Tai chow! Tai chow!

A tai chow (Cantonese), literally translated into English as 'big fry' restaurant actually means that the place serves a variety of dishes. Dishes which are all fried on those huge cast iron woks. Hence the 'big fry' term.

Whenever I have the hankering for some good ol' fashioned 'tai chow', this is the place I normally head to. Behold! Restoran Sentosa!

The signboard says all

We always start with tea

Claypot taufoo

Smooth taufoo combined with mixed vegetables, prawns and muk yee (wood ear?) fungus make for a very enjoyable eating experience. The gravy wasn't too thick and the prawns although small were very fresh.

Stewed pork with muk yee

The pork chunks were tender and flavorful. The crunchy fungus provided a nice contrast to the soft meat. I wished they would add more fungus slices though. However, if you're adverse to fatty meat this might not be the dish to order.

Fish slices (yee pin) with bitter gourd

I always order this dish whenever I'm here. Somehow the fresh fish taste goes very well with bitter gourd. And when I say fresh fish, I mean really really fresh. The fact that they use wan yee (not sure of the English name, freshwater fish though) gets two thumbs up from me since it's not exactly a cheap fish. Most restaurants prefer to use saltwater fish which aren't that smooth. Of course if you are allergic to bitter gourd, you can always choose a different style of cooking.

They have many dishes to choose from. If in doubt, just ask boss for recommendations. Service is prompt. Go early though as the restaurant tends to fill up quick during dinner time.

However don't expect the environment to be as good as say, Overseas or Tai Thong. Expect loud patrons, people smoking and stray dogs/cats walking around. The restaurant is located in a new village after all.

Total damage comes up to RM33 for 3 persons. And the portions can feed 4 actually if the people in your group don't eat that much. What can I say? It's cheap! I hereby give this place a rating of 8/10! Just...well...ignore the environment of the place.

Now...for directions...heading towards 1-U via LDP from Sunway, take the first turning to your left immediately upon passing St. Ignatius Church on your left. Go straight all the way until you come to a roundabout. Take the 12 o'clock exit and head straight down until you see a corner coffee shop on your right (this will be the second coffee shop you pass on your right). Upon seeing the coffee shop immediately turn to your right, go straight and turn right on the first right turn. You might want to look for parking now because the restaurant is just further down this street on your right.

Complicated I know. But certainly worth the effort for some wholesome food. Don't you think so?