Meng Shiang at Taman Cheras, KL

Our first Charsiew Wantan Mee lunch for the year at Meng Shiang, Taman Cheras, had us gasping for words...

The girl who took our orders told us

"Don't worry - very fast today because less people"...

When we were served our plate of noodles in just under 15 minutes we were surprised, to say the least...

The portion looked substantial in size but once we took a bite, we were really disappointed. The Charsiew was tasteless, as was the noodles.. What happened to our one time favourite wantan mee shop?

Thinking that perhaps we were just having an unlucky spat with Chinese coffee shop food, we decided to try Western for dinner instead.

Revisiting MM Cafe at Section 17 PJ, we found that the quality in food had dipped as well.

The lamb chop you see below was burnt, small and had salt clumps on the top surface.

The Fish and Chips I had was 50% smaller than usual!

What is becoming of the quality of food in KL/PJ? I read an article somewhere that eating good food (i.e. food that is prepared well and tastes great) triggers a chemical response in our bodies that sets off endorphins into our bloodstream. This gives a pleasurable response.

Eating a large meal, to the point of satiety, can also set off endorphins.

Both are different - and both can make us feel good.

So it goes , some restaurants give you a HUGE meal, and compromise on quality, so you may still get that pleasurable response... not from the taste, but rather the size of the meal. (one good example is comparing a BIGMAC meal, to a small but fresh plate of sushi).


My question is this... what happens when restaurants cut back on BOTH portion size as well as quality? Is there a negative response in the body? what is the reverse of endorphin release?
I don't know the technical term/answer to that one but I will say this... it should be the opposite of pleasurable. It should be the opposite of a feeling of well-being and a feeling of satisfaction...

Granted it is pure speculation on my part, and I am no rocket scientist, but if we lack endorphins we will soon become very unhappy, sick puppies... ! What do you think? What are the long term effects of eating lousy/sub-standard food?

Feel free to post a comment. Cheers!


Restoran Meng Shiang
1 & 3, Jalan Kas Kas 2
Taman Cheras (Taman Yulek)
Kuala Lumpur

MM Cafe,
Happy Mansion,
Section 17, PJ

Those school vacations that were blissful and carefree

Not only should Meng Shiang be famous for its Charsiew Wantan Mee, it should be given a MEDAL for its Charsiew Bao as well.

The meat in the BAO, has hardly any fat. It's all solid Charsiew Meat.

Everytime we eat here, this is the only snack that will pacify me, until the Wantan Mee arrives. It's only 11.30am on a Sunday, after the 10am at Wesley , and already, the wait will be 30 -40 mins.

Well... we don't want to over-do it, now do we... because, my stomach should be saving enough room for the Wantan Mee.

But at RM1.00 per Bao, and RM2.30 average, per plate for the other goodies.. the Dimsum is causing conflict in mah soul... oh yes it is ... :P


The sweet lady... so small and unassuming...

But trust me.. there's nothing delicate or unassuming about the way she HACKS up the chunks of Charsiew meat.. not for the faint hearted.. to be sure. Her knife is a blur.

WHIZ, chop, whack, hack, slit... !
This is what gives the Charsiew bits, their signature, 'American Psycho' style barbaric finish.

A generous, slashing of flesh is what you get. Along with your noodles.


But don't be fooled.

This irregular, grotesquely shaped hunk of Charsiew, though sloppy, really is one of the best in town. Smoky meaty flavour, with a rich caramelized, crispy, melt in your mouth outer skin, just hits the spot perfectly.

I want to go back for sloppy seconds!

Having said that, the Wantan Noodles, still lacked that special "chinese wine" sauce flavour, that some other noodles have, making it not as memorable as the Charsiew itself.

But who cares.. still bloody awesome la.

RM3.80 per plate (small). RM5.50 per 'Kar Liao' (large).

We are clearly fans of the TRANS FAT , for reasons that I cannot fathom. Here is the Siew Yok. At RM6.00 pretty so-so. On the salty side with not enough soft fat, though we asked for "pun fei sau". They burnt the skin :(

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Hmmmm... anyway, having just sampled a thoroughly hearty and enjoyable meal, i have to say that, my heart is torn. A wave of nostalgia washes over me and I am compelled to write down these words...

Nothing but nothing compares to the Charsiew, which back in time, satisfied my hunger and allowed me to relive holidays at my grandparents'. My grandma use to MAKE her own Charsiew right out of that smoky, delightful kitchen of hers in Ipoh.... Those school vacations which were so blissful and carefree, I can only now fully appreciate them. I wish i were a kid again.

Wantan Noodles : 6/10

Charsiew:7/10
Siew Yok:4/10
MSG levels : moderate
Price: value for money

Address:
Meng Shiang (near that Hau Kee Empire! As in opposite side of road - go early as very packed and people double/triple park)
Jln Kaskas 2,
Taman Cheras, KL