Zuo @ Publika & Zeven @ Puchong

Checking out two Chinese eateries, one in Publika & the other in Puchong. First up, Zuo, which specializes in what it calls "homespun nostalgia."

A 38-item menu explores everything from lap cheong omelets to pi pa tofu, but here's Zuo's forte: hot & hearty rice platters, served with the likes of okra & quail eggs.

Few matches seem as heaven-made as steamed white rice with a bowl of chunky pork belly, peanuts & lotus roots simmered in fish sauce with rock sugar.

Wok-fried rice with smoked bacon, diced carrots, green peas & white cabbage. This cost RM10.90, reasonable for something that'll crush hunger pangs for hours.

Oh, most of our orders came with complimentary, slurp-worthy salted veggie soup.

All the typical beverages are offered, from winter melon with lemon to sea coconut.

Zuo @ EAT Food Village, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur

Zuo @ EAT Food Village, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur

Next up, Zeven Recipe in Puchong prides itself on MSG-free home-style cooking that it insists is low in salt & sugar.

Fermented bean curd pork, as meaty & flavorsome as can be expected.

Sakura pork slices, served cold for a mild-tasting, mighty refreshing starter.

Herbal chicken. A sterling example of Oriental soul food, filled with comforting aromas.

Minced pork. Well-prepared, but won't linger in the memory for many months.

Steamed fish, fleshy & fairly fresh. But not impressive enough to head to Puchong for unless you're already in this area.

Dongpo pork, always a pleasure. One of our favorite Chinese culinary classics.

Chicken feet, something we're learning to like, for all its gelatinous glory (if only we could have this boneless though, for sheer convenience).

Mixed veggies & mushrooms, the obligatory dish for a Chinese dinner.

Bean curd with spicy sauce. We kinda prefer softer, silkier & more mellow preparations.

Zeven Recipe,

25, Jalan Puteri 1/4, Taman Puteri, Puchong.