First is El Cerdo, then Dining In The Dark, then The Whisky Bar, Black Forest, The Steakhouse and now, the innovative Werner’s Group has brought to the born of Opium KL, another peculiar restaurant that adds new blood to the lively and bustling Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
Located at the corner of Changkat Bukit Bintang opposite to 51 Restaurant & Bar, Radius International Hotel Kuala Lumpur, one can hardly miss out Opium KL, appealing with a row of ancient Chinese ladies portraits adorning the concrete and exposed bricks exterior. Porch stairs and wooden fence, concrete floors, green colour chairs with red cushion boldly sum up the al-fresco dining area.
Walk into the indoor dining area and continues to get amazed with exquisitely designed interior, a combination of shiny concrete floors with wooden furnishing, red curtains, red cushioned high stools, red lanterns hanging from the wooden ceiling, a touch of red at almost every corner to live up to the concept of Opium KL – a mix of modern and ancient Chinese.
.
Opium bed, opium pipe, shade light, stained glass windows and traditional wine jar lined up to the brim in wooden shelves continue the aura of old China, a total contrast to the alcoholic bottles stack on bar area. Bits and everything here is worth discovered slowly, can’t doubt that Opium KL will be proclaimed as one of the most atmospheric restaurant in the second half of 2014.
Private rooms are available too, at the end corner of the restaurant. Look up for the charming mini Cheongsam and Samfu when you are heading for washroom. Oh-so-cute! Enough on the environment, let’s move on to what Opium KL has to offer.
Mango Salad with Softshell Crab RM24.00
Food here is a mix of local and Asian specialities with Western touch, and feel free to pair your dishes with any drinks. For instance, indulging in this Kerabu-like Mango Salad with a pint of Kirin beer can be remarkable. Enjoy the tastebud tickling salad that delivers splendid of textures, thanks to the toss of green mango, crispy anchovies, dried shrimp, chili, lime juice, shallots, peanuts, soft shell crabs, and take a big gulp of beer to balance up the tanginess.
Cheese Samosas RM18.00
Samosa is not something unusual to locals, especially when this savoury street food having potatoes, peas or lentils encased in crispy pastry can be seen often in street stalls. Here at Opium KL, the chef levels up the taste by stuffing 3 cheese, raisins, apricot chutney into popiah skin, deep fried to golden brown. Almost gone far from its counterpart, yet we enjoy the distinct cheesiness that develops in the palate as we munch through this crunchy snack.
Lemongrass Sticks RM12.00
Minced chicken, squid, tumeric and lemongrass shaped into oval and hold by lemongrass stick, deep fried to release a crispy at the outside, juicy at the inside light bite with a faint hint of lemongrass fragrance.
Crystal Dumpling RM12.00
Of course, diners can also trace for snacks like Crystal Dumpling that holds a more authentic version with chicken, prawn and mushroom stuffing, albeit Siew Mai (RM12.00) has turned into more playful flavours with chicken, prawn, mushroom yam bean filling; while Black Pepper Dumpling(RM12.00) is a combination of chicken, cabbage and black pepper.
Opium Wanton Noodles RM28.00
Moving on to their noodle choices. As the name says- “Naughty Noodles”, your bowl of Opium Wanton Noodles will certainly goes fancy, but assured with a pleasing brand new taste, yet retaining a trail of the authentic version. Toss your noodles evenly with special soya sauce, minced chicken, mushroom, fried spinach that generously topped over and start tucking in mouthful of chewiness and crispiness.
Curry Spaghettini RM28.00
A hearty serving of curry noodles with Western twist, replacing yellow noodles with spaghetti and dressed with familiar ingredients such as shredded chicken, tau pok, prawns, eggplant, long beans, prawns and boiled egg. Curry coconut broth is still rich and creamy, in fact creamier and thicker than we usually have but fall short for it spiciness.
Beef Brisket and Tendon Stew RM35.00
Choice for main dishes may be limited, but all seem interestingly good. We got attracted with their Cod Fish in Curry Sauce (RM38.00) that calls for a delicious description of crispy cod, coconut cream sauce and curry leaves; but we went for Beef Brisket and Tendon Stew in the end, which didn’t disappoint us. Beef brisket and beef tendons are slowly braised in a bed of gravy concocted from soy sauce, oyster sauce, star anise, cinnamon, dried chili, resulting in tenderly soft brisket and tendons deeply infused with aroma and flavours of sauce. King oyster mushrooms which laid over the stew comes in just right to soak up the gravy’s goodness.
Creamy Butter Prawns RM42.00
Creamy Butter Prawns proves to be another worthwhile dish in Opium KL, serving fresh, plump and bouncy prawns over a bed of extra milky and buttery gravy with a tinge of spiciness from garlic, chilli and curry leaves. Each main dish is served with a choice of Lotus Leaf Buns or Poppy Seeds Rice, which can be add on at RM3 per portion.
Chicken Satay RM18.00
Opium KL is prides for their chicken satay which is juicier, meatier and less fat. Indeed, the satay appears in chunkier version instead of thin and flat, succulent in every munch with a light juicy burst, complemented by a sticky sweet coating. It comes with a bowlful of thick, peanuty sauce but we still, the satay tastes best at its original. Highly recommended appetizer if you visited Opium.
Cheesy Banana Fritters
The must-have dessert. Dig in crispy, deep fried to golden brown whole banana with subtly soft, chilling homemade banana ice cream, and some aged cheddar in one spoonful to enjoy a satisfying warm and cold marriage, and savoury touch from cheese. Delicious.
Opium Ice Glass RM18.00
A dessert specially crafted by Opium, combining shaved ice, grass jelly, water chestnut, basil seeds, peanuts, corn, mungbean paste, coconut milk, gula melaka and coconut ice cream. Plenty of ingredients, so it is advisable to order for sharing.
Sago Gula Melaka (RM15.00), Melon Ice (RM15.00)
Another two coconut milk laden dessert- Sago Gula Melaka layers coconut milk, sago pearls, gula melaka and jackfruit all in one glass while Melon Ice goes more simpler and refreshing by churning up honeydew melon, sago pearls and coconut milk together.
Tea Trader RM32.00
A visit to Opium KL is incomplete without an order of their House Cocktail or Twisted Classic, concocted by one of the experienced mixologist in town. Tea trader sum up rum, peach puree, blach tea syrup, lemon juice and egg white in an adorable Tiffany blue liquor cup, clearly portray Opium KL’s East meets West concept into one.
Red Lantern Magarita RM32.00
Comparing to Tea Trader, Red Lantern Magarita is stronger in taste, while the former tends to be sweeter, easy to drink. Peking Man, The Forbidden City, Shanghailander, Silk Road Martini, Genghis Poison Chalice or Jade Temple Sour, cocktail name here doesn’t tell until you take a sip on your cocktail. So, come by Opium KL to discover.
Photographer: Summerkid
Write Up: Summergirl
Address:
Opium KL
No. 50, Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur.
Business Hour:
Sunday – Thursday (4:00 pm – 1:00 am)
Friday – Saturday (4:00 pm – 2:00 am)
Tel: 03-2142 5670
Website: http://opiumkl.com
