Happy Foodies

Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi83duwW79gThIFqLHXMXXCZWNQqvtVck-HjJv-RhkXiDiLkEjcRdFrLM8L6tnm5qcSJ55bQTxLIgj03SWZ-OH6zEmLGgMvlvW5zwXQ2FyftTnC9MBXWwTlTUVIGxF0bxLoJWHiWFtlxIn0MpMJ7DkjEkIp7NegD0v5i7aM07a-g5QvKkyfg6BDJz_fo/s1024/hiap-yak-tea.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQi83duwW79gThIFqLHXMXXCZWNQqvtVck-HjJv-RhkXiDiLkEjcRdFrLM8L6tnm5qcSJ55bQTxLIgj03SWZ-OH6zEmLGgMvlvW5zwXQ2FyftTnC9MBXWwTlTUVIGxF0bxLoJWHiWFtlxIn0MpMJ7DkjEkIp7NegD0v5i7aM07a-g5QvKkyfg6BDJz_fo/s16000/hiap-yak-tea.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>There's a small, non-descript coffee shop named <strong>Hiap Yak Tea Shop</strong>, tucked somewhere in the alleys of Indian Street in Kuching, Sarawak, where the hot, steaming coffee is still served with a pat of butter. Of course, it makes for a creamy, buttery, if a bit strange, brew but there's an interesting backstory (or tale, if you prefer to think it's part-fiction) to why in this small shop, the coffee not the bread or biscuit is buttered.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6nMiU2q4_zPU-fGKK6BhrXZkjdbySggjt8GDvB7Wl4VLBdEWTrMx1bWU_Ls8C2Rb_HAyYywnSGJYJJ4LSHrCAwjAqncvrlk7BGVpWAGDhm1kjo6o_Lo4vOsKXE_HiOuyuMTvF_WaDOrmazZfgdQGQhAdwJLOGTACRJ4GXkTZ19N2nLzYUjg75XCsV0I/s1280/black-bean-coffee.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6nMiU2q4_zPU-fGKK6BhrXZkjdbySggjt8GDvB7Wl4VLBdEWTrMx1bWU_Ls8C2Rb_HAyYywnSGJYJJ4LSHrCAwjAqncvrlk7BGVpWAGDhm1kjo6o_Lo4vOsKXE_HiOuyuMTvF_WaDOrmazZfgdQGQhAdwJLOGTACRJ4GXkTZ19N2nLzYUjg75XCsV0I/s16000/black-bean-coffee.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>Happyfoodies had a blast covering the <a href="https://www.ironwulf.net/2019/10/3rd-kuching-waterfront-jazz-festival.html">Kuching Waterfront Music Festival</a> in Kuching, Sarawak in the eastern part of Malaysia. In between tasks and barring rain, we had occasions to wander off into the side streets and small alleys at the waterfront area leading to the bridge and parliament building. One of finds is this small coffee shop along Ewe Hai street, <strong>Black Bean Coffee and Tea</strong> shop while waiting for the sunset to shoot.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAYb34kmAlbCQv4BkTuqIO2tsw2dWAhVFtbGSMr3XmvI2tIK7tJal5DBSOTR3zrG4Cor7DGQllvNZAOm_sCBhYdFrTohTmqK_m-sgivxybjQGWQHyGK6RY9sVvkmsNvifazX7CCGL1NARRIHfoB5_G3be05rGYmcDkb91RPOUpDnT9a0PxbtSy46YZQQ/s1280/sister-curry-mee.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAYb34kmAlbCQv4BkTuqIO2tsw2dWAhVFtbGSMr3XmvI2tIK7tJal5DBSOTR3zrG4Cor7DGQllvNZAOm_sCBhYdFrTohTmqK_m-sgivxybjQGWQHyGK6RY9sVvkmsNvifazX7CCGL1NARRIHfoB5_G3be05rGYmcDkb91RPOUpDnT9a0PxbtSy46YZQQ/s16000/sister-curry-mee.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>It took me a second visit to finally catch the <strong>Sister Curry Mee</strong> stall open at <strong>Air Itam, Penang</strong>. I wasn’t aware of their opening time before and visited late afternoon after my visit to Kek Lok Si temple. Now I wouldn’t want to leave Penang without tasting this Malaysian dish from a stall that has been serving them for at least 73 years already.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f8bGMvomxmH40HA6aMByqJEzGP0fhLY_lYq1gPD2MRurWofTJ0_11Z15iDQuBcrD2o20nbRCWwoE5uCxGww6E5fjM6G5vypnwZqp2D5MSb3U4AieAt8MBF6vF3u3ZX8yWFQF2diYi5Ekwzz1qT67uCuB70xeRe5XWT7tRBxN_7inOYhYnExTg8s9__4/s1024/onn-kee.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f8bGMvomxmH40HA6aMByqJEzGP0fhLY_lYq1gPD2MRurWofTJ0_11Z15iDQuBcrD2o20nbRCWwoE5uCxGww6E5fjM6G5vypnwZqp2D5MSb3U4AieAt8MBF6vF3u3ZX8yWFQF2diYi5Ekwzz1qT67uCuB70xeRe5XWT7tRBxN_7inOYhYnExTg8s9__4/s16000/onn-kee.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>Ipoh is a popular day trip destination from Kuala Lumpur. This Old Town that flourished through mining is a two to three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. <a href="http://www.happyfoodies.com/kafe-panglima-dua-lima-old-town-ipoh-coffee/">Ipoh White Coffee</a> may be commercially known and widely available but it is only in the old town of Ipoh where one can take sample a favorite delicacy the local hor fun (kuey teow), taugeh (beansprouts) and Hainanese-style steamed chicken. There are a couple of restaurants to go to but a lot of locals pointed us to <strong>Onn Kee Restaurant</strong>.</p>

<div class="alignwide"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs1BObjyi2b6B0wCrp9rLi6tahbfxrLZvDJhs0hzhYFrDcC4IiPYx7Ossn_EU_8ZOy6lG-KUPc3Ys7ZY0uXoOPYMTsH7m5RpXjHuB0ZqpPhQRHJjjQbjh-37QqsxGjOm1VZOuK4FyUkTcpA7tAmdAzOUXS_LPNk73aeWLBOzDnHm4AYXLaS4i-y5saOA/s1024/kafe-panglima-dua.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs1BObjyi2b6B0wCrp9rLi6tahbfxrLZvDJhs0hzhYFrDcC4IiPYx7Ossn_EU_8ZOy6lG-KUPc3Ys7ZY0uXoOPYMTsH7m5RpXjHuB0ZqpPhQRHJjjQbjh-37QqsxGjOm1VZOuK4FyUkTcpA7tAmdAzOUXS_LPNk73aeWLBOzDnHm4AYXLaS4i-y5saOA/s16000/kafe-panglima-dua.jpg"></a></div></div></div> <p>The old town of Ipoh is known as one of Malaysia’s best coffee producers. The “Old Town” coffee brand is a popular present for visitors coming from Malaysia. It is one of my favorite instant coffee due to its sharp strong yet rich flavor. Recently, I found myself back in Ipoh for a fam tour. While strolling through one of the famed concubine lanes in Ipoh, we chanced upon <strong>Panglima Dua Lima</strong>. A charming little cafe housed in an old shophouse serving freshly prepared Ipoh white coffee.</p>

<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx0b2JtO7ugIZYB0tZr3uYRok5mNr3z9PqAhyphenhyphenLoYcwQ2tH80xRKktwy7Frz0CtG_cK62VJKdJo39vLV6QhN9IIicsaUsSF2C-PYrnRHDRPPXXyduDLVBhSMbgAaEeo85n0S3e0siF3AFNyeIuHp-07ZJSWPkNqh6IbmVhvzfZ2m2fMAzBLXVA9hVRF1Y/s667/uncle-keong-delicacies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx0b2JtO7ugIZYB0tZr3uYRok5mNr3z9PqAhyphenhyphenLoYcwQ2tH80xRKktwy7Frz0CtG_cK62VJKdJo39vLV6QhN9IIicsaUsSF2C-PYrnRHDRPPXXyduDLVBhSMbgAaEeo85n0S3e0siF3AFNyeIuHp-07ZJSWPkNqh6IbmVhvzfZ2m2fMAzBLXVA9hVRF1Y/s16000/uncle-keong-delicacies.jpg"></a></div><br>It was a clear and sunny day in Melaka. Walking along the narrow alleys of the historical heritage town at midday, we could feel the sun bearing down on our backs on our way to our first eating stop for the Date with Bloggers event in Melaka. And as few beads of sweat rolled from our foreheads, we were filled with delight seeing the refreshing sight of <strong>Uncle Keong's Delicacies</strong>.<p></p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ironwulf/7340139506/"><img alt="Julie's variety of biscuits" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7211/7340139506_e093664bbb_c.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Julie's variety of biscuits</figcaption></figure> <p>Who doesn't like biscuits? For me they are the ultimate travel snacks keeping the hunger pangs at bay when the journey seems long and the next eatery is kilometers away. I make sure to always have them with me. So when Happyfoodies, get a chance to visit the factory of <strong>Julie's Biscuits</strong> (not to be confused with Julie's Bakeshop in the Philippines), Malaysia's most popular biscuit brand in (Melaka) Malacca, I felt like a kid sent off to a field trip. I was also excited to know what made Julie's the queen of biscuits in this country.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggie/6295265603/"><img alt="Malaysian Beef Rendang" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6032/6295265603_22327e3f51_b.jpg"></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Malaysian Beef Rendang</figcaption></figure> <p>Ahhh, those Malaysia, truly Asia commercials running endlessly on the cable channels. Catching them every so often, you can't help but wonder about the sightseeing, shopping and of course, the eating over there. By a stroke of luck, Happyfoodies got an invite from <strong>AirAsia Philippines</strong> and <strong>Tourism Malaysia</strong> for a look-see, look-buy and look-taste in Kuala Lumpur. One of our memorable food stops was <strong>Madam Kwan's</strong> at the upscale Pavillion Mall which is a good opportunity to see why the place is popular.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Penang Food Village Kuay Teow Soup" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3940462125_7ed458a7aa_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Penang Food Village Kuay Teow Soup</figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Penang</strong> has always been synonymous with "Food Paradise" when you're in Malaysia. But my recent visit to the country didn't include the region in the itinerary. Good thing popular and established restaurants have branches in Malaysia. While in Genting Highlands, we had lunch at <strong>Penang Food Village</strong> and when we went back to the city, we had dinner at <strong>Nasi Kandar Pelita</strong>. Check out my favorites among the Penang food specialties we had.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="A table full of Nyonya Cuisine dishes" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3933561686_cc9e5b4b41_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A table full of Nyonya Cuisine dishes</figcaption></figure> <p>Malaysian food is as rich as its history. In between our exploration of the heritage sites in Malacca, we got a chance to experience Peranakan Cuisine where it originated -- Malacca. Recipes dating as far back as the 15th century still exist, evolving to what is now known as Nyonya Cuisine. In a restaurant tucked beside the hidden side street of Taman Melaka Raya, we found <strong>Seroni Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant</strong>. The establishment is owned by one of the last descendants of the Baba-Nyonya family, so we’re expecting to taste authentic Nyonya Cuisine.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Nam Heongs Chicken Rice" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3501/3915390983_f21df70ac0_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nam Heong's Chicken Rice</figcaption></figure> <p>When in Malaysia, mention Chicken Rice and locals would definitely say <strong>Nam Heong</strong> as its equivalent. It's an institution known for cooking Chicken Rice using an age-old recipe which dates back to more than 70 years when the establishment started. Now, it has a number of franchises in Kuala Lumpur. But is the quality still the same? We trooped to one of their branches in<strong> Sungai Wang Mall</strong> to try out its famous Chicken Rice as well as some of its other offerings.</p>

<figure class="wp-block-image alignnone"><img alt="Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3892932690_98ea2f0481_o.jpg"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh at Imbi, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia</figcaption></figure> <p>The constant rain and the cool weather these days made me yearn for a serving of hot soup to warm my taste buds. And fresh from my recent trip to Malaysia, one dish which taste still lingers in my head is the <strong>Bak Kut Teh (Pork Bone Tea Soup)</strong>. Originally used as a therapeutic soup introduced by the Chinese, it has become a popular Malaysian dish. I first tasted the Bak Kuh Teh in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia way back. On this recent trip, our guide Marie who's also a self-confessed foodie led us to <strong>Sun Fong Restaurant</strong>, one of the famous Bak Kut Teh restauarant in Kuala Lumpur bringing in the Klang goodness in the city.</p>