Santouka Ramen, Pavilion

There seems to be many ramen shops mushrooming in Klang Valley these few months. One of the famous one is of course Santouka. Originated from Japan, Santouka specialized in Hokkaido style ramen. A few moons ago I went to Pavilion for a Moet & Chandon event and I came from work without having anything to eat. So, I decided to try out the famous Santouka Ramen in Tokyo Street at Pavilion.

I ordered their popular and limited Tokusen Toroniku Ramen. The toroniku chashu made from pork cheek meat is only sold in limited serving. If not mistaken, only about 50 or 100 bowls will be sold per day. This is due to the limited supply of pork cheek. A pig only has 200-300g of usable pork cheek meat.

I heard many people complained that the soup here is a bit too salty. Instead of turning away from it, I know I came to the right place because Hokkaido style ramen is saltier than other style of ramen in Japan. If you prefer less salty ramen, I recommend you Yamagoya Kyushu style ramen in Duta Solaris. I'll blog about it in another post.

The good thing here is that they will put the sides for the ramen in a separate plate. You have a choice to add in as you eat but I like to put everything in.

Ramen-ya or ramen shop in Japan will always have gyoza available. So, Santouka is also following the tradition. I found that the gyoza here is a bit too small for my liking but the filling is quite juicy.

Albeit, the ramen here is a bit pricey but what I ordered is a premium part of a pork. It's still cheaper to go to Singapore or fly to Japan to have a taste of authentic Hokkaido style ramen. If you happen to come to Pavilion, why not give it a try? You might start to love the salty taste of Hokkaido ramen.

Address:
Level 6, Pavilion KL
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (03) 2143-8878

The Loaf, Pavilion KL

I've never patronized The Loaf in Pavilion KL before even though it's been more than a year there. Firstly, I'm not a big fan of pastry and secondly, the price of pastry in The Loaf is not actually cheap. Then two weeks ago I got myself to Pavilion to meet up with Zoe to get my long awaited Christmas present and also I invited her to go to the Phua Chu Kang Fans Gathering.

She asked me to wait at the fountain in front of Pavilion KL

There's still an hour to kill for the fans gathering to start and we're both a bit hungry. So, I recommended that we go try out The Loaf. Most of you would have know that The Loaf is owned by our beloved ex Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir. The first outlet started in Langkawi, and only recent years the branch started up in Kuala Lumpur.






I saw that there's a 50% promotion on one new item. Tomato Cheese Pastry. Selling for RM 4.80 per piece normally but now it's only RM 2.40 per piece. So I ordered 1 for me and 1 for Zoe. Very suitable for her because she's half vegetarian.






Zoe remembered my birthday was two days ago, and she insists of buying me belated birthday cake. Awww.. so nice of her. Happens that The Loaf doesnt make any cake. So, instead of having birthday cake, Zoe bought me half a dozen of cup cake like Mini U-Hu-Hu.

Clock wise from top left: Oreo Crunch Munch, Nuts Nuts Nuts,Inspiring Fluffy, Glitzy Strawberries,Trickled Caramel, and Mango Banana Bliss.

There's some hit and misses in the Mini U-Hu-Hu. We liked the Inspiring Fluffy, Glitzy Strawberries and Trickled Caramel. Inspiring Fluffy is like a cheesecake but with more eggy flavour than cheese. Glitzy Strawberries is like a strawberry moose cake. Last but not least Trickled Caramel is like a egg pudding with caramel sauce, which is the one we liked best. There are a lot more choices to choose from and the more you buy the cheaper it is.

The other pastries look very nice and delicious looking but the price is a bit stiff for a non-pastry fan like me. Those of you that like good bakery and pastries should drop by and have a look. Good news is, now The Loaf has branches in Empire Shopping Mall in Subang Jaya and also IOI Boulevard in Puchong. Don't have to drive all the way and brave the traffic to Kuala Lumpur city center anymore.




Addresses:

The Loaf Langkawi
Lot No C9 Perdana Quay
Telaga Harbour Park
Pantai Kok
07000 Langkawi
Kedah Malaysia
Tel: +604 959 4866
Open daily from 8am - 11pm
Website: http://www.theloaf.net

The Loaf Pavilion
Lot 3.13.00 & 4.12.00
Level 3&4 Pavilion
Kuala Lumpur
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2145 3036

The Loaf EMPIRE Shopping Gallery, Subang
LG23A, Lower Ground Floor,
Jalan SS16/1, SS16
47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

The Loaf IOI Boulevard, Puchong
Jalan Kenari 5, G52 Bandar Puchong Jaya,
47170 Puchong, Selangor
Tel: + 603 8076 9445

Pepper Lunch, Pavilion KL

Simon Says: This is something similar to what I'll be going to do for the next 20 days or so. For mine, MY FM is the organizer.


After having teh halia and paru goreng for tea, I headed down to Pavilion KL from 1 Utama. I am meeting Nigel in Pepper Lunch for dinner because he'll be helping me to shoot my Rihanna impersonation video that night.

The first time I tried Pepper Lunch was in Singapore early last year because at that time there's no outlet in Malaysia yet. As Jeroen commented in the post, they are opening in KL soon. Yes, he's right. They opened their first Malaysian outlet in Pavilion KL, which don't surprise me. Seeing food chains from Singapore opening all their first outlet there such as Food Republic, Ministry of Food, Dainti Hill and etc.

The outlet here in Pavilion KL is bigger than the outlet I went to in Singapore. Yes, we got the luxury of space here, so don't envy us Singaporean. LOL. Just kidding. Ahem. Let's get back to the main topic.

Well, one thing I don't envy being a Malaysian is that our spending power is low comparing to our friends from across the Causeway. While it cost only SGD 9.90 for a Weekday Lunch Star Deal set of Pepper Steak that comes with rice and a soda, it cost RM 30.80 for a Pepper Steak and rice here in Malaysia. You have to top up RM 2.50 for a soup or a soda. Even if converted back to Malaysian Ringgit, it's still cheaper to eat in Singapore. If one is earning Sing Dollar then it's even more affordable. Sigh.

The ordering is the same here. Place your order at the counter, you'll be given a number to place on your table, and then they will serve your order. This time I ordered Hamburger Steak with Fried Egg (RM 21.80).

Instruction of how to cook your Pepper Lunch.

Spread the butter evenly on the Hamburger.

Instead of the normal garlic or honey sauce, I was advised by the staff there to pour the French Onion sauce. I call it that because it tasted damn like French Onion soup, only thicker and saltier.

Pouring my sauce after the needed done-ness is reached.

Taste wise, it's not too bad but it still can't beat Pepper Steak that I had in Singapore. Didn't know what hamburger can go so well with rice. It must be the sauce. It's quite fulfilling too with the fried egg, bean sprout and corn as the side. Wish that they will come out for set lunch that is much more affordable. If not, I think they won't last very long in Malaysia.

Rating: 3.2/5

Down it with rice not fries.

Even though it's not what I was expecting as the one that I've eaten in Singapore but with the eating with a company of fun loving friends more than cover the flaw. Thanks David, Hsu Jen, Kel Li, and Nigel for helping me making the Rihanna video.

One of the scrapbook

Address:

Pepper Lunch
Lot 1.54 Level 1
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
No. 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603-2141 0228
Fax: 603-2141 0998

Other ppl's view:

Babe in the City
Tock Tock