Ck Pang, the boss of Sedapnya Steamboat 好食火涡 in Taman Impian Emas invited me to visit his restaurant.
I've known Ck as a fellow foodie who is active in Johor foodie social media circles. Ck and his wife, Joyce, are in the clothing retail business and they like to combine their food hunt with their overseas business trips.
Last year, Ck started to help his father-in-law run Sedapnya Steamboat 好食火涡.
Sedapnya is the type of place I will pick when I am with family and bosom buddies - the kind of people with whom we are comfortable, as we are. Sedapnya offers just darned good food minus all the pretences or the need to impress with plush wallpaper, candlelight or chandeliers.
This is the type of steamboat place I used to take my hungry kids to after swimming lessons.
Inside, the decor is basic. The plywood top round tables laid with thin pink disposable plastic sheets. After the meal, the workers just fold and bungle up the plastic sheet with the leftovers inside. No need to wipe :)
Ck gave us the herbal soup and Sichuan spicy 麻辣 soup. Sedapnya's soups are like the premium soups of Hong Kong steamboat restaurants - MSG-free and made with loads of stock bones. Only difference is, at Sedapnya, prices are much more pocket friendly. The herbal soup and Sichuan soup costs just RM3 each with free top-ups.
Sedapnya's herbal bone soup is one of the best that I've tasted at a steamboat restaurant. The herbal flavours were clearly present yet it does not taste "medicinal" - it was just nice!
Sedapnya's Sichuan spicy 麻辣 soup is made with chili which Ck specially imported from Sichuan. Ck chose the hottest grade for the extra kick. But, the soup is served just mild and we can add as much extra special Sichuan chili as our taste buds can handle.
On our way home, my friend Mandy mentioned that she wanted to stop me many times as I was drinking the spicy soup, scoop after scoop, top up after top up. She was worried that it would burn my throat and also my stomach lining. Now that she mentioned it, it did get me a little worried. But, in the end, I had no after-effects at all :) I also had no "MSG thirst" - so, well done Sedapnya :)
We had this RM49.80 serving for 2-3 people. This set normally comes with a flower crab but it was not available today.
Sedapnya is a small operation and so Ck has focused most of his energies on getting the best supplies. Ck has suppliers for his fish, prawns and handmade fish balls based in the nearby fishing town of Pontian. So, Sedapnya's supplies are literary from sea to hot pot within a day.
Chunky slice of Barramundi (wild Sea Bass). Totally different (much tastier) than the farmed version. It has none of the muddy taste of farm raised Sea Bass (Siakap).
Sedapnya serves fresh wild sea prawns sourced from nearby Pontian.
Pacific Pink Scallop 半壳带子.
More scallops.
Sliced belly pork.
Fresh Aussie beef slices.
Premium New Zealand lamb.
Swipe the tissue thin slice of lamb 7 times in the boiling broth, and Voila! Perfectly done lamb. Lovely, creamy, delicate aroma of lamb - my favourite meat.
Stir fried belly pork slices. Now I know Ck is an accomplished chef!
Look at that charred fringe and bits. This is so good! Sweet and savoury. Tender and smokey. Ck got it spot on. Must Try!
Grilled Black Pepper Smoked Duck Breast 烟熏黑胡椒鸭肉.
The spongy fish paste noodles.
Cheese filled fish ball - a very interesting idea. Unfortunately, I overcooked mine and the cheese melted into the soup :P Shall try again at the next visit :)
See how fresh and clean this tomato is?
Good quality fried tofu skin.
Our foodie friends Chee Siong, Li Mean, Jason, Po Po, Mandy and others joined us. Po Po asked for this crispy fried squid head, which is one of her favourites. Nice crunchy, crispy, gummy mouth feel with savoury flavours.
Sedapnya has nice old school touches like this freshly fried shallots. One of my favourite toppings to add flavour to soups and soupy noodles.
I will definitely be back at Sedapnya - I love this place. Top quality food at very reasonable prices in a clean, free and easy environment. Perfect for T-shirt, casual, laid back makan gatherings where we can knock down beers straight from the bottle or can (without glass). Priceless fun.
Cheers!
Restaurant name: Sedapnya Steamboat 好食火涡
Address: 21, Jalan Impian Emas 5/6, Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/kIMSz
GPS: 1.542081,103.687309
Hours: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Non Halal
Date visited: 13 Sep 2013
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