Brunch dates on a lovely weekend afternoon with good company is always a delight.

So when we rocked up to discover this new little cafe, quietly tucked in a small laneway by the Central Park in the city, and after going round hunting for car park, hunger had worked its way in our tummies – perfect timing!

X23 is a Malaysian fusion cafe, serving delicacies involving pandan, rendang (red curry), apam (Malaysian waffle), kaya toast and the likes….YUM!

First up is their kaya toast.

Served on enamel retro style bowl and tray, a simple and nostalgic presentation that brings me back to growing up in Indonesia and Singapore. Unfortunately the niceties ended here for the kaya toast 😦

Taste was so-so : avocado, butter and kaya thinly spread on lacklustre white toast. Where was the fluffy thick white bread, toasted to a nice golden crust that is signature of the Malaysian kaya toast I know of?

Where, oh where was the daring dash of butter and creamy kaya spread? (another reason why the thickness and texture of a proper kaya toast is important – to hold the amount of butter and kaya. Think of them as your dreamcatcher…sandwiches that keep your dreams in a safe place…) Honestly felt a bit sad looking at the kaya toast, it needs to fatten up!

The milk tea served alongside was a notch better than its partner. I liked the idea of having cin cau (grass jelly), and I thought the tea spoons were helpful for consuming the cooling goodness of the jelly – two thumbs up (Josie approved too)!

I also liked the custom wooden tray that came with the tea set.

 

 

 

I ordered one of their “Speciality Menu” dishes – X23 Signature Red Eggs.

Homemade sambal sauce (I mean, who wouldn’t?), scrambled eggs, crab (another WOOHOO!) housed by light, crispy and delicious croissant. The wedge of lime is just the cherry on top.

Presentation-wise, I like what I see but even more how it makes me feel – if it were a painting I’d call it Omelette of Emotion. The story behind it would be that the eggs had a fight with the chilli, and somehow crabs and fried garlic got involved with the mess – splashes and dashes of flavour! What a sight! The croissant and the lime were there to try and cool things down.

As I tuck into it, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked eggs first greeted my tastebuds. Then the sweet and fleshy crab meat, and mind you this is not the “fake crab meat” they use in sushi. This was the real deal, swimming amidst that delicious omelette and each time you bite into it, you feel like you’ve won the lottery (mini version of course). All the while, the chilli just there to remind you of its presence. Not overwhelm, just…there. Sedap!

Over here we’ve got Nasi Lemak Chicken Burger. On paper, it was a BRILLIANT idea. Nasi Lemak – check
Burger – check
Both are popular dishes. Hence the excitement and curiosity in trying this fusion out.

Verdict; another disappointment. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t up to what we had imagined it to be. Nasi Lemak is one of my favourite rice dishes for all of its elements. The fragrant, coconut milk-rich rice, its spicy, savoury sambal, fried anchovies, chicken or lamb curry and even the cooling cucumber – all make a harmonious plate of delicious dining journey.

This burger does not do the dish justice. The brioche buns were nice and soft, the turmeric fried chicken was not bad, though a little dry – WHICH could be helped with lots more sambal (there was, dare I say, just 1 teaspoon of sambal in the burger). Where, oh where was the delicious fragrant rice, which was the NASI to the Nasi Lemak?? Oh, woe… (dramatic, I know, but I can’t help it..)

Would’ve liked the egg yolk a little more sexy – half cooked, shiny and runny – but it wasn’t in the mood, so to say. Meh.

Love the idea of Nasi Lemak Chicken Burger, but hope they keep improving on the recipe 😉

Working up a sweat running around after this active 18 mo after a meal is always a good idea 😀

Can’t wait for our next catch up and dining trip, guys!