11 Degrees Sports Cafe At The Kuala Belait Waterfront

The last time I blogged about 11 Degrees Sports Cafe was in 2009 back when they had mainland Chinese chefs that gave diners a good show of what’s cooking. Live cooking has the added appeal of knowing the food you order is freshly prepared if not just for the idea of concept of an open kitchen where chefs engage with the patrons in an interactive manner.

Photo from 2009: Mainland Chinese chef flipping crispy Chinese pancake

| Click on the image below to view a larger version |

This place was packed when I arrived and the weather was sunny. As soon as I was done with breakfast, the skies turned gray with gusty winds and at the slight hint of a drizzle, patrons were told to move inside. I waited for what I considered a moment of calm and got this photo with my PowerShot G11 that epitomizes this eatery by the waterfront.

Cakoi Cheong Fun, a thin roll made from a wide strip of rice noodles, filled with shrimp, beef, vegetables, or other ingredients. Sweet soy sauce is poured over the dish upon serving. I prefer mine without the Cakoi.

A very popular Dim Sum dish simply called Carrot Cake and something I consider 'safe' to order when all else fails. You can tell from the 2009 pictures in the link that I am pretty predictable when it comes to what I'll likely order. Notice the same Carrot Cake and Cheong Fun in the pictures, an indication that I'm not terribly adventurous when it comes to food.

QING ZHEN CHINESE MUSLIM CUISINE

A name of a restaurant that’s also describes a cuisine, QING ZHEN is a Chinese Islamic restaurant (written in Chinese as 清真菜館 and pronounced in pinyin: qīng zhēn cài guǎn) at Novotel in Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Qingzhen is also the Chinese word for “pure truth” which is equivalent to Halal (the term used in Arabic speaking countries to describe anything permissible under Islamic law). So essentially a Chinese Islamic restaurant is a “qingzhen restaurant” that serves “qingzhen” food. A quick search online reveals a growing popularity of such establishments worldwide including parts of China owing to a large community of Chinese Muslims.

Qing Zhen Restaurant's commitment to serving Chinese Muslim cuisine. Its commitment is evident in the Islamic architecture (arches) and lantern style lights.

Dim Sum favourites include Steamed King Prawn “Har Kau” with Crystal Skin, Crispy Spring Roll with Mongolian Sauce, Deep Fried Cheddar Cheese Roll with Organic Homemade Beancurd Skin, Homemade Mini Lotus Paste Bun in Traditional Style with Egg Yolk, Signature Steamed Shanghai Dumpling with Shredded Ginger, Steamed Asparagus Tips with Fish Paste and Prawns, Crispy Yellow Vegetarian Spring Roll Sweet and Spicy Peanut Sauce, Deep Fried Paper Prawn Roll with Dragon Fruit Chili Salsa, Signature Egg Tart, Steamed Szechuan Spicy Dumpling with Black Vinegar and Hot Pepper Oil, Signature Deep Fried Prawn and Mango Roll and many more.

A shot of the minimalist "steam" kitchen and basic tools of the trade—combination of modern stainless steel steamer in a traditionally large wok!

Those of you interested in modern stainless steel steamer can check out this awesome Oshino work of art!

Borneo Bulletin journalist, Afelda, helping herself with sesame seed spring-roll wrapped in seaweed.

Being early meant we had opportunity to take pictures of the food and venue without interrupting fellow patrons. Here, a better view of the interior of the dining hall along with a couple of patrons who gave a positive reaction to being photographed (this scene was not rehearsed).

A sample of Qing Zhen's Dim Sum offering. For some reason I can't recall if this was my plate as it's rather unusual that I would have taken this much finger food before the main meal. This may have been Chai's plate come to think of it—he has a bigger appetite!

Now, this is more the sort of buffet inspired dishes that would find their way to my plate. I'm quite predictable when it comes to food as I don't consider myself an adventurer in this department.

While not exactly my favourite Cheng Teng Qing Zhen serves something close I could not get enough of especially on a hot day. I helped myself to 3 servings of longan and bean curd dessert that was just too delicious to pass up.

Sweet iced dessert longan and bean curd in light syrup just what the doctor ordered to stay cool.

Complementing the Chinese Islamic architecture of the restaurant is the mood these lamps add to its ambiance. Compared to the buffet table which wasn't as illuminated, I was repeatedly drawn to this table.

QING ZHEN also serves  Traditional Szechuan Hot and Sour Soup, Fisherman’s Pot of Sea Cucumber, Fish Lips, Tofu in a Fiery ”Yellow River” Broth, Sweet Corn Soup with Minced Chicken, Deep-Fried Red Snapper Fish with Preserved Vegetables and Fragrant Crispy Pumpkin, Grilled Lamb Chops with Cumin & Lemongrass, Deep Fried Chicken with Kapitan Sauce, Stir-Fried Beef with Black Pepper, Longan and Soft Bean Curd in Light Syrup, Boiled Sweet Potato in Light Syrup, Chilled Honey Dew and Sago Pearl in Golden Honey Syrup, Sweet Glutinous Rice Balls in Ginger Tea, Crispy Pancake with Lotus paste Mango Pudding with Blueberry Topping, Steamed Thousand Layer Cakes and many more equally tempting dishes for your selection.

For more information about events or places of interest in Malaysia,
contact Tourism Malaysia Brunei office

MALAYSIA TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD
Unit 1.14 – 1.15, First Floor, The Rizqun International Hotel
Gadong BE3519,  Negara Brunei Darussalam
Tel: 673-2381575 / 673-2381576 | Fax: 673-2381584
Official Tourism Malaysia website

11 DEGREES OF SEPARATION

I am not particularly adventurous when it comes to food choices although there’s no shortage of interesting choices here. When it comes to certain exotic ones that I do like, I’m nowhere near the radar of Andrew Zimmen. So in my usual ‘safe and predictable’ self I stick to usual for convenience. I’m also not the sort to go “Dim Sum” in my home town but would happily do that when I’m in Bandar Seri Begawan for the weekend. This post refers to a eatery in Kuala Belait where I thought I would go with my wife one morning to check it out. It’s called 11 Degrees Sports Cafe and true to its name, the cafe decor is sports themed. Be sure to check it out the next time you’re in KB but before that, a mention to Chef Domenico Piras of Fratini Restaurant who appears as Brunei Times SPOTLIGHT recently (many thanks Chef Domenico for the autographing that picture for me) and also a feature in DINING OUT page.

↑ Read this story on BT Online

↑ Read this story on BT Online

One of Chef Domenico’s creation for Father’s Day surprise, name of item not known at time of this writing

Salmon and Seabass Terrine served on a Bed of Greens, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

Broccoli Cream Soup served with Garlic and Paprika Bread

Spinach and Pumpkin Rice in light Cheese Sauce topped with baked Cherry Tomatoes

Not a chef’s specialty but one of my personal favourite cuppa, Lavazza black coffee. Likely the same fuel that powers the chef throughout his waking hours too.

Chinese chef at the 11 Degree Sports Cafe in Kuala Belait flipping crispy chinese pancake

Popular Sui Mei to kick off the weekend dim sum morning

An interesting combination of Chakoi Cheong Fun and the ever popular Carrot Cake

Chef preparing crispy pancake with chopped mutton and spring onions