World's Longest Line of Nasi Lemak

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There are plenty of ways to mark your achievement in the Guinness World Records, and HungryGoWhere has chosen to make the world’s longest line of nasi lemak bungkus to carve their name in the records on last Saturday by HungryGoWhere!

Why nasi lemak you asked? This is because nasi lemak is relatable to everyone in Malaysia and one of the most significant dishes here. Do you know how many packets it took to form the longest line of nasi lemak bungkus in Malaysia? Well, it’s a whopping 11,315 packets of them! Isn’t that mind blowing? This event was held to launch HungryGoWhere in Malaysia with an all-new website and mobile app.

Also spotted in the event, renowned Malaysian celebrity Nora Danish expressed her delight on how HungryGoWhere has chosen Nasi Lemak to create a world record, adding that nasi lemak is also her favorite dish. 

Starting off early in the morning, caterers have already started to cook nasi lemak to create the record. According to the Guinness World Record guidelines, each nasi lemak packet must have ¼ cup rice, 1 slice of cucumber, half a boiled egg, a soup spoon of sambal belacan and they must all be wrapped traditional-style in banana leaves.

The nasi lemak began to arrive at 8.30am at the Sunway Pyramid Ice Skating Rink and got lined uo by HungryGoWhere team. The adjudicator of Guinness World Record, Ms.Carim Valerio was on there to keep an eye on all the guidelines being met, with an independent witness, Chef Syed Idrus from Sunway Hotel.

Approximately at 3pm, Ms.Valerio gave the green light and announced that HungryGoWhere has set a new Guinness World Record with the 11,315 packets of nasi lemak, followed by cheers from the crowd. “HungryGoWhere has put Malaysia back on the international scale with this record,” said Ms Valerio, as she presented the Guinness World Record certificate to  Mr. Allen Lew, CEO, Group Digital L!fe, Singapore Telecommunications. “I look forward to more Malaysians entering the record,” she added.

The nasi lemak that has set a new world record was then distributed to crowds in Sunway Pyramid as well as were sent to few charities and churches.

Restaurant Week in Kuala Lumpur

As a food lover, I am thrilled to find out there’s a Restaurant Week to be launch in Kuala Lumpur! Initiated about 20 years back in NYC, the restaurant weeks are currently being in different cities around the world such as, US, China, Japan, and Hong Kong! Soon to be held from 4^th to 11^th October and put together by KL Restaurant Week Sdn Bhd, the event is supported by more than 40 of Malaysia’s top restaurants.

Okay what’s so special about restaurant week? Well, each participating restaurant will be offering special menus as low as RM20 for a two-course lunch! Wow, isn’t that amazing? But the catch is, there are limited seats for these menus and only available for first-come-first-served basis.

So, I took an initiative to visit these two restaurants to discover what they serve. Grown up as a Malaysian, I’m exposed to different culture, customs and rituals, and of course, I’m exposed to their food too!! Lately, I came across two different restaurants which are Bijan (not the French name but sesame seeds in Malay) is an authentic Malay cuisine and the other is Gobo Lounge and Grill restaurant specialise in fusion and contemporary cuisine.  

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So here begins my food journey, I perused the menu and started to make order. Few minutes later, the items I ordered had arrived and placed on my table (believe me I can’t took of my eyes from the dishes!!!).  

I tried Kerabu Mangga, a tangy-spicy salad of unripe mangoes that went well with the rich dishes. OMG, this dish is so good but it did not blow my socks off. So I proceed with the next dish called Terung Goreng Bercili, fried brinjals with a chili sauce, ok the dish was fine (well I’m not really into it).

Pucuk Paku Goreng Tahi Minyak, is another dish that I ordered (yeah, this was my favourite dish above chicken and fish at the restaurant). The dish is made up of wild fern stir-fried in chilli and caramelised coconut and topped off with shrimp, the fern was soft, sweet and buttery thanks to the caramelised coconut. It was probably the first time I ever went for seconds and thirds on a vegetable dish.

Later on I tried on the desserts; I tried Sharmaine's Beach Holiday Cake, and Chocolate Durian Cake (I’m started to droll when it thought about it). I took a small bite of Sharmaine's Beach Holiday Cake, a soft pandan sponge covered with buttercream, mango compote and toasted coconut, each bite of it was so good and here comes the Chocolate Durian Cake, trust me a small bite makes me blew me off my feet as the cake was lush and decadent as expected from the king of fruits.

The pricing at Bijan starting from RM10 onwards, but trust me it might be slighty expensive than other malay restaurants, but definitely worth every single RM!!

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However, my food hunt did not stop at Bijan, my hunt for delicious food goes further to fusion and contemporary type food, Gobo Lounge and Grill restaurant. The restaurant situated in trader Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

Gobo is big on meat, predominantly beef, with the usual suspects – Australian black angus, master kobe, wagyu and even organic beef – listing alongside lamb, cod, salmon, chicken and king prawn, as for vegetarian pastas and risotto were served here.

I start off with the Flamed Balsamic Marinated Portobello mushroom with mesclun mix parmigiano cheese which was so good as the sweetness of the balsamic played off the saltiness of the cheese while the mushrooms were cooked but still firm and juicy.

Then I tried Pan Fried Cod, it was cooked just right that the flesh fell off in succulent flakes; the sweetness of the fish went so well with the light salt and pepper coating that we totally ignored the caramelised balsamic shallot sauce that was supposed to go with it

I finished off with an Apple Strudel with cinnamon ice cream. It was like a crispy apple popiah and Cinnamon Ice Cream, gosh I got no words to describe. If you are wine lover, then you should visit the restaurant as they offer nine choices each for red and white wines served by the glass.

As for the price, I would say they’re reasonable as the price starting from RM25 onwards. The food served here is definitely worth every single cent!!

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak has been our tradition for many years. We eat it no matter it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner because it is filling and goes very well with any other dish, be it chicken/ beef rending, prawn/sotong sambal, or even with some yummy gravy! If it’s possible, I would love start my day with fragrant, and tasty nasi lemak every given day. Well, of course it would not be possible! Just think about all the calories that will be accumulated in my body. *sigh*

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Okay, we know for a fact that roadside nasi lemak has that extra ‘kick’ and extra ‘taste’ because of the way of preparation of nasi lemak. However I was curious if nasi lemak that we get from restaurants will be as good as those that bought from road side. So, I’ve decided to head to my own food tour to answer my own curiosity and satisfy my tummy. 

My first stop is the renowned Village Park Restaurant which has won numerous awards for their famous nasi lemak over. I heard people rave about the delicious nasi lemak here, and once I’ve tried it, they were true! Why, you asked? Well, here’s why! I realized that the rice that they serve is rich with coconut milk, just with the right amount, not too much or less. Also contributing to the yummy nasi lemak is the spicy sweet sambal that the name answers all. One of the favorite here is the succulent fried chicken drumstick, marinated with several fragrant spices, just the way I like it! Nasi lemak priced at RM3 – RM8 depending on your preference.

Courtesy of Wowwoo

Secondly, I head to Madam Kwan which is also quite popular among those who visit Pavilion or Midvalley frequently. They serve various food here, however to fulfill my curiosity, I’d ordered a nice plate of nasi lemak. Looked equally as appealing as Village Park restaurant, the dish arrived on my table and I can’t wait to taste them! The plate of nasi lemak is such a pretty sight to the eyes. Accompanied with a huge chicken drumstick which is so tender, spicy sambal as well as rendang gravy, this dish is the bomb! This was slightly expensive compare to the previous ones, (RM16.90) but it’s worth it!

All these yummy-licious posts is making me hungry, but hey I just had my lunch! If you want to experience it, just go ahead to the outlet and have your nasi lemak today!

FRESH FRUIT JUICE PARLOR

As a big fan of fruit juice, it’s a constant battle of finding the right place to quench my thirst. I am a very fussy person. I love a place where they offer genuine, freshly squeezed fruit juice instead of concentrated/ manufactured juices. So I came across few really good fruit juice stalls in KL, and here goes.

Learn more about Boost Juice Bars over here

BOOST JUICE BARS

Offering various choices of fruit juice, be it orange to berries, Boost Juice bars is indeed one of the best fruit juice parlor that I have ever came across. Among the special beverages in here, one of that I am fascinated most with are the choices of Low-fat smoothies. I am a sucker for yogurt smoothies, and the best part is they are 98% fat free! My ultimate favorite will be Mango Passion that consist mango, passion fruit, tropical juice, sorbet, TD4 vanilla yogurt and ice. Just the sound of it makes you drool right? If you want something more chocolatey but low-fat at the same time, well you can always go for King William Chocolate, which consist of chocolate, banana, TD4 vanilla yogurt and Ice, milk and soy.

Credit to http://www.wowwoo.com/boost-juice-bars-pavilion-kl/

If you are looking for something more unique, well in Boost juice bars, you can find Fruity Crushers! I’ve tried Berry Crush, a combination of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, apple juice, sorbet and ice, and they were simply delicious. The sweet & sour combo drink is a refreshing change to something different from what I usually taste.

There’s nothing much to the ambience here, but to me it’s a great pit stop to buy your drinks and convenient enough to move to next location with minimum hassle.

Courtesy of http://www.wowwoo.com/juice-works-pavilion-kl/

JUICE WORKS

Juice works are similar to Boost, offering variety of fruit juices that has the ability to make me go gaga! The choices that are available in this parlor are from smoothies, berry lovers, fruit smashes, as well as tropical paradise. What I love personally in this fresh fruit parlor is the Caribbean Cocktail, awesome combination of Mango, Pineapple, Tropical juice and banana. However, I find the selections of smoothies are little compare to Boost juice bar.

Get to know more about the location over here

The ambience, however is something simple, and is equally great for a stop to purchase you juice and proceed to your next destination. Also, there are several high chairs has been placed for buyers to hang out at the parlor and enjoy their drink.

Okay, do check out these two fruit juice parlor to enjoy your freshly squeezed fruit juice and keep you healthy and fit!  

DARK CHOCOLATE & WHITE CHOCOLATE

Chocolates are considered as one of the biggest choice of confectionery for many in the world, and have been around as long as we remember. There are various types of chocolates in the world, from dark chocolates, milk chocolates, bittersweet chocolates, liquor chocolates, and many more. I am hardcore fan of a milk chocolate, but many may argue that milk chocolate are not true, authentic chocolate and would claim that dark chocolate has stronger flavor of cocoa compare to milk chocolate. Well, I guess it’s up to everyone’s preferences but being a true blue chocolate fan, I’d made a trip to local chocolate stores around Malaysia, and personally found a liking towards these two chocolate stores. Let’s check it out!

Godiva Café

Get more information over here

Just imagine this, a high class café, fitted with elegant interior and serving you with authentic Belgium chocolates, well how does that sounds like? Good eh? Well, this is what I was welcomed with once I stepped into Godiva Café in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, which happens to be the only Godiva Café in Malaysia. Godiva has the good choices of authentic dark chocolates, therefore many dark chocolate lovers prefers to visit this café to enjoy their favorite dark chocolates here. Of course, all these rich, authentic chocolates come with high price. Well, to enjoy good chocolates, you got to spend a little more, right?

Read more about Godiva Chocolatier

I was told that Godiva’s chocolate truffles are the best in the world, so obviously I got to give it a try and find out for myself. True to the rumors, the Godiva chocolate truffles are indeed the best that I have tasted! The smooth texture and the yummy chocolate filling are simply amazing! Apart from the chocolate truffles, I have tried the Coeur Blanc, white chocolate filled with pralines. The white chocolate has a sweet, vanilla flavor that I find it rather unique. However, I am not a fan, so I did not go for second piece of white chocolate.

Apart from chocolates, they too serve chocolate cakes. The Godiva chocolate cake, true to its reputation, was indeed the best chocolate cake that I’ve tasted ever. It’s rich filling, and tender texture is simply the best! To cater those who are not big fan of chocolates, they too serve cookies as well as macaroons. Therefore, feel free to bask in the true, creamy, heavenly chocolates whenever you give Godiva Café a visit!

Theobroma Chocolate Lounge

Maybe going to a classy chocolate outlet is my kinda thing, because Theobroma Chocolate Lounge, are just as classy as Godiva. This fancy chocolate lounge offers varieties of chocolates from A-Z. Upon entering, you will be welcomed with a board of tasty looking chocolates, and be spoilt for choices. In here, they have choices of chocolate that pairs with almost anything, you name it, and they have it.

The Hot Belgian Chocolate with Mug and Warmer were simply amazing for its’ light and warm texture. If you’ve noticed, chocolate drinks are generally thick with its texture and seemed too ‘heavy’. However, Hot Belgian chocolate is very different, with its light texture and appetizing aroma, every drop of the drinks taste wonderful. Apart from that, they too offer a grand frappe named Snow White Frappe made with Belgian white chocolate. This was indeed the best white chocolate based frappe that I’ve ever tasted, and wouldn’t mind a second or a third glass!

I was also very attracted to Chocolate Affair- chocolate fondue with 4 seasonal fruits for two. I have to say that this was indeed the best chocolate fondue that I have ever tasted. The tangy and fruity flavors that are mixed with sweet chocolate are to die for. Apart from that, they also serve a variety of waffles and beverages that have hints of chocolates, hence, chocolate lovers should definitely give this lounge a try!

After getting my chocolate fix from these two very unique but interesting chocolate inspired café, I’ve realized that Godiva has more choice of dark chocolates, whereas Theobroma Chocolate Lounge were much more diverse in their choices of food, where they have waffles, fondues, beverages that are inspired by many types of chocolates specifically white chocolates. This was solely my opinion, do go for a visit and judge the chocolate paradise yourself, today!

Herbs & Spices

Credit to: http://www.wowwoo.com/?s=indian+cuisine

I can never imagine my life without spices. What about you? Can you imagine the same? As a Malaysian, I imagine most of us will enjoy our meal with  reasonable amount of that adds fragrance and hints of spiciness in our dish. As a Malaysian Indian, I've seen how my mother adds spices to almost every dish that she cooks. All those spices that she have added contributes to each and every unique flavor in the curries, be it, chicken or fish, or even mutton. 

Spices has been revolving around us as early as 2000 years before century. There are plenty of types of spices available in the world, and be used for various purposes such as for cooking, medicinal purposes, religious ritual as well as for cosmetics. In Malaysia, most of our dish consist of spices and it has been a routine for us to include necessary spices and enjoy the dish. No matter it's Chinese, Malay or Indian dish, there is a must to sprinkle a little bit of spices to give the dish an extra kick!

There are abundant kind of spices are being used for cooking, after a thorough interrogation with my mom on what are the spices that she use regularly in cooking, I've managed to get hold on couple of spices that she simply can't live without. So, here goes,

CARDAMOM

It is one of the most beneficial spice for our health. At the same time, it is also ranks as third most expensive spices in the world.  Cardamom, originated from India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia, are made from the cardamom plant's seed. A whole cardamom pods are priced at RM21 for 100 grams! That's quite pricey, don't you think? BUT, there's a valid reason for its costly price. The pod of cardamom has to be hand-picked to ensure the freshness of the seeds' before they fully ripe. 

My mother never failed to add couple of cardamom into her dish that she finds quite 'heavy', say 'Briyani' or mutton curry? Whenever one of these slip into my dish, I will quietly put them away, unable to take the sweet, gingery and slightly peppery taste. However, my mom will make me eat them anyway, and never fail to add the punchline, "They are very good for your digestion, and will prevent your tummy to be bloated!"

SAFFRON

I can't believe my eyes when I discover that Saffron ranked as the most expensive spices, pricing at RM 68 for as little as 10 grams! Why on earth are Saffron so expensive? Here's why. 

The saffron stands from reddish-orange sex organs, named stigma, originating from a crocus flower. However, each crocus has only three of these tiny threads, and will take over 4,600 saffron threads, equivalent to 1,500 crocuses- just to gain a mere 10 grams.

Saffron's maiden land are the Middle East and Mediterranean area, in fact most saffron is still grown there. Presently, Iran is the largest saffron producer, growing about 94 percent of the world's saffron. 

How would  you know that you've found a good quality saffron? The best kind of saffron is deep red, with a fine, yet musky and earthy, taste like honey. It is used in cooking risotto, and at times even in Briyani! 

Psst! Let me tell you a secret. My mom told me numerous times that Saffron has the power to add fairness and brightness in baby's skin if the mother consume a glass of milk, mixed with a pinch of saffron throughout her pregnancy. However, my mother did not took her own advice while she was expecting me. That explains a lot on my dark skin, Geez, thanks Mom!

CINNAMON

I'm sure most of you have heard of cinnamon before, in fact cinnamon makes regular appearances in our desserts such as doughnuts and apple pie, every now and then. The spice are commonly used for sweet and savory food. The name "cinnamon" origin from the Greek  kinnámōmon from  Phoenician.

Cinnamon also has its own medicinal values, in ancient times, they were used for various traditional medicines. It is believed to have control over type 2 diabetes by controlling its blood glucose level. 

As I mentioned earlier, cinnamon are also added in dessert recipes as well. Apart from apple pies, you can find hint of cinnamon in several other food and beverages such as  spicy candies, tea, and hot cocoa. However in Middle East, cinnamon are used for savory dishes such as lamb and chicken. 

After all these research on various spices, I can't help but to crave for something full of spices. Hopefully my in-depth explanation on couple of significant spices has been helpful for you! Have a good day!

YUM..It's Tom Yum!

Occasionally, we will have sudden craving for something spicy, something sour, and some Thailand cuisine. The moment we think about Thailand cuisine, Tom Yam will be the 1^st thing that appears on our mind. Tom Yam also will be our ultimate choice whenever we are in knack of savoring something sour and spicy to keep our appetite coming. Tom Yam is a very common dish that we add in our meals occasionally, for its exotic tang that serves our taste buds.

Tom Yum Kung

Tom Yam’s origin is from Thailand, and in the origin, these soups with different serving dish has its very own terms. For an example, Tom Yam that is cooked with prawns is called Tom Yam Kung while Tom Yam Kai is for Tom Yam that is cooked with chicken. Tom Yam that is served with pieces of fish, shrimp, and squid are known as Tom Yam Thale.

Tom Yum Kai

This soup is also best served with a choice of chicken, seafood or vegetable and it works as an excellent combination of soup. Not only it will go very well with rice, but it is also excellent to be served with noodles. This is the reason are known as one of the most flexible dish ever!

The signature element of Tom Yam is the multiple flavors that are contribute by each unique ingredient in the soup, such as lemon grass, lime juice, chili peppers, and even Tom Yam milk. All these ingredients will be a perfect blend in your mouth, allowing you to distinctly recognize each and every flavor in the soup. Spicy lovers will have a soft spot for this dish, for the exotic spicy flavor that are served by the dish.

Are you craving for a nice, hot, Tom Yam soup right now? Well you can always head to the nearest restaurant to get your share of spicy & sour this very moment!