D’Chef Fusion Delight is a local eatery at Pusat Perniagaan Maju Utama in Bukit Mertajam. Prior to its opening, the proprietor used to operate a hawker stall near Taman Sentosa until 1.5 years ago. Due to its family-oriented menu and affordable pricing, many customers from those days are still regulars till now.
The restaurant’s menu consists of Western food and, to a lesser extent, Asian dishes. A chef by profession, the proprietor takes literary license in creating many fusion dishes. Many of his signature dishes are developed based on customer feedback over the years. In fact, even the elderly in the Chinese-dominated neighborhood have come to accept the Western meals here.
Mushroom Soup (RM5.50) is one of the popular appetizers among regular customers. Instead of using cream, the kitchen opts for milk instead. This results in smoother consistency which is not as viscous as the typical mushroom soup. Three types of mushrooms are used as ingredients: button mushrooms, dried mushrooms and wild mushrooms. The bowl of soup is served with garlic bread but I find it to be slightly dry and hard.
Hainanese Chicken Chop (RM11.00) is the signature dish here since the hawker days. Like most main dishes on the menu, the chicken chop comes with salad and garlic bread. It is the proprietor’s belief that a proper meal should have a good balance of nutrients.
The large piece of deboned chicken thigh is flavored with sweet-savory Hainanese sauce. This lovely gravy delights the sense of smell as well as taste. The chicken chop is also topped with a generous amount of fries and onions, making this dish a satisfying meal indeed.
If you prefer red meal, Sizzling Pork Chop (RM19.00) is another recommended item on the menu. The slab of pork is kept sizzling on a hot plate. It is advisable to consume this dish while it is still warm because the pork becomes drier and tougher after a while. BBQ sauce works best with this dish. Besides salad, also included is a baked potato topped with mayonnaise. Sour cream is not used because the local palate prefers sweetness over tanginess.
Combining pasta with grilled seafood culminated in a fusion dish called Pasta With Fish Fillet (RM11.00). Linguine is used instead of the common spaghetti because the former provides better mouthfeel. Meanwhile, patin (catfish) is the choice of fish for the fillet because its delicate flesh takes advantage of the accompanying sauce. Onion sauce is the best choice here. Should customer prefer to go without meat, Capsicum Pasta With Italian Herb (RM8.90) is a sound choice too.
In Western culinary art, the sauce is a vital aspect that determines whether a dish makes or breaks. In fact, the sauce recipe allows the chef to differentiate himself from others. To this end, D’Chef offers 5 different sauces every day. Besides the 3 types introduced earlier, there are also black pepper sauce and mushroom sauce. The proprietor personally prepares all sauces to maintain consistent quality.
Moving on to Hot & Spicy Chicken Maryland (RM13.00), this dish is similar to Taiwanese fried chicken. The large piece of boneless chicken has crispy breading and is sprinkled with paprika and other spices. The result is mint-like chilling effect on the tongue.
To cater customers who still have an affinity for local food, there is a one-page section of the menu to serve their needs. Nasi Lemak With Crispy Chicken (RM9.90) benefits from the sweet and spicy sambal (chili paste), which is a fusion of Malay and Chinese recipes. Half-size fried chicken is provided because the nasi lemak dish is quite large already.
As for juices and smoothies, the proprietor insists on using fresh fruits and vegetables as ingredients. Popular drinks are Cucumber + Carrot + Celery (RM7.00) and Chocolate Banana Milk Shake (RM7.50). The latter has fairly strong cocoa flavor that makes it quite satisfying to my palate.
Upon request, D’Chef Fusion Delight also provides catering service in nearby areas. Customers are welcomed to customize the menu from scratch. The restaurant itself can also be reserved for private parties. At the moment, D’Chef Fusion Delight is a beef-free restaurant.
Name: D’Chef Fusion Delight
Address: 3185-G, Jalan Maju, Pusat Perniagaan Maju Utama, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-530-2970
Business hours: 12:00pm-4:00pm, 5:00pm-10:30pm, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/dchef.fusion.delight
Coordinates: 5.35193 N, 100.47106 E
Directions: D’Chef Fusion Delight is located at the commercial area of Pusat Perniagaan Maju Utama in Bukit Mertajam. The restaurant is several shops away from CIMB bank. Street parking is available.