How much would you pay for a bowl of ramen? Maybe RM30? What about making it a set with a drink and a side dish, costing you more than RM50?
Nestled in a cosy corner of TRX Exchange Mall, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar offers a set that comes with a hefty price tag north of RM50, featuring their main star Le Trio Signature Shrimp Ramen, a drink and a side dish.
At first glance, the steep price sets expectations high and here’s what we think after giving it a try.
Pre-meal was all good besides…
When we walked into the restaurant, the welcoming staff and thoughtful amenities like bag storage enhanced our experience, setting the stage for a potentially great meal, but the true test comes when the food arrives.
Before we got to dig in, what impressed us was a unique gimmick that’s hard to miss—an automatic noodle-making machine that turns dough into noodles right before your eyes.
As we sat near the kitchen, our eyes were treated to scenes of the highly attentive chef cooking. However, the ambience was somewhat laid-back with flies buzzing around.
How’s the food?
The first spoonful of broth sets a promising tone. It’s rich, aromatic, and brimming with depth, signalling a hearty meal ahead. The noodles, produced by the aforementioned machine, are pleasingly springy and smooth, soaking up the flavorful broth nicely.
Accompanying the ramen is stir-fried cabbage, charred to perfection, adding a satisfying crunch and a smoky undertone that complements the main dish.
However, not everything on the plate lives up to the hype. The chili sauce, although spicy and fragrant, doesn’t quite make a mark—it blends into the background rather than enhancing the flavours.
Similarly, the wontons present a slight disappointment; they stick together and crumble too easily, detracting from the otherwise meticulous presentation.
A refreshing diversion comes in the form of chilled pickled cucumbers, seasoned with garlic. These cucumbers are crisp and provide a cooling contrast to the warm, hearty flavours of the ramen.
The added touch of finely ground garlic infuses the cucumbers with a bold, garlicky flavour that permeates with each bite.
The dish’s standout feature is undoubtedly the shrimp—large, succulent, and perfectly cooked. You can choose for it to be served peeled, they are a gesture of luxury in every bite.
The shrimp heads, exploding with a creamy, flavourful roe, are the high point for seafood lovers, offering an authentic taste of the ocean, where the umami bomb explodes.
As for the ebiko shrimp paste, it sprinkles an unexpected texture throughout the dish, adding bursts of flavour that echo the ocean’s freshness.
Yet, the contrast in texture between the firm meat sections and the softer bits in the meatballs may leave some diners wanting.
Worth it? Maybe.
So, does the dish justify the splurge? It’s a mixed bag. The shrimp alone could sway some to say ‘yes’, while the culinary missteps—wontons that couldn’t hold up, a nondescript chilli sauce—might make others hesitate.
For a dish priced over RM50, you’d expect every element to sing in harmony, yet this meal hits a few sour notes.
For those with a curiosity for unique dining experiences and a penchant for seafood, this dish might still appeal, but it leaves room for debate on its value for money.
Disclaimer: This is an independent review by WeirdKaya.
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