Review: Zhou Restaurant at Scott Garden, Old Klang Road

This Penang-based porridge specialist, which runs multiple branches in Georgetown, has expanded south to the Klang Valley, opening outlets at Scott Garden and SS2 in recent weeks.

Speciality Congee

Zhou’s calling card: the creativity channeled through its congee. Here’s where patrons can have piping-hot pumpkin porridge with frog legs (RM11.80 before taxes) …

 … herbal porridge with raw salmon (RM11.80) …

… and laksa-paste porridge with beef and egg (RM10.80). These prices are reasonable, considering each bowl is pretty big, and the soft, smooth texture should satisfy fans of congee. But the flavors seem too weak and bland to leave a lingering impression.

Congee Steamboat

A better bet: the congee steamboat; a RM40 serving is sufficient for two or three diners, who can choose from a selection of flavor bases including Szechuan spicy, tomyam, curry, prawn and fish.

Lots to toss into the steamboat: Prawns, broccoli, egg, crab meat, crab sticks, battered fish fillet, fish maw, fish balls, Taiwan-style sausages, mushrooms, sliced pork and fried beancurd skin.

The result’s thick, hearty and fulfilling, thanks largely to the multitude of savory ingredients.

Not into congee?

Zhou also serves a small variety of East Asian-inspired fare that range from Hong Kong’s sweet-salty Swiss chicken (RM18 for half a chicken) … 

 … to crisply addictive, deliciously spiced Taiwanese fried chicken (RM11.90).

Roast duck, siu yok and char siew are available too; all in all, Zhou has both hits and misses, but it’s probably still worth a mention.

Location and Contact Details:

Zhou Porridge Restaurant
1-17, 1st Floor, Scott Garden, Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur.
Daily, 11am-midnight.

Tel: 03-7980-1277

Find Zhou Porridge Restaurant’s directory listing here.