Yan Wo Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

Yesterday evening we booked a table for 10 at this restaurant . We wanted to have dinner there at 7pm but we were told that it was already fully booked at that time n so we changed our dinner time at 6 pm instead. This was our 1st time here although we have eaten several times at another branch of this restaurant in Aman Suria. They said they serve the same menu here as well. We had to climb up 2 flights of stairs cos the ground floor n the 1st floor were all fully booked. Luckily we managed to get a table on the 2nd floor. My brother ordered 6 dishes . We had deep fried Siakap fish, yam basket with mantis prawns, pork knuckle, fried pork belly slices, fried seafood taufu, fried vegetables n a clay pot brinjals. All together 7 dishes. We had to wait 30 minutes for our food since the restaurant was packed. The food came out steaming hot . On the whole we enjoyed our food except that the vegetables were a bit too saltish - got to eat it with rice. The yam basket was exceptionally yummy n so was the deep fried fish as well. We also enjoyed the fried pork belly slices cos these were flavourful n very crispy. The price was reasonable. All these 7 dishes plus the Chinese tea n rice only cost us RM 424.55. A good n satisfying meal for 10 people. One complaint though- just outside this restaurant were placed 4 big dustbins . Even though these dustbins were all covered up with lids, the smelly n foul air was still emitted into the night air . It’s quite disgusting n disturbing for all the customers who could smell this foul air when entering n exiting out of the restaurant. On the ground floor n the side of the restaurant where customers were seated n having their food- this foul air could get into the restaurant n what an unpleasant atmosphere it would create. The management should at least shift these 4 huge dustbins somewhere else. Hope some action...

Having visited their Aman Suria outlet, we came to their outlet in Section 17 this time. Ordered a chicken, fish, vegetables and tofu dish.

1. Claypot Tofu
2. Braised Chicken in Sesame Oil
3. Stir Fry Spinach with Garlic
4. Steamed Catfish

Tofu dish was good, but would not say it is extraordinary. Tofu is very soft and silken and I like the fact that they don't give us 'cheap' ingredients accompanying the tofu. There were decent amounts of chicken thigh meat, black fungus, some carrots, peppers and shiitake mushrooms. Unlike some other places where they throw in loads of fishcakes.

Chicken dish was great - the chicken meat was fried prior to being stir fried in a generous amount of sesame oil. There was a hint of shaoxing wine taste and thus the dish reminds me of the rice wine chicken served during confinements. But this is the dry version of it. Super flavourful, umami and definitely makes you wanna have more helpings of rice to douse the sauce over.

Spinach - Nothing spectacular, but better lah than the others dai chow places. Vegetable is fresh and not overcooked. Also not fibrous too so they did really pick the strands well before cooking.

Catfish - As a seafood restaurant, I would have expected fresh seafood and this hits the spot. We wanted patin but not available so chose this - no regrets as the fish is super fresh, and the soy sauce doused over it complements it very well. No small bones to pick - big plus point. Portion wise it was just enough for three pax.

In short, dishes served here is as good as the one in Aman Suria - although this outlet is more neighborhood-like and...

Mention Yan Wo Seafood & the words peng leng jeng comes to mind. For years, this restaurant in Aman Suria has been a magnet for friends and families seeking for delicious looking without breaking the bank. I, for one, would bring the entire horde for quick and satisfying dinner once in a while.

Then they opened a new outlet in Section 17 PJ, along the same row of shops that houses some of my favourite eateries. Music to the ears for me - and we were here for early dinner (slightly past 6pm) before the crowd started trickling in. It's really hard to miss the bright and big red signage.

◾Signature braised rib with 6 pieces mantao - fall-off-the-bone, tender and delicious whole ribs bathed in sweet & savoury sauce was a total hit with everyone! ◾Steamed tilapia with chilly lime sauce provided a contrasting flavour to me the ribs with its spicy and sour Thai style sauce. I couldn't ressist scooping the sauce to savour even after the fish was down to bones. ◾Signature Deep Fried Chicken with Peanut sauce proved to be a revelation to me. Sucker for peanuts I didn't know that the dish can be done this way, with the salty and crunchy crushed peanuts giving the perfectly deep fried chicken an added depth. My new favorite dish. ◾Scrambled Egg with Tomato was comfort food for the kids. ◾Stir fried sweet potato leaves because we needed a vegetable on the table.

Unmistakably Yan Wo's standard of food that got me coming back & back again. Sure enough, the whole restaurant was packed come 7pm++ and some had to...