Latest news with #foodReview
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Din Sun Kopitiam: Must-try affordable dragon fruit dim sum, salted egg bun & chee cheong fun in Chinatown
While kopitiams are scattered all over Klang Valley, finding one that's both public transport-friendly and not tucked inside a shopping mall can be surprisingly tricky. Luckily, the Chinatown area (yes, good old Petaling Street) is a little goldmine for just that. My latest discovery led me to Din Sun Kopitiam, a charming little spot that's not quite in the heart of Chinatown, but just a few blocks shy of it. Design-wise, Din Sun is a bit of a peculiar one. It's not exactly your typical cosy coffee shop, but it does have a certain snugness to it. You'll find a mix of the usual plastic tables and chairs with wooden ones here, yet it doesn't lean fully into the modern cafe aesthetic. It's kind of old-school from the rustic walls…but that was it. My colleague and I tried to pin down the perfect phrase to describe it, but we ended up just moving on to the food. The menu was delightfully affordable, with some fun picks to try. And the servers were genuinely warm and welcoming. If you're the type who gets a little nervous exploring new eateries solo, this place might just ease you into it like a mother's embrace. Beyond your usual kopitiam staples like nasi lemak and noodles, Din Sun Kopitiam also offers a rather extensive dim sum selection. We decided to ease into the meal with something a little different: the Steamed Prawn Dumpling with Dragon Fruit (RM7.80 for 3 pieces). The dumpling wrapper looked just like dragon fruit skin, complete with speckles that mimicked the seeds. The filling, while tasty and nicely seasoned, was an ordinary mix of bouncy minced chicken. Yummy, yes, but not exactly groundbreaking. And no, there was no actual dragon fruit flavour to be found. Next up was what we weren't sure to call a light snack or dessert: the Salted Egg Yolk Bun (RM6.80 for 2 pieces). These pale-green buns were larger than expected, and noticeably firmer than the usual soft, pillowy baos. Texture-wise, they reminded me more of apam, with a hint of tanginess likely from fermented rice flour. As for the filling, it was buttery and rich, which explained its slightly uneven texture. Flavour-wise, it tasted more like regular custard than anything distinctly salted egg. Butter Kaya Kopitiam: Chinatown's must-visit coffee shop for pandan kaya lava toast, buttermilk clam noodles & jumbo rojak rolls Of course, we couldn't leave without trying their Steamed Chee Cheong Fun (RM8.80 for mixed filling). Instead of the usual bok choy, it came with romaine lettuce. The rice noodle sheets were noticeably thicker than the usual version, and the mixed filling leaned heavily on chicken rather than shrimp. Still, the soy sauce it was served with was flavourful, and the crisp shallots on top added a nice finish. A little drizzle of chilli oil on the side would've taken it to the next level though. My favourite dish of the day turned out to be the Stir-Fried Radish Cake (RM8.80). It came as golden, crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside radish cake cubes tossed in a fragrant soy sauce mix. What really elevated the dish, though, were the kucai leaves and taugeh. Both added their own flavours and crunch, and tied everything together with a lovely wok hei aroma. To round things off with something a bit more filling, we shared a plate of Char Kuey Teow (RM12.90), which arrived in a generous portion. Instead of the usual ingredients like Chinese sausage or cockles, this version was stir-fried with cabbage and carrots. There was a slight sour note and an unusual hint of ghee that left me a little puzzled. It was tasty, no doubt, but if you're expecting regular CKT, you might raise an eyebrow or two. Most of the dishes we tried at Din Sun Kopitiam leaned more towards the safe side. The one-note flavour stayed within a familiar zone of umami and savoury, mostly driven by the classic soy-oyster sauce combo. Nothing too complex or bold, but everything was undeniably well-seasoned and thoughtfully prepared. If you're in the mood for something comforting and gentle on the palate — nothing too spicy, greasy, or overwhelming — this spot fits the bill nicely. Expected damage: RM6.80 – RM12.90 per pax Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam: Must-try nasi lemak, kaya toast & dim sum in Chinatown – worth the hype? The post Din Sun Kopitiam: Must-try affordable dragon fruit dim sum, salted egg bun & chee cheong fun in Chinatown appeared first on
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I tested prawn mayo sandwiches after filling was voted UK's fave… £1.89 winner was sumptuous snack that looked homemade
BEST not tell Roy Keane – but prawn mayo is top of the sarnies league this year. The ex-Man United star and TV footie pundit once berated Reds fans for being too busy scoffing prawn sandwiches in hospitality suites to follow the game. LAURA STOTT rates the supermarkets' offerings of this year's No1 filling. Sainsbury's, £3 ONE of the pricier buys, it does contain 40 per cent prawns coated in plenty of mayo. But this offering is all a bit basic for what you are paying. The oatmeal bread was thick but soft and flimsy, and lets the show down. The seafood was a little better, though, with plenty of plump, tangy pinkies. The mayo was well enough judged, too, and not so much that the sarnie became messy and soggy. Shame about that bread. 2/5 Tesco, £2.75 A WELL-priced chomp, with malted bread cut to a decent thickness, and seeds to add crunch. However, the slices were dry and this sarnie tasted a little bland. You get 39 per cent prawns but they were rather small. The mayo was nice and thick, with a pleasingly eggy, tangy taste and a background warmth of mustard. I did find this scoff salty, though, and it left me thirsty. I'm not sure it would fill you up enough. 3/5 Save with secret codes Aldi, £1.89 THIS sandwich had sumptuous flavour, while saving you plenty of money. Looks almost homemade, with so much juicy filling – 39 per cent prawns and bursting with sweet flavour at every bite. Fresh, gloopy mayo and big wodges of malted bread add to the delight. It's not the most sophisticated – and watch out, as the content does ooze out a bit – but this delivers on flavour and will keep you going for hours. 5/5 Lidl, £1.89 THE price was great, but what I found inside the bright-pink packaging wasn't quite as pleasing. Everything seemed just a bit off the mark. The oatmeal bread tasted dry, despite plenty of mayo. The filling is 38 per cent prawns, but the latter were devoid of either colour or flavour. As I bit in, I hardly noticed them. Everything was just a bit watery and bland, and made for a boring lunch. Not a sarnie I would buy again. 2/5 M&S, £3.60 ONLY 60p more than the Sainsbury's offering but the difference in taste is quite dramatic. When you bite in, the fresh, deli-style bread is fantastic, and the filling is also generous – 40 per cent prawn and with big, meaty chunks. The mayo was thick and creamy although a bit eggier would be welcome. Proper doorstep of a sarnie to leave you feeling full for the rest of the day. Very good but not cheap. 4/5 Co-op, £3.25 NICE enough but not as posh as the 'lemon and black pepper mayo' label suggests – especially as it was one of the priciest sarnies I tried. The pale-looking prawns were unappetising, and a few more would be good. The filling is 38 per cent prawns but doesn't taste like it. The mayo was tasty but the best bit about this bite was the bread – thick malted slices with seeds which added some flavour and texture. 2/5 Asda, £2.65 THIS looked huge in the pack, and the filling seemed generous, with 39 per cent prawns. But when I bit in, it all seemed rather unbalanced. There were plenty of prawns in the middle of this munch – although they were a bit small – but not much mayo. The bread was flimsy, with not enough to support the filling. And despite being described as oatmeal, it looked and tasted more like white sliced. 2/5 Morrisons, £2.85 A KINGLY treat, this. The malted bread was fresh and bouncy, with a wholesome aroma. Thick slices stopped the sarnie from going soggy, despite lashings of mayo. Loads of juicy, succulent prawns, which tasted lovely and fresh. Their sweetness was offset perfectly by the wholegrain bread. This lunchtime pick ticked every box, and at a brilliant price. Almost as good as from a smart deli. 5/5
