Kuala Lumpur - Hokkien Fried Noodles at Dynasty, Renaissance Hotel

[klyeoh]

Dynasty Chinese restaurant in KL purportedly served one of the best versions of the KL Hokkien fried noodles, or so I was told. Lunched there today to judge for myself - but was disappointed to find out that it was *not* as good as I'd expected. In fact, I'd rate it behind those sold in street-side stalls and even food court stalls like Hutong Lot 10 (Kim Lian Kee) and EAT Food Village (Sentul Ah Yap).

The version at Dynasty had all the requisite ingredients: fat, yellow Hokkien noodles. a generous scattering of crisp golden lardons, "choy sum" greens and pork slices. No pork liver or prawns here though.

Atypical of KL Hokkien noodles, liberal helpings of dark soysauce was used here to give the noodle dish a glossy, dark sheen.

But, somehow, the Dynasty version did not quite come together nor hit the spot - firstly, the taste was flat (certainly not salty - even for me, who actually preferred lesser salt in my food than most other folks). Secondly, there was no "wok hei" fragrance. No rich pork-lard flavors and, overall, was strangely characterless, with no discernible taste of any sort. I added lots of the chilli dip on the side, but even that did not really improve the dish much. Okay, so it's one BIG let-down here.

The other items we ordered from the lunch-time "dim sum" menu fared a bit better though:
- "Siu-mai" pork-and-shrimp dumplings were light and tasty, actually better than those from many other "yum cha" places here in KL;
- An interesting fish-paste and cheese roll wrapped in beancurd sheets and deep-fried.

The desserts were not really outstanding:
- Durian fritters' had pretty liquid, diluted durian filling. No oomph;
- The steamed thousand layer cake (千層糕) had lime peel added, which I abhor, and totally spoiled one of my fave dim sum desserts :-(

Not in a hurry to return here.

Address details
=============
Dynasty Restaurant
Renaissance Hotel, Level 1, East Wing
103 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: [phone]

[huiray]

klyeoh, could you drop me a line at my personal email, if you would?

[huiray]

Pity about that KL Hokkien Mee.

Heh. A fish chimichanga? ;-)

Interesting choice of motif by the restaurant, in Muslim-KL. I'm not sure I'd personally like that figure doing her thang at me when I am trying to concentrate on my food. :-P

[klyeoh]

:-D

[mikey8811]

I could have told you that. It's behind the ones at Noble House, Reunion or Millenium for the resto/ hotel ilk and definitely behind the trad Hokkien mee stalls.

[klyeoh]

Yup, very disappointed with today's Dynasty lunch.

Shall we do Mun Wah, or some other "real" KL Hokkien mee spots, together one day?

[huiray]

It seems there are contrary opinions about Mun Wah. ;-)
khkl.blogspot.com/2010/04/mun-wah-hokkien-mee.html

The opinions of both of you would be welcome to read about. (I personally don't remember that shop, although I was close-by in the area almost on a daily basis for years after their apparent establishment date)

[klyeoh]

Oh yes, in fact - it was because I'd mentioned Mun Wah that my KL friend started spitting brimstone & fire ("Don't waste your time there!") and brought me to Dynasty instead! :-D

I'm taking my search for best KL Hokkien mee to PJ next, starting with the much talked-about: Ahwa at 66 Jalan 14/48.

[mikey8811]

The current location is later. It was behind in a row of shophouses opposite the infamous Choo Cheng Kay mansions for many years from the early 80's. It was somewhere else before that. I haven't been for a few years but it was good the last time I went.

[huiray]

Ahh...that explains it. I'm glad I wasn't losing it. Thanks. :-)

Heh, The Haunted Building (and China Dolls) in Kampong Attap. I remember my folks murmuring about its reputation even then when I was still in KL...

[mikey8811]

Sure, give me a holler when you feel like going and we'll figure something out. I haven't been to the PJ ones as they are a bit far and my lack of navigational skills are a deterrent.