Maozcafe, Butterworth

 coffee with caramelised almonds crepe cake

 chicken pie, latte and cappucino. decent coffee art there.. 

hot chocolate with an indescribable art 

Quaint cafes are also popping up in Butterworth following it's other half on the island. So, this cafe is not the first but nonetheless it is the first in its area, Butterworth Business Centre off Jalan Raja Uda. There are both outdoor and indoor sittings in this cafe and I highly recommend you to sit outside. The noise is unbearable inside where the cashier, coffee, cake and pastry counter is. It's like a market. In its Facebook page, this place is also described as a "food and grocery" cafe. Grocery? I didn't get the chance to waltz into the cafe as I had to "jom" a table whilst my mom and brother went in to order. 

Anyway, I am a non-coffee drinker so I usually opt for hot chocolate, juices or teas. The hot chocolate here is not the best as I still think the best one is at Coffee at the Table, Beach Street. Nonetheless, the coffee crepe cake and the chicken pie are good. Ya, I don't take coffee but I eat coffee flavoured cakes. :P 

Price wise, definitely cheaper than those on the island noting that there is coffee art on their hot drinks. If you like to explore quaint cafes around the mainland, do give this place a try. Every place deserves a chance.

To give you an idea where the cafe is, it is located at the Autocity of Raja Uda (at the top of Jalan Raja Uda where it intersects with Jalan Telaga Air and Jalan Siram) where you can find The Library, Aroma Hotel, Yes Yogurt and Shunka Japanese Restaurant.  

Maozcafe 

No.18, Butterworth Business City Centre,
Jalan Raja Uda,
12000 Butterworth, Penang

Quê Hu'o'ng Tôi (Vietnamese Kitchen)

Back in Newcastle, UK, I befriended a few Vietnamese friends and I realised how petite they were. I don't see any fat in their appearance. Lol.. That's when I was introduced to their food and upon sampling some, I realised Vietnamese consumed a lot of herbs and their taste in food is not as rich as ours in Penang. It's refreshingly light and less oily. 

In a recent gathering with college mates, we opted to have some Vietnamese food over Korean food and three of us had a place in mind - the restaurant at Jalan Jelutong! We don't know how to pronounce the name of the restaurant as it is in Vietnamese but I think it sounded something like "kuih hong toi".  

One of the compulsory must try appetizer is the spring rolls. You can try the deep fried ones or the hand rolled ones. I personally prefer the hand rolled ones as it is more flavoursome with some mint in them and both types are RM1.80 each (with a minimum of 2). As you can see, it is served with their respective sauces. The dark coloured sauces are for the deep fried spring rolls and the watery one is for the hand rolled spring rolls. 

This dish is also unique. Clams with lemongrass broth. The soup is so clear and the taste is very distinctively of lemon grass. You won't get to taste this anywhere else except maybe in Vietnam? Refreshing to the taste buds. 

The menu has limitations in that certain dishes are only served in certain days. At a glance, the full menu is available on Saturdays and where as on Sundays like our visit, we can try the fish noodles with homemade fish meatballs instead. As you can see, the broth is flavoured with tomatoes and herbs. The portion of the noodles is really big so, best not to have any food before you dine here. 

Pancakes, Vietnamese style. You wrapped the pancakes with some fresh lettuce leaves and herbs. Basil is usually the common herb used in Vietnamese food. 

Last but not the least, the Vietnamese BBQ pork Banh Mi (or baguette). Vietnamese food also has some French flair in them due to the country's history but this has got to be the best. I dare say it is even better than Subway's!

The boss is a local and he helps around with the orders and payment. The restaurants staffs are mainly Vietnamese but they are able to speak Malay and some local dialects. 

Tip: 

(1) Please call to book for a table before you go especially during weekends. It is not family or party friendly due to its limited space and tables. 

(2) It is also not parking friendly as it has only one car park in front of the restaurant (well, it is an old heritage house), so please park across the road where the Peugeot car showroom is.

(3) The price is reasonable. 

(4) When you have Vietnamese coffee, don't misinterpret the additional silver pot to be sugar syrup. In fact, it is a pot of tea for cleansing once you have finished your coffee. It does very well in removing the after taste from the coffee. 

(5) It is not open all day and all week. It's closed on Tuesdays and there is a 3 hours break in between lunch and dinner services. 

Quê Hu'o'ng Tôi 越南小食馆
Vietnamese Restaurant
56-W, Jalan Jelutong,
11600 Jelutong, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 016-4211244

Al Medina Moroccan Restaurant

[Update 13/06/2015 : This place is no longer operating in business.]

If you are adventurous and yet didn't want to go too far for it, come to Al Medina for some Moroccan food. The portion is huge is enough to share in particular the tajine (last picture), be it mixed fish, chicken and lamb or either type of meat. The dishes are filled with spices and I have not tasted lamb so good that it doesn't smell too strongly of lamb. My brother, who is not keen on trying lamb meat due to its strong smell, loved it! It is so tender and soft that you hard need to chew so long before swallowing. 

This restaurant is well decorated and all its fixtures and furnitures put on display are for sale. Just need to ask for the price. This is place also suitable for gatherings, dinner parties or just a dinner in the garden. They have indoor sittings too, in case the weather is mean.

An important information to let you foodies know is that based on my research of the location of this restaurant, most bloggers said it is located next to Copthorne after Dalat School. I believed it is incorrect as we couldn't locate it. So, another u-turn to the Sri Ananda Bhawan's side, we drive a bit down towards the traffic light in front of Flamingo hotel. Turn left immediately at that traffic as Al-Medina is just on your left literally. It is a corner house/restaurant. This information is correct as of 3rd August 2014.   

Al Medina Moroccan Restaurant
523C Jalan Tanjung Bungah
11200 Penang
Tel: 019-526 6686

Dolce Dessert Cafe

For a taste of fine desserts and cakes, drop by here. I love the pastries base and in particular their cheese mousse! 

Address:
No. 18, Jalan Kek Chuan,
10400 Georgetown, Penang.
Business Hours: 3pm to 11pm.
Opens daily.

Char Koay Teow @Siam Road, Penang

a good plate of char koay teow is one that is fried with charcoal fire! 火气! 

I got to know about this place through a local television program called Taste with Jason (阿贤人情味). Jason or Axian went on a char koay teow hunting in Penang in one particular episode. One of the places he tried and recommended is the one at Siam Road, Georgetown.

What makes this different from others is that the vendor, an old uncle serve each plate of char koay teow with the usual ingredients - pork lard, koay teow, waxed pork sausage, prawns, chives, bean sprouts and eggs and it was fried individually using fire fuelled with charcoal. He will fan up the fire with his left hand and then fry the dish with his right hand. His son is in charged of taking orders and serve the orders to hungry fans or first timers, like me.

I've been wanting to try out this plate of char koay teow ever since I got to know about it but the chance didn't come until a friend of mine who is a Penang food enthusiast from Singapore, sought a recommendation for a good plate of char koay teow ("ckt"). It struck me that we must try the one at Siam Road and after calling up my mother just to verify on the uncle's stall opening times, we drove to Siam Road from Gurney Drive with a glimpse of hope to taste a plate of ckt. It was already 6.40pm when we started our drive and the uncle has started selling ckt since 3pm that day.

Lady Luck was on our side and we get our chance! We sat at the kopitiam opposite the uncle's stall and waited patiently. You must be patient and have a friend with you because the wait for your turn will take up to an hour!

The taste is good, not that salty and packed with flavour. The price, only RM3.30 for the smallest plate. The portion commensurate with the price. For better experience in which my friend taught me, order two small plates instead of one big plate. That way, you get to taste the ckt fully without stuffing yourself silly in one plate.

Siam Road Char Koay Teow
Corner of Siam Road and Anson Road
(Seating in Hock Ban Hin Café).
Georgetown 10400 Penang

Secawan 'n' Such

Cafe Latte

Green Tea Latte

Hot chocolate

Cake counter and other chilled drinks

After a meal at HUG, you can always walk just two doors down towards Jalan Larut's direction and not towards New World Park direction, to some coffee! I found the cafe to be pretty convenient especially for those who enjoy a cuppa after dinner.

I am not a coffee lover as I don't drink coffee given the choice. Ever since I am back from Penang, the quaint cafes in Penang has sprouted and mushroomed like daffodils in spring. This establishment is one of the latest few that is yet to be mainstream unlike The Mugshot at Lebuh Chulia. Still, noting that it is along Jalan Hutton and its surrounding its quite, do enjoy the peace of mind when you are here.

Their Facebook page is here.

Secawan 'N' Such
205, Jalan Hutton,
10500 Georgetown, Penang

House of Udang Galah (H.U.G.)

 Peking duck

 stir fry pork

 signature tofu

 chicken

 treasure pot

 freshwater prawns

 claypot fish - catch of the day

deep fried or stir fried kailan

This restaurant, House of Udang Galah or HUG, located along Jalan Hutton just before New World Park if you are coming from Jalan Larut after exiting from Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah in Georgetown, Penang. Its ambience and price are fit for occasions only. If you don't mind paying more for high end Chinese delicacies, this one is worth trying at least once. "Udang galah" is "fresh water prawns" in English and the prawns are home bred. Try having it with their signature sauce of lime and chillies. It really gives a good kick and wake you up! 

The Peking duck is served like how it was in UK's Chinatown. The duck meat is shredded finely and served with some spring roll or popiah skin, sweet bean sauce, spring onions and cucumber strips. 

We celebrated my dad's birthday in this restaurant and for that purpose, we found our dining experience with HUG to be great! Staffs were friendly and always nearby to help. 

House of Udang Galah Sdn Bhd 
203 A&B, Hutton Lane,
Georgetown 10050 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: (604)-226-4380
Fax: (604)-226-4266
HP: (601)-947-00998

Narasindo Tours

Medan is about 30 minutes flight from Penang and when the city is mentioned, one could think of the layer cakes, the local Chinese could speak Hokkien too, volcanoes and Lake Toba. My family and I went to the city for a visit during the recent Chinese New Year and prior to that, I did a research on the city first. 

So, when in Medan, travellers would usually opt to do the following: - 

1) stay a night or two at Lake Toba

2) another one or two nights at Berastagi

3) a couple of days at Medan city

I was fortunate to have a friend, WP, who is from Medan and I knew him in Newcastle-upon-Tyne when I was on my working holiday visa. He was kind enough to guide me through his city (via whatsapp/email) and helped me enormously with the itinerary. The itinerary? I got it from a local tour agency in Medan, Narasindo Tours. I found Narasindo Tours through Google when I was searching for "Medan". 

So, I sent an email to Narasindo Tours and James Jumakir replied me quite instantly the same day. The itinerary in which he proposed for a group of 8 adults are as follows: - 

"4 days Medan - Lake Toba Tour 

6th Feb Medan - Samosir island / 4 hrs drive + 1 hr ferry 
Arrive at the Kuala Namu International airport with flight at 7.15 We will fetch you and directly depart to lake Toba / Samosir island via plantation route and a historical city of Pematang Siantar. In the afternoon you arrive in Parapat harbor from where you cross the lake to Samosir island by ferry. Upon arrival on the island, you will directly check in to hotel for overnight stay. In the evening you may take a nice walk to the local café or shop neaby hotel. 2 overnight stay in hotel Silintong on Samosir island. Lunch and dinner are included

7th Feb Samosir island - Brastagi / 3,5 hrs drive + 1 hr ferry
Today you will make excursions to Tomok village to see the old tomb of King’s Sidabutar and Ambarita village to see the stone chairs, tables and court yard of Siallagan’s clan. After that you cross the lake by boat to Parapat from where you drive to Brastagi, a mountain resort with its refreshing weather and magnificent mountain scenery which has an abundance of flowers, vegetables and fruits (most famous of which is the passion fruit). On the way stop will be made at Sipiso-piso waterfall and Long house of Simalungun Bataks. At noon you arrive in Brastagi visiting fruits market and Gundaling hill where you can views two active volcanoes, Sibayak and Sinabung. Overnight stay in hotel Sinabung or Danau Toba Cottages or Horison in Brastagi. Lunch and dinner are included

8th Feb Brastagi - Medan city tour / 1,5 - 2 hrs drive
In the morning is free program for you in Brastagi. After that you depart to Medan through the winding route and mountain villages. Arrive in Medan there is a city tour / shopping in Medan visiting Sultan Maimoon Palace, Grand Mosque. Overnight stay in hotel Garuda Plaza or Grand Sakura or Grand Antares or similar in Medan. Lunch and dinner are included

9th Feb Medan - transfer airport / 1 - 1,5 hrs drive
In the morning is free program. At noon you check out from hotel for city and shopping tour Batik house , Pusat handbroidery / sulam / telekung and Medan Mall. After that you will be trabsferred to the airport of Medan for catch your flight at 6.20pm End of your trip with us. NO MEALS

 Price 8 persons is RM 495.00 per person 

Included - Hotels as mentioned above + breakfast - AC transport as mentioned in the program + fuel - Driver cum guide - Entrance & parking fees as mentioned in the program - Ferry Parapat – Samosir vice versa - Meals: 3 x lunches + 3 x dinners - Highseason surcharge during Chinesse New Year Period 

Excluded - Flight tickets & airport tax - Personal insurance - Personal expenses: donations, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc. - Tips (RM7.00 / pax / day depends on clients satisfaction) - Any optional program"

So, for the price per person and with all meals included sounded like a good deal, eh? We agreed with the quotation and signed up! Upon confirmation, 30% deposit is to be paid to their Maybank account maintained in Penang. It is registered under the tour agency's boss personal name. The balance is to be paid in Medan. We paid to the driver/guide when we reached Medan city and the driver's tip only after he has dropped us off at the airport. The tour agency suggested RM7.00 per person so that will be a lot right? We paid RM200.00 in total for the 4 days albeit we are 8 in a group. We thought that was as much as the driver deserves.

I also insisted to drop by Asli in Medan to get the peanut candies/snacks as recommended by my friend and the driver obliged. So, the driver/guide Sam, was not bad actually. However, my opinions of the services of this tour agency is purely mine and my family's views and it may differs to others. If you expect too much, the higher the disappointment you have invited unto yourself. So, we didn't expect much noting it was only RM495.00 per person. But, we did enjoy the whole trip. My friends who engaged them in March, didn't enjoy it and complained how much time was wasted on travelling. They were a group of early 30s and late 20s, can't blame them for being restless though.

The following is my reply to a fellow traveller also travelling in a big group (I shall named the person as J): -

J's email to me

Hi Alyssa, I am taking the liberty of writing to you regarding your glowing testimonial in Narasindo Tours website. We are a group of 8 from Penang planning a 5D/4N Berastagi/LakeToba/Medan tour with James Jumakir. However, we also read 2 bad reviews about them which is making us a bit apprehensive about using their services. So we would appreciate your feedback and if we should go ahead and book our tour with them. Thank you for your input. 

Best Regards, J

My reply to J

Hi J, I only found out about the bad reviews on tripadvisor just days before my trip and hence, it made me hesitated. I thought whether I did the right choice or not in signing up for their services. It wasn't as bad at all unlike what that reviewer said. We got a healthy driver and a friendly one. His name is Sam and he was a replacement driver to the supposed Habib. James didn't inform me of the change in driver. But, Sam served us well as a driver and a tour guide. He is honest generally but like all tour agencies, they often bring you to places in which they have commissioned. So, don't be surprised to see Narasindo Tours stickers on almost all the places you go. Food are all good - only buffet breakfast in Berastagi and in Medan city. Our van was a new Isuzu 11 seaters. Get all your souvenirs from Tomok Village and Berastagi. In Medan, it is limited and expensive. The bit on the bed bugs at Toledo Inn is true. It is an old place. So, bring long sleeves clothes and pants for sleeping. Otherwise, that Inn is worth staying. Bring travel adapter too as the two pins in Indonesia are unlike those in Hatyai as it is deep in and rounded. Tipping is not compulsory but I found it a courtesy to tip the Narasindo driver. It was suggested RM7 per package per day but in the end, we paid only RM25 per person for the 4 days. It all depends on what you think of his services. If you think he is not worth that much, pay him less. Don't have to tip the hotel staff who helped you with the bags. My friend from Medan told me that 50K rupiah is too generous even though it is only like 10 ringgit here. I managed to speak with James over the phone upon our arrival and he is a pleasant guy like how he seems from the email replies. You only pay the balance of your tour when you are in Medan. Tip the driver only after he drop you off at the airport. That's my personal opinion from engaging Narasindo Tours. Next time if I do engage them again it would just be for Berastagi and Medan as the travelling time to Samosir Island is too much. Haha.. Hope you will enjoy your trip and get Sam as your driver. 

Kind regards, Alyssa

******

For more information, their contacts are below.

NARASINDO TOURS 
Jl. Juanda No. 55 E – Medan, North Sumatra
+62 61 4159939 (tel)
+62 61 4159917 (fax)
+62 853 7072 0018 (mobile)
Info@narasindotours.com
www.narasindotours.com
Skype: narasindo

Kedai SS - Ayam Tulang Lunak

"Ayam tulang lunak" or chicken soft bone in English might raise some eyebrows. Soft bone? It is not the plastic looking bone in a chicken but it is more to its main bones, those that holds the whole chicken altogether. Skeleton, to be exact. 

Bones, when you heard about it, made you think that it is hard and usually dogs will enjoy chewing on them. But, put that hardness aside, and fry them in deep and hot oil. You will then get bones that literally melt in your mouth. 

 Indonesian language really amuses me. "Makanan/Minuman Kosong" which in Malay would be translated as "Makanan/Minuman Yang Tiada". In English, it's food and beverages that are unavailable. Alpukat is avocado. Sirsak is soursop. Manga is mango. Semangka is watermelon. 

The portion offered by this eatery is very small and it comes with rice and some ulam (raw vegetables), too. Feels like snacking than having dinner. 

The idea of eating "chicken soft bone" might deter foodies from enjoying their meal. But, don't think about the idea of it being part of the chicken bones. Just eat it! It is very eccentric to be able to finish the whole chicken leg including its bones. It tasted good also but not great. 

Kedai SS-Ayam Tulang Lunak 
Indonesian Restaurant and Wings Joint
JL. Melati, Tanjung Pandan,
Belitung, Indonesia

Mie Atep Belitung

I was in Indonesia last May for a trip to the island of Belitung a.k.a. Negeri Sejuta Pelangi / Negeri Lasker Pelangi (Rainbow Troops). I enjoy travelling to places less travelled and so this island was perfect for exploration. 

So, upon arriving at Belitung, our driver/guide took my friends and I for breakfast at a local shop famous for their noodles, Mie Atep Belitung. It is something like what we Penangites would call Jawa Mee as its broth is a bit sourish and it is served with crackers. The place is already packed with people even though it is not opened for business yet. So, we were lucky to be seated without having to wait as we ventured further inside the establishment into the living room of the restaurant owners. 

You will also noticed that a lot of local Indonesian celebrities including the former President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, also dined here before. Each plate of noodles is prepared beforehand and whenever there is an order, then only the broth is poured in. So, it is not always you get the "fresh" plate each time. Nonetheless, since we got there early, our plate of noodles were delicious. 

When ordering for a plate of Mie Atep Belitung, do order the "es jeruk kunci" or lime juice with sour plum.

Mie Atep Belitung
JL. Sriwijaya, No. 27, Tanjung Pandan,
Kepulauan Bangka Belitung 33411, Indonesia

Big Tree Trunk (大树脚)

When in Ipoh, best to travel out of the usual eating places in the old town and come here, to Pasir Pinji for some local hawker food. Situated under a very old tree, lots of food stalls congregate around it and it also attracted a lot of locals and tourists alike. 

During my visit, I noticed it is not just the Yong Tau Foo that this place is famous for, but also for their drinks, too. Yong tau foo in English means "stuffed vegetables". Vegetables like aubergines/brinjal/egg plant, ocra/lady's fingers, chillies, bitter gourd and not forgetting tofu or beancurd skins are filled with fish meat paste. They are then deep dried which is oily and scrumptious all at once. 

Check out the queue for the yong tau foo, out to the busy main road. It's dangerous! 

Tip: Don't queue politely like how we did. But to swarm in front of the stall and pick the food. It might involve some patience but you'll get your chance. 

Just like that. You grab your food at the front counter and move down to this lady who will then sort your orders. You can also order some noodles to go with your yong tau foo. I highly recommend the laksa! The laksa noodle is silky smooth and al-dente! 

Not forgetting the waiting time for these yong tau foo in view of its large number of orders at one go. You had to wait about 45 mins to an hour for your order to reach you. 

You washed all that oil down with these jumbo sized drinks. Dragon fruit juices, mixed fruit juice, ice blended with red bean or corn. Green tea ice blended. All yums! That's my dad by the way. =)

Big Tree Trunk (大树脚)
652, Jalan King,
Pasir Pinji,
31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

Qi Yuan (奇苑) / Restoran China Chuan Kwong, Ipoh

My sister recommended this place and it was good. Ipoh is not just famous for its boiled chickens and bean sprouts, it is also famous for dimsum!

Yes, dimsum. I have love for only the rich egg custard steamed buns or "lao-sha bao" (流沙包)!

This knife cut noodles in clear broth and pork meat is also worth trying. The noodles has refreshing texture and very nice to chew on.

 Tada~~ The custard buns! The buns could be yellow or white in exterior. 

Check out the runny filling inside. So, be careful when you take the first bite or first tear off the bun. 

This is rather novel. Steamed scallop and as dimsum? I have not seen it anywhere else before. 

Dimsum is best with Chinese tea and family or friends. Be as early as you can. Otherwise, you'll have to wait.

Check Qi Yuan out if you want to try something less mainstream than Foh San.

Qi Yuan (奇苑) / Restoran China Chuan Kwong
No. 74, Persiaran Greentown 1,
30450 Ipoh, Perak.

Restoran Onn Kee (Tauge Ayam), Ipoh

To be honest, there were two restaurants of almost the same name (especially in Chinese). There is one which is a corner unit and the other (air conditioned) just next to Lou Wong. I went to the air-conditioned one. 

It is the must-eat when in Ipoh. Chicken with beansprouts. 

The beansprouts are different than those in Penang. It is more full in size and plump. Crunchier, too and it didn't have that much of a raw taste to it. I am not favouring or siding with any of the local eateries for this delicacy but one thing is for sure, different people have different preferences.

My tip, try all the places in Ipoh serving this. You can have the chicken and beansprouts with rice or flat rice noodles a.k.a. "koay teow" in Hokkien / "hor fun" in Cantonese.  

Restoran Onn Kee (Tauge Ayam)

(安記芽菜雞沙河粉)

51, Jalan Yau Tet Sin
30300 Ipoh
Perak

A humble first post, with more to come and hopefully, with much improved contents.