Have You Tried ShopeeFood?

We are all more than familiar with food delivery services like GrabFood, FoodPanda and AirAsiaFood together with some other less popular or lesser known platforms.  Enter another new player.....ShopeeFood which was officially launched in late September 2021.

I was only aware of this sometime in mid-October though and has been ordering food delivery mainly from this platform since.  And that's because I want to take advantage of the massive good discounts they offer now.  I think that's probably because they're a new player in the market and need to drum up as much support and awareness as they can.  I don't know how long these attractive discounts will last, so use them while you can! ;)

So, what discounts are up for grabs?  Well, first of all, it's almost free delivery with RM3 off (for first 3 km) but don't be too happy when you see the restaurant listed as 1 km away (thinking delivery will be free coz it isn't a straight line) as you may still be charged extra for delivery (after taking into account the given RM3) as only Shopee knows how the actual distance is calculated.  I've only been charged an extra RM1 or RM2 for delivery so far.

The food discounts offered may change slightly on a daily basis but generally you'll be getting more or less anything from 30% - 50% off like...RM4 off for minimum spend RM12, RM6 for RM18, RM8 (or RM9) for RM25 and RM10 (or RM11) for RM30 spent.  Sometimes there may be special promotions like RM11 off for minimum spend RM22 (in conjunction with the 11.11 sale).  Are these discounts attractive or what?

The discounts are especially attractive for those eating alone....and by that, I mean if you're ordering for one.  It'll all become clear in a little while when you see some of what I've had (a mixture of new as well as familiar places).  Note that prices quoted here are delivery prices which are higher than in-store prices (just like any delivery platform).

#1 - Chicken Master Hokkien Mee, Pandan Indah

This place is supposedly well-known for their Fried Hokkien Mee + Meehoon @ RM13 (price became RM9 with RM4 off but I got it for RM6.75 less shopee coins + free delivery).  Good portion size with a fair amount of lean pork slices and choy sum, some pork liver and fried pork lard but I think I found only one prawn and a thin sliver of squid (if that was what it was!).

I've had this a few times already since.  Once I ordered it together with Salted Egg Squid Rice @ RM16, so price became RM18 with RM11 off (final price paid was RM13.50 after offsetting Shopee coins + free delivery).  So glad that I finally got to try this fried Hokkien mee via ShopeeFood which turned out better than I expected since I was told by two food operators near them that it wasn't nice (moral of the story...don't believe the competition?..lol)!  I now have a newfound favourite fried Hokkien mee in my area.

#2 - Roti Bakkawa, Taman Shamelin Perkasa

Other than the market, it's not easy to find stalls selling roti bakwa in coffee shops (best ones are those toasted over charcoal fire but that's even harder to find!).  I love this simple local sandwich for breakfast and was so happy to find one on ShopeeFood.  The Roti Bakwa @ RM6.20 is simply an elongated bun, grilled over a flat pan (similar to those used by burger stalls) for that requisite charred flavour, with a slice of bakwa and some meat floss in between, finished with a squeeze of mayo and chilli sauce.  Absolute comfort food...with childhood taste and memories! ^o^

Besides roti bakwa, they also have other types of roti like this Roti with Ham & Egg @ RM6.80 finished with some slices of cucumber, chilli sauce and mayo.  I quite like this one too as the omelette is rather fluffy (total cost for both the roti came up to RM13, I used the RM4 off voucher, so final price paid was RM7.75 after offsetting Shopee coins & paying RM1 on top of the RM3 free delivery).

#3 - Restoran Kok Kee Hawker, Pandan Cahaya, Ampang

This place offers siew chow (or one-dish meals) that's ideal for my spouse's consumption and we've had this a few times already.  This was the Dry-Fried Beef Kuey Teow @ RM10.50 and Salted Fish Minced Pork with Rice @ RM9.50 (total price RM20, actual price paid RM10.50 after using Shopee coins + free delivery).

Two orders of fried rice, one Whitebait Aberdeen Fish Fried Rice and one Luncheon Meat Fried Rice, both RM9 each (total price of RM18 was just perfect for the RM6 voucher off, so final price paid was RM9 with free delivery).  P/S: The name Whitebait Aberdeen sounded so fancy that I just had to google it and it's actually called that (well, now I know).

#4 - Rojak & Cendol Malik, Pandan Indah

So, while the boys had their fried rice, I went with an order of Rojak Biasa @ RM7.90 from my favourite go-to rojak & cendol truck in my taman.

But the rojak alone wouldn't be enough to use any voucher, so I added an extra Cendol (Kacang + Jagung) @ RM5.70 (that comes with red beans and canned sweet corn) for my sweet-toothed husband (total price RM13.60 so that I can use the RM4 discount, final price paid RM7.20 after offsetting Shopee coins & delivery is free, of course).

#5 - D'Laksa, Aeon Taman Maluri

I used to have this assam laksa when I do my grocery shopping at Aeon but that was before the pandemic struck.  Now I just get everything online or from my own housing area that there's no necessity to even visit Aeon anymore.  The Assam Laksa @ RM9.90 wasn't as good as I remembered it to be...it was a little bit more sourish and intense in flavour (and the broth doesn't look as reddish as before and lacking that hint of sweetness).  Since no-one in my family eats assam laksa, I still got two (kept one in the fridge for the next day) so that I could use the RM6 discount voucher (total price RM19.80, final price paid was RM11.35 after deducting Shopee coins & paying RM1 extra for delivery).

#6 - 4Fingers Crispy Chicken, Berjaya Times Square

Sometimes it even makes sense to use more than one Shopee account to order food (especially if the food is more costly like 4Fingers in this instance) so that we can max out the discounts...lol! :D  Like my order of 6 pcs Wingettes & Drumettes Combo @ RM25.90 (comes with Teriyaki Rice & Drink) with add-on Mochi @ RM4.90 (total price RM30.80, I used the RM10 Shopee discount & paid an additional RM2 for delivery, final price paid RM17.60 less Shopee coins).  The mochi (mixed flavours of red bean & pandan) turned out rather pleasant.

And used another account to order the Boneless Chicken Bites Combo @ RM21.90 (comes with Teriyaki Rice & Drink) with add-on Tofu Nuggets @ RM6.50 and Loaded Fries with Seaweed Sprinkles @ RM8.90 (total price RM37.30 before factoring in Shopee discount of RM10 & RM2 delivery).  Fun Fact: When I went out to collect my order, both riders happened to arrive at the same time...with a smile on their face (they must have 'compared notes'....hee..hee).  Well, it's a win-win as far as I'm concerned...coz both riders can get their commission and we can get our food with the best discounts).

#7 - Thong Kee, Pandan Indah

I've only dined-in at this place once or twice with it not leaving much of an impression on me but was utterly surprised when I saw that their Char Kueh Teow (Kerang) @ RM7.70 had garnered 2.7k orders todate!  So, I was intrigued to order that just to see why so many people seems to go gaga over it.  The char kueh teow (CKT) came with prawns (I think there was only one, maybe two), some fish cake slices and a few cockles.  Overall, the CKT was a little wetter than usual (maybe because it was steaming in the box as it arrived piping hot and I believe it'll taste even better eaten on-site), perhaps slightly oily, but the flavours were certainly there.

Although it's not going to win my affection for best CKT (as it definitely can't come near the standard of my favourite CKT + I've also had other better CKT), it has my approval for probably the best CKT you can find in our taman.  So I can see why our residents flock to this CKT coz our area really suck when it comes to good CKT (especially after the best one above moved away). :'(

In order to make up the price to qualify for a discount, I got an additional Muffin @ RM4.90 which, unfortunately, looked nothing like the picture...this was a sad-looking muffin (total price RM13.60, final price paid RM6.45 after lessing RM5 discount & Shopee coins + free delivery).

#8 - Ichiban Ramen, Aeon Taman Maluri

This place has been one of my dine-in stopovers whenever I'm shopping at Aeon.  Like 4Fingers, this meal was also made using two Shopee accounts.  This was my Teppanyaki Beef Set @ RM23.10 with teppanyaki-style beef (cooked with sliced onions) and stir-fried beansprouts + julienned carrots.  Don't know why the add-on rice cost RM5.60 with this set but only RM2.50 with the other bentos (total price RM23.10, actual price paid RM11.58 after taking off RM9 discount but paying additional RM1 delivery).

Our second order (from another account) was the Japanese Gyoza & Teriyaki Chicken Bento @ RM14.90 and Yakiniku Beef & Gyoza Bento @ RM21.90 (total price RM 36.80 before using the RM11 discount with this). The generous portion of 5 pcs of gyoza is certainly helpful towards making you full.  If you ask me, I couldn't detect any difference in taste between the teppanyaki and yakiniku beef.

#9 - Little Boy Wonton Noodles, Pandan Indah

You won't believe what I'm about to tell you.  This is the only eatery I found on ShopeeFood whose prices have no mark-up and are similar to in-shop prices! O_o  Perhaps the stall owner made a mistake....sorry, your loss, my gain.  This stall (in Xin Fu Ji coffee shop) specialises in wantan mee with options for char siew + wantan, deep-fried wantan or dumpling and braised chicken feet with mushroom.

After trying a few options, the Wantan Mee (with Deep-Fried Wontons) @ RM7 was what I liked the most.  It comes with seven (I repeat 7!) fried on-the-spot, big and crispy wontons (nothing like those small ones you usually get elsewhere).  Although I've to admit the sauce of wonton noodles isn't quite there yet, the plentiful and generously filled wontons more than make up for it.  When we order two portions, the price comes up to RM14 and we can knock off the RM4 discount making it an insane price of RM5 for one!  Now, where can you top that? :O

#10 - Fast Yakitori @ Taman Muda, Ampang

I was blindsided to make an order by the amount of lidi (bamboo skewers) I could get for the price....greedy me!  So, I put an order for Pork Yakitori @ RM15 (for 30 sticks, RM0.50 a stick) and Squid Yakitori @ RM15 (for 20 sticks, RM0.75 a stick).

Actual price paid RM20 after discounting RM10 (additional RM1 for delivery).  Now can you understand that all I saw was a lot of lidi?  Lol.  The meat on the sticks was so thin and barely 2 inches in length! @_@  But kudos to the workers for being able to thread such a thin slice of meat on a skewer....that needs some serious skill.  Not only was I disappointed with the meagre meat (that wasn't even tender), it was also under seasoned to the point of being tasteless and no dipping sauce either.  Needless to say, no second time for this one! >:(

#11 - Classic Taiwan Braised Pork Rice, Pandan Indah

Before spotting this on ShopeeFood, I didn't even notice such a place in my housing area and that's because I didn't look up (coz they weren't located on the ground floor).  We had the Taiwanese Braised Minced Pork Rice @ RM13.50 and Taiwanese Crispy Fried Pork Steak Rice @ RM15 (total price RM28.50, actual price paid RM13.13 after taking off RM11 discount & Shopee coins, delivery - free).

With another account, we got the Taiwanese Salty Crispy Chicken with Rice @ RM13.50 and a side order of Spicy & Crispy Fried Eggplant @ RM12 (for a total price of RM25.50 and eligible for another RM11 off).  The dishes that have the classic Taiwanese seasoning powder fared better than the braised items as it didn't quite nail that sticky dark braise that I like.

#12 - Uncle Chua's Prawn Noodle, Taman Putra, Ampang

I read about this good prawn noodle from a blog and was elated when I found it on ShopeeFood.  I wasted no time in putting in an order of their Signature Prawn Noodle @ RM15.90 to try.  Added a Red Bean Dessert (Hot) @ RM5.90 to bump up the price to RM21.80 so that I can use the RM6 discount voucher (final price paid RM12.85 inclusive of RM1 extra for delivery & after deducting Shopee coins).

The prawn broth has a more murky look than the usual clear ones, also a more savoury taste than sweet.  It was different but good especially if you're one who doesn't like your broth too sweet as some can be.  Their homemade chilli paste is also very different from the norm, watery in consistency (instead of the common thick sambal) but it does pack quite a salty punch, so do taste the broth first before adding some (or all) of the chilli paste.

#13 - Restoran KW, Pandan Indah

I've blogged about this place being one of our favourite dinner time haunts.  When I found them listed on ShopeeFood (only recently), I thought I might as well make use of the convenience of delivery which beats having to drive out there to tapau ourselves.  As for the discounts, it's almost negligible coz they marked up their prices a bit too much from their in-store prices.  We used one account to order the Eggplant with Salted Fish Rice @ RM13.90 (to offset the RM6 discount).

And used another to order the Luncheon Meat Fried Rice @ RM13.90 and (Plain) Fried Rice @ RM11.50 (total RM25.40, actual price RM13.05 after redeeming the RM8 discount & Shopee coins).  Their fried rice (which I've never tried before) was outstanding as it had lots of wok hei.

#14 - A & W @ G Village, Desa Pandan

And this week happens to be Fast Food Week (or Fest) on ShopeeFood, so even more appealing discounts like RM18 off for RM36 for fast food! :O  So, guess what?  We ordered A & W (and 4Fingers) of course.  I ordered Feast C (1 Chicken Coney, 1 Beef Coney, 2 pcs Aroma Chicken, 1 Side of Fries & 2 bottles of Root Beer) @ RM49 to share (and got RM18 off).  My husband has never had A & W's fried chicken before and ended up liking it that much he ordered it again the very next day (both times we requested for chicken thigh).

This time he opted for mashed potatoes....I didn't know (or forgot) that they came with minced meat on top, the same thing that's ladled over the coney dog (chicken or beef...but, between the two, chicken tasted better over mashed potatoes though beef is better with the coney dog, don't ask me why).  I'd rather have this than their fries since theirs aren't the best tasting fast food fries out there. >.<

#15 - Chee Cheong Fun & Hakka Yong Tau Foo, Pandan Perdana

Some of these small-time hawkers don't even have a name (for their business).  Ordered Curry Chee Cheong Fun with Fu Chuk Roll, Bentong Tau Foo Pok & Stuffed Eggplant @ RM7.10 (total) for breakfast. Unfortunately, this was a bit of a disaster as the curry (instead of being thick and savoury) was diluted and slightly sourish in taste.  The fish paste in the yong tau foo was thin and not very tasty.

The Dried Shrimp Chili Chee Cheong Fun @ RM5.60 saved the day morning (total RM12.70, I used the RM5 voucher I bought, so actual price paid was RM6.78 after adding RM1 delivery & deducting Shopee coins).  It was topped with fragrant dried shrimps and fried shallots (not store-bought) with a drizzle of spicy chili oil. It was a bit bland as I could only taste spiciness from the chili oil, so I drizzled some light soy over it and it made such a big difference...so much better.  Safe to say I'll be ordering only this from them in future.

I believe these discounts by Shopee are short term just to introduce themselves to the market and to make a presence so as to entice us to switch food delivery platforms.  So, milk them for everything they give us before it's all gone! >_<

The good thing is if you have more than one Shopee account in your household, you can make your orders separately to max out the discounts.  Just do a bit of math for the best possible end result.  And what's more, this is a good way to use up your Shopee coins before they expire.

Because of the good discounts offered by Shopee (for now), the prices end up still lower (at most places) than dine-in prices or if you went out to tapau yourself though there will be some eateries where the prices came up to about the same but if it means you don't have to reverse your car out of your driveway and drive there yourself, I say it's still worth it...haha (that's why I even order from the shops in my own housing area).  I've been ordering from a slew of restaurants near me, some new and some familiar...and along the way discovered some good/new eating places and some disastrous ones too!  So, this lazy bum has been using ShopeeFood quite a lot lately coz with such great discounts, there's no need to slave in the kitchen really. ^o^

But, as with any ShopeeFood discount vouchers, they're similar in concept to the Shopee (shopping) discounts where they can be fully redeemed before you get to use them.  I've experienced that as more and more people get on board with ShopeeFood lately.  I've also had orders cancelled recently (automatically after about 15 minutes) due to not being able to find drivers during peak meal times! :(

Even as I speak, the RM4 & RM6 discounts for the lower minimum spend of RM12 & RM18 are fast becoming a thing of the past....but, fret not, as there are still many other attractive discounts to use.  And if you can't find one, there's always the last resort of buying the ShopeeFood Savings Pass for only RM0.30 that will entitle you to RM5 off for a minimum spend of RM10....and you get not only one RM5 voucher....but three!! But you can only buy one ShopeeFood Savings Pass per active session (as in a week).  Only 10 sen for each RM5 off and you get to use it 3 times a week....now I can have 3 subsidised breakfasts delivered right to my door every week...cheap and convenient!  What a deal, right?  Can you find anything that can top this?  

If the pandemic has had an effect on your budget, I hope this little sharing of mine can help you in a small way to alleviate that.  Or if you're just looking to get some meals cheaper (who isn't)...I don't know about you but I'm always up for a good deal.  Don't say I bojio (never invite) you to the party.....hehe! :D

How many ways can you use up a bunch of spring onions?

Spring onions, green onions, scallions....call it by any name and it's more or less the same thing.  I've used these names interchangeably though they supposedly have some slight differences in terms of looks, texture and taste.  In western cooking, some discard the green tops but in Asian cooking, we use both the white and green parts.  It's more widely used in Asian cooking (especially Chinese) compared to western cuisine.

For some, the holy trinity of aromatics for Chinese cooking is none other than garlic, ginger and spring onions (that's according to Gok Wan) and, for others, the trio could be garlic, ginger and chillies (if you ask Ching-He Huang).  Some might even include shallots in the mix.  So, how important are spring onions in dishes?  Very important...at least to me.  I like the onion-y flavour it brings (but without the intensity of regular onions) and the lift of freshness it gives to any dish.

#1 - Steamed Fish

The best dish to start off this series is with steamed fish.  You're most likely to find spring onions (usually mixed with Chinese parsley or yin sai) in any steamed fish dish.  In a restaurant-quality dish, I'll be the first in line to eat those finely shredded spring onions...not a sliver will go to waste.

Sometimes, if I'm hardworking enough, I'd try to replicate that at home though my knife skills aren't as good.  Just cut them into very fine shreds, drop them into a bowl of icy cold water and they'll curl up beautifully.  Eating a chunk of fish dipped in soy with a few lengths of spring onions is a combination so perfect it's hard to describe.

#2 - Fish Slices with Ginger & Spring Onion

This widely popular dish of keong (ginger) choong (spring onions) yue pin (fish slices) can be found on most restaurant menus and tai chow places.  For my family who doesn't like fish all that much, this is a fish dish they'll gladly eat coz there are no bones to contend with...and I'll be more than happy to eat up all the spring onions and most of the ginger slices.

#3 - Beef Hor Fun with Ginger & Spring Onion

Similarly, if you love stir-fried beef with spring onions and ginger, then you'll also love a dish of beef hor fun with ginger and spring onions obviously.  This one with super tender beef slices, charred kway teow and that all important spring onions in a delicious egg gravy...yums.  The thick white stems are what I like most.

#4 - Claypot Chicken Rice

Now claypot chicken rice is one dish that I think can't do without spring onions (and you can't stinge on the amount either).  Why, you ask?  Well, I think because it's such a meaty dish (with no vegetables in sight), spring onions are very much needed to give it that lift of freshness.  You might think it's just a garnish...but stir that into the rice and it makes a whole lot of difference.  I've even heard customers asking to tambah (add) more spring onions to their claypot chicken rice.  Plus, we can't deny the aesthetics the green sprinkling brings to an otherwise darkly coloured rice dish! ;)

#5 - Claypot Pork Belly with Salted Fish

Similarly, you'll find spring onions in a dish of ham yue fah lam poh featuring thin slices of pork belly with salted fish and dried chillies (hmmm, this one obviously does not have enough spring onions)! >_<  The robust, salty and slightly spicy flavours goes very well with rice.

#6 - Kung Pao Chicken

Another dish that works just as well with spring onions is a dish of kung pao chicken with cashew nuts, dried chillies and spring onions.  That bit of caramelised sauce sticking to the scallions make them so much tastier.  No scallion will be left behind...I would find and eat every last piece! ;)

#7 - Dark Soy Sauce Prawns

When I cook dark soy sauce prawns at home, the must-have ingredient for me is spring onions, the other being shallots.  These two are very good friends with prawns.  Tossing in the spring onions at the last minute adds flavour to the dish besides being visually appealing against the dark prawns.  

#8 - (Taiwanese) Scallion Pancake


My first taste of a Taiwanese scallion pancake was the one I tried at Liang Sandwich Bar (which looks somewhat similar to our roti canai).  The aroma and onion-y flavour that the scallions imparted into the pancake was rather nice (though the scallions were pretty scarce).

#9 - (Korean) Scallion Pancake (Pajeon)


From a Taiwanese scallion pancake, we move on to a Korean scallion pancake which we like to order at Korean restaurants.  This pancake is done predominantly with scallions as the main ingredient together with a mixture of flour and eggs (again, more scallions please!).  You can make variations of it by adding other ingredients like prawns, beef, pork, kimchi, shellfish or other seafood.

#10 - Roast Duck Pancake

Besides the typical Taiwanese and Korean pancakes, the Chinese likes to make a roast duck pancake out of thin shavings of roast duck skin skillfully carved from a duck and wrapped together with condiments of hoisin sauce and scallions.

We even found a version of roast duck crepes at a dim sum restaurant with julienned cucumber and scallions.

#11 - (Japanese) Ramen Noodles


And in a bowl of Japanese ramen, you can't deny the importance of the Japanese green onions as a condiment...and they usually put a lot to add freshness to the rich soup.  Some would even provide it at tableside for you to add more if you need more.


Sometimes only the white parts of the green onions are used.  Either way, it's greatly needed to help cut through the robustly flavoured broth.

#12 - Fried Rice

I don't know about other people but I need chopped spring onions in my fried rice (be it the common yang chow chao fan or the simple egg fried rice) I order from a restaurant.  I'd even judge a restaurant's fried rice if it comes sans spring onions. >.<

Somehow, the spring onions just lift the taste of the fried rice to the extent that I can even forego putting in any vegetables like french beans, carrots, corn or (heaven forbid) peas...but I cannot not have spring onions in my home-cooked fried rice.

You'd even find it in a plate of fried sticky (glutinous) rice sometimes.

#13 - Fried Eggs


A dish of Chinese egg omelette or foo yong tan will have spring onions as one of its ingredients along with big onions, red chillies (sometimes cabbage too) and maybe even a protein like prawns or lap cheong.

#14 - Scallion Sauce

You might get this scallion sauce (some versions have ginger in it as well) served at some roast meat rice stalls though it's not very common.  My mom makes this dipping sauce to serve with poached chicken.  You just pour some hot oil over chopped spring onions (that has been seasoned with a little salt) with (or without) finely minced/blitzed ginger.


At times, you also find it served in a Japanese restaurant as a dipping sauce (for fried items) together with Japanese soy and probably a little vinegar.

#15 - Meat Patties & Meatballs

Chopped spring onions in meat patties or meatballs to the Chinese is like what chopped parsley is to a western-type meatball.   I like how the spring onions studded in the meat mix get charred in the process of frying to give it added flavour.

#16 - Wantan & Sui Kow Fillings

Similarly, spring onions are needed in the filling of wantans......
 

....and sui kow (dumplings) although there are some who would add coriander or chives in the filling which makes them even more fragrant in taste.

#17 - Sprinkling on top of just about anything

Finally, everything tastes just a little bit better with a sprinkling of spring onions.  I have to say some places can be rather kedekut (stingy) with the sprinkling.  In such cases, you can always BYO (Bring Your Own).  I know of someone who does....hehe! :D

#17.1 - On Dry Noodles

#17.2 - In Soup Noodles

#17.3 - On Meat



#17.4 - On Steamed Eggs

#17.5 - On Tofu


whether it's fried.....


steamed.....


.....or hot plate.

#17.6 - On Vegetables

#17.7 - In Porridge

#17.8 - In Soups

#17.9 - On Steamed Chee Cheong Fun

#17.10 - In Dim Sum

#17.11 - Even on Jacket Potatoes

Well, what can I say, it gets sprinkled on just about anything.  You can even char them in the oven and eat them as a side vegetable to your main.

There's only one way I don't like to eat scallions...and that's when they're raw.  They have too strong an onion-y flavour when raw.  Although we might put in raw spring onions in some dishes, there's always that light kiss of heat that cooks it ever so slightly (be it a sauce or some hot liquid/oil) when we mix it in to take the edge off its raw taste.

There are people who simply can't stand spring onions in their food.  They would ask it to be omitted in any food they eat and, if it came with it, they'd even pick it out one by one from their noodles...no matter how long it took (I've seen a friend of mine do the exact same thing)! >_<  Does it have that much of flavour to ruin the dish that it needs to be taken out...painstakingly one by one?  Only scallion-haters can answer that.

Spring onions is something you either love or loathe!  So, which one are you?  I'm a scallion-lover myself...love it to bits...love it on just about anything.  They're most welcome in my food especially if it's over something hot like soups, soup noodles or porridge.....let it rain spring onions, I say!  There's never too much spring onions in a dish for me.....only too little! ^o^