NASI LEMAK, or 'FATTY RICE'. Malaysia's staple food. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or supper.
Honestly, Nasi Lemak is great. The rice is cooked with coconut milk which, gosh it's darn sinful, but so flavourful and rich. Served with rich sambal which gives it a spicy kick. And toss in some crunch + savouriness with the anchovies & roasted peanuts.
It's great already on its own. But even BETTER, when served with my favourite meat. PORK. Lots of pork. Yumms.
And I felt like I hit a jackpot when I somehow chanced upon Tok Pork on social media....because they serve...
Some really good Nasi Lemak Babi (Pork)
NASI LEMAK. With pork. Lots of pork. The nasi lemak above looks all over the place cause I dropped both the Tupperware out of excitement. And also cause my bag broke. Think my bag was excited too. Whoopsie. But this Nasi Lemak truly packed a punch - with all dem pork. And I feel the price was reasonable too. A Nasi Lemak Babi from Tok Pork costs....
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*Ba dump tssss*
RM10.
Which I feel, is honestly reasonable. Given the amount of pork that was served. And its location. (Meals below RM10 with a decent meat portion in KL, I find, is honestly a gem)
Anyway without further ado, let me present to you the location of this legendary Nasi Lemak
The Location
Thsi legendary Nasi Lemak is actually from a little hawker stall at The-Yum-Me-Place @ Plaza Batai, Damansara Height.
I was a little surprised when I found out their location. I've always thought Plaza Batai as an exclusive cafe/atas (high end) restaurant place - never knew that there is a hawker food place there! If you're familiar with Plaza Batai, The-Yum-Me-Place is located at the same row of The Wicket Pancake Parlour, but at the opposite end of it.
The annoying thing about Plaza Batai is that the parking - it's RM2 per hour, and there's no grace period. So even if you're there for 10 minutes for a quick take-away you'll still have to pay the RM2 parking fees. Bummer. But oh well typical KL parking.
On the bright side, finding a parking there usually isn't a problem.
This place seems pretty popular with the office crowd (after all, there are many many offices around Damansara Heights). There were plenty of hawker staples (Eg: Char Koay Teow, Pork noodles etc) that honestly looks good, but I was there with an aim in my mind - TOK PORK.
Tok Pork is the first/second (can't remember) stall on your right when you enter the premise. Menu is just a one-pager. Nasi Lemak. Add-ons. Nasi Lemak.
AND BEST OF ALL. PORK.
The condiments/meat was prepped on the spot upon ordering. The man manning the stall chopped up the meat. Gave it a nice of torch. Assembled it. All upon ordering.
And cuz it's CMCO and COVID season I had it take-away.
No delivery?
UNFORTUNATELY yep Tok Pork is not on any delivery platform now :( They used to do delivery around the vicinity nearby, but not as of the time of this writing (Nov 2020).
So yes, gotta pay for that parking fee for my Tok Pork. But anyhow, let's move on to the food.
The Food
Tok Pork Nasi Lemak. I came back less than a week after my first visit because it was GOOD.
Each nasi lemak pack contains, well, rice (duh), half-boiled egg, potato curry, fried curly potatoes (see the crispy thingy?), roasted/torched pork, sambal, anchovies, peanuts, and slices of cucumber.
But golly gosh, it is good. The addition of the fried curly potatoes I feel was amazing - it was an unexpected extra crunch.
Goodbye, diet. Thank goodness my office isn't around that area or I'll be having it quite often :p Nasi Lemak's great. But yes, with pork, it's always better.
Ramen. I love ramen. Ramen is one of my favourite noodle dish, after Chili Pan Mee, of course. When I was WWOOFing at Hokkaido, Japan, a few years back then (you may read more about my experience here & FAQs about WWOOF here), my foster family told me that every area/district in Japan have their own version of Ramen - I was travelling all over Hokkaido just to try it out as many ramens as I can. Of course with my limited tummy capacity and budget (I was literally on a shoestring budget back then, being a uni student!), I managed to only try out a few area's ramens in Japan, namely Sapporo, Kushio, Asahikawa, and Teshigaka. And I have to say, yes, it is different in each area, in terms of the topping, broth, and more evidently, the types of noodles
Anyhow, back to reality where it's...almost impossible to travel in the near future. My best bets now are the ramen shops around me. It's CMCO in the time of writing, and hence, ramen shops in my district.
I have been hearing some bloggers raving about this relatively new ramen shop - Ichikakuya Ramen, which is located at UOA Business Park, Shah Alam. If you're from Subang Jaya, you'd recognise this building as the large giant office block on your left as you enter Federal Highway from Subang Jaya.
Ichikakuya Ramen is a chain shop from the Yokohama region of Japan. (If I'm not mistaken, most Ramen shops in Msia are Tokyo-style ramen. Please don't quote me I might be wrong).
Getting to Ichikakuya Ramen
Waze/Google Maps, kan?
Writing this section because I was utterly confused about finding this place. Hope this would be helpful if you would like to visit it! It was my first time at Menara UOA despite passing by it n number of times. There are two ways to get to Menara UOA:
1) Walk from Subang KTM/LRT station
There's a sky bridge that conveniently links Menara UOA and Subang KTM/LRT
2) Drive/Grab there
If you do choose to drive there, parking is RM3 (flat rate) on weekends, RM2 per hour on weekdays. The underground visitor parking felt rather eerie on a weekend. I mean, there are guards making their rounds on bikes but...it is literally a dead town there on weekends, which makes sense since it is an office block. Really salute the guards for their bravery.
Try to park at Block 3 because that's where the restaurant is located. Take a lift up to the 1st floor and you'll find Ichikakuya there!
I was there at 7:30pm on a Saturday night...and it was...empty. Perhaps because it's an office building and they mainly serve the office crowd, or also people are fearful about COVID, or perhaps it's a combination of both. People started trickling in around 8pm though. Perhaps I was early? But they close at 9pm anyhow just FYI.
And FYI #2, they deliver too. (More details at the end of this post)
THE MENU
There's Ramen, Soba, and some rice dishes, the usual suspects - you may choose to have the REGULAR or LARGE size for almost all food items. Ichikakuya also have a seasonal menu, which you may check out on their Facebook page as it changes week by week
You are able to customise your ramen to your liking at Ichikakuya - from the noodles, taste, and even chicken oil!
The Food - specifically, the RAMEN
Yokohama Iekei MAX Ramen, Regular Size, RM25
Comes with three slices of thinly sliced char siew, ajitama, spinach, quail egg and nori (seaweed)
The Ajitama. Ok boleh lah.
The noodles. Yokohama noodles tend to be straighter and thicker, I've read. I opted for hard noodles and hence my order came earlier than everyone's else. Me likey, chewy and springy.
I opted for normal for both taste and chicken oil, and I have to say, I wished if I ordered extra chicken oil. I absolutely LOVE the chicken oil! Gosh. It reminds me of my childhood, cause my mum used to steam chicken and let me drink the chicken oil extract from it HAHA. Not the most healthiest thing, but golly, it's good.
I say...it's good. I like it. Very much.
The portion feels a little smaller than other places - but I might be wrong, haven't had ramen in a while. Either way, I thought it was just nice for me without feeling overly bloated.
Verdict
Will I be back? Definitely. And I'd definitely want to try out their other dishes as well. And order extra chicken oil next time!
RATA has been making its round around social media - or at least among my circle. I've been seeing countless posts of its cocktails and pizza around social media and have always been curious to try this place out.
And I've finally had the chance to do so on an uneventful Saturday night. A night where my body just screams "I need a drink!".
Rata is located at SS15 Suabng Jaya - at the row of shops with many Japanese restaurants (if you're a Subang-ite you will get this :p), along the road facing Subang Darby Medical Center. Parking there can be quite an issue, even during CMCO. There were many parking jockeys it seems, not sure if they are hired by specific restaurants, or they are illegal parking touts, or it is a combination of both.
Menu
I'll only be showing the drinks (ie: Cocktails) menu here since that was what I was there for. RATA has a selection of classic cocktails and the not-so-classic cocktails.
Prices were pretty decent, I thought.
The Drinks
Round 1: (From front)Pineapple Prada (RM26) and Green Gravati (RM28)
Pineapple Prada RM26
Sarawak pineapple, coconut sugar, pineapple dark rum, pineapple liqueur
I might be a little bias since Sarawak pineapple is used in this drink (Sarawak honestly have the best pineapple!) But this was my favourite drink for the night! Always love a tropical twist in my drinks! Love that it has a strong enough kick too!
The Green Gravati (Kiwi, Tarragon, Coconut Rum & Vodka) is their monthly special - my friend claimed that it tasted a little diluted. I stole a few sips but because the Pineapple Prada was stronger in taste, I couldn't really taste much of anything ;P
Freshly pressed guava, oak whiskey, egg white, Limoncello
This drink was recommended by the waiter and also is their signature drink. However, this drink didn't quite hit the spot for me - personal preferences I guess. The whiskey taste was evident, and I think I honestly prefer whiskey on its own rather than having it mixed. This made me reflect on my past experiences having whiskey-based cocktails - they usually don't hit the spot for me. Again, personal preferences!
The Bailey's Balenciaga features Irish cream, orange liqueur, hazelnut liqueur, and chocolate. If you love Irish coffee, you'd definitely like this!
Verdict: Great drinks, prices were decent too. Would like to try out their dessert and mains one day! Their pizza looks absolutely amazing (and I was told by friends that the portion is huge too!)
Reservation is recommended during CMCO, as dining spaces are extremely limited!
P.S. delivery is available! Drinks are available for takeaway too.
So I recently bought myself a stand mixer, since I've been baking A LOT this year. Especially now that it's CMCO. I feel that it's time to invest in a proper stand mixer, and I bought the Kenwood Chef XL KVL4100S!
Buying any electronic/electric appliances I feel, requires a lot of research and due diligence as
1. They are usually not cheap!
2. You would want to get a good quality product with the price you pay
3. There are too many choices out there!
And thus, I've put together a guide/some of my thoughts on choosing my stand mixer, which I hope will be helpful for you if you are looking for one too!
How did I choose which stand mixer to buy?
I started by first listing down my non-negotiables/must-haves. I was very clear and firm with these:
1. It must be made out of steel.
Plastic is a big no-no. Simply because I believe steel can last longer than plastic. Plastic may break easily should say an unfortunate mishap (like me dropping the stand mixer on the floor...) occur.
2. The parts must be easily replaceable
Because if a part of the machine is spoiled, I can easily replace that part rather than buying an entire new machine!
3. It must be of a reliable brand
Simply because I really wanted the reassurance and peace of mind, knowing many other people have bought and used the machine without much problem.
With my three non-negotiables, my choices narrowed down to these two brands: KitchenAid and Kenwood. Both offers stand mixer made out of stainless steel (Kenwood has got some made out of plastic too, and titanium metal), you can replace any parts of the stand mixer easily for both brands, and they're both really reliable. Many have claimed that their KitchenAid/Kenwood stand mixer last them for many years! (Typically more than 10 years!)
Kenwood VS KitchenAid
I have boiled down to these two brands and specific "series/range". And thus came my dilemma of deciding which brand to go for. KitchenAid seems to be a more popular brand, but Kenwood is significantly more affordable. And the specs are seemingly better. Both come with the same three attachments - the paddle, balloon whisk, and dough hook.
Naturally, I was more inclined towards KitchenAid, due to its popularity. (Almost all the popular bakers I know use KitchenAid!). And truth to be told, do I need that big of a capacity? 4.6 and 6.7 L is a lot!
And a quick Google search reveals that I'm not the only one fretting over this dilemma. And thus, I've decided to bring this offline and visit a physical shop that sells both this brand to ask for advice and assistance.
My Verdict...Kenwood Chef XL
Why?
1. Price point
It is about RM1k cheaper than the KitchenAid...and the specs are seemingly similar!
2. Seemingly better specs (on paper)
Now some may argue that even though the power of Kenwood is stronger than KitchenAid's, KitchenAid's stand mixer is more effective per se.
I can't comment on that, but the salesperson managed to convince me about the specs. The salesperson also suggested that if I am going for the aesthetic, and would like some pop of colour, KitchenAid might be a more suited choice. But aesthetic was not one of my non-negotiable/must-have, and hence I was more inclined to get the Kenwood after that conversation....and I did!
(Random reflection: I can't help but feel that the KitchenAid is like the Apple for kitchen appliances. Yes, they're reliable. And they take their design seriously. Their users are a big fanatic of the brand. But...they're expensive :P)
How is it so far?
I've been using it for a week now and have only tried out the paddle attachment to make banana bread and a few types of bread, but here are some of my initial thoughts after using it for a week!
1. Power
It is pretty powerful. The machine can go up to quite high speed, but of course, it is not recommended to go the highest speed for too long. There's a recommended time based on the weight of your batter/dough in the user manual guide. Which...I haven't exactly read it through.
Cranking the speed from 3 all the way till the highest speed while working on a 500g dough
The machine rumbles (kinda) violently at the highest speed, thank goodness for its strong suction base holding it firmly to my kitchen countertop or I suspect my stand mixer will go flying off!
Banana bread made using the paddle attachment
2. Noise
The machine can be a little too loud I feel. Especially when you crank up the speed!
So far...so good. Haven't encounter any serious problems...yet! Will give a more thorough update and review after one month!
Unboxing Video
Lastly, here's an unboxing video from me. If you're interested :p
My oh my the year is about to end. And I remember talking about goals with my friends in a pub at the start of this year, back in January. Two more months before 2020 ends eh...
1. Be comfortable on my own
Will be noting down what I did + my feelings every weekend just to track if there are any factors that'd contribute to me feeling FOMO
Week 1'sweekend: self quarantined me because I had a fever for four consecutive days. Was happily being left alone to read my book
Week 2's weekend: spent time with a friend, binge-watching movies
Week 3's weekend: Baked a cake, went to a nursery, did some major repotting for my plants, baked more cake (that failed miserably), made pumpkin soup. Read a lot.
Week 4's weekend: Had to work so that's good, spent time baking and learning about baking
Week 5's weekend: Worked over the weekend and had a watch party!
Didn't really had a chance to feel FOMO despite being in MCO, since I filled up my weekends with activities.
2. Buy only clothes that are listed on my long-term planning wishlist
Clothes on my long-term planning wishlist now: denim skirt
DID NOT BUY ANY CLOTHES FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WOOHOO (it's a huge improvement compared to September - where I felt as though I've spent a ruthless amount of money on clothes. But then again I wasn't compelled to spend on clothes because we are in lockdown)
3. Initiate at least one event per month
WELLL it's lockdown again. I know I could initiate online events. But. I'm honestly. Feeling tired. Did not achieve this goal for the month of October. Something to be more conscious about next month.
Well, I'm baking a lot...if I take into account electricity bill...D:
Alcohol RM70
Bought two bottles of wine - that's...not too bad. I think.
Lap Desk RM50
This is honestly one of the best purchases ever! Been contemplating whether to get one since January this year. I not only can use it on bed, but alas to improve my posture using my laptop while sitting down at my desk!
Gardening Expenses: RM21 (potting soil and moss pole), featt. my burnt Monstera plant..
Masak-Masak/Grocery Expenses: RM200
Been cooking a lot and trying out new recipes this month.
No regrets for this month's expenses! Spent more on my hobbies (Baking, cooking and gardening) this month due to the lockdown. Feel proud of myself for not buying any clothes this month phew
7. Carry a notebook and pen wherever I go and jot down notes systematically
Slowly making this a habit in the morning :) Establishing a morning routine before work to listen to podcasts and jot down some useful pointers/notes!
8. Try out something new each week
Week 1: Pistachio cake with lemon drizzle
Week 2: N/A
Didn't try anything new as I was a little..busy. But I compensated it after that...scroll on.
Week 3: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chunks Bar
Also in week 3: Minestrone soup, a pineapple and coconut cake that failed miserably as I mixed the pineapples with dairy, which apparently results in a bitter-tasting cake due to the enzyme reaction by the pineapple and dairy products, which releases some bitter-tasting protein :(
Roasted Pumpkn Soup
Week 4: Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Buttermilk Chicken
Blueberry Streusel Loaf
Also in week 4: Buttermilk Chicken and Blueberry Streusel Loaf
Week 5: Bagel again! And flourless orange almond cake!
Practiced making bagels and pumpkin soup over week 5! Tried boiling the bagels in water + honey this time round and taking the bagels out from the oven earlier to reduce the browning!
My flourless orange almond cake! Didn't get the texture right I feel :( the cake was way too wet.
But anyhow, writing this made me realise gosh, I did bake a lot in the month of October...But is it just me or October just felt...really long.
9. Write more at least 100 words per day (not including what I write at work)
10. Log down news article I've read and jot down my thoughts about it, ie reading with purpose.
11. Curate at least two content on @pot_tosynthesis every week (Stories/Post)
12. Set at least two little goals every day
I am getting more consistent with 11 and 12 for this month! Hoping to remain consistent throughout November too
