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With numerous eateries to choose from, there are times when I crave the ability to customise my dish without having to prepare it myself. Unfortunately, not many establishments offer this option. That was until I stumbled upon Eg’s Wok Kitchen in Damansara Uptown (now shifted to The Campus Ampang).
Upon entering the establishment, my dining companions and I quickly noticed the emptiness of the place. Although it surprised us, we proceeded to the counter and placed our orders without hesitation. The menu presented 2 options – a wok-fried dish and a rice bowl. Considering our group of 3, we decided to try both.
The ordering process was straightforward.
For both dishes, we had to select a base (rice, kuey teow, mee hoon, yellow noodles, or kottu paratha), choose a sauce (oyster, kampung, pasembor, black pepper, green curry, mum’s recipe sambal, or tom yum goong), pick vegetables (bak choy, pineapple, broccoli, cauliflower, mixed capsicum, oyster mushroom, shitake mushroom, cherry tomatoes, or mixed dried fruits), opt for proteins (tofu, fish cake, chicken fillet, cockles, crab sticks, beef slices, prawn, or squid), and finalise with toppings (chilli oil, sesame seed, fried onion, spring onion, anchovies, fried egg, or ebiko).
The 3 of us were overwhelmed with choices, so we turned to the uncle taking our order for recommendations.
What I tried at Eg’s Wok Kitchen
The uncle assisting us recommended the Kotthu Paratha with Pasembor sauce, complemented by carrots, cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, mixed capsicum, and beef (RM16.90) for our wok-fried dish. Having never experienced a wok-fried paratha with pasembor sauce, I was eager to try this unique combination.
Upon opening the box, a medley of aromas filled the air. Every component of the dish appeared thoroughly coated in the pasembor sauce, and the distinctive essence of a wok-hei-infused preparation was unmistakable.
The paratha had been shredded into bite-sized pieces and skillfully combined with sliced vegetables and bite-sized portions of beef. Its chewy texture allowed it to absorb the savoury and slightly spicy notes of the pasembor sauce.
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The carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms introduced a crunchy element, contributing depth to the overall dish. While the beef was tender, it posed a slight challenge in terms of chewiness.
Transitioning to our rice bowl experience, every rice bowl includes a serving of fragrant jasmine rice and a fried egg. Our choice was the Green Curry variant with mixed capsicum, cherry tomatoes, and prawns (RM17.90).
The green curry presented a yellowish-green hue and possessed a texture that struck a balance between not being overly runny or excessively thick, but just right. On its own, the curry was sweeter than expected, with a slightly saltier undertone than I prefer.
I was especially pleased with the generous quantity of prawns that was included. Initially sceptical, as many establishments tend to incorporate only 2 or 3 prawns in a dish, I was surprised with the 5 or 6 pieces. Additionally, the prawns were fresh, tender, and meticulously peeled, earning bonus points for their quality. Furthermore, they effectively absorbed the rich flavours of the green curry.
The jasmine rice, fragrant and flawlessly textured, was a delightful companion to the freshly fried egg, infusing the dish with a sense of liveliness. As I mixed the green curry with the rice and egg, it resulted in a harmonious symphony of flavours.
Interestingly, the initial salty undertone of the green curry seemed to dissipate seamlessly when all the elements of the rice bowl came together, creating a thoroughly enjoyable meal.
The 3 of us complemented our meal with beverages. I chose the Iced Milk Tea (RM4.50), while my 2 dining companions decided to share the Blue Lagoon (RM9.90). The Iced Milk Tea offered a familiar taste, reminiscent of the Teh Ice I’ve had before— a well-balanced combination of tea, milk, and sweetness.
On the contrary, the Blue Lagoon tasted similar to a sour candy in liquid form. To be honest, none of us enjoyed it, so we ended up sharing my milk tea instead.
Final thoughts
In summary, Eg’s Wok Kitchen proves to be an excellent choice for those seeking the freedom to customise their dishes without the hassle of cooking. With a reasonable base price starting around RM12.90, it offers affordability, especially considering the generous portions.
The idea of allowing customers to personalise and craft their own meals is relatively novel in this area. If you happen to visit this establishment, I’d love to hear about your experience, so feel free to share your thoughts!
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