COCONUTS HOT SPOT — Ruyi & Lyn is a huge F&B and entertainment space in Bangsar Shopping Centre, branding itself as a combination of many things: flamboyance, elegance, retro, modernistic – it can be as public or as private as you wish. And therein lies the meaning of “Ruyi” – “as you wish/desire”. Lyn, of course is the gorgeous owner of the place.
The moment you step beyond the sliding door into Ruyi, the dining space, be prepared for the dazzling spotlight shining on you and that’s when you look down and realise you are walking on a red-carpeted slightly-raised platform. Talk about making a grand entrance, Ruyi does that – making every customer feel like a star!
Ruyi’s Sushi, the nation’s smallest combo of sushi is made up of Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak and Mango Sticky Rice. Incredibly photogenic, the 6 pieces of sushi-sized Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak and Mango Sticky Rice are very tasty too.
Ruyi’s Sushi
My favourite is the Hainanese Chicken Rice – that small piece of it contains all the right elements: fragrant slightly-oily rice, tender succulent boneless chicken complete with dollops of authentic kickass chilli and ginger dips.
Likewise, the nasi lemak and mango sticky flavours are both executed perfectly, in terms of flavours and ingredients. The delicate presentation includes two nicely-fried quail eggs, peanuts, sambal and tiny anchovies.
Ruyi describes their food as “modern Chinese” and the pork-free dishes incorporate some special twists. The kitchen is helmed by Chef James Ho whose plating skills present photogenic dishes that are irresistible to cameras. Names of dishes range from “whimsical” to “mythical” in nature.
Besides Ruyi’s Sushi, I like their Bali Beach which are Softshell crabs with pomelo sauce. Another irresistible appetiser is the Taizi’s Dish, an appealing presentation of pan-seared foie gras with caramelized watermelon.
Bali Beach
Taizi’s Dish
There are several soup items in the menu and I find the Unicorn’s Bait – fresh abalone with clear spicy soup is a good bet. The slight spiciness of the soup lifts it beyond average.
Unicorn’s Bait
Seafood lovers will find plenty to indulge here. The Passionate Scallops are pan-seared with edamame and pumpkin sauce – simple execution but big in tastes!
Simplicity again rules in Nemo – steamed snow fish fillet with preserved vegetables. The secret lies in the precise timing of steaming this delicate fish.
For “Meat & Poultry”, the RFC – Ruyi Fried Chicken, a concoction of almond-coated fried chicken with prawn paste served with plum chilli sauce is not something that’s uncommon but the execution is pretty faultless.
Ruyi Fried Chicken
Journey’s End, a name that’s quite perplexing as it refers to pan-seared Australian lamb chops with Thai green curry. An unusual pairing but somehow it hit the right spots for me.
Journey’s End
Aptly named, Dragon’s Meal are charcoal-grilled wagyu and kimchi spiced with Japanese kombu seaweed. Truly decadent and cooked just right – the wagyu was really to-die-for.
Dragon’s Meal
No Chinese meal is complete without some rice or noodles and in Ruyi & Lyn, the choices are quite varied. There are the usual dishes and some unique ones, too like Raise the Red Lantern – homemade noodles with crab meat and scallops in red vinegar – unique tastes although some may find the vinegar an “acquired taste”!
Raise the Red Lantern
Eureka Green Tea Rice – fried rice puffs that go “pop” when green tea broth is poured over is something that must be experienced here. The green tea gives an uplifting and refreshing touch to the rice.
Eureka Green Tea Rice
So, go on…check out Ruyi & Lyn, take that red carpet walk and try not to blink too much at the dazzling spotlight – this is one moment when you feel all eyes are on you!
Ruyi & Lyn
4th Floor Annexe
Bangsar Shopping Centre
Jalan Maarof
59000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2083-0288
*Pork-free
Opening hours:
Lounge
12.00noon-2.00am Mondays to Sundays
Restaurant
Lunch: 12.00noon-3.00pm (last order at 2.30pm)
Dinner: 6.00pm-2.00am (last order at 11.00pm)
Chris Wan also blogs at Pure Glutton
