Restoran Lucky Loke SS3

What have my fifties done to me? Aplenty! Crucially, my fifties has automated me towards the core meaning  of friendship. I realise that, for some reason or rather, once fifties started crawling on my body, mind and soul, my maturity friendship button sky rocketed till the moon and sky for loudly alerting me to trash aside rubbish friends. Who are these rubbish friends we are talking about? Those who massively use us, those who constantly empty their bad and negative vibes on us, and those who slyly bad stab us. Shall we now realistically blame it on, what else can it possibly be except the competitive real time and social media time friendship. I bet. Of course. Envy and jealously. Anything new? No. Pretty much a norm and a complicated messy head banging matter. Nevertheless, believe me, once the big five hard kick your butt, most probably you won’t have any problem identifying who these friends are. Unless of course, if you are telling me that your fifties is just another passing phase? Am I right? I believe I am.

Go Noodle House - Gamuda Walk (Kota Kemuning)

Let’s go everyone. Go where? Can you please hang in there, stop with your questions please. At least for the time being. Do me a favour, just follow me. I am obviously leading you to Go Noodle (Gamuda Walk, 1st Floor). Of course, you can also head to their other branches elsewhere, Go Noodle seemingly is the pleasing melting food pot for an instant and quickly put together meal, especially for the Chinese. But I must surrender to speaking on behalf of my own kind Indians who don't pride themselves to such a concept non-halal meal delight. In fact, my Chinese neighbours are the ones who recommended Go Noodle because they know that this Indian lady love Chinese food. She does, mind you, all the way. I on the other hand had a hard time coaxing my typical Indian half-half in accompanying me. Eventually, oh-boy, praise my marriage love skills, he agreed. What a major achievement, one up on my marriage happy card, we arrived in Go Noodle for an early lunch. Instead of standing in the long queue for dining in the cramped inside dining area, we quickly sat at the nearest empty table outside.

Olive Garden - AEON Mall, Seksyen 13 (Shah Alam)

Over to AEON Mall after the hearty breakfast in “The Coffee & Bar". Nothing really on my mind, I am by the way not someone who aimlessly walk around shopping malls for no apparent reason. Gone are the days of giving into shopping temptation or spending money without thinking hundred over times. Basically, I can't afford. I don't earn as much as I used to, I also rather keep my money for my travel ventures (Melaka Jonker Walk & Pyeonchang Korea) instead of spending for the sake of it. But since this is my time in AEON Shah Alam mall, my niece who comes over quite often insisted on showing me around. Why not? No harm done because should I really need to shop next time, I may consider this mall. 

Melaka - Portuguese Settlement (Restaurant De Costa's 8)

Lemme speak a tiny bit on Portuguese Settlement. Those I think I am familiar with instead of taking the easy way out by cutting and pasting, obviously in academic terms we call it “plagiarism”. Plagiarism indeed is a rampant madness attitude even among the self-proclaimed top-notch bloggers, all in the name of fanning for popularity, fame, likes and followers. The best part of it all is that people actually fall for copied crab stuffs instead of believing those who share their sincere, genuine and honest real-time experiences. Wish I can shame those copycats who evidently have not the mastered the art of copying, sadly though. Sad isn't? I should mill them through "Plagiarism" software.

Cinnamon's - Gamuda Walk (Kota Kemuning) Shah Alam

Honestly foodies,

I still can’t get over and done with the “Bamboo Beriyani” I devoured into at Cinnamon’s Kota Kemuning recently. Honest to goodness, it’s been ages I think I’ve had such a mouthwatering delicious Beriyani. Not the same. Not the same commercial Beriyani from anywhere and everywhere, nope, this biriyani by far is simply the best. Wow-Pow! Hang-on, hang-on, hang-in there for the time being. More to Bamboo Beriyani will be unveiled later, right now, walk with me into Cinnamon’s, located on the first floor of Gamuda Walk, because I’ve got other things I must tell you as well.   

Penang - Thaipusam (Nava-K's Spiritual And Religious Journey)

Some friends I believe are really peculiar. Perhaps I should also label them as weirdos. Wanna know why? No, no, I am in no way referring to the fake social media friends, but my most to most 5 to 10 closest friends whom I thought knew me at the back of their hands. How wrong. When I told a few of them that I will be fulfilling my spiritual and religious vows at Waterfall Temple/Balathandayuthapani Temple for Thaipusam, they burst out in laughter. Why? Seriously, I didn't know what were they tickled about? Do I look like a misfit? Not as far as I know. Despite asking over and over again, none actually could spill a concrete reason. I of course was agitated. Then again, it can't be my fault if friends judge me wrongly. Maybe because I am modern and outgoing, I can’t be religious, is it? Whatever, I've come to a point  I care too hoots how people perceive me. My life, my choices, my happiness and my relationship with god.  

Aunty Manju's Home Of Banana Leaf Lunch - Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur

(Image Credit - Aunty Manju's)

Money sickness is apparently the major struggle sickness these days. Are you now asking me what this nava-k’s whole theory of money sickness is about? My pleasure. Allow me to pour the whole bucket of it. Money sickness basically means working our butt in-out for sustaining our lifestyle, money sickness is also interpreted as falling sick mentally and physically when we don’t have enough money. Really, I can pretty much understand why. Making ends meet I suppose is easier said than done, especially in the city where people judge you by the car you drive, the house you live, your grandest wedding and your whiz kids millions of talents. Basically again, money is akin the broadband router to social status and when you can’t keep up with the “Kardashians”, money sickness sucks massively.

Kayra Kerala Cuisine - Taman Tun Dr Ismail (Kuala Lumpur)

When the main stream media propositionally sensationalize and positively blow flying high up big soap bubbles on restaurants, I bet most of us tend to get carried away with it. Okay, I’m not any better. I make it a point to read most of the printed media food reviews and then, I’m akin on roller blades in wanting to try out the restaurants too. If I am not mistaken, a year back I read about Kayra Taman Tun and from there on, this Kerala restaurant has been sashed in my spilling over pending list of food venture. But as usual, what I look forward to and where I actually end up is the ball juggling game of my life. Instead of heading to Kayra in between the year, I actually ended up at the real-deal-real-time Kerala (Kerala Day 4 & 5) where I truly indulged in their highly spoken about cuisine. Thumbs up. Kerala food won my heart big time. Fresh water/sea catch, freshly grounded spices and generously loaded with fresh coconut milk and coconut oil. 

Khuntai Authentic Thai Restaurant – Banting, Klang

Hoopla-hop-hula-hop family wedding finally was over and done (Indian Fashion Trends For Ladies In Their 50's). Phew! What an Indian live show to a grand wedding and also who is richer than art thou. Least expected next was the "thank you all" appreciation family dinner. Sure, why not? We were free, so, we hopped into the back wagon of car pooling to rock and roll once we hit the long stretch of sinking up and down pothole inner road on this raining day while glimpsing at the squatter living on both sides. Squatter living it may be, still, we shouldn't underestimate these people. Nice big cars parked in their open to all compound, but I won’t encourage you to compete with them by driving your sports car to Khuntai. A fat car repair bill may be awaiting due to the condition of the road. Therefore, I suggest you load the whole family on a pick-up truck or lorry for the akin a roller-coaster drive before parking in front of Khuntai or take a turn to park further inside. 

Restoran Orkid Thai - Section 9, Shah Alam

By the third day, Iphone 7 started showing its dark side. Really a terrifying-horrible shocking discovery, it kept rebooting every now and then for no apparent reason. Obviously, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Duh! Its a brand new phone I paid from  my savings (Da De Bak Kut Teh Subang Jaya), never ever have I encountered such a problem with my previous faithfully yours 6 year old Iphone 5. Absolutely heart wracking, I really couldn’t find the time (Karaikudi Chicken Curry & Fikcles Cafe Taman Tun) to rush to the service centre amidst the busyness of getting ready for the family wedding and another travel venture (Oats Fried Prawns). Keeping my fingers crossed, hoping it’s just a minor teething problem, I went ahead with shopping nearby Plaza Shah Alam and Plaza Masalam. Accompanied by my niece, we bought a couple of things and then of course, naturally, shopping is more or less regarded as synonymous with hunger throne.  

Gather Gather Kitchen - Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam

A true and true food connoisseur won’t mind travelling the distance for good food. Distance again of course is debatable. A few miles, a thousand miles or millions of miles, in all fairness, really, it depends on you. Basically, you call the shots. While you are still at figuring out the number of miles for your next meal, how about a trip to the heart of Kota Kemuning, specifically to Gather Gather Kitchen? Hi there, hello everyone. Welcome to my territory. The once boring, sleepy and lifeless township I regretted moving in 13 years ago and where I almost went mad as well. Well, except for coffee shops, McDonalds and a few cafes, nothing much to speak about Kota Kemuning. Oh, maybe, perhaps, I must also mention that Kota Kemuning was or is still perceived as the ground for the rich and famous. Actually, I don't think so. Its perception. I don't live in a bungalow, not even a semi-d, neither do I crazily speed around in a posh car. 

Moom Sabai Restaurant - Taman Bayu Perdana (Klang)

Indian food again for dinner (A MuthuHouse of Briyani)? Nooo! Of course not. Impossible (more at Hua Xing Restaurant). Thai food at the close by Moon Sabai Restaurant, also, a familiar ground for my friend we agreed should be the take. Absolutely (Thai Thai Sunway), anytime for the truly loved quintessential Thai flavours (Thai Green Crab Curry & Thai Laksa),  thankfully the route to Moom Sabai was not through the massive jam across the shop lots on this Friday late evening. But, quite frustrating it was driving via the inner roads haphazardly double parked almost all the way from the apartments behind. Anyway, instead of the typical Malaysian mentality of double parking albeit availability of parking further up, we somehow carefully maneuvered to the nearest parking spot. 

Ikan Goreng Asam

The other side to the previous Ikan Goreng Kunyit/Turmeric Fried Fish. The other side which is my favourite as well. Speak about sourness, me, myself and I? Honestly, I so love sourness to every bit. Any kinda sourness in our Malaysian dishes (Nyonya Acar Fish, Asam Curry Fish & Fried Kembung With Assam Sauce). Sourness from our local fruits (Sambal Belimbing Bilis & Masak Lemak Nenas) and of course, lime or asam jawa/tamarind are the other two for streaming into curries or our sambal dishes (Tamarind Prawn Curry, Ayam Masak Tiga Rasa, Sambal Udang Petai & Asam Pedas Ikan), or maybe I should include vinegar as well. For this Ikan Goreng Asam, its tamarind. Tamarind juice and salt as the marination for fish, followed by fish being fried and of course, we need a dip right? Dip which must be spicy, salty and along a touch of sweetness? Potentially (Fried Fish with Soy Sauce, Ikan Masak Kicap & Crispy Chilli Fish). Ikan Goreng Asam? Sourness is definitely our Malaysian food appreciation.   

Gem Restaurant (Jalan Gasing) Petaling Jaya

I haven't been really cooking for the past week or so. No! no! Kitchen isn't permanently closed. Just that there's been other pressing priorities like the never ending family matters, events and why cook when the other half is away. Usually when I am alone, I pack back hawker food instead of rolling the pots and pans for the sake of impressing the neighbours. Sundays too sometimes laziness creeps in especially after staying up late watching tv. Of course, we all know nothing like home cooked meals to please the soul mate. Then again, waking up late surely a luxury these days and the luxury should continue with a meal at restaurants. After all, I'm sure you will agree that eating out is healthy for relationships. Relaxing and bonding over a meal it should be but please, put the Ipad and Iphone aside.       

Sardine Varuval (Dry Style)

Tuna or Sardine? Sardine mostly. Fresh sardine or canned sardines? Both goes strongly and tremendously (Mathi Achar & Nadan Sardine Curry). But stocking up canned sardines has become a habit I can't let go. Basically like if I don't stock up, seemingly my grocery doing is not complete. How about you? You are like me? You must have sardines in cans in your pantry? Actually, its a good thing because canned sardines will never ever let us down (Sardin Masak Lemak & Sardine Rolls). Unlike our husbands who sometimes can drive us up the wall? Even canned tuna as well (Tuna Thoran, Tuna Burgers & Tuna Cutlets). I mean, canned tuna being our cooking saviour. What's the story to me making this Sardine Varuval (Sardine Sambal & Sardine Potato)? The same food story in fact. Always a favourite (Jeera Aloo/Potato & Meen Puttu) and imagine sardine varuval alongside rice soaking or fully flooded by rasam or sambar. Heaven called easily fab meal right? I know (Udupi Sambar & Pepper Garlic Rasam). We Indians and our fingers to eating for happy tummy sardine varuval meal? What more should I possibly say? Nothing. Dive into Sardine Varuval at your pleasure (Chicken Varuval & Mutton Varuval). 

Moo Kata Steamboat & BBQ House (Kuchai Lama Food Court) Kuala Lumpur

They say "opposites attracts". Well, to a certain extent, I have to agree. In my case, its about food, - what my other half prefers and what I like. I love the utmost satisfaction of a steamboat meal whereas he can't be bothered with the required simple cooking and he seem never satisfied after eating. So, he was conveniently dropped off my list and I went with a friend to Moo Kata at their invitation. Albeit going to the wrong food court nearby the market, it wasn't all that troublesome to turn back to the main road, further up a couple of minutes and the left turn before Suzuki Showroom where bbq house is (on the right).

Tom Yum Noodle Soup

So, its back to Tom Yum again? Obviously. Though we did actually have a break from tom yum for like three months and then out came this latest version. But rather a different food calling actually due to its noodles in tom yum soup and which by far I have not made before. Perhaps the closest is Tom Yam Fried Mee Hoon or maybe I should also include Siamese Laksa Lemak. Nevertheless, what can be outstanding or unique for tom yum (Vegan Tom Yum Soup, Tom Yum Goong, Tom Kha Gai & Seafood Tom Yum Soup)? The pride and pleasure must be the various types of herbs, primarily kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, and let's not never forget about chillies, plus I love fish sauce into tom yam or Thai dishes on the whole. Tom Yum Noodle Soup as you have already noted is not far behind in terms of some of the ingredients and it is also a tremendously sumptuous, fulfilling and power lashing noodle dish (Thai Tomato Soup, Shrimp Pad Thai Salad, Thai Fish Noodle Soup, Tom Yum Fried Rice & Spicy Thai Noodles). 

Fried Fish with Soy Sauce

How easy sometimes it can be. Not always though and unless and until you decide you want easiness. Easiness by far can take place in your and my kitchen as well (Mapo Tofu & Fried Prawn Wanton)? Of course. Without a doubt when we don't feel like rolling aplenty pots and pans and we actually yearn for simplicity. Take this Fried Fish with Soy Sauce (Ikan Masak Kicap) as an example. I actually got the fish monger to clean the fish  (Yong Tau Foo) and when I returned home, I gave fish a good rinse in lime water, prior to moving on to cooking (Fish Ball Noodle Soup). Cooking basically meaning dusting fish with corn flour, rice flour and seasoned by pepper and salt, thereafter deep fried and removed from wok. Up next? Frying ginger till crispy (Thai Crispy Fish & Chilli Lime Fish) and kept aside, before making the easy sauce and this sauce, as well as fried ginger going over fried dish and spring onion garnished. Over, over. Our Fried Fish with Soy Sauce is ready (Nyonya Acar Fish & Teochew Steamed Fish).

Fried Prawn Wanton

Fried Prawn Wanton. My-My! Such a fab kinda crunch and munch right? I know. Fried stuffs especially on the whole? You tell me. In fact, when these wanton skin parcel filled with prawns came out from my wok, a few actually went missing immediately. Not anywhere far, but our tummy tucking actually. By themselves, or when dipped into chilli sauce prior to having a ball of a time and as many as we want till all the fried prawn wanton are over and done, perhaps within a short while, what a delight. How do we make these prawn wantons? I think I have already alerted you. In fact in my previous recipes as well (Hong Kong Wonton Noodle Soup & Chicken Wanton Soup) and this latest variety is sort of the cousin of the previous Fried Shrimp Wanton. Only that, the tedious thing for me when prawns are a concern (Mee Goreng Udang, Hokkien Hae Mee, Mongolian Prawns, Goan Prawn Curry, Butter Prawns & Prawn Coconut Milk)? The peeling and cleaning, especially the time taken pulling out the veins. Otherwise, all is fine with prawns though I must say we are not the biggest fans of prawns (Sichuan Prawns & Chinese Prawn Fritters). Of course, there is always the once a while and these Fried Prawn Wanton, trust me, are super yummy, super crunchy and super beautifully plated up. 

Asian Rice Pot @ Kelana Jaya (Petaling Jaya)

Looks like people have been blowing trumpets on Asian Rice Pot and I had to constantly hear all of it. Seemingly Asian Rice Pot is akin a melting pot amongst the nearby and maybe, I really don't know, I'm guessing though, maybe even amongst far distance customers. Then again, tell me? How far out can the customers' base map contour stretch to? Perhaps the further far out within Petaling Jaya? Which by far, is quite a major contour area. These people, most of them, including my two friends, kept tempting me over Asian Rice Pot. Their current regular eatery. They of course praised the deliciousness of the dishes, moreover, I was told that I must give a go to Asian Rice Pot. Literally, I must at their high recommendation. Alright. I didn't mind. All the way from Shah Alam, better be worth it I told myself, we arrived at Asian Rice Pot for an early dinner by 7.00pm.