When I read in the makan grapevine about a new Thai place in my neighbourhood, I had it in mind to go check it out soon. More so when it serves porky delights and what’s even better is that it’s just a hop and skip away from my work place. I wasted no time in roping in one of my favourite makan partners to have dinner there recently. It was supposed to be a merry group but as fate would have it, several of them could not make it due to ill health. Nevertheless, determination and gluttony know no bounds and that’s how I got to check this place out a couple of nights ago.
As the name suggests, it is a kopitiam set-up and a rather quaint one, too. I like their metal soup spoons, the black & white paintings and the odd cage-on-wheels that give it an old world charm… and oh yes, their cock-a-doodle-doo bowls, too!
As there were only 2 of us dining, we couldn’t order an army of dishes… but what we did order, turn out to be pretty good.
We started off with the Kao Klut Gapi – Belacan Fried Rice (RM14.90) which was served with all the condiments by the side. Fragrant long-grained Thai rice fried with belacan, flanked by sliced shallots, fried dried prawns, strips of young mango, chopped chilli padi, slices of lime and topped with some cilantro leaves.
Well, that’s not all… there was also a bowl of this yummy braised pork belly…
… which you are supposed to pour on top of the rice…
Now, we took exactly 5 seconds to admire the whole ensemble before digging in! OK, give that another 5 seconds for me to squeeze in the lime juice, and that’s it! The aroma was just too irresistible. And the flavours? It was a glorious explosion of saltish, tangy, sourish and spiciness all rolled into yummy mouthfuls… made even more decadent by the tender well-braised pieces of pork belly!
The Mun Thod Gapi – Crispy Fried Pork (RM16.90) is one of their best sellers and of course we had to order it. Presentation-wise, it looked almost like the chinese-style Hakka fried pork but the addition of kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut) and marinade of shrimp paste definitely lent it its Thai identity.
The platter of fried porcine delight came with this delicious dip…
The Yam Woon Sentalay – Glass Noodles Seafood Salad (RM14.90) has all the requisite flavours balanced out perfectly. I couldn’t fault it in any way and I loved the bits of pickled leek in it.
We tried another salad, Yam Khou Moo Yang – BBQ Pork Salad (RM16.90), because we are such pig-lovers. The pieces of shredded pork, soaked with all the enticing flavours of limejuice, fish sauce and the merry mixture of chopped shallots, chilli padi, sliced cucumber and chinese celery. I almost wanted to ask for some white rice to eat with this!
As they are still pretty new, there were only 2 types of dessert available and we had both! Torb Tim Krob – Red Rubies of Waterchestnut (RM5.90) – the strips of sweet jackfruit and the thick coconut milk rendered this almost too sinful to finish.
Mango Pulut (RM8.90) – slices of chokanan mango flanked the steamed glutinuous rice – the coconut cream was really thick and rich and both of us struggled to finish this.
Oh, do try their Thai Tamarind Juice (RM7.90) – it’s so addictively good and a great quencher for those bits of fiery chilli padi! As with any new joint, there’s bound to be hits and misses but I guess we ordered the right items that night because I enjoyed all that we ate! I would love to go back to try their other dishes as well as their breakfast items like Pork Noodles. They start serving breakfast at 8.00am – it should be doable for me since it’s in my neighbourhood!
Surisit Thai Kopitiam
No.17 Grd Floor, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
60000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel/Fax: 03-7710-0173
What gorgeous pictures! I love what you did with the montage. The belacan fried rice was really good!
Thanks, Marian
Oh yess… the belacan fried rice was awesome – LL can attest to that too!
Oh the red rubies, how they shine!! LOVE tab tim krob!!
Yeah, those little red jewels were so good!
So yummy……….wanna try it out one of these day…….
Go try quick!
I am sure the food here is much better than the lunch I had today at Chakri Palace! Damn blardy expensive.. Lucky that I can claim company for it.
I’m sure it’s much better!
Wahhh open so early in the morning! Ok must drop by for belacan fried rice as it’s my fave!
Ahh yes, the Belacan Fried Rice is pretty awesome here!
I was disappointed with My Elephant lah …. guess should go to places like this one. Am I already the last to visit? Damn … time flies and you guys semua already makan this. Hmm.
I just read yr post on My Elephant – not that impressive for you huh? Hey, I can always go again to Surisit – it’s just across the road from me. Give me a buzz if you wanna go
BBQ Pork salad sounds so good.
Yes, it certainly sounds good!
Do try their pork tom yam the next time you are there, dear – it’s superb!
OK, I will take note of that!