Tau Ke Restaurant — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

This place is really popular. It was almost full when it opened at 11:30am with a few tables already reserved. I was given a small round table for 4 people. That's when I've got a problem as some of their dishes are served on big trays. That also prevented me from ordering more or affected my choices. And for 40 minutes those reserved tables were left empty while they were customers waiting outside. This place is popular enough that they don't really need to take reservations in weekends but that's just my opinion anyway. The waiters were very helpful and polite though. As for their dishes, read on: Nyonya Nasi Ulam with Baked Spiced Chicken The nasi ulam is good with the colorful rice mixed it with a variety of herbs. The acar also tasted fine. I like the generous amount of fish crackers too. But the baked spiced chicken was underwhelming as I expected it to be heavier in taste. There's a bit of ayam percik taste too it but on a flatter side. Roast Pork Hokkien Pork Noodle From the menu this prawn mee looked really appetizing. But it was a total let down. My main complaint was the broth. It was very thin. I would not recommend this dish at all as there are so much better prawn mee out there. Skip this at all costs. My brother was complaining all through his meal. Poor guy. Purple Potatoes Porridge This came with a variety of small dishes. My mother enjoyed this dish and she finished it so that was a good sign. I did sample the braised pork belly and it was fine. Her only complaint was the porridge was a bit thin and watery. She had to order a bowl of rice to finish off the dishes. Butterfly Pea Nasi Lemak (plain) My friend ordered this and she was fine with her choice so it's good I guess. I did not sample hers. Roast Pork Knuckle Chai Boey I will pick this as the best dish. It came in a rather big bowl and it tasted good. There were generous amount of Chinese mustard, pork knuckle and tauhu pok.

I might come back for their signature roast duck and Lou Mei. I had wanted to try these two dishes initially but was prevented from doing so due to the small...

early jan 25

cool dark environment

1] assam laksa ... soup is not sugary, yay! ... nice fish flesh but not very rich ... decent with 2 x extra hae koe ... [but I can live without this iteration]

2] jiu hu char ... least successful dish today ... there's jiu hu, sure but too sweet overall ... [the sambal belachan that comes with this dish is equally uninspiring]

3] perut ikan ... generous amount of perut ... veg & herb have a finely chopped texture ... tasty enough but stronger herbal flavours would be nice

4] chinchalok pork ... not as we know it but it was tasty ... very very thin pork slices, bravo ... stronger chincalok flavour would be nice ... good with the accompanying garlic/chilli sauce (best dish today)

5] cendol drink ... meh

had the meal with the bluepea nasi lemak

helpful staff

flavours are a little too subtle overall

many other dishes on the menu

food 3.0s overall 3.0s

ymmv ..........................................................

early august 25

1] kerabu paku pakis ... tired looking paku ... a little sweet but acceptable ... daily fiber intake requirement settled

2] pork rendang ... a sweet watery fail

3] perut ikan ... where are the herbal flavours?

4] nasi ulam ... large roughly and carelessly cut pieces of flavourless herbs

5] bubur cha cha ... diluted with bits of hard yam ... absolutely no redemption here

not a good day at the races

food: a...

Retro furniture, birdcages dangling from the ceiling, and a vibe that says “grandma’s living room, but with better lighting.” It’s where Peranakan cuisine gets dressed up, poured a stiff kopi, and told to behave in front of strangers.

The menu is a beast, fifteen pages deep. Nasi ulam, purple porridge, butterfly pea nasi lemak, lobak, pai tee, sambal petai, pork rendang, asam pedas in every form of sea creature imaginable. A small army of curries, soups, vegetables and tofu dishes wait in line to assault the table. Prices run from budget-friendly single plates under RM30 to full sets and signature roasts that’ll make you plan tomorrow’s lunch around today’s leftovers.

But it’s not all sunshine and sambal. The Saito fish balls taste like regret pulled from the sea. Popiah skin can arrive thicker than a mattress, stuffed with fillings that taste like someone forgot the spice rack. Some days the squid is tender, other days it’s chewy salt bombs. And consistency, like parking in this neighbourhood, is never guaranteed.

Service is usually friendly and quick, though one too many reviews mention a grumpy counter guy who could use a hug, or maybe just a better job. Still, the regulars keep coming back. On a good day, it delivers the kind of Nyonya food that makes you want to call your mother and thank her for being born. On a bad day, it feels like...