Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (Average)
Address: 25, Jalan Balau, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ExLyF3YeY5QRPeYZ7
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
C/H101 Kopi (Less Ice, Cold, No Sugar) = RM4.00
PD03 Mixed Seafood Porridge = RM23.90
Service Charge 6% = RM1.67
Click here for the Full Menu(Opens in a New Tab, Price is accurate as of Posting Date)
Yet another Recommendation from my Social Media Feeds so I thought I'd give it a try. Interestingly, the Actual Place consists of 2 Entities namely this Eatery "The Taste of Chao" and "QQ 皇后面粉粿". Both Menus are even available in this Eatery. I reckon both of them are probably owned by the Same Boss?
Located Halfway Up a Slope, its a Relatively Large Place with a Predominantly Orange Theme and Colour. There are both Air-Con and Non-Aircon Dining Sections although it wasn't very Cold when I visited also. Its basically a sort of Modern Kopitiam Eatery. Not much Customers around even at close to Dinner Hours even at Saturday 4.53pm. Do also note that their Seafood Soups are only available after 4.30pm.
Staffs were Myanmar Folks who were Polite and Reserved and I thought it was Slightly Amusing (and a Tad Morbid) going around taking a Portable Electric Bug Zapper to Swat Flies Piak Piak Piak. Abit Morbid but Satisfying. This also tells me this place prolly has a Flies Issue, but at least they are taking steps on it.
Anyway just 1 Min for the Kopi and 12 Mins for the Dish. Everything was served up in 12 Mins.
There is a Condiments Counter right at the Cashier Area. I'll just give a review of the items I took.
Left Orange Sambal
This was a Sambal Belcan with a Sourish Note. Not Particularly Spicy though and just a Quick Gentle Heat on the Tongue. Also not Very Super Gao Gao Belacan type but more Mild, this was Acceptable.
Right Red Sambal
Basically a Classic Sweetish Nasi Lemak type of Sambal with a Gritty Texture of Ikan Bilis.
Thankfully Not Overly Super Sweet Type, I also have no issues with this.
C/H101 Kopi (Less Ice, Cold, No Sugar) = RM4.00
Served in a Tall Cup, I'm glad they are able to do a Zero Sugar Version which surprisingly many other Eateries are not able to do. The Kopi itself isn't anything Special though. Tastes like a Standard Milk Coffee that isn't Very Gao Gao on Coffee Strength. Actually, I thought this tasted like some 3 in 1 Type of Coffee Sachet. Nothing Special about this one.
PD03 Mixed Seafood Porridge = RM23.90
12 Mins to serve this up is quite awhile considering the Place wasn't Crowded. This also probably means the Dish is cooked from Scratch, not Reheated. Served in a Claypot, I thought the Dish had a Humble and Homely Look.
I enjoyed the Gao Gao Seafoody Aroma wafting from this. Despite looking abit Plain, there are actually quite alot of Ingredients hidden within as I dissected.
The Dish consists of:
Porridge of course
2 Small Prawns
5 Lala Shellfishes
2 Pieces of Fish Meat
2 Small Fishballs
About 7 Cuts of Sotong
Quality of the Seafood Broth
Visually Cloudy in Appearance, this was Not Bad. There is a Decent Amount of what tasted like Crab and Prawn boiled into it and slightly enhanced with Shaoxing Wine. Probably also abit MSG Enhanced, but thankfully not overly so.
Not Overly Seafoody, Not Overly Salty and Not Alcoholic Tasting. This actually tasted alright as a Seafood Broth that is made with some Effort. While its probably not going to win any Awards, I feel most people would probably have no issues with the Taste Quality.
Quality of the Porridge
This is of course just Regular Rice dumped within, not a True Porridge. That said, I thought it was still Soft enough, and not just a Simple Broth Soaked Rice. Maybe this is why it took 12 Mins for this Dish. Because the Broth itself was a Decent Foundation, this Porridge soaked it up well. Not Bad.
Quality of the Prawns
I appreciate that these are Deshelled with Heads attached which shows some Effort.
Heck not even the Famous 海脚人 Hai Kah Lang (JB Taman Sentosa) which I reviewed previously bothered to do this. That said, although Deshelled, these aren't Deveined.
Such a Pity to already Deshell the Body but stop short of also Deveining them. Effort is there, but still not quite there yet. The Prawn themselves were Firm although Not Super Bouncy type. Probably not the Freshest Prawn, but I thought they tasted Clean, No Chao Sng and Not Overly Prawny.
Quality of the Fish Meat
2 Thick Cuts given, no idea what Fish is used but they were alright.
Soft and Tender with a Slight Fishiness. Other than that, it tasted pretty Clean. Decent.
Quality of the Lala Shellfishes
Somewhat Larger than usual Lala's, the Meat was Juicy, Clean Tasting and No Slimy or Sandy delivering a Slight Seafoody Shot.
Quality of the Fishballs
Nothing special about these. They were Small, Soft to the Bite and didn't taste Fishy,
but I think they are probably from some Supermarket Package.
Quality of the Sotong
Quite alot of Pieces and Quite Big Cuts too. Not many Seafood Soup would add lots of Sotong in the Dish due to Cost. That said, unfortunately these tasted a Tad Rubbery, not Super Fresh and Firm. I reckon these are probably Frozen Supermarket Sotongs that were Thawed. Generous with the Amount given, but nothing special about the quality.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
At the Price of RM4.00 (S$1.30) isn't particularly very cheap for this Cup of Coffee. While I appreciate that they can do a No Sugar version which many Eateries surprisingly cannot, this tasted Very Normal, actually taste like a Typical 3 in 1 Coffee.
At the Price of RM23.90 (S$7.60) isn't that cheap either for this Signature Seafood Porridge. It had a Nice Aroma, decent effort in the Processing of their Prawns, and kindda generous with some of the Ingredients. The Seafood Broth itself is Decently Done.
Upon Closer Scrutiny however is where things fall apart. I appreciate the Effort in Deshelling the Prawns and leaving the Head on, although they stop short of continuing to Devein it. A Seafood Place that doesn't bother to Devein a Prawn is very unlikely to score high in my Review. This is the Easiest thing to check if a Seafood Place is worth your time.
Sotong amount given is more than other Eateries, but they tasted Rubbery most likely from some Frozen Supermarket Package. In short, Effort is there, but also Not Quite There yet. This is like a Slightly Better Quality Kopitiam Standard but also not that far off.
Don't let my Average Score deter you from this place. Its certainly not worth the time to specifically come to JB to eat obviously. But if you are ok with the Prices on the Menu, keep your expectations in check and is nearby the Area, I suppose this is alright I guess.
No comments:
Post a Comment