Chefs come up with 10 unique dishes using ingredients found locally

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INSPIRED by the Prime Minister’s 1Malaysia concept, the chefs at Siang Seafood Restaurant have created a fusion-style menu that reflects the multi-faceted elements of the country.

Restaurant head chef Lai Chee Heng and dim sum head chef Chow Nam Heng sought inspiration from Malaysia’s rich culture and diversity to produce a menu of 10 unique dishes using ingredients that are found in the country.

Lai’s personal favourite is the Steamed Garoupa Fillets with Assorted Fruits Salsa, a dish he recommends for its health values and tangy flavours.

He also incorporated petai — an item popular among some Malaysians — into the Prawn Steamed with Minced Petai and Chicken.

Inspired by the 1Malaysia concept: Lai (left) with his personal favourite — the Steamed Garoupa Fillets with Assorted Fruits Salsa, while Chow presents the Chilled Mangosteen with Sour Plum.

The Roasted Chicken Served in Two Preparations features a whole chicken that is served in two styles — baked, and accompanied with Thai chilli sauce.

Other dishes include Battered Crispy Tofu Dumplings Topped with Chicken Floss, Stir-Fried Sweet Peas with Assorted Mushrooms, Baked Lamb Chop with Teriyaki Sauce, Claypot Cod Fish and Fried Sea Prawns with Golden Rice.

Chow’s contributions are the “Patriotic” Chef’s Special Dim Sum – a creative and painstaking creation made from crabstick, salted egg yolk, glutinous rice, seaweed, chopped chicken meat, chopped dried black mushroom and beancurd sheet, and Chilled Mangosteen with Sour Plum as dessert for sweet endings.

Lai, 45, and Chow, 48, both have at least 25 years’ experience in their respective fields, and have been working in various Chinese establishments at restaurants, hotels and in the cruise line.

On how they came up with the 1Malaysia-themed menu, Lai said: “We brainstormed and came up with about 20 dishes a couple months back.

“The final lineup of dishes was shortlisted based on feedback from the restaurant’s management and customers through several food tasting sessions.”

Creative: The ‘Patriotic’ Chef’s Special Dim Sum is made in the likeness of the Malaysian flag.

Located at Sogo KL, Siang Seafood Restaurant is wholly owned and managed by Sogo (KL) Department Store Sdn Bhd.

The restaurant is probably one of the handful Chinese restaurants in the city that boast a large Malay clientele.

Sogo (KL) Department Store Sdn Bhd trainer Yana Chan said the restaurant offered several affordably priced set menus to cater for the office crowd, which was its main clientele.

“Our restaurant aims to provide a fine-dining ambience and service, at very affordable prices. We’re also halal-compliant,” she said.

Siang Seafood Restaurant seats an estimated 250 patrons and has four VIP rooms, two of which are equipped with karaoke facilities.

The restaurant is also able to host and cater for private functions and weddings.

The 1Malaysia-themed menu will be available till the end of this year.

A one-day advance order is required for the “Patriotic” Chef’s Special Dim Sum and Chilled Mangosteen with Sour Plum.