Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Avenue of Stars & Symphony of Light

After a refreshing nap back at Dragon Hostel in Mong Kok, we departed to Tsim Sha Tsui for an early dinner, followed by a leisure stroll along the Avenue of Stars (where you get to see & touch REAL palm prints of current and former stars), and capped off with the dazzling synchronised laser and light display aptly named, the "Symphony of Lights".

Tsim Sha Tsui

Taking the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) trains from Mong Kok to Tsim Sha Tsui is a rather short trip, separated only by 2 stations wedged in between. (HKD4.40/RM2).

The YMCA Building @ Tsim Sha Tsui

Various skyscrapers around Tsim Sha Tsui, most notably The Peninsula (bottom pics), an award-winning hotel that has been operating since 1928.

MACAU Restaurant @ Shop A & B, G/F, Lokville Comm Building, 25-27 Lock Road, Tsim Sha TSui, Kowloon.

Though it was barely 5pm, we were ready for an early dinner, as late dinners in Hong Kong = Seats-grabbing fiesta, and Patience-testing ordeal. Macau Restaurant (http://www.macaurestaurant.hk/) has a few branches in Hong Kong, serving authentic Macanese cuisine, catering to those who missed trying some in Macau, or couldn't be bothered to travel all the way for a taste of such in Macau.

Clockwise from top left : Baked Rice with Seafood, Spinach Noodles with Prawns & Mushrooms in Tomato Sauce, Beef & Fish Balls Noodles, Milk Tea, Portuguese Egg Tart, and Macau Crispy Bun with Corned Beef and Cheese

My Baked Rice with Seafood in Lobster Sauce (HKD36/RM16.20) sounded promising, but failed to deliver. Diluted tomato sauce, with a faint hint of lobster (or rather, fishy essence) drowned the lightly fried rice with eggs. But the mussels, squids, and prawns made up for the minuses. The rest of the meal proved to be rather bland, the Macau crispy bun with corned beef and cheese (HKD19/RM8.55) was too dainty to be of substance. But the Portuguese egg tart (HKD7/RM3.20) was GOOD, creamy & milky egg custard, with flaky pastry. Total damage? HKD124/RM55.80 for a moderate affair.

Wing Wah Bakery @ Tsim Sha Tsui

A few shops away is this simple, plain old bakery manned by a Chinese old man. Still longing for more to fill that vacuum in our stomach, I picked a golden yellow egg tart, and a wife cake (lou por peng), while the others bought fluffy egg cake, etc. Forgot the price, but egg tarts should be around HKD4/RM1.80 per pc.

MY HKFA?!!! *_* (I can dream, can't I?)

A short walk to Tsim Sha Tsui's Waterfront, we reached the Avenue of Stars, where people gather and hangout by the strait separating Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. Resembling Hollywood Walk of Fame, the waterfront not only serves as a cool hangout for couples and families, but also popular with avid photographers.

Quirky structures abound at the waterfront

You'll see Bruce Lee's statue immortalized in that famous pose of his, and various other statues/structures for camwhoring purposes

Of course, coming here on a breezy evening is definitely more ideal, comparing to us suffocating in the smog, and tormented by the heat and stagnant air. Directly opposite the waterfront you'll be able to see Victoria Harbour, and the amazing skyline of Central on Hong Kong Island. But clouded by the haze, the beautiful view was somewhat obstructed. Sigh ....

Victoria Harbour and Central

Some STARS on the pathway

The magnificient night view on Hong Kong Island. Can you spot the famous Bank of China tower?

Every night, at 8pm sharp, the Symphony of Lights show will start, and lasts for approximately 10 mins, promising an unforgettable multimedia experience

44 Buildings, Five themes - Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership & Celebration

You'll be able to view the dazzling performance every night, either from the Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon side, OR from the other side at Wan Chai's Golden Bauhinia Square, on Hong Kong island. Narration in different languages on different days, with English on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while Mandarin narration's on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Only on Sunday will you be able to listen to the explanation in Cantonese.

A splendid shot? (Credits to TallGal)

After hanging around the waterfront, and cooled ourselves down at a nearby shopping complex, we were on our way back to Mong Kok

Aberdeen Fishball and Noodles Restaurant

We had our compulsory (ahem) supper at Aberdeen Fishball & Noodles Restaurant, with four branches in Mong Kok alone. We were attracted to this outlet as the menu was extensive, the place looks clean and unpretentious, and the food is reasonably-priced.

For an additional HKD7/RM3.20, you'll get a drink of your choice to complement your meal

You probably would've heard the Hong Kong actors ordering "Tung Ling Cha" (Iced Lemon Tea) in the movies/dramas quite often. Wanna know what's the difference between the version in HK and Msia? In Hong Kong, they do not skimp on the lemon wedges, as evident from the pic above. First you 'mash' the lemon wedges in your drink to fully extract the tangy juices, and relish your cold, refreshing glass of cooling concoction. Lovely. My perennial favourite Milk Tea however, conquered all, and remained my #1 choice throughout my stay. =)

Braised Fatty Beef and Enoki Mushrooms with Rice (HKD30/RM13.50 per set, with a complimentary drink)

Pork Cheeks with Satay Sauce (HKD38/RM17.10)

The Braised Fatty Beef (trust them when they mention FATTY !!) and Enoki Mushrooms was nothing special, but not to say it was bad. But the star of the meal had to be the utterly delicious, PORK CHEEKS. Actually pork neck in Chinese, the thinly sliced pieces of meat were roasted to perfection, with the outer layer crispy, and the tender yet chewy meat intact with the natural juices of the meat. Oh how I miss those! Give the accompanying Satay sauce a miss though, as it was way too salty.

Location : #1 (148, Sai Yeung Choi St) #2 (139, Tung Choi St) #3 (Flat 2, G/F, Fa Yeun St) and #4 (G/F, 20, Nullah Road). All in Mongkok, Kowloon.

** Be warned though, service's NOT that satisfactory, and the pork cheeks took a good 20 mins to arrive. But well worth the wait, IMO. **

Next Day's Itinerary : Dim Sum @ Central, Golden Bauhinia Square, Times Square, and The PEAK.

Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Tian Tan Buddha @ Lantau Island

Drowned by the seas of people in Mong Kok the day before (click HERE for previous post), we finally experienced a good night's sleep and woke up rejuvenated. We've agreed to take things slowly, travelling at a comfortable pace, rather than covering an endless onslaught of destinations, as this WAS after all, a holiday for us.

Noticed the Hongkies are quite patient, and no unruly behaviour was seen at bus stops, MTR stations, and taxi stands. Suffice to say, we kinda felt ashamed.

Sharing a communal bathroom was not a problem for us, and we managed to get prepared for breakfast by 8.30am. Not bad huh? =P

Throngs of people paying Kam Wah Cafe a visit for a taste of their famous Polo Buns, and various other delights

Situated at G/F, 47, Bute Street in Mongkok, the cafe is merely a few roads away from our hostel. And we did not regret going all out in search of Kam Wah, for a taste of their famed Polo Buns (aptly named Pineapple Buns, due to its physical resemblance to the fruit).

A comforting breakfast @ Kam Wah, 'entertained' by the antics of the locales, as well as the staff at the cafe, churning out trays after trays of buns while shouting/informing the crowd of what's fresh from the oven

If you're coming in a group of 4, it's easier to find seats, as the tables & benches at the side cater to a group of 4 and above only. Meaning to say, those eating alone will be "politely" ushered to share another table with the others, once the place is packed. Muahaha ... The Gruesome Foursome? ;)

Giant Polo Buns? - Crisp & sweet upper layer, soft and warm inside, with a melting slab of butter = HEAVEN.

We went in with doubts, wondering what's the fuss all about. But the impeccable service (they greeted us cheerfully, smiled warmly, waited patiently for our orders, and never rushed any patron even though some are reading papers after their meal), the incomparable Polo Buns (have it with a slab of butter for the BEST taste, or pork/chicken chop albeit only available after 11am), French toast, flaky egg tarts and milk tea are prove of their fame and customer loyalty.

You can experience the true Hong Kong lifestyle in the rush hours of the morning, when the people waltz in and had a cuppa milk tea/coffee and a toast or a bowl of piping hot noodles. And the periodically shouts of "Polo Buns Fresh From The Oven!" "Pork Meat Bun Fresh From The Oven!" proudly proclaimed by the staff carrying trays after trays of freshly baked goodies somehow enhanced the whole experience.

Egg tarts @ HKD3.50/RM1.60 per piece, Polo Buns @ HKD5.50/RM2.50 plain, or HKD6.50/RM2.93 with butter. There are sets, as usual, and well worth the money. A breakfast for four came to HKD58.50/RM26.33. Remember, in Hong Kong cafe, or more affectionately known as "Char Chaan Teng", you pay at the counter before leaving, instead of calling for bills.

Ngong Ping 360 - Cable car to Tian Tan Buddha at Lantau Island

Where to go for the day? Lantau Island (Dai Yu Shan in Chinese), a popular tourist spot situated to the west of Kowloon. We took the MTR from Prince Edward station (near to Kam Wah Cafe) to Tung Chung on Lantau Island for HKD13.50/RM6 per pax. Remember, if you're NOT using the Octopus card, the fare's slightly more expensive. At Tung Chung station, you can change MTR to Disneyland line, in order to reach, erm, Disneyland (obviously!).

Scenes from the 25 minutes ride to the top. Passing by 7 stations, Tung Chung bay, and HK International Airport before reaching our terminal. Notice the hazy surroundings? Yup, the weather was kinda bad.

From Tung Chung MTR station, we walked a short distance to Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car Station. You can either choose to take the cable car up & down, OR bus up & down, OR cable car up & bus down. The last option is mainly for those who wish to visit Tai-O (A fishing village on Lantau Island) and some other towns on the island. But from Min's experience, she told us that Tai-O is nothing but a fishing village. And travelling by bus from the mountains to the towns may take >1 hour. So we decided to ride on the cable cars for both ways. HKD88/RM39.60 for two ways, per person. A 25 minutes ride later, we reached our destination. Btw, the cable car has NO air-conditioning. Plus the warmer than ideal weather, the ride was not really a pleasant one, until we reached higher grounds, when a welcoming breeze thankfully, started stroking our sweaty faces. :)

The scenery at the top was well-worth the excursion to Lantau Island

Ngong Ping Village & the pilgrimage to the top, where the 85-foot Tian Tan Buddha statue, and Po Lin Monastery can be found

The scorching weather was very unforgiving, therefore bring yourself an umbrella or wear a cap if the weather's sunny. Shady areas is scarce, rendering us vulnerable to the damaging UV. Hence, we escaped from the sun periodically and found solace in air-conditioned outlets. There are a few eateries and souvenir shops at Ngong Ping Village, no worries. Just be thick-skinned and smile through the ordeal. That's all. :)

The Tian Tan Buddha Statue at the peak of Ngong Ping Plateau, overlooking the hills below

Though the weather's sinister, the ascend up the flight of stairs was surprisingly a walk in the park. Some devotees even walk 3 steps then kneel & bow, deep in prayers. Of course, lazybum me was running up like there's no tomorrow. LOL.

The Temple at Po Lin Monastery, situated within the vicinity of the Buddha statue

A sense of tranquility brushed against us, as devotees from all over the world, including tourists from foreign countries, perform their prayers

The place was picture-perfect. I can imagine the sense of relish and contentment had it been cooler and not so humid. Walking around the grand structure of Tian Tan Buddha left me with a feeling of awe, and dwarfed. We did not enter the inner sanctum of the statue, as payment was required. Roughly HKD60/RM27 including a vegetarian meal.

Deli Vegetarian Cafe - Snacking al fresco?

There's a vegetarian restaurant near the temple. But still reeling from the weather, the climb, and the breakfast, we opted for something lighter. Deli vegetarian cafe was doing brisk business selling sweet and savoury snacks (kuih-muih, in Malay, or char guo, in Chinese). They do serve filling dishes such as fried noodles but the larger than usual portion was deterring.

An assortment of simple snacks and tau fu fah - All suitable for vegans

The array of snacks they serve was mind-boggling. But snapping photo of the items on display was a big no-no. So I could only came up with whatever we had. HKD10/RM4.50 for 3 pcs. Quite cheap, as some of the snacks were rather special. The mango mochi, red dates with longan jelly, and deep-fried yam (wu kok) were memorable. And the Tau Fu Fah was rather good, according to TallGal.

Let's pray for world peace ... and political stability?

We descended the mountains in the cable car, and somehow the journey was shorter. Or we could be fatigued, all energy sapped. Of course, at Tung Chung MTR station, there's a shopping complex named Citygate Complex where MBoy mentioned there's 'supposedly' a warehouse sale for branded items. But we did not know at that moment, thus we rushed back home and refreshed our tired selves. So back we went, from Tung Chung MTR to Mong Kok station (HKD13.50/RM6)

Saint's Alp Teahouse, with branches everywhere

Of course, snacking alone simply won't cut it for lunch, right? So as soon as we were in Mong Kok, I was automatically warped to Saint's Alp Teahouse for some extra grubs. OK, so I was attracted to the chic-looking cafe, and my stomach was grumbling. But can't blame Motormouth for eating more than he should, no? :)

The Spiced Beef Shin Noodles was a God-sent. Really. Or maybe my prayers came true at Lantau island. =P

For HKD19/RM8.55 per bowl, the ultra thin noodles (they named it "ramen") served in a sweet yet light broth with half an egg, perfectly-sliced & tender spiced beef shins, and garnished with some greens that I forgot the species. Delicious, and I drank most of the soup. In fact, Saint's Alp is well-known for their beverages, thus selecting one was rather tough. The Double Chocolate Blueberry (HKD24/RM10.80) came in a tall glass, with shaved/blended ice, and was just what I needed to counter the heat.

Location : SAINT's ALP TEAHOUSE @ G/F, 134, Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok.

Remember that song, Tsim Sha Tsui SUZY? =)

Then we went back for some well-deserved rest, and a short nap. Yeah, we STILL have time for naps, believe that? :) Then later in the evening, we proceeded to our next destination, the Avenue of Stars @ Tsim Sha Tsui.

To be continued ....

Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - The Mongkok Rush & Temple Street in Hong Kong

Continuation from Day Two in Macau ....

For a satisfying, yet cheap breakfast, look for McCafe @ McDonald's, located at Largo do Senado

Just realised in my previous post on Macau, I skipped a supper meal at a noodle shop beside Leitaria I Son (Yishun Milk Company) at Largo do Senado. It was not intended, of course, but in someway, I'm pretty glad the 'ordeal' was over. The food was really BAD (we ordered Char Siew Noodles, Wanton Noodles, and Cheong Fun with PEANUT sauce), and pricey to boot, adding salt to the wounds. Remember, avoid that noodle shop beside Yishun, AT ALL COST.

That minor flaw aside, the next morning we decided to give McDonald's in Macau a try. The breakfast sets on offer are aplenty, though no doubt intimidating narrowing down your choices while standing at the counter, no thanks to our harrowing experience with the customs and the airport staff at Macau. But we were pleasantly surprised at the courtesy level of the staff manning the counter, and the supervisor welcoming & ushering the patrons. A sigh of relief, breathing some hope to Macau's hospitality gauge?

A pancakes (hot cakes' their term), chicken sausage (a meat patty) and milk tea set cost MOP$18 (RM8.10), additional MOP$2 (RM0.90) if you wish to have your beverages cold. A Ham & Cheese Burger cost only MOP$8 (RM3.60), and quite tasty as the meat patty and cheese is nothing like the ones in Malaysia. Or I could be hungry. =P They have macaroni soup and grilled chicken set, at MOP$21 (RM9.45), simple, yet substantial.

Embarking on a journey to Hong Kong, by sea

We checked out from San Va Hospideria and proceeded to the ferry terminal at the peninsula itself by bus, number 3A (or number 3) for MOP$2.50/pax. But before that, we enquired about another hotel on the same street (Ruo de Felicidade) as San Va, as we'll be back the following weekend for another night's stay, before departing for Malaysia. The 2 nights spent at San Va was an unforgettable experience, to put it mildly. In reality, you can imagine sleeping in a microwave oven, and harassed by untoward incidents. But let's not digress.

Ferries to Hong Kong are at full service, with at least 3 companies providing the same service. You can even travel to some parts of China, such as Zhuhai or Shenzhen if you wish to. We took First Ferry in order to reach Tsim Sa Tsui ferry terminal in Kowloon. They depart every half hour, so long waits are unheard of. MOP$155 (RM70)/person.

Typical high-rise accomodation for Hongkies, especially in densely-populated areas, eg. Mongkok, and Tsim Sa Tsui.

In an hour, we arrived on Hong Kong's shores. Even though you're travelling between Macau-Hong Kong or the other way, you still need to pass through immigration, and submit your passport for stamping, as though you're entering another country. Which led to another bout of anxiety, as facing another custom officer may develop into custom-o-phobia, with hostility reigning supreme. But Hong Kong's a lot different from Macau. Though you're not given royal treatment, but the officers, and people in general, treat you like how they treat each other. THAT somehow made our day .... ^o^

We then took a taxi from the terminal to Mongkok, the area with the highest population density in Hong Kong. Total fare for four = HKD50 (RM22.50), as they include extra charges for our luggages.

One interesting note ; Every road looks nearly the same in Hong Kong, and hard to differentiate from each other, as the buildings, the signboards, & the people (duh) mimic those from the next street, or the one after.

Day and Night, Weekdays or Weekends, at every nook and corner, the never-ending seas of humans are mind-boggling.

As soon as we're dropped off somewhere nearby our accomodation on Argyle Street, we were astounded by the immense crowd at every turning, every shop and cafe, and the Hong Kong residents' (or maybe tourists') walking speed and pace of life was an eye-opener. Especially when crossing the roads, or at the MTR (Mass Transit Railway, Hong Kong's subway trains) stations, you'll be knocked off your feet had you been strolling haphazardly.

A residential block in Mongkok (Sincere House) where we stayed for five nights

Dragon Hostel @ Mongkok - Cheap, Clean & Impeccable Service with a Smile

We booked our room before we left Malaysia, as Dragon Hostel at 7/F of Sincere House on Argyle Street has been one of the most popular guesthouse in Hong Kong. The generally positive reviews on this place, and Min's recommendation somehow was reassuring. And we were glad, as the place was packed the instant we arrived ; throngs of foreigners checked in and all rooms were rented out on that day.

Basic amenities aside, free unlimited supply of boiled drinking water, fridge, and cable TV were some of the 'luxuries' we were able to enjoy

Our room for 4 cost HKD440 (RM198)/ night, a very reasonable sum considering this being Hong Kong, after all. But if you're expecting a suite with plenty of leg space, you're in for a culture shock. Just like the TVB dramas, space is a luxury, and the rooms are pretty small, but sufficient for the number of people staying. We had no qualms, as the room had air-conditioning, and an attached bathroom with hot shower. There are also a few shared bathrooms available for use, in case you're in 'emergency mode' while someone's using the loo. Spick and span, with clean bed, sheets and pillows, every night was a smooth drift to slumberland. ;)

Hou Yuen Restaurant @ 250-252, Sai Yeung Choi Street South

After some rest, and unpacking, we proceeded to Sai Yeung Choi Street South, and headed for lunch at Hou Yuen Restaurant, a famed restaurant-cum-cafe offering an admirable array of dishes and snacks, as well as set lunches and tea-time sets. One important advice when dining in Hong Kong, if you're looking for cheap options, go for lunch after 2 or 2.30pm, where the tea-time sets are on offer, and the crowd is thinner, thus killing 2 birds with 1 stone.

Clockwise from top left : Sweet & Sour Fish Set, Curry Pork Ribs Set, Special Pork Ribs in Big Bowl Rice, and Japanese style Chicken Thigh Set

The portions at Hou Yuen were astoundingly large. The rice for one can feed two, and they do not skimp on the ingredients as well. Especially noteworthy were the Special Pork Ribs (soft bones pork ribs) marinated in a special sweet gravy and the fish fillets cooked in sweet and sour sauce. Each set at HKD30 (RM13.50) which came with a drink (coffee/tea) and a bowl of soup. Another advice : If you DO NOT like evaporated or fresh milk in your tea, or despise overly milky flavour in your cup of beverage, stay away from HK's milk tea. But me being a tea fanatic, I'm obssessed with HK's version, and fell deeply in lurve with every cup at every corner. ;)

Colourful fishes on sale @ Goldfish Market on northern Tung Choi Street

Ladies' perennial obssession = Shopping. Where else but Tung Choi Street aka Ladies' Street?

Ornaments, souvenirs, clothings, bags, etc on display and sale

Mongkok is popular for a variety of reasons. Food, residential area, and of course, shopping. The few popular streets being Tung Choi Street (Ladies' Street), Fa Yuen Street (Sneakers' Street) and Sai Yeung Choi Street. If you can't find something here, you can still snack or indulge all you want, round the clock. Or indulge in people watching. But the diversity in the choices, options and brands available will definitely hit your mark, one way or another.

People flocking to G2000 Outlet?!!! ^O^

In Hong Kong, most people have the impression that shopping is a luxurious activity, paying premium price for something available back home for similar price. BUT some branded clothing lines have OUTLET-type stores, eg. G2000 and Esprit, whereby they're having warehouse sale all year round, heavily slashing the prices for off-season items. Wanna do comparison? A short sleeve workshirt at G2000 Outlet cost HKD59 (RM26.55), while long sleeve options start from HKD69-HKD150 (RM31-RM67.50). And the designs are no mere unwanteds, but rather sleek, stylish and fashionable, & some not even available in Malaysia. Esprit's T-shirts (for guys) start from HKD69 (RM31) onwards, and pants from HKD199 (RM89.55) onwards. A steal?

Their MTR system is impressive, with network reaching almost every corner of Hong Kong

After walking and shopping around, we dragged our feet back to our room. By the way, free internet service is available for tenants of Dragon Hostel. So we spent most of our rest time online, and checking on places to visit, as well as Malaysia's political turmoil.

Another useful word of advice; Once alighting in Hong Kong, it is highly advisable to purchase yourself an Octopus Card at any MTR station, for public transportation purposes, from MTR to buses and trams. Very, very useful, as you do not have to frantically dig in for coins while standing beside the impatient bus driver. Plus, with an Octopus Card, you're entitled to many offers and discounts on rides and entrance fees at certain attractions. One for HKD150 (RM67.50), where HKD100 is for use, and HKD50 is refundable deposit. You can refund any unused balance, though HKD7 (RM3.15) will be charged if the card is returned within 3 months (a minimal charge for tourists using the service)

Temple Street aka Men's Street - Peddlers doing brisk business and the infamous stretch of fortune tellers

At night, only two out of four of us went out due to some unforeseen circumstances. We took the MTR from Mongkok to Jordan station (HKD3.60/RM1.62). Walking around Temple Street and Parkes Street, we were slightly disappointed as there was nothing much to be seen, nothing outstanding compared to Ladies' Street and the likes.

Tai Leong Pat Kee Desserts House on Parkes Street

Initially planned to dine at Australian Dairy Company at Parkes Street, as their steamed milk and egg toasts received rave reviews. But luck was not on our side, as it was closed for 3 days. And the hawker/seafood fare on Temple Street was not too tempting, and attracted mostly foreigners. We were wary as tourist spots like these tend to over-charge. Ended up at a dessert outlet, Tai Leong Pat Kee, a quite famous brand in Hong Kong.

Walnut Soup and Steamed Egg Custard (Total : HKD18/RM8.10)

Their menu's extensive, as usual you have the boiled tong sui, the steamed milk or egg custard, the cold varieties, and much more. But all in Chinese. Fortunately, the boss was very very friendly, supplying recommendations, and catered to my incessant queries on almost all the items on the menu. Being thick-faced does help, I tell you. =P

The smooth, creamy yet not too sweet walnut soup's supposedly good for health, while the steamed egg custard was fragrant, smooth, and rich. But not too sweet as well. Satisfied, but still longing for more .... HOW?????!!!!

Hui Lau Shan Healthy Desserts

So we walked and we soldiered on, and reached a corner lot bearing the overly familiar moniker of Hui Lau Shan. Every visitor to Hong Kong MUST try their mango desserts at least once. Or so I was made to believe, judging from the never-ending rants on their desserts on the net. They have a lot of branches all over Hong Kong, hence not running into one is pure bad luck.

Mango Platter (HKD35/RM15.75)

The two of us ordered a Mango Platter to share, believing the portion to be large, but the dainty servings of each was slightly discouraging. The Mango Mochi with Fresh Slices of Mango was nothing special, the sticky outer layer enveloping a cube of mango but not as sweet as I'd prefer. The Mango Pudding with glutinous Rice Ball and Mangoes fared better, though the pudding here is more watery compared to our version in M'sia. The Mango Ice-Cream was served with strands of coconut jelly, a refreshing addition, as well as cubes of mangoes. As it was a Monday, our Platter was on offer (unknowingly, at first), and cost only HKD30/RM13.50.

The night scene at Nathan Road, the main road in Kowloon

After the desserts galore, we trudged back to our room. Bearing in mind Dragon Hostel on Argyle Street can't be too far off, as from the map, it was only 2 MTR stations away. But were we wrong. The walk took us nearly half an hour. And we were huffing and puffing away, but the beautiful night scenery helped in reducing our torture. The weather was horrendously hot.

Lok Yuen Beef Ball King @ G/F, Shop 2, 138-144, Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mong Kok, Kowloon

As soon as we were back, supper was on our mind. TallGal joined us then, for another round of gluttony before we surrendered to the night. Lok Yuen Beef Ball King has 3 outlets in Kowloon alone, one on Sai Yeung Choi Street South, another on G/F, 11, Fa Yuen Street, and another at G/F 45, Bute Street.

Suffice to say, their signature item is the beef ball. Half-expected to see a hollowed ball with soup or fillings, I was slightly disappointed as there was none, but instead my palate appeased by the springy, and flavourful beef balls. You can opt for their black pepper varieties. The beef briskets were pretty delicious as well, and you can choose from a variety of noodles to go along with the ingredients. But the Honey Pomelo Drink was a welcoming change from the usual beverage, and not one you can easily find in Malaysia. Supper for HKD67/RM30.15 including 2 bowls of noodles, and 2 drinks. Aaaahhh .... Blissful.

Argyle Centre @ Mongkok - Cheap ladies' clothings and accessories

After the satisfying supper, we leisurely adjourned to our room, fairly fatigued, yet our senses thoroughly stimulated by the day's experience ...

Next day's itinerary : Lantau Island & Avenue of Stars

Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - The Ruins of St.Paul, Taipa Village, The Venetian & More Glorious Macau Food

Continuation from Day One in Macau ....

Wong Chi Kei Noodles - A brand to be trusted for wanton noodles?

The previous day's SEVEN hours journey (3 hours by bus, 4 hours of flight) somehow took its toll on us, not to mention the hazy, cloudless, hot weather + the stagnant hot air in our air-condless room.

Clockwise from top left : Tam Tam Meen (Noodles with spicy minced meat), Chicken Noodle Soup, Pork Chop Bun, and Butter Cream Toast

Waking up at early hours was not tough, as it signified the start of a long, long journey ahead. The sun rises at earlier hours compared to Malaysia. Probably the more "eastern" coordinate? Breakfast was easy, as we walked to Largo do Senado and looked for Wong Chi Kei Congee & Noodles, a trusted name since 1946 (or so they claim). They have a total of four outlets in Macau and Hong Kong.

The noodles is of decent quality, though the previous night's dinner at Cheong Kei fared slightly better. The Pork Chop Bun, a Macau specialty (there's another at Taipa Village, which triggers hysteria & fanaticism, with queues from 45mins-1 hour or more at a cafe named Tai Lee Loi Kee) was not too impressive, slightly dry but still flavoursome. A notch better than Malaysia's HK-style cafe's offerings. The toast was disappointingly mediocre. All for MOP$63 (RM28.35).

Address : 17, Largo do Senado, Macau.

Branches at : (No. 51 r/c, Ruo Cinco de Outubro, Macau), (G/F 15B, Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong), and (Shop 6P051, Skyplaza Hong Kong International Airport Chek Lap Kok)

Various shots of Largo do Senado at daytime

Love ... immortalized?

The Ruins of St Paul (Tai San Pa in Chinese) - The definitive landmark of Macau

After breakfast, we walked around Largo do Senado a bit, savouring the sights and sounds while clicking away. One interesting note is that, Sundays in Macau = Holidays for maids. Therefore, you'll notice the number of maids (not sure if they're Filipino though, but looks like it) running around town, mingling with each other, and hanging around the square, fully maximizing their day off.

We reached the Ruins of St. Paul's, the landmark of Macau, and a must-visit for tourists to Macau. It's merely a few minutes walk from Largo do Senado, therefore reaching there was not a hassle.

Now a shadow of its former glorious self, the Cathedral of St.Paul's, built in the 17th century

Random shots at Museum of Macau, and Fortress Armourial Gate around the Ruins of St.Paul's

If you're having the impression that visiting the dilapitated & rundown Ruins promises nothing but mere photography moments, you're half right, and half wrong. Right in the sense that, yes, it's indeed a great spot for trigger-happy (camera-wise, I meant) aficionados, but around the Ruins, you'll also be able to learn about the historical background of Macau at Museu de Macau, witness the war-torn Fortress Armourial Gate in all its glory, and relish the greeneries (albeit scarcely scattered) at the garden next to the Ruins. There's also a Crypt and a Museum of Sacred Art located underground, which was slightly creepy.

Goodbye seas of people ....

Inside of the Lou Kau Mansion, built in 1889, owned by the Lou family, a heritage building with its authenticity preserved quite astoundingly.

SNACKS time! Cafe E.S.Kimo - Green Tea with Milk and Tapioca Pearls, and Lemon Cello Gelato's trademark lemon cello flavour

People were queuing up for some thirst-quenchers at Cafe E.S.Kimo at Largo do Senado. And we did not lose out. The large plastic cups of their famous Milk Tea with Milk & Tapioca Pearls were selling like hot cakes (or cold drinks) on a sunny, scorching day. For MOP$10 (RM4.50) per cup, it was well worth the queue, as my Green Tea with Milk and chewy pearls was perfect to counter the loss in water and electrolytes from all the walking. =)

Lemon Cello Gelato, also situated at the square is famous for their brand of healthy Italian style ice-cream, or famously known as gelato. Opened since 2005, it is at a small lane near to Lou Kau Mansion, which is near to a small fountain. Sorry, my bad for lack of directional skills. At MOP$20 (RM9) per scoop, the gelato certainly doesn't come cheap, but the variety of funky flavours (from Durian to Mango, and Chilli Chocolate to Strawberry) and the healthier choice made up for the price paid.

We then walked to Margaret's Cafe e Nata, famous for Portuguese egg tarts, a Macau's specialty. But wait for it at the end of the post .... =P

Ruo do Cunha (Koon Yeh Kai in Chinese) - Durian Ice Cream & Serradura from Gelatina Mok Yi Kei, & Tau Fu Fah from a stall at a backlane named Ruo des Clerigos

We then proceeded to Grand Lisboa Casino, at the southern end of Macau peninsula. Macau's separated into different sections, FYI. There's Macau peninsula, Taipa Islands and Coloane Islands separated from the peninsula by a few bridges. Getting from the peninsula to the islands is easy, taking bus No. 33 (that we know of) for MOP$3.30 (RM1.50) to cross over.

We stopped at Ruo do Cunha, a tourist street with various restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and bakeries. Gelatina Mok Yi Kei at a corner was swarmed with patrons, gleefully digging into small cups of desserts, from puddings to ice-cream. But their signature Durian Ice-Cream is in a class of its own, VERY creamy and rich, extremely fragrant (or smelly, depending if you're for/against durians) and you can even see the fibres of durian flesh in the confectionery. Another must-try dessert in Macau is the signature Serradura (or the aptly named Sawdust Pudding), a creamy concoction of cream and condensed milk topped with smooth shavings of cookie crumbs. Total for both cups? MOP$19 (RM8.55) only. But the serving's pretty stingy.

Ruo do Cunha's Famous Souvenir Shop ... at a corner of Largo Sanches Miranda, with a red flag written MACAU STAMPS

If you're bogged by friends, relatives, family members, or even colleagues on some souvenirs, you can get them here at this shop (forgot the name, but it's along Ruo do Cunha). The proprietor proudly claimed that most of Macau's souvenirs, from key chains to fridge magnets, and funkier stuff like the Portuguese chicken ornaments and postcards are HIS creation, and he sells them wholesale to other outlets. Wow, bragging rights? ^_^

Then we walked all the way, from Taipa Village to The Venetian, a newly-opened extraordinaire of a casino/resort/hotel situated at the Cotai Strip in Macau, giving Las Vegas a run for its money. But owned by the famous Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the puzzle's falling into place, no?

You're literally transformed into another world inside of the third largest building in the world

Magnificient structures, painstakingly crafted backdrop, and houses various retail outlets and restaurants, a full day tour in the Venetian does NOT sound ridiculous at all !!!

One of the biggest casino in the world, if not THE biggest, The Venetian prides itself as the pioneer of GRAND casino in Macau, plus an astounding 3000 suites for accomodation purposes. There's also an arena for international concerts, and you can bet your bottom dollar artistes from all over the world are flocking to the Venetian to perform. And since July 2008, Cirque du Soleil is performing ZAIA on a permanent basis, a 90 minute mega production at a dedicated theatre.

The Crab Porridge, Mace & Squid Balls, and Lotus Leaf Chicken at Seng Cheong

To get to the Venetian, take a shortcut at the bus stop where you first alighted at the beginning of Ruo do Cunha. The stairs leading up at Escada Do Coxo will take you to Venetian within 15-20 minutes walk. For an early dinner, we took a queue number for a taste of Crab Porridge at Seng Cheong at Ruo do Cunha.

The place is densely packed during peak hours, therefore either go for an early dinner, or a very late dinner. The crab porridge is served in BIG or SMALL portion. We were stumped, as our BIG portion arrived with one solitary crab. Hmm, if we chose the SMALL serving, will the crab be cut in half? We wondered. The porridge was very sweet from the crab's roes and essence, but too diluted for our palates. The Fried Mace and Squid Balls dipped inthe black vinegar were yummy, very densely-packed balls of goodness, with springy texture. The chicken cooked in lotus leaf was nothing to shout about though. Total damage? MOP$237 (RM106.70).

Green, green grass of green homes?

After dinner we strolled along the banks of the Macanese houses, a popular spot for movies and dramas. I'm sure you would have noticed this stretch in Return of the Cuckoo, a TVB drama some time ago starring Julian Cheung and Charmaine Sheh.

The lively, dazzling array of lights dancing around the "Houses of Sins" ...

We took a bus back to Avenida al Almeida Ribeiro/Sun Ma Lou and refreshed our sticky/sweaty selves in San Va Hotel. Then we went for a walk later in the night, right until the border of the peninsula, basking in the spectacularly vibrant and lively stretch of casinoes along the main road.

Casino Lisboa - A Classic in its own Rights

We witnessed some dazzling display of fireworks near the Macau Tower, as the International Fireworks Competition was being held during the weekends. A brilliant and grande way to end the day ....

Margaret's Cafe e Nata - A hidden gem, but not a secret anymore?

As I've promised, a shot of Margaret's cafe somewhere at a backlane, off Avenida de D. Joao IV. From a main crossroads with traffic lights before you reach Grand Lisboa casino, coming from Largo do Senado's direction, you'll notice the small signboard pointing to this cafe on your left. If lost, ask the locals. IF, they're friendly enough to care ....

Delightful, smooth and creamy Portuguese Egg Tart (MOP$7/RM3.20)

Margaret's popular for a reason. Their Portuguese egg tarts are quality material. Flaky pastry, enveloping a smooth, creamy, and milky filling of slightly burnt egg custard, you've gotta try them at least once. But actually, Baker's Cottage's Portuguese egg tart remains my preference, maybe I've an aversion to anything richer in milk.

So ends the second day of my Macau adventure ... The next post? My Macau to Hong Kong transition. Finally. =)

Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Rude-o-Macanese? (PART 1)

So starts the beginning of a long, long story .....

From Malaysia with Love .... To Macau, hostility reigns supreme?!

Air Asia was running a low fare promo back in July, with fares from LCCT, Kuala Lumpur to Macau from RM30 onwards (of course, you can NEVER believe the fare advertised, as they exclude the fuel surcharge and airport tax ... gimmicky & misleading, as usual). But still, total two-way fare including everything amounted to RM350 per person only. Yup, dirt cheap for a 4 hours flight in a cramped-to-the-maximum cabin, with leg space smaller than most express buses. But I ain't complaining, as back then RM350 can probably get you on a domestic flight only.

From Ipoh to LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) we departed on a Yoyo Express Bus from Bercham, Ipoh, directly to our destination. RM42 for one-way, but RM80 for two-ways. Arriving roughly 2 hours before flight departure, we had lunch at LCCT's Food Garden, a food court serving reasonably-priced dishes. A plate of nasi lemak with sambal anchovies, and fried chicken cost RM5.50 only. A steal, considering this being airport food after all.

Air Asia expanded their in-flight menu, but the cheapest food (eg. roti canai, roti jala) will set you back at RM5-6 each, while nasi lemak, nasi briyani and nasi goreng will cost you RM8-9. And the cheapest drink being a bottle of mineral water for RM4 doesn't help much either, as you're restricted from carrying your own bottle of water on board.

Anyway, one major advantage of taking Air Asia flights (other than the price) is punctuality. Credit must be given where it's due, and Air Asia earned its stripes as their flights are seldom delayed. Ours arrived exactly as scheduled, at around 5.30pm in Macau International Airport. I expected cloudy and rainy weather as it's autumn after all. But was dismayed to notice the hazy surrounding, and hot & humid weather.

Forlorn weather aside, the extremely rude custom officer (a plump Chinese guy wearing specs by the name of Chong) was disheartening, evoking anger at the most inappropriate time. But of course, no one's gonna spoil MY getaway, and I retaliated sarcastically. =P

Then things started to get worse. Realizing we did not have any small change for bus fare, we decided to change some notes at the Foreign Exchange counter, but failed. The moderately rude lady flicked us off. The bank was closed (it was 6pm, after all). I approached the information counter, but the generally rude lady was happily chatting on the phone. Fortunately, a friendlier-than-the-others lady manning a tour booth was kind enough to change some coins for us. Thank goodness ... Remember, GET SOME SMALL CHANGE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE IN MACAU, IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE THE BUS.

Then we took the Airport Bus (AP1) to the ferry terminal for MOP$3.30 (RM1.50) each + MOP$3.00 (RM1.35) for each baggage you're carrying. At the ferry terminal, we changed to bus number 3 (or 3A) to Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro (known as Sun Ma Lou in Chinese), one of the main road in Macau peninsula.

Classical decor of San Va Hotel, with a hauntingly ancient setting

We booked our 'hotel' online before we embarked on our journey. Hotels in Macau are pretty pricey, and the cheaper ones either you've to book through phone, or walk-in, as they do not cater to internet booking. But San Va Hospideria at Rua de Felicidade was different. The rate was cheap, at only MOP$120/room for two (non-peak period), but we paid MOP$220 (RM99) as that weekend was Mid-Autumn Festival, therefore an additional MOP$100 was required as surcharge. Still cheap, right?

But beware ... if you're going during summer, or hot weather, be prepared to sweat it out. The place was hot, humid & stuffy, but clean and screamed nostalgia in every sense of the word. No attached bathrooms, but instead two shared bathrooms for all the occupants. And you get free-flow supply of drinking water. Had it not been the extremely hot condition, we wouldn't have lamented and suffered for 2 nights straight.

Cheong Kei Noodles at No. 68, Rua de Felicidade

After a soothing, cold shower, we went for a late dinner downstairs. Cheong Kei Noodles is situated a few shops away from our San Va Hotel, and was our stop for dinner.

Clockwise from top left : Har Ji Meen (Dry Shrimp Roe Noodles), Sui Kow Meen (Noodles with Dumplings), Mace Balls Noodles, and Beef Brisket Noodles

All's forgiven when the dinner passed with flying colours. Somehow the noodles served in Hong Kong and Macau is slightly different from our wantan noodles. Thinner strands, but springy (QQ) texture scored well in our books. But the portion at Cheong Kei was surprisingly small, in comparison to most of Hong Kong's offerings. Their signature dish? The Har Ji Meen and their Mace Balls (Ling Yu). Total = MOP$63 (RM28.35).

The lively atmosphere at Largo de Senado (Senado Square)

Notice the Haagen Dazs outlet? Their ice-cream is nearly double the price of M'sia's ...

As it was the night before Mid-Autumn Festival (the 15th of the 8th month in Lunar calendar), we strolled around Largo de Senado, or Senado Square, savouring the sights, and embraced the sea of people hanging around the area. But the hotter than Malaysian weather was unforgiving. So, we went for desserts at Leitaria I Son, or Yishun Milk Company, as it is widely recognized in Hong Kong.

Look for the COW @ Leitaria I Son (Yishun)

Double Steamed Milk Custard (MOP$16/RM7.20) and Steamed Egg Custard (MOP$12/RM5.40)

Double Steamed Milk Custard with Red Beans (MOP$18/RM8.10)

Yishun is famous for its long,long standing history of serving 'Siong Pei Lai', or Double Steamed Milk Custard, a delicacy loved by the Chinese in Hong Kong and Macau. Why we do not have one here in Malaysia? I still do not know. But Yishun's steamed milk and egg custards are in a class of their own. Very smooth, you can have them cold or hot. A MUST-TRY in Macau.

One thing to notice though, if you're preparing to share the food, you're in for a shock. Those not ordering anything will have to pay a minimal sum (around MOP$10) for taking up their seats. The 4 of us were forced to order at least 3 items. Not only inMacau, but in most cafe and restaurants in Hong Kong as well. Guess space's a highly prized possession?

The long, and deserted path back to our 'ovens' ...

After supper, we were trudging along the path back to San Va, braving the heat and the fatigue ... Til the morning comes, Good Night ....

Motormouth's BACK from Hong Kong/Macau trip ... & Darn Exhausted !!!

Here's the complete posts, day by day :

Day ONE - Arriving in Macau (Largo do Senado, Yishun Milk Company, Rude Macanese)
Day TWO - St. Paul's Ruins, The Venetian, Taipa Village, Margaret's Portuguese Egg Tarts
Day THREE - Arriving in Hong Kong (Mong Kok, Temple Street, Hui Lau Shan Desserts)
Day FOUR (Part 1) - Lantau Island & Kam Wah Cafe's Polo Bun
Day FOUR (Part 2) - Avenue of Stars & Symphony of Lights
Day FIVE (Part 1) - Dimsum @ Lin Heung Tea House, Central & Golden Bauhinia Square
Day FIVE (Part 2) - Madame Tussauds Wax Museum @ THE PEAK
Day SIX (Part 1) - A Day's Out in Ocean Park
Day SIX (Part 2) - Mong Kok's Street Food and Red Ant Baked Rice
Day SEVEN (Part 1) - Shopping in Shatin
Day SEVEN (Part 2) - Lan Kwai Fong's Buzzing Nightlife, Tai Cheong's Egg Tarts, and Tsim Chai Kee Noodles
Day EIGHT (Part 1) - Last Day in Hong Kong (Soy Milk + You Tiao for Breakfast?)
Day EIGHT (Part 2)/Day NINE - Goodbye MACAU (DUMBO Portuguese Restaurant, Ruins of St Paul & Largo do Senado at night)

Vibrant & Lively City of Hong Kong

Thanks to those who dropped by, and dropping brickbatz while I was away to Hong Kong/Macau for a well-deserved break. The monotony of work has gotten the better of me. HK & Macau were HOT !!! Literally. The weather was scorching on most days, with slight rain on only 2 occasions. And we naively thought autumn breeze would welcomed us ...

MTR Stations

MACAU - Noodles for all occasions (Cheong Kei) and McCafe/McD's Pancakes

MACAU - Famous Pork Chop Bun, Crab Porridge (Seng Cheong) & Tau Fu Fah

MACAU - Margaret's Portuguese Egg Tarts, Lemon Cello Gelato, Yishun's Steamed Milk (with/without red beans) and Serradura & Durian Ice Cream (Gelatina Mok Yi Kei)

HONG KONG - Delicious Chinese dishes

HONG KONG - Authentic Dim Sum for the masses

HONG KONG - The epitome of street food, Stinky Tofu & friends ...

HONG KONG - Typical Breakfast Menu

HONG KONG - Sweet temptations to tease your tastebuds ...

For the time being, I can only post so much .... Savour the delightful gastronomic fare from HK/Macau for many more days to come. =P

Of course, I'll post on the attractions, the accomodation, the places of interests, the shopping fiesta, and most importantly, MY experience throughout the 9 days, 8 nights getaway. Stay tuned !!! ;)

Dong Bei Restaurant @ Pudu, Kuala Lumpur

080808 spelled one of the greatest achievement ever for China, further boosting the country's status in the eyes of the world. I'm of course referring to the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Millions have been spent on perfecting the biggest sporting spectacle in the world, held every 4 years. Being elected as host country basically equals fame, fortune, and bragging rights for generations to come.

Though this post may come a little too late, but promoting China's delicacies is no doubt a never ending venture. Thus, I was ecstatic when Jason invited me over to join him for a food review session at Dong Bei Restaurant in Pudu.

According to the proprietor's daughter, who was the one running the shop with her family, they hailed from China, and Dong Bei is one of the pioneer Chinese restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. This restaurant is situated among a whole stretch of Chinese restaurants, serving an array of Chinese cuisine of different origins, from Szechuan to Teochew food. Dong Bei is literally translated to East-North, referring to a region in Northern part of China, or better known as Manchuria (the old name).

She explained to us (or rather, warned us) to brace ourselves for the slightly spicier than normal Chinese fare, resembling Szechuan's offerings, but a notch below (thankfully!), in the Hot-o-Meter. This is because the province mentioned above experiences quite a cold climate, hence requiring the extra heat from all the chillies and peppercorns.

Refreshing, cooling herbal concoction promises to soothe the throat ... or douse the flame

Without further ado, the lady (girl?) placed two glasses of herbal drinks, most probably "Yeung Sam Sou" (a type of wild ginseng?) with red dates. Oh well, in preparation for the hot stuff?

Salad of raw beancurd strips with julienned cucumber and coriander

An appetizing amalgam of flavours, the salad consisted of tossed raw beancurd strips (imported from China, not available in Malaysia) with cucumber, and coriander as garnishing. No mayo was sighted (duh ... ) but some chilli oil with a faint hint of garlic was used to erm, lubricate the greens. A light and wholesome appetizer, with slight crunch, albeit oilier than your usual healthy salad.

Roasted (or stir-fried) pork ribs with salt and pepper

The small cutlets of spare ribs stir-fried with some red and green chillies, with adequate amount of chilli oil were savoury, but a little salty. And if you leave the meat to bask in the oily sauce, you're guaranteed to experience well-soaked ribs, bursting with chilli oil. Not spicy, no worries.

Wood Ear Fungus stir fried with carrots and spring onions

The wood ear fungus (Muk Yee) is imported from Northern China, and delivered a crunchier bite compared to local's produce. It was indeed true, and this simple vegetable dish was a delight to relish, crunchy and flavourful. My favourite dish of the evening. And what's more, NOT too oily to boot.

Ma Lat Chicken Wings

Szechuan food aficionados will swear by the Ma Lat chilli paste, an ultra spicy, tongue-numbing concoction of the hottest dried chillies and peppercorns imported from the Sichuan province. But at Dong Bei, the heat has been toned down, probably to deviate from the resemblance to Szechuan food.

But still, the Ma Lat chicken wings served in a big, simple steel bowl, came in a generous portion, definitely meant for sharing. The chicken meat was tender, and bursting with flavour, but the peppercorns and dried chillies combination may prove to be slightly intimidating to some. I can stand the spiciness, but I just can't stomach the greasiness. At the lower part of the dish, large bean sprouts and cucumber strips were drenched, and drowned in the spoonfuls of chilli oil. If you're one who avoids oily food, this may be the ultimate bane of a dish.

All in all, the spread reminded me a lot of Beijing's food. Especially when their signature dish, the "Water-Cooked Fish" (Sui Zhu Yue) is also widely and proudly served in most Beijing's restaurants. You'll be forgiven for thinking the fish is a humble dish cooked in soup, or water for that matter. But in reality, the fish is submerged with OIL, lots and lots of oil. The oil is supposed to maintain the smoothness of the flesh, and not meant to be drunk. But the sight of a whole fish "swimming" in oil will definitely deter a healthy eater. We were not served this dish, for a whole fish can feed a family of four.

They're opened for business everyday, from 12pm to 12am, EVEN on Chinese New Year. Imagine that. Sorry, no prices for the dishes, as the meal was FOC. Muahaha ... Thanks, Jason!

Location : 280, Changkat Thambi Dollah, Off Jln Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel No : 03-21487694.

Krua Samui Thai Restaurant @ Betong, Thailand

Still remember my Betong experience back in July 2008? OK, so I've posted on the place, the unbelievably cheap dimsum, the largest mailbox in Thailand, ex-communists' tunnel & hot spring, and Wat Phuttathiwat. But careless me have forgotten to recommend a restaurant serving authentic Thai dishes, at reasonably cheap prices as well. KRUA SAMUI RESTAURANT.

It was Auntie Yoong (the lady who helped us a lot throughout our stay in Betong) and her husband who recommended this place, and took the trouble to draw me a mini map + directions, as "Gettin-Lost-Easy" was probably scripted on my face.

You can choose to dine al fresco, but we did not. This IS Thailand after all, weather's hot and mosquitoes are on rampage ...

Situated a short distance from town centre (the Clock Tower roundabout being the referral point here), go north along Sukkayang Road, passing by rows of shops on both sides, until you reach a rather large petrol station on your left. The restaurant is situated on your right, but not by roadside, so do not speed.

Thai coconut juice (20 Baht = RM2)

Of course, do not expect air-conditioned restaurant with impeccable service, and top notch chef. No sirree, this restaurant is not pretentious, serving homestyle Thai fare, with a menu in Thai and Mandarin language only. Me=The Banana was having trouble ordering, but luckily Auntie Yoong wrote me some famous dishes (in Thai, no less) on a piece of paper. Muahaha ....

Clockwise from top left: Kerabu Chicken Feet (80 Baht), Stir-fried Kailan with Salted fish (80 baht), Fried Chicken (100 Baht) and Salted Egg Squids (80 Baht)

The kerabu chicken feet salad was a tangy, piquant, and appetizing mix of deboned chicken feet, tossed with lots of vege, and of course, bird's eye chilli. Perfect appetizer. The squids were surprisingly NOT batter-fried variety, but instead cooked in salted egg gravy. The squids were fresh, resulting in QQ texture, and less fishy taste. The fried chicken on the other hand, was so-so only. Serving's rather small, and I could not sample as much as I'd hoped to.

Black Pepper Pig's Intestines (80 baht)

I'm not really a fan of innards, so were the others. But Auntie Yoong and hubby was insisting that we should try the Black Pepper Pig's Intestines, and we believed them. Glad to say, our faith was properly placed. Small cuts of the innards, quite alike macaroni, and cleaned thoroughly, thus no nauseating taste commonly associated with un-clean intestines. And the black pepper covered any unpleasant flavour the intestines might have. Brilliant. Even those who stay away from innards agreed that this dish was very well cooked.

Special Sang Yue (Ikan Haruan) (300 Baht)

One of the must-try here is the Sang Yue (ikan haruan), not sure what it's called in English. The fish was deep-fried, then steamed in a metal plate resembling the shape of a fish. Some gravy was poured over, and then an extra bowl of the gravy was placed aside. We were told to periodically 'top-up' the sauce, to prevent the fish from 'drying'. Take note that the plate is continuously warmed with a small flame underneath. Our verdict? Nothing special. But at least the fish was not too fishy, and rather fresh. Sorry, it's been so long, I forgot what goes into the gravy. =P

The usual order - Tom Yum Soup (150 Baht)

And last but not least, what's a Thai meal without Tom Yum? If a Thai restaurant can't cook their Tom Yum well, they do NOT deserve any accolades, or recognition. Glad to say, Krua Samui's Tom Yum was very good. Spicy, sour and delightful concoction of seafood ingredients such as squids and prawns, thrown in with various vegetables and mushrooms, then boiled until the right temperature. Not overly spicy, but just right for our palates. Thumbs up!

Total damage : 1310 Baht/ RM131 for a meal for 12. A tough act to follow in Malaysia?

Din Tai Fung @ The Gardens, Midvalley

Din Tai Fung is fast becoming a household name in serving brilliant Shanghainese dishes, boosted by the growing trend of dining in cool and chic Chinese restaurants serving Xiu Long Bao and La Mian. With outlets in Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, China, USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Australia, it's probably time for Malaysians to relish the hype. And the number of Dragon-i, Canton-i, Crystal Jade and similar outlets had been steadily increasing in Malaysia taking the competition up a notch or two.

A typical scene come lunch hour @ Din Tai Fung, The Gardens

Having sampled other Xiu Long Bao in other outlets (such as THIS), I'm still searching for a really tasty version of the small dumplings. And glad to say, Din Tai Fung passed the test, with flying colours.

The accompanying supporting characters ...

Appetizer of crunchy, julienned wood ear fungus, red chillies, glass noodles and whatnots (RM2.00, yup, NOT complimentary)

The first and only outlet in Klang Valley, and Malaysia (correct me if I'm wrong), Din Tai Fung is located at the lower ground floor of The Gardens, Midvalley. The floor with Purple Cane, Nyonya Colors, and of course, Rak Thai.

Be sure to arrive early for lunch, else the queue might be a potential deterrent factor. On weekends and public holidays, you'll be lucky to find a seat come peak hours.

Drunken Chicken @ RM11.80

Of course, they serve not only XLB and LaMian (hand-pulled noodles), but various other Chinese dishes as well. One fine example being a cold appetizer in the form of 'Drunken Chicken'. True to its name, the cold cuts of chicken thigh exudes a hint of Chinese cooking wine aroma, enveloping the palate with a refreshing, yet strong aftertaste. Don't worry, the meat may look pink, but they're not raw. Crunchy, and light, this entree teases the palate for more to come.

Cha Jiang La Mian (Hand-pulled Noodles with Minced Pork & Beancurd) @ RM12.00

Foodie of the Day, my lunch companion, Mr T chose the La Mian for a substantial meal, as opposed to me who wished for something lighter, after a heavy breakfast of Bak Kut Teh. He had nothing but praises for the Cha Jiang La Mian. I wished I had sampled a few strands, but slight misfortune while chewing on the Drunken Chicken rendered me 'handicapped' from fully enjoying my meal. Shucks ...

And ladies & gentlemen, the acclaimed Xiu Long Bao !!!

If it's your first time here, I highly recommend their XLB, aka Mini Pork Dumplings with Soup, encased within folds after folds of thin skin, an important aspect when relishing these morsels of goodies. At Dragon-i, the fillings of pork meat was a tad dryer than Din Tai Fung's, and the skin was not as translucent/thin as I'd hoped for. But the XLB from Din Tai Fung was a step above the rest, as they say. And the soup was NOT of tongue-burning temperature, further enhancing the "one sip of soup, one bite of pork" experience. Dip them into the julienned ginger in vinegar sauce, and you'd secretly hope you're not sharing the portion. Hoard them all, baby ....

A shot of the Drunken Chicken - Culprit to a bleeding tongue =(

Savour them one bite at a time ... OR throw the whole dumpling into your mouth, feeling the squirts of sweet, yet savoury soup

A thoroughly satisfying experience. Will definitely be back for more, once I've tried everything (worth-trying, I might add) at The Gardens, possibly.

How 'Bout A Cuppa ORIGINAL Ipoh Old Town White Coffee? (Nam Heong Coffee Shop)

Look at how they literally 'pour' the fillings of egg custard into the moulded pastries?

Hot, fresh from the oven egg tarts overflowing with the fragrant egg-y custard

Funny how I'm working so near to Old Town famous stretch of white coffee outlets, yet I haven't blogged about Nam Heong, the TRUE origin of Old Town Kopitiam outlets, mushrooming everywhere.

Old Town Kopitiam is the brainchild of the erm, child to the proprietor of NamHeong. Look at how some simple marketing, and novel concept breeds fortune, and an admirable number of copycats. Lest I digress further, let's go back to the root of the "ragingly-infectious" kopitiam craze.

Hakka Mee with Yong Tau Foo

No doubt, in comparison to Sin Yoon Loong, the oldest coffee shop in Ipoh's Old Town serving their patented white coffee brew, Nam Heong's history does not run that deep. Situated directly opposite Sin Yoon Loong, the obvious aim was of course, to compete in the mighty war of white coffee.

Many years ago, we were mighty pleased with the competition, for we did not have to scramble for seats in the permanently packed Sin Yoon Loong on weekends. And somehow, the quality of the white coffee in Nam Heong, as well as the variety & quality of food served was better than Sin Yoon Loong's, by a margin.

Char Kuey Teow

But somehow, the few recent visits, within these few years proved otherwise. Nam Heong's white coffee had gone from bad to worse, and could not even be classified as a frothy, rich, and aromatic cuppa, in the same line as SYL's or even Nam Chau's offerings. Pretty disappointing as owing to the popularity of Old Town Kopitiam outlets all over Malaysia, Nam Heong should've bucked up and fought for its brush of fame, but instead let success gone to its head and brewed some dismaying concoction masquerading as REAL white coffee.

An egg tart and a cup of hot white coffee - Perfect combination?

But of course, every eatery deserves a second, or third chance. And one fine evening, I managed to steal some precious time and crawled my way over to Nam Heong Coffee Shop, at Jalan Bandar Timah.

The declining popularity was obvious if you go on a weekday, when the crowd would be packing the opposite row of coffee shops, instead of cramming themselves into Nam Heong like the old days. But surprisingly, on this specific visit, I found the white coffee (hot, do NOT order iced version, as you'll be sorely disappointed at the diluted nothings) quite deserving of its old moniker, the KING of white coffee. Hot, frothy, milky white coffee in a white porcelain cup, paired with a hot plate of Char Kuey Teow (fried flat rice noodles with prawns, cockles and eggs), and a freshly baked egg tart with the still runny yet fragrant egg fillings, equals a satisfying meal.

The addictive beverage that started all the craze, and put Ipoh's name on world maps, in every sense of the word ...

There are various noodle stalls, and a stall selling kuih and chang (rice dumplings). But my preference for the Char Kuey Teow and egg tarts surpassed all the other temptations. But of course, the egg tart stall is manned and owned by Nam Heong as well, also serving some delicious Char Siew Sou (BBQ Pork Flaky Puff) and Dim Sum.

If you're wondering; How do I rate the white coffee in Nam Heong nowadays? I'd say it closes in behind of Sin Yoon Loong and Nam Chau. But somehow, my tastebuds are accustomed to Nam Chau's saltier, yet fragrant brew, and I've yet to find another worthwhile contender. Anyone? :)

Easy to locate - Opposite of a row of coffee shops serving white coffee, and the side of the shop's facing the 20-storeys flats in Old Town.

Hoong Wan Fish Noodles Soup @ Chemor

A short and simple post today ....

Situated right behind East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Chemor

Very up-to-date post, as today after toughing it out around Chemor and Jelapang area in Ipoh, me and KYT decided to have our simple & light lunch in Chemor town itself. The scorching hot weather did not help either, and the countless rounds we went searching for a "needle in a haystack" somehow rendered us hungrier than usual, and dizzy from all the gear-shifting.

KYT's bowl of thick vermicelli soup with homemade fish paste (yue wat)

I for one, never ventured to Chemor in search of good food all this while. Though I was made to understand that Chemor's banana leaf curry rice stands as a strong contender in any foodie's wishlist (Time Warper, mind to guide the way? =P).

Fortunately, KYT mentioned about his mum's previous positive endeavour at one of the restaurant in Chemor town, purportedly serving great noodle soup. Well, something light never hurts, true?

The crowd was somewhat reassuring, as situated at a backlane, directly behind East Ocean Seafood Restaurant (Tung Hoi, in Chinese), was unnerving to say the least. They serve plain noodle soup, or dry noodles, with their famous fish head, fish paste, fish maws (see a pattern here?), crabs (!), and so forth. There is a stall frying noodles as well.

Motormouth's bowl of fish maws and fish paste with thick vermicelli in soup

Once she asked for our choice of noodles, and rambled a looooong list of possible ingredient combinations, we both opted for thick vermicelli noodle, the springy type commonly used in fish head noodles. For ingredients-wise, KYT chose only fish paste (as he's wary of anything too fishy) while I opted for a combination of fish maws and fish paste. No crabs for me, as I'm on a tight budget. Hehehe ....

The broth was thick, and flavoursome, infused with the natural sweetness of the flesh and bones of the fish. Slightly thicker than your usual clear broth (ching tong), the soup was pleasantly devoid of fishy taste (even KYT agreed) and complemented the noodles well. The fish maws were slightly spongy after being soaked in the soup, and one piece of annoyingly reeking of overnight oily taste. Luckily, the fish paste (yue wat) fared much, much better, as they were springy (QQ), very tasty with slight peppery aroma, and generously served.

My bowl of noodles plus iced milk tea was charged at RM6.80, while KYT's noodles plus 100 Plus was RM5.10. Go figure .....

Location : Restoran Hoong Wan @ Directly behind East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Chemor town. Pretty easy to locate the restaurant. The address is 2, Jalan Silang, 31200 Chemor, Perak. (I think). If in doubt, ask the locals.

*** NOTICE ***: Motormouth will be gone for a week. Not for work, but for some much needed rest, relaxation and recreation. I've uploaded some scheduled posts periodically, to clear my backlog of food endeavours. Do drop your precious comments, and I'll get to them as soon as I'm back. Til then, tata !!!

Briyani Rice Set Lunch for RM7.90 @ Benaz Cafe, Old Town Ipoh

Opened in such a hurry, that they have yet to tear down the previous shop's sign

Lately, in the afternoon, the weather's unforgiving-ly hot & humid. We would rather have a simple lunch somewhere near to our workplace, rather than venturing far for some grubs. As luck would have it, I 'accidentally' overheard an Indian man promoting a spanking new restaurant/cafe occupying the previous Ice Ice Baby desserts cafe's lot. Come what may, we were eager to see what the fuss was all about.

Notice the unchanged decor from the previous cafe? - Not only the tables and chairs, but even the beverages counter AND the list of beverages served by Ice Ice Baby was still up there

Pleasantly surprised to see the aforementioned cafe transformed into Benaz Cafe aka Briyani House, serving Northern Indian fare. With the addition of this Indian restaurant to the mix, the array of cuisines in Old Town, Ipoh is represented by almost all ethnic groups, and international fare, save the Japanese and Korean cuisines.

Lassi (RM2.50) and Starfruit Juice (RM3)

Browsing the extensive menu was no breeze in the park. Plus the foreign sounding Indian dishes sans any descriptions added to the confusion. But the owner was one friendly Indian man, catering to every customer's needs and queries with flair. Yup, he was zipping in and out, preparing the drinks, taking orders, serving them, etc. Only at the end of the meal we were told that 2 waitresses did not show up for work that afternoon, leaving the waiting staff slightly handicapped.

KYT's Lassi was a creamy yoghurt drink, though slightly salty and an acquired taste for some. TallGal's Starfruit Juice was freshly squeezed (I think) however seemed slightly diluted (TallGal, true ah?). While my Kashmiri tea, well, did not arrive. Hahaha .... He was too busy and completely forgotten about my order. But it was all good, as everyone's served with a glass of warm water.

Briyani Rice

To lessen our worries or indecisiveness, he wisely recommended the Briyani Set Lunch, consisting of Nasi Briyani, Fish Masala, Palak Paneer, Vegetables in Yoghurt, Mint Sauce, Coconut Chutney, a plate of Mixed Vegetables and a plate of watermelon as desserts. Sounds like a lot eh? In reality, it was not so. The serving's dainty, yet sufficient for one.

Fish Masala, & various condiments & side dishes

Tastewise? The Briyani Rice was nothing spectacular, I've had better ones. But still the fluffy grains of rice cooked with spices paired well with the condiments and side dishes. The fish masala was a tad too sour, though appetizing, but somehow overwhelming. In fact, most of the side dishes were either sour, or slightly salty. Hmm ... And most side dishes incorporate raw onions, which I've no problem with, but if you're expecting someone important, or meeting client, better stay away from those stinkers !!!!

Palak Paneer (Spinach with Cream Cheese)

The saving grace came in the form of Palak Paneer. Slightly different from Pakeeza's (click HERE for previous raves and rants) version of mashed spinach with cottage cream cheese, the version served at Benaz's was swimming in curry-like gravy, and the spinach was chopped albeit not as finely as I'd like them to be. But the cottage cheese provided much relief, lending the dish a creamy texture and richer flavours.

The set lunch is priced at RM7.90 nett/person. Reasonable, as North Indian cuisine has not been known to be cheap. A re-visit's pending, as I'm curious to try the other dishes, and Gulab Jamun. =)

Location : Benaz Cafe (Briyani House) @ Jln Tun Sambanthan, next to Mixed Cuisine, and same row with Momo Steamboat, and Old Town Kopitiam. Facing Padang Ipoh, the place is rather easy to locate. Tel : 019-2823392/016-3956459.

Pork Noodles @ Zun Seng Fatt, Old Town, Ipoh

The wonders of Old Town, Ipoh : Unlimited resources for food. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. OK, maybe not dinner, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad. After working around here for one whole year, it still surprises me to find something new, and yet to try everything at every nook and corner.

Zun Seng Fatt

Situated next to Thean Chun, the shop famous for Ipoh's "Kai Si Hor Fun" or Chicken Kuey Teow, Zun Seng Fatt has been around for quite some time, probably longer than I've thought. But only 2 stalls are here, one serving erm, Kai Si Hor Fun as well, and another quite popular for its pork noodles soup.

Choose to either sit indoors, or embrace the tranquil surrounding at the back of the shop

KYT was the one introducing me to this shop, as his dad had been frequenting this noodle stall quite often, almost every weekend. But I'm no big fan of soupy noodles, therefore giving this stall a miss all this while. But one can only has so much curry noodles, or Kong Heng's popiah , or white coffee and toast before boredom sets in.

Lou Shu Fan with Minced Pork, and Pork Slices + Additional Egg (RM4.30)

Vermicelli with Minced Pork and Pork Slices (RM3.70)

What sets the noodle different from other stalls is the flavoursome broth, devoid of MSG, but instead with additional aroma from fried pork's lard, lots of scallions as garnishing, and the sweet & juicy pork. Of course, you can opt for innards and other cuts if desired. My bowl of Lou Shu Fan with additional egg thickened the soup, and provided quite a substantial meal on its own. What's more, it was a mere breakfast. Ended up we were still full right until lunch hours. =)

Can't finish your bowl of noodles? Count on the pigeons on this ....

Nothing beats a good cuppa (the coffee's pretty bad though, take note), and a piping hot bowl of soupy noodles to soothe the nerves, and jumpstart your day. Aaahhh ..... BLISS.

Location : Zun Seng Fatt Cafe @ Jln Bandar Timah, next to Thean Chun coffee shop (click HERE for previous post on the place)

Nippy Noodles @ Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur - Traditional Bamboo Noodles

Nippy Noodles - The media coverage can put some fancy restaurants to shame

How 'bout a KL post today? I'm feeling indecisive. The backlog of photos is a mess, and takes time to sort them all out. A simple post on a very traditional Chinese cuisine, egg noodles processed the ancient way, using bamboo and manual operation. You may have seen Ho Chak covering this restaurant sometime ago on 8TV.

A 'brief' history on Nippy Noodles and their signature homemade noodles

The noodle is no doubt the main attraction at this restaurant, supplemented by the supporting cast of wanton (pork/prawn dumplings), char siew (caramelised BBQ pork), siu cheong (herbed liver and pork sausage), siu yoke (roasted pork) and so forth.

They allocate a special room for the manufacturing of the noodles, in clear view of the patrons, a gimmicky yet interesting concept. Basically, as vulgar as this may sound, the chef making the raw noodles from the mixture of flour and egg (not just any eggs, but Omega 3 eggs, mind you) will ride on a HUGE & long bamboo ala piggybacking on a horse, and erm, bounce up and down while exerting pressure on the flour mixture.

BBQ Sliced Pork and Wanton Noodles (RM6.20)

The result? You'll get the most springy or QQ egg noodles you can ever find. Really. The noodles come in thinner strands than the one at the usual wanton mee stalls, and deliver an almost crunchy-like texture, teasing the palate for more after every slurp. Of course, serving's not that big, but should do with the accompaniments of BBQ sliced pork (char siew) and Wanton. The char siew was nothing to shout about, but the Wanton was another story altogether. If I remember correctly, other than the minced pork and prawn paste, they included crunchy carrots and some other vegetables, rendering the filling fragrant, and delivered a satisfying bite.

Herbed Liver & Pork Sausage + Wanton Noodles (RM6.20)

You can have practically all kinds of meat to go with your bowl of noodles, which you can choose to have them dry (tossed with some soy sauce) or wet (in clear broth). To fully savour the noodles amazing texture, go for the dry one, I'd recommend.

The Siu Cheong (Herbed Liver and Pork Sausage) is one of the rarer variety of roasted meat to be found in your everyday chicken rice stall nowadays. When I was small, I used to order them every time I had my meals at a chicken rice stall. Though the sausages at Nippy's were packed with flavours, but somehow the taste was not memorable, nor they demand another visit just for them.

I can have a bowl of the noodles sans the supporting characters, anyday ...

Their menu's pretty extensive, and I believe their wanton (dumpling) skin in soup is one of their more popular choice, and so is the sui kow (larger dumplings with meat and vegetables). Didn't realise Kuchai Lama's Entrepreneurs Park houses so many eateries. There are various outlets that caught my eyes, and I'll be sure to return for more. =)

Location : NIPPY NOODLES RESTAURANT @ No 25, Jln Kuchai Lama Maju 7, Entrepreneurs Park, Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, 58200 Kuala Lumpur. Tel No : 603-79821781.

OLIVENZ Cafe @ Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh - The Saving Grace?

The dismal affair at Sky Corner, nearly leaving a dent in our pockets, and a bitter taste in the mouth, we were still craving for food. REAL food to satiate our hunger, and rendered our outing meaningful, at least.

OLIVENZ Cafe

Another outlet that was recently opened for business, AND a pretty brisk one at that, is Olivenz Cafe, situated behind Yeolde English in Ipoh Garden East, at the shoplot formerly belonging to Question Mark Cafe. Why they're closed after so many years? Well, the name befits the riddle. I've only got ????? ... nothing more.

Jumbo Plated Sausage with Black Pepper Sauce and French Fries (RM11.90)

Ms V, my dining companion for the evening, was throwing compliments for this cafe, even while we were seated in the dreadful Sky Corner, all the while "swallowing" our sushi without much gusto. I mean, how joyful can it be, to be ushered from table to table, and served by un-appreciative and un-trained staff? *_*

As the meal was nothing but fillers for after dinner-cum-supper, we decided against going crazy with the orders. Hence, we picked the Jumbo Plated Sausages, as we firmly believed that sausages are still snacks, not mains. But were we wrong.

The JUMBO in the name probably dropped major hints, but we stood by our decisions. Two long, thick and delicious sausages (don't let your mind stray now ...) served with black pepper sauce on the side, with a choice of french fries, mashed potatoes, or potato wedges, and on a bed of vegetables underneath, balancing the calories with some fibres.

Desserts @ RM6.90

To appease the sweet tooth (or teeth), we went for some desserts. A few options only, mostly (if not all) incorporate ice-cream. Not to lament, as our choice (sorry, it's the second one on the list, I forgot the name) came with 2 large scoops of ice-cream, vanilla and chocolate flavours, and garnished with chopped nuts, raisins, and drizzled liberately with raspberry sauce and chocolate sauce. The sides of crispy waffle biscuits and chocolate cakes further enhanced the delightful experience, all the while had us gleaming with joy like small kids. =)

As if in a trance, the very next evening, I brought my family to Olivenz Cafe AGAIN, to try some of the other items in the menu I've been eyeing. Yeah ... probably should have asked for a discount card, but nvm ....

Iced Lemon Tea @ RM3.90

One thing I noticed about Olivenz is that, not only are their dishes served in BIG plates with LARGE portions, but their drinks came in awkwardly-shaped glasses and jars, and in generous servings as well. At a minimal price, nonetheless.

Japanese Fried Rice @ RM8.80

Mum ordered the fried rice, Japanese style, not knowing what's in store. The plate of rice arrived piping hot, each grain of rice glistening with oil (or it could be the lighting), beckoning us to scoop a spoonful and relish the LDL-raising culprit. Served with chunks of boneless chicken meat, marinated in a Japanese sauce (sorry, I only had a spoonful or two, couldn't taste the flavour much), and the fluffy grains of rice were fried to perfection. Yup, simple in presentation yet brimming with flavours, even my grandma gave her thumbs up. LOL.

German Sausages @ RM12.90

Dad picked the German Sausages, which arrived in a pair, served with mushroom sauce on the side. He picked mashed potatoes as accompaniment, and glad to say, the mashed potatoes are not the generic, canned-variety. And the brown sauce was awesome, really. The German sausage is different in terms of flavour, compared to the Jumbo Sausages I've had the night before. The heavier scent of herbs complemented the meat very well.

Ocean's Catch @ RM11.90

Grandma "A" chose the Ocean's Catch, pan-fried dory fillets with creamy sauce. To her surprise, the fillets of dory fish were piled up on a huge plate, on a bed of greens, and served with her choice of mashed potatoes. Gee, she can REALLY eat, as she managed to finish everything on her plate, except the potatoes. Guess it shows how good the fish was? I did not try, therefore I dare not pass judgment.

Fish & Chips @ RM11.90

Grandma "B" on the other hand, prefers her fish deep-fried with batter, thus ordered the fish & chips, a perennial favourite of hers and mum's. Two blocks of dory coated with a thin batter, deep-fried, and served with a wedge of lemon, mayonaise, and her ultimate favourite, FRENCH FRIES (yeah!) on the side. Or rather, underneath. Not to mention the salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. This one I personally burgled as I'm a huge fan of Fish & Chips as well. Crisp on the outside, and juicy yet fresh on the inside. What's important is the fillets were void of annoying muddy smell commonly associated with dory fish, or freshwater species.

A look at the BIG bowl of mashed potatoes

Red Wine Lamb @ RM12.90

What did I have? Hmm, the choices are aplenty, but not irritatingly confusing with endless options like many other outlets. There are chicken chops, steaks, lamb chops and cutlets, fish, sandwiches and burgers, pastas, snacks, and salads/soups.

The Red Wine Lamb sounded fantastic, a combination that MAY work wonders, hence it was my choice. And it was a choice I did not have to live regretting it. Chunks of lamb cuts with a subtle brown sauce, served on top of some greens, and my option of potato wedges. Lots of them, a heaven-sent for carbo-lovers. But the main attraction here is the side serving of brown sauce with red wine. Yes, you can really TASTE the liquor in the gravy. May be a put-off factor to some, but a different and novel way to complement the lamb chops. Delicious.

Total damage for 5 = RM70. No taxes, no surcharges. And free flow of iced or warm water, the instant you park yourself on the seats. The service was impeccable, the staff very friendly and patient, topping up your glass of water periodically, while refraining themselves from averting your attention or conversation with over-attentive service. Sky Corner, L-E-A-R-N !!!

Location : OLIVENZ Cafe @ 65, Jln Medan Ipoh 3, Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh, 31400 Ipoh, Perak.

Sky Corner @ Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh - The Hype That Was NOT Justified

With hype, comes expectations. With expectations set "SKY" high, eventually the hopes and dreams come crashing down. To the ground, and then some. Welcome to the REAL world.

Sushi King-cum-MP Steamboat?

Heavy publicity surrounding the recently opened SKY Corner at Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh ignited the interests of many (judging from the crowd yesterday evening), and sparked some hopes, as it was clearly stated in the flyers and a HUGE signboard opposite of Jusco, the ZERO price promotion (a brush off Air Asia's fame, perhaps?). What I had was a vague idea on the cuisine they serve, which was supposed to be Japanese and Chinese style steamboat, and teppanyaki (Japanese hot plate) soon to be added into the menu.

Choose to dine by the kaiten belt indoors, OR outdoors ~ al fresco style

Arriving at around 7pm on a Saturday, the place was rather crowded. As there were only two of us, we chose to sit on the outside, the weather being cooling after the heavy rain. But the staff ushering the patrons persuaded us to sit INSIDE instead, as the place is air-conditioned. OK, fine. Only to discover that each long table can accomodate up to 6 customers or more, with 3 hollow indents in the middle, obviously to fit 3 hot pots for steamboat.

One glance at the conveyor belt revealed their main attraction - The steamboat meal. Exactly how MP Steamboat (a popular branch of steamboat restaurants in Ipoh) serves them, on a kaiten belt, so you can choose your own ingredients from the comfort of your seats. But unlike MP where you can pick what you want and pay for only those, at SKY Corner, the theme is BUFFET-style steamboat, meaning eat-all-you-can. And we were startled at the price per person, a whopping RM29.80+ per pax !!!!!!!!!

You see, paying that much amount of money can net you large prawns or crabs in a seafood restaurants, or even in other steamboat outlets in Ipoh, you can stuff yourself silly for around RM20/pax only. Though at Sky Corner, you can choose from their erm, "extensive" range of sushi, and temaki, (14 types of sushi, and 10 types of rolls, more on that later) prepared fresh on the spot. Gee, how exciting.

I managed to survey the items on the conveyor belt thoroughly, and the choices was nothing to shout about. Though listed in the menu were 62 items, but the only noteworthy ones on the belt being slices of beef/fish/chicken, 'abalone' slices, tiny crabs, and small prawns. And the usual balls, vegetables, mushrooms, and yong tau foo.

The freshly, AND took-forever-to-prepare sushi

So we did the next best thing, and asked for ala carte dishes, in hopes of bento sets, teppanyaki, or even a simple plate of fried rice. Tough luck, we had. It seems they opened in such a rush, that the ONLY meal they serve for the time being is the buffet steamboat, and sushi/temaki at a promo price of RM3.50 per plate. Though deep in our hearts, we wanted to leave the place, but we soldiered on and ordered some sushi instead. And twiddled out thumbs. And then more twiddling ....

Until another waitress had the audacity to "usher" us (or rather, "halau" us) from our seats, stating that if we're not having the buffet steamboat, and there were only two of us, we MUST sit outside at the smaller tables instead. This, after all the commotion and trouble they went to arrange our cutleries and plates to accomodate our sushi orders. Reasons given? Oh, the staff who took our orders was a "NEW" staff, and she did not know about this hidden rule. Yeah right, the place was opened for less than a week or two, tell me who's the "OLD" staff then?

Still, as she was being apologetic, we concurred and moved as ordered, with tails between our legs. And then the wait for the sushi became relentless. Time was crawling by, and when I queried about the long wait, the waitress mentioned that there were only TWO chef manning the sushi counter, thus the wait may be longer. OK, fine. But one glance at the workers, all decked up in uniforms resembling Air Asia's colours, and you'd be forgiven if you wanna smack a staff or two. There were around 20 staff handling the place, and only TWO handling the sushi counter? The others were practically standing around, ushering people, rushing to customers once they arrived in hopes of attracting more and more ...

As for the food, forgettable. Though I admit the sushi and temaki were of better quality than Sushi King's (then again, since when Sushi King serves GOOD sushi?) One major gripe was the soy sauce provided was not of the Japanese shoyu variety, but the local one meant for steamboat. This rendered the dipping sauce saltier than desired, and the wasabi was SHOCKINGLY TASTELESS !!! I scooped a spoonful into my mouth, and yet my eyes did not water. Huh? I like mine hot, please!

Total damage for two = RM25, drinks are free-flow, and FOC, fortunately. But the overall experience was more damaging to the souls, rather than the palate. Still that virginal visit provided us with much laughter and a lesson to be learnt - Do Not Believe The Hype Blindly. And the management of Sky Corner should buck up in terms of customer service. You are charging 5% Service Charge, after all.

Location : Sky Corner @ 46, Jalan Medan Ipoh 5, Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh, 31400 Ipoh. Tel : 05-5452623.

Capri Italian Cuisine @ Lumut, and Ayer Tawar's Gong Pian

Do you realise the recent dearth in outstation posts? As in food from Perak's rural areas, outskirts, smaller towns, undeveloped lands, etc .... ? Don't we all LURVE some authentic, home-style cooking, that's not only cheap, but filling?

That's a real ship out there ... wonder what's the purpose though

Last week, work took us to Manjung district, from Ayer Tawar to Seri Manjung, and then towards Sitiawan and finally Lumut. All within a span of few hours. We are workaholics, don't "pray pray" .... =P

Italian cuisine in LUMUT?!

Lumut is a small town to the south of Perak, on the western side. Previously overshadowed by Pangkor Island, the famous tourist destination in Perak, Lumut has been developing well, with a sleek and modern port, and a water front resembling Johor Bahru's Danga Bay.

Memories of visiting Lumut in the past revealed a few notable gems, particularly the nasi kandar, and walking around town, savouring the sights and sounds.

Bistro style dining, with a bar and bottles of liquor on display

Once our work was done, the sight of a new restaurant/cafe at a backlane was enticing, and with my favourite Italian fare all printed on the awning, FCOE and Tall Gal were dragged (willingly, I might add) to an early lunch at CAPRI Restaurant (Ristorante-cum-Bar-cum-Pizzeria).

Lemon Juice @ RM6

Still reeling from the heavy breakfast, we opted for something lighter, to prevent from being bloated and floating off like balloons. The Lemon Juice had a very faint hint of citrus-y lemon fragrance, slightly fizzy, but not tangy enough. And marred by the lack of sweetness, the drink was far from satisfactory.

Salmon Fettucine @ RM21

There were more than 10 types of pasta on the menu, and the one that caught my attention was the Salmon Fettucine. Probably stemming from my Italiannie's experience, fettucine with salmon in creamy tomato sauce sounded too heavenly to resist.

But major mistake was made. Or maybe I set my expectations too high. The pasta was far from al dente, slightly soggy, and the sauce was short of creamy. Cubes of salmon were thankfully present, but the non-existence of tomatoes somehow spoiled the overall experience.

Pizza Marinara @ RM29

A whopping 16 varieties of pizzas were enlisted on the menu, and making a decision was tough. But FCOE being a non-beef eater somewhat made things easier. So, seafood's the way to go.

Prawns, Squids, Mussels. And with some eenie-weenie bits of cheese and tomato paste. That was all to it. From the appearance alone, you can judge the sparsely added ingredients. You can even count the prawns (all 4 of them), the squids (pitiful 5-6 pieces) and mussels (less than 6), and the very thin layer of mozzarella rendered the cheesy (or rather, the lack of) experience less than stellar. The dough was tough, rather than light and chewy. Gee, I'd stick to my Pizza Hut if REAL Italian pizzas are like this one.

Tabasco sauce was not enough to save the pizza, therefore we requested for extra parmesan shavings. And guess what? Shavings' all we got. On a small plate. With a small spoon, probably masquerading as caviar on a plate? Never realised parmesan's THAT exclusive.

Tiramisu @ RM11

Fortunately, all's not lost. The dessert came in the form of Tiramisu, perennial Italian dessert, bound to satiate that sweet tooth's cravings. Soft, fluffy, with a hint of liquor, the cake was served with a dollop of fresh cream on the side. No idea what it was doing there, but the addition of the spoonfuls of cream to the tiramisu neutralized the bitterness tone. Though not among the best out there, but still bearable, after the abyssmal mains.

Total damage for 3 = RM73.70, including 5% service charge and 5% gov tax. Will we return? NOPE, definitely. Muahaha ...

Location : CAPRI @ 4174, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 32200 Lumut, Perak. Tel : 05-683 3112.

Another round of Gong Pian?

Remember I raved bout Sitiawan's Gong Pian? Seems Ayer Tawar also has its own following.

The abundance of sesame seeds on the biscuits @ RM1 each

Of course, if you're eating these biscuits, preferably, have them HOT from the oven. When cold, the biscuits are tough, and chewy. I chose the ones with pork and onions, at only RM1 each. In comparison, I'd say a step below Sitiawan's version.

Ching Chin Koi @ Ayer Tawar

Location : Ching Chin Koi Restaurant @ 249, Main Road, Ayer Tawar, Perak. They were selling these in the evenings, so go for them in the afternoon-evenings I guess?

As Different As Night & Day @ SS2, Petaling Jaya

~~ DAY - THE SAVOURY~~

Sorry, the glass counter was in the way of the friendly & handsome boss ....

Hot, freshly deep-fried curry puffs with potatoes and chicken @ RM1.30 each

Remember the name ... HOCK SENG TWO @ SS2

HOMI Chicken Curry Puffs @ Restoran Hock Seng Two, a corner lot in the same row as Loong Seng Dim Sum Restaurant. Click HERE for previous post and location.

~~ NIGHT - THE SWEET~~

Honeydew Loh (RM5.50) - With balls of honeydew, and thousands of sago pearls over finely shaved ice

Rose-Flavoured Longan Drink (or something like that ... =P) - Refreshing, cooling and aromatic

KTZ aka Kei Tuck Sek @ SS2 - The Ultimate Desserts and Snacks House.

In conclusion? SS2 never ceases to amaze or impress when it comes to good food. Be it day or night, dawn or dusk, there's food at EVERY corner, bound to satisfy .....

Is Your Heart Touched? (The Dim Sum from Hong Kee & Loong Seng)

~~ HONG KEE TIM SUM @ PANDAN INDAH, KUALA LUMPUR ~~

Let's drool at what KL has to offer, for today's post. Hong Kee Tim Sum generated ripples and waves among the dimsum-loving community (floggers alike) with branches opening everywhere in Klang Valley. Recently (or as recent as I remembered, this being a June experience anyway), Hong Kee started business in Pandan Indah as well, a densed area with so many restaurants, cafes and good food, it's impossible for the residents to starve and lament there's nothing to eat. No joke.

Some steamed delights .... Siew Mai, Xiu Long Bao and Har Kao

Me being a traditional dimsum lover, orders the basic stuff whenever it's my 1st time. And I've a lot of firsts. Hehe ... Anyway, the baskets of dumplings came with shockingly humongous morsels of goodies, begging to be devoured. Compared to even Ipoh's offerings, the sizes of these 'little giants' was impressive.

But when it come to the taste, erm, a ho-hum affair, at best. The XLB was horribly dry, and tasteless even with the vinegar and julienned ginger dipping. Prawn dumplings (Har Kau) and pork dumplings (Siew Mai) fared better, but still lacking in taste. It felt like we were chewing on flour, rather than full-flavoured, sweet, juicy meat.

Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun

Not to confuse any foreigners, or out-of-towners, the Hong Kong CCF (chee cheong fun) is NOT an imported product, but rather, a type of rolled rice noodles stuffed with shrimps and char siew (BBQ pork meat). A staple of mine, I almost always order this simple dish whenever I'm in dimsum outlet, be it in Ipoh, Penang or KL.

Sad to say, the HK CCF here was below the mark. The fillings was lesser than generous, and the rice noodles reeking of an awkward 'chemical' taste. Don't ask me how to describe it, but there IS an annoyingly unpleasant taste.

The Doctor's Nightmares ....

Luckily, when it comes to the fried stuff, all of which would frighten a health freak more than a busload of cockroaches, or swimming with the sharks, or even sitting through a whole session of Parliament, Hong Kee serves edible options.

Particularly tempting was the prawn rolls with crispy vermicelli (or was it?) - the upper left photo in the collage above. Crispy, oily, and yummy, they deserve a try if you happen to be here. The rest were mediocre, but not to say disappointing.

I lost the receipt, but the price was rather reasonable, around RM3 per plate/basket. Well worth the money as the portion's not dainty. Kalah Ipoh punya dimsum .... But all in all, SIZE DOES NOT really matter, ain't it?

Location : Hong Kee Tim Sum @ Jln Pandan Indah 4/3A, Pandan Indah, Kuala Lumpur. Various branches in other parts of KL and Selangor.

~~ LOONG SENG DIMSUM @ SS2, PETALING JAYA ~~

Go find the shop with lots tables outside, in case you're lost ...

But all's not lost, my friend. Nope. As we were staying nearby Section 17, PJ (this was in August, therefore memories' not so vague) we decided to venture to SS2 for dimsum on the last morning of our stay.

The Devils vs The Angels ??? (The Fried Goodies vs The Saintly Steamed Ones)

Based on direction from a friend, we were told to look out for tables lining up the street and corridor, among the mazes after mazes of restaurants and cafes in SS2. Of course, go in the morning, as at night, SS2 Murni still RULES the place, with endless rows of tables on the street.

Steamed La La (Clams) with Pork/Fish Meat

The crowd was reassuring, as wherever the crowd goes, the food's gotta be good, no? Starting off with some usual Har Kau and Siew Mai, I chose some slightly different stuff as well. But breakfast at around 11am somehow limited my options greatly. Price to pay, for a late awakening?

The Pork/Fish/La La combination worked wonders, as the meat was fresh, devoid of unpleasant fishy taste, and packed with flavours. Steamed with simple broth, and with julienned carrots and chives added for taste, these babies looked AND tasted lovely.

Ol' Yellow Goodness ....

The egg tarts in KL are slightly different from Ipoh dimsum outlet's version, as the pastry is not of the flaky/crumbly type. But more to John King's cookies-type of pastry. Offers a nice bite nevertheless, and the egg custard encircled within was fragrant, creamy, and light.

The Downs ....

Chinese Pancake (Woh Peng) and the Yong Tau Foo with Thai chilli sauce did not score too well in our books, the former a tad oilier than desirable, while the latter was already cold when the plate was placed on our table. Everyone abhors cold tofu, right?

Perennial favourite, immortalized in a song ... "Char Shiao Pau"

Greasier than John Travolta's hair in Grease ... Dare to try me? =)

That "icing" on the "cake" made all the difference ...

The rest of the dimsum fare were all satisfactory, the HK Chee Cheong Fun was a delight to discover, such smooth rolls of rice noodles outside of Ipoh, with shrimps and char siew bursting from within, and topped it all with the incomparable sambal.

A dimsum experience comparable to Ipoh's. Did it touch my heart? YES, you can bet your bottom dollar Loong Seng did!

Location : Loong Seng Restaurant @ 50, Jln SS2/66, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

But Hong Kee on the other hand .... well, probably deserves another chance. The fried glutinous rice supposed to be good, right?