I have long desired to revisit G.S. Nathan Corner; however, the distance of approximately 30 minutes from my location in Petaling Jaya has consistently cause a delay in realizing my intention. Recently, I found myself in the vicinity, which presented an opportune time to drop by. I prefer indulging in tasty food while enjoying the picturesque sunset backdrop of Kuala Lumpur, rather than being stuck in rush hour traffic – don’t we all?
G.S. Nathan is situated by the roadside, alongside several other restaurants, offering a diverse selection of cuisine. Popular among the locals, G.S. Nathan has established itself as a notable ‘lepak’ spots in Ampang. Crowd generally picks up after 6 pm with night time usually being crowded.
The Nasi Goreng Sardin proved to be quite impressive. Upon the first bite, one can taste the spices as well as the distinctive flavor of sardine. This dish also incorporates tauhu, greens, and a generous portion of rice, which undeniably renders it an affordable choice at the price of RM 7.50.
The fried noodle too was good. Similar to the fried rice, this dish contained their own blend of spices, beyond the prepacked blend that comes in every maggi packet. The half cooked egg was a good addition, as it enhanced the texture and flavor of the noodles overall.
Chicken Satti Sorru, RM 16
This dish includes rice accompanied by a delectable mix of spices is presented in a steaming hot clay pot. It features a generous portion of meat that is both tender and flavorful. Unlike the conventional presentation of rice and chicken parathal served separately, this dish is served premixed. Overall, a satisfying dish, with plenty of spices and flavor.
I will most definitely return for another visit to G.S. Nathan Corner. Food is good, affordably priced and the view is awesome. The eatery is certainly 1Malaysia-frriendly as one can see all races frequesting this establishment – Malay, Chinese, Indian and more. Love it!.
Address: 29, Jalan Taman Saga, Taman Saga, Ampang.
Opening hours: Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays to Sundays. 5 pm to 2 am. Closed on Wednesdays.
I seldom dine at vegetarian restaurants due to my preference for meat. However, on this particular occasion, I sought a change. While exploring dining options in Bukit Gasing, I came across Saiva Kitchen. Their menu featured a diverse selection of Western, Indian, and Chinese vegetarian cuisine, which piqued my interest. I was surprised to learn that the establishment has been in operation for six years. I have passed this row of shops along Jalan Chantek (opposite the Thai Buddhist temple) numerous times, yet it had not previously captured my attention until now.Another reason for my decision to try Saiva Kitchens was its commendable average Google rating. An average score of 4.5 out of 5, derived from over 230 customer reviews, led me to believe that the quality of food at this establishment was of a good standard.
As the restaurant occupies half of a shop lot, it presents a relatively compact space. However, it offers sufficient seating to accommodate both small and larger groups. In terms of design, I appreciated the grey walls, which contribute to a calm and relaxed atmosphere. During peak hours, the noise levels may increase slightly. While the ambiance was pleasing, it was the culinary offerings that left a lasting impression on me. Several dishes I tried were delightful, and once again, I was reminded that vegetarian cuisine can be just as flavorful as its non-vegetarian counterparts.
Menu
**** No MSG, No food coloring, No artificial flavoring ****
Vege Mutton Cheese Stuffed Thosai, RM 14
This thosai was exceptionally good and quite filling as well. Mutton and cheese is not a combination I would typically prefer; however, I was informed that this particular thosai was regarded as their bestseller. The thosai itself was slightly thick, featuring a crispy exterior and a buttery interior. Generously filled with an ample amount of flavorful mutton varuval and cheese, this thosai was genuinely delightful. Each mouthful was simply divine.
Vegetarian Chicken Masala Claypot Rice, RM 15
I have a fondness for Satti Sorru/Claypot Rice and was intrigued to find out whether there is a difference in flavor between veg and non-veg version. Upon trying it, there seem to be none, there was no discernible difference in taste. It was enjoyable eating the rice with gravy as it had good flavor. As for the meat, I wished there was more as it included a smaller serving.
Curry Noodles, RM 15
This dish was delicious. I chose to order it after noticing numerous favorable reviews online, and it also appeared to be a bestseller. Regardless of wether the dish was vegetarian or not, the flavor profile of this dish was good. I found myself savoring the curry thoroughly. The dish included mee hoon, tauhu, fuchuk, long beans, vegetarian chicken, and additional ingredients.
Crispy Vege Chicken Sandwich, RM 15
As simple as it looked, this was quite a good sandwich. I saw several tables ordering this and that influenced my to also give this dish a try. The sandwich was made up of whitr bread, lettuce, sauce and the star of the dish, their crispy vegetarian chicken filling. Crispy and flavorful it was. Seeing that their Mushroom Sandwich is their bestseller, I’ll be sure to give that a try next.
KFC Style Popcorn Chicken, RM 8
We selected this dish as a light appetizer to enjoy prior to the arrival of our main course. The image presented in the menu was somewhat misleading, as there was a noticeable difference between the image/photo and the actual serving. As a result, I anticipated receiving a larger portion than what was ultimately provided. Nevertheless, the popcorn chicken was quite delectable. It was rich in flavor, likely attributable to the selection of spices used. The batter consisted of a blend of ingredients, including breadcrumbs, Nestum, and others. It was quite enjoyable; however, I wished that it had been served in a larger portion.
Pandan, Serai & Ginger Juice, RM 5.50
On a sweltering day, should you desire an invigorating drink, the Pandan, Serai and Ginger has the potential to provide significant relief from the heat. With every sip, one can discern the flavors of pandan, lemongrass, and ginger. All natural, it is important to note that no artificial flavorings were used.
In conclusion, we enjoyed a gratifying lunch at Saiva Kitchens. Will we consider revisiting this establishment? Indeed, we would.
Address: 21, Jalan Chantek, 5/13, Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya.
Every now and then, I come across a dining establishment that captures my preference, and if it resonates with me sufficiently, it earns a place on my personal list of venues for future return visits. Uncle Gundu is one such establishment. This Indian restaurant, situated near PJ Hilton and merely a five-minute drive from PJ New Town, offers delectable Indian cuisine.
However, it is essential to emphasize that my fondness for this restaurant is exclusively reserved for visits during the evening and night hours.
Why? From my perspective, lunch hour visits can be quite a nightmare. As someone who does not fare well in crowded, confined spaces, visiting Uncle Gundu during lunchtime was exactly that. The establishment is often overwhelmed with customers on weekdays lunch hour, and vacant seats do not remain unoccupied for long. During this period, Uncle Gundu serves Indian mixed rice, and it is worth noting that the meat tends to empty fast. The replenishment of dishes can be slow, with some items even considered sold out and not restocked. If it wasn’t for that one chicken dish that they managed to refill after a short wait, I would have likely ended up having a vegetarian lunch here instead. Regardless, while the food is indeed enjoyable and flavorsome, I would prefer to avoid visits during the lunch hour.Personal preference.
Evenings and nights are considerably more enjoyable and relaxed. As observed, Uncle Gundu boasts a contemporary interior, featuring walls adorned with art and comfortable seating. This setting serves as an ideal location for gatherings and catch-up sessions.
Menu
For dinner, I have made several visits to Uncle Gundu, during which I have sampled a variety of dishes. I found all the dishes I tasted to be enjoyable, with some being more appealing than others.
The dishes I have tried include Vethu/house thosai, Podi Thosai, Sardine Fried Rice, Fried Mee Hoon, Sardine Satti Sorru, and Chicken Satti Sorru.
Sardine Fried Rice, RM 9
Although I do not particularly favor sardine, I have developed an appreciation for Sardine Fried Rice. Previously, whenever the craving hits, I frequented my favorite low-key bar in Bangsar as they served a delicious version of this fried rice. Unfortunately, they decided to remove this dish from their menu, leaving me in search of a suitable alternative. Over the past year, I have actively sought out a replacement, and given the rarity of Sardine Fried Rice, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it available in this location. Upon tasting it, I can confidently assert that this dish might become my new favorite. The fried rice itself possessed commendable flavor, and with the generous portions of sardine scattered throughout, the dish proved to be quite enjoyable.
The Satti Sorru was good too (photos not available 🙏). However, among the two varieties I sampled—Sardine and Chicken—I found the Chicken Satti Sorru to be more to my liking. It was presented in a boiling hot clay pot, featuring a mix of rice accompanied by a rich curry and tender meat. In contrast, the Sardine Satti Sorru had a slightly overpowering sardine flavor, whereas the Chicken offered a harmonious blend of rice, curry, and chicken that was notably well-balanced. Additionally, the portion of meat was generous.
Bihun Goreng Biasa, RM 10 with Egg
The noodles were okay; however, I would probably refrain from ordering them again. The flavor was somewhat lacking in impact. While it was not entirely absent, the flavors were rather subdued/muter. The inclusion of a fried egg offered some improvement, yet I’ll likely give the dish a miss next time.
The thosais served at Uncle Gundu was good too. I’ve tried both their House/Vethu thosai and their Podi Thosai, both dishes were enjoyable. Almost all dishes I’ve tried were yummy. Overall, I like having dinner at Uncle Gundu and I’ll be revisiting this eatery on the regular whenever I am in the area and craving Indian food.
This experience was a rather unique one. I’ve been to an all Malay hawker stall restaurant and all Chinese hawker stall restaurant. The kind of restaurant thathas several stalls within them, provides a variety of dishes …. yea, I’ve yet to come across an Indian restaurant with similar concept, untill now. Mango Tree Cafe is exactly that. It consist of all – Indian hawker stalls serving a variety of cuisine including YongTauFoo, SattiSorru, NasiLemak, Satay, Thosai, Chapati, Mee Goreng, Nasi Goreng, Western food and etc.
Mango Tree Cafe is located less than 5 – 8 minutes away from the Sunway exit of Federal Highway. It is by the roadside, out in the open. Almost everyone here dressed comfortably – tshirt and pants. I would advise against wearing layers of clothing and makeup because you are bound to sweat. While some areas have fan, it is mostly dependant on natural air to keep us cool. If it is a windy night, great. If it isn’t, then sweat a little lah 😊
The dishes ordered were tasty. Yong Tau Foo was surprisingly good. I ordered this dish because some of the reviews I foundonline mentioned how good it was. Yes, it was good. I ordered 7,8 fried items with the noodles and it cost me RM 9. I liked that the fried itemswere not coated in oil and it was crispy, crunchy and a delight to bite into. The sauce used was good and added to the appeal of the whole dish.
The Chicken Satti Sorru here is literally the cheapest I’ve come across so far. At RM 10, you’d get a proper dish served in claypot. It tasted pretty good, with 3 – 4 pieces of chicken.
The Chicken Kottu Roti, at RM 9, came served in large serving size. Good enough for two people. I kid you not. The amountserved here is doubled the amount you’d get at a normal Indian restaurant, for the same price. It was tasty. A good amount of chicken to roti ratio.
Would I head back here? Yes, I would. I am looking forward to giving the Mee Goreng a try because not only did it look good, it smelled good too.
Address: 36 – 3B, Jalan PJS 5/2, Taman Desaria, Petaling Jaya.
