One of Shah Alam's best-kept secrets for elegant Chinese fare with eclectic flourishes, East Lake offers a serene setting for sumptuous banquet-style feasts, nestled within Geno Hotel, open for a year in a predominantly suburban enclave. The restaurant also strives to be an ideal venue for wedding dinners, catering to 150 persons with a stage setting by reservation.
Go with the chef's recommendations: The juicy-baked minced fish paste with crispy chicken skin & almond flakes is our favourite order here, served in the charming fashion of a Japanese hand roll with century eggs, chillies & ginger, combined with egg pancakes for a playful, pleasurable wrap that promises plenty of taste & texture in each mouthful. RM18 per person; order requires one day's advance booking.
Placing the spotlight even more firmly on chicken & ginger, this deep-fried duet of both components should placate patrons craving a savoury crunch. Once again, the presentation is painstakingly lovely, making for a memorably golden-hued platter. RM40 for half a chicken, RM80 for whole.
Moving on to fish, try the tilapia, fresh & flaky, in a potently sweet, soothingly rich rice wine broth with fungus (seasonal price, currently RM9 per 100 grams) ...
... & for contrast, the substantial-sized tiger grouper prepared in two styles, fried & doused in mildly spicy gravy that belies its fiery redness, as well as steamed with mushrooms, both turns impeccably executed to make excellent use of the entire fish (seasonal price; currently RM190 for 1 kilogram).
Our whole table loved the giant freshwater prawn in soy sauce (served individually), with its thick, luscious flesh & a head dripping with coveted roe. Absolutely indulgent, certain to prompt a round of finger-licking. Seasonal price; currently RM13 per 100 grams).
End with a slick serving of noodles made delectably earthy with mushrooms & black truffle paste (small RM24; medium RM36; large RM48), followed by a can't-fail tofu dessert (RM5 per bowl). We were happily surprised by the calibre of cooking for a destination this discreet; thanks to East Lake for having us.
East Lake Chinese Restaurant
First Floor, Geno Hotel, Jalan Subang Mas, Taman Subang Mas, Shah Alam, Selangor.
Open daily for lunch & dinner. Hotel Tel: 03-5033-6666
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