Dim sum has always been my go-to comfort food.
As a kid growing up in Ipoh, we didn’t have much money, so having a dim sum meal was like Chinese New Year. Heck, if I got to eat just two char siu pow only, I’d be jubilant and won’t stop smiling that entire week. Back then, there wasn’t that many fancy dim sum restaurants around and I remember the best dim sum joint was this crowded kopitiam next to the wet market in town. So, munching on my favorite har kow and lor mai kai and putting up with the interesting smells of the nearby market, my world was always right whenever I had dim sum on the table.
Nowadays we are luckier – I don’t have to wait till CNY before I can have a dim sum meal. And of course, being in the Klang Valley, dim sum in many restaurants have now evolved beyond the rudimentary har kow and siu mai. Dining trends and competition in the F&B industry have pushed the bar many notches higher… chefs are now innovating more creative items on their menus!
The Oriental Group of Restaurants needs no introduction – their network of restaurants in the Klang Valley is popular and familiar to many. Noble Mansion in Petaling Jaya is well-known for its Cantonese and Shunde dishes. Fashioned after a traditional Chinese mansion, the elegant interior provides a pleasing backdrop for an unhurried meal here. Recognising that dim sum is always welcome and popular among diners, Noble Mansion recently unveiled its dim sum menu.
Creamy Carrots Swan Puffs (RM12.80)
What would probably grab your attention would be their visually-appealing Creamy Carrot Swan Puffs, Longevity Piglets Buns, Peanut Lava Carrots and Pan-fried Dumplings with Superior Stock. Apart from the cute piglet buns, I love the puffs and the dumplings. The swan puffs are filled with warm savoury radish; the “carrot” puffs have wondrous gooey peanut filling spilling out the moment you bite into them and the pan-fried dumplings dunked in superior broth are really good. The piglet buns are appealing visually but it’s just the regular lotus buns given a cute facelift.
Pan-fried Dumplings with Superior Stock (RM11.80)
At Noble Mansion, regular dim sum are given various twists for differentiation from the masses. The har kau has extra crunch, thanks to addition of Australian asparagus and the siew mai are scented with black truffles. Although the char siew pau comes with Iberico pork filling, I really can’t tell any difference from regular pork as I don’t think the uniqueness of Iberico can be discerned in the sweetish diced pork filling. Nevertheless, I enjoy the well-executed char siew pau.
Har Kau with Australian Asparagus (RM11.80)
Siew Mai with Black Truffle (RM10.80)
Another item which I really like are the Prawns & Baby Fungus Dumplings in Cordycep Flowers Soup – the ingredients alone will tell you that this is a premium dim sum dish. Cordyceps, a prized herb, is valued for its immunity-boosting and lungs strengthening properties – I made sure that not a drop of the soup was left.
Prawns & Baby Fungus Dumplings in Cordycep Flowers Soup (RM14)
Cheong Fun with Duck Meat (RM11.80)
Pork Ribs with Black Beans (RM9.80)
Besides dim sum, there are appetizers, congee, noodles and desserts to fill the stomach. My favourite appetizers here are…
Icy Japanese Vegetables (RM28)
Chilled Abalones with Sakura Shrimps & Chilli (RM38)
Stuffed Century Eggs with XO Sauce (RM18)
Prawn Toast topped with Bonito Flakes & Shredded Cabbage (RM18)
And if you still have tummy space, go for these…
Porridge with Iberico Pork & Wolfberries (RM18)
Japanese Buckwheat Noodles with Iberico Pork & Black Truffle (RM48)
I must mention the splendid Crab Noodles from the main menu. Even if you are there for dim sum, do indulge on this plate of divine slippery smooth noodles wrapping a huge succulent crab claw – you won’t regret it!
We totally love the desserts in Noble Mansion and wanted to order every one of them! However, good sense set in and we could only manage these top favourites…
Thousand Layer Cake (RM9)
Golden Pudding with Bird’s Nest in Whole Orange (RM23)
Fuji Apple with Snow Jelly, Gingko, Red Dates & Fresh Lily Bulbs (RM16)
Summer Breeze Coconut Jelly (RM14)
Prices of dim sum at Noble Mansion are understandably above average, given the more premium ingredients used. Iberico pork, black truffles, cordyceps – these are clearly for more discerned palates and the classy and quieter ambience is another plus point for a more relaxed and enjoyable dining experience.
NOBLE MANSION
P1-01, Level 1 Podium,Plaza 33
No. 1 Jalan Kemajuan,
Seksyen 13
46200 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7932 3288
Mondays to Saturdays
11.00 am – 3.00 pm
6.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Sundays & Public Holidays
10.00 am – 3.00 pm
6.00 pm – 11.00 pm