Healthy Food: More More Cha: Malaysian, Darling Harbour (25 Jan 2012)

1 Dixon Street, Darling Harbour NSW 2000

http://www.moremorecha.com.au (doesn't seem active)

Clams finally found in Sydney

I've certainly had my fair share of Char Kway Teow in Sydney but one thing has always eluded the dish and that's the absence of clams — until now. After reading posts by Ramen Raff and The Heart of Food on Nonya by Ginger & Spice my intentions were to visit but soon found out they'd closed their doors for further kitchen renovations after only just opening which seemed a bit weird. So failing a visit I noticed More More Cha downstairs — now that's pretty close for competition. Apparently same owners as Mamak Village in Glebe. I was a little worried seeing so many menu signs outside advertising the place which for me can also be Signs of Desperation. There was plenty of seating, 90% of the customers were Asian, it was new for me, it was raining and I needed to eat so I ventured in with my work colleague to check it out. At first the menu prices looked expensive for a casual lunch but thankfully we spotted the 3 lunch time specials of $9.90 and add a Teh Tarik (hot or cold) for $1 instead of $3.50.

Of particular interest was the Penang Koay Tewo Kerang ($9.90 lunch special, normally $14.90), swapped for the More More Noodle which was unavailable, which listed as including clams — WOOHOO! I actually had to double check with our friendly service lady Saptu if it did actually include clams and she confirmed. When it arrived there was visible clams in the dish although we suspected they were canned ones rather than fresh which is a pity because they're not as juicy and plump. The dish looked a little luke warm when it arrived as if it had been sitting somewhere for a while before being served so I'm not sure what happened to it. We saw another dish come out which was steaming hot. There was some decent char factor and it had three decent sized deveined prawns, more would have been good though. Overall maybe a little dryish but it had potential to be better. The Penang Hokkien Har Mee ($9.90 lunch special, normally $12.90) was the other dish chosen. The serving was a bit on the small side and the broth a bit light on taste. Nothing like the flavour punching version from Singapore Shiok!* across the road, although you have to contend with the food court seating. It could have done with some extra kangkong instead of the single piece provided and perhaps slices of fish cake but the prawns were a decent size. Definitely not the best I've had but also not the worst.

Other places tried for Char Kway Teow:
• 25 Jan 2012 - More More Cha (includes clams)
• 2 June 2010 - Wong Kee Fast Food
• 20 Jan 2010 - Yummy Cuisine
• 19 Oct 2009 - Sayong Curry & Laksa Malaysian Cuisine
• 2 Sept 2009 - Chili Hub
• 16 Aug 2009 - Albee's Kitchen
• 13 Aug 2009 - Jaya Malaysian
• 29 April 2009 - Malay-Chinese Takeaway
• 17 Nov 2008 - Little Singapore Restaurant
• 19 Oct 2008 - KL Kopitiam Malaysian Cuisine

Other places tried for Har Mee:
• 25 Jan 2012 - More More Char
• 6 Oct 2010 - Singapore Shiok!*
• 24 Sept 2009 - Laksa House
• 16 Sept 2009 - Laksa King
• 12 Aug 2009 - Jaya Malaysian
• 23 April 2009 - Lee's Malaysian
• 24 March 2009 - Malay-Chinese
• 19 Oct 2008 - KL Kopitiam Malaysian Cuisine

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Decent amount of seating and nicer than a food court, Service seemed friendly but still finding their feet, Lots of classic Malaysian dishes on the menu, Clams in Char Kway Teow

CONS: Seems expensive except for lunch specials, Not too sure about the decor of the hanging glass balls from the ceiling, Can't really sit outside when raining

MUST TRY: Returning to try a few other dishes like the roti and butter prawns

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