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Gerai Ummi & Family

December 17, 2018, 4:00 am
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This article is part of my 2018 Kota Kinabalu trip series.

Todak Waterfront is a popular eatery next to Pasar Besar Kota Kinabalu. Open in the evening, the open-air place is known for serving seafood at very affordable prices. There are more than 10 stalls operating here.
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Raw seafood is displayed on ice in front of each stall. The price quoted is inclusive of cooking. It is common to see stall operators haggling with prospect customers. Most of them speak basic Mandarin since a significant number of visitors come from China.
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After much consideration, we settled for stall # 4 called "Gerai Ummi & Family". This turns out to be a good choice. This stall has a wider variety of seafood including fishes of various colors.
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Meanwhile, crustaceans include blue crabs, spiny lobsters, slipper lobsters, tiger prawns, white prawns and much more. Not only are these delicacies larger than usual, they are extremely fresh too!
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As for mollusks, we are intrigued by cockles and clams of various sizes. The most prominent one is a sea snail called "melo melo". It is larger than one's fist! Melo melo is sometimes called "bailer shell" because it can be used to bail water out of boats.
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Our first dish is parrotfish (RM20.00), also known locally as "ikan bayan". The fish is originally blue in color; the color fades away as the fish is cooked. Parrotfish is named after its parrot-like beak, which it uses to scrape algae off corals. In order to appreciate its delicate texture, we requested for the fish to be steamed with ginger and scallions.
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Our spiny lobster (RM112.00) is cut into halves and cooked in two different styles. One half is baked with creamy sauce, while the other half is cooked with ginger and scallions. In both cases, the lobster's meat is succulent beyond words. It is worth the hassle of prodding every morsel from the shell!
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Melo melo (RM17.00) is cut into thin slices and then stir-fried with capsicum and chili peppers. Unfortunately, its rubbery texture does not really appeal to my palate. Nevertheless, I am glad that we have the opportunity to savor this delicacy.
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Latok and agar-agar (RM8.00) are two types of seaweed algae. Latok, nicknamed "sea grapes" for obvious reasons, is a popular food among Bajau people. Meanwhile, agar-agar (eucheuma) is often raised in seaweed farms along the coast. The seaweeds are cooked by blanching in boiling water. They are eaten with an extremely spicy sauce prepared from chili peppers and lime.
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Coconut (RM5.00 each) is an excellent remedy to quench thirst. Young ones are preferred as the pulp is softer. By the way, the jug of water on the table is not for drinking; it is meant for customers to wash their hands.
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The seafood here is unbelievably cheap by West Malaysian standards. This satisfying meal only costs us RM167.00 including rice and drinks! Besides having fresh seafood, the chef's culinary skill is commendable too. He knows the right amount of seasoning to accentuate the natural flavors of seafood.
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Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 014-626-7383
Business hours: 4:00pm-12:00am
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Wan Wan

December 17, 2018, 5:00 pm
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This article is part of my 2018 Kota Kinabalu trip series.

Speaking of fish noodle, most Sabahans recommend Kedai Kopi Wan Wan (旺旺) in Penampang. Located next to Bundusan Square, this renowned restaurant occupies two shop units. The place is often crowded with customers especially on weekends.
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Kon Lo Fish Mee (干捞鱼条, RM11.00) is prepared from fish paste. The fish noodle is delightfully springy, making it quite tasty on its own. The soup version is also available. Meanwhile, Fried Fish (炸鱼片, RM8.00) uses blue threadfin (马友鱼). The fillets are deep-fried until they turn brown.
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Next, Fish Slice + Fish Cake Kon Lo Mee (鱼片+鱼滑干捞面, RM31.50) is served in clear soup (清汤). Coral trout (七星斑) is used here. The soup also contains fish parts such as fish belly (鱼腩), fishcake (鱼滑) and fish skin (鱼皮). A bowl of Kon Lo Mee (干捞面) is served on the side. I must say that the soup is very satisfying.
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Overall, the taste of food at Wan Wan is certainly commendable. The price is costly largely because we opted for premium seafood ingredients. It is advisable to arrive the restaurant early in the morning if you wish to avoid the large crowd.
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Address: 24, HSK Industrial Centre Phase 1, Jalan Bundusan, 88300 Penampang, Sabah
Contact: 08-871-6698
Business hours: 6:30am-2:30pm, closed on Thursdays
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Mari Mari Cultural Village

December 17, 2018, 6:00 pm
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This article is part of my 2018 Kota Kinabalu trip series.

Are you eager to learn more about the indigenous tribes of Sabah? Mari Mari Cultural Village is a great place to start. The attraction in Ulu Kionsom is approximately 9 kilometers from Inanam.
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There are usually two session every day. The guided tour begins at 10:00am or 2:00pm, and takes around 3 hours per session. A guide is assigned to each visiting party. The tour is conducted in English, but due to a large number of tourists from China, some guides are proficient in Mandarin too.
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From the main entrance, visitors walk across a rope bridge over a small stream. On the opposite side is a multicultural village that represents the five largest ethnic groups in Sabah: Dusun, Bajau, Murut, Rungus and Lundayeh in descending order. Each house was constructed by descendants of the respective tribe.
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Kadazandusun is the merger of two former subgroups: Kadazan and Dusun. Dusun people are traditionally agrarian and reside in the west coast of Sabah. Many are rice farmers in the upland valleys of Crocker Range. Animism used to be the dominant religion, but at present most Dusun people are of the Christian faith.
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As with many ethnic groups in Borneo, Dusun houses are constructed on stilts as a defense against wild animals and intruders. The ladder at the entrance is actually narrower than the one shown here. It can be easily removed to impede the advance of raiders.
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Dusun culture is heavily influenced by rice farming. Kaamatan, the harvest festival, is the most important celebration of the year. Tangkob (granary) is used to stockpile rice after a bountiful harvest. It is usually raised above the ground to deter wild animals.
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Excess rice from the harvest is often made into alcoholic beverages like lihing and montoku. Lihing is fermented from glutinous rice and is widely sold in Sabah. Meanwhile, montoku is a hard liquor (up to 40% alcohol content) produced by distilling fermented rice. Rice wines are usually served by using bamboo drinking cups.
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Bajau is the second largest ethnic group in the state. There are two major subgroups in Sabah. The Bajau Laut, sometimes called "Sea Gypsies", are famed for their seafaring skills. They traditionally live on houseboats and are among the best freedivers in the world. On the other hand, the land-based Bajau Suluk are known for their equestrian (horse riding) culture.
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Due to their maritime lifestyle, many Bajau people are traders. Some of them became wealthy in line of work and can afford luxuries such as textiles. As a result, Bajau houses are usually fancier and appear more "cultured" than other ethnic groups.
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Most Bajau people embrace Islam, which explains why their wedding traditions are similar to Malays'. The bride and groom are seated on a "wedding throne" and are treated like royalty. The bride wears a "sarempak", an elaborate headdress that resembles a ship. Meanwhile, traditional musical instruments like gongs and kulintangan are played during the wedding ceremony.
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Murut, the warrior tribe, gained a fierce reputation as headhunters. Indeed, collecting heads of their enemies used to serve an important role in many religious beliefs. This practice eventually stopped as many Murut people converted to Christianity.
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The Murut people are proficient in forging weapons like blowpipes. Made of cengal wood, blowpipes are drilled using iron rods. While hunting or warring, the darts are tipped with paralyzing poison extracted from a certain tree sap. Some blowpipes also have spear heads so that they can also be used for hand-to-hand combat.
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Murut people (as well as many Sabahan tribes) have elaborate funeral rites. The body of the deceased is kept inside a large pot (tempayan) and is left near the village. Sometimes, the pot is placed on trees. Kitanan is a religious ceremony that is performed 100 days after the passing of a prominent figure.
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As for the Rungus, most people live in northern Sabah near Kudat. Similar to Dusun, Rungus culture revolves around rice cultivation. Their longhouses are built closer to ground. Rungus people hold gongs in high regard as they are symbols of wealth.
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Rungus people are known for their impressive beadwork. Pinakol is worn over the neck and chest; the beadwork usually tells a story of a warrior who killed a river monster. Rungus women also wear brass rings around their necks, hands and feet.
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The Lundayeh formerly practiced headhunting, although they were not as aggressive as the Murut. Most people inhabit in the southwestern region of Sabah near the boundary with Sarawak and Kalimantan. Lundayeh people traditionally engage in rice cultivation and animal husbandry. Because they reside next to rivers, some people make a living by hunting and fishing.
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The Lundayeh people worship crocodiles as a symbol of strength. In the past, Lundayeh's headhunting rituals revolves around "ulung buayeh". Made from earth, ulung buayeh is a ceremonial mound that resembles a crocodile.
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Our tour concludes with a 30-minute cultural dance in the performance hall. Afterwards, visitors are served lunch (or high tea). Home-cooked Sabahan dishes are presented in a buffet setting. This includes local produce and pungent condiments like sambal ikan bilis (spicy anchovy sauce).
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Cooked dishes include Sada Ginuring Nonsok Onsom (fried fish with tamarind), Ginuring Sada Bosungan (deep-fried bigeye scad), Sinalau Manuk Mari Mari (grilled chicken with herbs) and Sawi Masak Bawang Putih (mustard leaves with garlic). Most dishes can be eaten with Takano Tinanok (steamed rice). Bong Tingeriki (fried banana) serves as the dessert.
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As an interactive museum, Mari Mari Cultural Village affords visitors lots of hands-on participation. Visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rituals of each tribe. In addition, our guide is well versed in the subject matter and is very eager to impart his knowledge throughout the tour.

The adult admission fee is RM155.00 for Malaysians. This price includes a meal and transportation from Kota Kinabalu. Alternatively if you have your own transportation, it is advisable to pre-register at the Sabah Tourism Board in Kota Kinabalu city center. You get to enjoy a special rate of RM95.00 only!

Address: Jalan Kionsom, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: 016-821-1875
Business hours: 10:00am-5:00pm

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Potspot

December 24, 2018, 3:00 am
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Ardence Labs is a lakefront shopping and dining complex in Eco Ardence, Setia Alam. The shops here are built inside shipping containers. One of these shops is Potspot, a restaurant that serves bak kut teh (肉骨茶) for lunch and steamboat for dinner. Potspot has air conditioning, but outdoor dining is also a good idea after sunset.
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The Meat Set (肉类套餐, RM39.80) is meant for 1 or 2 persons. Customers have a choice of soup: fish bone soup (鱼骨汤), pork bone soup (猪骨汤), vegetarian soup (蔬菜汤) or tom yum soup (东炎汤). We opted for pork bone soup (猪骨汤). Besides having pork bones, the soup is also cooked with wolfberries (枸杞) and white radishes.
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The set meal comes with raw ingredients like pork slices (肉眼片), pork meatballs (猪肉丸), luncheon meat (午餐肉), cheese hot dogs (芝士热狗), vegetables and mushrooms. Yee mee (伊面), tofu skin (腐竹) and egg are provided too.
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To truly enjoy steamboat, add some vegetables as soon as the soup starts boiling. This allows the soup to be infused with natural sweetness. Next, add meatballs and sausages as they need longer time to be cooked. Pork slices only need to be blanched very briefly.
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Diners can help themselves with a variety of condiments such as sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste), hot sauce, sweet sauce, minced ginger, coriander and more. Unfortunately, the sauces do not appeal to my palate. I feel that they lack the "fresh" taste and aroma.
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It is nice to grab a cool bottle of Tsingtao Beer (青岛啤酒, RM14.80) while having steamboat. The enjoyment is amplified by the scenic view of an artificial lake in front of us.
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In summary, the pork bone soup is quite tasty as it is rich in pork savoriness. However, there is room for improvement in terms of condiments. Of course, the lovely view here is certainly a big plus.

Address: Lot 21, Eco Ardence, Persiaran Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
Contact: 010-958-9319
Business hours: 11:30am-2:00pm, 6:00pm-11:00pm (Tuesday-Friday), 9:00am-2:00pm, 6:00pm-11:00pm (Saturday-Sunday), closed on Mondays
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Meet Up

January 13, 2019, 12:00 am
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Hutton Terrace is a row of refurbished shophouses along Hutton Lane (Jalan Hutton). Occupying two shop units is Meet Up Café & Bar.
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Meet Up brews coffee beans from Catunambú, a coffee roaster from Spain. A cup of Cappuccino (RM10.00) contains a single shot of espresso. I love the bold flavor of coffee. Steamed milk blends well with espresso to produce a creamy consistency.
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Address: 158, Jalan Hutton, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-226-6388
Business hours: 8:30am-1:00am (Monday-Thursday), 8:30am-3:00am (Friday-Sunday)
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CO-

January 26, 2019, 9:00 pm
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Special thanks to CO- for extending this food review invitation.

Opened just a month ago, CO- is the latest restaurant in Icon City. This semi fine dining establishment specializes in Western cuisine with elements of Asian cooking. CO- is simply pronounced "co", as in "cooperation". It is named after CoHere, a coworking office space on the first floor.
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As the kitchen is located upstairs, the dining area on ground floor can comfortably seat up to 30 diners. A drinks bar is where wine and champagne are poured. Meanwhile, light music on the background presents a relaxing ambience.
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To accommodate customers who prefer to dine in a private setting, CO- has a small room at the mezzanine that overlooks the main dining area. The room is accessible by an elevator inside the restaurant itself.
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Bread rolls are served before the meal begins. To ensure freshness, bread is baked in-house. The type of bread varies from day to day. Salted butter, balsamic vinegar and olive oil are provided.
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Today's 3-course set lunch begins with Miso Butter Poached Tiger Prawn Salad. The salsa dressing is formulated perfectly, presenting a soothing taste that does not overwhelm the palate. Meanwhile, the shrimps are sweet and juicy, making them succulent to the last morsel. Lastly, crispy almond flakes put on the finishing touch.
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My choice of main course is Sous Vide Chicken Breast. Served au jus, the chicken is flavored with truffle mustard, balsamic reduction and basil oil. Also included are sautéed mushrooms and tomatoes. Overall, the chicken is well seasoned and tender throughout. In addition, the large serving size makes it quite filling for lunch.
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Moving on to the dessert, Smoked Milk Panna Cotta is sweetened with fresh strawberry coulis. With the right amount of sweetness, the coulis allows the panna cotta's rich taste to take the center stage. Also included are vanilla sorbet, pickled strawberry, julienned apples, pomegranate and edible flowers.
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The meal concludes with a cup of coffee or tea. After a satisfying meal, I appreciate the coffee's pleasant bitterness as it cleanses the palate.
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The 3-course set lunch is priced from RM58.00. In the evening, 4-course set dinner and à la carte dishes are served. Considering the food quality and serving size, the food pricing at CO- is justified. As a pioneer of semi fine dining in Seberang Perai, CO- aims to bring quality food to the table at reasonable prices.

Name: CO-
Address: 53, Jalan Icon City, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-502-3755
Business hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm, closed on Tuesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/theco.malaysia
Coordinates: 5.34317 N, 100.43337 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head east. Turn left at the next traffic lights. Turn left into Icon City on the left. CO- is located on the right side of the road. There are parking spaces in front and the back of the restaurant.

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The Woodforest Cafe

February 2, 2019, 2:00 am
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The Woodforest Cafe is a family restaurant at Bandar Bukit Raja, located at the same row of shops as Déjà Woof Café. The air-conditioned eatery serves Western and local dishes. The menu is entirely pork-free.
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I am having Green Thai Mango Fried Chicken Chop (RM15.90) for dinner. The deep-fried chicken cutlet is served with fries, garden salad and shredded unripe mango. Thai-style tangy sauce is provided on the side.
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The Woodforest Cafe serves espresso coffee too, but I opted for Woodforest Milk Tea (RM11.00) instead. The hot drink is soothing to the lips. I also love the fragrant aroma of tea.
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Address: 14, Jalan Rodat 3/KU5, Bandar Bukit Raja, 41050 Klang, Selangor
Contact: 012-705-5371
Business hours: 11:00am-11:00pm (Sunday-Wednesday), 11:00am-11:30pm (Thursday-Saturday)
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Pun Chun

February 6, 2019, 8:00 pm
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In the heart of Bidor town is Pun Chun Restaurant (品珍酒楼). Operating since 1937, this eatery used to serve travelers before the North-South Expressway opened. The restaurant occupies two shops and is right next to Petai Lane.
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Pun Chun Restaurant sells a wide range of merchandise. Several products are the restaurant's own brand. For many decades, Pun Chun Restaurant is renowned for its Chicken Biscuits (鸡仔饼) and Shai Kek Ma (萨骑马).
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We ordered Char Siew Won Ton Mee (叉烧云吞面, RM8.50). This dish comes with barbecued pork (叉烧) and dumplings (云吞). Unfortunately, the noodle does not have the desired springiness. Worst of all, the soy sauce is rather bland; it does not bring out any flavor whatsoever. The only way to make this dish palatable is by using lots of pickled chili peppers.
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Taro Puffs (芋角, RM2.60 each) are filled with ground pork. I think the puffs are way overcooked. I prefer the filling to be moist and soft. The puffs are certainly not my cup of tea.
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While the tidbits at Pun Chun Restaurant are commendable, the food taste leaves a lot to be desired. To make matters worse, the waiting time is ridiculously long. This is partly due to the restaurant's disorganized ordering process. Considering its pricing, I feel that Pun Chun Restaurant's fame is grossly overrated.

Address: 40, Jalan Besar, 35500 Bidor, Perak
Contact: 05-434-1554
Business hours: 6:00am-8:00pm
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Restoran New Le Tian

February 8, 2019, 4:00 am
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Restoran New Le Tian (新乐天餐室) is nighttime eatery in Alor Setar. It occupies an old shop across the street from Masjid Nagore. Each evening, there is a long queue of take-away customers; some people buy tens of packets at a time. Fortunately for us, the restaurant prioritizes dine-in customers.
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Restoran New Le Tian is famous for its Fried Yin Yong (炒鸳鸯, RM7.00 for medium portion). This dish uses a mixture of tua ban (大板) and rice vermicelli (米粉). Tua ban is somewhat similar to koay teow (粿条) but is wider.
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The noodles are dry-fried using a charcoal-fired stove, and then drenched with thick, starchy gravy. Fried Yin Yong also contains pork slices, pork liver and choy sum (菜心). Overall, the dish resembles Cantonese-style Wat Tan Hor (滑蛋河) but without eggs.
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Alor Setar's style of Fried Yin Yong is seldom found elsewhere. For people who have not tasted this dish before, I recommend that you do so. If possible, visit the restaurant earlier in the evening to beat the dinner crowd. If you need to place a large order, call during the day so that the restaurant can prepare your order ahead of time.

Address: 30, Jalan Langgar, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah
Contact: 016-466-4834
Business hours: 5:00pm-11:00pm
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Teochew Steamed Tua Ban

February 8, 2019, 5:00 am
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Pekan Cina was formerly the heart of Alor Setar's hawker scene. While most food stalls at Hai Tao Ki (海头街) have moved to a new location, several nighttime stalls remained along Jalan Dato Doktor Cheah Toon Lok. This one-way street is known locally as "Bak Beh" (猪肉街) due to a butchery here.
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One of the stalls along Bak Beh sells Teochew Steamed Tua Ban (潮州蒸大板). It is operated by an elderly couple. Tua ban is a flat noodle that resembles koay teow. In addition, the stall also serves koay teow soup (粿条汤), tom yum (东炎) and minced pork porridge (肉碎粥).
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Customers may add more ingredients, which are charged separately. Choices include sliced pork, cuttlefish, fish balls, mushrooms, tofu, yong tau foo (酿豆腐) and more. Food is prepared to order.
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Tua ban is usually stir-fried, so it is interesting to see how Steamed Tua Ban (现蒸大板, RM7.00) fares. Although steaming does not infuse much "wok hei" (镬气) like stir-frying, the noodle has a soft texture that makes it quite delectable. I also appreciate the tangy taste of tomatoes. The dish contains bird's eye chili (小辣椒), so be careful if you are not used to eating spicy food.
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There is a stall nearby that sells Lor Bak (卤肉). Our choices this evening are pork rolls (肉卷, RM1.50), prawn fritters (虾煎, RM1.50) and fried taro (芋头煎, RM2.00). The last one is particularly delicious. Starchy sauce and chili sauce are provided as condiments. The waiting time for Lor Bak is particularly long because the hawker cooks the food items meticulously.
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Another stall sells drinks and desserts such as Si Koh T'ng (四果汤). Si Koh T'ng is a traditional Hokkien dessert that can be served hot or cold. The sweet soup contains lotus seeds (莲子), longan (龙眼), snow fungus (银耳), barley (薏米) and basil seeds (兰香子). I find this dessert refreshing indeed.
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Address: Jalan Dato Doktor Cheah Toon Lok, 05000 Alor Setar, Kedah
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 4:30pm-12:30am
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Hainan Orkid Tropica

February 8, 2019, 8:00 pm
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Clik here to view. Kafe Hainan Orkid Tropica (驰名咖哩鱼头) is a restaurant in Taman Setia Jaya, near the Alor Setar (Utara) exit of North-South Expressway. The shop occupies the ground floor of a block of flats. Thanks to excellent ventilation, this open-air eatery is quite comfortable even during the heat of the day.
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The signature dish of Hainan Orkid Tropica is Kari Kepala Ikan (咖哩鱼头). The restaurant uses wild caught fishes such as grouper. Actually, the restaurant uses the front half of the fish, not just the head. Although walk-ins are allowed, pre-ordering is highly recommended.
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Kari Kepala Ikan (咖哩鱼头) is served in a large pan. Our fish head has a gross weight of 3.8 kilograms (3.5 kilograms after removing the gills). Despite the reddish color, the curry is not too spicy. In fact, it is rich in dairy milk and coconut milk. The fish head is cooked with eggplants (brinjals) and okra (lady's fingers). Chopped shallots and scallions serve as garnishes.
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One of our side dishes is Sotong Goreng Tepung (咸蛋炸苏东). The squid rings are coated with light batter, making them extremely easy on the mouth. I feel that salted eggs are not spread evenly; it would be nicer if they were thoroughly mixed with batter.
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Another recommended side dish is Tauhu Tumis (红烧豆腐). In this dish, egg tofu is braised with scallions, eggs and savory gravy. I think the amount of scallions used is excessive. I prefer tofu to take a more prominent role.
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Moving on, I enjoy the crunchy mouthfeel of Taugeh (豆芽) as it does a great job in cleansing the palate after a heavy meal. The bean sprouts are cooked with scallions and salted fish.
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Our meal for 10 people totals to RM290.80 including rice and drinks. Overall, the food is gratifying to my palate. In particular, I find the Kari Kepala Ikan scrumptious to the last morsel. If you ever come to this part of Alor Setar, you should really visit this fine eatery.

Address: Blok D-8A, Taman Setia Jaya, Jalan Langgar, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah
Contact: 016-411-1162
Business hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm, 4:30pm-10:00pm, closed on Mondays
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US Cowboy Cafe

February 10, 2019, 4:00 am
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US Cowboy Cafe is a Western theme restaurant at Promenade 28. Located above Oriental Red Seafood Market, the restaurant is accessible by a flight of spiral stairs on the side.
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US Cowboy Cafe provides both indoor and outdoor dining areas. In line with the restaurant's theme, the place is decorated with cowboy and Native American ornaments.
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My dinner choice is Soft Shell Crab Burger (RM23.90). Presented in a charcoal bun, the soft-shell crab is served with ham, cheese, lettuce, ketchup and mustard. Fries are provided on the side. In my opinion, the crab's texture does not work so well in a burger.
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As for drinks, Nature Blue Latte (RM11.90) is milk tea with a layer of butterfly-pea flower extract on top. Apart from lending aesthetic appeal, butterfly-pea flower plays no role in this drink. I personally feel that the Nature Blue Latte lacks the taste and aroma of tea.
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Address: 17, Persiaran Karpal Singh, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 011-5330-4888
Business hours: 11:00am-10:00pm, closed on Mondays
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4FINGERS

February 15, 2019, 3:00 am
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Clik here to view. Special thanks to 4FINGERS Crispy Chicken for extending this food review invitation.

4FINGERS Crispy Chicken is a popular brand of fried chicken restaurants from Singapore. There are currently 2 outlets in Penang: Gurney Paragon Mall and Queensbay Mall. The latter store is located on Level 2.
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In addition to the classic Soy Garlic and Hot Sauce flavors, 4FINGERS is introducing a new secret weapon: Firecracker Chicken. Customers have a choice of either drumsticks or wings. We opted for drumsticks. The combo meal comes with Skinny Fries and soft drinks.
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Each piece of Firecracker Chicken is coated with 4FINGERS' signature soy sauce and powdery spice mix. The firecracker sauce has a devilish pungency; Szechuan pepper is the main villain behind its potent spiciness. If you think you can handle the Hot Sauce Chicken, the Firecracker Chicken certainly ups the ante.
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4FINGERS' Firecracker Chicken is only available for a limited time, so hurry up while it is still available. By the way, each 4FINGERS outlet has been halal-certified.
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Name: 4FINGERS Crispy Chicken
Address: 2F-96, Queensbay Mall, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-611-5473
Business hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
Website: http://www.4fingers.com
Coordinates: 5.33218 N, 100.30708 E
Directions: 4FINGERS is located on Level 2 of Queensbay Mall, a short distance from Harvey Norman. Queensbay Mall has a multilevel parking garage and several outdoor parking spaces.

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D' Fat Mona Lisa

February 16, 2019, 10:00 pm
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Special thanks to D' Fat Mona Lisa Café for extending this food review invitation.

D' Fat Mona Lisa Café is a restaurant-cum-café at Jalan Free School, just within a short driving distance from Penang Free School. Unlike most eateries, D' Fat Mona Lisa provides ample of parking spaces within its compound.
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As a family-oriented establishment, D' Fat Mona Lisa presents a casual setting for people to dine and mingle. Thanks to its close proximity to several schools, the eatery is frequented by students and parents on weekdays. The menu is crafted to suit people from all walks of life; there are even vegetarian dishes on the menu.
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Breakfast is served from 8:00am to 11:00am (11:30am on Sundays). There are 10 breakfast sets to choose from. Prices start as low as RM8.90 per meal. In addition, customers enjoy free flow of coffee and tea during breakfast.
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Club Sandwich Monalisa (RM19.00) is one of the bestsellers during breakfast. The sandwich is filled with grilled chicken, chicken ham, fried egg and cheese. It is cut into halves and held together by cocktail sticks. Premium Shibuya bread is used for the sandwich. This explains why the bread remains firm and doughy even when it cools down. The sandwich comes with fries and salad on the side.
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Char Siew Sauce Chicken (RM20.00) is another interesting choice. Savory pieces of barbecued chicken are served with multigrain bread, which is suitable for people with diabetes. Side items are jumbo cheese sausage, baked beans, hash browns, baked mushrooms, cooked tomatoes and garden salad.
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Moving on to the main menu, Pan Grill Snapper Fillet Marinara (RM35.00) is recommended if you enjoy fish. The fillet is dressed with homemade marinara sauce. Sweet-tangy taste of the tomato-based sauce appeals to my palate. This dish also includes baby potatoes, bok choy, grilled corn, cooked tomatoes and assorted vegetables.
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Pasta is one of D' Fat Mona Lisa's strongest forte. For instance, Vongole (RM27.00) is a classic Neapolitan dish of aglio olio spaghetti with fresh clams. Pasta is sautéed al dente with olive oil, garlic and black olives. I enjoy the lovely aroma of fresh basil too.
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My personal favorite dish today is Chicken With Salted Egg Pasta (RM25.00). The spaghetti is infused salted duck eggs, which is prepared from scratch in the kitchen. This savory dish comes with crispy chicken tenders. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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Meanwhile, diners who prefer a creamier pasta dish may opt for Smoked Duck Carbonara (RM27.00). The white sauce is creamy and very rich in taste. Succulent smoked duck and fresh mushrooms make the pasta dish tastier than it already is.
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As for customers who prefer a lighter meal, Smoked Duck Pomegranate Salad (RM20.00) is a reasonable choice. Smoked duck, garden salad and black olives are brought together with sweet pomegranate dressing.
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Turmeric Latte (RM13.00) is an interesting take on the classic Caffè Latte. The coffee is infused with turmeric, and then sprinkled with cinnamon powder on top. The aroma of spices is soothing indeed.
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D' Fat Mona Lisa uses premium ingredients for its dishes. The restaurant does not attempt to cut corners in food quality. In spite of that, food pricing here remains fairly affordable to most people. The restaurant's comfortable ambience and free parking are huge advantages too.
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In addition to being a restaurant, D' Fat Mona Lisa is able to host private events from corporate seminars to birthday parties. The large premises can accommodate over 100 guests. Food can be served in a buffet setting.

Name: D' Fat Mona Lisa Café
Address: 43, Jalan Free School, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-281-0797
Business hours: 8:00am-10:30pm, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.dfatmonalisacafe.com
Coordinates: 5.40286 N, 100.30765 E
Directions: From Penang Free School, drive along Jalan Free School towards the round-about. D' Fat Mona Lisa Café is about 100 meters before the round-about, just opposite the retirement home. There is ample parking space within the compound.

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Wesman

February 22, 2019, 8:00 pm
$
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Pony Tale at SPICE Canopy has now been rebranded as Wesman. Like its predecessor, Wesman serves a variety of cuisines from around the world. This time, the restaurant presents a more business-like appearance in order to appeal to the corporate clientele.
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As part of the rebranding exercise, the dining area has been noticeably revamped. The drinks counter is now fitted with iron frames, presenting a somewhat rustic appearance. Warm lighting and soft music provide a rather cozy ambience for casual dining.
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Wesman serves set dinner from 6:00pm to 9:30pm every evening. There are 6 choices for the main dish. Each meal comes with complimentary soup, salad and dessert.
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For something light, go for Caesar Salad With Grill Chicken (RM18.80). The salad comprises of grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, croutons and Caesar salad dressing. Much to my delight, the chicken is seasoned to perfection.
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Next, the Baked Macaroni Chicken (RM22.80) is ideal if you enjoy the rich taste of prawn paste and cheese. This dish is best enjoyed while it is piping hot from the oven.
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Another recommended pasta dish is Aglio Olio With Baked Oyster (RM38.80). Spaghetti is sautéed al dente with olive oil, and then rolled into a bundle and held in place with a pair of chopsticks. Presented on the side are oysters au gratin.
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Fresh seafood is Wesman's forte, as evidenced by the Norwegian Salmon French (RM34.80). The salmon fillet is elegantly coated with sesame seeds, diffusing a soothing aroma that tantalizes the palate. Mixed vegetables, chickpeas and French dressing are served on the side.
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As for something on the spicier side, Grill Portuguese Seabass (RM32.80) is a sound choice. The fillet is topped with a Portuguese-style spice mix, resulting in a fiery pungency that should not to be trifled with. Also included are spicy okra (lady's fingers), cucumber and carrot pickle, prawn crackers and turmeric-flavored rice.
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True carnivores should really go for the Crusted Lamb Chop (RM48.80). Coated with an oat crust, the steak presents mouthwatering savoriness on the tongue. Balsamic reduction serves as the condiment. Side dishes are assorted vegetables and snow peas purée.
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The type of soup varies from day to day. Today's pumpkin soup is prepared using the pumpkin's natural sweetness; no sugar is added. The soup is best consumed while it is warm.
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Likewise, the actual dessert is different each day. I have the pleasure to tasting the Japanese cotton doughnut today. Unlike regular doughnuts, this one is delightfully soft and fluffy. It comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
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Having tasted the food, it is evident that Wesman uses premium ingredients and prepares food from scratch. In particular, the seafood used by Wesman is exceptionally fresh. Considering the food quality and restaurant's ambience, I must say that the food pricing is pretty reasonable.
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Name: Wesman
Address: 180-B-01-11, Setia SPICE Canopy, Jalan Tun Dr. Awang, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-611-1319
Business hours: 11:00am-10:00pm (Monday-Friday), 9:00am-10:00pm (Saturday-Sunday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Wesman2018
Coordinates: 5.32884 N, 100.27901 E
Directions: Wesman is located at SPICE Canopy, facing Jalan Tun Dr. Awang and Pisa Corner Cafe. The restaurant is sandwiched between Sushi-B'rito and Bread History. There are parking spaces in front of the restaurant.

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Bali Hai

February 21, 2019, 4:00 am
$
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Clik here to view. Bali Hai Seafood Market (巴厘海鲜市场) is a popular seafood restaurant at Gurney Drive (Persiaran Gurney). Its attap-thatched roof gives an exotic Balinese look. Bali Hai Seafood Market is under the same management as Golden Thai Seafood Village at Batu Ferringhi.
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Like its sister outlet, Bali Hai Seafood Market specializes in live seafood. There are several rows of fish tanks next to the dining area. The restaurant stocks a variety of exotic seafood like Australian Lobsters, Alaskan Spider Crabs and Canadian Geoduck.
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Steaming is the best way to appreciate the freshness of grouper. The fish has a firm texture and is flavored with premium soy sauce and ginger slivers. Coriander is added for its refreshing aroma.
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The next dish consists of mantis prawns steamed with salt and pepper. Thanks to excellent seasoning, the shrimps are appetizing indeed. I cannot recommend this delicacy highly enough.
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Today's vegetable dish is water spinach with spicy shrimp paste. This Malay recipe is known as "kangkung belacan" (马来风光). Besides the tantalizing spiciness, I also enjoy the silky texture of water spinach.
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Last but not least, seafood noodle is fried with prawns, mushrooms, cabbage and scallions. Chili paste is provided as a condiment. Overall, I am satisfied with this dish.
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Address: 90, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-228-8272
Business hours: 5:00pm-12:00am
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Tofu Village

February 23, 2019, 8:00 pm
$
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Tofu Village (豆腐村) is a small restaurant at the intersection of Church Street (Lebuh Gereja) and Queen Street (Lebuh Queen). The eatery specializes in Hakka cuisine (客家菜) based on the owner's home recipes.
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The air conditioned dining area is decorated with potted plants. A "brick wall" on the side presents a homely feeling. While waiting for food to be served, customers can take photos with Tofu Village's anthropomorphic yong tau foo characters.
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Long Thread Moss Stuffed Oyster Seafood Pot (发菜酿蚝仕海鲜煲, RM35.00 for small portion) is considered an auspicious dish and is traditionally served during Chinese New Year. The oyster croquettes are made of dried oysters, fish paste and vegetables wrapped in pig's caul fat (猪网油).
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Hot Spicy Yong Tao Fu (香辣酿豆腐, RM26.00 for large portion) is one of Tofu Village's bestselling dishes. The pot contains fresh tofu stuffed with homemade fish paste and minced pork. A hint of salted fish is added to the stuffing for added flavor. This delicacy is braised with spicy sauce, resulting in a very satisfying dish.
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Due to popular demand, Tofu Village offers a variety of vegetarian dishes too. For instance, Black Bean Vege (黑豆豉焖煲, RM16.00 for small portion) contains tofu braised with fermented black soybeans (黑豆豉). Due to the gravy's strong taste, this dish should be eaten with rice.
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Hakka Rice Wine Chicken (客家黄酒鸡, RM14.00 for small portion) is another signature dish here. The aroma of homemade glutinous rice wine is mouthwatering indeed. Wood ear fungus (黑木耳) lends its crunchy texture, while wolfberries (枸杞) and Bentong ginger provide herbal flavors.
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The next dish is Fui Chew Braised Pork With Black Fungus (客家炸肉焖木耳, RM25.00 for small portion). The pork is flavored by a blend of seasonings including fermented tofu (南乳). The taste of this dish may be too intense when consumed directly, so it is usually eaten with rice.
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Yam Abacus (客家算盘子, RM9.50) is prepared from mashed taro (芋头) and tapioca flour. The dough is kneaded by hand and is rolled into small pieces that resemble beads on an abacus. The chewy pieces are then stir-fried with minced pork, dried shrimps, mushrooms and soy sauce.
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Hakka noodle can be served dry or with mala sauce (麻辣酱). The latter is recommended if you are fond of its numbing spiciness. The bowl of Malat Hakka Noodle (麻辣客家面, RM5.50) is also topped with savory braised pork (卤肉).
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As for drinks, Organic Nutmeg Plum Juice (有机豆蔻酸梅汁, RM5.50) is prepared to the ideal level of sweetness. Tanginess of pickled plum does a great job in quenching thirst. In addition, Tofu Village also serves fruit juices, beer and ice blended desserts.
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Compared to other regional Chinese cuisines, Hakka dishes are time-consuming to prepare. This explains why there are few Hakka restaurants around, much less ones that do well like Tofu Village. Quite surprisingly, Tofu Village is also popular among tourists. This is mainly due to the fact that the restaurant serves vegetarian dishes.
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Name: Tofu Village (豆腐村)
Address: 88, Lebuh Gereja, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-251-9512
Business hours: 11:30am-9:30pm, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TofuVillage.Restaurant
Coordinates: 5.41911 N, 100.33980 E
Directions: Drive along the one-way Church Street (Lebuh Gereja) till nearly the end of the road. Tofu Village is located on the right, exactly at the intersection with Queen Street (Lebuh Queen). Street parking is available at Church Street, Queen Street, Pitt Street (Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) and other nearby roads, but parking space may be limited on weekdays.

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Thor Corr Phou Zi

March 1, 2019, 7:00 pm
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Clik here to view. Thor Corr Phou Zi (土库铺子) is a local eatery at the ground floor of Taman Serendah flats. The shop is somewhat hidden from plain view. Its signature dish is fish meat curry mee, which is perhaps the first of its kind in Penang.
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As expected, this hidden café is largely patronized by local residents. Despite its peculiar location, the restaurant is decorated rather elegantly. Besides three dining tables near the kitchen, there are more dining spaces towards the back of the shop.
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Thor Corr Signature Fish Meat Curry Mee (RM9.90) comes with a scoop of chili paste. When mixed with the soup, the spiciness level is intense indeed. Meanwhile, the choice of fish varies from day to day; today it is grouper. Other ingredients are hard-boiled eggs, okra (lady's fingers) and tomatoes.
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Thor Corr Signature Coffee (RM5.50) is served in a special mug. Nestum multigrain cereal is sprinkled on top the drink. When stirred thoroughly, the coffee has a grainy consistency that is rather unique. This drink can be served cold too.
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Thor Corr Phou Zi also serves English breakfast and toast, but I do not have the stomach capacity to taste them today. As for beverages, other special ones are Teh Tarik Halia and Brokeback Mountain (Milo Dinosaur).

Address: 5-G-02, Solok Sungai Pinang 2, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 019-541-1661
Business hours: 7:30am-2:00pm, closed on Fridays
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Pho Viet

March 8, 2019, 8:00 pm
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Clik here to view. Special thanks to Pho Viet for extending this food review invitation.

Pho Viet is a small Vietnamese eatery along Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai). Its food menu is a combination of traditional dishes from various regions around the country. The restaurant is operated by ethnic Vietnamese, so you can expect the food here to be as authentic as it gets.
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The restaurant's entrance is decorated with Vietnamese lanterns and nón lá (farmer's hats). Stepping inside, the dining section presents a homely feeling reminiscent of Vietnamese hospitality. Because Pho Viet is celebrating International Women's Day this weekend, the dining tables are covered with red tablecloths.
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Today's meal begins with a starter dish called Gỏi Bưởi (RM18.00). The plate of pomelo and shrimp salad is served with sweet sauce. The dressing also has moderate spiciness, which does a good job in building appetite.
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Combo Set B (RM29.00) allows customers to savor gỏi cuốn. These Vietnamese spring rolls contain a variety of fillings like chicken, beef, pork or shrimps, as well as bún (rice vermicelli) and vegetables. The skin is made of soft rice paper called bánh tráng. As for condiments, the platter comes with nước chấm (spicy fish sauce) and tương đậu phộng (peanut sauce).
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Diners can also opt for Combo Set A (RM39.00), which comprises of gỏi cuốn, chả rế (deep-fried spring rolls) and chạo tôm (grilled prawn cakes on lemongrass sticks). These signature finger foods are best enjoyed with nước chấm and tương đậu phộng.
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Phở Bò (RM14.00) is perhaps one of the most iconic Vietnamese dishes to most people outside Vietnam. The broth is boiled with beef bones for over 8 hours, culminating in immensely rich flavors. Phở Bò is customarily eaten with bánh phở (rice noodle), beef slices, coriander and onions. Served on the side are húng quế (Thai basil), bean sprouts, red chili peppers and lime.
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If you are fond of fried tofu, Đậu Hũ Chiên Xả (RM10.00) should appeal to your palate. Tofu is prepared in bite-size pieces in order to maximize its crispiness. Lemongrass and chili peppers season the tofu in an appetizing manner. I cannot recommend this dish highly enough.
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Cà Phê Sữa Đá (RM7.50) is probably the most popular drink here. I love the bitter aftertaste of Vietnamese coffee on my tongue. As for something refreshing, Sả Gừng Đá (RM7.00) has a soothing aroma as it is cooked from fresh lemongrass and ginger. Meanwhile, Chè Ba Màu (RM7.00) is the Vietnamese equivalent of Penang's local cendol.
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Pho Viet has recently introduced a kids menu in effort to present a family-friendly setting. For example, this kids' meal consists of French fries, meatballs and watermelon cubes. Adorable plates and cutlery are used.
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Each kids' meal comes with a glass of nước ép cam (orange juice). The drink has the right level of sweetness. A slice of orange on the glass' rim is for decorative purpose.
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Pho Viet places strong emphasis on cooking food from scratch, which explains why it does not use MSG when preparing any of its dishes. To keep food taste as authentic as possible, the restaurant sources most ingredients from Vietnam. In spite of that, the food pricing here remains fairly affordable for most people.
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Name: Pho Viet
Address: 496, Lebuh Pantai, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-559-1905
Business hours: 11:00am-10:00pm, closed on Thursdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/phovietvietnamesecuisine
Coordinates: 5.41226 N, 100.33460 E
Directions: Pho Viet is located on Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai), next to Magpie Heritage and near the intersection with Lebuh Prangin. Street parking is available along Beach Street.

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Master Of Spirits 61

March 10, 2019, 4:00 am
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Clik here to view. Special thanks to Master Of Spirits 61 for extending this food review invitation.

Master Of Spirits 61 (酒匠61) is a hidden bar at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine). There are absolutely no signboards on its facade. This drinking establishment was restored from a dilapidated shop while retaining its original architecture. It specializes in molecular cocktails, which is the main focus of today's review.
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Cocktail sampling kicks off with Poison Potion (RM68.00), which is presented in a skull-shaped glass. The drink is concocted from Apple Fox cider, pomegranate juice and whisky. Upon closer inspection, one notices edible glitter suspended in the drink. Poison Potion has a sweet-sour fruitiness, making it the ideal choice for casual drinkers.
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Next, Whisky Shower (RM38.00) is obviously a parody of Whisky Sour. Like the popular mixed drink, Whisky Shower is prepared from whisky, lemon juice, egg white and honey. The floating honey foam is an impressive handiwork of molecular gastronomy.
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Moving on, Old Fashioned (RM38.00) is a mixture of whisky, bitters and sugar. A piece of honeycomb is allowed to dissolve in the full body cocktail. Unfortunately honeycomb is not available today, so the bartender had to improvise with honey-glazed apple.
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Alcoholic beverages go well with finger foods. To this end, the bar offers a tapas menu which covers familiar snacks like Truffle Fries (RM15.00), Chicken Popcorn (RM15.00), Deep-Fried Calamari (RM15.00), Smoked Duck Breast and Fish And Chips. Some of these dishes come with dipping sauces like tartar sauce, horseradish sauce and sour cream. The tartar sauce is surprisingly good.
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Besides cocktails, Master Of Spirits 61 also pours draft beer and liquor like whisky, rum and gin. Further from the bar is the lounge area and a private room. Smoking is permitted, but unlike Magazine 63 next door, the air here is surprisingly fresh. A two-piece band performs every Friday and Saturday evening starting 11:00pm. While you are here, do check out Platform 9 3/4 at the back section of this drinking establishment.
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Name: Master Of Spirits 61
Address: 61, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-526-8187
Business hours: 6:00pm-3:00am
Website: Click here
Coordinates: 5.41221 N, 100.33206 E
Directions: Master Of Spirits 61 is located at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), approximately 200 meters from the junction with Jalan C.Y. Choy. The bar is located on the left side of this one-way street. There is an outdoor parking space on the opposite side of Magazine Road. The parking fee here is RM3.00 per entry.

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