Somewhat unsure if this is a Potts Point or Kings Cross location, but given KL Kitchen is situated at the first half of Llankelly Place,we’ll go with Kings Cross! It’s a fairly non-descript eatery, next door to the more uber hip spots, Wilbur’s Place and LL. I’ve eaten here before and been pretty happy with my nasi goreng and Darling Eatfreak’s beef rendang, so was very keen to try their Tuesday night special Har Mee.

KL Kitchen Exterior

Malaysian is my favourite Asian and Prawn Mee my favourite Malaysian, so it’s safe to say there was a bit riding on this… to hedge our bets, we also ordered the Mama’s Beef Curry (“special family recipe”) and two roti to complement. There is also a specials board, which we didn’t spend too long perusing given it was a school night and had been an extremely long day of work (hence I may have been a bit more ‘scathing’ in my opinions).

KL Kitchen Menu Page 1 (click for larger image)

KL Kitchen Menu Page 2
(click for larger image)

Service was fast and friendly. The prawn mee was promptly delivered and at first bite, I was hit with a great burst of flavour. I was somewhat disappointed though by what I perceived as a lack of value. At $16.80 (versus say a $10 Chinatown or Jimmy’s Recipe version), I would expect a fairly substantial dish. Although there were 2 large prawns in the noodle soup, there was only 3 rather small shrimp and two bits of pork. Not overly impressed for the price. However, even though the quantity wasn’t there, the quality was. The fresh chilli flavour infused the soup, and the flavour was propped up further by bits of crunchy pork fat (try not to over-think the calories). Fresh sambal was served alongside the dish. Unfortunately, I’m just not sure if the pro quality argument outweighed my con quantity one.

Prawn Har Mee ($16.80)
Tuesdays only

The curry packed a good punch in the hot-spicy department, but not so much in the hot-temperature department. A reasonable sized dish with good flavour, but the meat was cold in parts, which detracted from the enjoyment of the dish. The roti was very good, very light and fresh, no stodge, with a good balance between crispiness and light airiness.

Beef Mamas Curry with Rice ($15.80) and two Roti Canai ($2.80 each)

My hidden sago in coconut milk and gula melaka ($5.80)

Given that I didn’t feel extremely full, we decided to order dessert. Desserts are all under $10, so pretty reasonable. Along with prawn mee, I also love sago pudding, especially the gula melaka (which is like a cross between treacle and golden syrup). I ordered it cold, and there was plenty of coconut milk and gula melaka to satisfy me! Although a decent size, the sago had obviously been sitting in the fridge for some time, and the sago was a bit stodgy, not the light pearly bits I’m used to from my mother’s recipe. However, I still ate it all, so it can’t be all bad!

Sago Pudding with a bit of a dent in it!

Banana roti with gula melaka and cinnamon ($5.80)
(Icecream $1 extra)

The banana roti with gula melaka and cinnamon (ice-cream $1 extra – do it!) was a very good way to end the night. A simple pancake-style concoction, like the roti from the main, it was perfectly cooked and my other Eatfreak left with a smile on the face.

The restaurant is BYO, which is a plus, but pretty small so not a spot for big boozy get-togethers. The alfresco dining in Llankelly place would be nice in summer and KL Kitchen also offers takeaway for those who just can’t be bothered to cook tonight – it’s a pretty good alternative to Thai.

KL Kitchen Specials Board

KL Kitchen Interior on a quiet Tuesday

Return Factor? If my decision were just based on this individual food experience, then I would have said no. This is because I just found too many factors too variable (size of prawn mee, cold-ish curry, and not the best sago I’ve had…). However if I include my previous experience in this judgment call, then I know this place does produce pretty good food and under fairly unassuming pretenses. In which case, I’m willing to give it another chance… I’ll provide a postscript for the next visit!

Eat Freaks dined here in October 2012