Lan Je's Steamed Tilapia Fish @ Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya

the main star of this place - steamed black tilapia with a generous soybean paste with chillies

Recently at my friend's wedding dinner, I overheard some one mention the magic words, "Lan Je" and "Kota Damansara". Further probing revealed that the infamous steamed tilapia stall from Rawang has spread their wings and opened a branch in Petaling Jaya. Whoopee!! Now one does not need to travel to the other end of the world for a steamed fish fix.


the fish is delivered table by table, watch out as it is piping hot and some very satisfied customers next to me with cleaned out fish bones.

Discovering this place is quite simple especially after you get your bearings right. Located well hidden from the main road, this shop is packed every lunch time with patrons. Everyone waits patiently for their steamed fish (about 1/2 hour or more, if peak lunch times) to arrive at their table. Once the fish hits the table, everyone's tummy is growling so loudly, you can see them tuck into the fish even before the plates of rice appear.

The steamed fish (large one is RM17) here is good stuff, soft and topped with a slightly spicy chilli bean paste sauce. I did feel the fish was a tad harder than Rawang, where it is usually silky soft but nevertheless it was still good stuff, which made a very satisfying lunch. It seems they also have a branch in Balakong (per address below) hence those who stay around that area can go sample the steamed fish there too. They also have other dishes (that look different from what I ate in Rawang), which is only mediocre, so just stick to the steamed fish.

Lan Je Steamed Fish
F-50G & 51G, Jalan Teknologi 3/9

Bistari "DE" Kota
Kota Damansara
PJU 5, Petaling Jaya

Tel: 012-669 9919, 016-6189919

Lan Je Steamed Fish
No. 10G & 12G, Jalan Kasturi 3

Plaza Kasturi
Batu 11, Jalan Balakong
Cheras

Tel: 016-2482009, 012-3662434, 012-3962953

(Pork free. From the NKVE exit of Kota Damansara, go straight and up the ramp. You will pass by 2 traffic lights and see a row of shophouses with Gulam Mee on your left hand side. When driving here, on the right you will pass by a Mcdonalds and Shell station. Go straight and take a left turn towards the shophouses, an immediate right turn, go straight and another left turn to get to the back of the shophouses. You will see Lan Je's shop in front so go straight and park around the area. The Kota Damansara outlet is open from 11.30am-3pm, 6-9pm. Closed on Tuesdays. The Balakong outlet is open from 11-3pm for Mondays to Fridays and during the weekends, open from 11-3pm, 5.30-9.30pm. Also closed on Tuesdays. Google map to Kota Damansara is here.)

*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here is entirely based on my personal tastebuds and may vary for others. This review is time sensitive; changes may occur to the place later on that can affect this opinion. The reviewer also declares that she has not received any monetary or non-monetary compensation from this place for writing the review.

Tagged with: Malaysian Food + Steamed Fish

What do others have to say:

• awhiffoflemongrass - posted like 2 hours ago, so I guess great tummies think alike??? Avoid the other dishes and just stick to steamed fish. There's even a poem.
• wanderlust - also said the other side dishes are not fantastic except the prawns in cili padi sauce.
• tiny piece of me gives some sound advice, don't come here if you are hungry as the wait is long and longer still.
• happy happy gives the thumbs up to the fish and a tofu with prawns. Warning this site comes with music.