Just Nyonya @ Bandar Menjalara, Kepong

Sometimes, it pays to slow down and observe your surrounding. True story.

I thought I knew my favourite foodie neighbourhood like the back of my hand especially at Kepong. But alas, this quaint Nyonya establishment located at Bandar Menjalara, Kepong manage to elude me for almost one year. That was when I finally decided to slow down and observe the stretch of shops near my usual steamboat joint.

Low & behold, I noticed a Nyonya restaurant. Just Nyonya is probably the first Nyonya restaurant within this vicinity and it didn’t take long for me to pay a visit.

Setting is simple, light yellow theme furnished with marble top tables and wooden chairs. Clean overall yet not lack of details such as potted plants, framed Nyonya related photos and vintage memorabilia.

Vintage tiles on the floor.

The menu boasts a pretty wide selection of familiar Nyonya dishes with very affordable price tags.

Serai Tea (RM 4.00) & Soya Red Bean (RM 4.30)

Recommended by the staff, the Serai Tea was soothing to the throat, not too overpowering with the herbaceous flavor.

Perut Ikan (RM 16.90)

Perut Ikan literally means fish stomach, a signature Nyonya dish that need tedious and time consuming preparation. Fresh fish stomach was pickled and preserved then cooked with various vegetables (long bean, pineapple & brinjal) and herbs.

Chicken Kapitan (S – RM 16.90)

Another renowned Nyonya dish that not to be missed. Submerged in gorgeously thick and creamy gravy, the chicken is braised till tender and absorbed the curry flavors well. Good  balanced with all the spices and medium spicy, it was definitely a flavor that evocative and really struck a chord with us.

Chicken Pongteh (S – RM 16.90)

Chicken Pongteh is another dish that often appears in many Nyonya households. Slow braising of chicken and potato in a bean paste sauce with some spices. The dish was creamy and rich with sweetness end note. Just Nyonya’s version was a little too sweet for my liking, no faults on this but simply not to my preferential taste as my dining companions enjoyed it immensely.

Inchi Kabin (S – RM 16.90)

Arrived pipping hot on our table was the second poultry dish of Nyonya fried chicken. The beautiful brown hue certainly the proof of perfect deep frying. It was very fragrant from all the herbs used. The chicken was very tasty and the herbs are all fried to a crisp where we could also enjoy them.

Nyonya Asam Prawns (S – RM 38.90)

I’m not really a fan of the crustacean but I did enjoy the sticky and appetizing asam sauce coated evenly on every prawns.

Chuan Chuan Fish (RM 34.90)

Grouper fish cooked with fermented soya bean paste accompanied with ginger, spring onion, onion and tomato. Different from the above Nyonya food that emphasizes on robust tastes, this Chuan Chuan Fish mild in flavor with pleasant nutty taste.

Tempra Egg (S – RM 11.90)

A dish that got seal of approval from the kids that afternoon. Fried eggs topped with minced chicken and shredded onions drenched in savory tamarind base gravy with well balanced of sweetness and acidity. It was very appetizing and suit the kids’ palate very well.

Otak Otak (RM 13.90)

The creamy fish paste wrapped with banana leaf was robust in taste, well infused with assorted herbs and spices. I like the fish chunks hidden inside for that extra texture.

Sweet Potato Leaf Masak Lemak Keledek (S – RM 13.90)

Sweet potato leaves and sweet potatoes are simmered in a potage of chilli paste and coconut milk.I can taste a discernible dried shrimp flavors which added a pleasant umami flavor to the overall dish.

Cendol (RM 5.00)

This cendol had all my check marks for a good bowl of cendol; finely shaved ice, generous serving of cendol slivers as well as the good quality Gula Melaka. I’m a super fan of Gula Melaka, I like mine “overdosed” with lots of it, the more the merrier! LOL

ABC (RM 6.50)

The national dessert of ABC crowned with assorted ingredients such as red bean, corn, peanut, jellies and cendol was equally decent.

Sago with Gula Melaka (RM 4.00)

The wobbly sago pearl pudding swam in creamy white coconut milk and thick Gula Melaka syrupy was unquestionably passed with flying colours.The noteworthy of the dessert lies in the good quality Gula Melaka which lends a nice smoky taste to the dessert.

Verdict: Food here is flavorful with loads of spice and aroma to entice me for a return. Good food with affordable pricing, Just Nyonya definitely a hidden gem at Kepong area that I will highly recommend! Oh ya, don’t forget to check out their set lunch priced at very decent price and I’m eyeing on the Nyonya Laksa, anyone joining me?

Just Nyonya

No.21, Jalan 5/62A, Bandar Menjalara, Kepong, 52200 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: +603-6279 9996 / +6019-260 3996

Operating Hours: 12.00pm – 3.00pm, 6.00pm – 10.00 (Close on Tuesday)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Just-Nyonya-1490709431184380/

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