Start baking in the office!

So you suddenly have a little bit of time or more in your hands in the office. Instead of trying to grab that pencil off your desk using your face, why not bake a cake? Yes. Cake.

All you need is a regular mug (yes the one you are holding while drinking your coffee from) and some additional ingredients that are most likely available in the pantry. Okay maybe not all but some offices has better pantry than others.

Let the baking begin!

5 Reason Why You Should Start Following Us on Instagram

Just like you we are foodies too and we take our food pics seriously! We gain our knowledge from following other Malaysian foodies as well as experiencing our own food adventures. Here are five reasons why you should follow us on Instagram

We bring you new info

We see the beauty in the simplest of things

We try to bring some sweetness into your screen

..and some colors into your life

at the same time putting things into respective

Follow us  on Instagram today

5 Halal Chinese Restaurants You can bring Muslim Tourists to

Malaysia is truly Asia. With a mixture of so many different cultures, it comes with so many  food variety. We are blessed to have the opportunity to almost try different dishes every single day. Unfortunately it is not for all to try. Our Muslim brothers and sisters can't try some of the Chinese dishes. But thanks to these restaurants, dining here you can be sure you have peace of mind.

1. Mohd Chow

Apparently the yong chow fried rice is epic and combined with salted eggs it's enough to make you craving for more. Other sought after dish also includes the butter prawns. Fresh teh bunga is also served. They accept reservations as well.

  

Address: 3-1, Jalan PJU 8/5H, Damansara Perdana Business Center, Petaling Jaya, Damansara Perdana
Contact #: 03-4162 1877

Operating Hours: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Daily)

2. Bei Ping Restaurant

The restaurant is run by a husband wife team with the husband originally from Shanghai China. You can be sure the food you get is going to be as authentic as a chinese cooking can be minus the non-halal ingredients. Peking duck is highly recommended here

       

Address: No. 6, Jalan Utas 15/D, Seksyen 15, Shah Alam
Contact #: 03- 5519 9291

Operating Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11:00 AM-3:00 PM (Lunch), Mon.-Sun. 6:00 PM-9:00 PM (Dinner)

3. Hj Sharin Low Seafood Restaurant

Authentic Chinese cuisine served at this Chinese Muslim restaurant chain. They have other outlets too at  Bukit Antarabangsa, Gombak and also Klang. People talk about their Emerald Fish which is imported from Norway, Champion Chicken, Salted Egg Crab and Salted Eggs dishes.

Address: Groung Floor, Wisma Chinese Chamber, 258, Jalan Ampang, Kampung Datuk Keramat, Ampang
Contact #: 03-4251 5457

Operating Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

4. Nasi Ayam Hainan Chee Meng

We have also mentioned this restaurant from our previous writings. This restaurant has been around quite a while. Since 1965 to be exact. Back in the days it was known as "Chee Meng Kai Fun" which means popular chicken rice. Apart from their obvious chicken rice, the kerabu mangga here is also a hit

                       

      

Address: 50, Jalan Bukit Bintang (Bukit Bintang), 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact #: 03-7982 1348

Operating Hours: Mon–Sat 8:00 PM–9:00 PM

5. Restoran Pak Ya

Recommended to try here are the Nestle Prawn, Marmite chicken and Sweet and Sour crab. Also, during tea time they also serve pau and dim sum which not many halal Chinese restaurants serve. This is definitely a plus since halal dim sum are not something you can get easily.

            

      

Address: Jalan Sulaiman 3,Taman Dagang Ampang, Ampang, 68000, Selangor.
Contact #: 012-2248660

Operating Hours: Mon.-Sun. 11:00AM -11:00 PM

5 Great Restaurants That Tourists Should Try That are Accessible via Public Transport

Chee Meng Nasi Ayam

This establishment has been running since 1965. Founded by Mr. Yeok Kai Seng, business has continued to this day because of their authentic taste and good location. Back then, it was known as "Chee Meng Kai Fun" which means popular chicken rice when it first started off as a little chicken rice and porridge stall set up along Old Klang Road. They are also certified HALAL.

How to get there

Option 2: Get down at KLCC LRT Station. Walk towards KLCC. There is a 1.173 km covered pedestrian walkway that will lead you all the way to Bukit Bintang

Google Map Link

Wong Ah Wah Barbequed Chicken Wings

For those of you who love wings, this might just be the place for you. Located at the very end or the beginning of Jalan Alor (depending on which way you are coming from) you can be sure that the wings are grilled to perfection. You can say it is done the traditional way as these wings are barbecued on charcoal fire giving it the aroma and taste of an outdoor barbecue setup that are charred just at the right places. You are bound to order more than you planned for.

How to get there

Option 2: Get down at KLCC LRT Station. Walk towards KLCC. There is a 1.173 km covered pedestrian walkway that will lead you all the way to Bukit Bintang

Google Map Link

Restoran Muar Bukit Bintang

This is one of the signature dish you may say in Bukit Bintang area. The famous crispy fried eggs. Some folks described it as heavenly, crispy on the sides yet the egg yellow is still slightly runny and moist. Their other menu are all familiar local home cooked dish such as butter kailan, otak-otak, petai etc.

How to get there

Option 2: Get down at KLCC LRT Station. Walk towards KLCC. There is a 1.173 km covered pedestrian walkway that will lead you all the way to Bukit Bintang

Google Map Link

Madam Kwan's KLCC

If you would like to experience almost every favorite Malaysian dish, then this is the place to go. The founder, Kwan Swee Lian was inspired by the rich cultural mix of cuisine in Malaya. You can see this from their concept to their menu selections. Their setup are usually cozy, clean and with friendly servicing staffs just like how most Malaysians are :) You gotta try their Nasi Bojari their sought-after signature dish.

How to get there

Google Map Link

Vansh at Starhill

Photo Credit

Vansh is a Northern Indian restaurant located at Star Hill in Bukit Bintang area. An authentic Northern Indian restaurant in a modern setting. The kebab platter is a must try. Served with a mixture of minced mutton, chicken breast, and prawns it gives you the best of what a Northern Indian dish should taste like. Also don't forget to try to try out the garlic naan and the Kashmiri Rogan Josh. It's a dish that consist of tender lamb cubes simmered in a fennel scented yogurt gravy.

How to get there

Google Map Link

Royale Thai Fusion & Hot Steamboat at Grand Blue Wave Hotel Shah Alam

The Grand Blue Wave Hotel recently launched their new menus and promotions for both their outlets. Borak-borak showcasing their Hot Steamboat set and Royale Songket for their Thai Fusion ala-carte set. It seems like they have been coming up with interesting fusions of dishes that compliments the Malaysian taste buds. In the month of September and October 2014 guests can enjoy these special dishes at a reasonable price. Do you know that they are the first South East Asia 5 Star Hotel that has been awarded the highest Halal friendly rating by Cresent Rating?

We asked the Chefs about their creations.

Ahmad Al-Hafiz bin Redzuan (Chef De Cuisine) - Thai Fusion

According to Chef Ahmad, they have chosen Thai food this time around as customers that stays in their hotel are from all over the world and this gives them more choices while staying at grand Blue wave Shah Alam. The dining area is family friendly and kids are more than welcomed. When asked about the main ingredients of their Thai Fusion creations, basil leaves is one of the main ingredients. In Thai food, sweet, sour and spicy is a common experience. Of course fresh ingredients and Halal food is a must. Thai food lovers who want to experience Halal Thai food without the worries or for those who want to try a different Thai food experience should come and try taste their latest offerings.

Shumizan Bin Mohamed Ali (Malay chef) - Hot Steamboat

I bet most of us are a fan of 'Steamboat' cooking style or perhaps have tried them at least once? Perhaps the experience of 'cooking your own meal' makes this a quite interesting affair especially when eating with friends and family. Chef Sumizan with 13 years experience says that the soup has a 'secret' ingredient which is the Serai or lemongrass plus other spices. This is what makes the soup different from the rest. Also the fresh seafood supplies are Halal.The good thing about having your hot pot in Grand Blue Wave Shah Alam is that not like other places where you usually dine in an open air and usually with no proper ventilation, here you are dining in the comfort of a 5 Star hotel with caring and experienced staffs. guests can sit longer and have a proper conversation. Kids will love the chicken soup base and other soup base includes tom yam too.

For more info call 03-5511 8811 or you could always visit their facebook page. Plenty of mouth watering info there! 

About The Writer
KAY KASTUM
Born in Sabah with an interest in open water diving, wall climbing,music and video production plus a passion for Android custom ROMS on his XT910 Motorola Razr Kay Kastum plans to make the world a better place by empowering people through his work. Whatever that means. You can follow his YouTube channel to see what he is up to during his free time

5 Animals That People Eat Alive

Recently we talked about the 5 local traditional food that you should try or dare to try? Today we are pushing that envelope a little further. Our previous article did touch one part on eating live animals / creatures. Let's find out what other animals we human beings consume live around the globe.

Nyale Sea worms

Yeap. There is such things as a Sea worm and there's this annual gathering happening in the island of Lombok where the ancient Sasak tribe that still practices their old custom of collecting these wiggly creatures not for pets but for consumption. Eating it live is highly recommended as this is considered a holy gesture. It is believed that these worms were actually the reincarnation of Princess Mandalika who sacrificed her own life by jumping over a cliff for the sake of her people. The amazing thing is every year, around the time of the full moon in the tenth month of the Sasak calendar, the Nyale worms return to the shores of Kuta, Lombok.

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Sannakji

A dish served in Korea. This dish is quite an internet sensation due to the number of videos showing people eating tentacles that were still moving about curling on the customers chopsticks. The tentacles are usually cut from a live octopus and served immediately to happy diners. It is also common to serve it without the tentacles being chopped off. Seasoned with sesame oil and sesame seeds, as delicious as it may sound, diners risk the chance of choking to death should the suction cups get stuck in the air passage. Chew thoroughly before you swallow.

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Frog Sashimi 

You read it right. Poor fellow is sliced and diced in front of a paying customer and served almost immediately. The frog is in a way witnessing you eating its body parts as the its head is served on the plate facing the would be customer. The eye lids still moves and the most interesting (or sickening) part is that the expert chefs even manage to serve its heart still beating. Welcome to Japan.

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Yin-Yang Fish

Just like the concept of Yin & Yang, you probably got the idea that there must be one part of the fish that will be different from the other parts. You got that right. In this case dead part and the live part. The 'dead' part of the fish is right after the head. Deep friend and served with a special sauce while the 'alive' part is the head so you can see the fish struggling and gasping to breathe. A cuisine from mainland China.

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Casu Marzu

This one involves cheese. You might wonder what can be so alive when it comes to cheese. Well, not these cheese from Sardinia in Italy that's for sure. Made of sheep's milk, they are fermented like any other cheese. The only difference is that there's this extra step which involves leaving the cheese in the open to allow the eggs of the cheese fly Piophila casei to be laid in the cheese. The eggs hatch and the larvae begin to eat through the cheese. While munching away the cheese, these maggots produce acids which breaks down the cheese fats giving it a soft and interesting texture. They can then be cut into thin strips and spread on moistened Sardinian flatbread. Yummy!

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About The Writer
KAY KASTUM
Born in Sabah with an interest in open water diving, wall climbing,music and video production and a passion for Android custom ROMS on his XT910 Motorola Razr Kay Kastum plans to make the world a better place by empowering people through his work. Whatever that means. You can follow his YouTube channel to see what he is up to during his free time

10 Minutes (or less) Pizza

Here's a healthier and delicious way to enjoy your meal. Make your own pizza! The best part you get to choose any toppings that you want. Try it out today!

How not to get embarrassed during fine dining

We are all accustomed to eating by using the fork and spoon. It's a very common thing to use. In some cultures here in Malaysia, eating with just your hands are common too. The thing is we do not have to worry much about it so much since a basic fork and spoon can pretty much let you eat any meal.

But what if you were to be invited to a formal dinner? What if it's a fine dining affair? As you have probably heard or seen on TV, it's not the basic fork and spoon stunt anymore. Now you are going to have to face an array of cutleries that looks almost the same but with different sizes and arrangements! Not only that, if you happened to have a date with you, you are probably worried that you will make a fool out of yourself not to mention that might be the last time you two will be dating.

Worry not. It is quite simple. Once you understand the basics, you can make everyone think that this is something that you are doing everyday. Talk about scoring points with your date!

Below is a basic table setup. The easiest way to remember is by using this simple rule: always work from the outside in; the cutlery farthest away from your plate is for the first course. Still unsure? No worries. Just wait for a bit and follow your host or hostess.

Other things to take note:

• Always take small portions of food
• When you finish eating, you must place the cutlery over the plate in a parallel way and the knife with the edge inward.
• Make it as silent as possible. It is considered rude to hear you munching away those steak
• Bring the food to your mouth not your mouth to the food
• Stay calm and just enjoy the evening!

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About The Writer
KAY KASTUM
Born in Sabah with an interest in open water diving, wall climbing,music and video production and a passion for Android custom ROMS on his XT910 Motorola Razr Kay Kastum plans to make the world a better place by empowering people through his work. Whatever that means. You can follow his YouTube channel to see what he is up to during his free time

Dare to try these 5 local traditional food?

We live in a multiethnic society in Malaysia. From Perlis to Sabah there are so many type of food that you can try and have yet to discover. When it comes to food, most of us will think of something that looks appetizing, has a nice aroma and also taste good. Food that appears normal. Want to be adventurous? Here are five local traditional food that you should try at least once!

#1 Butod

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First let us visit Sabah the land below the wind. This is not for the faint hearted. Eating food that are still moving and pretty much alive may not be your style but this is a delicacy which is quite popular among the KadazanDusun people of Sabah. It is called 'Butod' and are a type of larva which will grow into a beetle. They usually thrive inside a decomposed Sago tree. You can either fry it or eat it raw. Some say it has this milky character and are bursting with protein goodness. The local markets of Sabah is a good place to start.


#2 Tapai Pulut

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It is basically made out of gluttonous rice and yeast. It is the same basic process of making the tapai for producing local wine like in Sabah or Sarawak. The only difference is instead of leaving it to ferment for months, this one is fermented for around 2 to 3 days. It may taste bitter sweet and may have a hint of sourness. It all depends on the amount of water, the surrounding temperature or the quality of the yeast. It is also an acquired taste. I started knowing tapai as a drink instead of for eating so I find it weird. However this is definitely a must try. It is thought to be originated from Terengganu and Kelantan. You may find this item at our merchant JM bariani House of Puchong. They have it in their outlet.


#3 Pekasam

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In the olden days, before the existence of modern day fridge, the local population usually will consume only fresh food. However some food can be kept longer in storage for later consumption. Meat and poultry are usually smoked and dried.  Fish are usually salted and dried as well. It can be kept for months and are ready to eat anytime although it is not usually eaten straight up since the taste will not be appealing and are very salty. But fry it and squeeze some lime and add some chopped cili padi and eat it with hot steamed rice, you are set to go! You can also stir fry it with vegetables. Some folks will feel hungry just by mentioning the word Pekasam goreng!

 #4 Umai

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The name sure sounds like some Japanese dish. It is actually from land of the Hornbills, Sarawak. I guess it does have some Japanese feel to it since this is another raw preparation. It is a traditional native dish for the Melanau people of Sarawak. Usually the fishermen but now are quite popular among other locals in Sarawak too. The preparation is quite simple but importantly you need fresh fish to do this right. The ingredients are sliced raw fish, mixed with chillies, salt, onion and a healthy squeeze of lemon. Tenggiri fish is the type of fish used.


 #5 Budu

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Heard of Budu? This is not for consumption on its own but is actually a type of sauce. Budu sauce is made out of fermented seafood. Yes. You could pretty much tell what sort of aroma it will produce. But just like the Durian, some may say it smells terrible but for others its one of the heavenly smell one could imagine.Origins are from Kelantan, Terengganu and Southern Thailand. It is used as a flavoring and is normally eaten with fish, rice and raw vegetables




Any other local dish that should have been mentioned here? Tell us what you think!

About The Writer
KAY KASTUM
Born in Sabah with an interest in open water diving, wall climbing,music and video production and a passion for Android custom ROMS on his XT910 Motorola Razr Kay Kastum plans to make the world a better place by empowering people through his work. Whatever that means. You can follow his YouTube channel to see what he is up to during his free time