Car Accident

Tuesday, March 27, 2007


My bad luck is not end yet. Car got rapped from the back during my way to work. Feel hurt for my 6 months old car.

Picture taken in Police station.

Posted by whistler at 11:14 AM 22 comments  

Vietnamese @ Co Do, Mid Valley

Monday, March 26, 2007


CỐDỐ is a Vietnamese restaurant located in 3rd floor, mid valley, on top of the Little Vietnam. The restaurant run by the same owner of Little Vietnam, with serve of different food menu. Some items might be duplicate but CoDo emphasis on Vietnamese Dim Sum.

I went there some time ago, I didn't order the dim sum, instead I their cold vermicelli grilled set. They claim to be authentic Vietnamese and it's a "must try" item. RM35++ with free Ice Lime Tea, enough for 2 person. The set are cold vermicelli, raw bean sprout salad, cucumber, tomato, basil leave, pickles, spring roll, chicken ham, chicken meat skewer, fish cake, Chargrilled Lemongrass beef (or chicken). I like the grilled beef, it's well marinated, grill garnish with sesame seed. The beef taste sweet and tender with mild lemongrass taste. To eat, take some vermicelli to your bowl, and mix with the salad, fish cake and the rest, then add some grinded peanuts, deep fried shallots and put add a lot of fish sauce (taste sweet). With no surprise, this is Vietnamese.

I've been missing from blog space for more than a month, not even returning to my blog to reply the comments left by you. Sorry for some of you who keep coming back to my blog to check new posts. I was running a project for since the last 2 months, it's hard to stay sane under such awful pressure. In fact the mental stress has disrupted my hormones system, I"m currently under medication and need to continue for the next 4~6 months. I couldn't eat out that often...


Co Do
Lot T-052, Level 3, Mid Valley
59200 Kuala Lumpur

Posted by whistler at 5:38 PM 6 comments  

Xiao Long Bao @ Nanxiang Mantou Dian, The Curve

Monday, March 05, 2007



People went to Shanghai say that Nanxiang have the best Xiao Long Bao, some people say that Nanxiang is better than Din Tai Fung. Well, Nanxiang is more famous as it's started in Shanghai since year 1900 where Ding Tai Fung is originated from Taiwan. If I happen to go to Shanghai, I must give it a try, I want to taste if Taipei Ding Tai Fung better or Shanghai Nanxiang is better.

Nanxiang went into international business since 2003, Nanxiang has open in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and thank god, the famous Xiao Long Bao is available in Malaysia now at The Curve. I went there last Sunday to have some bite before my workout.


Xiao Long Bao (6 pieces, RM12)


Since it's a Xiao Long Bao shop, the shop offer varieties Xiao Long Bao compare to others Shanghainese La Mian and Xiao Long Bao shop. It has total of 7, i.e.

  1. Xiao Long Bao with vegetable
  2. Xiao Long Bao with pork (6 for RM12)
  3. Xiao Long Bao with mushroom pork (6 for RM12)
  4. Xiao Long Bao with shrimp pork (6 for RM15)
  5. Xiao Long Bao with sauteed crabmeat pork (6 for RM16)
  6. Xiao Long Bao with fresh crabmeat, crab roe pork (4 for RM20)
  7. Xiao Long Bao with imported matsutake mushroom pork (4 for RM32)

Judging from the look, the Xiao Long Bao look nice, at least 18 folds for each dumpling, and filled with plenty of soup and meats filling. The dumpling skin is slightly thick, but still within my acceptable range. The soup is fine, but the pork meat filling kind of dry, maybe it's insufficient pork lard. I doubt the quality is same with Shanghai main outlet standard, otherwise Nanxiang should not consider the best xiao long bao.


Crabmeat, Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao (4 pieces, RM20)


The Crab roe Xiao Long Bao is nice. The soup and the filling are sweat, due to the crabmeat and roe in the dumpling. Guess what, the crabmeat and roe is taken from Hairy Crab, imported from Shanghai. 4 pieces for RM20 is quite expensive though.


Dumpling Soup (RM15)


Have you ever drink soup with a straw? This is something new to me. I have seen this on TV and now I've try it myself. This is Steamed dumpling with crab roe soup. It's look like a giant Xiao Long Bao, with full of soup. The soup is sweat and ginger spicy, it's pricey but not bad. The soup was extremely hot, it's still hot even leave on the table for 5 minutes. The waiter did advise to be careful when sucking the soup.

Overall, the quality of the food is fine but service is bad. I waited 20 minutes to get my food served. I might give it a try again during off peak for other food. A lot customer ordered the fried rice, I guess it must be special or nice.

Other Review:
sooyindotcom

Nanxiang Mantou Dian 南翔馒头店
The Curve
Lot G41a, Ground Floor, Mutiara Damansara
47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Posted by whistler at 4:56 PM 12 comments  

Chili Pan Mee @ Face to Face Noodles House Damansara Perdana

Friday, February 23, 2007


Restoran Face to Face is located same row as TK Chong. This shop opened early of the year of 2007. The shop's sign was pulling my attention, green color sign with big Chinese POP designed name, and it's unusual to see a Chinese sign name bigger than Malay in Malaysia.

The sign tell that it's a pan mee specialist, since it's a "specialist" then I would expect it's good. All the noodles are house made, the shop is selling 9 types of noodle, i.e.
  • House Specialty Hot & Spicy Pan Mee (Soup/Dried)
  • Curry Pan Mee (Soup/Dried)
  • Braise Pork Noodle(Soup/Dried)
  • Chef's Special Pan Mee in Soup
  • Creations Minced Pork Pan Mee
  • Black Pepper Pan Mee
  • Sarawak Noodle with Dark Soy Sauce & Chili Sauce
  • Sarawak Noodle with Dark Soy Sauce
  • Traditional Sarawak Noodle
House Specialty Hot & Spicy Pan Mee is the most famous item, I have the dried version.

House Specialty Hot & Spicy Pan Mee (RM4.30 (R) RM4.90 (L))

The pan mee serve with minced meat, anchovies, poached egg and spring onion. Chili is on the table, I added a spoonful of dry chilies. Dried pan mee is normally no surprising me, after all it's just noodle make from flour, cooked and mix with soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sesame sauce. The chili is hot , minced meat was great, but noodle is a little bit hard to me. It's delicious but not surprise. I never try the famous Restoran Kin Kin Chili pan-mee at Jalan TAR, can't comment if it is better.


House Specialty Dumpling (RM3.50)

The dumpling is really big size, with a lot of minced meat and fresh prawn, serve in delicious sweet stock. Can't remember if that was MSG, it's really nice.

Restoran Face to Face
11A-1, Jalan PJU8/51,
Perdana Business Centre

Posted by whistler at 3:28 PM 9 comments  

My New Gadget - Heart Rate Monitor

Thursday, February 22, 2007


I bought this Polar F6 heart rate monitor from Amazon, just arrive on time! You know what, for the first 3 days of CNY, I gain 3kg of weight! OMG. I'm so envy people like tekko, no matter how much he eat, he is still under weight, what an unfair world.

Heart Rate Monitor, the name tell what it is. Quote the following description from Polar website.

Why use a heart rate monitor?
By monitoring heart rate, the simple observation that the harder we exercise, the faster our heart beats is put to good use. Professional athletes and amateurs alike have for decades been relying on the information provided by their heart rate monitor for the following reasons:

  1. A heart rate monitor is like a rev counter, giving a precise measurement of exercise intensity.
  2. Training at your own ideal pace is made possible with a heart rate monitor.
  3. Direct measurement of heart rate during exercise is the most accurate way to gauge performance.
  4. Progress can be monitored and measured, increasing motivation.
  5. It maximizes the benefits of exercise in a limited amount of time.
  6. It introduces objective observation. Are you on the right track? Are you improving?
  7. It is a tool for regulating frequency and intensity of workouts.
  8. Because of the immediate feedback it provides, heart rate monitoring is an ideal training partner.

How does it work?

When you start training, your heart rate increases rapidly in proportion to the intensity of the training. In Polar Heart Rate Monitors, the transmitter belt detects the electrocardiogram (ECG - the electric signal originating from your heart) and sends an electromagnetic signal to the Polar wrist receiver where heart rate information appears.

The heart moves blood from the lungs (where the blood picks up oxygen) to the muscles (which burn the oxygen as fuel) and back to the lungs again. The harder the training, the more fuel the muscles need and the harder the heart has to work to pump oxygen-rich blood to the muscles.

As you get fitter, your heart is able to pump more blood with every beat. As a result, your heart doesn’t have to beat as often to get the needed oxygen to your muscles, decreasing resting heart rate and exercise heart rate on all exertion levels.

I like this Polar F6 heart rate monitor, it keep track my workout progress and calculate how much calories burned based on my age, height, weight and the heart rate, and keep the past 12 daily and 12 weekly exercise records in the watch. To keep a longer period, Polar provide a free online workout log, just need install a client application on my computer. Polar use SonicLink to transfer data between the watch unit and PC, how it does is aim the F6 to the PC microphone, and send using sound. That's simple, it send my workout information to PC and from PC to the web, information includes workout date, time duration, mim/max heart rate, calories burned, fat % burned and etc.

I did 2 exercises last Saturday and a exercise today. 1508 kcal burned in total, not too bad. Last Saturday was my first usage, I recorded 2 extra exercises by mistake.


It's Chinese New Year, and my resolution is to reduce to body fat to 17% (current is 22%) by end of June and 14% by end October 2007! Hmm.... should able to train my six-pack by then :D

Polar F6 also come different color and different size for female, it's also available from Fitness Concept for RM475

Posted by whistler at 10:44 PM 6 comments  

Restoran TK Chong @ Damansara Perdana

Thursday, February 15, 2007


Been to Damansara Perdana lately and notice this Chicken Rice and Ipoh Hor Fun restaurant. It was Saturday lunch time, the restaurant are full house and people is queuing up to take out.


I order the Ipoh Hor Fun (flat rice noodle), serve in a chicken and prawn (or pork bone?) broth with shredded chicken, prawn, spring onion and add a splash of chilies oil. Guess what, it only cost RM3.50 per bowl, very good price. The hor fun is so soft and smooth, it's like melting in my mount. The chicken shreds I got was taken from chicken tights, it's tender. The soup is very sweet, I can't help to think of MSG, however I don't feel particular thirsty after the meal where I normally would after taking a lot of MSG. I didn't clarify the shop owner or waiter. If you happen to visit this restaurant, tell me what you feel.

Overall, TK Chong is a good try.


Restoran TK Chong
5-1, Jalan PJU8/51,
Perdana Business Centre

Posted by whistler at 2:34 PM 6 comments  

Luk Yu Tea House @ Starthill Gallery

Thursday, February 01, 2007

I tried a dim sum restaurant in Melbourne China town many years back, which I thought it was the best. Although I might have different taste preference at that time, I remember their dim sum color, fragrance, taste, shape and size are just great.

Cantonese dim sum is not something that I eat very often here and therefore have not been to many dim sum restaurant in Klang Valley. Among those I've tried, there isn't one that I can consider as superb. Always wonder which restaurant serve the best Cantonese dim sum in town. If you know one, please recommend ya.

Someone told me Luk Yu Tea House is consider as one of the best, and I went there.

If you been to Hong Kong, you might aware Hong Kong most famous traditional tea house in central district also named as Luk Yu Tea House. I'm too sure, but I suppose there are no relationship between that Hong Kong Luk Yu and the Luk Yu Tea House in Starhill gallery. Both English named as Luk Yu Tea House, however Chinese name is different. Hong Kong Luk Yu called 陸羽茶室 and Starhill is 陸羽茶馆. I forgot to clarify with the staff in Starhill.


Luk Yu Tea House located under the escalator at Feast floor, the decoration is quite quaint, mostly dark color with white marble dinning table and wooden chair. Like other restaurant at Feast floor, the kitchen is open concept.

We went there late evening, just want to have some simple bite. Notice it's a Halal Dim Sum, so we just order 3 baskets.


Har Kau (RM8.50)

The Har Kau and Siew Mai size are double than usual, of course the price is double than normal. Each Har Kau has 2 big prawn, I must say this Har Kau is absolutely delicious.


Siew Mai (RM9.00)

Notice the 3 Siew Mai with 3 different topping? It's sea asparagus, pacific clam and dried scallop. It's not usual to have these topping, therefore 9 bucks per basket! Taste wise.... err... if compare to other halal dim sum, I must say it's nice; But compare to the real one, this obviously a looser.


Xiao Long Bao (RM7.00)

Look at the xiao long bao, judging from the size and texture, it looks good. Taste wise... again, if compare to Tian Shan Restaurant in TimeSquare, this one is superb; But compare to the real one, it's no way to close, you get what I mean? After all, it's chicken dumpling.

My advice: if you happened to go there, try their seafood dim sum such as Har Hau, Crab Meat Xiao Long Bao, Scallop dumpling, Shark's fin dumpling and etc.


Luk Yu Tea House
Feast Floor
Starhill Gallery
181, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

Posted by whistler at 11:17 PM 8 comments  

Izzi Pizza, Pasta & Coffee @ Golden Triangle, KL

Friday, January 26, 2007

Kind of busy lately due to some working and family issues. No time to blog and no time to read other people's blog, so sorry about that.

I want to do this post quick. Today is my colleague Cindy's birthday, 5 of us go to Izzi Pizza for a good lunch. The restaurant is located at the junction of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail, it's easy to spot it when you take KL Monorail. Izzi Pizza is a chain store from Indonesia, this is the first store they venture to Malaysia F&B industry. There is an interview with Izzi Pizza in the Nov~Dec 06 flavours magazine, they also talk about their plan to open few more branch in Malaysia in near future.

I like the cozy interior design, like boo_licious said, even the toilet is nice decorated.



Ju Hu Char with shrimp and chicken (RM15.80)

Ju Hu Char is a nyonya appetizer, stir fried radish, carrot, shitake with ginger sauce, serve with crispy vermicelli, wrap it with lettuce to eat.

Some of my colleague do not eat beef, hence no beef in our order.


Spicy BBQ Chicken (Regular RM23.80)

So call Spicy BBQ Chicken is not spicy at all, smoked chicken, onions, coriander leaves and BBQ sauce.


Marinara Pizza (Regular RM25.80)

Shrimps, mussels, garlic, chilli, mozarella cheese and tomato, the waitress suggested to add extra cheese but we don't, otherwise the girls will feel even more guilty after the meal.



Pollo Tropicale Pizza (Regular RM21.80)

Pollo Tropicale are pizza with smoked chicken, mushroom, red bell pepper, pineapple, dried chilli, mozarella cheese and tomato. I must say all the 3 pizza are delicious, thin crust and right combination of ingredients.


Spaghetti Carbonara (RM13.80)

I must say sorry to my friend who don't eat beef. The ham is actually smoked beef and I wasn't aware when ordering. I'm guilty to make them eat that.

I usually don't take spaghetti with white cream sauce because I afraid it's too creamy, however this spaghetti is just right, the sauce is light enough and yet with nice milky cream taste.


Chocolate Dome (RM8.90)

Since it's a birthday meal, so I request for a birthday candle when serving. The waiter and waitress sing her a birthday song! It was a surprise to my colleague. Chocolate Dome is chocolate mousse with a praline crunch base. 2 more dessert I ordered:


Chocolate Caramel (RM8.90)




Sweet Pleasure (RM9.90)


Thanks Mei Yen for the information, we enjoy this meal with 60% discount for citibank card holder. Maybank card holder can get 50% discount.

Izzi Pizza, absolutely love it.

Other Reviews:
Bitch About Food
Da Wheel of Life and Happiness
Honey Star
masak-masak
KL情報!マレーシア、ご案内いたしま~す!

Izzi Pizza, Pasta & Coffee
44-2A, Jalan Sultan Ismail
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 21415805

Posted by whistler at 10:00 PM 8 comments  

Klang Seafood

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

I realize that I've never post anything on Klang/Port Klang seafood in my blog!

Port Klang is famous for seafood, at least few 10s seafood restaurant in this area. Among these places, Teluk Gong (near to west port) and Tanjung Harapan (near to north port) are popular by Subang/PJ/KL foodster as I notice quite some cars with federal territory number plate at these 2 places. Pandamaran is another popular place to have seafood, usually visited by local people. My comments on these 2 places from my past visit:

Teluk Gong
Location: West Port, easy to access, all the way from Kesas Highway.
Restaurant numbers: Should be handful, not eating in Teluk Gong for long time.
Uniqueness: Restaurants are surrounding with palm tree.
Average Food Quality: Medium to bad
Price: Very Cheap

Tanjung Harapan
Location: North Port, easy to access. From NKVE or Federal Highway, exit at Bukit Raja and take Shapadu Highway, all the way toward the end.
Restaurant numbers: Should be handful to 10+
Uniqueness: Restaurants located at seaside. Sea view.
Average Food Quality: Medium to good.
Price: Relatively pricey compare to other place in Port Klang.

Pandamaran
Location: Pandamaran, hard to access. This place used to call seafood village, where Klang seafood is famous starting from this place.
Restaurant numbers: handful
Uniqueness: Nothing special
Average Food Quality: Medium to good.
Price: Cheap


I've the brunch at a seafood restaurant in Pandamaran called Klang Seafood, 6 people order 6 dishes and these are what we had:


Fried bean noodle (RM12)

This is the best fried bean noodle I tried so far. a lot of ingredients, squid, dried shrimp, minced meat, vegetables and etc, it's full of flavor. I always order this dish when I have meal here, apparently fried bean noodle is one of the famous dishes.


Deep fried seafood bean curd(RM6 discounted price)

I like the seafood bean curd, make from very fresh seafood by the restaurant, very big piece and only cost 50 cents per piece due to promotional items.


Fried Oyster Egg (RM20)

The oyster egg is quite expensive at the moment, the flood in Johor is causing the oyster cost went up. Still, I like this fried oyster egg. The oyster is quite big size and the chef put quite a lot of the oyster in the dish.


Claypot seafood soup (RM20 discounted price)

Claypot seafood soup are fish maw,vegetables, mushroom, fish slices, shrimps and cook with ginger. Nice.


Salt Baked Crabs (RM30)

I'm trying to eat crab cooked in this way, not bad, can taste the sweetness of the crab meat.


Kam Heong Crabs 甘香螃蟹 (RM30)


Despite the crabs is smaller than usual and more expensive, this is the best seafood meal I ever have in this restaurant. Could it because it's still early? We were the fist customer of the day where arrive at 11:30am.

Due to the flood and the fisherman strike, seafood is more expensive than usual. One thing I must mentioned, the restaurant selected few dishes as daily promotional item, which is 50% cheaper than usual. The seafood bean curd and seafood soup are promotional items.


Klang Seafood
1330, Jalan Nipah,
Pandamaran, 42000 Port Klang.
Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: +603-3168 0171


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Posted by whistler at 3:37 PM 12 comments  

Ah Loy Curry Mee @ OUG

Friday, January 12, 2007


What do you see in the photo above? A bowl of curry chicken? No, it curry laksa! The curry is so rich, creamy and thick. Unlike other curry laksa where the curry soup is cook separate for the laksa, this one is the real curry with mixed with noodle!

I know this shop for long time yet this is my first try, believe no other stall is selling this thickness of curry laksa. The ingredients chicken, cockles, deep fried pork skins and noodle of your choice. I can't remember if bean sprouts is included, certainly no green veggies, no fish cake/fish ball. Taupok (deep fried bean curd) has run out at the time I went, otherwise people would recommend to have that.

It's not ordinary, and just for the price of RM3.80 per bowl, good try.

Kedai Makanan Ah Loy
No 11, 13, Jalan Hujan Rahmat 3,
Taman Overseas Union,
58200 Kuala Lumpur

Posted by whistler at 5:28 PM 9 comments  

Fondue House @ Desa Sri Hartamas

Thursday, January 11, 2007

P1090657

This restaurant has been around for a while, probably a year plus. Fondue House, the name tell it's a Fondues specialist. This is my first time to try cheese fondue. What is so special of fondue is the sauce, a cheese fondue is melted cheese in a hot pot, and warm with fire to keep the cheese always in liquid form, and you dip the food into the cheese. Fondue is a French and Swiss dishes.

fondue375


If you love cheese, you will absolutely love it. To order, you select which cheese fondue you want, choose from original, garlic, bacon, chicken, bacon, mushroom, sweet corn, mix veggie and either with wine or without. then select which side dishes you want to go with the cheese (or the other way round, select the dishes then select which cheese sauce). To make life simple Fondue House group up 4 set for easy to order, Set 1 is all vegetables; Set 2 is Chicken Fillet; Set 3 is Sirlion Beef Cubes and Set 4 is Lamb Cubes. All set serve with a vegetables(Broccoli, Carrot and Celery) and a basket of breads and crackes

I'm not sure if I can accept it at the begging, so I just order the chicken cheese fondue with wine and set No. 2 (RM29.90). It was marvelous on my first bite, then I order lamb cubes (RM19.90) from a-la-carte menu to go with. Dip everything into the cheese, chicken, lamb, veggie, bread, crackers, keep dip and dip and dip, end up I start to feel disgusting, too cheesy :P

Besides the cheese fondue, they serve chocolate fondue as well. Chocolate fondue is chocolate sauce in hot pot and dip fruits into the warm chocolates. The chocolate fondue here doesn't seem to be interesting. Chocolate fondue is more common in Malaysia, where Häagen-Dazs is selling Chocolate fondue too, Häagen-Dazs is even better, you can dip ice cream ball into the chocolate source, read other review to talk about chocolate fondue from Häagen-Dazs.

Other Reviews:
Memoirs of a Chocoholic
Fairy Tale of The Baby Princess
The Galactic Ambassador
lildevil nikky
and many more...


Fondue House
5 Plaza Prisma Ville,
Jalan 26A/70A,
Desa Sri Hartamas
Tel: 03-6203 3346

update 13/2/2007: The restaurant has shut down for business

Posted by whistler at 12:36 PM 3 comments  

I love Penang Hawker Food - Continue again..

Wednesday, January 03, 2007


Went to George Town, heading Joo Hooi Cafe at Penang Rd (near Komtar building). This is my second visit to Joo Hooi Cafe for the same food, assam laksa and cendol!



This is another assam laksa that I would recommend, it's nice. Normally assam laksa do cook with pineapple but this assam laksa stall give additional fresh pineapple when serving. If you're in George Town and you want a nice assam laksa, give it a try. It taste more sour compare to Kek Lok Si assam laksa, and Kek Lok Si assam laksa has more fish flake and sweeter due to more prawn paste.


Cendol is another "must order" item, it has a lot of cendol and red beans. Taste less sweet compare to Indian cendol in Klang Valley. Which is good, Chinese prefer "kurang manis". The stall located outside the restaurant named as Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul and Ice Kacang, order to eat in restaurant is possible.

I believe it really famous, look at the crowd, I can't approach closer to take a better shot.

Posted by whistler at 2:40 PM 5 comments  

I love Penang Hawker Food - continue..

I forgot to talk about this stall next to the assam laksa at Air Itam market. Fried Ice! It's actually a ice blended drink, kind of interesting.

She has a special make "frying pan", the pan was so cold, should be below 0°C. What she does is pouring the drink I ordered to the pan, and the water freeze into ice immediately, then she use a spatula to "stir-fry" the ice so doesn't turn into ice cube. The ice was very fine, unlike normal ice blended drink which can feel the roughness of ice. It was a hot sunny day, nice to take the fried ice.