Tasty Thai, Bukit Rimau: A Food Critic's Thai Bite

Arriving at Tasty Thai in Bukit Rimau around 11:50 AM with two lunch companions, we found ourselves among just three or four other early diners. Despite the quiet start, the staff were fully prepared to serve us. The moment I stepped inside, it felt like walking into a space that blended the warmth of a traditional Thai family home with the refined atmosphere of a high-end Thai food stall. The ambiance was serene and calming, instantly putting me at ease.

Kerabu Taugeh: Bean Sprout Salad

No-cook salads on the whole are about crispness, freshness, and the ease of a simple recipe. Between the various types of salads, there is the kerabu.  The Malaysian salad, specifically a Malay raw salad that is about preparing and tossing the ingredients together (URAP KANGKUNG/WATER SPINACH SALAD). 

Most of the time, apart from the star ingredient, the rest are everyday Malaysian staples that are easily available.

 

Take this Kerabu Taugeh (Bean Sprout Salad) as the example. This Kerabu Taugeh recipe calls for crunchy bean sprouts, chilies, shallots, lime juice, and kerisik (pan-roasted and pounded grated coconut), along with the fresh fragrance of spring onions and coriander leaves (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD).

Peanut Cookies Recipe

No matter the festival, peanut cookies are a beloved treat that everyone looks forward to (SUJI COOKIES). The two star ingredients for these crumbly, buttery, and nutty cookies are nothing more than peanuts and butter.

These are Chinese-style cookies, shaped into small mounds, topped with peanuts, and brushed with egg yolk for a golden finish. For a vegetarian or egg-free version, use milk or cream instead of egg yolk.

 

For the peanuts, you can choose fried or roasted peanuts, then grind them in a food processor or mortar to make a coarse or fine powder. There’s also a version using store-bought peanut butter, which already includes butter and sometimes sugar.

Turkey Attractions

The journey starts in Istanbul and loops through some of Turkey’s top cities. In each city, it’s best to focus on the main attractions, as time is limited and budgets need to be considered. Traveling between cities is mostly by road and can take significant time (ISTANBUL TURKEY). 

One of the easiest ways to see Turkey is by joining a tour. Most tours include arrangements for accommodation, meals, and transportation. A local guide adds value by explaining the history and highlights of each city and attraction, making the experience smoother and more informative.

Crispy Fried Bitter Gourd Chips Recipe

As bitter as they are, bitter gourd is packed with healthy nutrients. Its natural bitterness acts as a remedy for managing blood sugar levels and supporting digestive health. When sliced thinly and fried, the bitterness mellows, turning into crispy fried bitter gourd chips, a favorite snack or accompaniment for an Indian rice meals (CRISPY FRIED CAULIFLOWER). 

Found in Indian eateries, this dish is always popular. Some versions are fried with flour, but this recipe does not need it (MORINGA LEAVES STIR-FRIED). 

Suji Cookies Recipe

Crumbly, crunchy, and scented with ghee, these golden yellow Suji Cookies are a festive favorite. Also known as Sujee Cookies, semolina cookies, or spelled as Sugee Cookies, they are usually made for celebrations like Hari Raya, Deepavali, or Chinese New Year (SEMOLINA/SUGEE CAKE). 

This is a simple 4-ingredient recipe (excluding cherries), but the ingredients are flexible. For less sweet cookies, use less sugar. For richer, more indulgent cookies, add extra ghee.

Sambal Belacan

Fiery, salty, tangy, and packed with umami, this is the classic Malaysian spicy dip. Sambal belacan, also known as Chili Shrimp Paste Sauce, is a no-cook or raw dip made traditionally with a mortar and pestle, or more quickly with a food processor or blender (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE). 

This world-famous condiment comes in various versions. Apart from the popular Malaysian sambal belacan, there is the Thai-style sambal belacan and the Indonesian sambal belacan, also called Sambal Terasi. Each has its own preferred ingredients and flavors.