Thursday, December 5, 2024

Vegetarian Spicy Sour Noodle Soup: Asam Laksa

A swallow plate with blanched thin rice noodles, in chili and Asian herbs soup. Topped with sliced red chilies, red onion, pineapples, fried mushroom and cucumber.
Asam Laksa is one of Malaysia’s most popular noodle dishes, known for its spicy and sour soup. Traditionally, it’s made with a fish-based broth using ikan kembung (mackerel) or sardines. This recipe, however, is a vegetarian, and even vegan version, made entirely from vegetables and herbs, without any meat, dairy, or animal products.

This meatless Asam Laksa delivers all the key tastes of the original: bold, spicy, sour, and fragrant - true to the classic Southeast Asian and Malaysian flavors (VEGETARIAN NASI LEMAK).

Monday, December 2, 2024

Crispy Fried Prawns

Close views of oats rolled crispy fried prawns.
Whether as finger food, snack, starter or appetizer, nothing beats crispy on the outside and tender cooked to the right texture prawns. The Crispy Fried Prawns or Crispy Fried Shrimps. Once the prawns are out of the frying pan, to be eaten immediately to retain the crunchiness, dipped in chili sauce.

The Chinese Crispy Prawns, which is utterly delicious. Excellent choice for Asian-style prawn recipes, easy prawn recipes, or crispy seafood dishes (CHINESE STEAMED FISH). 

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Glowing Day Cream SPF17 Review

L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Glowing Day Cream SPF17 in its original packaging
(Updated Version)

Difference Between Day Cream and Night Cream
Understanding the difference between day and night creams is key to choosing the right product for your skin’s needs. Day creams are typically designed with SPF and antioxidants to protect against sun damage and pollution. They’re lightweight, quickly absorbed, and provide hydration without leaving a greasy finish (WARDAH UV SHIELD ESSENTIAL GEL).

Night creams, on the other hand, are richer and focus on repairing and nourishing your skin. They often contain ingredients like retinol and peptides to restore and rejuvenate your skin overnight, without SPF since sun protection is unnecessary during sleep.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Thai Steamed Fish Recipe

Close view of Thai Steamed Fish, made with Barramundi, and red chillies and Thai herbs sauce.

A classic Thai steamed fish, one of the most authentic ways fish is steamed in Thai style. Also one of the unique traditional ways Thai steamed fish are made. This homemade recipe features ingredients common in Thai cooking and Southeast Asian cooking. These ingredients are easy to find, and simple substitutes can be used if you are elsewhere in the world (STEAMED FISH THAI STYLE). 

 

The recipe is straightforward. The fish is cleaned, degutted, and scored, with fresh ginger stuffed inside to remove any gamey smell. The Thai sauce is made and fried in oil to release its aroma before pouring it over the steamed barramundi.

Fraser's Hill, Pahang: Things to Do

Entrance to heart of Fraser's Hill, with colonial houses and nature, Malaysia.
Ancient colonial bungalows line the slopes, surrounded by nature. Cool climate, quiet, fresh air, and sunlight. A hill station in Pahang, Malaysia - Fraser’s Hill. Simple, yet it brings a smile.

Named after Louis James Fraser, a Scottish trader who ran a tin ore business here in the late 1800s. Fraser vanished mysteriously in the early 1900s, leaving the area abandoned for years. In 1917, British official J. Ferguson-Davie rediscovered it. Gradually, Fraser’s Hill grew into a highland retreat for British officers as a nature escape, away from the lowland heat (RAUB PAHANG GUIDE). 

Friday, November 22, 2024

Bread Pizza Recipe

Three slices of baked bread pizza, with tuna, Thai betel leaves, onion, chilli and grated cheese atop.
Crusty on the outside with a tuna, herb, and cheese spicy topping. A homemade easy bread pizza - quick, versatile, and ideal for using leftover ingredients. Literally open to other toppings, from leftover steamed or roasted chicken to shredded curry chicken.

It’s not just about saving near-expiry bread slices; it’s about waste-not cooking. While this recipe features daun kaduk (Thai betel leaves), you can use other affordable local herbs.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

What to Do in Raub, Pahang (Malaysia)

Nature with trees at the mountain range in Raub, Malaysia.
Step into Raub, Pahang, a town nestled in the mountains of western Pahang, about 110 kilometers northeast of Kuala Lumpur. Along the drive, lush landscapes and rolling hills unfold as the town sits on the western edge of the Titiwangsa Range, the main mountain range of Peninsular Malaysia (BENTONG PAHANG SITES). 

Once a sleepy town, Raub comes alive on weekends and public holidays, attracting urbanites seeking a quiet weekend getaway from the city’s hustle. Even during weekdays, its rural riverside scenery maintains a calm, slow-paced vibe, making it a memorable Raub travel destination (PULAU KETAM SELANGOR TRIP). 

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Durian Dessert Recipe: Pengat Durian & Serawa Durian

Atop of a banana leaf, steamed sticky rice with, made with durian, palm sugar, coconut milk and screwpine leaves sweet porride.
Gooey, thick, and creamy - durian with coconut milk, sweetened by palm sugar and scented with pandan leaves. This beloved Malay dessert, called Durian Coconut Milk Sweet Porridge or Pengat Durian, is basically a durian porridge.

A guilty pleasure or sinful pleasure not only for durian lovers, but for everyone who loves a traditional Malaysian dessert. Pour this durian porridge over steamed sticky rice (pulut putih) and it becomes Serawa Durian. The ultimate sweet durian porridge with glutinous rice (SAGO PUDDING WITH COCONUT MILK). 


It’s a matter of preference: either the sweet porridge by itself or with sticky rice. Either way, it speaks to the love of durian, the world-known exotic Malaysian fruit.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Shan Pakistan Restaurant - Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam


As always, when a new restaurant opens in Kota Kemuning, there’s bound to be a buzz in the local Facebook groups, with everyone sharing their dining experiences. Naturally, I was curious and excited to check it out. I visited Shan Pakistan Restaurant on a weekday, somewhat sceptical after reading mixed reviews on Facebook and Google Maps. However, the moment I stepped inside, it felt surreal in the best way possible - a welcoming ambiance that immediately made me feel at ease.

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Thai Crab Curry Recipe

Crispy fried crab pieces, in a homemade Thai green curry paste, atop with Thai basil leaves and sliced birds eye chillies.
Thai Crab Curry. Also known as green crab curry, using homemade green curry paste, with fresh green chilies as the main ingredient for spiciness, complemented with lemongrass for fragrance.

Thai green curry is one of the famous Thai curry pastes. Though store-bought or ready-made green curry paste is common these days, nothing beats homemade paste. It allows you to tweak and adapt Thai recipes to your taste. A simple-style curry paste is part of this Thai recipe (THAI RED PRAWN CURRY). 

What to do in Bentong, Pahang (Malaysia)

Mountains, valleys and unspoiled nature in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia.
Located in the western part of Pahang, Bentong is a small, compact semi-urban town. Weekdays are generally calm and quiet, while weekends and public holidays bring a lively buzz. Over the years, Bentong has become a popular short getaway for locals and is already recognized among foreign tourists.

 

Nestled near the Titiwangsa mountain range, the town is surrounded by lush greenery and gentle hills, making it a nature lover’s favorite destination in Malaysia (BETONG THAILAND THINGS TO DO). 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Mee Siam Singapore Recipe

Rice vermicelli with spicy coconut milk gravy, boiled eggs, kaffir lime leaves, chives, tofu pok and lime wedge.
Spicy prawn-based gravy with rice vermicelli (bee hoon), prawns, tofu pok, boiled egg, chives (kucai), and the citrusy aroma of kaffir lime leaves. This is the twisted Singapore version of Mee Siam (MEE SIAM GRAVY VEGETARIAN). 

How different is it from the Malaysian version of Mee Siam Soup or Mee Siam with Gravy? Not much. These two neighbouring countries have similar flavours, but you can customize ingredients to create your own Singapore-style Mee Siam. After all, that’s what creative cooking is all about.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Soy Sauce Tofu Recipe

Microwaved sliced Japanese tofu, with soy sauce, crispy shallots in oil, sliced spring onions and chilli flakes.
An easy-to-cook, simple homemade Chinese dish. There’s nothing much to do, yet soy sauce tofu is appetising for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. A no-fuss easy tofu recipe that can be made within minutes (QUICK CHINESE VEGETABLE STIR-FRY). 

The tofu can range from hard white tofu, Japanese soft tofu, to brown soft tofu. For this Chinese recipe, Japanese egg tofu is used, though white Japanese tofu, works as well.

Nasi Ulam Ikan Bakar - Jalan Kebun, Shah Alam

Nasi Ulam Ikan Bakar - Jalan Kebun, Shah Alam signboard
At nearly 12:15 pm on a Sunday, Nasi Ulam Ikan Bakar was already bustling with customers. The first task was securing a table, followed by a walk to the food display. It’s a self-service setup, and with many choices, we had trouble deciding what to try, especially with others packing up their orders too. 

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Top Things to Do in Betong, Thailand

In nature setting Piyamit Tunnel Bentong, with a bridge & red shrine.
There is only so much to do within Betong Town itself. A small town in southern Thailand known for its abundance of food and for simply walking around. As the miles stretch further away, Betong turns into a nature paradise, where the weather is cooler and the breeze feels refreshing.

Surrounded by hills and forest-covered mountains, it is no surprise that parts of Betong already sit at a higher elevation. Further away, nature becomes even more prominent (BETONG THAILAND SITES).

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Lemon Bars Recipe

Lemon Bars, butter crumbly crust and lemony custard atop.
The sensational lemony fragrance of lemon bars is irresistible. A citrusy, soft custard-like top filling rests on a buttery crumble crust. Among the most popular lemon desserts, they’re a big hit with dessert lovers (EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE). One bar is rarely enough.

Not your ordinary lemon bars, yet an easy and effortless recipe. Handmade lemon dessert begins with a buttery crumble pressed into a pan and baked. While the bottom crust is baking, the top lemon filling is quickly mixed.

Sawtooth Coriander: Culantro or Ketumbar Jawa

Sawtooth coriander, or culantro, scientifically known as Eryngium foetidum, is a tropical herb that goes by many names around the world. In ...