Food Explorer & Home Chef
I really like this hidden Korean Resto, @thechois_official in SS2 The Hub which I had my eye on for a while. We could get single portions of favs like beef and seafood jjampong, chicken tangsuyuk and beef doenjang, and prices were more than reasonable. Even …
With a name like Makan Time, you know they get right down to business with their best food forward. The decor evokes nostalgia, and you can’t help but feel you’re having a taste of home. The interior resembles an old-school coffeeshop, and the entrance is …
Tucked away in a corner of Shah Alam, this dish alone was worth my trip to Spiced Pumpkin Cafe. I discovered a Johor-style Lontong Kering Rendang Daging which had cubes of pressed rice cake, tossed with serunding kelapa (grated coconut floss), sambal tumis, peanut sauce, fried shallots and egg. This came with beef dendeng (dry style rendang) and was DA BOMB as the flavours was akin to a party in the mouth, spicy, sweet, savoury, with so many different textures. A truly rare find as you can hardly find this dry style lontong in Klang Valley. Other choices include chicken, fish or beef paru (lung).
Spiced Pumpkin is run by Mas, formerly a trainer at Concorde Hotel. Her Palestinian business partner opted out due to unforeseen circumstances, but the recipes are still found here.
The other show stopper was Maqlubah Lamb, a recipe from the owner Mas’ former Palestinian partner. (Maqlu means upside down in Arabic). Some 14 different herbs and spices were used, and the portion was huge. The mini was enough for 4, more if you’re small eaters. There are different sizes available and the largest one feeds 8 to 10 pax. The fragrant spice rice had hidden pieces of lamb, as well as eggplant, raisins, peanuts, almonds and a host of other stuff and came with a salad and 2 house-made sauces. The lamb was so tender and there’s so much to savour that every mouthful feels a little different. There’s also a chicken version.
Another worthy of mention is Nasi Arab Mandy Chicken which bears a smokey fragrance. The fluffy rice, tinged with saffron, has been charcoal-smoked and it comes with a generous piece of roasted chicken. Mas educates us that Mandy basically means smoked so if we eat this at other places there’s no smokiness, it’s a fail. We finished every last grain even though we were stuffed as it was so good.
There’s Western food for the younger set too such as Creamy Pumpkin with Beef Bacon, and Spaghetti with Butter Salmon in Salted Egg Yolk. The Salmon pasta stood out especially as there were big and abundant pieces of fish and the salty edge was just nice.
Beware as the signature Pita Nachos Cheese and Tres Quesos PJBB – Pita bread cut into small triangles and fried with spices – are very addictive. With the toppings, they taste a lot like crispy pizza. The pita nachos are sold separately in bottles as well.
Dessert options include Kunafa with Tres Leches, a Middle Eastern treat made from finely spun phyllo threads with mozzarella and cream, orange blossom syrup, dried rose petals and crushed pistachios; Kuih Lopes with Tres Leches and Ice Cream and Sago Pudding with Tres Leche and Gula Melaka. The one thing that didn’t sit well with us was the Tres Leches Cake which had sponge cake soaked in creamy milk. Just too rich, and kinda weird.
Kids will love that the cafe has Butter Beer, and after having tried the one in Harry Porter, UK, I must say wa a pretty good version (though I removed most of the cream). There are also has nice healthy drinks like Lemon Ginger and Swagger Tea, a gojiberry mix for those who prefer less sugary drinks.
Kunafa
Tres Leche Cake
There’s something for everyone here, and if this was nearer home, I would eat the Lontong every week so maybe it’s a good thing it’s not! It’s a great place to bring the family as prices are on the low side as well.
Lot 291, Kompleks KPPMS, 2, Jalan RU 3/9a, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor tel: 019-272 8317
Tiger has been on a journey of overcoming the odds since 1932, and the brand believes that much of its success is owed to its loyal fans. This is why the bold lager has brought to life the Tiger Den – dubbed as the home …
I like that Cafe Bistrot David has a casual Parisian vibe about it. Having been around for a few years now, the cafe’s menu is David Chin’s playground to create and experiment with new ingredients and food ideas. Cooking out of passion to please himself, …
Tasty Australia 2023 takes you on a culinary journey showcasing the best of Australian gourmet food and beverages at Isetan KLCC from June 9 to 21. Presented by The Model Cook and Isetan Kuala Lumpur, this is the 10th year and the biggest, most integrated Australian food festival in Malaysia.
Major highlights include:
1. Chef’s Table Cross-culture OMAKASE with Australian seasonal ingredients lunch and dinner sessions from June 9– 20. Menus are specially curated by Chefs from notable five star hotel, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur; famous restaurants such as Modern Asian fusion, Tokyo Restaurant; Plant-based pioneers, PC Studio; Premium Wagyu restaurant, Wanomiya; Modern Japanese cuisine, Buri; and, the popular Private/Personal Chef Brandon Rodrigues.
2. High-tea cum baking classes with Executive Chef Mei Kei from the renowned Malaysian
Baking Institute. (June 13-14).
3. Whisky Masterclasses by industry expert from Australia showcasing first previews of
limited batch Australian Ned’s Whisky (June 10-11).
4. Wellness Consultation including health check service by Australian certified
nutritionist and an introduction to first-in, Henry Blooms natural bio-fermented probiotic superfood. (June 9-11).
5. All day dining “The Daily Bistro” serving Australia’s outback-style light bites and snacks for in-dining and takeaway. Visit the delicious sweet treat counter presenting a range of gourmet specialty Tofu Cheese cakes and pastries.
Pioneering the efforts of helping people eat better, Tasty Australia presents a series of Chef’s Table degustation menu based on Cross-Culture Omakase using Australian ingredients. Chef’s Table OMAKASE features menus specially curated by six specially invited Chefs from notable restaurants – from the Asian to Japanese to Malaysian kitchens. This culinary event will showcase the use of in-season ingredients such as Jade Tiger premium fresh abalone, Dinko Tuna sashimi grade Tuna, Maggie Beer premium non-alcoholic sparkling Champagne and many more established in-market favourite brands.
Chef’s table sessions are limited to 16 guests per session based on first-come-first-serve basis. A minimum of 4-course Omakase using Australian ingredients with each course meticulously paired with South Australia iconic brand, Maggie Beer non-alcoholic sparkling champagne. The gourmet dining sessions will complete with diner’s choice of either a cup of newly launched premium café quality specialty coffee from the all-time favourite brand Brasilia Coffee or a cup of Sacred Tastes Raw, Vegan, Gluten-free Superfood drinking cacao.
A total of five new gourmet brands will debut at 10th Tasty Australia apart from The Model Cook’s traditional bestselling 25 iconic brands from South Australia. Most of these new brands have adopted Malaysia as their first country of export.
Tasty Australia 2023 festival theme “Eating-for-health” resonates The Model Cook’s partner Chef, Celebrity Chef Daniel Green’s passion on creating healthy recipes and diets aimed at helping people feel their best. Chef Daniel Green Green’s food concept was presented by Grand Hyatt, Kuala Lumpur based on their recent collaboration with Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Poolside restaurant.
As the co-organizer, The Model Cook will continue to highlight green and clean eating with an emphasis on sustainability and a conscious choice of GMO-free foods. “Our passion is to promote healthy eating lifestyle by offering our Malaysian customers GMO-free healthier alternative foods which come with real health benefits. In order to achieve this, we will always strive to ensure these healthier alternative food presents itself, value for money for the nutritional content it has in the product,” said Vivien Lee, Director of The Model Cook.
Australia is a significant source country for premium food and beverages taking into account the clean, green and safe environment for their food production and responsible farming practices. The Isetan KLCC Food Market will be bustling with activity during Tasty Australia. In celebration of this food festival there will be a contest with grand prize, flight for two to Australia worth RM5,000 sponsored by Tourism Australia and high value gift vouchers.
Since 2012, The Model Cook has been dedicated to delivering GMO-free healthier alternative food from South Australia to Asia.
“We are indeed proud to be the co-organizer of ‘Tasty Australia” for ten consecutive years. This platform enables us to continue our passion in helping Malaysian people adopt a healthier lifestyle through food.” said Vivien Lee.
For details on “Tasty Australia 2022”, whatsapp 011-2522-1338 or The Model Cook’s Facebook page or or email healthyeating@themodelcook.com.
Renowned for their fine Chinese cuisine, the Oriental Group of Restaurants is recognised as one of the top Chinese restaurant groups in Malaysia, showcasing exceptional Cantonese cuisine. When it comes to commemorating Chinese festivals, the Group never fails to impress when it’s down to curating …
EQ Kuala Lumpur hosted the media to a special Aperitivo Hour and Wine Tasting at Bottega Lounge recently and introduced them to Sandro Bottega, President of Bottega SpA, one of the world’s largest producers of grappa and sparkling wines, and distributor of Italian premium quality …
Setting out to be different from other mall resto, Marinero Mediterranean Dining & Bar Lalaport is tastefully decorated to convey Moorish vibes. The place is very spacious, including a private dining room and al fresco dining as well as a bar area.
The food is decidedly Mediterranean, serving starters like the Trio Dips Platter – freshly made pita bread to go with hummus, Greek melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant with garlic, parsley, onions, lemon juice, extra virgin oil) and tzatziki (Greek yogurt, cucumber strips and lemon juice). Simple, but the lovely dips made a world of difference.
The Calamari Fritters were light and crisp, and dangerously addictive, especially if you’re just having drinks. Some might find the Morrocan Lamb Kofta a bit gamey, but frankly, I enjoyed this – good bite, texture and oomph.
We also had watermelon salad – pretty plate – but was somewhat underwhelming and nothing spectacular in terms of taste.
The highlight for lunch was the Morrocan Lamb shank – hearty, flavourful meat that was fall off tender. Went beautifully with the healthier apricot couscous carb. There’s also a briyani rice option.
For this review, we also had Seafood paella which had arbario grain in stock, and ample pieces of calamari, prawns and mussels. My lunch mates thought this was not bad, but while it was tasty enough, I felt this didn’t convey the full robust flavour usually associated with paella. The rice portion was also quite thin. If it was slightly thicker, there would have a nice crust to this dish.
There are lots more to explore @maninero and prices are not out of the park. Good place to chill after getting lost in the huge Lalaport mall.
Add: Gourmet Street of BBCC, Lot G-49,50,77, Ground Floor, Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, BBCC, 2, Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur. call: 012-673 0046
Heineken is on a mission to encourage Malaysians to stop ghosting their friends. The brand recently launched ‘The Ghosted Bar’, a campaign encouraging Malaysians to #WorkResponsibly. Based on a recent YouGov survey commissioned by Heineken, it was discovered that 41% of employees in Malaysia have …