Salty at all, and infact the Dominant Taste is actually Sweetish.
Here is where I was approached by that China-Chinese Owner as he almost respectfully and even fearfully passed me a Bottle of Salt. There is this Sense of Urgency and Fear in his Demeanour I observed that gave me the Impression that Past Customers who ordered this Particular Dish probably didn't like the Sweet Taste of this Soup. Thus this Bottle of Salt is offered by him like this.
I told him I"m ok with it because I prefer to taste how the Original Dish is supposed to taste like 原味.
For some reason though, he seemed very happy and very relieved about this.
So yes, this Soup isn't those Very Herbal type but leans more Towards Sweet. Not like Sugar Syrup sort of Sweet obviously, more like Herbal Soup sort of Sweet. Part of the Reason is the Longan and Red Dates that were used. So do take note if you do order this Dish. Adding Salt does make it more Savoury tasting however if that is what you prefer.
Quality of the Chicken Drummy
This is of course the Main Protein in this Dish. Relatively Big Sized, the Meat was Very Soft Tender that literally falls off the Bone easily. It has thoroughly soaked up that Sweet Soup Broth so the Meat is Sweetish. I have no issues with this Drummy.
Quality of the Morel Mushrooms
This was the Item that made me order the Dish in the first place because I originally didn't know what type of Mushrooms this is. When I saw it, I immediately knew what it was. Hahaha so THIS is what 羊肚菌 are.
The last time I ate this ingredient was that Soup in 春水堂 Chun Shui Tang (Original Store) in Taiwan Taichung. Like all of the Ingredients, these were soaked with that Sweet Soup and I didn't taste any taste of their own other than a Soft Mushroomy Bite maybe.
Quality of the Rest of the Ingredients.
Oysters were Fat and Juicy releasing a Good Oystery Taste.
Rest of the Herbs taste about how you'd expect from a Chinese Herbal Soup of this type.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At the Price of RM10.00 (S$3,30) was a Decent Price for this Ala-Carte Roast Chicken Drummy. I was impressed with the Effort in Presentation that elevated this Above a Typical Kopitiam Level. Whoever plated this did very well. Taste wasn't Amazing, but was Decently Roasted and I felt was also above a Typical SG Kopitiam.
While I did not taste their True Signature which according to Google Reviewers is their Roasted Duck, but if the Quality of this Chicken Drummy is any indication, I feel their Roasted Duck probably also 擦不到哪里去.
At the Price of RM12.80 (S$4.30) felt like a Decent Price to pay for a Chinese Herbal Soup with a Full Chicken Drummy within. Ingredients didn't feel Stingy and the Quality of the Soup didn't taste Diluted with Noticeable Effort into it.
Having said that, the Sweetness of the Soup is the Main Factor whether you will like this or not. The Fact I saw the Owner come out to offer me a Bottle of Salt tells me that Most Customers probably don't really like the Sweetness of it and is expecting something More Savoury.
That said, this Soup is quite Unique itself. I realized the More I drank it, the More I don't feel its Sweet anymore and it strangely became more and more savoury towards the End. Very interesting.
Other than that Slight Altercation? Disagreement? that I observed among the Staffs which was unfortunate, overall I have no issues with this Place. I appreciate how Friendly and Welcoming especially the Front Customer Facing Lady who was All Smiles, the Noticeable Effort in Presentation especially for their Chicken Drummy and the Decent Amount of Ingredients for their Herbal Soup.
Don't let my Average Score deter you from this Place. If you are looking for a Chinese Styled Eatery in Beletime Mall and is ok with the Prices, I can recommend to give this a try.
Having said that, it is undeniable that Beletime Mall in Danga Bay itself is just Not a Popular Mall at all. If you've been here, you will know what I mean. I just hope this Eatery can last long enough by the time you read this Review. Only Time will tell I guess.
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