Onde Onde at Desa Park City aims to serve well prepared Malaysian favorites. When I was invited to have lunch here I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’m a Penangite, and frankly, I have an even fussier tastebud than most of my peers.
Except for a few, Penang food in KL hasn’t been too promising. Even for Penang One; where selected hawkers are in collaboration with the owner and they bring the fresh ingredients, soup and condiments directly from the hawkers themselves daily from individual stalls in Penang didn’t wow me entirely.
Food can be inconsistent and I only favour their Char Kuey Teow, Koay Teow Thng and Mua Chee. The rest is just decent.
So I didn’t have high expectations walking into Onde Onde, though I must say I left pretty satisfied.
Like all Nyonya inspired eateries, the nostalgic ornaments and oriental touches are present. Service is brisk and food arrived swiftly.
I started with the char kuey teow; probably one of the strictest litmus test for any “Penang cuisine” eatery. This was a let-down. Any Penangite can tell you that just from the picture below.
Hope is not lost though. The proprietor takes feedback seriously and the Char Kuey Teow had improved recently.
This is how the Char Kuey Teow looks like now. But, of course, the taste test will come soon. Just let me settle down from my Korea trip.
Next on the trial table is the Ais Kacang. This is my favourite local dessert; regardless if I’m on a diet, sick or stressed, I’ll always appreciate a good, finely shaven ice kacang.
The one here is a bit fusion-ise with too many stuff, but heck, why complain when there’s more ingredients right?
The Asam Laksa (RM9.90) is nicely sourish and thick. I like the fact that there’s chunks of mackerel fish and all the prerequisite ingredients of pineapple, onions, mint leaves, pungent fish paste are provided.
Sipping the flavorful broth I concluded that it was a decent rendition of my hometown’s favourite.
Prawn Mee (RM9.90). I have never been a fan of Penang Hokkien Mee but for those hankering for a mild and sweet crustacean based broth, this might satisfy the craving.
My Penang feast at Onde Onde. Last was the Jiu Hoo Char (fried radish with dried cuttlefish).
Desa Park City is a wonderful area; the lake, the serenity and the sprawling green grounds draws me here almost every weekend. I love the weekend four-legged crowd (doggies!) and I do wish I can be here more often.
Anyhow, I have my heart set now on Onde Onde’s thirst quenching ais kacang as my cool-down drink after some time at the lake. Another pick is the delicious looking Nyonya kuih which I have yet to try.
Till next month, I’ll be back! 🙂
Restoran Onde Onde Local & Nyonya Delights
Location: GF-03A Ground Floor, Waterfront @ ParkCity 5 Persiaran Residen, Desa Park City, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Price range: RM2.50 – RM15.90
Contact no: 03-6280 7419
Open hours: 10am – 10pm (presumably)
Car park: Desa Parkcity open air carpark
WIFI: Available
Website: NA
assam laksa looks pretty tasty (that’s another dish i haven’t eaten in a very long time!), and the ais kacang looks like a mini-mountain! 🙂
Char kuey teow satu! 🙂
Pork free yea? Great for me & my family!
Not great but will do if the cravings strikes – still a better bet to eat at my fav coffeeshops
Pork free? I want that char kuey teow!
Hmm.. some of my friends said this was more misses than hits. Simply because the dishes did not really taste, I mean the flavours aren’t “Penang-like” enough.
I stay in the area & used to patronized Onde quite a fair bit. Quality has gone from bad to worse
I miss Penang food. None good in Sg.
But peranakan yes, we do have some good ones. With pork (unlike the Malacca ones!)
I ate at Onde2 DPC around two weeks ago (before Merdeka) and ordered a char kuey teow with duck egg but which was otherwise vegetarian and without MSG. My order was followed to the T, and it was exactly as I hoped for, being naturally tasty.
I would like to commend the head waiter who served me on that week-day . He was a foreigner who spoke fluent English; he was solicitous and had a gracious manner, caring to ask if my dish was up to the mark. This simple act made my day, and I will be dining there again.
I’ve been fortunate to have eaten at some excellent fine-dining restaurants and this person could walk into the job at these establishments easily. I hope the owners and management of Onde2 are reading this and will do him a good turn. (I can’t find their contact.)
Jason
Sure thing Jason! Will let the owner know! this is at Desa Park City yea, cos there’s another one at Citta Mall.