Eating healthier has come more naturally to me these days; my father jokes that I’m slowly but surely morphing into my mum. It was my yoga instructor that recommended Fittie Sense to me as I’m supposed to refrain from sinful food after a workout session. Fittie Sense is located in Bangsar Baru and it’s popular with people who care a lot of health and fitness.

Most of their customer base would come after a gym session or a workout class, evident from their apparel and gym bag. I like the chai latte here – it has since become my go-to cuppa when I need a fix. Service is friendly and the staff are ever-ready to make recommendations if you aren’t sure of what to order.

Cajun pan-seared chicken chop

Cajun pan-seared chicken chop (RM28) is the only thing I’ve been ordering so far as it’s packed with flavour and keeps me full till the next meal. I like that it comes with crushed avocado and quinoa, and the fact that it gives me more energy for my workout later in the evening. The chicken chop is nicely seasoned so it’s flavourful with crisp edges – hard to believe it’s healthy food.

Top right: Lean lamb spiced ragu “Shepherd’s Pie”

I tried a spoon of the lean lamb spiced ragu “Shepherd’s Pie” (RM32), which makes a filling meal. You get savoury minced lamb topped with fluffy mashed sweet potatoes, baked till the top is lightly crusty.

Coconut oil scrambled egg and avocado on toast

The avocado was unripe

I wasn’t as impressed with their breakfast items as the avocado from their scrambled egg and avocado on toast (RM21) was unripe so it was hard, crunchy and bitter. Not sure if that was intentional but it didn’t go well with the eggs on toast.

Spiced beef kofte in wholemeal pita bread

Spiced beef kofte in wholemeal pita bread (RM19) was better but it’s nothing to shout about. Portion is fair for this one but I didn’t think the flavours gel nicely. That said, the coconut chia seed pudding (RM19) was tasty and filling enough to keep me satisfied.

Coconut chia seed pudding

Prices are fair considering the portion and quality of food served but contrary to popular belief (from the numerous inquiries on my FB and IG inbox), there are only two things I enjoy at Fittie Sense so far – chai latte and Cajun pan-seared chicken chop.

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Ambiance: 7/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Try the chai latte and chicken chop.

Fittie Sense
23A, Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2858 4023
Facebook Page

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With so many Indian restaurants in Klang Valley, I thought I knew enough about Indian cuisine. But I was so very wrong. Apparently, what Malaysians know about Indian food is barely the tip of the surface, as I soon learnt when I stepped into Flour in Bukit Damansara.

By noon, Flour is packed with customers. This was taken at 11.30am when they just opened for business.

Friendly kitchen team

Mango Lassi

Lime Juice

At Flour, don’t expect to see butter chicken or palak paneer. Instead, immerse yourself into the details of the menu, which I found very enjoyable and informational. Jien and I visited them twice and on both occasions, our visits were relatively pleasant.

Papadum

Lasooni Gosht

Lasooni Gosht (RM31) is said to be one of Flour’s must-try mutton dishes where the meat is cooked in spiced garlic curry for hours until tender. It was aromatic and moderately spicy, with plenty of flavour from the garlic and spices which veiled the gaminess of the mutton.

Served with Kulcha

We had this with Kulcha (RM8), an eggless Indian flatbread with coriander and sesame. I found the combination pretty good as you get that flaky, light texture from the kulcha which goes well with the rich notes of the curry.

Laal Maans

Tender mutton pieces

Served with Tandoori Roti

On our second visit, I opted for the Laal Maans (RM31) which Jien’s colleague from India said was a popular dish back in his home country. This mutton curry is prepared using yogurt, ghee and chillies, which is ideal for those who likes a good kick in their curries. Both mutton curries were delicious in their own right but I liked the Lasooni Gosht a wee bit better.

Dhingri Masala with Pudina Laccha

I liked the Dhingri Masala (RM24), a hot and appetising vegetable dish of mushroom cooked in thick curry. The dish has a subtle sweetness and creamy mouthfeel – delicious with Pudina Laccha (RM8), a multi-layered Indian paratha made using whole wheat flour and dotted with mint for aroma and flavour.

Paneer Nimbu Do Pyaza

Cottage cheese in creamy onion gravy with a twist of lime

Eaten with Laccha

In place of paneer with spinach, I ordered the Paneer Nimbu Do Pyaza (RM24) at Flour, said to represent a vegetarian version of butter chicken. This curry comprises cubes of cottage cheese in creamy onion gravy with a twist of lime for a bit of zing. This I had with plain laccha (RM6) which mopped up the curry well.

Mutton Briyani

The mutton briyani at Flour is by far one of the best I’ve tasted and according to some of our Indian friends, the smell and flavour of the briyani “takes them back to India”. I can’t vouch for that statement but the briyani is delicious – fluffy, nicely flavoured and the mutton pieces, tender and well-seasoned.

Batata Fritters

During our first visit, I bumped into a friend who told me I must try their Batata Fritters (RM12) said to be a popular snack in Mumbai. This tasted like a cross of curry puff and masala dosai for me. If you’re into either of them, you’ll like the fritters too.

I find portions quite small so if you’re planning to share, you’ll need to order more curries. Expect to pay between RM35-50 per head, including a drink. If you’re planning do go during dinner time, I suggest you call ahead to reserve a table as they’re often fully booked.

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Ambiance: 7/10
Price: 5.5/10
Food: 7.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Good food but portions are a tad small.

Flour
71, Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Plaza Damansara,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 012-960 0053
Business hours: Tue, 6.30pm till 10pm; Wed-Sun, 11.30am till 3pm, 6.30pm til 10pm
(closed Monday)
Facebook Page

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Like most people, I have my go-to places when it comes to Japanese food but when the option in Bangsar closed, I’m left with little options. A friend suggested dinner at Koyaku Japanese Dining in Taman Desa, which happens to be his go-to spot for sashimi and rice bowls so Jien and I went.

Cosy interior

The place gets rather packed on a weekend so it’s best to call ahead or get there before 7.30pm. Service is alright in general but as the place fills up, things can get a bit chaotic. I had the rice bowl with karaage and mayo while Jien took the beef rice bowl.

Chicken karaage rice bowl

Beef rice bowl

Topped with a sunny side up quail’s egg

Both were good in their own right but I would recommend going for the beef rice bowl as it’s saucier and more flavourful because of the caramelised onions. Yakitori is a popular order here as well – so we tried chicken heart, chicken thigh, soft bone and quail’s egg. Decent stuff, but I still prefer the yakitori at Fukuda.

Yakitori // quail egg & chicken skin

Chicken heart and chicken thigh yakitori

Mushroom yakitori

Fans of sashimi will like that Koyaku serves them in thick slices, so you get your money’s worth. Tastewise, it’s pretty standard; fresh salmon that is firm yet melts in the mouth. I found the tempura batter a tad thick so it wasn’t as light and wispy as I wanted it to be.

Salmon sashimi

Tempura moriawase

That said, it was still decent enough and you get a good portion for the price you pay – somewhere between RM30-35 per platter. Koyaku also serves set lunch and dinner, which is reasonably priced so if you’re looking for good value, go for those.

M&M’s parfait — good for sharing but nothing to shout about

Expect to pay between RM40-80 per head, depending on what you order. I find the food decent and prices are reasonable so Jien and I will be going back every now and then.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Decent food, reasonable prices. If you’re looking for a fuss-free Japanese restaurant, try Koyaku.

Koyaku Japanese Dining
Faber Towers,
G9, Jalan Desa Bahagia,
Taman Desa,
58100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7890 0555
Business hours: noon till 3pm, 6pm till 10.30pm
Facebook Page

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Part of the reason why I love incognito food hunts is the idea of experiencing unbiased food and service, just like everyone else. It is something Jien and I try to uphold for the Bangsar Babe brand, despite the lure of paid food reviews and complimentary meals. A fan of mine gave me a tip-off recently, about his favourite cendol and ice kacang spot – Kwong Wah Ice Kacang in Section 17.

Recommendations like this are of great interest to me as I like knowing what my readers and fans enjoy and experiencing things from their perspective. It makes my food writing more interesting too, I feel. Kwong Wah Ice Kacang is relatively new in Happy Mansion and is already popular among the residence in that area.

We were both under the impression that they serve Melaka style cendol as Kwong Wah claims to use Gula Melaka to sweeten the ice shaving. I remember eating the ice kacang when they were based in Section 14’s medan selera a couple of years back and it was quite decent. The shaved ice is soft and fine, so you don’t get rough bits of ice between each spoonful.

Cendol Gula Melaka

The cendol (RM5.50) is quite good I must admit – fine ice shavings with a generous lashing of Gula Melaka and santan. I like how the green cendol bits are firm yet smooth with a good hint of pandan aroma. While I generally prefer my Melaka-style cendol creamier and denser, Kwong Wah’s version is one of the best I’ve tried in Klang Valley.

Ais Kacang

Their ais kacang  (RM5.50) is as good as I remembered it to be at the Section 14 food court. You get bits of grass jelly, corn, agar agar and red beans under all the ice shaving; like how they make ais kacang in the old days.

Steamed yam cake

Kuih Seri Muka

Snacks like Mee Siam (RM3), Nasi Lemak (RM2.80) and assorted Nyonya kuih are available if you want to nibble. I tried the kuih seri muka and yam cake, both decent enough to fill the stomach. Nasi Lemak wasn’t available when I wanted to try so I can’t vouch for it.

Mee Siam

As for the Mee Siam, it was lacking flavour – I found the noodles bland and hardly tangy, which is how Mee Siam should be in my opinion. I guess if you want fried meehoon, then you’ll find this quite palatable but if you’re looking for good Mee Siam, this isn’t it.

Service is quick and efficient, but lacking warmth if I were to base this review on my second visit. For some reason, the person manning the counter didn’t seem pleased to be working that weekend from her facial outlook.

Nonetheless, the ice-cold dessert made up for the less than stellar service so I guess it’s even. Plus, Jien really likes the cendol here so I guess he’s going to want to have some every now and then.

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Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Pretty decent cendol. Skip the Mee Siam though.

Kwong Wah Ice Kacang
Happy Mansion, Block C,
Ground Floor,
Section 17/ 13,
Petaling Jaya,
46400 Selangor.
Tel: 012-550 0975
Business hours: 11am till 6.30pm
Closed Monday
Facebook Page

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Honolulu Café is one of my must-visit spots in Hong Kong as the egg tart is one of the best I’ve eaten – buttery, flaky pastry with silken egg custard and an aroma that can entice one to call of their diet. I had a really difficult time restraining myself from ordering everything and my last visit was no different.

When I heard Honolulu Café was opening in Sunway Pyramid, I was thrilled because my job no longer requires me to fly to Hong Kong and it’s been more than 2 years since I sank my teeth into those delectable treats. But my joy was short-lived for the queue is said to be worse than the hoard of PRC folks at Louis Vuitton in Champ Elysees Paris. So I waited until the hype died down before paying them a visit.

The place is relatively quiet during lunch on a weekday so getting a table was a breeze. Unlike Honolulu Café in Hong Kong, you don’t get the smell of baked items wafting in the air so that took away part of the excitement for me.

Egg tart and bolo bun

Jien has been buying the egg tarts (RM2.95) for me over the past few months and they tasted pretty good after a few minutes in the oven. I feel the tarts are almost as good as the ones in Hong Kong; minus the delicious aroma of baked pastry to accentuate the experience.

Don’t be fooled by the butter; it;s only surface deep

I didn’t like the Honolulu Bolo Bun with Butter (RM3.80) as it was missing a crisp crust. In place of that was a crust that was fine and crumbly, and the bun was too soft for satisfaction. It was as though I was eating a milk bun. The cut of butter given looked ample as it was situated where the bun was sliced. In reality, it was too scant be spread around the entire bun so in all aspects, this was disappointing.

Four Roast Meat Treasures

Four Roast Meat Treasures (RM44.80) gives you the option of choosing from their roast meat selection – we went for roast duck, siew yuk, char siew and soy sauce chicken. We liked the chicken best as both the meat and skin were well flavoured. There’s a smoky sweet aroma and savoury finish in this.

L-R: Siew Yuk, Char Siew, Roast Duck and Soy Sauce Chicken

The roast duck was average at best – there was no crispiness in the skin and the meat was slightly gamey. I didn’t care much for the char siew as it was too lean for my liking, but this is the way the folks in Hong Kong take their BBQ pork. Siew yuk was better but nothing worth shouting about if you ask me.

Stir Fried Fish Fillet with Sweet Corn Sauce

We also tried their house specialty, Stir Fried Fish Fillet with Sweet Corn Sauce (RM20.80). Not something I’d recommend unless you like corn or fish dishes that are sweet. This tasted like fried fish, topped with thick corn soup. I found it rather bland.

Claypot Minced Pork with Eggplant

The Claypot Minced Pork with Eggplant (RM17.80) was decent but hardly a redeeming factor at Honolulu Café. Granted the eggplant strips were tender and the minced pork was flavourful, the gravy wasn’t caramelised enough.

Stir-Fried Beef Hor Fun

Their redeeming factor is the Stir-Fried Beef Hor Fun (RM18.80) which I found more enjoyable than all the savoury items above. You get that dose of wok fire in the noodles and a tender chew from the beef slices. A bit of chilli oil is all you need to take things up a notch.

For RM6.80 per glass, the Hong Kong Style Milk Tea was diluted – lacking flavour and aroma from the tea and body from the milk. Our bill came up to RM150 for all the above which isn’t exactly expensive but certainly not the Honolulu Café experience I was looking for.

That said, the egg tarts are good.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: The egg tart and beef noodles are quite good. Other dishes were mediocre at best.

Honolulu Cafe
LG2.55 Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall
No.3, Jalan PJS 11/15,
Bandar Sunway,
46150 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 012-388 4567
Business hours: 10am – 10pm
Facebook Page

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My first visit to Tohoku was in October 2016 when it was autumn and the leaves were changing colours. It was also the time of harvest so we got to enjoy the best rice and the freshest of vegetables and fruits. Last month, I visited Tohoku again but in winter, to see for myself what is Japan’s definition of “powder snow”.

We visited some familiar spots and explored new ones – all beautiful in their own right, blanketed with snow like what we would see in movies and wallpapers. Here’s a breakdown of my trip, from local delicacies to the history and culture of Northern Japan.

EAT: Miso Butter Curry Milk Ramen & Niboshi Ramen

Miso Butter Curry Ramen

Ramen differs from each prefecture and Aomori is known for two types – miso butter curry milk and anchovy-based ramen. The former is especially popular among locals and tourists alike, made using miso broth and accented with curry powder, milk and a square of butter for aroma and flavour.

Niboshi Ramen — anchovy based

Niboshi ramen is made using anchovies for the stock for a strong, savoury note. It is also known as “Tsugaru Ramen” in Aomori, where each bowl comes with pork slices, bamboo shoots and plenty of scallion.

Miso Butter Curry Ramen: Sapporonoaji Onishi
Address: Onishi Create Building 1F, Fukukawa 1-chome 15-6, 030-0862 Aomori-shi, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Tel: +8117-723-1036
Business Hour: 1100~2130
Website: https://www.oonishi0024.co.jp/

Niboshi Ramen: Nagaocyukasoba Aomori Station
Address: Aomori Station Building Ravina P1F, Yanagawa 1-chome 2-3, Aomori-shi, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Tel: +8117-773-3715
Business Hour: 0700~2100
Website: http://www.naga-chu.com/tenpo/index.html

VISIT: Nebuta Museum

Nebuta Museum is home to many of Aomori’s greatest lantern floats for the Aomori Nebuta Festival – handmade using wire, wood and paper. It is a sight to behold as you walk into the belly of the museum and admire the intricate workmanship of the lanterns.

Admiring the lantern floats at Nebuta Museum

Entry is 600 yen per adult and the whole museum tour will take approximately 1-1.5 hours. There is also a “hands-on Nebuta” available to give you a feel of what a Nebuta is like.

Nebuta Museum, Wa Rasse
Address: Aomori-shi Bunka Kankou Kyuryuu Shisetsu, Aomori-shi Yasukata 1-1-1 030-0803
Tel: +8117-752-1311
Business Hour: 08300~2200
Ticket: Adult 600yen, Student 250-450yen (depends on age)
Website: http://www.nebuta.jp/warasse/foreign/english.html

VISIT: A-FACTORY

A-Factory, a place to shop for souvenirs and all things apple!

Just across Nebuta Museum is A-Factory – a duty-free market-style shopping place offering local products such as sweets, processed goods, fresh vegetables and fruits. A must-try feature here is the apple cider (located on the first floor) where juices and ciders are made using Aomori grown apples.

Sparkling apple cider

The juice is thick and concentrated, and I really enjoyed the sparkling apple cider which is refreshing in both hot and cold weather. I drank it in the midst of snow!

A-Factory
Address: A-Factory, Yanagawa 1-chome 4-2, Aomori-shi, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Tel: +8117-752-1890
Business Hour: 09000~2200
Website: http://www.jre-abc.com/wp/afactory/index/

VISIT: Hakkoda Mountains

Powder snow indeed!

Hakkoda Mountains comprises 16 mountains including Mount Odake as the main peak. It is one of the most beautiful mountains in Japan especially during winter as the snow is soft and powder-like. The mountain is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders during winter so if you’re an avid skier, you should check it out.

The Hakkoda Ropeway is in service all year round and takes visitors up to the summit in about 10 minutes. It costs 1,850 yen per adult for a round trip and 870 yen per child.

Hakkoda Ropeway
Address: 1-12 Arakawa-Kansuizawa Aomori-shi, Aomori 030-0111 Japan
Business Hour: March 1st ~ Beginning of November 9:00~16:20
Mid-November ~ February 28th 9:00~15:40
Runs every 20 minutes (One way 10 minutes)
Ticket: One way Adult 1180yen, Child 570yen, Round trip Adult 1850yen, Child 870yen
Website: https://www.en-aomori.com/scenery-007.html

EAT: Apple Cuisine at Yamazaki Restaurant

Enjoying the apple course menu at Yamazaki Restaurant

Aomori Prefecture is said to produce the best apples in Japan and Kiseki no Ringo (known as Miracle Apples) is the creation of famed farmer Akinori Kimura. These miracle apples are featured at Yamazaki Restaurant in Hirosaki, Aomori – where Kimura’s apples are incorporated in a variety of dishes in course meals.

The dishes are creative and delicious, from cold apple soup to apple pork chop. Definitely something to try if you’re into fine dining and new things. They also have patisserie a few doors away and the apple pound cake is said to be really good.

Yamazaki Restaurant
Address: 41 Oyakatamachi, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Tel: +8117-38-5515
Business Hour: 1130~1400, 1730~2030
Website: http://www.r-yamazaki.com/?mode=f1

VISIT: Tsugaru Neputa Mura

Neputa Mura (ねぷた村) or Neputa Village is a museum about Hirosaki’s famous festival, the Neputa Matsuri – a spot for visitors to experience the Neputa Festival. You get to watch the Tsugaru-shamisen performance and try your hands on the Japanese drums (taiko) along with the Neputa musicians.

Learning how to play the shamisen

It was harder than I thought!

I found the drums relatively easy but the shamisen is trickier to master compared to guitar. Nonetheless, it’s fun to watch and experience if you’re there. There are also shops selling handmade craft and local produce like fresh apples, jams, compotes and apple chips.

Tsugaru Nebuta Village
Address: 61 Kamenokōmachi, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori Prefecture< Japan
Tel: +81172-39-1511
Business Hour: 0900~1730
Website: http://www.neputamura.com/

VISIT: Hirosaki Castle

A stroll at Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Castle was the residence castle to the feudal lord of the Tsugaru Clan in the Edo Period and is one of the twelve remaining castle towers in Japan. The castle park is said to be very beautiful in Spring, but it was already so mesmerising during winter when I went.

Trying on a kimono for the first time

I also got to try on a kimono, worn only by princesses during that time. It was my first time dressing up in a kimono and I was told the kimono rental at Hirosaki Castle is one of the more affordable ones in Japan.

Hirosaki Castle
Address: 1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori Prefecture 036-8356 Japan
Tel: +81172-33-8799
Honmaru/Kita no Kuruwa Area 9:00 ~ 17:00 (April 1st~November 23rd)
Botanical Garden 9:00~18:00 (Tickets are sold until 17:30)
*During the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival the paid hours are extended.
(Winter Closing) November 24th ~ March 31st
Website: http://www.hirosakipark.jp/en/

EXPERIENCE: Akita Nairiku Line

Departed from Takanosu Station

What better way to experience Tohoku than with the Akita Nairiku Line? We took the train from Takanosu station to Kakunodate – one of my favourite places in Tohoku. The winter scenery is spectacular from this line where you see beautiful white snow blankets on the landscape along the way; it really looks like Winter Wonderland.

Breathtaking view

While it takes slightly longer to get to Kakunodate compared to the JR Line, the view itself is worth the ride. A one-way ticket from Kakunodate to Takanosu is 1620 yen and takes roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Akita Nairiku Line
Website: http://www.akita-nairiku.com/

VISIT: Tsurunoyu Hotspring

Outdoor onsen

I visited this hotspring during Autumn where the leaves were browning and thought it was a sight to behold. The view is breathtakingly beautiful during winter – almost magical. Nyuto Tsurunoyu is the oldest hotspring in the mountains, popular for its mineral baths that soothe aches and heals the body.

It was really a sight to behold!

The spring water has a milky appearance from all the minerals from the mountain, and is available for both staying guests and day-trippers for a small admission fee. The baths are outdoor with gender segregated bathing and also mixed gender baths.

Nyuto Onsenkyo – Tsurunoyu Onsen
Address: Tazawako Sendatsuzawa Kokuyurin 50, Senboku-city, Akita, Japan
Tel: +81-187-46-2139
Website: http://www.tsurunoyu.com/english.html

VISIT: Kakunodate

Kakunodate Samurai District is one of my must-visit places in Tohoku, one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Tohoku. I have yet to experience spring in Kakunodate so I’m definitely coming back during cherry blossom season.

Hello Buke Maru!

This former castle town is famous for its samurai tradition and historic homes. It is also very beautiful in winter and if you’re lucky, you’ll set to see Buke Maru – an Akita dog.

Kakunodate Town
Website: http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/language/en/

EAT: Hinai Jidori

Delicious!

Like how people grade different cow breeds and cuts, Hinai Jidori is nationally recognised and considered one of the best chickens in Japan. It used to be offered to the lord as a land tax between 17th and 19th century because of its unrivalled taste and texture.

The meat is moderately plump with a chewy yet tender texture and the flavour develops as the chicken is cooked. It is delicious when cooked in Kiritanpo or grilled and eaten with roasted miso which brings out the umami notes of the meat.

***

The crew who made Tohoku happen

I think Tohoku remains one of the most beautiful places in Japan for me, especially after my second visit. It is easy to get around by train and the prefecture is rich in culture and boasts some of the best produce in Japan. I will return again – this time, in spring!

For more information about Tohoku, visit the official website here: http://tohokusnowexperience.jp/bangsarbabe-in- tohoku/dj_tohoku/

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Ipoh pitstops are a must whenever Jien and I are travelling up north – there’s something about the aroma of white coffee that gets the mood up. We were looking for a place to stop for coffee on our way back from Penang last weekend, and I remember bookmarking Lim Ko Pi in Ipoh Old Town as an option after reading about it from one of the blogs.

Interior

5 Layer Sandwich

I was looking forward to dining al-fresco but the heavy downpour made sure we remained indoors. The 5 Layer Sandwich (RM8.30) is made of wholemeal bread with five different sandwich filling – ham, tuna, egg, cucumber and cheese. Nothing fantastic, but if you’re looking for a snack to fill the stomach, this will do.

Nanyang Coffee 98

I opted for Lim Ko Pi’s Nanyang Coffee 98 (RM3.60 – hot, RM4 – cold); thick and smooth with a rich, nutty finish. Unlike what I’m accustomed to at Sin Yoon Loong, the coffee at Lim Ko Pi has a smooth, buttery finish without much bitter notes. If you like your coffee thick and creamy, you’ll like this.

Milk Tea

Personally, I prefer my white coffee bolder so the ones at Sin Yoon Loong and Ah Chow is right up my alley. The milk tea (RM3.20 – hot, RM3.60 – cold) was too sweet for my liking but it was adequately thick from the addition of evaporated milk. I would recommend taking this hot as you get more aroma from each sip versus an iced version.

Ice Kacang

Lim Ko Pi’s Ice Kacang (RM5.20) is pretty good; old school with plenty of peanuts, jelly and sweet corn. The ice shaving is fine and light, and there’s a good balance between evaporated milk and sugar syrups. Good stuff.

Soup Noodles

Curry Laksa

We bumped into some friends who ordered the curry laksa and clear soup noodles – that said, I didn’t try either so I can’t vouch for them. I did however try a sip of the hot cham (RM3.60) and it was quite good. I’d definitely recommend going for hot coffee or tea while you’re here.

Hot Cham

I wouldn’t peg Lim Ko Pi as place to eat Ipoh food but it is a place to consider if you want decent white coffee and toast. If you can, do opt to sit at the courtyard as the ambiance is different and the lighting makes for much better photos.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Try the Nanyang Coffee 98 and Ice Kacang.

Lim Ko Pi
10, Jalan Sultan Iskandar,
30000 Ipoh, Perak.
Tel: 05-253 2898
Business hours: 8.30am till 5.30pm
Closed Monday
Facebook Page

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Just as coffee begins to hit a plateau, you find interesting coffee options to draw you back into the coffee drinking game. Like the one I tried at Caffeine Chemistry Coffee in Nagore Road, Penang two weeks ago. The café serves coffee beans from Catunambu but what interests me in giving them a try is their alcoholic coffee.

Cosy interior

The gelato is worth checking out

Namely the Frozen Tiramisu (RM20) which features a shot of Kahlua in ice blended latte. Most places are able to replicate this quite easily but the beauty of Caffeine Chemistry Coffee’s version lies in presentation and also flavour. The ice blended had a good dose of coffee flavour and I liked how the ice shaving is fine, allowing the kahlua to stand out.

Frozen Tiramisu

Injecting Kahlua into the mix

Gula Melaka and Coconut Ice Cream Ice Blended

Think of it as tiramisu ice blended, without the mascarpone. I was told the Hot Baileys Irish Latte is also good as it comes with two shots of alcohol, but that will have to wait for my next visit. I ordered their Gula Melaka and Coconut Ice Cream ice blended (RM15) which happens to be a signature. Good combo, as the nutty, vanilla notes from the coconut ice cream pairs well with the Gula Melaka ice slush.

Waffle with rum & raisin ice cream

Their waffles are worth checking out if you’re into sweet endings – we opted for the regular waffle set (RM15.50) and upgraded our ice cream to a scoop of rum & raisin gelato (add on RM8). While the waffles aren’t the best I’ve tried, the combination was quite good. You get a nice crunch from the waffles, and a bittersweet finish from the chocolate sauce, which complements the rum & raisin ice cream.

Caffeine Chemistry Coffee also serves hot food – we tried the pasta with salted egg yolk pork bacon (RM19) and rather enjoyed it. They make this ala minute so it might take time, but you’re rewarded with a plate of aromatic pasta, coated in thick salted egg yolk gravy with bits of fatty bacon bits. There’s an option of spicy or non-spicy – we opted for the former as chilli helps offset the richness of the egg yolk.

Salted Egg Yolk Pork Bacon Pasta

I was told they get pretty packed over the weekend but since we were there on a weeknight, Jien and I got to enjoy plenty of peace and quiet over a good coffee session. If you’re looking for a decent café in Penang, try this.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: I like the frozen tiramisu and salted egg yolk pasta.

Caffeine Chemistry Coffee
No. 27, Nagore Square,
Jalan Nagor
10050 Penang.
Tel: 04-226 6518
Business hours: 3pm till 11pm
Closed Wednesday
Facebook Page

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Online reviews are generally a good indication of one’s would be dining experience at an F&B establishment, if you take the time to read them and manage your expectation accordingly. As the writer behind Bangsarbabe.com, my reviews are meant to help my readers make more informed decisions.

Kitchen area

Which is why I wasn’t quite sure if my food radar was off or the staff at Grub by Ahong didn’t quite hack it during my visits. Based on feedback from my friends who’ve been to Grub, they had good things to say about the food, backed by the many positive reviews I’ve read online. I was also told to make a reservation as they are always “booked out” come weekends so I did so accordingly.

Fuss-free setup

The RSVP process isn’t pleasant I must say – it took me two attempts before getting a table and the booking confirmation came the evening before I was supposed to visit, at noon. You basically place your order through a chit, and head downstairs to pass the staff your order and wait for them to confirm the dishes to avoid mistakes. Plates, cutlery and drinks are self-service to manage cost so do take note that you’re supposed to do it yourself.

Roasted beetroot, fresh fruits and feta salad

Roasted beetroot, fresh fruits and feta salad (RM13.50) makes a refreshing and palatable start. You get plenty of zing from the greens, and I like the combination of honey, jackfruit and beetroot. Feta cheese gives the salad a light yet crumbly texture; not bad for a start.

Ribeye Steak

Flank steak

Steaks are reasonably priced at Grub – you’re looking at RM35 per ribeye (150gm) and RM25 for either a New York Strip or Flank Steak (150gm each). The ribeye was commendable during our first visit, as was the flank steak which was adequately tender with a good flavour from the meat and char. The steaks come with a side of jambu ulam for a local twist.

Flank steak on my second visit — very tough

Grilled lamb

We weren’t as lucky during our second visit as the flank steak was very tough to a point it was almost impossible to chew. It reminded me of my dog’s chew toy, not that I’ve tried it. Grilled lamb (RM30) seems to be one of their popular picks where the lamb chops are supposedly slow roasted with percik sauce and served alongside mesclun salad, potato salad and lemon rice.

Lemon rice

I had this during my first visit and thought it was pretty good so Jien decided to order it for himself during our second visit. It tasted the same as what I had the first time (albeit an inferior cut) but when our friend ordered hers 10 minutes later, the lamb she got was so tough, none of us could chew without straining our jaw. Think chew toy. It’s a pity really, for the flavours were quite good.

Roasted chicken

The Roasted Chicken (RM16.50) features 2/3 of a chicken leg – that means you get a whole drumstick and half a thigh – on a bed of mash potato with roasted vegetables on the side. I didn’t think much about this as the chicken was a tad tough. I also got (what I think) is Yorkshire pudding, which was chewy and not quite like Yorkshire pudding if you asked me. I liken it to the texture of “ham chim peng”, without the filling insde.

El Grande

Jien’s El Grande (RM26) from our first visit was much better. You get a boneless chicken chop, flattened and deep fried, then topped with cheese with chicken ham on a base of marinara sauce for a tangy yet rich finish. I liked this a lot better as the meat is more tender and each bite gives you plenty of flavour.

Roasted vegetables

Ramen

You get to add on sides to your meal if you need something more substantial. The ramen tastes like maggi noodles so unless you’re too damn lazy to cook it yourself, I suggest you go for their chips. They go well with the cili padi sauce available at the self-service section.

Apam balik cheesecake

Desserts choices are interesting – we tried the apam balik cheesecake, which tasted similar to apam balik. I have to say, Grub offers some decent wine options if you’re planning to drink. Don’t go there expecting Bordeaux please, but prices are reasonable if you don’t want to bring your own. Corkage charge is RM7 per pax by the way.

Procesco

Because you compromise on ambiance and service, prices are reasonable at Grub. Unlike the many reviews and praises I’ve heard about the place, I’m not as impressed given the food quality during my second visit. If I were to average out the score from my first visit which was more positive, then Grub is still worth checking out if you’re into hearty dishes and fuss-free dining.

Ambiance: 5.5/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 6/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Go with an open mind and dress comfortably. I recommend the ribeye steak and el grande.

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Grub by Ahong
608, Jalan 17/10,
Seksyen 17,
46400 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 016-923 2983 (WhatsApp only. They won’t pick up your calls)
Business hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 6pm till 10.45pm
Friday: 12noon till 3pm, 6pm till 10.45pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am till 2pm, 6pm till 10.45pm
Closed Monday
Facebook Page

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There is plenty to like about living in Bangsar – central location, plenty of amenities, great neighbourhood and good food, if you ask me. But the one thing I find incredibly lacking in Bangsar is the presence of Chinese tai chow (big fry) places, which forces me to explore other tai chow options elsewhere.

Jien and I found ourselves near Kajang last weekend, so Leng Loong Seafood Restaurant in Taman Equine became an option for dinner. Our friend who used to live in Seri Kembangan told us about this restaurant, claiming the food was quite decent and reasonably priced.

Kong Xi Stuffed Taufu Pok

Leng Loong Restaurant is known for its Kong Sai dishes and the chef hails from Lenggong in Perak. That explains the stuffed taufu pok (RM12 – small) which features tofu puffs stuffed with a filling of minced pork and chives.

Dry pork curry

Could be spicier and more aromatic

Portions are generous, evident from the size of the dry pork curry (RM19 – small). I would have liked this dish to be spicier as this bordered on the mild side, with plenty of sweetness from the onions. That said, it was a decent curry dish which went well with white rice.

Three cup chicken

Three cup chicken (RM19 – small) was recommended to us by the girl who took our order and I rather enjoyed it. Opt for boneless and skinless chicken pieces for hassle-free eating – this could use more basil leaves for flavour and aroma but that’s just my preference.

Four heavenly kings

We also shared a portion of four heavenly kings (RM12 – small), a mixture of brinjal, petai, long beans and ladies finger in sambal gravy. Leng Loong’s version is lighter and not as spicy, but heavy on the dried shrimp for bite and umami.

They are also known for their handmade noodles but we didn’t try any that night. I did order a takeaway Cantonese yin yong (RM8) and it was not too bad. I guess this calls for another visit when I’m in the area.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 7/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Order the three cup chicken and dry pork curry.

Leng Loong Restaurant
21, Jalan Equine 9b,
Taman Equine,
43300 Seri Kembangan,
Selangor.
Tel: 017-247 1183
Business hours: 10.30am till 2.30am daily.

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Everyone has a neighborhood restaurant they patronise for good old comfort food, I believe. For a close friend of ours, it happens to be Cinta Ria in Damansara Jaya. It’s been a family ritual for him and he recommended the restaurant to Jien and myself.

Mushroom Soup — available ala carte and also a part of the dinner set. Nothing fantastic, but it was adequately chunky and thick.

If I’m not mistaken, Cinta Ria is managed by one of the family members of the folks behind Dave’s Deli. The place gets pretty packed on weekends, with regular customers tucking into their specialty dishes like roast chicken and local fare.

1/4 roast chicken leg (RM16.90, RM23.90 – set)

Whole chicken leg with mashed potatoes, coleslaw and gravy

I like Cinta Ria’s roast chicken — it reminds me of the one from Dave’s Deli but they use a slightly different marinade. It’s milder in pepper notes and the accompanying brown sauce is not as robust but equally tasty. The chicken I got was tender and flavoured right till the center, and came with a side of mashed potato and coleslaw to complete the portion.

Yong Chow Fried Rice

I was quite impressed with their Yong Chow fried rice (RM10.90); although simple, it was aromatic from the wok char and justly seasoned so you get plenty of flavour in each bite. Fried rice isn’t my default order but Jien’s, but Cinta Ria’s version is something I wouldn’t mind ordering when I’m there again.

Cantonese Fried Kuay Teow

During our first visit, I spotted a few old timers (I gathered based on the way they interacted with the staff) ordering the Cantonese fried kuay teow so I ordered that when I visited the restaurant a few weeks later. Not bad at all — the kuay teow itself had good flavour, so there’s not much need to have this with soy sauce. The egg gravy was more than sufficient in complementing the flavour. If you want more kick, eat your noodles (RM11.50) with cili padi.

Baked Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

Five layers of pasta topped with tomato, cheese, carrots and herbs

Cinta Ria also prides itself in its chicken lasagna, though I wasn’t a fan. It was too starchy for my liking as they used a few too many sheets of pasta in between layers of meat and carrots. I also felt there was more carrots than I liked in so I wasn’t getting a meaty bite in each mouthful. Then again, I like my lasagna meaty and saucy so you might not feel the same way as I did with Cinta Ria’s version.

Cendol with Gula Melaka

They don’t have much choices for desserts so you can either opt for the brownie or something local like cendol or ABC. I ordered the cendol which was pretty average to say the least. Service is prompt and efficient so your food won’t take long to arrive.

Overall, I find the food at Cinta Ria hearty and reasonably priced. While I didn’t care much for their lasagna, the roast chicken and Cantonese kuay teow is enough motivation for me to revisit.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 6.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: Hearty dishes and good portions. Try the roast chicken and Cantonese fried kuay teow.

Cinta Ria
No. 78, Jalan SS22/25,
Damansara Jaya,
47400 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03-7726 8981
Business hours: 9am till 9pm
Closed Tuesday
(The signage outside the shop says they only open on weekends, but the signage inside states they open on weekdays except Tuesday. Best to call them to be sure.)

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Travel writer: Melissa Foo

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sentosa Island? For someone who has never set foot on Singapore’s most popular island resort, I can gladly say that my first experience is definitely one where expectations and reality were aligned (in a good way). We hopped on the earliest AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and managed to get to our hotel in Resorts World Sentosa by 9.30 a.m. For those who prefer to start exploring immediately without worrying about checking into the hotel early, there are plenty of activities to choose from; key attractions include the Universal Studios theme park, Adventure Cove Water Park, and S.E.A Aquarium – all housed within Resorts World itself. Here is a breakdown and main highlights from our short 2-day getaway in Resorts World Sentosa:

Day 1 – Hotel Michael, S.E.A Aquarium, ESPA and OSIA Restaurant

Named after architect Michael Graves who also designed Resorts World Sentosa

Hotel Michael is one of Resorts World’s six hotels, each catering to a unique theme for various types of visitors. I would say that Hotel Michael is reasonably comfortable for both business and leisure travellers alike. All of the hotels are inter-connected within the main resort itself, making it extremely convenient to sample the wide range of dining options and key attractions available.

Chilli Crab at Sessions Restaurant

Baked Seafood in Cajun Spices at Sessions Restaurant

Baked Seafood in Cajun Spices at Sessions Restaurant

Frozen yoghurt for dessert at Sessions Restaurant

We grabbed an early lunch at Sessions Restaurant in Hard Rock Hotel Singapore. Even after converting SGD to MYR, the Chilli Crab we ordered turned out to be slightly cheaper than its equivalent in KL with even juicier and meatier flesh to boot. Although we would have preferred the ‘gravy’ to spicier with more ‘oomph’, the overall freshness of the seafood made up for it. After lunch, we made our way to S.E.A Aquarium where we spent most of the afternoon being in awe and fascination with the marine life contained in one of the world’s largest aquarium (by total water volume), categorised into 10 zones with 49 habitats.

Open Ocean Tank at S.E.A Aquarium

With our familiarisation guide, Yi Le at S.E.A Aquarium

Station yourself in front of the aquarium’s centrepiece, the ‘Open Ocean tank’ and you will find this to be a suitable alternative to people watching with an added effect of being suspended on the ocean floor. There are over 50,000 animals including the world’s largest collection of manta rays and an impressive selection of dolphins, sharks and unusual marine species like the guitarfish. Our favourite exhibit had to be the jellyfish and sea dragon habitats.

Capturing marine life in action at S.E.A Aquarium

Jellyfish exhibit at S.E.A Aquarium

In the evening, we took a shuttle to ESPA in Equarius Hotel where we enjoyed a one-hour 60 minute personalised massage (S$200), which is on the pricier side comparatively. Any 60-minute treatment at ESPA will grant you access to the spa’s facilities which includes Singapore’s first Turkish Hammam, Vitality Pools, Forest Onsen-style Pools, Rock Saunas, Crystal Steam Rooms, and gym.

Vitality Pool at ESPA

Onsen-style pool at ESPA

Enjoying a cup of soothing lemongrass tea after a 60-min massage

We had dinner at OSIA Restaurant, a one-Michelin star Steak and Seafood restaurant, and shared a 300gm dry aged Black Angus beef tenderloin with herb butter and red wine sauce, grilled tiger prawns, flat bread with macadamia ricotta, and for desserts – hot chocolate soup with black peppered ice cream and macadamia soufflé with sour cream ice cream. The highlight for me was definitely the tenderloin as it was grilled to perfection, whilst retaining the juices of the meat and it paired really well with the red wine sauce.

Foie Gras with pineapple jam for appetizer at OSIA

Dry-aged beef tenderloin at OSIA

Macadamia soufflé and hot chocolate soup for dessert at OSIA

With the lovely OSIA team

Day 2 – Universal Studios Singapore & TrollsTopia (9th March – 29th April 2018)

The Universal Studios Singapore Theme Park opens at 10 am every day and it is a common sight to see crowds of people queuing up outside the gates, especially on weekends and public holidays. Do get the Universal Express ticket as it allows you to skip the queues for majority of the rides. Once you enter the park, do get a copy of the park’s map/layout and daily timetable (updated every day) for performances, character meet and greet, and live shows.

The Universal Express pass can be obtained at the Guest Services counter at the park’s entrance where the minimum rate is S$30 for the Regular Pass (one express ride at each attraction) and S$50 Unlimited Pass (unlimited rides in the express lane). Parents, kids, ‘kidults’ and fans of Trolls the movie will rejoice to know that the park is currently featuring TrollsTopia between 9th March to 29th April 2018 with the following Event Highlights:

• Glitterpalooza – dive into this glitter-filled dance party box and get your best pose and dance moves ready while you catch confetti. You’ll also stand a chance to win exciting prizes!
• TrollsTopia show – Find your happy place with the citizens of TrollsTopia as they celebrate the coronation of their new Trolls Queen Poppy. If you loved the Trolls soundtrack, don’t miss this live performance at the park’s main stage at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
• Trollify yourself – Brighten up your appearance and experience the ultimate ‘Trollification’ i.e makeover with face paint, glitter and make-up complete with colourful Trolls wigs before snapping your Trolls-selfie.
• VR Troll Art – Immerse yourself in the Trolls-inspired virtual world with the help of state-of-the-art VR goggles. Create customised 3D virtual art and bring home your very own unique souvenir from Universal Studios.
• VR Beat Feat – Dance to the rhythm and bop to the beats of Trolls tunes and harmonies in this spectacular Virtual Reality world.

Trolls Décor at Universal Studios Singapore

TrollsTopia show and live performance

At the Trollify booth where the artist is busy preparing her colour palette

Troll make up at the Trollify Yourself booth

Trolls makeover in progress

Universal Studios Singapore consists of seven zones; Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar. We went for quite a number of rides within each zone with our top picks being the Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon, followed by Revenge of the Mummy and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. Human vs Cylon is the world’s highest duelling roller coaster ride standing tall at 42.5m where Cylon, an inverted roller coaster (imagine dangling feet and flying flip flops) travelling at a maximum of 82 km/h and Human, a traditional seated roller coaster with a top speed of 90km/h will leave you with a light head, wobbly knees and the sensation of your heart pumping out of your chest for at least 5 minutes.

Battlestar Galactica: Human roller coaster ride

View of Battlestar Galactica ride from afar

Cylon roller coaster ride

Live show ‘Waterworld’ in action

For additional thrill factor, sit in the front row for the best ‘view’ this ride has to offer! We even enjoyed the junior rollercoasters – Enchanted Airways and Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey, both located in the Far Far Away section. As for the live performances, Waterworld is worth allocating 30 minutes of your day for. If you grew up in the 90’s, you will appreciate this show with a tinge of nostalgia as you witness a Kevin Costner lookalike riding a Jet Ski and jumping out of exploding props in a post-apocalyptic set mimicking scenes of the original movie. If you are particularly about water remnants, grab a seat at the back of the audience or risk the chance of being splashed if you prefer being closer to where the actions is.

Plenty of photo ops on the streets of ‘New York’

Meet and Greet with Betty Boop

With the dinettes outside Mel’s Drive-in

Alternatively, schedule to watch this show before or after the Jurassic Rapids Adventure as there is a 95% chance of you getting 50% soaked on this fun ride as well. Other notable mentions include Lights, Camera, Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg – a sound stage equipped with special effects simulating a major hurricane in New York City and do stay around for some up-beat tunes and choreography performed by Mel’s Dinettes at Mel’s Drive-in.

Open Sesame cocktail at Rock Bar, Hard Rock Hotel

With Anton, Bar Manager of Rock Bar

We made one more pit stop at Rock Bar, Hard Rock Hotel for three of their WIP cocktails (targeted to launch next month); my favourite being the Open Sesame, a classic cosmopolitan with a twist and a hint of roasted sesame syrup – what a great way to wrap up a short and fun getaway! Having spent less than 48 hours on the island, it’s hard to disagree with Sentosa’s slogan Asia’s Favourite Playground and its promise to deliver fun and adventure to all walks of life.

Mandatory shot outside Universal Studios Singapore

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Melissa Foo is a glorified Quality Assurance Manager with a not-so-enviable 9-5 job, who still dreams of being an urbanite once in a while. She kills her time experimenting in the kitchen, inconsistently practicing yoga, and discovering obscure movies. Occasionally, she and her husband travel for leisure to make up for lost time in the future (when life gets more serious and you wish you had travelled more).

P/S: She is also a walking Shazam.

Find her on Instagram @mellymellyfoo

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Bangsar South is fast becoming a hub for food and coffee, given the recent opening of restaurants and cafés including the renowned Forty Hands Coffee from Singapore. Jien has been eyeing this place since we caught wind of its opening some time in February this year and finally got down to checking them out last month.

Interior

The place gets pretty packed on weekends so it’s best to go early (think brunch) or be prepared to wait a little for a table to free up. I like the service here – fairly attentive and the folks are helpful, especially if you need some help with recommendations. Since it’s Forty Hands Coffee we’re talking about, I have high expectations when it comes to their coffee as they get their beans from their sister café; Common Man Coffee Roasters.

Hot mocha

Skip their juices

I had a hot mocha on my first visit and found it pleasant enough – brownie points for the barista on duty that afternoon, for making me a different coffee art (sorry I thought it was a donkey when you intended for it to be a camel!).

40 Hands Cubanos

Hearty stuff

40 Hands Cubanos (RM28) is worth trying if you’re looking for something more substantial at Forty Hands Coffee. You get a hearty sandwich of mojo pork, honey-smoked ham, mayonnaise, mustard and jalapenos between a crusty baguette with Parmesan cheese. I liked the combination as there’s plenty of flavour from the ham and a good kick from the pickled jalapenos.

Salmon Hash

Mediocre at best

On our second visit, I went for one of their popular items – Salmon Hash (RM26). Not so good, as I found this rather bland and one-dimensional. The creamy potato mustard sauce didn’t do much to accentuate the salmon, and I found it a bit cloying after a while because of the lack of character.

Big Boy Breakfast

Not-so-runny poached egg

Jien’s Big Boy Breakfast (RM30) was better but still pretty average if you asked me. The breakfast comes with pork sausage, grilled tomato, mushroom ragout, pork bacon and flat bread, with your choice of eggs. He opted for the poached egg, which turned out poorly made. It was overdone and there wasn’t much liquid-factor in the yolk.

Perhaps it was our unlucky day for we were there at 11am and their head chef apparently comes in around noon. Or so I was told by an acquaintance who frequents Forty Hands. Skip the Homemade Granola (RM15) as it wasn’t much to shout about – I got to try a spoonful from a friend we bumped into during our first visit.

Truffle Fries

I do like their Truffle Fries (RM12) thought it’s just basic fries with truffle oil. It’s a great sharing item and one I cannot resist ordering when I see it on the menu. The one at Forty Hands Coffee isn’t fantastic but it’s good (and reasonable) enough to nibble on.

Lattee

The latte we had during our second visit was particularly disappointing and definitely off-tune from what I’d expect from the beans of Common Man Coffee Roasters. It tasted bitter; and the burnt-bitter kind rather than the aromatic, smooth coffee I was expecting.

Overall, we like the ambience at Forty Hands Coffee but note that the seats by the windows get pretty warm mid-afternoon. Food is average at best but I’d come back for their Cubanos. I reckon there might be a consistency issue with their coffee as it was pretty foul on my second visit. Will have to go back again for a coffee fix when I’m in the area to see if it’s just a teething issue.

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Ambience: 6.5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Order the 40 Hands Cubanos if you want a bite with your coffee.

Forty Hands Coffee
Unit G-6, The Sphere
No.8 Jalan Kerinchi
59200 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2732 0855
Facebook Page

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I still remember my first Ramly burger – Jien bought it for me when we just started dating and it was a sloppy, greasy and deliciously messy. And much to my mother’s dismay, it soon became one of my favourite things to eat. Friends have said good things about Sixty Bites Burger in TTDI, said to serve 100% ribeye patties in their burgers.

Waiting time is between 40 minutes to an hour an a half, so it’s advisable for you to WhatsApp them (012-354 7517) ahead to place your order. We did just that so our burgers were ready by the time we got to Sixty Bites.

Beef patties on the grill

The menu is straightforward; either a single or double patty with their version of sauces and toppings such as onion jam, grilled eggplant and chutney mayo. I opted for the double cheeseburger (RM16), a fairly  large assemblage comprising two thick yet compact beef patties with two slices of cheese, mustard pickled mayo, onion jam and tomato.

Double Cheeseburger

This was good stuff – the patties were juicy and cooked medium, and I like that they didn’t OD on the seasoning and sauces. It’s still sloppy, but not to a point you can’t taste the meat flavour. The combo works well as there’s a good balance of meat to cheese to sauce in each bite.

Maui

Chicken patty with pineapple & BBQ Tabasco Mayo

Jien had the Maui (RM13) which featured a lean chicken breast patty topped with caramelised pineapple ring and BBQ Tabasco mayo. Decent combination but paled in comparison to my double patty burger. Then again, I’m not exactly a fan of chicken breast so this burger isn’t something I’d order in general. I might feel otherwise had it been a fried chicken thigh patty since that’s my favourite part of the chicken.

Chezburger

Our friends had a single patty chezburger (RM10) and they told us it was good. If you’re not as greedy as I am, opt for the regular chezburger as it’s a smaller version of the double patty burger. But when you have to wait that long for a burger, you might as well double up to make it worth your while. Just saying.

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Ambiance: 4.5/10
Price: 5.5/10
Food: 6.5/10 (halal)
Verdict: Go for their beef patty burgers as that’s their forte. I would order the triple patty if they had one haha!

Sixty Bites Burger
(opposite Lim Tayar & Shell TTDI)
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 012-905 4030 / 012-354 7517
Facebook Page

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My mother used to buy a lot of chicken rice from Choon Yien in Section 17 as it was one of her regular lunch spots with her colleagues back in the days. That said, I never understood the hype of this chicken rice and the fact that I dislike chicken rice made me less open to the idea of going there for lunch.

Chicken rice stall at Choon Yien, Section 17

The chicken rice stall at Choon Yien has been around in Happy Mansion for as long as I can remember. And it is one of the must-go spots for chicken rice lovers, from what I know and observe. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks back that I finally paid the place a visit with Jien.

Chicken, char siew and siew yuk

Even at 11.30am, there was already a crowd but we got a table almost immediately. There’s an option of chicken, char siew and siew yuk to go with rice – we opted for all three meats for variety. I reckon the appeal of Choon Yien is the roast chicken, which is tender and smooth, even for the breast cut.

Additional order of chicken breast to compare

I had the dark meat cut and also chicken breast, and both were adequately tasty. You get more fat and flavour from the chicken thigh but there’s a lot more meat from the breast section so it really depends on your personal preference.

Both the char siew and siew yuk were average

The char siew and siew yuk were both average at best – I prefer the siew yuk compared to the former. There wasn’t much char and flavour going on in the char siew, and I feel the meat could be more tender.

Overall, I do admit Choon Yien’s chicken rice is quite decent and definitely one you should try if you’re a fan of this dish. The queue can be maddening during lunch hour – I now get why my mother always opted for takeaway back them. Personally, I prefer the chicken rice at Kar Hiong in SS14 to this.

Expect to pay between RM10-15 per head depending on how much meat you order. I asked for an extra portion of chicken breast, so our bill came up to RM37. They often run out of chicken by 2pm I was told, so it’s best to go early.

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Ambiance: 5/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: Decent chicken rice but be prepared to wait during lunch hour.

Choon Yien Chicken Rice
CG-1,
Jalan 17/13,
Happy Mansion,
46400 Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 016-979 3118

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“You should try Kayra in TTDI. My husband and I love going there.”

A friend of mine told me that over lunch not too long ago, when the subject of Indian food came up. She’s been to a few of the places I recommended and since my knowledge in Indian cuisine isn’t as vast, I took her word for it and paid Kayra a visit with Jien and another two friends.

From what I gathered, Kerala cuisine is a marriage of spices from Indians, Muslims and Christians and coconut is widely used. Service at Kayra is friendly and if you’re as new to Kerala food as I am, the staff are more than happy to assist with your food order.

Kerala Dahi Puri

Squid Peera

We started off with the Kerala Dahi Puri (RM11), topped with yogurt and tamarind dressing. This is a moreish snack; crispy puri topped with sev and a bit of coriander for colour. I wasn’t as crazy over the Squid Peera (RM17) where squid rings are cooked with spices and grated coconut till tender and flavourful. That said, it makes a good sharing starter.

Meen Pollichatthu

The Meen Pollichatthu (RM49) came highly recommended by our waiter – you get a whole seabass marinated with Keralan spices and grilled in banana leaf. This was good stuff. The fish was beautifully cooked; aromatic and redolent of spices. Be careful of the fish bones as you’ll want to clean out the fish as much as possible, I assure you.

Delia’s Chicken Stew

Delia’s Chicken Stew (RM22) isn’t as robust as the fish but it had its own unique set of spices and flavours. It’s creamy and milder in flavour, with tender chicken pieces; ideal for those who aren’t big on spicy food. You’ll want white rice to go with this.

Mutton Ollathiathu

I rather enjoyed the Mutton Ollathiathu (RM33), a dry stir-fry of boneless mutton chunks cooked in coconut and spices will tender and flavourful. There’s plenty of aroma from the curry leaves and dried chillies, and I like how the mutton pieces have a good balance of meat and fat.

Mushroom Ulartiyath

Appam

Jien likes the Mushroom Ulartiyath (RM20), a dry stir-fry of mushrooms, onions, coconut slivers and Keralan spices. The mushrooms are tender, meaty and sweet from the onions – really good with appam (RM7).

Sweet Appam

For dessert, try the Sweet Appam (RM7) with salted Gula Melaka. The sides are crispy and the appam has a fluffy, creamy centre from the coconut milk. I like how the Gula Melaka complements the pancake as you get a bit of salty notes to balance out the creamy sweetness of the appam.

Vattalappam

Vattalappam (RM15) is said to be a Keralan version of cream caramel and it happens to be a popular dessert option at Kayra. It looks just like cream caramel but with more air pockets, and topped with grated coconut and caramel syrup.

Masala Tea

Portions are smaller than we like it to be – we ordered plenty of dishes but all the above was only just enough for four pax. Dinner came up to about RM250 inclusive of drinks. Good food, but I could use larger portions.

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Ambiance: 6.5/10
Price: 5/10
Food: 7/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: The Meen Pollichatthu, Mutton Ollathiathu and Dahi Puri are a must-order.

Kayra
46, Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7732 2009
Business hours: 11.30am till 3.30pm, 6.30pm till 10.30pm
Website
Facebook Page

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Steak is something I take very seriously and while I have my default steakhouses to visit in town, I’m also open to new suggestions from fans and friends. When I last wrote about the dry-aged beef at my favourite steakhouse, I got quite a few messages from readers telling me I should try Vantador in Desa Sri Hartamas.

The grill

Apparently, Vantador has “better cuts” and grills better meats. When the time came for Jien and I to indulge in a date night of steak and wine, we opted for Vantador to see what the fuss is about. Like most popular steakhouses in KL, table reservation is a must to ensure you get a spot. Else, you might have to settle for a table outside.

Tables are placed too close to one another, I feel

I like the interior of Vantador – it combines both modern and traditional elements – but the table arrangement makes me feel as though I’m in a speed-dating session. Tables are placed rather close to each other so I could hear what the family next to me were ordering, right down to their choice of wine.

Bread basket

That made me cautious of what I was talking about as I didn’t want the tables next to me knowing if I’ve had a bad day. If I had a choice, I would like to eat my meat with a little more privacy. Rubia Gallega is prized at Vantador, said to be one of the best meats in the world. This cut of beef is known for its subtle marbling and rims of creamy fat from Spanish cows (Galician Blond) of over 8 years old.

Striploin Premium

Jien and I shared the Striploin Premium (RM75 / 100gm) which was slightly over 900gm and we were asked to go for medium rare instead of medium as the meat is of good cut so medium rare would bring out the best flavours. At least that was what we were told by our waiter.

Cooked medium rare

Personally, I felt medium would have been a better choice as we found the steak too chewy for our liking. I expected the Rubia Gallega to have a deep complexed flavour; it was deep and complexed, but in a gamey, cheese-like kind of way.

Alas, I found it too tough and difficult to chew

Sure, there were nutty notes at the start from the marbling, but as I progressed through dinner, the meat became tougher and gamier. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought so as the family from the table next to me told the waiter the same thing (that’s the problem with placing the tables so close to one another), and the couple on our right were chewing their meats longer than average.

Burrata cheese

We wanted to try the wagyu bone marrow but it wasn’t available that night so we opted for the burrata cheese (RM45) instead. You get creamy burrata with pistachio dressing and aged balsamic for aroma and flavour – decent, but nothing to shout about.

Homemade fries and creamy spinach

The sides are slightly on the small side so if you’re planning on sharing, I suggest you order more. I liked the home made fries (RM12) as you get real potatoes, deep-fried till crispy on the outside and fluffy at the centre. This was moreish and flavourful next to the creamy spinach (RM12) which needed a few cracks of salt for flavour.

The steak has a good char from the grill

Striploin Premium (top down)

Service needs work as I felt things were hurried and the ambiance, chaotic. Given the price tag of the meal (close to RM1,000), I was expecting much more – both food and service. On my second visit with friends, the Rubia Gallega ribeye fared better than the striploin because I insisted for it to be cooked medium.

That said, it was still, just an OK piece of steak; not more superior than the steak places I frequent. My friend had the Atlantic cod fish (RM85) which came with celeriac mash and bouillabaisse sauce. The cod was cooked right but I wasn’t feeling the sauce all that much.

We shared the Crema Catalana (RM20) for dessert, which was a tad sweet for my liking. I prefer the one from Mercat in Bangsar, though it’s been a while since I had that so things may have changed.

“You don’t need teeth to eat our beef”, they say. Unfortunately, I have to disagree. You will need pretty strong teeth to eat the beef at Vantador if you go for their recommendation of medium rare.

All in, I gave Vantador two shots and I wasn’t impressed. Perhaps three is a lucky charm but I’ve exceeded my quota of spending an amount equivalent to a Chanel card holder on an F&B establishment, so I’ll just stop here. It’s up to you if you want to give this place a try.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 5/10
Food: 5.5/10 (pork-free)
Verdict: I find the steaks average and priced on the high side.

Vantador
38, Jalan 25/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas,
50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6211 5588
Business hours: 6pm till 12.30am
Website
Facebook Page

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Hot cauldron, thinly sliced meats and fresh vegetables are what I associate shabu shabu with. Japanese shabu shabu is a collegial experience for me – one that’s meant to be shared with friends where social conversation and gossips happen. I guess to me, that concept applies to any hotpot, Japanese, Chinese, Korean or even Swiss (fondue).

Seafood preparation bar

Okayu Shabu Shabu in Damansara Uptown occupies what used to be known as Super Big Don House; the owner remains the same but the concept, changed to cater to demand. So I was told. The marketing person got in touch with Jien who happens to be the deciding factor if Bangsar Babe should take reviews or not – all unpaid, as stated repeatedly over the past 10 years of the brand’s existence.

Appetiser

Side orders

Pricing is slightly on the higher side as Okayu Shabu Shabu prides itself in its fresh seafood like Japanese abalone, Boston lobster and crabs. The most basic of shabu shabu would set you back RM38 per pax and you’ll need to add on items from their side orders. With that in mind, expect to pay between RM60-200 per head, depending on what you order.

Live abalone, scallop and salmon slices

Boston lobster, crab and clams

A bit scarce for two pax, I feel

We got the RM88 per pax set, where each individual gets half a crab, half a Boston lobster, one Japanese abalone, clams, salmon or scallop and two items from their side orders. For seafood lovers, this will probably sound like a dream come true as the seafood is fresh. I mean, it can’t get any fresher when you can see the lobster moving despite the body sliced in half and the abalone wriggling when you tease it with your finger.

Tuna fish balls

Some of the popular side orders include the handmade tuna fish ball (RM6.90 for three pieces), miso balls (RM6.90 for 3 pieces) and Kyushu fish tofu (RM6.90). I found the miso balls quite tasty but slightly on the salty side. As for the tuna fish balls, Jien and our friends enjoyed it while I found this rather fishy. To each his own.

The lobster is cooked first and there’s a timer to indicate how long the cooking process should be for each item

Crab

A member of the staff will assist with the cooking and also disassembling the lobster and crab if you need help

The seafood items were sweet and succulent, so we were told to eat them as it is. For added flavour, Okayu Shabu Shabu offers light vinegar on the side to balance the sweetness and richness of the seafood. I liked them with a bit of vinegar as it gives the seafood an extra flavour note.

A5 Wagyu Beef — not the freshest, I thought

Meat slices include the Kurobuta pork (RM9.90 per 80gm) and A5 Japanese Wagyu Beef (RM20 per 100gm). Both were nothing to shout about as the beef wasn’t as fresh as I’d like it to be, while the pork had a strong smell which required more vinegar to balance out.

The abalone was tender and succulent

At the end of the meal, rice is added into the broth

At the end of the meal, the staff will make porridge out of the remaining broth which would have been well-flavoured from the seafood. Rice is added into the broth and slow-cooked till the broth is absorbed into the grains, and egg is cracked in to thicken the consistency. This is probably my favourite part of the meal as we weren’t suppose to drink the broth prior to the porridge stage.

An egg is used to thicken the mix

Seafood porridge

The idea of shabu shabu for me is to “swish swish” and drink the broth as I go along, not wait till the very end for porridge. So if you’re a soup drinker like me, you probably wouldn’t enjoy this experience as much. We did sneak a sip or two in between the seafood intervals but I thought the broth was nothing to shout about.

All in, our experience at Okayu Shabu Shabu was just average. While the seafood is fresh and tasty in the hotpot, it wasn’t the kind of shabu shabu experience I was looking for. Prices are slightly on the high side (if you were to take the RM88 per pax or more set) so do take note if you plan to visit.

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Ambiance: 6/10
Price: 5/10
Food: 5.5/10 (non-halal)
Verdict: I found the shabu shabu average though seafood was fresh.

Okayu Shabu Shabu
75, Jalan SS 21/1,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-7733 5996
Business hours: 6pm till 2am

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Beauty writer: Angeline Tan

Anyone here feels my pain on eye-makeup for monolids?

The struggle is real, and it has been since my love affair with makeup began. How could I even try to get a decent eye look when my flat and flabby eyelids roll over any colour I try to put on? And don’t get me started on eyeliner! When I first started playing with makeup I, very literally, had panda eyes because that’s how thick my eyeliner needed to be if I wanted it to be seen.

It didn’t help that there was barely anyone that I could look to for guidance. Today it’s so much easier with social media and YouTube, but just 5 years ago it was difficult to find an Asian girl with monolids that could teach you some tips and tricks on how to battle out your painfully stubborn eyes.

Despite social media today, I think the advice we get for monolids is still not enough. A lot of the time I feel like it’s barely addressed, and the makeup-Pros always just brush it aside as if there isn’t a real hurdle to overcome here.

But I understand your pain. Oh, I really really do.

I’m not saying I’m an expert on makeup, and I definitely wouldn’t say that I’m skillful. But I am very passionate about it, and believe me, my journey with makeup has been paved with trials and tests that my stubborn eyes have put me through. So, I’d love to share what I have discovered to work for me, and I hope that this will work for you too!

It’s a simple tutorial on how I like my daytime-glam, but it definitely includes all the tips I have on working with monolids and trying to make my small Asian eyes appear bigger!

Angeline Tan is a university student, beauty enthusiast and part-time professional bathroom singer. She enjoys travelling, overspending on theatre shows and snuggling her overweight golden retriever. Her talents include having way too many opinions and mastering the art of telling dramatic stories.

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Retreats are one of the things Jien and I indulge in – our way of taking short breathers from the stress and chaos of our work routine. A short retreat really helps with resetting my mind and priorities and come Monday, I’m all geared up for another fast-paced week.

AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort offers just the right balance of zen and recreational activities for us; from fun water sports to a romantic dinner by the beach. Just 90 minutes from the city centre and about 40 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, international guests can get to AVANI Sepang by opting for the hotel limo (please inquire before booking) or booking a metered taxi from the airport.

AVANI Sepang | Two-bedroom villa

AVANI Sepang | Two-bedroom villa

The resort is especially popular during weekends and despite their high occupancy, I like how the villas are stretched out in the form of an over water palm for plenty of space and freedom for guests.

AVANI Sepang | Two-bedroom villa

AVANI Sepang | Two-bedroom villa

Sunset view from our villa

Our two-bedroom villa is spacious enough to accommodate up to 5 guests and the master bedroom faces the coast so evening and morning views are especially beautiful. There are a number of AVANITours to choose from and we opted for the Mangrove River Cruise (RM202 per adult, RM106 per child) which allowed us to bask in the beauty of what the coast had to offer.

Mangrove River Cruise

Planting a new mangrove tree

Fishermen at work

On this cruise, you get a glimpse of mangrove river fishing and the beautiful terrains along the way. If you’re lucky, you might bump into fishermen harvesting their catch of the day and purchase what you fancy fresh from their boat.

Watersport activities at AVANI Sepang

As water level resides fairly quickly in Sepang Goldcoast, you’ll need to be punctual when it comes to water sport activities. The best time to embark in water sports is between 8am till 10am – if you’re highly adventurous, go for the flying fish (RM28) and jet ski ride (RM35).

AVANISpa Massage Room

For those looking for a little more TLC, check out the traditional Malay massages at AVANISpa where trained therapists will kneed and soothe those achy muscles to sweet surrender. Facial sessions are also available and Thalgo fans will be pleased to learn that they use some of the best Thalgo products for the betterment of your skin.

Perahu Restaurant

Salmon Tartare

Surf & Turf

Firedance Performance

If you’re a foodie, you’ll find the food at AVANI Sepang quite commendable. Lovebirds should check out the dinner set at Perahu (there’s also a firedance show at night) and for those who want to steer away from the typical breakfast buffet, allow the team at Bila Bila to serve up a hearty a la carte breakfast of fluffy pancakes and Eggs Benedict. Or something local like nasi lemak rendang with fiery sambal.

Breakfast at Bila Bila

Lunch at Hai Sang Lou

Dim sum with a view

I rather enjoyed the lunch at Hai Sang Lou, AVANI Sepang’s signature Chinese restaurant that is pork-free and a favourite among hotel guests. The dim sum selection features a mix of classic favourites like chicken siew mai and prawn dumplings, and chef’s specials such as fish maw dumplings and spicy dumplings in Sichuan pepper sauce.

Cycling around the resort is fun. Try it!

Getting around the resort is relatively easy as there are plenty of buggy rides for you to hop on to get to your destination. Alternatively, AVANI Sepang provides bicycles for hotel guests to enjoy a scenic ride along the property. I say live life a little and hop on that bicycle – I had so much fun cycling around!

Morning dip in the infinity pool

Yoga

After a weekend in AVANI Sepang, Jien and I left the resort more relaxed and definitely more ready to face city life. It is a retreat that caters to all – families, couples and even large groups. There’s definitely something for everyone whether you’re a water sports fanatic or a R&R traveller.

TRAVEL TIPS:

• AVANI Sepang is located 90 minutes from Kuala Lumpur city, and 40 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
• The resort provides complimentary return scheduled shuttle service to KLCC and Mitsui Outlet Park.
• Head to the beach in the morning when the tide is high.

Plan your next retreat at AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort by heading over to avanihotels.com/sepang for more info!

AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort
67, Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang,
Kg. Bagan Lalang,
43950 Sungai Pelek,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, MALAYSIA.
Tel: 03-3182 3600
Facebook Page

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