Sister Curry Mee - Ayer Itam Market Penang

Last Sunday was a sunny day, although whether forecast stated that there would be a raining day. After stayed at home for 3 hours in the morning and observed on the whether, finally we decided to ignore the forecast and proceed to revisit the famous Buddhist temple in Penang Island - Kek Lok Si Temple. 

After we parked our car, the time was almost 12pm. We were thinking to fill up our stomachs before start our trip. But what to have as lunch at that area? The first option pop up was the Ayer Itam Laksa but unfortunately we just recovered from gastric and dare not took this sour food at the moment. After think further, an Astro programme hosted by Ah Xian few months ago was triggering us to try the famous Ayer Itam Sister Curry Mee (Noodles).

Frankly speaking, if the curry mee is not introduced by Ah Xian in Astro, I really not aware there is a small stall located at the bridge side in the busy Air Itam market area. I don't know how to describe the actual location but you could look at the landmark which is the Suiwah Mini Market, as well as the Air Itam Market. When Suiwah Mini Market is on your left and Air Itam Market is 45 degree at your right, walk straight until you notice there is a small river. Cross the 'bridge' and turn left, Sister's Curry Mee is just on your left. For those who not familiar with the traffic at this area, a friendly reminder to you where park your car some distance away the market area or you would be caught in a traffic jam.

When you get closer to the stall, you would notice the stall owners are a pair of sister. Although they are at older age, but they looks energetic and fast responding. Both of them sit on the smaller chair and busy serving every customer that  come to them. There are also few people helping them, don't know whether is worker or their relative.

Ayer Itam - Sister Curry Mee Stall

Ayer Itam - Sister Curry Mee

The Sister Curry Mee is very unique and different from others due to they still using charcoal to cook the soup based instead of petroleum gas. According to the elders, food cook with charcoal is more tasty and going to have more pleasant smell. If you don't believe, lets try it out.

Please be prepared that there is no proper set up of table and chair for you to take the curry mee, but the coffee stalls at that areas allow you to bring this curry mee to their table, provided you order drinks from them. When I walked to the stall, one of the aunty look and smile at me, and then asking me politely what I wish to order. She is so cute!!

We had ordered two bowls of the curry mee without bean sprout, because I hate the bean sprout so much. I'm not sure whether there is anyone assist to deliver the food but looks like it is self service and every customer automatically carry their own ordered curry mee to the coffee stalls by themselves. Of course I do follow the same way.

Ayer Itam - Sister Curry Mee

The curry mee is having similar ingredient like others which include yellow noddles, thin rice noodles, coagulated pig blood, bean puff (taopok). There is one more ingredient that making the curry mee to taste good and special - it is the cuttlefish. The cuttlefish might be marinated with chili before because it is tasty and not like normal cuttlefish which is almost tasteless. The chili paste also play an important role in boost up the overall taste. I consider myself as someone that could take spicy food, but I lose it to this curry mee with the chili. After I finished off the mee, my t-shirt almost wet and my sweat keep on drop down like heavy raining. The hot soup base is another catalyst that made me sweat non stop. As you aware, the soup base cooked with charcoal is normally retain heat longer than the petroleum gas cooking process.

If you ask me whether this curry mee is tasty or not, my answer is 'Yes'. But it is not something very special or extremely tasty that you should not missed. Some more RM4 per bowl is considered slightly expensive when only the simple  ingredients are used. However, if you respect the two sisters that continue to put in effort to serve their beloved customers, and maintaining the traditional way to cook the curry mee, RM4 is so cheap. From the eye contact with the aunty, I could felt that they are so proud that they could satisfy their customer and continue to contribute to this society. To both madam, I respect you!!!

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BTS - Self-dependent Bangkok Transportation

Recently I was informed by friend that he was having bad experience during his Bangkok trip. I'm so surprise when heard his feedback because I'm having such wonderful experience in Bangkok few months ago. After chatting then only I knew that he was so disappointed with the transportation which was the tuk tuk that over charged him. As a foreigner that not good with the local language, he has no choice but to accept any request by the tuk tuk driver when they were brought to the strange places.

Although my friend was having such bad experience with the tuk tuk service, but I strongly believe he was so unlucky to met up with the dishonest driver because most my friends have no problem in taking the tuk tuk service.

Frankly speaking, I'm the type of traveller that dislike such bad experience that going to spoil my entire travel plan. I always prefer to take public transport like MRT or bus rather than taxi and tuk tuk. It is because MRT or bus is having their declared travelling route, but taxi and tuk tuk is totally depending on the driver. How would we know they are bringing us to the actual destination? Due to this reason, almost 95% of my Bangkok trip was depending on the BTS system and I had no issue with the transportation at all. Therefore, I would like to share out my experience with BTS and some attractions that could be reached by BTS, to serve as some tips to visitor who prefer the public transport like me.

Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS Skytrain)

BTS is also commonly called as sky train due to the railway is an elevated system. There are two main route service provided by BTS which are Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line, and it is consists of  34 stations.

BTS Route

If your flight arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport, you could take the Airport Rail Link to BTS Phaya Thai station and then continue the journey with BTS. In case your flight is arrived at Don Mueang Airport, then you could take the Airport A1 Bus to BTS Mo Chit station and take BTS to your destination.

Is there any hotel located within walking distance from the BTS station? The answer is 'Yes'. Since I stayed in Manhattan Bangkok Hotel, hence I only able to list out those hotels nearby the BTS Asok station. The hotels include Manhattan Bangkok Hotel, Westin Hotel Sukhumvit, Four Points By Sheraton and Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. All hotels listed here could be easily reached within 5 to 10 mins walk from Asok station. If you prefer other area, of course you could search the hotels out there on-line.

Below are some attractions which could be reached by BTS (places where we visited earlier):

Regarding the ticket, there are few options offer to the visitor like us, but commonly people prefer either single journey ticket or Rabbit Card (store value card). If you plan to take BTS as your main transportation in Bangkok, then it is recommended to purchase the Rabbit Card. To get a new card, I paid for 200 Baht. 50 Bath is for issuing fee (promotion until 31 Dec 2013, regular fee at 150 Baht), another 50 Baht is for card deposit (can be redeemed back upon returning the card), and 100 Baht as stored value. Purchase and top up card value to be done at ticketing counter. By using this Rabbit Card, you could skip the long queue especially during after work or after school hours. Furthermore, the trip fare is cheaper if Rabbit Card is used instead of the single journey ticket.

Adult Rabbit Card

Although the BTS ticket fare is not as cheap as Malaysia and Singapore (regardless the exchange rate), but we are safe from any risk of overprice that possibly charged by the dishonest taxi or tuk tuk driver. Hence, if I am to visit Bangkok again, BTS would be still my top preferred transportation.

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Blooms Restaurant - Lunch & Dinner - Penang Bayan Lepas

After took the late breakfast, the stomach was still full and last until 2pm. Since no idea what to take as lunch, so I drove around The One and survey the restaurants one by one. Finally a restaurant with yellow color based design reminded me that it was recommended by a newspaper sometimes ago. Hence, we decided to have our lunch in this restaurant that named as Blooms Restaurant.

Blooms Restaurant

Same as other shop lot in The One, there are three car parking lots in front of Blooms Restaurant that specifically reserved for its customers. If the space are fully occupied, then you would need to look for other parking space. Luckily we grab the last lot before it fully occupied.

The simple & light colour interior design giving me the young and energetic impression. The staffs are very nice and polite. They always served the customer with smile faces.

Blooms Restaurant

Blooms Restaurant

Blooms Restaurant

After being led to our dining table, we were provided with the restaurant menu.

Blooms Restaurant Menu

By look at the menu, we found that this restaurant is offering the Western food, cover from fish, chicken to beef, as well as the rice set serve together with chicken, fish, prawn or squid. There are also some snack too for order.

Since our visit was on Saturday, there was no set lunch offered. However, the nice staff was introducing to us their new package called Premium Set which by topping up RM6.88, we could enjoy their creamy mushroom soup, slice of ice cream topped chocolate moist and a cup of coffee or chocolate. After discussed, we decided to try a set of this additional package.

Premium Set Blooms Restaurant

For the main course, we ordered two different chicken set which is Baked Chicken Thigh with Spicy Citrus Junos Sauce and Grilled Chicken Thigh with Black Pepper Sauce. Besides, we also tried out another drink that called Litchi Orange Iced Tea. After made up our mind, we filled up the order form wait and for the meal to be served.

When I was busy taking all these photos, the first two items were served. It was the creamy mushroom soup and the iced chocolate.

Ice Chocolate

No surprise for the ice chocolate as it was like the common cocoa drink with ice. The good point for this drink is the sweetness was well control.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

As for the creamy mushroom soup, it was nicely presented. The mushroom soup was quite creamy yet not over concentrated. I like it especially with the bread on top.

The third item being introduced was the Litchi Orange Iced Tea. I never think that combination of these two fruits could deliver an unique taste. The litchi is bringing up the sweetness and the taste is ended by a orange flavour. I really like it. But the drink could be even better if the sweetness could be reduced.

Litchi Orange Iced Tea (RM 3.50)

The main course was served approximately 10 minutes after we made our order. The Baked Chicken Thigh with Spicy Citrus Junos Sauce was served first, follow by the Grilled Chicken Thigh with Black Pepper Sauce.

Baked Chicken Thigh with Spicy Citrus Junos Sauce (RM 9.90)

Grilled Chicken Thigh with Black Pepper Sauce (RM 9.90)

Initially I thought the meal portion is small due to the image display in the menu was in such way. However, when the food was served, then only I realize it could definitely fill up your stomach. Besides the chicken thigh, it was served together with a small cup of rice and a scoop of salad.

The salad was made in sour taste to stimulate our appetite. The rice served was bit special, not like common white rice. The taste was similar like sticky rice but it is not sticky at all. Should give it a LIKE. Regarding the chicken, it was boneless. No matter it was baked or grilled, the chicken was nicely cook. The spicy citrus junos sauce not really spicy, worth to try for those who doesn't like spicy flavour. Same goes to the black pepper sauce.

The last item being served was the dessert - Ice Cream Topped Chocolate Moist. Although it was just a small piece of cake, but it was nicely presented. The ice cream flavor was matching to the chocolate cake.

Ice Cream Topped Chocolate Moist

After all, we only spent RM 30.20 on our lunch with 2 main courses, 2 drinks, 1 mushroom soup and 1 dessert.The food is definitely worth for the price. Furthermore, neither government tax nor service charge being practise in this restaurant. Very nice!!

For those who working around Bayan Lepas and just happen that you are looking for lunch destination, perhaps the Blooms Restaurant could become your option too. See, they are doing the promotion now:

In overall, I like the restaurant so much. Although we did not pay any service charge, but the staffs are nicely greet you even when you back. I would definitely give my support to this restaurant.  Enjoy!

Address
Blooms Restaurant
The One,
2-1-8, Tingkat Mahsuri 5,
Bayan Lepas, 11950 Penang
https://www.facebook.com/BloomsRestaurant
Business hour : 11.30am - 3pm
                         5.30pm - 10.00pm
                         Closed on Tuesday.

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Claypot Steamboat My Second Home - Dinner - Penang Bayan Lepas

As a Chinese, steamboat is a common cooking style in our community. During my childhood time, we only enjoy the steamboat once a year, which during the reunion dinner held on Chinese New Year eve. Nowadays, restaurants that offer steamboat could be easily found in Penang, some of them even launch the buffet package which named as 'All You Can Eat'.

The common steamboat is always refer to a metal or stainless steel pot that heated by charcoal in old days, and later being replaced by liquefied petroleum gas and electric. However, recently I discovered that there is a home style restaurant who offered the claypot steamboat. The 'restaurant' is named as 'My Second Home'.

My Second Home Claypot Steamboat

My Second Home Claypot Steamboat

Claypot Steamboat

My Second Home is located at Persiaran Sungai Dua, Gelugor, Bayan Lepas, Penang. It is close to Penang JPJ Office, by following the same road then you could notice this home style restaurant is on your left while JPJ is on your right with few steps further.

My first impression on the restaurant was it really looked like my neighbour's house during my childhood time in a village. Upon entering, we were welcome by the staff and being lead to our dining table. When I looked around, I found nothing served except for those vege, noodles, and some fries. I was so surprise until the staff gave us a form to make our order. Then only I know this restaurant was practising different style of buffet which you made order instead of taking food by yourselves.

My Second Home Interior

My Second Home Interior

There were total 5 soup base for customer preference, which include chicken soup, tomyam soup, herbal soup, pickle soup and anchovies soup. We did noticed one of the customer requested for Bah Kut Teh soup and they got it with additional charges. For us, we took the anchovies soup. Initially I thought the anchovies soup was prepared with little anchovies and adding in seasoning cube to make the soup base. However, I was wrong and being so impressed when I saw the soup base was came together with lot of anchovies.

Anchovies Soup Base Claypot Steamboat

Lets see what ingredients that we ordered...

The ingredients

The first plate consisted of oyster mushroom, winter-melon, lotus, seaweed, enoki mushroom, fish ball,  quail egg and handmade chicken meat with eggs.

The ingredients

While the second plate included white pomfret, prawn, squids, cuttlefish, clam. Besides, there is another plate with different type of ball include prawn ball, crab ball, crab meat ball, lobster ball, squid ball, seafood taufu, etc. In terms of vegetable, we took some cabbage that readily served in a basket.

Vegetables in the basket

It was my first experience enjoying claypot steamboat with anchovies soup base. The soup was quite fresh and tasty. In terms of the ingredients, not much surprising as it was quite common in every steamboat house except for the fish ball. I guess it was made by the restaurant itself because it is so spongy where I never came across.

After the first round, we almost full but still insisted to take second order by filled again our request in the form provided. For our package, the fish, prawn and squid were not listed in the form but they did served it. It meant these seafood items only available once per visit. If your stomach needs to be filled by carbohydrate before it fully occupied, then you could take some noodles to steam it yourself.    

Beside the main dish, My Second Home does offer some snacks, such as the popcorn, 'pau, jelly and ice cream.

The Snack

In terms of drink, there were orange juice and mango juice for your preference. Plain water and ice also ready for self service.

The Drinks

In overall, we are satisfy with the visit. The package is at RM21 per person. Although the ingredient served might not  really worth with the price quoted but if you wish to enjoy the home style claypot steamboat that not commonly find in the city, then My Second Home is worth to be visited.

My Second Home
No.608A, MK 13, Persiaran Sungai Dua,
Gelugor, 11700
Penang
5.350271, 100.303279
Business hour : Monday - Sunday(5.30pm to 10.00pm)

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Terminal 21 Shopping Mall - Bangkok 2013 Part I

As mentioned in my previous post about the review of The Manhattan Hotel Bangkok, Terminal 21 Shopping Mall is just within walking distance from the hotel. Furthermore, this new shopping mall is linked to the Asok BTS station where we were reported to it everyday.

Outlook of Terminal 21

Terminal 21 Shopping Mall (Snapshot from Asok BTS Station)

Initially we thought to continue explore in Chinatown after visited Wat Arun, but later we changed our plan to hang out in Terminal 21. As you could imagine, after walked for few hours under the hot sun, we were sweated and really uncomfortable. Hence, we went back to hotel to take shower and later walked to this new shopping mall, Termnal 21.

Upon entering, you would be welcome by the staff in smart uniform. The visitors are required to be 'scan' through by the metal detector, similar to the one in airport. My first impression on Terminal 21 is this shopping mall worth to be revisit. Although there were numerous visitors but the mall design made us didn't feel like in a such crowded environment.

Before we started to look around, we proceed to the food court to treat our stomach to build up the necessary energy. As usual, the food court is located at the top floor.

Golden Gate Bridge in Terminal 21

Terminal 21 Food Court

When you took the escalator up to the food court, you would definitely noticed the miniature 'Golden Gate Bridge'. It is too sharp in drawing my attention along the ways.

Before proceed to order, please get your Pier 21 Food Terminal Card ready! What is it?? It is a deposit card which you could buy from the coupon counter. Just inform the staff how much you would like to deposit in the card and they would process it for you. Of course, the same card could be topped up the credit later on. How about if we could not use up all the credit in the card? Don't worry, the remaining credit in the card could be cash out upon you return the card to the coupon counter.

Pier 21 Food Terminal Card

Coupon Counter Sellng Food Terminal Card

Direction of Use of the Food Terminal Card

The Food Terminal Card was serving as debit card during our purchase in the food court. After place the order, the staff in food stalls would request for your card and swap to charge the food price. The card value or credit would be deducted. The card together with the receipt would be gave back to you. Oh ya, as usual the food court is operated in self service style, so please collect our own food after place order ya!!

The food court was offering various food includes local Thai style food, Chinese food, Western food and etc. Since there were too many people during the dinner hour, it was full house and quite hard to get a seat. As a result, we unable to take many photos but still manage to snap shot few as below.

Beef Noodles Terminal 21 Food Court

When I went around to seek for the good food, I noticed that the Beef noodles counter put on a very attractive menu board. I was attracted by the mixed beef combination which consisted of beef and its inner parts. The portion looked like big enough while cost only 60 Baht, if I remember correctly. However, when the food was served, I found that the portion was quite small, not as shown in the menu board. A bit disappointed!

Since we took the Thai style mixed rice (rice with meat and vegetable cooked in Thai style), I decided to order a bowl of soup for better digestion. I ended up order a bowl of fish maw soup. The fish maw soup was quite tasty, but just bit viscous.

Fish Maw Soup Terminal 21

In overall, the food in this food court not really met to my appetite, I more preferred the food offered in Platinum Mall food court. If you look for convenient, then to settle your lunch or dinner in this food court could be still an option.  However, if it is affordable, you might want to consider some other restaurants, either same floor with the food court or one level down from there. Below are some photos taken on the restaurants.

Secret Recipe Terminal 21

Farm Design Terminal 21

Bar-B-Q Plaza Terminal 21

Enjoy!!

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