At Hua Xin in Section 19, Petaling Jaya, customers can indulge in over 20 kinds of meticulously crafted Chinese desserts, available hot or cold.
From savoury sesame paste to mouth-watering Mang Mang Osmanthus Jelly, this eatery’s assortment of treats not only taste good: their vibrant colours also make them pleasing to the eye.
Hua Xin is part of New Ocean World Fine Food City, which bills itself as Malaysia’s first and only lifestyle gourmet mall. Entirely devoted to gastronomic experiences, this eight-storey building houses 22 handpicked specialty restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including Chinese, Greek, Mongolian and Japanese.
According to director of business development Christin Tan, Hua Xin is the brainchild of New Ocean World chairman Steven Yen.
“He is very much a foodie, so he planned to bring in all sorts of cuisine into New Ocean World. Hua Xin’s offerings are from China but we have taken Malaysian tastes into consideration,” she told FMT Lifestyle.
The first thing you will notice as you first step into this restaurant is how cheery it is. Bright orange highlights illuminate its interior and furnishings, while friendly teddy bears and toy displays welcome you from various corners of the space.
“Dessert is usually a happy occasion, so we thought our place should reflect it,” Tan explained.
Staying true to their motto “Made with heart, joy in every bite”, everything here is crafted with premium ingredients – right down to the coconut milk, which is imported from various suppliers to ensure high quality.
The highlight is undoubtedly the Hua Xin Double Skin Milk, the restaurant’s signature item. With its smooth custard-like texture and rich silky taste, this is a truly tantalising treat.
The history of this dish ostensibly dates back to the Qing dynasty: according to legend, double skin milk was concocted by a Guangdong cattle farmer who was trying to store unused supplies of buffalo milk.
In one of his experiments, the farmer boiled the milk and discovered a delightful-tasting skin on its surface after it cooled. He added several other ingredients, including egg whites to let the mixture curdle after boiling, and voilà: double skin milk was the result!
Another popular choice is the Signature Ginger Milk. This unique dish comes accompanied by a small five-minute hourglass: turn it over after your server pours hot milk into the bowl of ginger liquid, and wait for the sand to run out. This should just be enough time for tangy curds to form.
This dessert might taste rather strong but, for ginger lovers, it will likely be love at first bite.
Also, try the colourful Pandan Jelly Noodle with Mochi Balls. This mix of popular Chinese ingredients blends together nicely, resulting in a comforting and satisfying sensory experience. It’s a great choice for a hot day or as a follow-up to a hearty meal.
According to Tan, they have plans to branch Hua Xin out of its dessert bubble, so expect snacks and lunches – including Hong Kong signature cut noodles – to be served here in future.
Ultimately, she hopes patrons will enjoy all they have to offer and view Hua Xin as a place where they can sit back, relax, and indulge in some fine desserts after a long day’s work.
“Customer service is top priority for us, so we want everyone to have a good experience and come back over and over again. Hopefully, people will enjoy gathering here with their friends and family,” Tan concluded.
Hua Xin
L1-04, Level 1,
New Ocean World Fine Food City,
15, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19,
46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Business hours: 11am-10pm daily
For more information, visit Hua Xin’s website. Follow New Ocean World Fine Food City on Facebook and Instagram.