Thai And Local Fare - Planter Jim

The Miang Kam Vietnamese fresh rice paper wrap with chicken steamed tapioca

ESTABLISHED in 1997, Planter Jim’s has become synonymous with good food, good wine and also a great place to chill out in Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. 

According to Miguel de Jan the operations manager of Planter Jim’s, this Thai-Malaysian Restaurant was actually named after a planter in Africa called Jim and hence the African influence in the restaurant’s decor.

From the beautiful iron-wrought gate with animal (lions, ostrich) and human designs on the front along with rich wood carvings, tables and bar, the warm ambience invites you to chill out at the bar or simply sit at one of the tables and order some of their excellent food.

Planter Jim’s is also known for its live music performances once a month. The restaurant is able to take in 150 people at one time at the dining area inside, the al fresco dining area and also at the bar.
From now to May 31, diners can get 50% off on selected items on the menu if they use the UOB credit card. Eight items from the menu have been selected for the ­promotion prepared by the restaurant’s two lady chefs – Duangphon Chanthalangsy (Awi) and Chotika Jamjang (Aya). 

For starters, there is the Miang Kam which is a platter that comes with betelnut leaves, shredded and toasted young coconut, galangal, peanuts, chilli padi, chopped shallots, dried shrimps and a thick sweet-sour tamarind sauce.

What you have to do is turn the leaves into a cone and place the ingredients along with the sauce in it, then wrap it up and pop it into your mouth. The combination of flavours and textures just burst in your mouth.

The Vietnamese fresh rice paper wrap with chicken followed next. This spring roll was served with a thick sambal sauce and is light and delicious. For soup, the chicken tom yum offered the right balance of sourness and heat, as well as a generous amount of chicken, mushroom and tomatoes.

The sam tam or papaya salad was sweet, sour and has just the right amount of heat to make it a great starter. The generous amounts of groundnuts gave it a lovely bite.

The Thai green chicken curry with its rich thick creamy gravy and the generous amounts of chicken and tiny eggplants made it an enjoyable dish to go with a bed of fluffy rice. The yummy kangkong cooked in belachan provided another good ­combination. You can also opt for this dish using angle beans.

If you like single dish meals, then the tasty phad Thai which is flat rice noodles with sweet sauce, chaipo, dried shrimps and tofu is a must-have. The aroma is enticing and the taste with the right balance of sweet, sour and spicy will get you going.

Dessert is the rich traditional Thai steamed tapioca covered with coconut cream sauce.

Planter Jim’s

Planter Jim’s is open from noon to midnight and on weekends until 1am or 2am. It is situated at 6-8, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. For reservations, call 03-2282 4084.

You can also enjoy great benefits when you use UOB credit cards at pub and restaurant The Social and T Club Sports Bar and Bistro.

At both establishments, you get 15% off the a la carte menu. You can also enjoy drinks at nett price during happy hours at The Social from noon to 9pm and at T Club’s from 4pm to 9pm.

Miguel flanked by Awie (left) and Aya.

The Social is located at 57-59 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. For reservations, call 03-2282 2260.

T Club Sports Bar & Bistro is located at 8, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur. For reservations, call 03-2284 0403. These special offers are valid until