Lala Chong Seafood Village (Ara Damansara) — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

A brief historical overview should put this "Lala Chong review" into proper perspective because the Ara Damansara branch, with its fallacious address, is originally one of the three seafood restaurants during the heyday of the "LalaChong" brand of spicy crabs back in the 90s. Then the most popular being that which was located right across the road from Subang Terminal 3 at Lot 6824, Terminal Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (Skypark incarnate). However, its leased locale had since been earmarked for the KTM/LRT station currently under construction, leading to the "demise" of LalaChong Terminal 3 with its usual patrons having since moved on to this Ara Damansara outlet, some 3km down the road. Erroneously, Google Map still tags it with the "Lot 6824, Terminal 3" address. Try Waze instead! It's at # 31, Jln PJU 1a/5a, Ara Damansara. For the uninitiated, the other Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant remains operational in Jln Cempaka, Kampung Sg. Kayu Ara.

It's a typical 2-storey corner shoplot that extends way beyond its "kaki-lima", tucked away in the serene but occasionally humid PJU 1a/5a area sheltered by two rows of hedge with little "scenic view". A semi-open ground floor with 15 plus red-draped tables and plastic chairs offering the feel of a "classical" Chinese restaurant that's ventilated entirely by ceiling fans. Its lack of grandeur makes it more a family rather than a business act. However, don't be misguided by the quiet and despondent mood on a weekday as it spontaneously springs to life with an infectious festive ambience of noisy, jubilant, multi-ethnic crowds of the working class celebrating their well deserved break over the weekend's evenings that's reminiscent of the LalaChong T3 in its heyday!

Most patrons are here for their revered, aromatic seafood of the spicy crab genre, such as the flavorsome and delicious chilli sauce-with-eggs variant that comes with the consistently right texture of sauce, spice, egg and taste that you'll love to savour! The black pepper and "kam-heong" 甘香 (with herbs, curry leaves, garlic and dried krills) variants are as aromatic as they are mouth-watering and almost always very well cooked for your enjoyment. For those who prefer non-spicy variety, do consider the steamed soy-sauced grouper (brown, red or tiger varieties), deep-fried Tilapia/grouper in sweet & sour sauce or with oily soy sauce (油㓎). Another specialty is the "salt-grilled tilapia" which is really for the esoteric. The fish variety is limited mostly to grouper, tilapia, red snapper (红枣鱼), patin, seabass ("siakap") & marble goby ("soon hock"). No live lobsters, exotic clams, "loongdan" (龙胆 giant grouper) nor Alaskan crab. The "Indonesian curry prawn" (印尼加里明虾) is as exotic as it's delicious, pan-fried black soysauce prawn (晒汁虾), the ever popular, succulent butter prawn (奶油虾) and salted-egg fried sotong (squid) are standard fare. The absolute must try is the mesmerizing "lala (clams) in superior soup"(上汤啦啦) served with a little Chinese rice wine that's remarkably well cooked.

Of significant interest to Muslim diners is that a Halal certificate from Jakim (Islamic Affairs Department) is never once seen on display on my frequent visits here the past 15+ years. While this restaurant serves no pork, alcoholic beverage such as Carlsberg beer, is readily available on order to non-Muslim patrons along with fruit juices, soft drinks, Chinese tea and coconut milk. So by all accounts and in all fairness, it's a "serve-no-pork" restaurant.

Turnaround time can vary greatly on a weekend especially in the evening, but in general, it's about 15-20 mins. Its service is as average as it is inconsistent. Ultimately, its main draw lies with the very well cooked, fresh seafood of great consistency, at a price level aimed at the general public; its set-up that's perfect for groups or a casual date night. They operate from 11am - 2.30pm & from 5.30pm - 11pm. Reservation is highly recommended for weekend dining. Open municipal parking is available right next to this restaurant but washroom hygiene remains a long overdue,...

LOUSY service & RIDICULOUS charges.

Had a family reunion dinner here, wanting to have a happy experience but ended up with an unpleasant experience.

Let me break it down LOUSY SERVICE Called the number provided by the WEBSITE almost one(1) hour since the restaurant open NO answer. FYI the manager was NOT APOLOGETIC at all when we told him that we could not reach anyone from the given number.

Might as well don't get a phone number, call so many times no pick up. Throw the phone away lah.

When we reach the restaurant, was told to call the phone number (Mobile number) that was not listed on the WEBSITE.

I Google your website see the number LISTED, of course call lah to make booking. Walou why put the number there for what. For SHOW!!! Call for fun???

Reluctant to provide WiFi password to use the Karaoke system, when we book the private room.

I dine in your private room, to use your Karaoke system yet you dont want to provide your WiFi password, then how you want me login and sing, might as well just stare at each other!!¡!

RIDICULOUS charges RM800 for a table in the Private Room. They charge by table NOT room. Since we want two(2) tables, they charge us RM1600 just for two(2) tables in 1 private room. The 2nd table was already in that single private room anyway.

Ini apa!!!, I go fancy restaurants also cheaper for 1 room. Big SCAM

OTHERS CHASING us OUT at 10.30pm, when the restaurant is still crowded with other customers.

Wah, your customer service very good chase customer that dine in your private room at 10.30pm while there are still many customers dining downstairs??? What is this and you charge us RM1600 for 2 tables.

Karaoke system is out dated just so bad, B.A.D baddddd

PS. COME HERE IF YOU WANT A BAD FAMILY REUNION EXPERIENCE. I GURANTEE THEY CAN...

Been here on and off to different lala chongs since 20 years ago. The quality has dropped, a little.

Here's the breakdown today by order of dishes: Clams: 2.5/5. Ordered soup version, got it on a deep platter. However, it was dry, odd considering soup was ordered. Perhaps somebody did a fry then threw it into a soup, or double it up in soup, or it was all pre cooked one hour earlier then put in a "soup". Freshness is mediocre here. Maybe wasn't my lucky day.

Chilli crab: 5/5. Obviously fresh, the chili was great, initially overpowering and very spicy but you quickly get used to it. I'm a seasoned spiciness consumer thus I enjoyed it. Casual ones might feel it is bit too hot.

Kangkung sambal: 5/5. Simple dish, it works.

Steamed fish - siakap/barramundi: 4/5. We had the small fish, the cut was messy, fish all over the place, but the cooking was very close to perfect despite that.

Steamed crab: 5/5. I love steamed crab because I love the strong taste of seafood, without interference from spices. It wasn't too strong, I felt it was just nice. YMMV.

Fried mantou: 4.5/5. Oily just the way Malaysians love it. A must have for the sauce.

The place is an open place without any indoor air conditioning, prone to mosquitoes.

Conclusion: crab was great, other seafood dishes was...