The Indian-Muslim community came to Penang during the spice trade era as traders, cooks, and labourers. They settled, built communities, and opened eateries that blended Indian spices with Malay and local Penang influences, becoming a food segment of Malaysian food.
With just a few pantry staples, anyone, even beginners, can make this tasty home-style chicken curry at home. You can also use ready-made chicken curry paste to save even more time.
Make Ahead and Freeze for Convenience
Here’s a tip: cook a big batch and freeze individual portions. It’s a convenient way to enjoy homemade chicken curry whenever you want. You can also make it a day ahead for gatherings, the flavors get even better as the curry soaks into the chicken (CHICKEN RENDANG RECIPE).
Petai, also known as stink beans, may not be
everyone’s favourite, but they are much loved in Malaysia and Indonesia. Packed
with health benefits, petai is often eaten raw as ulam (Malay-style raw salad).
In traditional Malaysian cooking, petai is commonly prepared as sambal (SAMBAL TELUR/EGG SAMBAL), a spicy
gravy or sauce, cooked with seafood like prawns, dried anchovies (ikan bilis),
or squid (sotong).
This easy prawn sambal recipe is one of the best ways to enjoy petai at home. It’s a classic Malaysian sambal dish made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients (STIR-FRIED WINGED BEANS). For extra aroma and flavour, don’t skip the much-loved Asian herbs like lemongrass. In today’s version of Petai Prawn Sambal, turmeric leaves and fresh turmeric are added to enhance the earthy taste.
Sanur isn’t just about sunrise walks and calm
beaches (though I love those too, don’t get me wrong). This chill seaside town
knows how to throw a good party while keeping things breezy, and the upcoming Sanur festival lineup proves it. If
you’re looking for fun, color, and a peek into the actual local culture, here’s
your cheat sheet for what’s coming next. Mark your calendar, gather your
friends, and get ready to swap your Bintang for coconut water (or hey, have both)
because these events in Bali will keep your Sanur days anything but boring!
Pica Fest (24 –
27 July 2025) at Lapangan Niti Mandala, Denpasar
(Watch the full Indian dining experience at Annapurna Restaurant Rimbayu in Selangor on our YouTube channel)
Nourishing Your
Brain
Psychologists have long noticed that travel stimulates blissful emotions and
has a beneficial effect on the human psyche. When we venture to a spot we have
never been before, or even just change the environment, our brains are supposed
to adapt to novel conditions.
With such diversity across its regions, Indonesia’s food culture is just as wide-ranging. In every city or town, food is part of daily life, and eating out is common. You might also come across Indonesian food outside the country, as some Indonesians living abroad have introduced it through small eateries or food ventures (IKAN BALADO RECIPE).
Winged beans can be eaten raw, dipped into sambal belacan (SAMBAL BELACAN RECIPES), or cooked into one of our Malaysian favourites - spicy stir-fried winged beans, known as kacang botol goreng belacan. You can find this dish in Malay eateries (MALAY VEGETABLE STEW/SAYUR LODEH) and Chinese restaurants across the country
A wedding is among the most important days in your
life, and particularly because of its significance, this event can bring
considerable stress. This is why you must look for other ways that can help you
alleviate some of the anxiety and stress of this period. It can be easy to get
caught up in your wedding planning, but this process can also leave you feeling
exhausted. This occurs because you have a long list of tasks to accomplish, and
among the most important ones are finding your bride's dress,
organizing the guest list, selecting the right venue, and searching for
suitable vendors, among others.
So, when you want to be Zen and alleviate some of the stress, you can try yoga, which is one of the best ways to relax, spend time focusing on yourself, and also keep you in great shape. In this article, we will explore why incorporating yoga into your pre-wedding planning is a great idea. Keep reading to learn more.
Whether you’re a meat lover or vegetarian, there’s something for everyone. Vietnamese food strikes a balance between subtlety and richness - dishes that gently light up the tastebuds without overpowering. So, what should you eat in Vietnam? The options are endless, from street stalls and roadside carts to restaurants and even high-end eateries (THINGS TO DO IN VIETNAM).
Walking in, we noticed three customers having their meals. The ambiance was welcoming - clean, brightly lit with yellow walls, and accented with a touch of Indian décor. No menu was handed out. Instead, we walked to the food counter and, from the decent spread available at that hour, we opted for two side dishes to go with our South Indian banana leaf lunch (RM11.90 each).
This recipe is flexible (SAGO PALM SUGAR), affordable, and a great way to whip up something satisfying without fuss. If you’ve got rice and some form of milk, you’re already halfway there.
How to Order Cambodian Food
Not speaking Cambodian? No problem! When you're at street food stalls, just point to the dish you want. Vendors are used to tourists, and a smile will go a long way. In restaurants, menus usually have pictures and sometimes English translations, making it easy to order. Be mindful of portion sizes, though - they might surprise you,
This is a healthier version of bread pudding. Instead of condensed milk, which is often too rich and sugary, I use plain carton milk and go easy on the sugar. You can even swap in coconut milk if you prefer a richer, creamier texture.
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Lalbagh
Botanical Garden
Spanning over 240 acres, Lalbagh Botanical Garden is one of Bengaluru’s must-visit attractions. Established in 1760 by Hyder Ali, it features more than 1,000 plant species from across the world. The garden’s highlight is the Glass House, which hosts an annual flower show inspired by London’s Crystal Palace.
Key “holistic
wellness” into any search engine and dozens of definitions pop up. Most say
roughly the same thing. Ask Ms. Nava, founder of Nava’s Zen Holistic Wellness,
and she’ll tell you this:
Holistic Wellness is about your complete self - your whole package inside and out - linked to everything that matters to you: where you live, what you do, who you’re with, and when you do it. It’s the connection you discover between breath, body, mind, and soul.
This recipe is pure vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based, made using raw green bananas - known as Valakkai in Tamil. You might hear them referred to as Valakkai chips or sometimes Valakkai poriyal, although poriyal typically refers to stir-fries (FRIED CAULIFLOWER RECIPES).
Steamed food is generally healthier than fried food, and this Chinese steamed chicken is no exception. The minimalist cooking method keeps it light and clean. It’s perfect for a light dinner, and if you’re having an early meal, pair it with a small portion of rice. You can also discard the chicken skin if you prefer a leaner version (CHICKEN RENDANG RECIPE).
In this recipe, turmeric is the star ingredient, delivering its signature golden hue and earthy, peppery flavor. You might ask, why is this the best turmeric rice recipe? Well, during one of my best memorable travels - to South Africa - I learned to make South African Yellow Rice, a dish influenced by the Indian community there (PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA MOMENTS).
A kitchen remodel can be an exciting project, but it’s also very complex and involves different kinds of components. Hence, it’s easy to overlook details that can create major problems down the line and lead to overspending.
While homeowners often think of what they should do to create their dream kitchen, it’s equally important to understand what they shouldn’t do, ensuring a seamless and successful transformation of their culinary space. Below, we outline the most common mistakes homeowners make when remodelling their kitchens so that you can sidestep them and create a kitchen that’s practical and aesthetic at the same time.
Back in the day, it was a go-to budget-friendly meal for families like mine (EASIEST EGG FRIED RICE) Today, it’s appreciated for its clean, healthy ingredients and nostalgic value. This easy stir-fried white bee hoon (also known as rice vermicelli) is rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants - thanks to cabbage, curry leaves, mustard seeds, chillies, and shallots.
Little House Café (Jalan Stesen, Tapah)
A quick online search while passing through Tapah brought us to this old-school, humble kopitiam. We ordered Black Pepper Chicken Chop, Hainanese Chicken Chop with fries, Fish Soy Rice Set, and Petai Squid Rice Set. Every dish was satisfying, home-style, and generous in portion. Halal Malaysian fusion at an affordable price—definitely worth stopping for. (WHERE & WHAT TO EAT IN PENANG). Even as a small eater, I finished my Hainanese Chicken Chop!
Black pepper is a key ingredient in South Indian mutton dishes, often featured in curry, dry-style masala, or what’s commonly referred to as mutton varuval or roast. My version can be adjusted based on consistency:
More water:
Pepper Mutton Curry
Less water:
Pepper Mutton Masala
Minimal water: Mutton Roast
Abstract
The mental health crisis among adolescents has
become a global concern, with rising rates of stress, anxiety, and emotional
challenges. While traditional approaches to mental health often focus on
psychological interventions, holistic wellness through practices such as yoga
has gained recognition as an effective remedy. Yoga, which integrates
breathwork, physical postures, and mindfulness, offers a unique solution to
promote mental health, physical wellness, and emotional resilience among
adolescents. This article explores the potential of yoga, focusing on its
holistic approach to well-being and its benefits in addressing mental health
issues faced by adolescents.
Gunung Lang Recreational Park (Ipoh)
For nature lovers visiting Ipoh, Gunung Lang Recreational Park is a fulfilling stop. This serene escape, surrounded by limestone hills and a tranquil lake, is one of Ipoh’s scenic gems. Ideal for a breather from city life, it’s a place to slow down and admire nature. We spent about 15 minutes by the lake and chose not to explore further into the park’s trails (EXPLORING BETONG, THAILAND).
Enter Sardine Sambal, or as we say it in Bahasa Malaysia - Sambal Sardin. But what makes this version unique? It’s not just another spicy sardine dish. This one stands out, thanks to a special touch: Nava’s Zen organic urban gardening produce. The attached video shows it all - don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more food stories and lifestyle content.
The ambiance? Nothing overly fancy, but pleasantly inviting. The interior is clean, cosy, and tastefully simple - just the right setting for a relaxed dining experience.
Have you heard of it? Are you growing it yet? You should! This glossy, luscious green thrives even in pots and fits beautifully into spaghetti, noodles, soups - and now, into this Indian-style curry (HOW TO GROW BRAZILIAN SPINACH).
HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley (Gopeng)
A road sign led us to HOGA Gaharu Tea Valley, expecting just another tea plantation. Instead, we found a breathtaking valley of Gaharu (Agarwood) trees. The drive uphill, passing rows of young and mature trees, was mesmerizing - a true escape into nature.
I visited on a mid-week morning around 9:30 AM. The kopitiam had a spacious and clean ambiance, with about half of the seating occupied and a steady stream of customers. The menu offered a wide selection, and it took some time for the three of us to decide.
Upon arrival, we were momentarily confused by the two corner-lot units side by side, separated by a lane. Unsure at first, we entered the right one and soon realized that both share the same ambiance - modern yet reminiscent of a high-end kopitiam. The corridor housing the food stalls is impressively clean, adding to the inviting atmosphere.
But why not tweak and modify recipes to make them your own? Cooking is all about adding a personal touch and creativity, wouldn’t you agree? I’ve made Tofu Sambal (Spicy Tofu) countless times, especially for our vegetarian meals, and each time, there’s a small tweak - another version, another delicious outcome (NYONYA PRAWN SAMBAL RECIPE).
Among the ample choices, Lailatif Café caught our attention. Freshly cooked dishes were already on display - tempting and mouthwatering. Here, it’s all about self-service: scoop your own rice and pick from a variety of dishes. Trust me, deciding wasn’t easy, especially on an empty stomach.
This easy, no-fuss pickle works with brinjal, eggplant, or aubergine. At Nava’s Zen, we use homegrown bird’s eye chilies and bay leaves (BAY LEAVES: HEALTH BENEFITS & COOKING USES) - because why grow your own food if not to cook with it? But no worries if you don’t have fresh bay leaves - dried ones work just fine.
This special recipe is created by Ms. Nava, founder of Nava’s Zen, blending Malaysian flavors with a pasta favorite. The ingredients are easy to find and budget-friendly - except for the cheese, which can be a splurge. But don’t worry, the flavors hold up even without it.
Indian-Muslim food, or Mamak food, is a key part of what to eat in Penang ( BEST THINGS TO DO IN PENANG ) Whether bold or subtly spiced, the...
