Category: Malaysia

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Seaside Staycation at Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort

Honeymoon? Anniversary? Family staycation not too far from Kuala Lumpur City Center? Located along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sepang’s 22 kilometer shore is a secluded tropical hideaway – Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort.

Located 90 minutes from the cosmopolitan buzz of Kuala Lumpur city, and only 40 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort is easily accessible and hassle-free.

Settle into the perfect beachside staycation with gorgeous sunset and celebrate in style with your special someone and enjoy VIP treatment with perks to set the mood.

Booking.com

Photos shared are throwback to my 2016 holiday in Avani (short for Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort).

Avani

Avani has a mainland beachfront setting with lush gardens and a palm structure built on stilts which extends over warm shallow waters. The overwater palm features 315 contemporary Polynesian-inspired guest rooms and villas, all with a sea view.

We were welcomed by the Avani-hut building. From the balcony of the main building, you’ve an overview of the resort and the branch straight down.

The resort’s over water palm features 315 rooms and one, two and three bedroom villas for couples, families and friends. Well designed space with essential comforts ease you into a totally relaxing stay. Fresh and contemporary, warm natural tones are splashed with colorful artwork, cushions, throws and flowers. Sleep well in a comfy bed. Drink in views of open water and stunning sunsets from your private balcony or terrace. 

Click image to book a room at Avani
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Two-Bedroom Villa

Travelling as a family, we stayed in the two-bedroom villa. The villa was located on a palm. The villa can accommodate 5 adults or 3 adults with 2 children or 2 adults and 3 children.

The master bedroom had a king size bed, walk-in wardrobe, and LCD television. The master bathroom had marble flooring with sunken bathtub and a separate shower.

Click here to book a two-bedroom villa

The second bedroom had twin beds.

There was an extra “room” which had a sofa bed and could be used as a work or study room.

The lounge area was spacious with an LCD television in the lounge. In addition to the television, the villa also had high-speed internet access, individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fans, mini fridge, and a personal safe.

Click image to book a room

The villa had a large private terrace with panoramic sea view. 

click here to book a room and enjoy a sunset view

Sepoi-Sepoi

For dinner, we tasted authentic dishes and chilled at Sepoi-Sepoi.

Bila-Bila

Next day’s breakfast was a breakfast buffet at Bila-Bila. It is located at the Club House, directly ahead upon the Avani entrance.

Meaning ‘anytime’ in Malay, Bila-Bila is open from early to late with a range to suit every appetite. Dining room or open deck, local or international, buffet or à la carte. Anything goes at Bila-bila. If only all Sepang restaurants were this relaxed.

Bila-Bila overlooked the infinity pool and the sea.

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These 5 Unique Bookstores in Malaysia Bring You to New Worlds!

library photo

Looking for some quiet time, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Check out these 5 unique bookstores in Malaysia that you absolutely must visit!

1. Tsutaya Books

Image source: @bukitjalil.tsutayabooks

Location: Level 2 Orange Zone, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Persiaran Jalil Utama, Bandar Bukit Jalil, 57000 KL

Operating hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Tsutaya Books is one of Japan’s best and most beautiful bookstores, and it opened its doors to the Southeast Asian market, with Malaysia as its first destination.

Located in Pavilion Bukit Jalil, it houses an extensive range of books, a cafe, specialized merchandise, curated gifts, fine writing stationery and more – to put it simply, it’s a book lover’s wonderland. Head over to Tsutaya and sign up for an enlightening experience.

2. Lit Books

Image source: @mylitbooks

Location: P-1-11 Tropicana Avenue, 12, Persiaran Tropicana, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm – 7pm

Owned by a Malaysian couple who are ex-journalists, Lit Books is an indie bookstore in Petaling Jaya that aims to instill love for reading in both adults and children with their carefully curated collection of books and cute merchandise that you can add to your cart.

Specializing in English literary titles, this bookstore boasts fiction and non-fiction books, classics, new releases and contemporary reads for all ages. The bookstore also has its own cafe, allowing you to browse or relax to your heart’s content.

3. Silverfish Books

Image source: @silverfishbooks

Location: 63, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 KL (Bangsar Village II)

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 7pm

This bookstore is home to a variety of Malay and Indonesian novels, with a collection of fiction and non-fiction books written by local authors.

With rave reviews from visitors, this is your go-to place to find hidden gems – rummage through their bargain bin or the antique bookshelf in the back of the shop, and you might find something worth keeping.

4. BookXcess Pudu Jail @ Lalaport

Image source: @bookxcess

Location: L1-13A & 13B, Level 1, Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Bookxcess’ latest store opened its doors at Lalaport Bukit Bintang, with a unique twist. Inspired by the former Pudu Jail, this bookstore repurposes elements of the penitentiary with an unconventionally eerie touch.

As you enter the bookstore, you will be greeted by an eccentric arch made out of repurposed materials from the former Pudu Jail, as well as a large collection of discounted books in many different categories, allowing you to save on your new reads with prices slashes ranging from 50% to 80% off year-round, plus free shipping with a minimum spend of RM59.90 if you buy from their website.

5. The Ink Library Cafe

Image source: @inklibrarycafe

Location: EcoWorld Gallery@Eco Grandeur, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 10pm

Last but not least (and let us cheat here), the Ink Library Cafe is more of a book cafe. Either way, this sanctuary for book lovers boasts ceiling-high bookshelves and a gorgeous interior, with its iconic bicycle welcoming you as you enter.

Located in EcoWorld Gallery @ Eco Grandeur, this container cafe carries indie magazines from the US and UK, a selection of fiction and coffee-table books in English, Chinese and Malay. Albeit the drive out from the city centre, enjoying a cup of coffee or a taste of their delicious dishes while admiring the sunset view makes it a trip worth your time.

Originally published on IQI Global.

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Hard Rock Hotel Penang Review

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Along the beaches of Batu Ferringhi is the first Hard Rock Hotel in Penang, Malaysia which opened it’s doors on 19th September 2009.

Upon entering the car park, you’ll be greeted by a huge Hard Rock Penang guitar at the entrance. If you can’t play the guitar, at least you can strike a rock-star pose with the giant guitar monument.

Then just at the entrance of the hotel lobby, look down on the ground and then up. On the ground, you’ll see a reflection of the Hard Rock Hotel logo. Above is like a rain shower of lights projecting the logo and the lights change colours every few seconds.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang is a 6-storey hotel with 250 guest rooms and 11 types of rooms. The hotel has the largest free-form pool in Penang. The swimming pool consists of sand islands, three water slides and private poolside cabanas.

Here is a sneak peak of a room directly facing the swimming pool.

Here’s some sneak peek of a room while we were in Penang back then.

Overlooking the bed is a picture of John Lennon, illuminated by the purple light from beneath.

The room was fitted and decorated with an LED TV, a handy smartphone to make international calls, and a bedside lamp with it’s own fingerboard and real guitar strings.

In the bathroom is a picture of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll.

All pictures taken are throwback to my visit at Hard Rock Hotel Penang in 2014 and 2018.

You can book a room in Hard Rock Hotel Penang through the link below. Do note that for any booking made, I’ll receive a referral from the completed booking.

Booking.com

Credits to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_Rock_Hotel_Penang

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Freshwater Prawn Noodles for Lunch at Lok Hin Seafood Restaurant

On the way to Xiamen University Malaysia, we stopped by for lunch here: Restoran Lok Hin Seafood. Also known as Lok Hin Seafood Restaurant in Dengkil.

Lot 384, Taman Mesra, Dengkil, 43800 Selangor, or 11 Jalan Susur, Pekan Dengkil, 43800 Selangor.

Since it’s outside of town and 30 to 40 minutes drive from Petaling Jaya or Kuala Lumpur, you’ve to drive to the restaurant. There is ample parking in front of the restaurant and at the back in the neighbourhood.

Before the pandemic, we came here in the afternoon around 1pm and it was full house. We had to sit upstairs on the first floor, as it is a double storey corner shop lot. 

Today, we’re back here and we arrived just before 12pm for lunch. It was still fairly empty. 

We sat downstairs on the ground floor.

This restaurant is that popular among the locals, that by 1pm, the lunch crowd started filling up the restaurant.

We ordered their Sang Har Mee (Freshwater Prawn Noodles, Soon Hock fish, and Yau Mak vegetable.

However, Lok Hin Seafood’s famous chef’s recommendations are Vietnamese Style River Prawn, Claypot Curry Fish Head, Braised “Dong Po” Pork, and Crispy Pork Knuckle.

Sang Har Mee
Soon Hock fish

Business Hours

Monday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

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Matcha Hero @ Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur

If green tea was a super hero, it’ll be called Matcha Hero. So, welcome to Matcha Hero in Lot 10, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. 

Specialty Japanese green tea shop

Matcha Hero Instagram

How to get to Matcha Hero

Lot 10 is located at a cross junction in Bukit Bintang. It is the intersection where Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail meet. Many cars wait at the traffic lights and cross the junction.

Furthermore, the Bukit Bintang MRT and Bukit Bintang Monorial are just outside Lot 10. Parking is not really an issue as customers can also park in Lot 10 or Sungei Wang Plaza, and walk to Lot 10.

If you’re coming from Lot 10 parking lot, take the escalator or lift from the 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th floor down to LG. But if you’re coming from the Bukit Bintang MRT or monorial, take the escalator or stairs from the ground floor down to LG. Matcha Hero is not hard to miss, as it is directly in front of the Hu Tong entrance in Lot 10.

Matcha Hero

Matcha Greentea with Ice Cream

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Mitsuyado Ramen @ Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur

We’re back with another ramen (restaurant) in J’s Gate Dining in Lot 10, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Previously, we were at Japanese Tokyo Ramen @ Lot 10, Kuala Lumpur. If not ramen, check out Ma Maison Ebisu, also on the 4th floor in Lot 10.

Anyway, back to the main topic of today’s post: Mitsuyado Ramen. 

Currently, there are 3 Mitsuyado Ramens in Malaysia: 

The Starling Mall
[Unit S-229, 2nd Floor]

J’s Gate Dining
[Level 4, Lot10]

The Gardens Mall
[LG-201A&B, next to Jaya Grocer]

“This” Mitsuyado Ramen is on the 4th floor in Lot 10. The 4th floor – J’s Gate Dining – is commonly and famously known as the Japanese food floor.

How to Get to Mitsuyado Ramen @ Lot 10

Lot 10 is located at a cross junction in Bukit Bintang. It is the intersection where Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail meet. Many cars wait at the traffic lights and cross the junction.

Furthermore, the Bukit Bintang MRT and Bukit Bintang Monorial are just outside Lot 10. Parking is not really an issue as customers can also park in Lot 10 or Sungei Wang Plaza, and walk to Lot 10.

If you’re coming from Lot 10 parking lot, take the escalator or lift from the 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th floor down to the 4th floor. But if you’re coming from the Bukit Bintang MRT or monorial, take the escalator or lift from the ground floor up to the 4th floor. Mitsuyado Ramen is not hard to miss, as it is directly in front of the lift and Isetan Kuala Lumpur.

Menu

We use Japan most premium wheat to make noodles. Our noodles are smooth and yet chewy with a hint of wheat’s aroma. #mitsuyadomalaysia #mitsuyadomy

Mitsuyado Ramen Instagram

Check out their menu here.

They serve tsukemen, ramen & maze-men, and rice.

Give the original ramen a skip and go for the different and unique types of ramen. For something sweeter than yellow corn ramen, why not try out their green matcha ramen.

Yellow Corn Ramen (RM19.50)
Green Matcha Ramen (RM19.50)
Spicy Ramen
Yuzu Maze-men

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Cafe @ La Salle Hall in Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya

Near to nature – Bukit Gasing – is Cafe @ La Salle Hall or also known as Canteen @ La Salle Hall in Seksyen 5, Petaling Jaya. It is a bungalow-turned-cafe.

Canteen @ La Salle Hall is located at Lorong 5/15B Off Jalan Chantek (5/13), 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Being a big bungalow with lots of land, it is not short of parking space in it’s compounds. In theme with nature, there are lots of windows and doors to allow in natural lighting and the natural breeze through.

Hi there 👋🏻 We are running a small cozy cafe at La Salle hall. We serve food like Bamboo biryani, chicken chop, and we have a wide range of options when it comes to our breakfast menu. For all the coffee lovers 💕 ☕️ we’ve got premium italian coffee beans. Please drop by and have a look, we have a very calming garden with trees surrounding added with some light and easy music, it will be very relaxing indeed. See you soon!

For afternoon tea and dessert, check out their French Toast Ice Cream and Fruity Pancake Stack Ice Cream.

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What to Eat and Do in Jonker Street Melaka

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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 Walk Arch. The other end is at the Tan Kim Seng Bridge. The landmarks are H&M or San Shu Gong.

From Friday to Sunday from 6.00 p.m. until 12 midnight, the street becomes Jonker Street Night Market – a vibrant outdoor hub of food and goods. The street will be closed to vehicles. Hence, it becomes easy to walk and roam the street on foot. It can be crowded and busy with activity.

At night, the street can good for night street photography as the Jonker Walk Arch and the street are lighted up.

To avoid the crowd, go early in the morning and on weekdays. Much better walking around when there are fewer people.

What to Eat in 1 Day in Jonker Street

Breakfast or Brunch 

The Daily Fix Cafe

A proudly Malaccan cafe in the middle of Jonker Street since 2014. The Daily Fix Cafe opens daily from 9.45am to 5.30pm.

Lunch

Famosa Chicken Rice Ball

There are 2 Famosa Chicken Rice Ball restaurants. There’s one along Jalan Hang Jebat and another at Lorong Hang Jebat. Order your fill of chicken rice balls, steam chicken, pork, and vegetables.

Tea

East & West Rendezvous

Off Jalan Hang Jebat at Lorong Hang Jebat, enjoy nyonya cendol in this dessert shop.

Jonker 88

Jonker 88 is just a short walk from Daily Fix Cafe along Jalan Hang Jebat. Enjoy bowls of curry laksa, assam laksa, cendol, and shaved ice for late lunch and tea.

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Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

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McDonalds have their drive thrus. Touch N Go is literally touch and go at tolls. In Penang, we’ve a eat and go cendol – Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul.

The famous Teochew chendul is easily recognisable by it’s pushcart and incredibly long queue. Being located along Lebuh Keng Kwee, a small road just off Jalan Penang, there are no tables and chairs to sit and eat. You’ve to stand by the roadside and eat, or tapau (take-away). 

Queues are super long, but because it is fast moving, it won’t take long to be your turn.

Lebuh Keng Kwee in 2018
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul in 2018
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul in 2014. Compare the prices then and now.

A timeless Malaysian dessert of shaved ice dessert with soft fresh pandan-flavoured palm flour noodles immersed in light coconut milk, sweetened by gula melaka and kidney beans thoroughly boiled in 4 hours.

A must try specialty for you to know why it’s become famous.

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Especially during a hot day, it’s something to quench your thirst! Definitely will also cool you down in this hot, humid Malaysian weather.

From Penang to the Klang Valley

Founded in 1936 and with more than 80 years of history, Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul has come a long way. Undeniably, it is one of the popular cendol places even with franchises throughout Klang Valley. 

For the non-Penangites, you can still indulge in the famous cendol in the franchises in the Klang Valley in Selangor, Malaysia. Of course, nothing beats the original. When in Penang, why not head directly to THE Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul itself in Lebuh Keng Kwee.

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Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow at George Town, Penang

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In Penang, it is a must to eat Char Kuey Teow. When you ask the Grab driver where to get “good” Char Kuey Teow; the commonly, famous recommendation would be at Lorong Selamat. 

Where is the Char Kuey Teow

Locally known as Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow, it is located in Kafe Heng Huat, a coffee shop along Lorong Selamat in George Town. 

Kafe Heng Huat in 2014
Kafe Heng Huat in 2014

The Char Kuey Teow

The Char Kuey Teow (CKT) in Kafe Heng Huat is controversial for it’s mixed reviews from the service to the taste, to the size of the prawns, and to the price.

Furthermore, because it is a recommendation, be prepared for the long waiting time. Hence, you should plan your journey to avoid waiting, just for a plate of Char Kuey Teow.

Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow (RM11.00)

Aside from Char Kuey Teow, there’s also Oh Chien (Oyster Omelet).

Oh Chien (Oyster Omelet)
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