Fish Head Curry

Fish Head Curry. One of the most popular Malaysian foods. Whether made as Indian fish head curry, Malay style (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE) kari kepala ikan, Nyonya fish curry, or even the version served in Chinese restaurants, it remains a beloved dish.

Malaysian fish head curry generally features spices, sometimes ground into a rempah or spice paste, but store-bought curry powder works just as well. Other ready-made spice powders can also be added.

How To Grow Chilies At Home

(Updated Version)

For a Malaysian like me, chillies are one of the most significant ingredients in cooking. Be it noodles, fried rice, or even sambal, chillies are a staple that brings the much-loved kick of spiciness to our meals. While I can’t speak for every Malaysian, I know that many of us need our daily dose of spiciness.

 

Incorporating chillies into my zen blooming urban gardening (LEMONGRASS - GROWING & LEMONGRASS DRINK) has been an amazing learning curve. I’ve been growing chillies for the longest time, and I’d love to share my tried-and-tested tips with you, especially if you live in an Asian climate where these plants thrive.

Egg Fried Rice

The ever classic egg fried rice. The always humble and simple fried rice. Called as the poor peoples food back then, but still remaining atop the list of fried rice. It’s a Chinese style fried rice, made with leftover cooked rice. 

There is nothing to say in terms of the ingredients, except rice, eggs (BITTER GOURD WITH EGGS), chopped garlic and some spring onions definitely will elevate the deliciousness further.

Fried Chicken: Ayam Goreng Berempah

Fragrant, crispy, crunchy, herb-scented, and spicy fried chicken. A popular fried chicken amongst the many types of fried chicken. One of the must-have dishes for Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kukus, and even Malay mix rice. The ultimate (PENGAT DURIAN) Malay fried chicken, known as Ayam Goreng Berempah.

This recipe features Southeast Asian herbs such as lemongrass, galangal, and fried turmeric. Variations exist depending on where it is made.  Selangor, Kelantan, Melaka, or Penang, with each state adding its own mix of herbs,

Things to Do in Kuala Kubu Bharu

As urban development continues across Malaysia, nature has faded from city landscapes, contributing to rising temperatures. Alongside the fast-paced lifestyle and daily routine pressures, more people are seeking quieter, greener places to unwind. This has brought attention to small towns, where simplicity offers a welcome pause from noise and crowds.

 One such town is Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB), located in Selangor at the foothills of the Titiwangsa Range. Often referred to as the gateway to Fraser’s Hill (FRASER'S HILL SIGHTSEEING), KKB has become a recognized destination in Malaysia. Much of the town remains unchanged, preserving the feel of earlier days.

Bee Ho Ho Steamboat: Bandar Rimbayu

"Curious about our food adventure at Bee Ho Ho Steamboat (Rimbayu Branch)? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the video".

We were actually looking for another coffee shop in Rimbayu, but despite using WhatsApp, mmm, we couldn’t locate it. Assumingly, it doesn’t exist anymore. At that juncture, as we took a turn, the road led us to a place where the signboard of Bee Ho Ho Steamboat caught our attention. It must be a steamboat spot during the later part of the day, but in the earlier hours, it operates as a kopitiam-style eatery, featuring a variety of hawker food fare (CHINESE CHICKEN GINGSENG SOUP RECIPE).

Thai Fried Rice

Fried rice - the anytime food of the day. Also, a popular food throughout the world which can regarded as one pot dish or one wok dish. One of the best fried rice should be mentioned as Thai Fried Rice. Spicy, fragrant and grainy rice, and what can be better than a Tom Yum Fried Rice (COCONUT MILK TOM YUM SOUP).

A no-fuss, quick Thai food, and with store bought tom yum paste, its truly a quick fried rice, ready within most to most 15 minutes, including for the versions like chicken fried rice, or seafood rice or just prawns.

Crispy Tofu

Crispy on the outside, soft bite inside tofu. Vegan, made from soybeans, dairy-free: safe for lactose-intolerant individuals, vegetarian, and plant-based. Why tofu is one of the top superfoods. Even more powerful when cooked with two other superfood ingredients. Turmeric powder and curry leaves, for truly healthy cooking and healthy recipe (SOY SAUCE TOFU). 

There’s nothing much required except these three superfoods, along with ghee, a keto ingredient, for what can also be recognized as grilled tofu. There are many styles of crispy tofu, yet simple tofu recipes are always the winners. Even with these basic ingredients and other kitchen staples, variations like turmeric tofu are possible (TOFU STIR FRY). 

Sri Annamalai Unavagam: Sekyen 15, Shah Alam

Our visit to Sri Annamalai Unavagam was entirely unplanned, driven by a spontaneous decision about where to have lunch while we were just five minutes away from Shah Alam’s Seksyen 15. This humble stall had previously caught my attention on TikTok, known for its much-talked-about vegetarian set meal, priced at RM6.99 - a clever psychological pricing strategy just under RM7.

Vegetarian Spicy Sour Noodle Soup: Asam Laksa

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).

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). 

Cracked Heel Cream: Footease by Watsons

We’ve talked about foot creams before, and I’ve mentioned that I’d introduce a truly affordable option (FOOT CREAMS: HONEST REVIEWS). But before anything else, let’s take a moment to think about your feet. Have you been taking good care of them? If not, now might be a great time to start. A quick reminder: neglecting your feet can lead to discomfort and even more serious issues like cracked or bleeding heels. Taking just a few minutes each day to moisturize and care for them can save you from a lot of pain down the road (LOREAL PARIS BRIGHT GLOWING CREAM SPF).

L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Glowing Day Cream SPF17 Review

(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.

Thai Steamed Fish Recipe

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

Fraser’s Hill in Pahang is a quiet hill station known for its cool climate, green surroundings, and colonial-style buildings. It was named after Louis James Fraser, a Scottish trader who ran a tin ore business here in the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, Fraser disappeared without a trace, and the hill was abandoned for several years.

That changed in 1917 when British official J. Ferguson-Davie rediscovered the area. Soon after, Fraser’s Hill was developed into a highland retreat for British officers who wanted to get away from the heat in the lowlands. This history explains the presence of colonial bungalows and stone houses that still stand today.

Bread Pizza Recipe

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.