CNY Cookies 2014

Chinese New Year is, undoutedbly, full with cookies, biscuits and snacks! So, my mom decides to make some of these.

This oat cookies is perfect! You can get to taste both the crispy oat and buttery cookies at the same time!

This margarine cookies is totally fragant and buttery at the same time!

This is my favourite - pineapple tarts! It is not too dry and taste perfect! The pineapple filling is still wet, not too sour and sweet!

Fried arrowheads is one of the must-eat during cny! Crispy and slightly salted, nice!

This is baked fish strips. It is so crispy and you will be addicted to it once you try it!!

These are just a part of the snacks my mom made for this cny. There are also peanut cookies, cranberry cookies, green peas cookies and many more!

This post is not as wordy as the others but I, truly, hope that y'all will like it! Happy Chinese New Year!

MH Experience: Business Class (BKI to KUL on 737-800)

 And so I have decided to fly on Malaysia Airlines(MAS) business class, going back to Kuala Lumpur on this semester break I'm having. Thanks to MAS frequent flyer programme, Enrich, I could redeem part of my Enrich mile points plus cash (yes, they have the Miles plus Cash redemption) to buy me a ticket back to KL.

As usual, all business class passengers are able to use the business class-only passage when checking in. The procedure was faster and all check-in luggage will be tagged with business class tag so that your luggages are in priority to collect in KL.

After I have checked in, I proceed to the MAS Golden Lounge.

The MAS Golden lounge at BKI (Kota Kinabalu) is assecible by all business class and first class passengers taking MAS as well as Enrich Gold or Platinum member or can be redeemed by 5000 mile points or you can buy an annual pass.

There are some really comfortable sofas and breakfast buffet served in the lounge.

The breakfast buffet consists of nasi lemak, sandwiches, cereal flakes and some pastries. The BKI golden lounge, surprisingly, serves good pastries and sandwiches especially their chicken and cheese sandwich. It is a small sandwich with some chicken ham, cheese and veggie. It looks simple but they taste really, really great! Same goes to their tuna sandwich and roasted veggie sandwich. I didn't try their nasi lemak as I was full with the sandwiches.

Look at those delicious mini sandwiches!!

 Nonetheless, they alse serve a range of drinks from freshly pressed orange juice, soya milk, Tenom coffee, Malaysian all-time-favourite milo and others to handcrafted coffee like cappucino, cafe latte and so on.

I do really enjoy my breakfast in the Golden lounge. There are also other facilities provided like computers, shower room, free Wi-Fi service and newspapers.

The BKI Golden lounge is, generally, comfortable and the food is just nice! The staffs are polite and friendly too! 

So I heard my flight is calling for boarding. As usual, all business class passengers are allowed for priority boarding, followed by passengers with children, pregnant woman and elderies then other passengers.

MAS business class on 737-800 is, considered as, spacious. It comes with 2-2 seat configuration. The seats are equiped with a monitor (in-flight entertainment, IFE), a foldable dining table, leg rest, a small pillow and blanket. As a contrast with the deep red colour seats of the economy class, business class's seats are in a more calm deep blue colour. 

There are also a 3 pin power socket and a USB port in case you want to use your electronic appliances like laptop, iPad, iPhone and so on. 

Upon boarding, I am offered with welcoming drinks with the choices of guava juice, orange juice and just plain water. 

Guava juice

I'm also offered a cold towel to fresh up myself. Before departing, the air stewardess took the order of breakfast and I was given three choices: Nasi lemak (again?), deep fried fish with green curry sauce or cheese omelette. I choose the latter as I'm quite full already. Order of take-off drinks also been taken before departing. 

Generally, business class is less noisy as compare to economy class. This might because it is further to the engines and there are less passengers in the business class. 

Once the plane is taken off and the fasten-seatbelt signs are off, the air stewardesses then start to prepare our breakfast and drinks. They are fast and precise and breakfast is served within minutes. 

As for the IFE, it starts right after the fasten-seat belt sign is off. There are some movies, dramas, music and simple games provided. Movies like X-Men origin: Wolverine, P.S. I Love You are available and change from time to time. You can always refer to the magazine provided for the lastest update of IFE. (IFE is also available in the Economy class)

The cheese omelette. It is not too cheesy and it is really rich. It is served with green peas, grilled chicken sausage, a grilled tomato and a grilled potato. Overall, it taste good!

The set is served with fruits (a slice of watermelon, honeydew melon and papaya), a Nestle mixed fruit yogurt, your choice of bread (there are soft bun, muffin, croissant or oat bun)

For a short haul flight (2 hours and 40 minutes), this meal does do some filling. Even more impressive is that the toilet is equiped with, quite a brand, lotion, cologne and perfume for the passengers' use.

MAS will never make its reputation without its tip-top sky service crews. Same here. The air crews are friendly and professional. With baju kebaya as their uniforms, the air stewardesses present both the humble characteristics of an Asian lady as well as a professional air crew. As for the smart dressing with a light grey vest male attendants, they show the determinants as well as high level of professionalism.

The flight attendants, Hou Nee (left) and Hui Ting (right). 

Upon departure, business class passengers are given the priority to proceed to the immigration and luggage claim.

Overall, my MH experience is good, satisfied and wonderful. It is a pleasure to enjoy one of the best airlines in the world.

The Hut City Mall, Kota Kinabalu

The Hut Fusion Restaurant is, as its name suggests, a restaurant that serves fusion of local and western cuisine. Located in City Mall, The Hut is one of the busiest restaurants in the mall.

Sizzling Chicken Chop - RM 15.90 ++

Chicken chop is, considered as, one of its signature dishes. The sizzling chicken chop is served on hot plate, together with some sliced carrot, broccoli, steamed corn and potato salad.

Salmon Fried Rice - RM 9.90++

Tomyam Mee Hoon (Chicken) - RM 6.90 ++

The salmon fried rice is served with an adequate amount of (chunk) salmon. Unfortunately, the salmon is not really that fresh. The tomyam is also quite a disappointment as it lacks of the hot and sour taste of a basic tomyam.

Salmon soup - RM 9.90++

The tomato-based salmon soup is served hot together with a slice of garlic baguette. The soup is inadequately herbed.

Overall, The Hut is an (below?) average restaurant serving average quality of food. Their price is, however, lower than the other restaurants in the mall. There shall be major improvements in their foods' quality. However, if you would like to have an experience of what a basic local/western fusion meal tastes like, The Hut should be listed in one of your choices.

The Hut Fusion Restaurant (City Mall)
Lot S-0-11, Ground Floor,
Block C, City Mall,
Jalan Lintas,
88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Contact number: +6088447411\

Business hour: Daily (Same as the mall)

Credits:
Ciek
FuckingFrost

Khaki Coffee Bar

Khaki Coffee Bar is a very unique and one-and-the-only in Melaka. Unlike the commercialised coffee shop, Khaki Coffee Bar's design could not accommodate large number of people as there are, really, limited number of tables and the shop is relatively small. You could see the leisure of the boss through the design and layout of the shop. It is rather a place to relax than to rush your time through the coffee.

                                                                

If I'm not mistaken, Khaki Coffee Bar roast the coffee bean by themselves. Meaning, each of the coffee beans is roasted by the owner himself. This is really something uncommon and normally unseen in most of the coffee shop! They use different coffee bean every week. So, unlike the commercial coffee shop who use only expresso beans, you could enjoy different type of coffee beans if you often visit this shop.

Cappucino - RM 6.80 

Cafe Mocha - RM 7.20 

The coffee beans they used today are the Brazil coffee beans. It is in between mild and strong. So, it would be a perfect choice for those who like medium strong coffee. The coffees are roasted perfectly (perhaps they are perfect shots!). The foams are smooth and fine.

They also serve light food such as sandwich and dessert like creme brulee. I ordered the Khaki Sanwicha nd croissant pesto. The croissant is baked to crispy, cut into half and filled with ham, cheddar cheese, fressh tomatoes and lettuce, the khaki sandwish does complete my afternoon tea! As for the croissant pesto, the crispy croissant is cut into half and spread with their very own pesto sauce.

They also serve other classic coffee drinks like cafe latte, caramel machiato, shakerato, affogato (affogato is rather a dessert than a drink) as well as non-coffee drinks like juices. Khaki Coffee Bar also provides barista training and evaluation as well as other related services.

Khaki Sandwich - RM 12.50 

Croissant Pesto - RM 8.50 

Khaki Coffee Bar does not provide Wi-Fi. Perhaps they encourage physical communication rather than telecommunication. Khaki Coffee Bar is, indeed, a coffee shop where you could enjoy your afternoon with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. Perfect ! 

Khaki Coffee Bar

No 632, Jalan Melaka Raya 10, 

Taman Melaka Raya, 

75000 Melaka, Malaysia

Business hour: 

Daily: 10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

          Closed on Mondays

website: www.khakicoffeebar.com

Credit: 

[Siew]²

Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant

Wa Zen is a Japanese restaurant established in 2007. Starting from just a small shop, Wa Zen is now, expanded to, a bigger shops (combining 3 shops). It is my favourite Japanese restaurant in Melaka. 

The ambience of Wa Zen is soothing and simple. They serve Japanese food, of course, as well as Japanese liquor. 

Most of their ingredients are freshly imported from Tokyo, Japan. Personally, Wa Zen serves a more Malaysian-friendly Japanese food where most of the Malaysians could accept and adpat to it. 

Salmon Belly (Shake Belly Sashimi) - RM 15.00 ++ 

I start off with my favourite salmon belly sashimi. Their salmon belly is finely knifed to the perfect thickness. Served on a bowl of ice, with some herbs and sea grass as deco, it, indeed, presents the essence of a salmon!

Japanese Hand Roll Sushi with Prawn Tempura (Ebi Tempura Temaki) - RM 6.00 ++

 This Ebi Tempura Temaki is rolled by using a piece of dried seaweed with adequately amount of steamed japanece rice and a tempura prawn with some fish roe and fresh cucumber. Its serving is just in size where it is neither too big nor too small.

Fried Minced Octopus (Tako Yaki Ball) - RM 8.00 ++ 

The Tako Yaki Ball (5 in a bowl) is freshly prepared. As you can see, it is topped with generouly amount of bonito flakes! They literally dance in your mounth. With some potatoes and minced octopus, it is served hot! So, you have to be caution as it is super hot! Besides, the classic Chawan Mushi is also smoothly done. 

Steamed Egg Custard ( Chawan Mushi) - RM 4.00 ++

Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab (Soft Kani Karaage) - RM 15.00 ++

 Although it is deep fried, this deep fried shell crab is not that oily. It is crispy and you could sprinkle with some lemon juice to enhance its flavour. 

Garlic Fried Rice (Niniku Cha Han) - RM 12.00 ++

This is the first time I try the garlic fried rice. Surprisingly, it is not bad at all ! It is adequately herbed and fried by using Japanese rice, until it is cooked but not over. 

Golden Roll - RM 20.00 ++

The golden roll is actually a reverse rice roll filled with deep fried tempura prawn and topped with sliced mango and fish roe. The mango is fresh and sweet. The sweetness balance up the saltness of other ingredients. Very appetizing and refreshing !

Sushi Pizza (Sashimi) - RM25.00 ++

It's pizza time !! Sushi pizza is one of the must-eat in Wa Zen. It does not appear on the menu but it is still available. The thin crust topped with fresh sashimi like the salmon sashimi and tuna sashimi as well as fish roe and fresh avocado made it a perfect combination! If you don't fancy sashimi, you could order the pizza with order toppings!

Cha Soba - RM 12.00 ++

 Cha Soba is one of the classic Japanese dishes on their menu. The cha soba is served on a plate of ice, garnished with some seaweed, together with the soba sauce and spring onions. It defintely conqueur the soba lover like me !! 

Besides that, grilled squid and kimchi steamboat are also their signatures. The grilled squid is grilled until it is cooked but tender. It is not overcooked. This is important as overcook squid might as well like chewing gum. But Wa Zen's grilled squid is perfect. It can be grilled with sauce or just simply salt. The Kimchi steamboat is served with mushrooms, kimchi, sliced pork and vegetables. It definitely warms your stomach and it is extremely appetizing. 

Kimchi Steamboat (Kimchi Nabe) - RM 25.00 ++

Grilled Squid with sauce (Ika Sugata Yaki) - RM 18.00 ++

 Wa Zen also serves various type of Japanese desserts such as the green tea ice cream, mochi and so on. 

The mochi could be served with red bean paste or their finely ground peanut powder. 

Japanese Citurs Sherbert (Yuzu Shabetto) - RM 8.00 ++

Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Bean Paste (Ogura Macha Aisukurimu) - RM 9.00 ++

Japanese Mochi with Sweet Soybean Flour ( Abekawa Mochi) - RM 12.00 

Being in the heart of Melaka, Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant does really stand out among the other Japanese restaurants in Melaka. Because of its popularity, you may have to make a reservation or you might not able to enjoy this wonderful Japanese meal !

Wa Zen Japanese Restaurant 

38, 40 & 42, Jalan Melaka Raya 15,

Taman Melaka Raya,

75000, Melaka, 

Malaysia 

Phone: +606-2823882

Business hour: 

Daily: 12.00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. & 5.30 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. 

           Closed on Sunday

website: www.wazen.com.my

Credit:

[Siew]²