Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Indian Food Near Me: Restaurant Dhiyaz Curry House

Bright yellow and dark brown themed front counter at an Indian restaurant.
Restaurant Dhiyaz Curry House, which opened its doors in April, is one of the newer additions to the growing list of eateries in the now-popular Bandar Rimbayu area. Located at No. 20, 1/3, Persiaran Rimba, 42500 Bandar Rimbayu, Kuala Langat, Selangor, it’s a relatively short drive from our place in Kemuning Greenville, Kota Kemuning. We left at 11.00 a.m. and arrived by 11.15 a.m. on a Tuesday.

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).

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Easy Rice Pudding Recipe

Rice pudding with basmati rice, coconut milk, ghee, sugar, almonds, blackcurrants, and stevia leaves.

Looking for a simple, comforting dessert? This easy homemade rice pudding recipe uses pantry staples like rice, sugar, and milk, or coconut milk. It’s similar to Indian kheer in the north and payasam in the south, loved for its creamy texture and gentle sweetness (EASY BREAD PUDDING).  

 

This recipe is flexible, affordable, and quick to make. With rice and some milk, you’re already halfway there.

 

This rice pudding can be served warm or chilled and is ideal for anyone who loves familiar, homey desserts. Whether you call it rice pudding, kheer, or payasam (PAYASAM RECIPE), the comfort is universal.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Asian Food Guide: Cambodian Food for Beginners

Three slices of purple custard apple on a plate.
Heading to Cambodia (SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA TRAVEL) and wondering what to expect from its food? You’re in for a treat! If you're a fan of Asian cuisine, Cambodian food offers a delightful mix of flavors. Drawing influences from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia, the food ranges from fresh and subtle to bold and spicy. Whether you’re at a street stall, casual eatery, or upscale restaurant, there’s something to suit every palate. And don’t worry, vegetarians will find plenty of flavorful options, too.

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,

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Top Attractions in South India


UNDER CONSTRUCTION







Colonial Home Resort
Our accommodation took us back in time, complete with colonial-style chalets and a gold key. Furnished with vintage pieces, bathing involved the old-school bucket-scooping method, and hot water was rationed. Everything felt charmingly preserved, as if time had stood still.
The verandah of a colonial chalet in Kodaikanal, South India, with traditional cushion chairs and red curtains.









Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Traditional Malay Food Review: Selera Kampung Nasi Campur

Red and white neon signboard mounted above a food court Malay food stalls.
For the longest time, whenever we’re at AEON Bukit Rimau, Shah Alam, Selangor to run errands or pick up a few things, we never miss having lunch at Selera Kampung Nasi Campur. Sometimes, I even bring along my containers to pack their food back home. We usually arrive early, around 11:30 am, to avoid the lunchtime crowd. This stall is by far the most popular among the few in the food court.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Bread Pudding Recipe: Malaysian Style

Bread pudding with screwpine leaves extract, milk, eggs, sugar, and butter in a clear square Pyrex dish.

When it comes to bread pudding, it's all about waste not, want not. This Malaysian-style bread pudding recipe is a go-to when needing to use up near-expiry bread slices, crusts included. No waste, no fuss (FRUITY BREAD PUDDING). And when you add the beautiful aroma of pandan leaves (screwpine), you get that unmistakable local Malaysian taste.

 

This is a healthier version of bread pudding. Instead of condensed milk, which is often too sweet, plain carton milk is used with a light touch of sugar. You can even swap in coconut milk for a creamier, more indulgent texture.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Temples in South India

Night prayers in Shivalom Shiva Temple, Bengaluru, India.
It goes without saying, India is the country of religion and spirituality, reflected in the countless number of temples. From North to South India, from urban centres to rural areas, temples are everywhere. Some in remote regions, each holds deep significance in India’s ancient history and religious culture. Every temple, without a doubt, stands strong in faith, devotion, and tradition, also as the sacred places in India that continue as the country’s living heritage (HARYANA SACRED SITES, INDIA).
 

It cannot be discounted that to know India is to know the temples of India, whether as a pilgrimage or part of touring the country. However, it is impossible to cover all the temples in India in one go, which is why people keep returning again and again.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Holistic Wellness: 5 Quick Yoga Tips

Yoga instructor stands on a chair, one leg bend, hands on the wall in an advanced standing pose.
What Is Holistic Wellness

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.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Fried Banana Chips Recipe

Coated with chilli powder, turmeric powder and salt, crispy fried Indian banana chips.
Crunchy, crispy, and lightly spiced, these banana chips are a beloved accompaniment for home-cooked rice meals (RICE-COOKER TURMERIC RICE) and are looked forward to in unassumingly Indian eateries. Making fried banana chips isn’t complicated. It’s all about time, batch-frying, and ensuring they are crispy fried without burning. This Indian banana chips recipe shows you how to make banana chips easily at home.

The bananas used for these crispy banana chips are green bananas, known as Valakkai in Tamil, which gives the recipe its name in Tamil as Valakkai Chips or Valakkai Poriyal (though “poriyal” usually refers to stir-fries).

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Kopitiam Review: Kawan Place Kota Kemuning

Facade and main entrance of a kopitiam with a signboard mounted above, located on a corner lot.
Located on a corner lot in Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam, Selangor, Kawan Place offers a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. Green is their highlight color - seen on the signboard, façade, and dining area - while the overall ambiance feels clean and welcoming. We arrived on a Monday at about 11:15 a.m.; as we entered the indoor dining area, we noticed a few customers tucking into their meals at the outside pavement dining area (WHERE TO EAT IN PERAK).

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Chinese Steamed Chicken Recipe

Steamed chicken with ginger, cabbage, and spring onions on a silver oblong serving tray.

Tender and juicy chicken, served with ginger sauce. The fresh aroma of ginger, the bright burst of spring onions, and the nutty scent of sesame oil make this a delicious, wholesome, and simple Chinese meal (CHINESE EGG FRIED RICE). 

 

Truly, Chinese cooking doesn’t get easier. Steaming is straightforward, and the no-cook Chinese Ginger Dip delivers a beloved spicy kick. The succulent steamed chicken (EASY CHICKEN SALAD) is eaten by dipping into the Chinese sauce.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Best Turmeric Rice Recipe: Rice Cooker Style

Turmeric rice made with turmeric powder, rice, pecans, raisins, butter, water, and salt.

Best in the sense that it’s not only known as turmeric rice but also as golden rice. Fluffy grains, earthy, peppery, and buttery, with a satisfying crunch from nuts and natural sweetness from raisins. Though some stove-top prep is required, this recipe is mostly cooked in the rice cooker for ease and consistency.

 

Turmeric powder, a powerful antioxidant with numerous health benefits. A staple of Indian cooking and has now found its place in Western kitchens. Basmati rice is also known for its health benefits compared to plain white rice, with light, separate grains and a fragrant aroma.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Vegetarian White Bee Hoon Recipe - Indian Style

Blanched bee hoon, stir fried with dried chilies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, shallots and cabbage.

Forever a classic - fragrant, nutritious, and wholesome. This Indian-style vegetarian white bee hoon (rice vermicelli) is a family favorite. The aroma of curry leaves, the gentle heat of dried red chilies, and the crunch of cabbage come together in soft or al-dente fried bee hoon.

 

Simple, affordable, and homemade (INDIAN CREAMED SPINACH), this stir-fried bee hoon is enjoyed for breakfast, tea-time, or even as a light dinner.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

What to See and Eat in Perak, Malaysia

Ipoh street with colonial buildings and cars passing by.
Ipoh Town is a heritage trail on its own. The old colonial shops say it all, reflecting how culture and legendary stories are still alive. Walking through the town along the Ipoh Heritage Trail is like stepping back in time. Whether to view the interiors or just the exteriors of the significant sites in Ipoh, every step reveals the stories of the past. Days can pass easily here, with quick stops or lingering at spots that simply draw attention (PERAK MALAYSIA ATTRACTIONS).

And it’s not just history. Perak is full of food heritage too. From unassuming local eateries to modern cafes, traditional flavours are everywhere, waiting to be tasted.

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Mutton Curry Recipe/Masala Mutton Gravy

Mutton curry made with spices, crushed black pepper, shallots, curry leaves, and potatoes.
The simply aromatic, top-notch flavor profile of Indian spices defines this Indian-style Mutton Curry. Tender mutton in a thick, spicy gravy awakens the palate instantly, while crushed black pepper adds a sharp heat and lingering spiciness (CHETTINAD MUTTON CURRY).

 

Mutton curries with black pepper are popular across regions, each with unique local names. In Kerala, it’s called Meat Pepper Curry or Irachi Milagu Curry. In Tamil Nadu, simply South Indian Mutton Curry. It is Milagu Mutton in Sri Lanka, whereas, in Bangladesh, known as Kala Bhuna, and in Durban, South Africa, as Durban Mutton Curry.

Getting on the E-Commerce Train as an Entrepreneur

E-commerce has changed how a lot of businesses operate, and for entrepreneurs aiming to break into it it offers a lot of opportunities and c...