It’s funny how many of the places close to our office often go on unreviewed. I eat here at least once every two weeks and yet when I think about where to review I often think of places far away or new places that have opened up. But why not talk about a favourite that is just downstairs?
Since this restaurant is non-halal most of my office mates can’t join me and so I use this time to enjoy a lunch alone. I bring along a magazine or book and I order my usual and salivate in anticipation. I think by now the servers should know my order the minute I sit down…a dry pan mee and a glass of ice water. Every single time and I’m not sick of it yet!
During lunchtime this place is packed with the office crowd eager to get their fill of the various noodle dishes on offer. It’s a no brainer to see that they’re good when the restaurant next door is usually empty in comparison. I always follow the crowd.
The sambal is what keeps me coming back time and time again. They have a tray with a few different tins of sambal that highlight every noodle dish they have to offer. There’s one that has red and green specks of chilli and has a refreshing spritz of kaffir lime, another that is sweet and sour and tinged a deep red, a tin of cut chilli padi, and another with red pickled chilli slices.
"The sambal is what keeps me coming back"
The large glass jar of sambal though, that is the holy grail of sambal. It’s a dry sambal you can sprinkle but it’s crunchy and chewy and salty with a rich dried prawn flavour. I am slightly obsessed with this one. In addition to putting at least three spoonfuls to my noodle dish I’ll add a sprinkle to each bite I’m about to munch down on. Hell I’ll just eat it by the spoonful if I could. It’s the type of sambal you’d like to sprinkle on anything…I can see this being amazing with French fries. Yum!
The dry pan mee comes with either the thin or thick noodles. Slippery and firm to the bite, a clear indicator of it being homemade. It is served with fried ikan bilis, a runny sunny side up egg, and minced pork with a soup on the side. The best way to eat this is to pour in the crispy sambal and then toss it like you would a salad. Break the runny egg so that the golden yolk coats the noodles and the sambal sticks to it.
Each bite is pure spicy and salty pleasure. It will have you curling your toes and smacking your oily reddish lips. I’m not a huge fan of runny yolk but mixed in this way it’s not too strong or creamy and the chilli overpowers that yolky taste. The crunchy ikan bilis texture is wonderful with the noodle and the minced pork gives it a bit of meatiness and sweetness. The soup is light and allows you to clear your palate after the full flavoured meal.
The pan mee noodle soup and the vegetarian soup are also a good pick on the menu. Douse the broth with the sambal and you’re good to go. Sluuuurrp!
More Photos To Drool On
An unusual yet addictive flavour
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Foodster's Verdict
Face to Face Noodle House
Taste
Service
Ambiance
Address:
11A-1, Jalan PJU8/51, Perdana Business Centre
Damansara Perdana Tel:
Open:
10am - 10pm
Pros:
Good range of sambal especially the special one in the glass jar
Cons:
It's non-halal so I usually have to dine alone for lunch
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