Tanjung Tualang Prawns @ Luen Fong Restaurant
November 25, 2009 | 24,251 views## Updated July 2010 – On the 1st of July 2010, the whole stretch of shops including Luen Fong and Sun Mee Fong restaurants were tragically burnt from a fire. Hence they have ceased operations until further notice. ##
The abundance of roes was astounding! Pity Mr Prawn’s head also punctured by the pressure! 
To get you along the mid-week blues (though it’s a much, much revered 4 days working week), let me share another famous Chinese seafood restaurant in Tanjung Tualang of Perak. No doubt you’ve read about my crustacean-walloping experience back in August of 2008. What? You mean you forgot to read the Lung Seng Restaurant review, when we had half a kg of prawns cooked Kam Heong style, while another 500g in lots of crunchy Nestum? Go read now, wipe your chin dry, and come back again.
Okay, done? Tanjung Tualang houses so many seafood restaurants, you’d be thinking where to go for some simpler hawker food. Really. They’re all around the wet market of Tanjung Tualang, built in the midst of the town itself. Another restaurant that has been around for many years now, and with a strong following of its own, is Luen Fong Restaurant – An air-conditioned corner lot next to Sun Mee Fong (sp?), another popular choice amongst the tourists. Though I have heard from a friend, stating that the locals do NOT patronize these erm … tourist-traps. Instead, they go to lesser known brands, an example being Yau Kee (again, not sure of the spelling).
Luen Fong’s specialty is their own concoction of chili sauce, grounded with lots of ginger, and remember to squeeze the lime before dipping in.
This restaurant was recently featured in a TV show, hosted by a man from Guangzhou (any idea?), who went on a spree, eating from north to south, and then some. One of his stop was at Luen Fong, a restaurant with decades of history in its bag.
Of course, the signature of Tanjung Tualang had to be the fresh and large (or medium-sized) freshwater PRAWNS. Though you can actually have the brimming-with-roes, BIG headed prawns even in Ipoh (jump to my Mun Choong post for instance), peeling those shells open, sucking up all the roes and juices from the heads, and devouring those succulent, bouncy and sweet flesh in Tanjung Tualang itself seems to be a more complete experience.
The Axian banner (of Taste With Jason food show) was actually placed in between Luen Fong-Sun Mee Fong. So I have no idea which restaurant was covered by the jolly young chap, but both also equally famous, trust me. (Thanks to myliew, confirmed the bunting was for Sun Mee Fong, next to Luen Fong restaurant)
Steamed Prawns with Egg Whites (500g)
“Kon Chin Har” aka Pan-fried Prawns with Soy Sauce (500g)
As usual, to have the best of both worlds, so to speak, we placed our order for 1kg of prawns (RM58 / USD16.60 per kg), divided into two equal portions and cooked in two different ways. The recommended styles of serving them in plain steamed, and another pan-fried lightly with soy sauce (and whatever else) were picked. The steamed version brought out the freshness of the prawns, as the juices from the prawns was intact, even squirting when I was dissecting the beautiful, orange crustacean. And the roes …. oh my. Not so much tucked inside the heads of the prawns, you can even taste the thousands of eggs tucked in between the legs! (Scroll up to the first image for a better look!) Though I hope those bland-tasting yet luscious substance were the eggs of the prawns, and not erm, excretions or what-nots.
The Kon Chin Har though, was a most delicious method of cooking the prawns. Almost rivaling Mun Choong’s version, albeit a little dry. It is called ‘Kon’ (dry) for a reason though. Both the platter of prawns managed to satisfy our cravings (there were only 3 of us, hence we did not go crazy with the orders. But a small note to ponder here : Do YOU think the servings of prawns above (8-10 pieces on each plate) weighed 1kg in total?
Oyster Omelette (Or Chien) (RM9.00 /USD2.60)
The Or Chien arrived in a most shocking manner, an extremely large portion of deep-fried eggs with batter and tiny oysters. But the eggs was fried to crumbly, and crispy texture, and minimal starch. The oysters though, were nothing short of average, and the greasy omelette was a little revolting at the end of the meal. I still prefer the Or Chien from Penang; In a much smaller portion, but BIG in terms of taste.
And some greens to calm the mind, after the cholesterol-laden meal (RM5.00 / USD1.50)
Luen Fong Restaurant on Market Street
The meal for three came to RM77.70/USD22, including rice and tea. Reasonable enough, but we left wondering maybe what our Kampar friends said was true after all – Not to fall for the average tourists-only restaurants. Next visit? To where the locals go instead.
Location & Contact Number :
Luen Fong Restaurant
No 19, Market Street,
31800 Tanjong Tualang,
Perak, Malaysia.
Tel No : +605-360 9267, +6012-533 6166, +6016-590 0038
Opens for lunch and dinner.
Sorry no Google Map this time, but this corner restaurant is facing the Tanjung Tualang market, within the town square.
hehehe i like the first photo… all that overflowing roe….
and i didnt know sun mee fong was a tourist-y place! it was the place my friends brought me to abt 2 years back!
huge prawns that didn’t disappoint! would love to come back here again and try the lesser known shops!
.-= lingzie´s last blog ..Kim Tavern @ Sunway Carnival Mall, Seberang Jaya =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Personally, I haven’t been to Sun Mee Fong, but it’s very popular after intensive coverage in the media.
But take this all with a pinch of salt, for I only heard this from a friend.
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whoa, cholesterol bliss! i love the first pic too… as soon as the page loaded, i felt this sudden urge to lick the screen
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RM58 for those prawns? *faints That size – probably around RM20 per kg here at the wet market (depending on the season – may be more or may be less)…and GIANT ones, at least three times the size – RM35. But the big ones, only the head is big! Not really worth buying. The or chian looks different from the ones I had in Penang…
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Or Chien is different, but you still can find this type in Penang.
last time at the old Swatow Lane lah … now I dunno.
But not that good, cz more egg+batter than oysters.
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War….the roe is simply generous huh! :p I’m not a prawn fans. But 77 is reasonable enough I guess.
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I was brought to the exact same place last time I went to Tualang
my friend who lives in Kampar brought me here!! Just looking at the live prawns in the aquarium placed outside the restaurant already made me drooling!
Kon cheen har is definitely my favourite way to eat those delectable prawns
although the steamed version is not bad either! their soft shell crab is not bad too!!! I have planned to come here again sometime next year with my family to feast on the prawns again… a road trip from KL all the way up north to Penang
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Oh great! This is a very famous stop-over for tourists, who can really go out of the way for some prawns and seafood!
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Tanjung Tualang Prawns @ Luen Fong Restaurant | Motormouth From Ipoh – A Malaysian Food Blog…
Tanjung Tualang of Perak is very famous for its freshwater prawns (udang galah), and many restaurants around town are cooking their style of the prawns. So which one is your favourite?…
yum…(drool)..the oyster omelet looks good..and the prawns…HUGE…drool………………………..
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“Go read now, wipe your chin dry, and come back again.”
Did just that, read this post, and somehow my chin is wet again…
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Hehehe … can’t help but drool eh? Something deeply satisfying about prawns, oh ya …..
especially such fresh ones. Though paying an arm and a leg for few pieces.
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Mmmm… cholesterific looking prawns…
(*sigh* Gotta venture out of KL more! So many yummy places….)
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Ohmygod the prawns are calling me…. RM5 for the greens is good enough. Don’t think I can find RM5 greens in Klang Valley.
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You really make me really hungry right now!!! *drooling*
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an xian went to next door, not Luen Fong, but I’ve tried the next door food, no comparison with Luen Fong and Long Sing
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Yeah, as suspected. For this bunting was at the next door’s side of the border.
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Ooh! I love prawns! Big and fat juicy prawns! Yummy! Your first photo makes me very hungry but I think it’s that big right, just an illusion of the camera! : )
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Yeah, it ain’t that BIG really. But satisfying enough. Still love the Lung Seng’s version of the prawns though, slightly bigger, and with lots more roes.
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Bushido Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
You had the Mid sized prawns RM58. For steamed prawns, you should go for the BIG sized ones RM72 per Kg. The head is really big & overflowing with the juicy liver & ko. Soon Hock ( Lam Kor fish there is so good & very much cheaper than back in Ipoh.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Yeah, RM58 per kg is the M-sized prawns. Thanks for pointing that out, Bushido.
So the Soon Hock there is cheaper in comparison to the restaurants in Ipoh?
I’ll jot that down and bring a larger group next time.
Bushido Reply:
November 27th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
In a similar vein, you can buy these fresh swimming prawns wholesale in Ipoh.
Go to Hock Joo Seafood supplies ( Go to Hillcity Hotel, exit at the rear & proceed to the light industries park behind. Third lot on left. All sorts of swimming seafoods & frozen ones too.Crabs & bull frogs too.
A must try is the swimming tiger prawns. Fantastic for DIY steamboat. )
those prawns are the icon of Tanjung Tualang restaurants-i heart them!
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I mean it’s NOT that big : )
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Did you try the fried rice there (with char siew one), it taste very nice also. & did you try the crab there ? with the sweet sauce one….i love the food there
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 25th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I saw the next table ordering the fried rice, but we had our meal with white rice instead. No crabs for this round, for it was lunch hour on a working day. Heheheh … no such luxury to enjoy our meal.
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The first picture is so cool. Looks like your prawn needs to wear a helmet next time!
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Have heard a lot about Tg Tualang, just didn’t get a chance to visit….
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What Kampar friends? Me me? *perasan* Haha.. time to cover some Kampar food then! I haven’t been to Luen Fong before, only to Lung Seng… The prawn size is really huge! Maybe I should try this instead next time. You’re right, I still prefer Penang type of Oh chien…
.-= iamthewitch´s last blog ..Hong Kong Day 4 – Citygate Complex, Symphony of Lights and Avenue of Stars =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Hahaha. … yeah, you’re a Kampar-ian indeed! Wei the other day we went to Mambang Diawan for lunch, not bad.
And you heard of the green coffee and blue coffee at one of the coffee shop in Kampar town?
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The prawns are HUGE and your photos makes it look so delicious! It’s a good thing 1 hour till lunch.
.-= Huai Bin´s last blog ..Turkey stew with quail eggs, Portobello mushrooms and apples =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
So you can drool away and anticipate that humongous servings of lunch later?!!!
or you’re gonna cook again, buck naked?
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we missed out the ‘kon chin har’ while we’re at lung seng. Lotsa seafood restaurants nearby.. wanna try this luen fong too. If we’ve the time… bring us! hehe
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Yeah, when coming again? Come lah, can go caves, blow bubbles, and stuff self with many, many meals in a day!
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woah…the prawn is big. Luckily you!!!
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The prawns definitely look huge and fresh! The Or chien is nice.. I like this kind of Fried Oyster
.
.-= ladyviral´s last blog ..Backdated : Dinner at IKEA =-.
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the dried fried prawns looks excellent! i always remove those roe hidden at the legs of the prawns.. find it gross looking :p think the weight of prawns is about right- they weight it wet- and water’s heavy…
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Hahaha … we slurped them in nonetheless. Gross maybe, but they’re tasteless anyway.
Oh maybe lah, about the weight. But in comparison with Lung Seng’s portions, I felt that Luen Fong served us with significantly less prawns.
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Although I rarely eat prawns but your pictures make them looks so good leh! Especially the first photos. Love it!
.-= allie´s last blog ..Laksa Kelang Lama, Kulim =-.
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The 1st pic definitely rocks!
All glistening and plump – screaming ‘Eat Me!’
Like allie, i’m not a fan of prawns but given a chance, i definitely would like to try this plc!
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 26th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Orange, plump, glistening, and all juicy …. and brimming with roes. What is there NOT to like about prawns eh?
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big prawns!!!!
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The problem with me is that I don’t bother to remember the names of restaurants that I’ve patronized. Who can miss Tanjung Tualang if they are prawns fans like me. Been there a few times but I don’t remember which restaurant I patronized.
I’ve been told by a prawn breeder never to eat the prawns’ heads, no matter how tempting it was. Especially the big headed prawns. There was a reason by the line of something, maybe growth hormones, maybe antibiotics, being injected directly into the prawns’ heads during the rearing process.
.-= ahlock´s last blog ..Chinese Girl Will Marry for Surgery Money =-.
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 1st, 2009 at 12:19 am
Oh really?!!! But the head contains all the yummy roes?!!! Sigh …
Wasted. No wonder they got BIG heads. It’s those hormones?
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you have been ripped off my friend….Tanjung Tualang’s my hometown and the locals does not patron this shop. But then again no worries cos i think any shop you go, you will be slightly ripped off too.
The place that was featured by “Taste with Jason food show” was New May Fong. http://blog.axian788.com/?p=68. This place not bad lar.
Here’s another secret local insider tips. Directly opposite of New May Fong is a road side wooden shack. This place sells a really awesome Rojak. Try it when you have a chance. I usually take away about 4-5 boxes of the rojak sauce when i am back there. They also serve the best “Wan Tau Long” in town. Enjoy (“,)
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Tg. Tualang is so famous now that it is impossible to get cheaper stuff. Sigh.
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The guy you talking about is To To from The TVB series. He is this plump guy that, like you said, goes on this eating spree
From memory it was the last episode of the fifth season of “Gourmet Secret Agent”.
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Tanjung Tualang is my hometown. Luen Fong is the most famous and the best taste, especially the prawns in the small kampung. Many famous artise like Michelle Yeoh, Angel Cheong also ever been here. So don’t forget, if you passed by Ipoh or Kampar, remember come Luen Fong eat the BIG PRAWNS!!
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ya!!! luen fong restaurant very famous in tanjung tualang!!!……. is my friend ‘s family shop…..very nice dish especially kon jin har , taufu with fried ngan yee zhai, yao yu ong choy !!!! is all my favor!!!! price is reasonable too………
* additional + opposite the shop hv a stall sold ‘ai yuk bing’ ‘???’ oso very delicious…..
Must go n try !!!
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J2Kfm Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Ai Yu Bing/ Wan Tan Long near the market there right? Yeah I have heard but never really saw the stall before.
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kay leong Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 12:21 am
jus opposite the shop onli and u can ask the people sure they will tell you de…mostly they open the stall in afternoon time..
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 8:05 am
Thanks kay leong. I’ll be sure to remember bout this.
Someone told me that the seafood at another shop, named something like Yau Kee, or something like that, is better and cheaper.
Though not as famous compared to Sun Mee Fong, Luen Fong and Lung Seng.
FYI, the shop is burn down last 2 weeks ago. sad to know that
The Poster AEC Taste with Jason is from Restoren Sun Mee Fong, i dont know why you post it together with your Luen Fong blog.
any comment?
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Hi myliew, thanks for pointing this out.
If you have read my post, I DID mention about the bunting being set up in the middle of two restaurants, hence I was not sure which one it belonged to.
But I have since put footnotes under the picture.
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Luen Fong is back in operation..the new location is right opposite ( or diagonally opposite) the old building..juz call them to ask for further information..
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J2Kfm Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Thanks sammiez. A brand new shop, or they moved to a new location previously not occupied?
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[...] Tualang – Lung Seng Seafood Restaurant Tanjung Tualang – Luen Fong Seafood Restaurant Tanjung Tualang – Yew Kei Seafood Restaurant [...]
Hahaha,Luen Fong now finished, become black wood, a row of shop at there now become a empty ground by fire, its was funny as I’m a tg. tualang resident.
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:55 pm
Erm, you find it funny that the row of shops was razed to the ground? Now that’s uncalled for.
Least you could be more emphatic.
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Like the food at luen fong, fresh and cheap! ??-?????been there also.
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Like the food at luen fong, fresh and cheap! Hong Kong food taster- Mr. Liang Wen Tao been there also.
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 27th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Luen Fong not bad, but I personally prefer Lung Seng.
To each his own, I guess?
But Luen Fong does a very very good version of steamed prawns with egg whites. No denying that.
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For a person who hail from this town, very embarass to say that this is the first time that i google my town…and to my surprise there are so many articles written about it especially on the restaurants offering fresh water prawns (udang galah) & ‘soon hock’ fish (a.k.a ikan hantu).
To-date there are about 11 restaurants of such kind in this small town. Many friends asked me if there food are really that great, my answer ‘it really depends on individual taste, but it is becoming extremely popular among non-locals’. I suppose it’s quite good, otherwise you will not find increasing tourists coming in bus load especially during weekends, public holidays & CNY. Whatmore, the price is pretty reasonable, i dare say cheap if compare to KL price.
Let’s hope that the prosperity of Tg. Tualang will continue to strive, under the ‘Big head’ prawns.
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For a person who hail from this town, very embarass to say that this is the first time that i google my town…and to my surprise there are so many articles written about it especially on the restaurants offering fresh water prawns (udang galah) & ‘soon hock’ fish (a.k.a ikan hantu).
Many friends asked me if there food are really that great, my answer ‘it really depends on individual taste, but it is becoming extremely popular among non-locals’. I suppose it’s quite good, otherwise you will not find increasing tourists coming in bus load especially during weekends, public holidays & CNY. Whatmore, the price is pretty reasonable, i dare say cheap if compare to KL price.
To-date there are about 11 restaurants of such kind in this small town. Which offers the best?
Well, Luen Fong, Sun Mee Fong, Yau Kei, Thong Lok, Loong Seng, Mee Fong are the popular ones.
Let’s hope that the prosperity of Tg. Tualang will continue to strive, under the ‘Big head’ prawns.
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
Hi Lkloh, I can sense your pride, and passion peppered with slight enthusiasm.
Good. Much like how I would proudly recommend Ipoh to anyone and everyone that I bump into.
I have only tried from 4 of the mentioned restaurants, though Thong Lok and Mee Fong have escaped my radar.
If only it’s that easy to travel to Tg Tualang like the golden years ….
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I went to Tg Tualang on 9/12/2011 and order the big head prawns (caught from river) and not those which were reared commercially. Imagine, I have to pay RM167.00 for 8 pieces of prawns but then again I guess it is worth the money as the prawns are big and the flesh is very firm. The reared prawns are much cheaper in price. BTW Batu Gajah is my hometown.
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 20th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
Hi Darren. Yeah, for larger-sized ones, they can charge up to RM20-30 per piece. But then again, it’s the experience I guess, of eating a mini lobster at hand. I know for sure those in Sabah would be rolling their eyes in disbelief at the exorbitant price.
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Hi, please edit the shop number. Its 05-3609267 instead of 05-3609276
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J2Kfm Reply:
December 29th, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Thanks Zheng Yang. I did not notice the mistake I might have made.
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Nice review. The prawns are not steamed with egg white. The white substance is the blood that “sweat” from the prawn during cooking. Many customers mistaken it as egg white also >< This video showing how the prawns are steam-cooked.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150987640223638
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J2Kfm Reply:
June 27th, 2012 at 12:03 am
Oh .. thanks Kam Loon. I had no idea that those were not egg whites but … erm, substance from the prawns.
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We had a happy holiday, but this happy ended so soon when we are having our lunch at this restaurant, 2 thing is more than enough for us to not recommend to our family and friend. First thing about the prawn, of course the prawn is nice but the size is so Damn small, is not the restaurant problem is our problem cz dunno what is prawn all about. 2nd thing is the fish, the fish is so damn nice to SEE only, as the skin is so stiff even the steel spoon couldn’t punch through. This is not restaurant fault cz this fish is like that one, only we didn’t eat this fish before. So finally if you wanna go there please prepared cz many “new” thing there, you won’t ever notice before, thanx and please support the restaurant as it gonna gone very soon.
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
Hi Joe… the part about dunno what is prawn all about, the Tg Tualang’s ‘big-headed’ prawns
come in different sizes, and different prices. You can go for the largest size, at >RM70 per kg if I am not mistaken,
or the M-size version at slightly less.
Once again, unlike the more common Sang Har (freshwater prawns) or even tiger prawns, the Tualang prawns have less flesh but more goodness (or sins) within the head (carapace) of the prawn.
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