Toast & Roast @ SS2 PJ

Toast & Roast @ SS2 PJ has long been known (since 2009 from what I gather) for its awesome "char siew" (BBQ pork) and it was for this very reason that we came for a long overdue visit one Sunday morning.

When we googled the place, it showed 101 Jalan SS2/6 as the address...only to find out when we arrived that it was not the right address.  I should have followed the address given in most of the blogs (which was SS2/72)...haiz! >_<  A check later on their Facebook revealed that SS2/6 will be their new location (which is currently still under renovation, so do check their Facebook for further updates as to when they will officially move to their new location).

Having finally arrived at the right place, it was crowded but we managed to find a table almost immediately and got down to ordering.  Looking at the produce hanging at the front of the shop, you can pretty much guess what's the most sought after item here...rows and rows of char siew but only like 3 or 4 chickens! ;) The first thing I noticed is that their char siew is in short strips (of about 6 inches each) which is quite different from the long strips I usually see.

Of course, we had to order their no. 1 best seller....their premium char siew.  Well, that's what is stated on their menu, the word premium is there to probably 'soften the blow' and 'get you ready' for the exorbitant prices of their char siew...haha! :D  [#Hint: For a more wallet-friendly meal, stay away from ordering the char siew a la carte and go for a more reasonably priced plate of char siew rice @ RM7.20.]

This is a medium portion of their Premium Char Siew @ RM22 (RM11 for small & RM33 for large)!  Looking at the plate, I'd say we got about 2 1/2 short strips of char siew...and based on the number of thickly cut char siew pieces, I'd say it comes up to about RM1 a bite...ouch! O_o  But my, oh, my, what a divine bite!!  It was juicy, tender and nicely charred at the ends (that's probably why they do them in short 6-inch strips, so that there are more caramelised ends...amen to that!).

Although I ordered a "pun fei sau" (half lean half fat) cut, the foreign worker got it wrong as I later realised (from the receipt) that he put down an order of "less fat"....Grrrr! >_<  Even so, this less fatty cut still had enough fat to make it juicy and tender (and I actually don't mind a less fatty cut as long it's not totally lean) although I'd usually order pun fei sau (since my family outvotes me for this cut...hehe!).  A less fatty cut will have a bit more bite to it except it'll be missing a more charred exterior (which I love) and also a bit of that melt-in-the-mouth feel that some seek (like my husband).  Next time, I'll make sure I get the right cut!

The other thing that scored a point with me was that the char siew sauce was served on the side.  For good charring and caramelisation to happen, you need two things...fat and/or sugar! >.<  That's why I find that well charred and caramelised char siew is usually on the sweet side, so not drenching the char siew in more sauce is certainly welcomed.  This way, we can control the sweetness outcome...just dip a little (for me) or dunk (for those who prefer it sweeter).  Although the char siew may be a tad sweet for some taste buds, I think it was still less sweet compared to some I've eaten.  I couldn't help but dip my char siew pieces into the very robust sweet and salty sauce provided.  I got this somewhat delish smoky flavour from the sauce, which I liked very much, that's unlike any char siew sauce I've tasted before.

Now that I've gotten the main attraction out of the way, let's get to some of the other things we ate.  Two in our eating party had the "Siew Yoke" (Roast Pork) Rice @ RM7.20 since we've already ordered a plate of char siew for sharing.  Though the siew yoke wasn't the star here and no where near as good as some of those I've eaten, it was still pretty acceptable.

The other two of us went with the Hakka Original Noodle with Minced Pork @ RM7 since this was one of their signature dishes (you can also choose to have the noodles with char siew @ RM7.40, siew yoke @ RM7.40 or plain @ RM4).  My Hakka noodles came topped with minced pork, chopped spring onions and crispy fish flakes (that some might mistaken for crispy pork lard....ya, you wish!).  These crispy fish flakes (additional topping @ RM1.60) were the best thing in the bowl for me! ;)

The noodles were firm and springy alright but was rather bland tasting for me (even with the minced meat). It was then that I had the brilliant idea of drizzling some of the char siew sauce on the noodles....and that made it much easier to down.

We had a side order of Crispy Fish Roll @ RM7 featuring three rolls of fish paste wrapped in "fu chuk" (bean curd skin) and perfectly fried till super crispy.  I enjoyed this very much.  Other side orders here include "sui kow" (dumplings) and wantan (fried or soup), pork meatball soup and vegetables (bean sprouts and choy sum).

I got a packet of Chicken Rice @ RM6.50 for take-away (for lunch later) since I didn't get to try the rice.  The chicken was ordinary but I liked the flavour and texture of the well separated grains of rice.

Their chilli sauce also turned out to be one of my favourites with refreshing hints of garlic, ginger and lime juice coming through.  One of the better chilli dips I've come across from a BBQ meats place.

My glass of refreshing and zesty Sour Plum Lime Juice @ RM3.50.....perfect to round up my meal and cut through all that meatiness....hehe! ;D

My Personal Opinion

You may have to spend around RM20 per pax for a meal here if you order their char siew separately by portion sizes.  If you find the prices too steep, then go for a more reasonably priced plate of char siew rice.

Though this place has been around for 7 years now, I don't know if the standard is still the same as when they first started (since this is my first visit) but it definitely has a place (in my books) among some of the top-notch char siew I've had over the years.

We tend to eat at the same places or close to where we live and I'm only discovering some of these places since I started blogging about my food experiences among others.  I guess I should have come sooner but better late than never, right?  It'll be interesting to see what's in store at their new place.....new additions to the menu perhaps?  I shall return! ^_^

Toast & Roast
No 20 Jalan SS2/72
47300 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel: 03-7733 9972