Malaysians love seafood; there’s no denying that. People here are willing to fork out vast sums to have the bounty of the sea on their plates. If you are one such person, there is a new restaurant in Petaling Jaya awaiting you, called December Grill Fish.
December Grill Fish
Image Credit: Joe Saw on Google Review
Previously located on Jalan Penchala, this restaurant has since relocated to a shoplot in Boulevard 51, close to the Sungei Way New Village. It is run by a Hakka family and has garnered a respectable reputation among foodies.
Parking here is easy to find, with underground parking available. While the restaurant is open for lunch, it is busiest in the evenings, especially on weekends. It makes sense, given how people like having grilled fish for dinner rather than supper.
The restaurant itself is well-lit, cosy and almost has a festive appearance. The restaurant seems to be going for a tropical, jungle theme, with (plastic) plants decorating the dining area and hanging lights strung from the walls.
Once you have settled down at a table, you can start making your way through the extensive menu. If you are looking for variety, December Grill Fish has more than enough choices to satisfy the pickiest eater.
Salt-baked tilapia fish
Image Credit: Woh Yoke Chong on Google Review
One of the most unique menu items has to be the Salt-Baked Tilapia Fish. Commonly, most people associate salt-baked dishes with chicken. After all, there are famous places in Ipoh which specialise in that.
December Grill Fish is one of the few places in PJ where you can acquire this rare delicacy. Unlike its chicken counterpart, the fish is not wrapped in paper before being salt-baked. Instead, its own scales are used as a sort of wrapper, preventing the salt from sinking into the flesh.
Because of this, the fish has a very mild, subtle flavour, with just the right amount of saltiness. It is not overpowering, so you don’t have to worry about your high blood pressure. The meat itself has good moisture and is available in generous amounts.
Grilled chicken… fish?
Image Credit: Vince Cheong on Google Review
If you are still hungry for seafood, you can always call for some grilled fish. A popular choice of grilled fish here is the confusingly named Chicken Fish. Apparently, the name is a direct translation from the Malay name, “ikan ayam”.
Strange name or no, this dish is one worth savouring. It is first coated with a marinade of turmeric and lemongrass before being put on the grill. The resulting meat is firm, slightly chewy, and there’s a distinct sweetness you will pick up after the first bite.
Seafood mix
Image Credit: Anna Wei on Google Review (Left), Phoon Kong Song on Google Review (Right)
You can also order a Seafood Mix with a sauce of your choice, including Thai and Nyonya. As you might guess, Thai is for folks who live on the spicier side of the road, whereas Nyonya has a more restrained, sweeter flavour.
Most people typically order this with lala, squid and shrimp. When it comes to portion, this restaurant does not skimp in the least. There is plenty of seafood to go around, with the squid chewy, the shrimps juicy, and the lala sweet.
Namyu chicken
Image Credit: Branedead on Google Review
Tired of eating seafood? The restaurant has Original Namyu Chicken on the menu and it’s worth a try. It’s fried to crispy perfection, with almost every bite bringing a crunch. You can tell they used actual nam yue (fermented red bean curd) from the savoury, slightly salty flavour.
Tofu longan
As for refreshments, try out the restaurant’s special Tofu Longan. The drink itself is a typical longan juice, but it comes with chewy tofu balls floating around inside. It is a nice treat for anyone of all ages to enjoy.
Worth your time?
Hence, the next time you need a seafood fix, consider hopping over to December Grill Fish. Prices are reasonable, given the good portions and the service is also commendable.
December Grill Fish
Address: A-G-3A, Block A Boulevard, 51A, Jalan SS9A/18, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: 11 am – 2 pm, 5.30 pm – 11 pm Tuesday – Friday | 5.30 pm-11 pm on weekends | Closed on Monday
Contact: 011-58577317
Halal Status: Non-halal
You should also check out: We braved the 2-hour wait to savour this Michelin Bib-Gourmand seafood noodle in Seapark!
Feature Image Credit: Phoon Kong Soon on Google Review (Left), Ng SY on Google Review (Right)
