Finicky Jac's Profile

After a long day of work, physiotherapy, and an intensive 30min fitness class, the clock stroke10PM as I hunt for dinner. Since I've visited the Langham food court last week and it was quite crowded even at the late hour (perhaps it's because of holiday the next day), I wanted to head for a restaurant where I can do a simple table for 1 and leave with a somewhat full stomach.I did have hesitation before stepping into Ajisen as I've been to their different branches many times in past 10 years that I've been in HK, and I still feel it is not quite value for money....but I still go a few times a year. Convenience and a habit of routine actions/decisions could be some factors that I still visit.I sat near the entrance across the cashier with the fence to my right and a narrow alley on my left. I feel kinda crammed and the man nearby got a loud voice, but I know I can't expect much. As I reach across the table for the menu which the server tossed on my table  , I see my napkin with a piece of hair on it…which was not very appealing :( ...wanted to ask for another one, but "don't bother, forget it" was what I thought.Ok, proceed to my order now. Wanted some meat ramen, so I just picked, their restaurant name ramen, Ajisen Ramen 味千啦麵 for $46. The ingredients consisted of BBQ Pork 叉燒, soy egg 鹵蛋, bean sprouts 銀芽, jelly ear (or Jew's ear) 黑木耳, and spring onions 洋蔥.The appearance of the ramen looked very attractive. :) Soy Egg:The soy egg looked nice. The taste was alright but the egg was cold. :(   I expected it to be at least warm. BBQ Pork:    The pork was mostly fat, which I hate because I won't eat them and it's not healthy. As usual, I only ate the thin parts. This pork reminded me that each time I came, their pork were like this.  I've got to say, their pork are much fatter than other ramen places.Jelly Ear:Jelly ear is something that I don't really like to eat but only have them because of the nutritional value like protein, calcium, iron... The taste was alright and the texture was a bit firm.Ramen:The ramen was smooth, soft, and yellow in color. Overall flavour was alright but I think the texture of the ramen back from years ago were better and thicker too, if I remember correctly.Soup:Although the soup had a strong taste, as a SuperTaster (one that is highly sensitive in sense of taste than the average) I could still sense that too much water was added and spoiled it.   If you want more taste to your soup, remember to add in some garlic powder!Tea:The tea had too little green tea powder and tasted pretty much like water.…Read More

Being a finicky person in almost anything, I've always wanted to write food reviews but never came to it. Finally, the time has come for my first food review. It's my second visit to this restaruant and again table for 1. I hope my third visit will be a merrier one, where I can try more great food here with my friends. I think the place is good for chillout or hangout. Thinking back to my first visit (Mar 20 dinner ~6pm)I was sick and wanted some congee (or rice porridge). Looking up the iSquare restaurant directory, I saw Praise House Congee & Noodle Cuisine 譽居 which is exactly the congee place I'm looking for! I've never heard of it, so let's check it out. The moment I arrived at the door, this place gave me a decent and high class (expensive) feeling. Just my personal perspective. Reading thru their menu at the entrance, I was happy to know the prices are quite accetpable consided that it's iSquare and the restaurant looks classy. At least more classy than the average noodles restuarants.I still remember the sweet corn taste and smooth congee texture of my corn with meat congee.  Looks very nice and only for < $40! This, the Second visitI didn't want to have a heavy lunch, so at last I just chose the BBQ Pork White Cut Chicken Lo Mein 叉燒切雞撈麵.  It's been years since I've had Lo Mein.  I chose noodles over white rice because I like noodles better, and that it's more challenging to make the good texture and flavor.  My order came with ginger and spring onion oil 薑蔥 as expected, and oyster sauce 蠔油 which was a surprise because I can't recall having served oyster sauce with BBQ Pork before!  Whether it's a good match or not it depends on the BBQ pork, but it does look or feel professional.   The overall portion is alright but I did expect a little bit more. Then again, it's understandable because of inflation and its location in a high rent building. BBQ pork 叉燒:Requested for half fat and half lean meat.  The pork wasn't much roasted and not quite juicy, but the soy sauce on top and the medium firmess being just right made up for the loss, so the overall flavor was more than a pass.  Dipping it into the oyster sauce enhanced the flavour and created a fresh and more complex sensation.  So, next time you have BBQ pork, you can request for oyster sauce on the side.  I don't guarantee it improves the flavor, but it's worth a try.White Cut Chicken 白切雞:Requested for chicken breast because I don't like to deal with bones.  It's tender and the skin wasn't very thick/fat which i appreciate.Noodles 麵:The portion is more than the average noodles.  The color is light or yellow, which I like.  The firmness was about medium.  The texture and overall flavor was good.Soup for the noodle 湯:It's hot but can be hotter because it feels little cold when mixed with the noodles.  It has a very light pepper taste to it which should be not be a surprise.Ginger and spring onion oil 薑蔥: Simply very salty.  :( Oyster sauce 蠔油:Looks very glossy and tastes fresh.  Tea:The tea had a taste of sweetness and was quite smooth.  Surprised to see them using teabags though.Menu:Nice menu that includes the history of the food.Others:I couldn't tell if the background music was classical melodies or what but was quite relaxing.  The seasoning containers are quite cute as well.…Read More