January 2011

Pots, pans, spatulas and a farrago of kitchen utensils line the rough-hewn cabinets outside Canoodling and it looks pretty much like its sister restaurant For Goodness Saké next door.

Canoodling (previously called It’s a Noodle Bar) seems to have a penchant for yellow: table lamps suspended in the air, chrysanthemums dotting the entrance, cutleries and furniture – all looking very sunshiny and pollyannaish. Candles are placed on tables after 7.30pm; spotlights are dimmed – suddenly making everything very romantic, except the boorish man beside us who chattered unremittingly between slurps.

Canoodling replaced typical whitelinen tablecloth with mahjong papers you can doodle on (crayons provided) while waiting for cheery staff to serve you. There’s more Asian fare on the revamped menu so we tackled their famous Hearty Seafood Noodle first. Our version – which came 12 minutes after ordering (pretty fast) – was studded with succulent prawns, squids, cod fillets, clams, strips of salted vegetables and tomato slices. The flavoursome seafood broth clung to the rice vermicelli and the freshness hit its mark.

Chefs have been ladling bowls and bowls of Braised Duck Noodle from the kitchen so we figured it had to be a favourite here. And sure enough, our springy yee mee, coated with dark soy sauce and tossed with ginger, didn’t disappoint. The braised duck tenderly tore apart and released a herby aroma when gashed with chopsticks.

Unfortunately, their Canoodle Oodles of Noodles didn’t impress as much – iceberg lettuce and marinated minced chicken wrapped in bland kuey teow was not groundbreaking. A la carte dishes such as fried eggplant with spicy chicken floss and Malaysian rojak are palate-pleasing but we definitely recommend you to end with dessert. Their creamy mango puree sprinkled with soury pomelo bits is a thumbs up. Bangsar Village II is a hub for the upmarket but here at Canoodling, you’ll find great value meals (or soupy hearty noodles) from just RM9.90 onwards. Kong Wai Yeng

Awards

Benjamin Yong was shortlisted Restaurateur of the Year in the Time Out KL Food Awards 2012. Our food awards are 100% voted for by the people of KL. This way, we guarantee that popularity and consistent performance is rewarded.