Restaurant Review: Farmland Porridge Steamboat
This is actually a week late since my family and I went last Sunday to celebrate an early birthday for my mom. Its not the first time that we’ve been to the place (but I suppose that goes to show that the food is quite good… or at least special) but I figure its worth a mention. I would include some pictures but I left my camera in the car (I actually thought I left it at home… forgetful me).
For those of you who do not actually know what steamboat actually means here’s my best effort. From what I know, steamboat is Chinese in origin and typically called ’seng woh’ in mandarine; roughly translates to ‘raw pot’. It’s a dish that is dish(?) that is typically served during winter when its cold. The whole family would gather around a pot of steaming broth set over a fire and toss in a variety of raw foodstuff to cook for their meal. Since everyone is gathered, its a great communial thing but not for those who fear the taste of another’s saliva since everyone shares out of the same pot. Still don’t have a good picture? Well… though!
Anyway, the restaurant is located (some thousands of miles away from China and winter) along Jalan Pudu. If you travel along Jalan Pudu from Pudu Jail, it is the row of shops on your left right before a Caltex station. The front of the shop faces Jalan Pudu itself so it will be a little difficult to find parking there. Whether you’re coming from Pudu or the other direction, my advice is to turn in at the Caltex t-junction, take the firs left turn and hang two more lefts to get to the alley way behind the shop where there are numerous parking lots. Parking’s free at night. Since it wasn’t my first time, I called ahead to make reservations for a party of six. It was a good thing too cause when my parents and I arrived, there was already a crowd of people gathered at the main entrance waiting to be seated. It took us five minutes to get a table inside the airconditioned premises but a lot longer before someone came to take our orders.
Farmland Steamboat as the name suggests serves steamboat, with a twist. A typical steamboat usually uses clear soup or stock as its base. There are alternatives such as Tomyam and herbal stock, but its most always soup. In addition to the usual clear soup and tomyam, Farmland serves up a third alternative, porridge (congee, gruel, etc. Take your pick of alternative nouns). My friend described it best the first time we went when he said we were going to have porridge with lots of stuff in it.
Since my sister, her fiance and WL had not arrived yet, we decided to place a small order to start with and let them order again when they came. We called for the congee base, which they served in a nice clay pot, sets for two persons, slices of raw dorry fish, chicken, golden string mushrooms, abalone mushrooms and two varieties of vegetables. The three of us dug in with gusto, tossing in half of everything. We were putting in the other half and well into our third round before the remainder of our party arrived. New orders were placed for luncheon meat, seafood wantan, seafood suay kow (water dogs?), luncheon meat, fish noodles, pork balls, vegetables and another standard set for one person.
My parents were satisfied with the meal and that is an achievement on its own cause its usually very difficult to bring them out for meals that they enjoyed. However, there were some complaints that first round of porridge was a little watered down but that improved after several refills. It was also somewhat difficult to get noticed in the crowd when we wanted to place additional orders. Overall, it was a very good meal with great company and excellent conversation.
The bill came up to RM150.00++ inclusive of tax, or roughly RM25.00 per person. This was expected since we ordered a fair amount of food. A set for one person is RM13.50, porridge base is RM1.50 per person while Tomyam is an additional RM3.00. Side orders range in price from RM3.50 up to RM20.00 depending on the dish and the size. There is a minimum order charge of RM30.00. The average cost from all my visits is around RM18 per head which IMHO is fairly reasonable.
Farmland Steamboat has several outlets within the Klang valley. There is one further up the road from where we went to, one in Serdang Jaya, dirrectly across the road from South City Shopping Complex, and one more in Kelana Jaya (I think). Having also been to the branch at Serdang, I feel that the first is the best, albeit a little crowded and busy. Just call in advance to make reservations and you won’t have anything to worry about.
Recommended? YES. Will I go again? Definitely.
Farmland Porridge Steamboat
Off Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2141 9297
Farmland Porridge Steamboat (Serdang Jaya)
Opposite South City Shopping Complex.
Tel: 03-8941 9719
Related posts:
Eastern Delight - Porridge Steamboat
Tasty Hotpot Restaurant - The Other Steamboat Place
Restoran Choong Huat (Steamboat)
Lok Lok Street Steamboat
Restaurant Saisaki - Japanese Buffet
Erik Tan Said,
October 31, 2005 @ 4:26 pm
Well I had the one Subang Jaya SS 15/4C , Its call OceaN Pulau Ketam Steamboat… Wow their Porridge Steamboat is ….. HeAvenLy!!!!
Crab is Good too… And their special made chili sauce….. DiVine Combination….
For those who dun know whats Porridge Steamboat… I recommend you try this one..
only RM12 per head… Have to make reservation on weekends.. very packed. Call them @012 2269131 look for Nicole to make reservation
WL Said,
November 1, 2005 @ 1:19 pm
Is this an advertisement? Anyway, i will go and try. Another place to visit. Thanks Erik!
Erik Tan Said,
November 5, 2005 @ 1:53 am
Well this is unfair to say that lei…. I am merely sharing my good experience with many others..
Well if you have any comments, can write to me via email.
Call it advertising if you want. I am a Food connosieur. I was looking in Googles too for other reviews of other Porridge Steamboat Restaurant available in M’sia. Was to lazy to type, so I just copy wat I type in the 1st place.
Erik Tan
silverseth38@gmail.com
gbyeow Said,
November 7, 2005 @ 12:57 pm
Now now Erik. WL wasn’t criticising ;) We are always on a look out for new places to eat. So your recommendation is much appreciated.
weili Said,
November 7, 2005 @ 3:09 pm
I went back to Farmland again! Unfortunately, abit disappointed with the “porridge”. It was too watery. Maybe it was still early. We started about 6:30pm.
Erik Tan Said,
November 9, 2005 @ 7:28 pm
So have anyone tried the Ocean so far? Pls post your comment here and share with us…
gbyeow Said,
November 10, 2005 @ 11:06 am
Hey Erik. No, not yet. No time :( But don’t worry. I have every intention of trying all the porridge steamboats. Give you a comparison when I’m done. hehe.
mimi Said,
January 12, 2006 @ 9:59 pm
Hey.. Erik, I try the one at SS15 Ocean Pulau Ketam, It was really really good. the Chilli wah!! Power.. The price is the cheaper among all the place i go for steamboat Porridge, the food fresh n Yummy… but tell u one things go there early on weekend.. if not very Pack.. Good food worth to Wait and Try :P
Boredworkers.com » Eastern Delight - Porridge Steamboat Said,
August 9, 2006 @ 6:11 pm
[…] From the outside, the place looks like a classy joint, glass double doors, air conditioned, dark wood furnishing, claypots, lots of busy staff walking around, and a buzzing lively atmosphere contributed by the throng of customers. It looked rather promising, that is until we sat down and took a look at the menu. The place is more expensive than Farmland Porridge Steamboat! About 20% more. For a short moment, we contemplated hopping over to the other restaurant. I suppose curiousity got the better of us and we stuck around and placed our orders. […]
Farmland Steamboat Restaurant « I am Rainbow Said,
September 17, 2006 @ 11:18 pm
[…] BoredWorkers - Restaurant Review - Farmland Porridge Steamboat […]
Eric Tan Said,
October 4, 2006 @ 10:29 am
Tried it yesterday at Bandar Puteri, the conclusion is the porridge is bad, the food is not good and the services really really bad….
gbyeow Said,
October 4, 2006 @ 10:54 am
Yeah. Their quality has deteriorated badly especially in their branches. I guess that’s what happens when you overcomercialise. Much like the ‘Ampang Yong Tau Fu’ franchise. Better to go to those family style restaurants that offer the same thing. You get alot more ‘love’ in the food.
Alex Lim Said,
October 18, 2006 @ 10:30 am
Right. The Farmland is too commercial… workers are foreigner and the tauke face is very “busuk”… thinking i am owe him money… maybe we are young… so our expenditure is not power enough … but cannot like that mah…. the other i guess is his son… like gangster… but wearing tie… hahahah… go to yourself to see this funny stupid restaurant
chiong Said,
April 9, 2009 @ 9:05 pm
i experience twice of the “treats”, u all know y? first went there for a try, very disappointed, like most of ur all. my case worst.
halfway eating, we found black color insect with 1 o 2 pointing legs which unrecognizable after a while of cooking, but it looks like baby fly or croachroach. what’s the boss response? he claims that isn’t insect. when we decided to change it, the boss spoke nicely when there’s many ppl around, and “invite” one of my friend over to the back near the chicken, then his the attitude started to get sucks… he told us that it’s will b on the bill, 5 of us stand up just pay and walk away. the never get back there again…. that’s PUDU branch.
second time, due to my overseas friends visits, they insist going the to the ss18 branch to have try out, it again, the attitude is sucks….
so, i will never ever go there again.