Category: Thoughts

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7 Best Franchises in Malaysia

Today, we shall discuss the topic of franchising!

But first, ever wondered: what is a franchise?

A franchise is a business model where an individual or group purchases the right to use a company’s trademark, products, and operating system in exchange for a fee or royalty. It is a practice that is very prominent in the world.

Investing in a franchise

Investing in a franchise can be a great way to get into business for yourself. With the right franchisor and SME loan, starting and running a business becomes less of a daunting task. Franchise businesses are a great source of income when done right!

There are many brand franchises in the world, but if you are looking for a franchise business in Malaysia, here are the 7 best franchises you should consider!

1. Nelson’s

Source: Nelson’s

Nelson’s started with the corn-in-a-cup concept and has since grown to become one of Malaysia’s top brands, with over 1000 outlets in 17 countries. Ideal for the entrepreneurs who are looking for a franchise business with low capital investment, the franchise offers a low capital investment requirement with the following terms:

Initial capital investment: RM15,000 –RM60,000
Franchise fee: RM5,000 – RM12,000
Royalties: Available Upon Request

2. The Soya Shop

Source: The Soya Shop

With a focus on using in-house technology and non-GMO Canadian beans cooked in filtered water with no preservatives and additives, This franchise is a great opportunity for those looking to invest in a franchise with low start-up costs. Here are the details:

Initial capital investment: RM49,000 – RM300,000
Franchise fee: RM12,000 – RM60,000
Royalties: 3% gross sales

3. Tealive

One of the top franchise options in Malaysia is Tealive, a renowned brand that has won multiple awards and has outlets in Malaysia and Vietnam, and have now expanded in the United States! One of the things that set Tealive apart is their impressive record of year-on-year sales growth for seven years in a row!

And that is not the best part! One of the key benefits of becoming a Tealive franchise is the support you’ll receive in various areas, including location selection, construction, operations, advertising, and marketing. With over 50 attractive new locations to choose from across Malaysia, finding a suitable spot for your franchise is made easy. Here is the investment information:

Initial capital investment: RM250,000+
Franchise fee: RM75,000
Royalties: 3%

4. Burger Bakar Abang Burn

Source: Burger Bakar Abang Burn

With over 20 outlets throughout Malaysia, Burger Bakar Abang Burn is one of the most successful burger franchises in the country. To become a franchisee, you will need to invest in the following:

Initial capital investment: RM85,000
Franchise fee: RM15,000
Royalties: 5%

5. Daily Fresh

Source: Daily Fresh

It’s Malaysia’s humble version og Big Apple Donuts Coffee! With over 800 franchise outlets in 15 countries, Daily Fresh is a leading global snack food retailer. As the owner of the largest sweet corn plantation in Malaysia, Daily Fresh has a unique edge in its market segment. Here are the investment information needed for the franchisee:

Initial capital investment: RM85,000 – RM120,000
Franchise fee: RM25,000
Royalties: 2%

6. Each A Cup

Source: Each A Cup

If bubble tea is your thing, Each A Cup might be the franchise for you. One of the most successful and popular bubble tea brands in the Asian markets, Each A Cup more than 100 outlets throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. With extensive support for franchisees, including training, site selection, design, and recruitment by the franchisor, there are more than these ways that you can expand on this franchise. Here is the investment information:

Initial capital investment: RM100,000+
Franchise fee: RM20,000
Royalties: 5%

7. Hot & Roll

Source: Hot & Roll

Hot&Roll is a rising leader in wholesome baked food products that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. With some of the lowest inventory costs and little or no wastage, extensive training and business and financing guidance to franchisees are provided by the franchisor. Here is the investment information of the franchise:

Initial capital investment: RM100,000 – RM165,000
Franchise fee: RM15,000 – RM30,000
Royalties: 5%

In conclusion, starting a franchise is a lucrative business opportunity as long as you carefully consider all the costs involved. Franchising can be more than just about providing products and services, it’s about making your step into the world. With the right fit, a franchise can provide the perfect blend of independence and security, allowing you to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into a thriving reality. The initial investment, franchise fee, and royalties may seem like steep costs. Still, they’re a small price to pay for access to a wealth of resources, including training, marketing support, and a proven business model. So why wait? Start exploring the exciting world of franchising today and find your path to success!

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Top 6 Gifts for Friends & Family This Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year is less than a month away! If you’re planning on visiting friends or your family members, or perhaps you might even be attending a Chinese New Year party – you might want to impress them with an incredible gift that will leave them happy until the end of the year!

Don’t pull up to your Lunar New Year gathering empty-handed; here are 6 ideas for Chinese New Year gifts that you can buy for your peers and family!

  1. 1. Fruit basket
  2. 2. Massager
  3. 3. Organic snacks
  4. 4. Medicinal herbs, dried seafood
  5. 5. Tea + tea set
  6. 6. Dried/preserved meat

1. Fruit basket

Prices start from: RM100

Fruit is everyone’s favorite food, and during the New Year, we eat a lot of high-calorie and high-fat pastries and delicacies every day. At this time, giving fruit to supplement vitamin C and fiber can be a very thoughtful Chinese New Year gift.

This exquisite gift box with fruits and flowers is visually pleasing, which will definitely make your gift stand out. Just remember to avoid fruits with negative connotations like plums and pears.

2. Massager

Prices start from: RM100~RM400

If you want to choose a thoughtful and practical gift for the older ones, a massager is the perfect gift!

Shoulder, neck pain and muscle soreness are quite a common issue among those of older age. Therefore, items such as massage instruments can be a great Chinese New Year gift. Let your elders enter the new year feeling fresh and rejuvenated every day!

Neck massagers, eye massagers, head massage combs or face lifting massage beauty devices are all very suitable gifts for elders this Lunar New Year.

Photo source: OSIM

3. Organic snacks

Prices start from: RM68

How about some healthy snacks during the holidays for a change? Nutritious and organic food is yet another suitable gift for Chinese New Year!

Organic nuts, dried fruits, whole grain beverages and the like are a fun and healthy snack to enjoy during the Lunar New Year.

If the elders aren’t particularly a fan of eating snacks, they can also choose healthy ingredients such as organic mushrooms, organic seasonings, quinoa, and organic honey, which is also perfect for daily cooking, making it a great versatile choice.

Photo source: Signature Market
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnOCZNSg7j3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

4. Medicinal herbs, dried seafood

Prices start from: RM130

You can also consider sending precious medicinal herbs and seafood during Chinese New Year.

Common health-preserving gift boxes include bird’s nest, ginseng, sea cucumber, abalone, cordyceps and other precious tonics, all of which are very suitable for elders.

Before buying precious medicinal materials, it is recommended to understand the physical condition and health needs of the elders, and choose foods from regular sources and guaranteed quality.

Photo source: Eu Yan Sang
Photo source: Seagull

5. Tea + tea set

Prices start from: RM100

Tea is a suitable drink at any time and any place. During various traditional Chinese festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese New Year, happy events and even ancestor worship, a pot of tea would normally be brewed at home.

Drinking tea can help quench thirst and promote body fluids, eliminate greasy food, detoxify and beautify the skin. Therefore, the practice of “giving tea and health” can definitely be considered a sincere gift.

You can choose a gift combination of tea leaves and tea sets for a thoughtful and unique twist for your Chinese New Year gift.

Photo source: Wisteria
Photo source: Wisteria

6. Dried/preserved meat

Prices start from: RM120

Gifts such as dried meat, cured meat, and shredded pork that are loved by those old or young are not only full of ritual, but also a New Year gift with a strong New Year flavor.

Nowadays, there are more and more jerky flavors on the market. You can choose from a variety of jerky with good taste and a full aroma.

If you are afraid that jerky is too greasy, you can choose this New Year gift box with jerky and tea, which is also a good gift choice!

Photo source: itsherbs.com
Photo source: Wing Heong

You may put a lot of pressure on giving the best gift to your loved ones on Chinese New Year, but don’t fret – as long as you put thought into your gift, that’s what ultimately counts.

This Chinese New Year, bring your presents and don’t forget to sincerely greet each other happily this holiday!

Originally published on IQI Global Blog

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2022 Year in Review

Happy New Year! Welcome back to another new year with FoodyFans!

Here’s a look back at FoodyFan’s year in review for 2022.

Since the early beginnings in 2014, we’ve grown small, yet incrementally. In 2022, a total of 107 posts have been published.

In the 107 posts, can’t believe an astronomical 40,966 words were written! 

Through the 107 posts, 9,585 visitors visited FoodyFans. To our visitors, thank you very much for not only the 12,064 views but also the 200 likes.

To our fans, likers, viewers, and all visitors – thank you very much for a great and blessed 2022! Looking forward to another fantastic year and 2023 with ya’ll!

Below are the top posts of 2022

Malaysia

What to Eat and Do in Jonker Street Melaka

Jonker Street or also known as Jonker Walk, is the Chinatown street of Melaka. It is an old, beautiful heritage street in Malacca City in Malacca (Melaka), Malaysia. It is a street filled with 17th century historical houses. You can start your journey at either ends of the street. On one end is the Jonker…

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Food

Samfu Nyonya Restaurant at Melaka, Malaysia

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Just a short 10 minutes walk to and from Jonker Street is Samfu Restaurant in Malacca (Melaka). If you’re craving for Nyonya food, you’ll be glad to know that Samfu Restaurant serves Nyonya food. Samfu Restaurant is not like most other restaurants in a shoplot along the (main) road. Only…

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Travel

1 Day Trip in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‘Otaru’ is one of the leading tourist spots in Hokkaido with high popularity. It is a port city northwest of Sapporo city. It is a perfect gateway to the seaside from the hustle and bustle of the city. For holiday-goers, the charming Hokkaido port city is renowned for it’s redbrick…

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Food

Japanese Tokyo Ramen @ Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); We’re back with another Japanese restaurant in Lot 10 at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. In a previous post, I shared about my tonkatsu cravings from Malaysia to Japan. Tokyo Ramen Tokyo Ramen is on the 4th floor in Lot 10. The 4th floor – J’s Gate Dining – is commonly…

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Food

Robataya Izakaya @ Empire Shopping Gallery in Subang Jaya

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On the way back from Klang, after a round of Bak Kut Teh? Craving for Japanese food in Subang Jaya or more specifically in Empire Shopping Gallery? There’s Robataya Izakaya in Empire Shopping Gallery.  There are 5 Robataya restaurants in Malaysia: 4 in the Klang Valley and 1 in Penang.…

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Japan

Sankaku Market in Otaru, Japan

You can’t give Sankaku Market a miss when you visit Otaru in Hokkaido. It is a down-to-earth marketplace with vendors selling fruits, veggies, seafood, and prepared seafood dishes in this wet market. Where is Sankaku Market It is the closest tourist attraction (200 meters or about 2 minutes walk) to Otaru JR station. After exiting…

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Food

Ramen Bar Shi Shi Do

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Also known as Shi Shi Do Ramen Bar (to me), is in the Gasket Alley. The Gasket Alley is not hard to miss, as it is directly opposite Jaya 1 shopping mall and behind Columbia Asia Hospital – Petaling Jaya. The Gasket Alley is a small warehouse with restaurants, dessert…

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Desserts

Kwong Wah Ais Kacang @ Section 17 PJ

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); We’re back here for another round of desserts and afternoon tea. Kwong Wah Ais Kacang at Section 17, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Bringing the taste of Melaka to PJ. Authentic gula melaka Ice Kacang using our secret family recipe handed down through generations since 1939. kwong_wah_ice_kacang Where is Kwong Wah…

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Food

Washoku Japanese Restaurant

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Japanese food is no stranger to Sea Park and Taman Paramount. There are Shokudo Japanese Curry Rice, Waffurus, and Kakiyuki @ Taman Paramount, Petaling Jaya. A new addition to the family is Washoku Japanese Restaurant. Washoku is no stranger to Malaysia, as it already has outlets in Sunway, Bandar Kinrara,…

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5 Benefits of Staying in a Homestay while Travelling

peaceful

Recently, travellers sought a homestay – a way to engage with local communities and discover the heart of a country’s culture. Take Malaysia as an example – due to social travel networks that have become increasingly popular such as TikTok and Instagram; local travellers have a rising interest in experiential and responsible tourism. 

In simple terms, they are becoming a trending topic for the views on their social media presence but still acting like decent human beings. 

The homestay experience would be the answer these travellers seek – a way to gain a genuine insight into their destination. 

Besides becoming a viral hit, what are the other benefits of staying in a homestay while travelling?

1. Experiencing the local life

When you stay in a family home, you’ll have an experience you won’t have in any other accommodation. You’ll get to know regular, genuine locals personally and stay with them. Staying in a homestay is a way to experience the destination instead of only visiting.

You’ll learn all about the local cultures and customs you can’t find in standard travel guides during your stay. By experiencing them first-hand, you will be given insight into local life that is unique, interesting and groundbreaking. For a few days, you will become part of their family, and trust me, this is the best way to broaden your horizon and truly experience the country you are visiting.

2. Exploring hidden gems

Homestays allow you to get to know a destination you probably wouldn’t have explored otherwise. Not only could you find a neighbourhood, town, or village yet to feature on the tourist map, but you’ll learn about local customs and traditions, from eating habits to family routines.

Hosts will give you the scoop on the hidden highlights and unusual attractions. They might tip you off on the best place to watch the sunrise, share their favourite cosy café, or help you find the city’s most astonishing bar scene.

Many homestay hosts are happy to show you around their local area, which allows you to get off the beaten tracks, avoid large tourist groups and experience the destination like a local. Your host will know everything about their area, and with their insider tips and connections, you will have the most authentic local experience.

3. Enjoy the memorable local meals

Many hosts will rustle up a traditional meal or include breakfast in the room’s price. If you want to put your culinary skills to the test, offer to help out, and you’ll likely head home with a new recipe or two up your sleeve. You could even cook a traditional dish from your own country to share with your host, making the experience one of genuine cultural exchange.

There is a high chance your hosts will be able to cook traditional local dishes like no other. When staying with a family, you witness the cooking of the most delicious local dishes. Your hosts will take you to the market, where you’ll have a personal guide explaining all the foreign products.

Back in the homestay, you can help your host cook dinner and not only will you learn how to do this at home yourself, but you can also now easily connect with your host when doing this together. A homestay provides the possibility to experience the best local dishes cooked with tradition and love and then shared.

4. Embrace moments of a language lesson on your homestay

Hanging out with a resident means ample chance to practise your language skills. Many hosts inevitably speak English but will happily support you as you learn. This is an excellent chance for you to understand the local language better and pick up some new phrases.

If you’re on the road and trying to pick up the language along the way, you need to speak it everywhere you go. What better way to do this than staying in a local’s house when you travel? Or, if you’re a student attending a language school in another country, stay in a homestay, and you’ll get to speak the language every day with your host family.

5. Embark on providing a vital source of revenue in the countries’ economies

Staying in homestays is a great way to contribute to local families directly. About 1.2 billion travellers worldwide last year, but their spent money often leaks back to the Western economies.

You know where your money is going with a homestay as the family directly receives your payment. The family or community directly benefits by sleeping in people’s homes. It is incredible to see what your money can do locally, while we had the best time staying there. Win-win!

Have you booked your next homestay journey?

Have you ever stayed in a homestay? Did you enjoy the local experience, or is this not for you? Eager to try it yourself now? Homestays are not only for the adventurous traveller. Homestays are a fun experience for everyone, whether travelling with friends, partners, or children!

You will have the best local experience you can get, and you’ll also start to appreciate your wealth.

Originally published on IQI Global

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4 Things a Chinese Restaurant Should NOT Do

Photo by Wan San Yip on Unsplash

We walked into a Chinese restaurant. It was full house. The waiters were squeezing through the gaps around the restaurant. The restaurant was noisy as people were eating and talking loudly over the table.

We were seated at the table which we had booked earlier. The waitress took our orders.

We ordered our usual dishes: curry vegetables, sweet potato leaves, steam fish, beancurd, and egg foo young.

While waiting for our food, I can’t help to notice the following.

1. Not not serve garlic & chilli

A good meal is not without the condiments. I’m not talking about the salt and pepper. Not even the ginger. Don’t pass the ketchup. Skip the wasabi.

Photos by Josh Massey on Unsplash, photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash, and photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Sometimes only the soy sauce is present on the table.

Photo by GoodEats YQR on Unsplash

We are talking about the garlic and chilli. The garlic and chilli have to be minced and served in separate saucers.

Garlic adds flavour in the blend white rice and chilli spices up the food.

Photo from silverspoonsandplasticforks

2. Not serve the drinks after the rice

The drinks – be it hot or cold – have to always be served before the rice.

We don’t want to start our meal with a dry throat. Gulping down the first spoonful of rice on a dry throat is a harsh experience. The rice can be stuck in the throat and we have to force it down to the stomach.

Its healthy to quench our thirsts after waiting a good 15 minutes for the food to be served.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

3. Not serve the curry last

Any dish can come last, except the curry!

The curry is the one dish which has to be served first after the rice. We don’t want the curry to be served last, when we’ve finished eating the other dishes and the rice.

Even if the curry is served last, there won’t be much space in the stomach. There has to be extra space for desserts.

Hence, the curry has to be served first with the rice. Curry goes well with rice. Without the rice, it is just missing something important.

Photo by Dipesh Gurav on Unsplash

4. Not a spoon for a spinach

The spinach is served. A spoon is given to pick the spinach from the dish.

Bear in mind that though spinach is a vegetable, it is not like other vegetables – french beans, tauge, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, etc. These vegetables are for the picking, whereas spinach is not!

Spinach is an interwoven and interlocking strands of greens. There are a lot of gaps in between.

It is somewhat like noodles and spaghetti. Strings of greens attached to each other with gaps in between. A fork is needed to pick through and up the spinach.

Photo by Ponyo Sakana from Pexels

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What I’ve Been Up To in 2020

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It’s been more than 2 years since my last post on 1st January 2018 titled “2018“. And we’re already 8 months into 2020.

“Much has happened.” Is not an understatement.

Let’s backtrack a little bit and start with the recent events, obviously. From the start of 2020, the world was and still is fighting against the coronavirus pandemic.

To contain the spread of the virus, governments around the world imposed lockdowns and stay at home orders. Borders were closed. Roads were void of traffic. Mother nature took a breather.

For 3 months, the world was on standstill. Gone were the days of socializing and eating out with friends and family outside till late night. Social life was restricted in the home.

Here’s a document of what we ate at home during the 3 months of lockdown. This feels like a long overdue throwback post.

#stayhome

While in lockdown, people were craving for things to do, to eat, and to pass the time. The trend that took the world by storm was the Dalgona coffee. I too jumped on the bandwagon.

After many attempts, I finally made it! Tried with different versions of coffee and different mixing methods. Whipped by hand, whipped with the mini portable mixer, and whipped with the mini handheld mixer.

As we’re all in this together, we looked out for one another. We exchanged food with our neighbours. Our neighbours cooked delicious lasagnes and Panna Cotta.

Panna Cotta

The pandemic thought us to be self-sufficient and bring out the inner-chef and baker 24/7. We were so used to cooking once a day (at most) for five to six times per week. During the pandemic, we had to scratch our heads on how to cook for at least 3 times a day, 7 days a week, and for 3 months!

The challenge was not just maintaining the routine but also becoming creative for each and every meal.

Homemade Lo Mai Gai for Breakfast
Pies for Lunch
Shepherd’s Pie for Dinner
Cornish Pastry for Dinner
Indian Food for Dinner
Pajeon for Dinner
Cinnamons for Dessert

Through the different phases of the movement control order, we experimented with different variety of food, as illustrated above.

The food delivery businesses – Grab and Foodpanda – were striving in the midst of the pandemic. Restaurants and cafes had to rely on the food delivery services to get business and feed hungry people at home.

The fear of contracting the virus made us stay away from food deliveries and cook at home. Furthermore, cooking at home is definitely more cost saving than eating out or ordering in. There was also the hassle of disinfecting, cleaning, and separating the plastic bags from the food.

As the movement control order eased, we ordered our first outside food in months.

Domino’s Pizza for Dinner

Like being out of a cave, we’re finally back into civilization. More to come in the following posts.

Stay Tuned.

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Happy New Year! It is 2018!

Happy New Year! 2018 is turning out to be a festive and prosperous year.

Here’s why 2018 is a good boss. Gives a day off on the 1st work day of the week. No Monday Blues.

Image result for 1st january 2018 calendar malaysia

No better way than to start the year the Malaysian way. Nasi Lemak breakfast with Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock. Check out their Facebook in the link.

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This kopitiam is located at B-G-01 Block B, Oasis Square, Jalan PJU 1A/7, Oasis Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

In addition to its recommended Nasi Lemak Ayam at RM11.90 which is the most expensive item on the menu; Ali, Muthu & Ah Hock also has Nasi Lemak Biasa, Nasi Goreng, Nasi Kunyit, Roti Bakar, etc.

This only the first meal of 2018. Looking forward to more food in 2018.

There is more to food than food itself.

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Waffled with Waffles

Waffle, a dessert that looks like a badminton or tennis racquet, or a round net. It is a pastry that is BEST eaten with jam, syrup, butter, or ice cream. 

Growing up, the closest I got to enjoying a waffle was at A&W Restaurants. Till today, A&W waffles do bring back memories.

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As the years went by, the art of crafting waffles developed. Waffle World took waffles one step further. I tried their savoury and sweet waffles. More ingredients and flavours were added to the waffles menu. Their Salted Egg Yolk Waffle was uniquely named. Much like the Chocotop, the salted egg yolk was hardened on the ice cream. It’s an interesting, yet weird mash of salty salted egg yolk and sweet ice cream. However, there was still room for improvement in my world of waffles. I held on to the believe that there are better waffles out there.

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Banana Caramel Waffle
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Salted Egg Yolk Waffle

Fast forward to today, waffles are hipster! Ate waffles at Antipodean Cafe at Atria Shopping Mall. Ate their Blueberry Ice Cream Waffle and Butterscotch and Ice Cream Waffle. Even though they were as simple as before, but these Antipodean waffles were softer and sweeter. Honey overflowed from the waffles!

Then I was introduced to the waffles at Fluffed Cafe & Dessert Bar in Taman Paramount. Deconstructed their Tiramisu Peanut Butter Waffles. Artsy designs, good use of composition, and the mixture of flavours blended very well together. The peanut butter ice cream went really well with the charcoal waffle. I’m Fluffed!

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Deconstructed Tiramisu Waffle
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However, I was fluffed from the inside out by Inside Scoop in Damansara Jaya. Their nutella waffle blew me away! Nutella is heaven! Nutella and waffle mixed together is another universe in itself. The nutella waffle was topped with chocolate mint and vanilla flavoured ice creams.

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A special mention to my #foodyfanstravel adventure in UK. The UK waffles were a class of their own. This particular waffle was from the site of the first coffee house in England. This site is none other than The Grand Cafe, befitting of its name.

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Fast forward to today, waffles are hipster!

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2017 Year of Rooster

We’re barely a month into 2017 and its already another new year – Chinese New Year (CNY) – life’s second chance. Therefore, I’ve decided that my 2017 starts again on February 1st… January was a trial month. With that being said, 2016 was the Year of Monkey and it’s no more monkey business; time for the real deal.

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Being born and raised in Kuala Lumpur (KL) has been quite a privilege. This is because during CNY, I don’t have to be part of the massive crawl back to the hometown – wherever and however far it may be. The roads and highways in KL itself becomes devoid of cars, especially at peak hours. Its a breeze zooming from one end of town to the other. But of course, drive within the speed limits, because the car workshops are closed and the doctors are on leave for holiday.

The town has become a ghost town. Restaurants, shops, and offices have closed for the new year. Even shopping malls have become deserted. Shopping outlets – telecommunication stores, clothing departments, and cafes – have also closed for the new year. The only thing left open are the mamaks restaurants. No dim sum, wantan mee, and teh kecil in the morning but more roti canai, nasi lemak, and mee goreng for the next few days. Huat Ah!!

On the eve of CNY, we gathered together for a reunion dinner at my grandmother’s house (my mother’s mother). We ate poon choi (👈🏻  click the link for more info), which cost a whopping RM500++ per pot, and we ordered 2 pots of poon choi! 😱  So you do the maths.

From Chor Yat (translated as the 1st day of CNY), its the start of the endless reunions, house visitations, greetings, snacking, drinking, loh sangs, and reunion dinners for the next two weeks. I think during CNY, I’ve drank and eaten more sugar and snacks than in my birthday, Christmas, and other auspicious events combined in a year.

Its a joy to visit the family, cousins, long lost relatives and friends at a reunion or a house visitation. After all the CNY greetings and well-wishes; the yearly, awkward, and unavoidable questions pop out:

  • What are you studying?
  • Where are you working? What are you working as?
  • Where is your boyfriend or girlfriend?
  • When are you getting married?
    • Because the aunties and uncles want to reduce their annual CNY ang pow output.
  • When are you getting a baby?
  • When is your baby getting married? 😱  (Ok, maybe a bit too much…)
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QuestionS time is over and when ALL the questions have been answered, time for snacks and drinks to quench the thirst.

*Stares at all the CNY cookies*

Me: “WHOSE YOUR DADDY? COME TO PAPA”

*Munches on all the snacks and forgets about lunch*

Credit: Sean Tan
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After all the makan-makan, we move to the next house and to the next for visitations. The houses may be next door, down the road, or across town, but its worth the journey. The ang pows collected from as little as RM2 to as much as RM100 or more individually, are worth the journey 🤑 . Sometimes secretly eyeing the aunties who give RM2 ang pows in the Year of Monkey, or Year of Goat ang pow packets, when its 2017 and Year of Rooster.😑 😑  #doublekill

Nevertheless, its the festive season. Its the season to celebrate, fei-lo-ship, and be prosperous. Eat, drink, snack, and loh to your heart’s (and stomach’s) content. Happy Chinese New Year. GONG XI FA CAI!!!!

I’ve decided that my 2017 starts again on February 1st… January was a trial month.

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2016: Brief Year in Review Throwback

city night explosion firework

I can’t believe another 365+ days have so quickly passed… We’re now in the final minutes of 2016! Before venturing into 2017, let’s do a year in review for 2016. I’ve visited many new cafes and restaurants, and revisited many of those “new” cafes and restaurants. I’ve cafe hopped from cafe to cafe, and dined at various restaurants.

These are the places I’ve eaten and drank in 2016.

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Fluffed Cafe and Dessert
Fluffed Cafe and Dessert
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Moim Modern Korean Cuisine
dae-jang-gum
Dae Jang Gum
Antipodean Cafe
Antipodean Cafe
Antipodean Cafe
streat-thai
Streat Thai
Breakfast Thieves
Breakfast Thieves
inside-scoop
Inside Scoop
bubba-gump-shrimp-co
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co
sids-pub
Sid’s Pub

Was very blessed to have the opportunity to travel to London and Oxford in the United Kingdom this year September. Miles away from home for a short period of time. Different culture. Different food. Wholesome experience. The slideshow below is a summary and snapshot of the foods I ate in the UK. Happy sliding!

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The Fish Bowl
softcore
Softcore
go-noodle-house
Go Noodle House
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KGB – Killer Gourmet Burgers
canton-i
Canton-I
aw
A&W
Kakiyuki
Kakiyuki
patty-pie
Patty & Pie
oiso-korean-traditional-cuisine-cafe
Oiso Korean Traditional Cuisine & Cafe
mm-cafe
MM Cafe
ikea-meatballs
IKEA Meatballs

Here’s a SPECIAL MENTION for My Neighbour Is A Chef!

All in all, it was a fruitful and foodie year. You’ve just tasted the variety of cafes and restaurants I went to in January 2016 to December 2016, from top to bottom here. Visit my Facebook: FoodyFans and Instagram: foodyfans for more foodie pictures! I look forward to MORE and EXCITING cafes and restaurants to hop, visit, taste, drink, and eat. May 2017 be A MORE fruitful and foodie year for FoodyFans!

HAPPY! NEW! YEAR!

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