PATCHAY.COM checks out this week the latest status of the proposed RM26 billion KL International Financial District (KLIFD).

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It was earlier reported in the media that if everything goes well, KLIFD may groundbreak as early as June 2011 in conjunction with the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to Malaysia.

According to 1MDB's website, the masterplan competition has attracted some of the world’s best.

They include Foster + Partners, Sasaki, BDP, Machado and Silvetti, Broadway Malyan, Atkins, Cox Richardson, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, Nikken Sekkei Ltd and OMA.

Further, it was stated that 1MDB will announce the winner soon.

But details of the megaproject remained sketchy given the recent unrest in the Middle East and the high oil prices that have forced governments around the world to revise their economic growth.

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Despite global uncertainty, several nations have continued to pursue extravagant commercial zones, particularly a centralised financial district that symbolises the new era of urbanisation, prosperity and pride. Below are some examples:

Busan International Financial Center, South Korea

Moscow International Financial Center, Russia

China itself has a staggering more than 200 projects (across more than two dozen metropolis) with skyscrapers taller than 300m. That is like the height of TM Tower, the second tallest office tower in Kuala Lumpur.

Tianjin Binhai New CBD, China

Tianjin Yujiabao Financial Area, China

Chongqing Jiangbei United Center, China

Chongqing Jiangbei New CBD, China

Back to KL, we may foresee a risk of oversupply of commercial space when the new KL International Financial District is completed in a few years time.

What say you?

Source: Unofficial renderings of KLIFD courtesy of 1MDB

PUCHONG, what would be the first thing that comes to your mind?

Sorry folks, I can only recall JAM, JAM, JAM and IOI Mall.

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Lately, PATCHAY.COM was on tour in Puchong as we were invited for a Facebook launch of a property agency in conjunction with the launch of a new property project.

Along the way, we came to a rather large-sized hawker shack entitled "PUCHONG YONG TAU FU".

Stunning!!

We've found the legendary "freshest" yong tau foo in town. And like all legends, the place was busy, noisy and packed with people.

The Cantonese would say "WONG" (prosperous), and I immediately presumed this must be another good lunch for us.

Then the rain came, and the place somewhat seemed abit chaotic like any other hawker centres.

You can't start the yong tau foo stuffs until you have tried the Ji Pau Kai (Paper-Wrapped Chicken).

It was salty enough but the sauce was abit too much to have caused the wrapper to stick with the meat.

Overall, the chicken meat was tasty, but I would not rate it the best in Klang Valley.

Next was the yong tau foo soup version. Interestingly, the soup was compulsorily served with leafy vegetables unlike other places.

Our portion was pretty big as we have ordered almost the entire range. So be careful next time!

Overall the yong tau foo was very fresh, well-stuffed and well cooked. The reason being the yong tau foo were prepared as per your order, great!

However, and as expected, the soup was bland.

This was followed by yong tau foo deep fried version. The crisp of the tau foo pok is probably the best part here.

The usual black sauce and chilli sauce was provided generously, but somehow it tasted quite normal like other outlets. I think they could still improve on the sauce.

The best thing about this place is that you are able to choose exactly what you want, unlike some other places.

And finally, what is shocking here is that most people eat yong tau foo with WHITE RICE, except us. :p

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Puchong Yong Tau Fu Lot 105, Batu 14, Jalan Besar, Kampung Baru Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Non-Halal