Petaling Street, Sydney CBD

I always crave Malaysian foods, here I am to try it out.  Petaling Street serves Malaysian Hawker food, according to their restaurant menu.  Standing at the front entrance, you think it's a long, narrow restaurant that seats only a small number of patrons.  Little do you know, there is a second floor that expands out into a much bigger dining hall. 

We had the Chicken Curry Laksa, which came out fairly quickly once ordered.  Filled to the brim with piping hot broth, the bowl had substantial amount of chicken, fish cakes, bean curd and bean sprouts, and included both thick egg noodles and vermicelli noodles.  Curry broth was spicy and very flavourful - a pleasant surprise to other bland broths I've had in the past.

#56.  Chicken Curry Laksa ($10.80)

We also had #40. Fried Koay Teow ($10.80).  A huge plate of flat rice noodles, mixed with seafood, bean sprouts and Chinese sausage.  Again, very good flavours which hits the spot.  Didn't notice any MSG afterwards either, which is a plus!

All in all, Petaling Street could be my new "to-go" dining place for a quick and cheap eat.  Satisfies all the cravings and doesn't blow the bank!  I'm hungry for their food just thinking about it... Highly recommended!

 

Baba Laksa House, CBD

Several workmates had suggested this so come here on a weekday to try it out.  Located in the Grace Hotel on York St, its a pretty central location that fills up quickly once lunchtime rolls around.  We got there at 12.30pm and I was slightly worried about not being able to find a table.  Luckily for us, a couple was just finishing up and I quickly slid into their vacant seat :)

Baba Laksa has quite a diverse set of lunch options - ranging from rice places, to laksa, to soup noodles.  We choose the Beef Rendang with Rice, and the Singapore Har Mee.  The Beef Rendang was presented on a long plate, filled half with white rice and half with beef chucks.  Texture of the meat was a little dry for me, and although there was plenty of rendang sauce...there wasn't too many chucks of meat - maybe 7 pieces?!

The Singapore Har Mee was quite good.  Noodles in a tangy and light broth, filled with plenty of chicken meat and prawns.  I think I counted at least 5 prawns, which is pretty impressive!  These days, it seems like you are lucky to get more than 3 :D  A small amount of chinese vegetables and bean spouts was included, and the bowl was topped with fried onions and half a boiled egg.  For those that want a bit more heat, you can add extra chill to spice it up.  Baba serves their laksas and soup noodles in long, oval-shapped bowls.  Takes it one step up from the old, chipped, plastic bowls that usually goes together with this type of street food!

Singapore Har Mee Noodles (~$11)

Baba Laksa house is a place to grab a casual bite - Quick service, right amount of tables/seating, and decent food.  Wasn't a fan of the beef rendang but would go back for the Singapore Har Mee.  Although Baba is situated in a hotel lobby, its not a "hotel-type" restaurant...its simple food, nothing fancy.

Jimmy's Recipe, CBD

Been craving laksa every since coming to Sydney so was on a mission to find out the best laksa places around town!  Jimmy's Recipe was the closest one in proximity.  Tucked in the buildings of the Galleries Victoria complex in CBD, its a hybrid of a sit-down restaurant and food court takeway. 

Jimmy's Recipe serves Malaysian food.  I see most customers having the laksa dishes or the Char Guew Teow (Pan Fried Rice Noodle) so of course I choose the same.

We start off with the Chicken Laksa.  Quite a large portion for the price.  As with the traditional laksas, the noodles were a mixture of vermicelli noodles and yellow noodles.  The broth was not too creamy, which works for me.  Found the broth was not too spicy though, would have preferred a little more kick.  They do have hot oils which you can add to pump up the spiciness.

Chicken Laska ($7.80)

Second dish was the Seafood Char Guew Teow.  A mixture of flat rice noodles, pan fried together with Chinese vegetables and seafood.  Seafood consisted mainly of fish cakes, fish balls and a few prawns.  The noodles were then covered by an egg-like sauce. 

Personally, I found it a little salty.  I also would have preferred this dish dry - without the sauce.  Might try it next time without it at all, so I can get a true taste of the noodles.

Seafood Char Guew Teow ($8.80) 

Service was quick - order your food, pay and sit down.  Food usually comes out in 5 mins or so.  Good place for a quick, casual and affordable meal.

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Jimmy's Recipe

500 George St
Sydney, NSW 2000
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/70/1449016/restaurant/CBD/Jimmys-Recipe-Sydney

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