Foodies, we think this might be the first review that we’ve ever written for KL Foodie. Here’s the thing, we heard Dancing Fish is celebrating their 8th Anniversary. So we went ahead to try out their food, to see whether they lived up to their fame. We mean it’s not easy for a restaurant to stick through 8 years in this fast-paced city and still going strong. As mentioned, this is the first review. To celebrate this breakthrough, there’s a giveaway towards the end, so read through to find out more! (Don’t cheat okay)
What is Dancing Fish?
Rooted since 2010 in Bangsar, Dancing Fish has been known as the treasure trove of Malay-Indo
cuisine in Kuala Lumpur. While other cuisines such as Thai or Vietnamese are rising in fame, Malay-Indo food are still slow at its pace. That said, Dancing Fish aspires to serve affordable great real food, to showcase and promote the true unadulterated flavours of Malaysia and Indonesia. We thought Malay-Indo food deserves more attention when it’s acceptable by every race and religion, so here’s our taste test.
Taste Test of Dancing Fish:
Before we begin, we need to tell you that Dancing Fish are preservative and MSG free. You know how Malay-Indo food is usually strong in flavors and you might think it’s because of “ajinomoto.” Nope, that’s not the case in Dancing Fish, they carefully select and play with spices. Okay, on to our mandatory “here’s what we order” photo.
Kickstarting our meal with the Appetizer Platter (RM49.80). It’s the perfect introductory platter for any beginners to sample Malay-Indo cuisine. The platter includes signature charcoal-grilled chicken satay, cumi-cumi tahu bakar with spicy peanut rujak sauce, seafood sate lilit and spicy green apple salad with salted fish. Each has a distinctive flavor, light and tantalizing.
On to the mains, we had the highlight of the restaurant, Dancing Fish with Sambal Dabu-Dabu (RM53.35). Nila fish deep-fried into perfection, even the shape of the fish remains. Crunchy white flesh meat, good to go on its own as you could still taste the freshness of the fish. Or, pair with their sambal dabu-dabu, a specially made salsa sauce that will intrigue your tastebud with its tanginess.
Udang Masak Lemak Chili Padi Nenas (Seasonal) and BBQ Beef Ribs with Sambal Matah (RM79.90) were two of the premiere dishes that we ordered at Dancing Fish. The first prawn dish was a wow factor. Imagine this, fresh tiger prawns slow cooked with turmeric, spicy herbs and pineapple. Authentic Malacca Nyonya style, the flavors will linger in your mouth and make you crave for more.
The BBQ Beef Ribs is a strong competitor to the prawn dish. Australian short ribs marinated for 24 hours with various herbs and spices. It is then grilled on charcoal flames, the meat sucked in the smokes and flavors of charcoal. Each chunk of meat were beautifully and evenly grilled, you can definitely see its sheen.
Read Also: Top 10 New Cafe in KL You Have to Visit by 2019
We Ordered More Than We Should at Dancing Fish……
You’ve heard of smoked duck, grilled duck but fried duck? Only in Dancing Fish you get Bebek Goreng Bali (Crispy Duck) with Chilli Vinaigrette (RM49.90). The juice and oil of the meat was well preserved though being deep fried. You can definitely taste a lot of herbs going on in there as the duck meat were marinated for 24 hours being going into the oil bath. Dip into the chilli vinaigrette, it will intrigue your taste bud.
Ikan Seabass Bakar (RM 69.50) and Gulai Pucuk Paku (RM19.60) were the last two mains that came. We thought these two dishes were perfect paired with white rice or nasi berempah kuning. The fish were torched on high flames, we could definitely taste the fresh flesh with tad bit of smokiness, served with their homade sambal hijau and merah. The vegetable is actually young fern shoots cooked with coconut milk and turmeric. Creamy and sweet, we easily finished off the rice with just the gravy.
Ending our meal with desserts. How can we say no to ice cream (RM13.35)? Served with sweet potato, coconut scraping and palm sugar. Definitely, a lot going on but definitely with a sweet, creamy note that’s not over cloying. Next was Chef Trio (RM13.80). We get to sample chef’s specialty at the right portion. Lemongrass jelly with pop pops is refreshing and actually revived our childhood with the pop pops sensation. Soya jelly with longan palm tasted familiar, like the local beancurd. Last one, Mango Lolo is great for mango lovers.
Verdict on Dancing Fish:
No doubt Dancing Fish is KL Foodie approved. The standard and quality of food justify the price point, for a restaurant to continuously serving faithfully for 8 years is a thing. We got to sample one of the best Malay-Indo food with honest ingredients and flavors, cooked with the right knowledge, what else to complain about? We know Malay-Indo food might not be for everyone, but at Dancing Fish, there’s something for every palate.
About The Giveaway:
Probably your most anticipated moment, we’re sad to say the giveaway is not by us but by Dancing Fish. As mentioned, Dancing Fish is celebrating it’s 8th Anniversary, so they’re giving you guys a holiday! Those who spent a minimum of RM250 at Dancing Fish in a single receipt from 1 November – 31 December 2018, will stand a chance to win the incredible 3 days 2 nights trip for two to Bali! Did we mention it includes accommodation and return flights worth RM2500?!
There’s only one winner, but Dancing Fish is generous enough to provide 2 other prizes. 2nd prize is a 2D1N stay in Villa Samadhi, KL worth RM800. 3rd prize is a Dancing Fish Discount Voucher worth RM300! Tempting? Just spend RM250 in a single receipt, fill up the form and be patient. Dancing Fish will announce the winner on 3 January 2019 on their Facebook page, so follow them to stay updated.
Dancing Fish
Address: Lot T120, 121, 122, 3rd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285 Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandar Raya, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.
Operating Hour: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (Daily)
More Info: facebook.com/Dancing Fish.my
