New Southern Rock Seafood Jalan Kemuja

New Southern Rock Seafood Restaurant Jalan Kemuja

Words: Karen Santosuosso
Photos: Han Sen Hau

The new and improved Southern Rock Seafood is open and looking better than ever with its shiny new custom wood tables, outdoor cocktail bar, and blue and white beachy accents, which make you feel like you could be at an oceanfront beach bar on the Mediterranean right in the middle of Bangsar. Owner and fellow seafood lover Josh Green has recently welcomed new partners who bring new life to the restaurant with the renovation – the restaurant now boasts a vibrant and inviting atmosphere that mirrors the quality of its fresh menu offerings. The latest and extensive menu continues to bring lots of delectable fresh seafood options but also provides many choices for people who don’t eat seafood and vegetarians.

Best Fish Restaurants Kuala Lumpur — New Southern Rock Seafood Bangsar

New Southern Rock Seafood — Cocktail Bar

New Southern Rock Seafood Restaurant Jalan Kemuja

Starters: Small Plates, Soups & Salads

There is a wide breadth of starters and small plates at Southern Rock to properly whet your appetite. We enjoy the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice (RM 28), with chunks of ahi tuna in a spicy mayo atop crispy sushi rice. The smoothness of the tuna, along with the crunchy texture of the crispy rice cubes, make for a satisfying start to our meal. Another excellent dish that can be shared amongst the table or work as a main dish for one person is the Korean Fish Tacos (RM 28). They come with crunchy battered and deep-fried cod dressed with spicy gochujang mayo and ponzu slaw. It’s a fun fusion take on traditional fish tacos with a spicy twist from the gochujang.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t appreciate dipping a slab of fresh crusty bread in hot garlic and chilli oil. The Gambas Pil-Pil (RM 48) gives our party of four all that delightful satisfaction. The succulent prawns are quickly devoured, and our photographer, Han Sen, goes in to soak up the final remnants of that garlic chilli oil with the bread – it would be a crime to let any of that go to waste.

We move on to some lighter appetisers next. The Courgette, Pea and Mint Soup (RM 22) is a refreshing green soup that would pair well with one of the restaurant’s salad options for a veggie lover. We go for the Aubergines with Ponzu (RM 20) – the pan-fried slices of aubergine are elevated by the tangy and citrusy ponzu dressing. Another starter that makes for a perfect palate cleanser before the main course is the Sea Bass Ceviche (RM 45). A traditionally Peruvian classic, the thinly sliced sea bass is flown in from Greece and marinated in a zingy citrus dressing.

Our starters are all washed down with glasses of Alkoomi Black Label Chardonnay (RM 38) from Frankland River, Australia. Buttery and smooth complex with notes of citrus and green orchard fruit, this white wine pairs perfectly with seafood.

Fresh Oysters, Live Mussels & Clams

The superbly fresh oysters at Southern Rock flown in from many corners of the world deserve their own honourable mention. Southern Rock has completely changed my perspective on oysters and proven that, just like wine or coffee, fresh oysters have their own unique tasting notes, nose and body varieties. We try the Gallegher Special (RM 65 for 3PC/RM230 for 12PC) from Ireland alongside the Fine de Claire (RM 58 for 3PC/RM 198 for 12PC) from France, and it’s surprising how different they are, yet both delicious. The Irish variety has an apple, melon and wood body and finishes with a hint of sweetness, while the French variety gives the nose a strong and salty sea breeze. We would highly recommend trying an oyster platter with at least two different varieties to taste the difference yourself. My preference is to enjoy them with just a light squeeze of lemon.

We also dig our hands into a generous plate of Mussels Mariniere (RM 65 for 500g). The plump and juicy mussels are steamed in a classically French mixture of white wine, butter and cream, which also serves as an excellent dipping sauce for more of our fresh, crusty bread. I am excited to go back and try the Laksa Mussels next time.

The fresh shellfish is also showcased in Southern Rock’s Seafood Orzo (RM 55), which has mussels, clams, and tiger prawns cooked in an umami fish stock with a touch of lemon. The new menu has quite a few other hearty seafood pastas to choose from, too.

Fresh Off the Grill and Mouthwatering Sides

Visit the restaurant display and choose from a variety of fresh whole fish or portion fillets that make you feel as though you are right at a fishmonger’s shop. We have a Whole Sea Bass (RM 88) and a ¼ Fillet of Trout (RM 240), which can serve three to four people as a half side. Both are succulent on the inside and grilled to perfection with a crispy skin on the outside. The trout melts in our mouths and is expertly prepared to showcase its natural flavours. There are other whole fish options to serve six to eight people, too, and delectable sauces are served alongside the fish, including zesty and fresh green chimichurri, red pepper butter, and creamy beurre blanc.

Our fresh fish is paired with sides of Chargrilled Corn Ribs with Parmesan (RM 15), Lemon & Honey Tenderstem Broccoli (RM 20), and Soy & Sesame Sugar Snap Peas (RM 18). The vegetables balance well with the grilled fish and bring a punch of flavour and crunch. We also go for the Creamy Mushrooms in a Garlic Cream Sauce (RM 18) as well as the Smashed Skin-On Herbed Roast Potatoes (RM 18). These moreish sides complement our fish dishes beautifully, too.

Alas, no seafood restaurant menu would be complete without a proper fish and chips. The Classic Battered Atlantic Cod (RM 59) comes with a crispy battered slab of codfish, chunky chips, minted peas and tartar sauce on the side. It would be challenging to find better fish and chips in the city.

Creative Cocktails

Experienced mixologist Jo takes excellent care in creating customised cocktails at the brand-spanking-new bar on the restaurant’s front deck. Each one comes in its own unique glass and is adorned with a playful garnish, truly making us feel as if we are on holiday. The top-seller is the Hibiscus High Tide (RM 42), a mixture of tropical gin, tequila, citrus, mint, and hibiscus. We are also served a Maraschino Sunset (RM 45), another cocktail featuring tequila and citrus, as well as soursop, pink guava and maraschino cherry. It is surprisingly not too sweet. The Pirate Rum Punch (RM 39) comes in a tall Borgonovo glass with two types of rum, hibiscus, maraschino liqueur, and lime. My favourite drink of the evening ends up being the Vanilla Sky (RM 42) – a layered gin cocktail with vodka infused butterfly pea, pineapple juice, yuzu and juniper berries. It is tart and refreshing and pairs well with our beachy feast.

Desserts

The display case inside the restaurant has some tantalising options for anyone with a sweet tooth. We find it too difficult to choose, so Chef Gary brings out a couple of his favourites. We’re already full to the brim, but it’s hard to pass up on these desserts. The Mango Passionfruit Pavlova (RM 20) has the ideal combination of lightness and airiness from the meringue, along with a juicy mango and tart passionfruit topping. The Fig & Mascarpone Gateau (RM 24) is also a scrumptious way to end one’s meal at Southern Rock. The creamy mascarpone and fresh figs complement each other wonderfully.

Review

Southern Rock Seafood truly has some of the freshest seafood you can find in Kuala Lumpur. Chef Gary and their waitstaff will take excellent care of you and help to bring the feeling that you are almost right at the beach with their wide selection of fish, fruits de mer, and tropical cocktails. Their new and extensive menu brings something for everyone to get excited about, even if you’re not a seafood lover. Sit back, enjoy a cocktail, and grab a selfie with Larry the Lobster.

Reasons to visit the New Southern Rock Seafood in Jalan Kemuja: the revamp looks fab!; try a variety of fresh oysters from around the world side-by-side for comparison; friendly service; creative and refreshing cocktails; massive seafood paella lunch with sangria on Sundays; go visit their stall at Tiffin at the Yard, too!