Langkawi History
Langkawi and Mahsuri’s story are closely linked. Over 200 years ago, Mahsuri, a young woman wrongfully accused of an affair, was sentenced to death. Before she died, she placed a seven-generation curse on the island.
Langkawi History
Langkawi and Mahsuri’s story are closely linked. Over 200 years ago, Mahsuri, a young woman wrongfully accused of an affair, was sentenced to death. Before she died, she placed a seven-generation curse on the island.
While discussions about mental well-being are more common than ever, there may be those who quietly struggle under daily pressures. Yoga offers a natural and accessible way to restore balance, cultivate inner calm, and improve focus, helping anyone navigate life’s challenges with greater ease (5 TOP MINDFULNESS TIPS).
What to eat in Indonesia isn’t complicated. The
country offers food for everyone, depending on your preferences. Vegetarians,
vegans, and those who need gluten-free options will find choices available (SURAKARTA TRAVEL GUIDE).
Dish names are usually listed on menus or visible at street stalls, but
ingredients aren’t always clear.
In such instances, it’s best to ask whether a dish contains animal products, dairy, or ingredients that may cause allergies.
Crunchy,
fresh, crisp, spicy, and tangy papaya salad. Truly an appetizing dish that
wakes up your taste buds instantly. Whether as a healthy salad for nibbling or
paired with rice as an Asian meal, this green papaya salad is versatile. Known
as Som Tum in Thailand, Bok Lahong in Cambodia (ANGKOR WAT CAMBODIA), Kerabu Betik in Malaysia, and Gỏi
đu đủ in Vietnam, it can be made with unripe or semi-ripe papaya.
The best thing about this no-cook papaya salad recipe is there’s nothing to heat on the stove. While traditional preparation may involve pounding ingredients, thinly sliced or chopped papaya work just as well.
Sweet, grassy, slightly nutty with a hint of
coconut, that’s the essence of pandan leaves, also known as screwpine leaves or
pandanus leaves. Comparable to vanilla beans or vanilla essence, pandan leaves
are long, vibrant green, and naturally sharp along the edges. Recognized as a
top Southeast Asian culinary and medicinal herb, pandan leaves are a source of
pride across the region (TORCH GINGER/BUNGA KANTAN).
In Western countries, fresh pandan leaves are often expensive and hard to source, with substitutes like pandan extract or pandan flavoring used instead. In contrast, they grow effortlessly in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and can also be found in Sri Lanka and parts of southern India, though they are not widely used there.
Following the traditional pho style from Vietnamese street stalls, the dish features an aromatic and flavorful lamb bone soup, poured over blanched rice noodles or bee hoon. The broth is simmered with essential spices, as in Vietnamese pho - cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and coriander seeds, which are also common in Indian cooking.
When in Indonesia, it’s impossible to ignore the street stalls. From lone roadside carts to clusters of vendors, they appear everywhere as you start walking. These stalls serve traditional and authentic Indonesian street food. Similar dishes can also be found in simple, unassuming eateries (INDONESIA FOOD GUIDE).
The ambiance is nothing fancy - long tables with chairs or benches. Menus may be a single laminated sheet or a wall listing in unassuming eateries, while at street stalls, menus are usually displayed somewhere on the cart.
Yet, despite its popularity and countless conversations, mindfulness practice remains a challenge - more a concept than a consistent habit.
Unlike ginger, galangal has a sharper, citrusy, pine-like flavor that makes it a unique spice in soups, curries, and sauces. In its raw form, it gives off a bright aroma with citrus and woody notes, stronger and spicier than ginger.
Today’s lifestyle is about rushing and juggling multiple tasks, leaving people constantly trying to keep up. Several factors contribute to this fast-paced environment.
Green Cincau Jelly (Cincau Hijau) is a
two ingredient homemade jelly that is soft, wobbly, and naturally cooling. In
its natural form, this no-cook jelly carries a fresh, grassy, and lightly
earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness. It’s an acquired taste, and not
everyone can digest it easily.
But sure,
as a sweet dessert, as an Asian dessert, it can be anything more than coconut
milk and palm sugar/Gula Melaka syrup. Or, to convert to a Western style
dessert, honey, a scoop of ice cream, or even pancake.
A top notch healthy dessert, Green Cincau made from Cencau Perdu leaves (Premna oblongifolia or Cyclea barbata), is valued for its chlorophyll, natural cooling effect, gentle digestion, hydration, and antioxidants.
Calamansi lime has a unique tangy-sweet flavour, somewhat like a cross between lime and mandarin orange. Compared to the regular green lime commonly used in Asian cooking (HOW TO GROW TORCH GINGER/BUNGA KANTAN), which is sharper and more acidic, calamansi is milder and slightly sweeter.
You can prep overnight oats 2 to 3 days in advance, but food safety is key, a healthy (PUMPKIN BARLEY DESSERT) breakfast shouldn't cause an upset stomach. Follow these simple hygiene tips to keep your oats fresh.
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.
Easy,
quick, and made with pantry-friendly ingredients, this spicy and delicious
chicken curry is a must-try. These days, for an easy chicken curry or instant
chicken curry, store-bought curry paste, or even dry spice blends, can do the
job (CHICKEN CURRY WITH COCONUT MILK).
Still, nothing beats this homemade chicken curry, made with aromatic spices, curry leaves, and store-bought chili powder.
Healthy,
spicy superfood. Petai Sambal with prawns, or stink beans cooked in a Malay
spicy gravy, is a classic Malaysian seafood recipe. Petai is an acquired taste,
not for the faint-hearted due to its strong smell, but beloved by Malaysians (SARDINE SAMBAL/SAMBAL SARDIN).
Packed with health benefits, it contains a list of nutrients. Petai can also be eaten raw as a salad or ulam, dipped in sambal belacan, and paired with fresh vegetables like cucumber and salad leaves.
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).
Stir-fried
in a spicy, umami belacan paste, these winged beans stay crunchy and full of
taste. This dish is a classic Malay-style stir-fried vegetable (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD). It is known as Kacang
Botol Goreng Belacan. The key ingredient is shrimp paste (belacan), a staple in
Malaysian sambals, spicy gravies, and sauces.
Winged beans, also called four-angled beans or kacang botol in Malaysia, are nutritious and affordable. They can be replaced with French beans or long beans. Kangkung Belacan (water spinach stir-fry) is cooked the same way but softer for easier chewing.
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.
Vietnamese food stands out as one of Asia’s most vibrant and flavor-packed cuisines. With big, bold tastes and distinct character, it holds its own alongside Cambodian, Thai, Malaysian, and Indonesian food (SPICY LEMONGRASS FISH). When it comes to Asian flavours, it’s all about elevating the taste experience, and Vietnam delivers that through a unique mix of fresh ingredients and local cooking styles.
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).
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.
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,
Imagine sipping a homemade lemonade that is lightly sweet, refreshing, nourishing, and instantly wakes up the taste buds. This unique drink ...