Alicafe Tiga Rasa @ USJ 10 Taipan

I'm a fan of Alicafe 3-in-1 coffee and once I was at a hypermarket and this aunty conducting the Alicafe sampling managed to convince me to purchase 3 big packs of them. The name might be synonymous with coffee and other beverages under the company Power Root Berhad, however little did we know that Alicafe has a restaurant called Tiga Rasa located in USJ Taipan.

Thanks to Calvin & my sister for recommending this place for lunch or I'll never discover this wonderful place that serves a variety of Malay cuisine as well as some hawker favourites at reasonable prices.  I like the ambience and how this air-conditioned restaurant has a reminiscence of the olden days "kampung" houses made of planks of wood combined with modernity and comfort. The restaurant also has a semi-open style kitchen where you can see the chefs at work.

I was also curious as to why the restaurant was called "Tiga Rasa" (3 flavours) and the restaurant manager was very kind to explain the origins of the name. The restaurant specialises in preparing 3 sauces - Sambal Lemak, Gulai Lemak and Sambal Hebi Hiam which are all traditional sauces used in malay cuisine. Sambal lemak is very popular classic blended chilli sauce with spices and is used widely in various Malay dishes. The Gulai Lemak is a creamy coconut sauce blended with Kunyit, lemongrass and sambal which gives it a lighter orangy colour. Lastly the Sambal Hebi Hiam is prepared using dried shrimps, curry leaves, onions and garlic which has a nice aromatic spicy fragrance.

Grilled Chicken with Sambal lemak and Grilled Sting Ray with Gulai Lemak.

These 3 sauces are paired with various grilled dishes such as grilled chicken, lamb, ikan selar and sting ray or just vegetables. So it's up to the patron to choose the type of sauce that they would like to go with these grilled meats served on a sizzling platter laden with egg plant and long beans. The Gulai Lemak Sting Ray was the clear favourite that afternoon as the sauce was creamy and the fish and vegetables wasn't overcooked.

The honey date juice was a nice complement to the spicy dishes!

They also have another version with lemon which is so refreshing and cooling.

Siakap Tom Yam (RM39.90/49.90)

This dish is worth mentioning because I love the pairing tom yam sauce. This sea bass is fried and then cooked with a spicy and sour tom yam soup-like gravy with oyster mushrooms. All fishes are fresh and they do not use any frozen ones. Thus you can taste the freshness of the fish.

The "Ayam Goreng" (Fried Chicken add ons at RM8) was marinated with kunyit and curry leaves which makes it so aromatic. Crispy on the outside and juicy tender chicken meat in the inside.

Kari Kepala Ikan Set (RM79.90)

This is a fish head curry set which comes with a claypot of half a fish head hot curry cooked with brinjals, lady's fingers and long beans. The accompanying dishes include vegetables in oyster sauce, omelette, fried chicken, a pot of rice and a jug of date juice. This set meal is good for 4 people. The fish head curry was commendable with wonderful aromatic spices and freshness of the fish head.

Cekodok Ubi Kayu with a special dipping sauce is also one of the must-try as a side dish, appetiser or even a tea-time snack.

And lastly, the trip to Alicafe Tiga Rasa will not be complete without trying their Tongkat Ali Coffee. The one that they brew here is quite different from the 3-in-1 instant coffee that I make at home. You can really taste the robust flavours and the intense aromas of the coffee. Although I must say that the Tongkat Ali Coffee is an acquired taste, it actually tasted quite pleasant.

This is not your typical "kopitiam" that serves quick meals but a full-fledge restaurant that takes their cusisine seriously. It's a place where you would want to take your family here for a nice meal without making a hole in the wallet and not sweating it out while savouring that curry. I like this place!

Alicafe TigaRasa Restaurant
No.8, Jalan USJ 10/1H,
Subang Business Centre,
47620 Selangor
(beside Citibank)

Tel: +603-8011 9412