Asam Pedas Mak Pon in Parit Jawa, Muar, Johor

I've heard a lot about the famous Asam Pedas Mak Pon in Muar and was delighted when Tourism Malaysia Johor brought us there as part of the Johor Food Trail 2013 edition.



The stall is run by Mak Pon (who else? :P) and her daughter.





Asam Pedas Mak Pon is always packed, especially during weekends and public holidays.



The sight of those large Ikan Merah (Red Snapper fish) heads and aroma of asam pedas sent my salivary glands into overdrive straightaway. 



Local sea catfish or Ikan Mayong - something which I want to come back for. Missed this, this time round as Tourism Malaysia was doing the ordering and they didn't pick this :P



The hot selling Ikan Kembung.





The fish were large, thick and super fresh. The heads were huge with generous amounts of meat.

The traditional soupy asam pedas gravy was a blend of tangy, savoury and spicy - in that order. Personally, I prefer asam pedas that is spicy, tangy, savoury (the way they do it in Batu Pahat).



To me the main attraction of Asam Pedas Mak Pon and the other asam pedas stalls in this food centre in Parit Jawa is their fresh fish.



Why is the fish so fresh? Well, Asam Pedas Mak Pon is definitely less than 100 foot steps from these fishing boats. So, you can imagine, the fish is literary straight from the sea to the table :)



I will be back at Parit Jawa because I like the chunky ocean fresh fish, charming fishing village ambiance and it's an easy 45 minutes drive from Muar city. I also want to try the Chinese style asam pedas warung under the trees just steps away from Medan Asam Pedas.



Restaurant name: Asam Pedas Mak Pon
Address: Stall no. 6, Medan Asam Pedas (off Jalan Jabbar) Parit Jawa, Muar, Johor (south of Muar city)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Jmg4D
GPS: 1.950661,102.635049
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm (Fridays off)
Halal

Date visited: 25 Jun 2013

I've heard a lot about the famous Asam Pedas Mak Pon in Muar and was delighted when Tourism Malaysia Johor brought us there as part of the Johor Food Trail 2013 edition.



The stall is run by Mak Pon (who else? :P) and her daughter.





Asam Pedas Mak Pon is always packed, especially during weekends and public holidays.



The sight of those large Ikan Merah (Red Snapper fish) heads and aroma of asam pedas sent my salivary glands into overdrive straightaway. 



Local sea catfish or Ikan Mayong - something which I want to come back for. Missed this, this time round as Tourism Malaysia was doing the ordering and they didn't pick this :P



The hot selling Ikan Kembung.





The fish were large, thick and super fresh. The heads were huge with generous amounts of meat.

The traditional soupy asam pedas gravy was a blend of tangy, savoury and spicy - in that order. Personally, I prefer asam pedas that is spicy, tangy, savoury (the way they do it in Batu Pahat).



To me the main attraction of Asam Pedas Mak Pon and the other asam pedas stalls in this food centre in Parit Jawa is their fresh fish.



Why is the fish so fresh? Well, Asam Pedas Mak Pon is definitely less than 100 foot steps from these fishing boats. So, you can imagine, the fish is literary straight from the sea to the table :)



I will be back at Parit Jawa because I like the chunky ocean fresh fish, charming fishing village ambiance and it's an easy 45 minutes drive from Muar city. I also want to try the Chinese style asam pedas warung under the trees just steps away from Medan Asam Pedas.



Restaurant name: Asam Pedas Mak Pon
Address: Stall no. 6, Medan Asam Pedas (off Jalan Jabbar) Parit Jawa, Muar, Johor (south of Muar city)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Jmg4D
GPS: 1.950661,102.635049
Hours: 8:00am to 4:30pm (Fridays off)
Halal

Date visited: 25 Jun 2013

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Fish Head Asam Pedas at Sutera Village Near Sutera Mall, Johor Bahru

Farid the friendly owner of Restoran Sutera Village invited Johor Kaki to try their Fish Head Asam Pedas which they have recently added to their menu.

 

 

The Fish Head Asam Pedas is served as set meals to cater to small groups and families. The set meals come in 2-3 person servings and in 4-6 person servings. Three types of fish are available, namely Ikan Siakap, Ikan Merah and Ikan Kaci.

 

We had the Ikan Merah fish head asam pedas set for 2-3 persons for RM50.

 

 

The centrepiece of the set was, of course, this Ikan Merah fish head cooked in asam pedas. Sutera Village's asam pedas uses the home recipe of Farid's grandmother, which Norhayati (Farid's wife) has mastered.

 

 

The asam pedas gravy was made with many ingredients. Those that I could see include tomatoes, onions, lady's fingers, torch ginger flower, curry leaves and many ground spices.

 

In terms of taste and flavours, Sutera Village's asam pedas resembled that from the popular restorans Merlin and Coco Garden in Muar and Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas in Kluang.

 

The asam pedas is sourish from asam (tamarind) and salty from (I guess) belacan and preserved limes. The soupy asam pedas gravy was only mildly spicy with the mix of ingredients adding interesting notes and textures to the gravy.

 

 

 

The fresh Ikan Merah fish head itself was quite large, more than enough for 3 people to share. The head was served whole, unlike some places that slice the head in half.

 

 

There was also this chunky piece of fresh Ikan Merah steak included. So, friend or family in the party who is not a fish head person, could still join in the asam pedas set meal.

 

For the side dish, we have a choice of either fried beansprouts or fried kangkung belacan. We tried both :))

 

 

The beansprouts were nicely executed. The plump sprouts were still crunchy and juicy, and sauce was tasty.

 

 

The kangkung belacan was just as well prepared and had that touch of savouriness from the belacan.

 

Sutera Village's fish head asam pedas set was satisfying and the dishes had that home cooked feel. The atmosphere in the restaurant was relaxed and unhurried. Food is prepared in the small quantities ordered and served up straight from the kitchen freshly cooked, just like at home.

 

I need to mention Sutera Village's sambal chili. It is freshly made with grounded green chili. Very spicy and had that savouriness that I guessed came from mixing in belacan.

 

 

 

Meet Norhayati, the lady boss behind the delicious food. Norhayati is assisted in the kitchen by a former hotel chef and a crew.

 

 

 Sutera Village also serves very good ayam penyet which I tried earlier. Click on the picture to read the article.

 

 

 

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Sutera Village

Address: 69, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru (near Sutera Mall)

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/o2DRP

GPS: 1.515335,103.667555

Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm (closed on Monday)

Halal

 

Date visited: 1 Feb 2013

Farid the friendly owner of Restoran Sutera Village invited Johor Kaki to try their Fish Head Asam Pedas which they have recently added to their menu.

 

 

The Fish Head Asam Pedas is served as set meals to cater to small groups and families. The set meals come in 2-3 person servings and in 4-6 person servings. Three types of fish are available, namely Ikan Siakap, Ikan Merah and Ikan Kaci.

 

We had the Ikan Merah fish head asam pedas set for 2-3 persons for RM50.

 

 

The centrepiece of the set was, of course, this Ikan Merah fish head cooked in asam pedas. Sutera Village's asam pedas uses the home recipe of Farid's grandmother, which Norhayati (Farid's wife) has mastered.

 

 

The asam pedas gravy was made with many ingredients. Those that I could see include tomatoes, onions, lady's fingers, torch ginger flower, curry leaves and many ground spices.

 

In terms of taste and flavours, Sutera Village's asam pedas resembled that from the popular restorans Merlin and Coco Garden in Muar and Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas in Kluang.

 

The asam pedas is sourish from asam (tamarind) and salty from (I guess) belacan and preserved limes. The soupy asam pedas gravy was only mildly spicy with the mix of ingredients adding interesting notes and textures to the gravy.

 

 

 

The fresh Ikan Merah fish head itself was quite large, more than enough for 3 people to share. The head was served whole, unlike some places that slice the head in half.

 

 

There was also this chunky piece of fresh Ikan Merah steak included. So, friend or family in the party who is not a fish head person, could still join in the asam pedas set meal.

 

For the side dish, we have a choice of either fried beansprouts or fried kangkung belacan. We tried both :))

 

 

The beansprouts were nicely executed. The plump sprouts were still crunchy and juicy, and sauce was tasty.

 

 

The kangkung belacan was just as well prepared and had that touch of savouriness from the belacan.

 

Sutera Village's fish head asam pedas set was satisfying and the dishes had that home cooked feel. The atmosphere in the restaurant was relaxed and unhurried. Food is prepared in the small quantities ordered and served up straight from the kitchen freshly cooked, just like at home.

 

I need to mention Sutera Village's sambal chili. It is freshly made with grounded green chili. Very spicy and had that savouriness that I guessed came from mixing in belacan.

 

 

 

Meet Norhayati, the lady boss behind the delicious food. Norhayati is assisted in the kitchen by a former hotel chef and a crew.

 

 

 Sutera Village also serves very good ayam penyet which I tried earlier. Click on the picture to read the article.

 

 

 

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Sutera Village

Address: 69, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru (near Sutera Mall)

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/o2DRP

GPS: 1.515335,103.667555

Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm (closed on Monday)

Halal

 

Date visited: 1 Feb 2013

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Asam Pedas Fish @ Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas in Kluang, Malaysia

This huge steaming hot asam pedas fish head costed us RM33. 



It was already nearly 3:00pm when we finished buying our boxes of Kluang mooncakes at nearby Yuen Fatt 源發 and Yu Kong 游港. Then, I noticed this little restaurant with the big yellow signboard where people were still streaming in and out at this hour. I took a quick peek through the glass of the air conditioned restaurant and saw that it was full (at this hour?!).

We immediately decided to try this restaurant. At 3:00pm on a Thursday afternoon, near closing time, still we had to wait for a table to eat here. A very good sign of a possible good food find :)

While standing and waiting, I looked around at what the others were eating. All the tables had their signature asam pedas fish and most tables had their La La (shellfish) too.

As we were already full, we only ordered the asam pedas fish.

I am not really a fan of sour tasting dishes but wow! this one I liked :)

Needless to say, the fish was super fresh but it's the asam pedas gravy that gripped my attention.

This asam pedas fish was a delightful blend of tastes and flavours. The asam sourness was moderated by saltiness from preserved lime and vegetables while complemented by spicy hot from chili padi and sweetness from the fresh fish.

It's rather strange; I was still feeling full after the morning's heavy breakfast but drinking the asam pedas soup really made my stomach "open up" 开胃 and I somehow found space for more eating :P

 

Thick sweet flesh half submerged in asam and covered with a blanket of  pedas ground chili.

Oh yes, I said "drink" because the asam pedas was so delicious, I unknowingly scooped it all up and drank it merrily.

This asam pedas shop is really good. No wonder it was full house at 3:00pm.

Looks gruesome no doubt but the eye is my favourite :P

This is the best of the sour kind of asam pedas that I have tasted, actually. (My personal favourite asam pedas is still the pedas kind found in Batu Pahat - hmmm... time for another Batu Pahat food trail :P.)

When you are mooncake shopping in Yuen Fatt and Yu Chong, give this asam pedas fish a try. Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas is just two doors from Yu Kong 游港.

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas
Address: 83 - 85, Jalan Lim Swee Sim, Kluang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/ST4Fh
GPS: 2.039035,103.332402
Hours: Lunch 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and Dinner 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Non Halal

Date visited: 20 Sep 2012

This huge steaming hot asam pedas fish head costed us RM33. 



It was already nearly 3:00pm when we finished buying our boxes of Kluang mooncakes at nearby Yuen Fatt 源發 and Yu Kong 游港. Then, I noticed this little restaurant with the big yellow signboard where people were still streaming in and out at this hour. I took a quick peek through the glass of the air conditioned restaurant and saw that it was full (at this hour?!).

We immediately decided to try this restaurant. At 3:00pm on a Thursday afternoon, near closing time, still we had to wait for a table to eat here. A very good sign of a possible good food find :)

While standing and waiting, I looked around at what the others were eating. All the tables had their signature asam pedas fish and most tables had their La La (shellfish) too.

As we were already full, we only ordered the asam pedas fish.

I am not really a fan of sour tasting dishes but wow! this one I liked :)

Needless to say, the fish was super fresh but it's the asam pedas gravy that gripped my attention.

This asam pedas fish was a delightful blend of tastes and flavours. The asam sourness was moderated by saltiness from preserved lime and vegetables while complemented by spicy hot from chili padi and sweetness from the fresh fish.

It's rather strange; I was still feeling full after the morning's heavy breakfast but drinking the asam pedas soup really made my stomach "open up" 开胃 and I somehow found space for more eating :P

 

Thick sweet flesh half submerged in asam and covered with a blanket of  pedas ground chili.

Oh yes, I said "drink" because the asam pedas was so delicious, I unknowingly scooped it all up and drank it merrily.

This asam pedas shop is really good. No wonder it was full house at 3:00pm.

Looks gruesome no doubt but the eye is my favourite :P

This is the best of the sour kind of asam pedas that I have tasted, actually. (My personal favourite asam pedas is still the pedas kind found in Batu Pahat - hmmm... time for another Batu Pahat food trail :P.)

When you are mooncake shopping in Yuen Fatt and Yu Chong, give this asam pedas fish a try. Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas is just two doors from Yu Kong 游港.

 

Restaurant name: Restoran Ikan Asam Pedas
Address: 83 - 85, Jalan Lim Swee Sim, Kluang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/ST4Fh
GPS: 2.039035,103.332402
Hours: Lunch 12:00 noon to 3:00pm and Dinner 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Non Halal

Date visited: 20 Sep 2012

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Coco Garden Asam Pedas in Muar, Johor

Muar is well known for its otak otak and also its asam pedas fish.

Coco Garden Asam Fish is one of the stalls popular with Muar locals. This stall located in Coco Garden Hawker Centre is run by the friendly Ong couple. They were operating a cze char (literally means “cook and fried” stall in Hokkien dialect) for 20 years until they decided to specialise in asam pedas fish about 10 years ago.

The Ongs make their own sambal chilli which sits prominently in a large aluminium pot at the front of the stall.

In terms of taste, Coco Garden’s asam fish reminded me of that of the other popular asam fish outlet in Muar, at the famous Merlin Restaurant. The fish head we ordered was very fresh, and was cooked and served in a light asam gravy that was sour and spicy hot. Like Merlin, Coco Garden’s asam pedas is more asam than pedas, giving it a taste that is more sour than spicy hot.

The taste of the asam pedas was not overpowering – it merely complements and enhances the natural flavours of the fresh juicy fish.

The other popular dish at Coco Garden is their fried “dragon tongue” fish. Fried “dragon fish” has become another “must try” food when visiting Muar. Again the dish relies on the freshness of the fish for its flavour.

The towkay recommended that we eat the fish with some dark sauce soy.

Personally, my taste buds prefer eating the succulent white flesh without any condiments so that I can taste its natural freshness and flavours.

I enjoyed Coco Garden's asam pedas fish and fried dragon tongue fish.

Restaurant name: Coco Garden Asam Fish

Address: Coco Garden Hawker Centre, Jalan Hj Hassan, Muar, Johor

Map: http://g.co/maps/59dqy

GPS: 2.046519,102.574946

Hours:  10:00am to 9:00pm (closed on Weds and Thurs)
Non Halal

Date visited: 7 May 2012

Muar is well known for its otak otak and also its asam pedas fish.

Coco Garden Asam Fish is one of the stalls popular with Muar locals. This stall located in Coco Garden Hawker Centre is run by the friendly Ong couple. They were operating a cze char (literally means “cook and fried” stall in Hokkien dialect) for 20 years until they decided to specialise in asam pedas fish about 10 years ago.

The Ongs make their own sambal chilli which sits prominently in a large aluminium pot at the front of the stall.

In terms of taste, Coco Garden’s asam fish reminded me of that of the other popular asam fish outlet in Muar, at the famous Merlin Restaurant. The fish head we ordered was very fresh, and was cooked and served in a light asam gravy that was sour and spicy hot. Like Merlin, Coco Garden’s asam pedas is more asam than pedas, giving it a taste that is more sour than spicy hot.

The taste of the asam pedas was not overpowering – it merely complements and enhances the natural flavours of the fresh juicy fish.

The other popular dish at Coco Garden is their fried “dragon tongue” fish. Fried “dragon fish” has become another “must try” food when visiting Muar. Again the dish relies on the freshness of the fish for its flavour.

The towkay recommended that we eat the fish with some dark sauce soy.

Personally, my taste buds prefer eating the succulent white flesh without any condiments so that I can taste its natural freshness and flavours.

I enjoyed Coco Garden's asam pedas fish and fried dragon tongue fish.

Restaurant name: Coco Garden Asam Fish

Address: Coco Garden Hawker Centre, Jalan Hj Hassan, Muar, Johor

Map: http://g.co/maps/59dqy

GPS: 2.046519,102.574946

Hours:  10:00am to 9:00pm (closed on Weds and Thurs)
Non Halal

Date visited: 7 May 2012

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Restoran Causeway Nasi Padang Ina along Jalan Lumba Kuda, Johor Bahru

 

Restoran Causeway (popularly known as Kak Ina) runs on two shifts - one serving lunch from 11:00am to 2:00pm and another for dinner from 6:00pm to midnight.



The lady boss serving soto (spicy chicken soup)

For lunch, Restoran Causeway serves its famous Nasi Padang (Ina). Restoran Causeway, well known for its authentic nasi padang, has been in business here at Jalan Lumba Kuda for more than 20 years. This little corner of Johor Bahru has seen dramatic physical changes in the last 20 years but the authentic food and the brisk business at Restoran Causeway hasn’t changed much. Restoran Causeway's clientele includes the Johor royal family and their staff.

The charismatic boss Man, who is originally from Padang (West Sumatra), is still as youthful looking as ever despite being a grandfather now J Man’s two daughters now handle the restaurant business, one the lunch shift and the other the dinner shift.

As I had already eaten lunch, I only stayed awhile to observe the goings on and promised Man that I will be back at dinnertime for his famed ayam penyet and asam pedas.

Like any good nasi padang shop, Restoran Causeway serves a wide array of curry and spicy meat, fish and vegetable dishes at very reasonable prices.

Whole chickens boiling furiously in curry perfuming the air

Everything is cooked right there at the premises, so the food and entire space has that home cooked aroma and feel. 

The arrangements are very casual. The customers help themselves to portions of whatever dishes they fancy and the portions will be tallied and charged accordingly at very reasonable prices.

As promised, I was back at Restoran Causeway exactly at 6:00pm. On Man’s suggestion, I had his popular ayam penyet set and asam pedas ikan selar.

Over my ayam penyet and asam pedas dinner, Man shared with me a basic principle of culinary art – he said, to attract customers, the taste must be interesting and one way to achieve this is a mix of flavours.

He cited the example of his sambal chili. Man said, the whole ayam penyet dish is centred around the sambal chili sauce which makes or breaks the dish. The sambal chili is made with regular chili for bulk and spiciness, chili padi for a sharper spiciness, ginger for smooth mildly pungent spicy, tomatoes for tangy flavour, onions for sweetness and belacan (fermented shrimp paste) for saltiness and savouriness.

Restoran Causeway’s asam pedas is roughly balanced between asam (tamarind) sourness and pedas spicy hot. The ikan selar was very fresh and the asam pedas gravy brought out its natural flavours very well.

I definitely have to be back for lunch for Man’s authentic nasi padang which is fit for Sultan and rakyat (folks) alike.

Restaurant name: Restoran Causeway Nasi Padang Ina

Address: Jalan Lumba Kuda near Johor Bahru CIQ and Hotel Bluewave

Map: http://g.co/maps/t79ws

GPS: 1.460036,103.767840

Hours: 11:00am to 2:00pm and 6:00pm to midnight

Halal

Date visited: 17 Apr 2012

 

Restoran Causeway (popularly known as Kak Ina) runs on two shifts - one serving lunch from 11:00am to 2:00pm and another for dinner from 6:00pm to midnight.



The lady boss serving soto (spicy chicken soup)

For lunch, Restoran Causeway serves its famous Nasi Padang (Ina). Restoran Causeway, well known for its authentic nasi padang, has been in business here at Jalan Lumba Kuda for more than 20 years. This little corner of Johor Bahru has seen dramatic physical changes in the last 20 years but the authentic food and the brisk business at Restoran Causeway hasn’t changed much. Restoran Causeway's clientele includes the Johor royal family and their staff.

The charismatic boss Man, who is originally from Padang (West Sumatra), is still as youthful looking as ever despite being a grandfather now J Man’s two daughters now handle the restaurant business, one the lunch shift and the other the dinner shift.

As I had already eaten lunch, I only stayed awhile to observe the goings on and promised Man that I will be back at dinnertime for his famed ayam penyet and asam pedas.

Like any good nasi padang shop, Restoran Causeway serves a wide array of curry and spicy meat, fish and vegetable dishes at very reasonable prices.

Whole chickens boiling furiously in curry perfuming the air

Everything is cooked right there at the premises, so the food and entire space has that home cooked aroma and feel. 

The arrangements are very casual. The customers help themselves to portions of whatever dishes they fancy and the portions will be tallied and charged accordingly at very reasonable prices.

As promised, I was back at Restoran Causeway exactly at 6:00pm. On Man’s suggestion, I had his popular ayam penyet set and asam pedas ikan selar.

Over my ayam penyet and asam pedas dinner, Man shared with me a basic principle of culinary art – he said, to attract customers, the taste must be interesting and one way to achieve this is a mix of flavours.

He cited the example of his sambal chili. Man said, the whole ayam penyet dish is centred around the sambal chili sauce which makes or breaks the dish. The sambal chili is made with regular chili for bulk and spiciness, chili padi for a sharper spiciness, ginger for smooth mildly pungent spicy, tomatoes for tangy flavour, onions for sweetness and belacan (fermented shrimp paste) for saltiness and savouriness.

Restoran Causeway’s asam pedas is roughly balanced between asam (tamarind) sourness and pedas spicy hot. The ikan selar was very fresh and the asam pedas gravy brought out its natural flavours very well.

I definitely have to be back for lunch for Man’s authentic nasi padang which is fit for Sultan and rakyat (folks) alike.

Restaurant name: Restoran Causeway Nasi Padang Ina

Address: Jalan Lumba Kuda near Johor Bahru CIQ and Hotel Bluewave

Map: http://g.co/maps/t79ws

GPS: 1.460036,103.767840

Hours: 11:00am to 2:00pm and 6:00pm to midnight

Halal

Date visited: 17 Apr 2012

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梅林 Merlin Restaurant in Muar, Johor

Merlin Restaurant is a household name in Muar and is well known even to foodies as far away as Singapore and Penang.

Fresh dragon tongue fish

One of Merlin's signature dishes is its “dragon tongue fish”. It is actually a small sole fish given this auspicious name because of its unique shape.

Taste wise, “dragon tongue fish” is a simple good pan fried fish. The dragon tongue’s flesh is tender and delicately sweet, and relies solely on its ocean freshness for its delectable taste.

Merlin restaurant is also renowned for their asam fish. Merlin uses only super fresh fish. The soupy gravy is more asam than pedas, so it is delicately salty but robustly sour. This sour taste clearly has a strong following. Every table around us ordered an asam fish. Our next table even asked for top up of asam gravy which they merrily and noisily slurped up.

The asam gravy brings out the natural sweetness of the fresh fish very well. No wonder, this dish has made Merlin restaurant famous throughout Malaysia and even among foodies in Singapore.

This dish is made from 3 of my favourite things - petai (bitter or stink beans), squid, and sambal chili. This dish is a contrasting blend of flavours and textures. The petai is crunchy and slightly bitter. The squid cut into rings is refreshingly sweet and tenderly chewy to the bite. The sambal chilli is tangy and spicy hot. Tossed and stir fried together on a searing hot wok, this petai sotong dish is a hot favourite among Merlin’s customers.

All the seafood were charged according to weight and the total bill including the delicious fried taugeh (bean sprout), tasty fried seafood tofu and pot of tea came to RM60.60 – great value for the amount and excellent quality of the food.

Restaurant name: Merlin Restaurant

Address: 90, Jalan Dua, Taman Orkid, Muar, Johor

Map: http://g.co/maps/hu9ez

GPS: 2.046353,102.578750

Hours: 11:00am to 9:00pm (closed on Monday)

Non Halal

Date visited: 10 Mar 2012

Merlin Restaurant is a household name in Muar and is well known even to foodies as far away as Singapore and Penang.

Fresh dragon tongue fish

One of Merlin's signature dishes is its “dragon tongue fish”. It is actually a small sole fish given this auspicious name because of its unique shape.

Taste wise, “dragon tongue fish” is a simple good pan fried fish. The dragon tongue’s flesh is tender and delicately sweet, and relies solely on its ocean freshness for its delectable taste.

Merlin restaurant is also renowned for their asam fish. Merlin uses only super fresh fish. The soupy gravy is more asam than pedas, so it is delicately salty but robustly sour. This sour taste clearly has a strong following. Every table around us ordered an asam fish. Our next table even asked for top up of asam gravy which they merrily and noisily slurped up.

The asam gravy brings out the natural sweetness of the fresh fish very well. No wonder, this dish has made Merlin restaurant famous throughout Malaysia and even among foodies in Singapore.

This dish is made from 3 of my favourite things - petai (bitter or stink beans), squid, and sambal chili. This dish is a contrasting blend of flavours and textures. The petai is crunchy and slightly bitter. The squid cut into rings is refreshingly sweet and tenderly chewy to the bite. The sambal chilli is tangy and spicy hot. Tossed and stir fried together on a searing hot wok, this petai sotong dish is a hot favourite among Merlin’s customers.

All the seafood were charged according to weight and the total bill including the delicious fried taugeh (bean sprout), tasty fried seafood tofu and pot of tea came to RM60.60 – great value for the amount and excellent quality of the food.

Restaurant name: Merlin Restaurant

Address: 90, Jalan Dua, Taman Orkid, Muar, Johor

Map: http://g.co/maps/hu9ez

GPS: 2.046353,102.578750

Hours: 11:00am to 9:00pm (closed on Monday)

Non Halal

Date visited: 10 Mar 2012

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