PETALING JAYA, Sept. 21 -- It's 5.30pm on a Sunday.

You walk into Lek by Lalachong, which is said to open at 5:30pm, but almost every table is filled with diners. Some are already tucking into their dinner.

Barely a month old, the newcomer is pulling the crowd with its family ties to the 31-year-old Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant (Lala Chong) which built its reputation on fresh seafood.

The face behind Lek is Chrysann Yim, the daughter of Lala Chong's owner, Yim Sie Chong who picked up the nickname "Lala Chong" for his expertise in handling clams.

She brings a fresh perspective to typical seafood establishments with a menu that blends local favourites with Thai and Indonesian flavours.

On every table, a plate of crabs takes the prized...