Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Food Hunt along MRT Line

Many people might find it a bit tiresome of driving and waiting for a carpark in order to get a good place to fill up empty tummy.

With the Sungai Buloh – Kajang Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line in operation, both locals and tourists alike can have opportunity to spend less time for going on a food adventure.

Here’s a list of food gems that you can find along the MRT line; think Nasi Kandar, Dim Sum, Satay and more.

Along the 51km journey with a total of 31 stations, selected special dishes will be covered for this food hunting trip! Just take it as exercise if you need to walk to reach your desired locations.

Apart from food hunting, some of the routes covered include tourist spots, historical and cultural hubs, shopping paradise. It is time for you to plan ahead and spend your free time with like-minded friends or family members.

Surian Station

Hameediyah

After serving nasi kandar in Penang for more than a century, the legendary Hameediyah has now set its foot in Sunway Nexis, Kota Damansara, which is just a short walk away from the Surian MRT Station.

Operating since 1907, this famous nasi kandar is run by its 6th and 7th generation now, with all the recipes coming from their ancestors, bringing the herbs and spices over from Penang.

Highly recommended dishes include chicken kapitan, chicken curry, mutton curries, beef rendang, fish and sotong curry, all guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. Top them with some vegetables and eggs as well.

Unit A-GF-01, Sunway Nexis
Jalan PJU 5/8, Kota Damansara
Tel: 03-6151 7766
Business hours: Mon (10am – 10pm), Tue – Sun (11am – 10pm)

Tips: Surian MRT Station is located in Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara. Dataran Sunway is developing township located in Kota Damansara, Selangor. Notable landmarks located within the area are Sunway Giza Shopping Mall.

Phileo Damansara Station

Skippy Pizza (Non-halal)

Chicken or beef pizza is easily found anywhere. However, “Skippy Pizza” offers pork dishes where it serves a wide variety of pork pizzas and more.

“Skipping Kangaroo” is the theme for the restaurant, with Australian influence on its pizza recipes.

*Disclaimer: This eatery not halal-certified

Phileo Damansara I, 107 Block D, Jalan 16/11, Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10pm (Monday to Sunday)
Contact: 0192509347
http://www.skippyspizza.com/

Tips: Phileo Damansara MRT Station, located at Section 16 near to Eastin Hotel Phileo Damansara, a modern township nestled within PJ and Kuala Lumpur.

Muzium Negara Station

Commuters can get access to NU Sentral shopping centre via the linkway connecting to the MRT station and dine at one of the most famous halal Chinese restaurants called Dolly Dim Sum.

Dolly Dim Sum is a modern interpretation of a classic Chinese tea house, specialising in modern authentic dim sum. Top picks include Siew Mai Dumpling, Roasted BBQ Bun, Glutinous Rice Parcel “Loh Mai Gai”, Spicy Szechuan Dumpling, Egg Custard Bun, BBQ Chicken Cheong Fun, Chewy Meat Croquette, to name a few.

You will be surprised by the unique dining experience encompassing quality of ingredients, heartfelt service and an impeccable dining ambiance.

Address: LG.43, NU Sentral, No. 201 Jalan Tun Sambathan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Monday to Sunday)
Contact: 012-301 8161
http://dollydimsum.com/

Tips: Muzium Negara MRT Station, underground station located near to National Museum and connected to KL Sentral Main Terminal by a covered pedestrian walkway. KL Sentral is a main public transport hub for Kuala Lumpur. NU Sentral is linked with KL Sentral Main Terminal.

Pasar Seni Station

Cafe Old Market Square

Formerly known as Sin Seng Nam Kopitiam, it takes about a 10-minute walk from Pasar Seni Station to dine in this newly restored cafe, which has transformed to what it is today since it was taken over by its new owner in 2014.

Located at an incredibly well-preserved heritage building, Cafe Old Market Square will definitely bring old memories back to life as it did 80 years ago. Artwork and old photos of Kuala Lumpur adorn the walls of the cafe with the top floor of the building being turned into a gallery space that showcases old Kuala Lumpur.

Among the signature dishes are Hainanese coffee, half-boiled eggs, toasted bread with kaya and margarine. You still can see the dishes are served in old fashioned kopitiam cups and saucers.

Address: 2, Medan Pasar, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 7am – 6pm (Monday to Saturday), Closed on Sunday
Contact: +60 16-964 9509
https://www.cafeoldmarketsquare.com/

Merchant’s Lane

When it comes to Instagrammable cafes in KL, no doubt Merchant’s Lane is on top of our list. What’s the best way to explain East Meets West? Merchant’s Lane. Tucked in off Chinatown, Merchant’s Lane has a strong Asian vibe with rattan chairs and rustic walls. Every corner screams picture-perfect. The entrance is a bit discreet so have fun hunting down Merchant’s Lane.

Address: No, 150 Jalan Petaling. Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 10.30pm, Closed on Wednesday
Contact: +603-2022 1736
https://www.facebook.com/merchantslane

Tips: Pasar Seni MRT Station situated in Pasar Seni (Central Market), a few minutes away from Petaling Street (Chinatown). Central Market is now a landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage.

Merdeka Station

VCR Cafe

It takes about a 11-minute walk from Merdeka station to VCR cafe, which is located just next to Swiss Garden Residence along Jalan Galloway. VCR cafe is easily recognised for its all-black exterior, where old architecture meets the modern twist.

It is well-frequented by coffee drinkers and brunch lovers for its perfectly brewed coffee. VCR is an ideal place for breakfast, lunch, brunch or even dinner! Guests can also complement their choice of caffeine with delicious homemade cakes and pastries.

Some of the other must-try food include French toash, consisting of berries compote, mocha sauce, chocolate biscuit crumble, pumpkin seed, and a scoop of espresso ice cream while the fluffy potato waffle is a savoury delight of mushrooms, chervil, and perfectly poached eggs. Other favourate menu include soft shell crab burger and Scandinavian breakfast.

Address: 2, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 8.30am – 11pm (Monday – Sunday)
Contact: +603-2110 2330
https://vcr.my/

Tips: Merdeka MRT Station situated in proposed Merdeka PNB 118, the tallest building in Malaysia, to build next to Stadium Merdeka in Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur.

Bukit Bintang Station

Feeka Coffee Roasters

It is housed in an old heritage shop lot in Changkat Bukit Bintang while bearing some contemporary elements. Feeka is inspired by the Swedish social philosophy, “fika”, which means to take a break.

Apart from serving specialty coffee, Feeka is a charming little café that offers a wide range of food choices such as Sweedish Meatballs, Spicy Ragu Pasta, Roasted Vege Burger, Chinken Banh Mi and etc. It is the perfect spot for you to spend your time with your loved ones or close friends.

Address: 19, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm (Monday – Sunday)
Contact: +603-2110 4599
www.facebook.com/feekacoffeeroasters

Restaurant Wong Ah Wah, Jalan Alor

One of the most famous spots for food is Jalan Alor, just a 15-minute walk from the station.

Jalan Alor is famous for its wide variety of street food and many foreigners or travelers will flock into this area for food hunting, especially dining night time.

The street is packed with different types of stir fried dishes ranging from seafood, Thai food, Vietnamese food and Chinese variety. One of the highly recommended restaurants is Restaurant Wong Ah Wah. Some of the popular dishes include fried oyster egg, chicken wings and roast pork dark noodles.

*Disclaimer: This eatery not halal-certified/Muslim-owned but halal ingredients are used.

Address: 16, Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: 5.30pm to 12am
Contact: +603-2144 2463

Tips: The station is named after Bukit Bintang district, a shopping hub in Kuala Lumpur. The area has long been Kuala Lumpur’s most prominent retail belt that is home to many landmark shopping centres, al-fresco cafés, swanky bars, night markets, as well as hawker-type eateries. This area is popular among tourists and locals, especially among the youths. Some of the famous shopping malls include Pavillion shopping mall, Berjaya Times Squares, Fahrenheit 88 and Lot 10 shopping mall.

Cochrane Station

Peel Road Nasi Lemak

Have you ever tried mixed-rice style nasi lemak? With choices like sotong, lucheon meat, chicken rendang and a number of stir fried vegetables, it allows you to scoop your own dishes and be as creative as you wish.

This stall is located right at Peel Road and it is within walking distance from Cochrane station. With the development of the MyTown Shopping Mall and IKEA, this area has gone through massive transformation in recent years. The stall is open for dinner daily and you can see huge crowd from 6pm onwards.

*Disclaimer: This eatery not halal-certified

Address: 96, Jalan Peel, 50400 Kuala Lumpur.
Opening Hours: 4pm – 8pm daily

Tips: The IKEA furniture store and MyTown Shopping Mall are in its vicinity. Sunway Velocity is connected with this station as well.

Taman Connaught Station

Night Market Taman Connaught

With the construction of new Taman Connaught MRT, you can now get to your favourite Taman Connaught night market easily. The night market is around 2km long, and opens every Wednesday. with over 700 stalls selling everything from street food and flowers to cuddly toys, books and clothes. Some of the famous snacks here are fried chicken, smelly tofu, pancakes, dim sum, sausage, to name a few. Just remember to bring some tissue!

Tips: Taman Connaught MRT Station located right in front of Cheras Sentral, a retail outlet that offers a huge variety of products and services.

Stadium Kajang Station

Medan Satay Kajang

Kajang is known as the ‘Satay Town’ since the 1960s and is famous among tourists and locals alike. Medan Satay Kajang is located within close distance to the Stadium Kajang MRT.

Sate Kajang Haji Samurai said to be one of the best. You can spend your time eating a variety of satay as supper while chatting with friends. Some of the favourite satay meat including rabbit, tripe, fish apart from classic choices like beef and chicken. Don’t forget to combine it with heavenly thick peanut sauce (kuah kacang) and nasi impit! This is one satay-eating experience you wouldn’t want to miss!

Address: Medan Sate Kajang, Gerai No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7 Jalan Kelab, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Opening Hours: 10.30am – 12:30am (Monday to Thursday), 4pm – 1am (Friday), 10.30am – 1am (Saturday Sunday)
Contact: +6013-330 3269
https://satekajang.com.my/

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Desaru Coast

Key five reasons why you should go Desaru Coast fast!

I have made up my mind to head “down south” again this year after I was impressed by the development of the state of Johor when I visited the place a year ago. This round, I decided to take an in-depth travel to Desaru Coast, which spans over 3,900 acres along a pristine 17km beachfront that faces eastwards over the clear ocean waters.

I’m well prepared to share with you my exploration to this place as something new and exciting are waiting all of us there. Let’s see what excite me during my trip.

The stunning Desaru Coast Hard Rock Hotel 

The 365-room hotel is linked to a newly built world-class waterpark via its ground level. Overlooking the man-made beach and wave pools, Desaru Coast Hard Rock Hotel features eco-friendly themed, music-inspired elements as well as a resort-styled accommodation experience for its guests. Just trust me, you will definitely wish to visit here again and again after your first trip here. Well, if you are Johoreans or Johor residents, you can keep track of 50% discounts offer before your trip here.

The hotel rooms, at first glance might be quite similar to other typical hotel rooms, but in fact it got something make you feel it is still above your expectation as it takes everything with attention to detail (you can see umbrella, weighting machines, complimentary minibar and snack tray in your room and the guitar logo is printed on its pillow). Refill water bottle and water dispenser are available to reduce the usage of its plastic bottle. Guests will receive a personalised welcome message when switching on TV and they can enjoy a great selection of rock music.

Themed Rock Star concept, all guests can be entertained by live band daily as scheduled. There is a memorabilia exhibition of the Rock Stars Collection and a Sound of Your Stay Music program in a complimentary audio experience for its guests to either enjoy creating own personalised playlist, playing a music instrument or listening to 10 specially-curated records etc at specific schedule.

Besides, a 23-acre waterfront landscaped retail and lifestyle village, offering exciting retail, restaurants, cafes and entertainment outlets are just within walking distance from the hotel.

World-class Desaru Coast Water Challenge Park 

Even though the weather is hot in Malaysia, but it will not stop anybody, both young and old from exploring this newly-built theme park. Featuring more than 20 wet and dry rides, slides and attractions, this waterpark can accommodate up to 12,000 guests at one time. It is home to unique rides including the first-ever water coaster in the region and one of the biggest wave pools in the world. You will find it a great splashing time with your family and friends here.

Taking “Kraken’s Revenge” as example, it brings guests to the sky through its shipwreck and throw them in fast speed to the water pools.

It creates excitement and fun with loud screaming heard everywhere inside the theme park.

Golfing Paradise – The Els Club Desaru Coast 

 

Set in the heart of Desaru Coast, The Els Club Desaru Coast features 45-holes of golf in total, with two distinct clubs; Ocean Course, a 27-hole golf course designed by Ernie Els and Valley Course, an 18-hole golf course designed in collaboration with Els’ long standing friend and major champion, Vijay Singh.

Managed by world-renowned management organisation, Troon Golf, the experience, service and condition will be of the highest order and will bring a new standard to gold in Southeast Asia, giving members and guests the assurance their experience will be first-class each and every time they play.

Complimentary shuttle bus is available for guests to The Els Club from Hard Rock Hotel. Golf lovers can definitely enjoy a nice stay with great golfing experience. For non-golfers, you can also enjoy the lush greenery view for the stunning golf course. 

Special events and activities

To position Desaru Coast as a premium destination resort, a host of exciting events and activities will be held all year-long that promises great fun for whole family and create memories that will last a lifetime. Its first edition of Desaru Coast Gourmet Series, themed “A Malaysian Journey”, featuring award winning Michelin Grand Chef, Emmanuel Stroobant is one of the examples that offering exclusive dining experience that took place in Dec last year for its guests. Look forward for the remaining five-series of this special curated dining program in 2019, which is partnered with Singapore’s culinary event organisers, SAVOUR.

It is proud to say that I managed to sample the six-course dinner, a first-of-its-kind mouth-watering fusion flavour during my visit served by the celebrity chef Emmanuel.

Desaru Coast Gourment Series is part of “Desaru Coast Live Series”, a curation of special events focusing on music, gourmet and lifestyle, which includes sports, designed exclusively for Desaru Coast with the aim to nurture it as a signature events destination.

Key Upcoming Development

Upcoming components due to open in 2019 include renowned hotels such as The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort Villas and OneOnly Desaru Coast. Besides that, Desaru Coast Conference Centre, a fully-equipped multipurpose venue that can host up to 1,000 participants is another key attractions for the entire development to cater to corporate functions, meetings, exhibitions and entertainment events.

 

 

 

Categories
Travel to Melaka

IMPRESSION CITY

KUALA LUMPUR: DBS Group Research is making a buy call on Yong Tai Bhd, envisioning long-term earnings visibility as the tourism-related property developer’s Impression City and Impression Melaka projects ride on the booming Chinese tourism.

“As the first Impression Series outside China, the Malacca Straits-fronting Impression Melaka is poised to be a resounding success by tapping into the booming Chinese tourism in Malaysia, which has seen an impressive 11% tourist arrivals CAGR (compound annual growth rate) over 2000-2016 (versus 1% for Malaysia’s overall tourist arrivals),” the report said.

The stock was trading at an undemanding nine times FY18 price-earnings, it said, calling this “grossly unjustified.”

The report, prepared by AllianceDBS Research, gave a 12-month price target of RM2.10. The counter closed unchanged at RM1.48 on Wednesday with 1.4 million shares done.

DBS Group Research said Impression Melaka – featuring a live, large-scale, cinematography show using light and sound technology – offered a compelling value proposition given its estimated 20% internal rate of return over the 30-year concession from Impression Wonders Art Development Co Ltd of China.

This would transform Yong Tai into an emerging cash cow with strong recurring income, it reckoned.

The report said that the Malacca property market was under-appreciated despite its “immense potential” as the target was not just confined to its 900,000 local population but also more than 16 million tourists that visited the World Heritage City annually.

“Yong Tai’s impressive unbilled sales of RM990mil – anchored by en-bloc sales of 262 retail lot units in Impression City for RM873mil – will underpin strong earnings visibility strong earnings visibility over the next two years,” said DBS Group Research.

The report said Impression City’s attractive investment merit was under-appreciated by investors, and the official opening of Impression Melaka in February 2018 would be a major catalyst.

“Given Yong Tai’s unrivalled competitive advantages arising from its unique tourism appeal and synergistic property product offerings, it iss expected to deliver exponential earnings per share CAGR of 57% over FY16-FY19f,” AllianceDBS Research said.

Categories
Travel to Melaka

YONG TAI EXPANDS LAND BANK IN MALACCA

Yong Tai Acquires Two Parcels of Land in Malacca
• March 22, 2017


Key player in the tourism and cultural development in Malacca, Yong Tai Berhad will embark on two mega property projects with GDV of RM2.3 billion.

Yong Tai Bhd has acquired two parcels of land within the Impression City project in Malacca from Mustazah Osman and Laila Endut of Laila Development Sdn Bhd for RM35 million, reported The Sun Daily.

In a Bursa Malaysia filing, Yong Tai revealed that the acquisition price will be funded via a mix of bank borrowings and/or internally generated funds.

The property developer intends to develop the six acre land into a mixed development project comprising retail units, a hotel and serviced apartments.

With a gross development value (GDV) of RM1.1 billion and a gross development cost (GDC) of RM800 million, the project, which is set to be completed in five years, will yield a potential gross profit of RM300 million.

Meanwhile, Yong Tai’s fully-owned unit YTB Impression Sdn Bhd has inked a joint development agreement with JM Bestari Land Sdn Bhd for the development of another piece of land in Melaka Tengah.

Set to be completed in five years, the project will include retail, office and commercial units.

It is expected to have a GDV of RM1.2 billion and a GDC of RM800 million, resulting to a potential gross development profit of RM400 million.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Food Haven Ipoh: Simply The Best

By Vishnu Krishnan

The homely town of Ipoh is on the verge of major development and expansion, but the fragments of its rustic charm still remain, namely within the old school buildings and authentic local cuisines which many argue are simply the best.

The dish most synonymous with Ipoh is their nga choy kai or beansprout chicken. This mouthwatering dish consists of chicken meat and innards, blanched crunchy beansprouts drenched in soy sauce and sesame oil. The blend of textures is divine. Follow the throngs of locals for the best serving at Onn Kee Restaurant.

Onn Kee Tauge Ayam Kue Tiaun is bliss.

(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/94223817174270490/

It is sinful to skip assam laksa in Ipoh. The best version of it is served with yong tau foo (fried or boiled processed fishcakes and vegetables) stewing in a steamy bowl of the famous sweet and spicy sardine broth. Head to Dai Shu Geok Assam Laksa restaurant for this scrumptious delight.

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Dai Shu Geok Assam Laksa is the flavor of the heaven!

(Source: http://www.misstamchiak.com/the-ipoh-food-guide-2014/)

Ipoh Hor Fun is a signature kuey teow (flat noodle) soup with shredded chicken and prawns that burst with flavours. The Tricycle Chicken Prawn kuey teow at Thean Chun Coffee Shop is one of the best places to sample this little piece of heaven.

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Tricycle Chicken Prawn Kuey Teow is the way to the heart

(Source: http://www.imgrum.net/user/sonia.leong/1946618593/1253554644445572068_1946618593)

Wat tan hor, also known as hor fun, is an amazing dish of flat noodles smothered in a thick egg gravy littered with chicken pieces and prawns. The slimy texture is surprisingly smooth and delectable. The best serving can be found at the Tuck Kee Restaurant which is known for slipping-in an egg at the very last minute to further enhance the smoothness of the gravy!

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Tuck Kee Wat Tan Hor redefines your concept of texture!
(Source: http://www.j2kfm.com/tuck-kee-fried-noodles-wat-tan-hor-ipoh/)

Ipoh is not just limited to full meals and entrées. Their desserts and snacks are pretty good as well. Muah chee is a glutinous rice ball coated in a lovely sweet chopped peanut powder. To experience the best, try the stall right outside the Nam Heong Coffee Shop.

Ipoh white coffee is a blessing to coffee lovers across Malaysia. This beverage is traditionally made from butter roasted coffee beans that is known for an intense, unrivalled aroma.

This particular blend was created by the Wong brothers who set up the famous Sin Yoon Long Coffee Shop in 1937. The white coffee is best served with their famous Hainanese toast bread with kaya, a sweet coconut and egg spread.

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Sin Yoon Long Coffee Shop’s white coffee and toast with eggs may not look like much, but trust us, this is the real deal!

(Source: https://en.yelp.my/biz/sin-yoon-loong-ipoh)

And a trip to Ipoh is not complete without a visit to Buntong for Ipoh’s famed kacang putih (Indian snacks). This area is famous for the manufacturing and retail of kacang putih and makes millions each year selling these savoury treats to England, New Zealand and Australia.

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Now this is what you call snacks!

(Source: http://www.j2kfm.com/kacang-putih-stall-ipoh-garden-post-office/)

For a full list of things to do while you’re enjoying best food in town go to http://www.ipoh-city.com/attraction/