Water Cress Valley 西洋菜谷 — Restaurant in Pahang

We’ve been loyal customers for a decade, always returning, and never complaining. That is, until now. As we entered the restaurant vicinity, we were told to choose our own seat. As a table of 7 people, including our Indian driver, we naturally chose a 8 seater table. As a few of us went to relieve ourselves, the owner forcefully removed my elderly grandmother, driver and the rest of the family, offering a table at the furthest part of the restaurant as a replacement. The owner’s reason for moving us was that we were a table of seven and that seat was a table for eight. Doesn’t free seating mean a first come first serve basis? Why’d he move us, with young children and elderly instead offering the new patrons a seat at the other side of the restaurant. I see this as outward racism towards our Indian driver along with the blatant inconsideration for the comfort of elderly and young children. Even after the drama of seating, the problems didn’t end there. To begin, they mixed up our order, serving us Ee Mee instead of fried rice. When the steam boat finally arrived, the food was a far cry from what it had once been. The Bangladeshi/Indian workers are also hard to communicate with. Lastly, the price was exorbitant. We paid for four adult portions, which cost about $200 RM. In conclusion, Watercress Steamboat was a far cry from what it was. As we finished our meal and prepared to leave, we realised that the management had changed, explaining the owner’s disgusting food and attitude. Previously, this establishment was run by the owner’s parents who were hospitable and welcoming. Even when my mother had explained to him that it was both inconvenient and inconsiderate to move us, instead of apologising, he just said in Chinese “I AM BEING CONSIDERATE! See? Got table on the other side!” This experience is not worth it. It is extremely disappointing to see one my childhood favourites drop, no plummet in service, taste and...

Excellent place to try Unique Steamboat with watercress soup base. Have never encountered a steamboat restaurant which specialise in this soup base. Makes sense here as the steamboat is located right at a Watercress farm, making it perfect for those who love Watercress soups and folks who want to eat lots of fresh vegetables in Cameron and also vegetarians.

Got the non-vegetarian set of steamboat at $110 for 3 pax. The steamboat set comes with chicken meat, fishballs/meatballs, cuttlefish flower, ee Mian noodles, eggs, watercress. What we liked what the set came with generous amount of vegetables. The staff was also very kind to provide an additional large portion of Watercress when they saw us putting it all into our soup.

They also placed sundried cherry tomatoes at your table. It’s chargeable at 5RM. The wet wipes are 1RM per piece.

What we love is their watercress softens quite fast in about 15mins and it doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste, making it incredibly tasty.

What we hope they could improve was to marinade the chicken slices a lil so it’s less bland.

Their signature 4in1 beverage of Watercress, LuoHan Guo Fruit, Longan and dates is very unique and popular beverage in the restaurant. What we also love is the ambience is wonderfully peaceful to enjoy steamboat. The place is tranquil and not greasy with loud noisy music. They play nostalgic 90s music and the place doesn’t smell like grease.

For $16RM you get a plate of Home Made Dumpling of watercress and pork. It’s like 8 pieces of dumplings so it’s better for sharing with 3-4 person who eats pork.

If you are a meat lover, it’s best to go ala carte and get the meat you want as the set doesn’t come with any pork.

Overall my family and I really enjoyed this steamboat. Definitely meet our objective to eat plenty of fresh local...

Pricey. This is RM75 for two pax in August 2022, compared to RM30 per pax you get elsewhere in Brinchang. The other shop I went before Water Cress Valley was more satisfying and has fresher ingredients - look at my other review.

I came after this was featured by a YouTuber based in Kepong, Malaysia.

Price: 2/5 Taste: 3/5 Freshness of non-vegetables: 1/5 Vegetables: 3/5 Water Cress: 5/5 Service: None, everything is self-service

Firstly, you are greeted by the manager at the reception who will introduce you to the steamboat package and try to upsell you with drinks add-ons which are like RM10 each. Then you are told that everything is self service from cutlery, bowls, sauces and even the addition of soup. You had to even get your own soup from the serving counter…. Lol. I don’t even need to collect soup to refill my soup pot when I was at another more homely restaurant. Staff are using phone at non-peak timing of 3pm?

Then you can’t sit along the verandah area and I had to choose the inner seatings.

After you are seated, you will be given a wet towel for each diner and a bowl of dried tomatoes. Good thing we asked. The wet towels and dried tomatoes comes with additional charge!

Now to the steamboat ingredients. Besides the eggs, vegetables and the mushrooms, none of it is fresh.

The chicken, mussels, assorted factory made fishballs, tofu, beancurd skin and thin strips of fish balls are all frozen. The chicken doesn’t even taste fresh!! The portion is small, and the manager even said that this is the...