The Birthday: Sek Yuen @ Jalan Pudu & Surprises!

December the 11th was filled with endless routines.

Routines which were poles apart from what I usually do these days.

Work.

A Friday getaway on a birthday.

Birthday songs, messages and CAKESSS!! (read the S) I just couldn't be happier.

#1 Lunch with colleagues

Lovely university classmates are now my colleagues. Thanks for the lunch and cake gals!!!

#2 Dinner at Sek Yuen

A relaxing family dinner at the restaurant quoted as a "retro-frontage on Jalan Pudu that opened up to a bright, spacious high-ceilinged dining hall which harked from a different era". Dad suggested it immediately as soon as mom mentioned she wants to go for Italian. Chinese food rules on his gastronomic diary. Sek Yuen  is 63-year-old Cantonese eatery which my parents knows best.

What's the attraction?

"Old is Gold"

1. There's an immediate deep-rooted and antique 'odour' as soon as you step in.
2. Old fashioned restaurant environment which we thought are kinda cool. People used to have wedding dinners here those days.
   
3. Old counters where only cash is accepted.
4. Elderly staffs
5. Kitchen at the back where elderly chefs whipped up the dishes on giant woks atop antiquated wood-fired braziers.

8 Treasure Duck - Stuffed with eight different kind of ingredients such as gingko nuts, mushrooms, yams we enjoyed this dish to bits! Please take note that reservations are needed for this dish as hours of cooking are required to churn out a tender serving with a yummy sauce that was infused with the flavours of the ingredients.

Steamed Fresh Water Prawns

The prawns were fresh no doubt. However, we still prefer those from Tualang. Better in taste definitely.

Shark Fin Soup

A rather different version of shark fin soup we used to have at the typical Chinese restaurants, as this serving was 'porridge-like'. Nevertheless, I loved it. The taste was light yet delectable.

Crab Balls (Hai Jou) is another must order I heard. No crabs for me so this compensated well.

Choy Sum with Salted Fish was too salty to our liking :(

Too much salted fish for a small plate of vege.

Another 'reservetion-needed' dish. Not sure about the name of this dish, but it consists of fish head, white fungus, red dates and some other herbals. For me, the first sip was unbearable, as if I'm gulping down a bowl of bitter traditional Chinese medicine. But as I continued, it tasted not bad after all. Chris finished his share fast and complained he's so hot! Must be an immediate effect of quicker blood circulation I guess. haha.

Birthday Noodles for me!

family moments

Sek Yuen
313-1, Jalan Pudu, KL (non-air conditioned)
315, Jalan Pudu KL (air conditioned)
Tel: +603 9222 0903 / +603 9222 9457

#3 A huge surprise from buddies

The next plan was to give up my sweet dreams and head to a karaoke session with friends. Time doesn't allow me to bath nor nap. I felt like dozing off even while standing. But as midnight passed,buddies entertained me with their fave songs which made me more comfortable and my sleeping mood vanished. Not long after, another round of birthday song came and a best friend of mine who claimed that she was busy with her hospital posting suddenly turned up with a cake!!

Blind folded by them next and was forced to make a looonng... wish. When they finally decided to release me, another surprise shocked me again. Another girlfriend of mine who were supposed to be still in Melbourne appeared before me! She actually made it back for me! I cried lo......  Friends are very good LIARS. Even Chris is a very good liar. But I still love them.

Some gifts to remind me I'm a year older.

Thanks y'all!

Birthday don't just end with only one day...

More eating spree next round!