Today I visited the Food Place food court, located at Pavilion Mall. The food court is located beside the Oriental Kopi Restaurant.
This time, I ordered XYY Signature Shrimp Paste Fried Rice from the Xia Yuan Yuan stall, which cost RM23.90 per plate.
"Xia Yuan Yuan" roughly translates to “Shrimp Balls Round Round,” reflecting their specialisation in handmade shrimp balls and other homestyle Chinese comfort foods.
The XYY Signature Shrimp Paste Fried Rice is a hearty, flavorful plate that brings together the essence of Southeast Asian comfort food. Each grain of rice is evenly coated in the rich aroma of belacan (shrimp paste), a seasoning deeply rooted in Malaysian and regional cooking. The dish is stir-fried with plump shrimp, lending it a natural sweetness that complements the punchy, savoury depth of the shrimp paste.
Adding more texture and fragrance are crispy ikan bilis (anchovies), which give bursts of crunch and umami, along with egg, red chilli, and spring onions, creating layers of colour and flavour. On the side, the fried rice is served with refreshing cucumber slices and a sunny-side-up egg with its runny yolk ready to coat the rice. A clear soup accompanies the dish, providing a gentle contrast to the boldness of the fried rice.
Historically, fried rice is one of Asia’s most beloved ways to repurpose leftover rice, dating back more than a thousand years in Chinese cooking before spreading across the region. The addition of shrimp paste is distinctly Southeast Asian, especially Malaysian and Thai, where belacan or kapi is pounded from fermented shrimp and used as a seasoning base. Over time, it became a signature flavour of local fried rice, known for its pungent yet addictive aroma. The mix with ikan bilis reflects Malaysian taste, making this dish not only filling but also a cultural bridge between Chinese-style wok-fried rice and Malay flavour traditions.
