I have to admit that I haven’t visited every mall in Petaling Jaya because there are so many of them.
I was therefore taken aback to learn that Oversea Express, which opened early this year in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, actually exists.
It’s actually the rear of the Oversea Restaurant, which has been ingeniously transformed into a compact area for grab-and-go meals, adjacent to the kitchen.
The fact that the area faces the walkway that leads to the hotel and offices is an advantage. However, because it’s around the corner, this makes it difficult to find the actual restaurant entrance.
The limited menu highlights their roast meats and their house specialty, salted fish pig belly (ham yue fah lam poh). Rice or noodles are an option.
It’s a stop to simply fill your stomach, with only 24 seats. Takeout is an alternative if all the tables are occupied.
You notice a lot of diners stopping by for their meals as the clock strikes noon. While some of them work in offices, the majority are from the older generation.
You get given a device at the counter to let you know when your order is ready after you place it. You will have to come to the counter and retrieve your own order.
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You can get their Crispy Roasted Pork Belly or Honey Glazed Char Siew with rice or noodles for RM16.80.
If you can’t decide between the roast meats, simply order both to go with your rice or noodles for RM20.80.
They also charge RM20.80 for their braised sliced pork belly with salted fish and rice.
The enormous plates of noodles give the impression that the portions are smaller than they actually are, but they are still quite substantial.
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Even though I tried to request just half fat, half lean, or pun fei sau, they still give you a portion of lean meat and fattier parts with the Honey Glazed Char Siew.
With the springy noodles, it has a satisfying bite and their signature sticky texture with a well-charred top.
Of course, if you split the hairs, the texture isn’t exactly the same as what’s served in the restaurant because the split hairs are more melt-in-your-mouth thick.
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But that version sets you back by RM43 for a small portion to be shared with a few people, while this single portion with noodles is just RM16.80.
The Crispy Roasted Pork Belly is very good with thin crunchy crackling and melt in the mouth fats. Since they trim off the bottom layer of meat that tends to be drier, this version makes for a sinful bite.
Hence, it’s a great idea to get both roast meats on one plate as it’s double the pleasure.
A note about the noodles: they aren’t your typical fare. Its fine, springy strands taste strongly of lard when combined with the dark sauce. It was kind of disappointing because, although I was expecting to see a lot of lard croutons, these weren’t crunchy.
They serve fragrant oil rice if you choose the rice option. To be able to swap it out, some people prefer it with white rice.
Dried chillies give the thin, tender pork belly slices in the Braised Sliced Pork Belly with Salted Fish with Rice dish a savoury, slightly spicy flavour. The version served in the restaurant, which is served in a sizzling hot claypot, is more caramelized than this one.
They still give you a portion of lean meat and fattier parts with the Honey Glazed Char Siew, even though I tried to request just half fat, half lean, or pun fei sau.
It has a well-charred top and their signature sticky texture, with a satisfying bite from the springy noodles.
Naturally, splitting the hairs results in a texture that is different from what is served in the restaurant because the split hairs are thicker and more melt-in-your-mouth.
There’s also a choice of two side dishes to bulk up the meal here. A crowd favourite is the Crispy Fried Prawn Wanton. You get five pieces for RM9.80 that goes well with your noodles. The other item is the Homemade Fried Saito Fish Ball.
Do take note, they may run out of roasted meats at night especially during peak times like the weekend. If that happens, your other option will be the Braised Sliced Pork Belly with Salted Fish rice.
Oversea 1U Express, Lot G218, Ground Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre (Old Wing), No. 1 Lebuh Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya. Open daily: 11am to 8.30pm (last call at 8.20pm). Tel: 010-8797227/010-8797007.
