Celiacs and the City

Once again, I am on the prowl for restaurants that do not distinguish between celiacs and non-celiacs, thereby rendering the cross contamination problem moot. Shucked, an oyster bar inside Ben’s Independent Grocer at Publika is one such place.

Fresh, raw aphrodisiac

If fresh oysters au naturel is your thing, this place is your dream. Ever since returning from the US, I have been searching high and low for places that raw bars well, especially when it comes to oysters. This means that they shuck with a good amount of sea water and sans smothering in all sorts of sauces, thereby masking the brilliant taste of these bivalve molluscs.

Shucked does a decent job. Most of their oysters are sourced from the UK and Europe (for those of you who think of these two places are separate). They also have a lobsters, fish, and other sea creatures—all cooked very simply à la gluten-free. Service is a fine so long as the place is not crowded. Ambiance could be better given that it is a bar—it is best for quick meals. Oh, and it is cold. Bring a sweater.

Peace,

Daisy

Allergy friendly: *****
Taste: ****
Atmosphere: *** Casual. Inside a grocery store. Very cold.
Service: *** Can be slow
Cost: $$$ Approximately RM100-150 per person, unless you get the lobster, which is RM250 per person

Shucked Oyster & Seafood Bar

Ben’s Independent Grocery

Publika

Jalan Dutamas 1,

Solaris Dutamas

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 603 6209 1700

Call to find out opening hours. Can vary.

I’ll start with the tried-and-true, easy-peasy stuff first. This is my go-to dish over and over.

No downside to this dish: easy, quick, tasty, healthy.

Ingredients

• Brown rice
• Roasted sesame oil
• A variety of veggies–whatever you have on hand! Carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, kai lan, kangkung (morning glory), bok choy.

Brown rice in the rice cooker. A bunch of colourful veggies. Heat up some roasted sesame oil in the wok (we usually use a stainless steel wok unlike the photo which pictures a non-stick skillet—the wok is a fantastic cooking instrument!). Throw veggies in by likelihood to cook fast (I throw leafy greens in at the end after I turn off the stove). Lightly cook.  Turn off stove. Throw in a little gluten-free soy sauce. Ta-dahhhh!!!

Recipe Variation with San J Soy Sauce

San J makes an excellent organic, low sodium, gluten-free soy sauce, available on http://www.iherb.com (use discount code “LEQ993 for $10 off!). They deliver to Malaysia. There’s also Amazon.com. Second photo shows recipe variation with the soy sauce.

Peace,

Daisy