Probably the Best Lap Mei Fan in Kuala Lumpur @ Elegant Inn, Menara Hap Seng, Kuala Lumpur

Mothers know best...believe me.


When it comes to my mother, I reckon she's got a darn fussy palate. Developed for the sixty plus years of her life, she's eaten at countless places all over the world. In recent years, it's been Singapore, China and England, where my siblings have been living. Thus when she stamps her approval on a dish, you know its a great eat.

Last year, after tasting Elegant Inn's lap mei fan (waxed meats rice) I was convinced this was probably the best in town. However, I was not fortunate to let my ever fussy madre to sample it. Recently, I managed to score a tasting session with the infamous dish for her - the sole purpose of our lunch. Both of us patiently waited for the rice...about 25-30 minutes since that was all we had ordered. As the minutes ticked away, we both didn't mind the long wait as it meant that the rice was prepared the traditional way i.e. cooked in the claypot itself vs the shortcut cheat method by cooking it in the rice cooker and finishing it off in the claypot. We both knew that the slow cooking meant crusty bits of rice sticking to the clay surface - our mouth was watering at the thought of those crunchy bits.


This simple traditional winter dish is best enjoyed when all the elements are in harmony - fluffy rice grains kissed with the juices emitted from the waxed meats, crunchy brown rice grains mixed within for the texture and of course, the waxed meats, a beautiful combination of sausage, duck, meat and liver that is not too salty yet fragrant. Out of the lot, the best was the liver sausages - set aside first like the prized crown jewels. Bite into one piece and it yields a soft texture with a burst of Chinese rose wine (mei kuei lu) that floods your mouth and tingles all the senses. Savour each special piece with a scoop of fluffy rice with crunchy grains mixed together.


The lap mei fan is available in two sizes: RM68++ for a three-four persons portion and RM128++ for an eight-ten persons portion. It is only available until stocks last, so go grab your bowl of goodness to usher in the Year of the Rabbit and 2011.

Elegant Inn Hong Kong Cuisine2.01, 2nd Floor
Podium Block
Menara Hap Seng
Jalan P Ramlee
Kuala Lumpur


Tel: 03-2070 9399

(Non Halal. The original outlet is at No. 16, Jln Waras 1, Tmn Connaught, Cheras, Tel: 03-9130 2626. For more pictures on the food from Elegant Inn, see my Flickr collection.)

*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.