Restoran Lan Je, Taman Len Sen, Cheras

*Update in 2013: This restaurant is no longer operating at this location.

The famous Lan Je Restaurant from Rawang has opened its fifth outlet, located at Taman Len Sen, Cheras. Two weeks ago, there was a sudden influx of diners and cars on that street which consequently drew our attention to the newly occupied corner stall.
Lan Je's signature dish is its steamed tilapia (hak fei chau). Apparently, diners usually order one fish per person. The first question the waiter asked was how many fish we wanted to order. Since we wanted to try some other dishes here, we ordered one fish to share between two. You know how sometimes it takes ages to decide what style you want your fish cooked? No such problem here, as it is steamed simply with soy sauce and topped with ginger, garlic and cili padi. Just let them know the level of spiciness that you want, the spicier it is, the more cili padi topping.

We were the first customers of the day, and the fish took about 20 minutes to arrive. However it was worth the wait as the fish was delicious; the flesh was firm, smooth and sweet.

We also ordered the Kung Po Chicken (RM8) which for us was much more intriguing and turned out to be more satisfying than the usual sweet and sour style that is commonly offered. The chicken is coated in batter and deep fried, then cooked with dried chillies and onions and coated with a sweet, sticky and spicy sauce.

For greens, we ordered the Stir Fry yau mak (RM7) which was tasty and crunchy. Other vegetable choices here include kangkung, beansprouts, four angle bean (sei tim tau), and sweet potato leaves (si miu) which can be cooked with garlic, belacan or nam yue (red fermented beancurd).

Other items on the menu include prawn, squid, tofu and fried egg in various styles. Pork free.

See this signboard and you know you're at the right place.

Opening times: 11.00am to 3.15pm and 6pm to 9.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Price: Steamed tilapia from RM15 onwards, our fish was slightly bigger so we paid RM17 for ours. Total bill was RM39.

Location: Restoran Lan Je, Gerai 1, Jalan 1, Pusat Penjaja Taman Lensen, Taman Lensen, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 016- 688 3868 (Mr.Ben)

Other outlets in Rawang (HQ), Balakong, Kota Damansara and Desa Aman Puri, Kepong.

GPS Coordinates: 3.074154, 101.742518