Officially 29 & Officially a Citizen

It is the second day of July, the second day into the 2nd half of 2011. And it is the second day of me being 29. Having to say that I will be 30 next year, I'm actually quiet anxious to enter the stage of 30s. 30 means a lot to a man. As the saying goes, a man's life starts at 30. I suppose you will be bound by so many responsibilities. You are demanded to have house, car and a life time partner by then. I'm nothing close to that yet. If I describe my 20s as full of excitement, adventures and discovery then the next chapter will have to be stability and the sense of security.    

I believe and hoping that I'm moving on the right path towards the chapter. A recap of the first half of 2011, I wasn't doing bad. I started to see some increment in my bank account as well as some saving. I'm glad with that.  And to reward myself, I got myself a Citizen Eco Drive Chronograph watch. With the original price at 4 figures, it certainly isn't cheap to my standard. I know there are heaps out there who spend 5 figures on a watch. As I was considering Seiko or Citizen at a budget of RM1k. I opted for Eco drive technology despite the strong commercial marketing that Seiko display on. Hopefully this babe is going to serve me some good time.

And to round it off my half a year recap, I will like to express my gratitude and thanks to all those that have celebrated my 29th birthday with me. Appreciated all the dinners, lunch, cakes and gifts. I'm so blessed to have you all !!!

Gokuraku Ramen @ Mid Valley

I can't deny the matter of fact that I love pretty much anything in soupy form. And of course, Japanese Ramen soup will be an essential work day lunch choice. What is better than a 50% discount on all Ramen dishes in this newly open Gokuraku Ramen @ Mid Valley !! The restaurant is on its second day of business and hence the promotion deal. Though the ambiance is pretty stylish, rather like a lounge but it was pack and stuffy. The wait staffs were trying hard to impress but they still mess up with the order one or two, here and there. 

Okay, I'm not so sure if ramen is the most economic noodle soup ever. Well, in fact it isn't at all !! I guess what makes a good bowl of ramen is the Tonkotsu broth. A good bowl does take significant amount of effort and timing to boil. While, to taste that bowl of goodness is very much down to a person preference. It is like Godiva chocolate as the premium and mass production Cadbury as the sub class. Both can be just ordinary chocolate to a non lover. 

To the left : Gokuraku Miso Ramen @ RM20.90 (Normal Price) - Mince meats, cabbages in Miso soup. Generous portion.

To the right : Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen @ RM17++  - A slice of Jap Char Siew, Chinese cabbages and some unknown red vegs. The taste is on the light side.

Bottom : Gyoza (Pork Dumplings) @ RM7.90 - Ordinary. 

While, this is my Ultimate Tonkotsu Ramen @ RM20.90 with 3 slices of char siew, whole egg, seaweed and vegs. I presented this bowl of goodness a very high regard. The Tonkotsu broth in fact of the best I ever tasted. It is rich and flavorful in a good sense not overly salty as some other ramen joint. The splash of garlic oil has indeed enlightened the whole dining experience. A++

Will I come back again ? I will make it an occasional savor like once in a couple of weeks to avoid extra burden on my wallet LOL !!

Bao Bao Pan Mee - Aman Suria

Bao Bao Pan Mee is one of the established Pan Mee joint in the Klang Valley. There is one in my vicinity, Aman Suria. But I have never been a fan of Bao Bao. I find their soup version to be rather uninspiring. It contains rich MSG taste. Unlike Cha Cha Pan Mee which located just a few shop lot down the street. Cha Cha's version make of rich hard boil broth. And that is exactly what I expect from soup version. However, Bao Bao's dry spicy garlic version managed to impress me. It consists of mince meats, dry garlic & chillies as well as Bao Bao's one and only crunchy fish crackers. Dry version comes with a bowl of soup with an egg.   

Priced @ RM5.80 for a small size bowl. It is a rather generous portion. I do find the noodles to be a little dry and difficult to mix around with the ingredients. Perhaps a splash of chili oil will show improvements. Their crunchy fish crackers created such a great combination with the soft springy noodles.

 Thought it is named spicy garlic. It isn't that spicy even to my standard (I have low tolerant on spiciness). If you need that extra kick, feel free to help yourself with the four kinds of chillies they provide. 

The sperm collector machine !! WTF

This is what I came across on Daily Chili today. A sperm collector machine !! Or I should rather portrait it as a bloody Sex Toy for mens. Read on and justify on your own !

"Gentlemen, you need not sit in private and be "stimulated" to produce semen samples for your doctor anymore.

A Chinese company has invented a sperm collector machine, which was demonstrated at this year's China International Medical Equipment Fair.

SanWe, the maker has described it as "a device [that] can simulate the movement of a woman's vagina".

Read the product description on its official site:"It can simulate vaginal environment through massage, twitching, sucking [and] vibration, [and can] act upon the human penis, which can make semen collection fast and safe. It is the best clinical equipment of sperm collection."

Source: http://www.dailychilli.com/news/11383-introducing-the-sperm-collector-machine

www.sanwegroup.en.ecplaza.net

Damn genius !! It actually makes dull sperm donation a much more interesting event to participate. I'm pretty sure there is no more sperm shortage in the hospital. Perhaps I shall register myself as a donor soon.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

I have been using Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 for 2 weeks now. I decided to give myself an upgrade after been served by SE G900 for a year and 2 months. It has almost become a trend that everyone you know is either own a touch screen phone or an ala blackberry. It just has to be a smart phone !! SE Xperia X8 priced at RM550, I thought that was a steal. Apart from the qwerty touch pad that I was struggling to get used to (but now getting better), I find X8 to be a vary handy phone. Boosted by Android as the operating system, you have a huge range of apps to download from Android market. Mostly are free !! The only complain will be the fixed focus camera quality. But you cannot expect a perfection with such a low price. Yes, I'm happy with my phone. Who say you need an Iphone when you have a much cheaper X8??

叶荣肉骨茶 ( Ye Rong Dry Bak Kut Teh )

 叶荣肉骨茶 ( Ye Rong Bak Kut Teh ) is by far my favorite when it comes to this proud cuisine of Klang people, the Bak Kut Teh. We visited the one at Kota Damansara and this is their fifth branch. Well, at least they serve chopped garlic and chillies to go with the cuisine. Unlike some traditional Klang eateries who insist to savour it plain without any garlic interfere.

It is their dry version that I enjoy the most. The dry cuttle fish in it is like the g-spot of every orgasm. It is just so perfect to go with rice. I end up having 3 serving of rice. It is just that tempting !! While, their wet counterpart is the dark, thicker soup version. It is served in the claypot to reserve the heat, warmness. We dedicated our selection of meat to the "small bone" and it is very tender. Spot on !! A pot for one helping comes with good amount of mix pork intestines and "Fu Chok"  plus unlimited refill of soup !!

A dinner for 2 comes out to be RM30.00 with four serving of rices and drinks. Pretty decent considering that Bak Kut Teh as never been the most economic selection of meal.

Nam Heong Chicken Rice + Cendol Nasi Pulut

Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of the must try whenever you have overseas traveling guest visiting our lovely Malaysia. Thought I would have a better suggestion when it comes to chicken rice, one of our traveling companion suggested Nam Heong which we dully agreed as we all never try it before. Nam Heong has a few branches across Klang Valley. With their original flagship restaurant claimed to operate since 1930 in Petaling street (China Town). While, we went to the one in Desa Sri Hartamas.

 Boiled Chicken has always been my choice over roasted chicken. My perfect 10 version should come with tender soft meat with generous splash of light soy sauce and sesame oil. And I reckon Nam Heong failed in this sense.

Half chicken @ RM20.00 Fitted in well for 4 pax. We also ordered Sour & Spicy preserved vegs(RM5) which isn't impressed me either. We all agreed that this is not the best dish to serve(Or rather to order) in a chicken rice eatery as it does over power your palette.

We dropped by this road side mobile van in Kelana Jaya for a bowl of simply heavenly Cendol with Nasi Pulut (Glutinous rice). I thought this is such a perfect combination for our nation proud dessert. @ RM2.50, this is the perfect Malaysian afternoon tea. 

So Very Random...

Noticed that I have not been posting for almost 2 weeks now. I know if I do not have a topic to share, I might as well not posting anything. But I'm still struggling to come out with a topic yet, so I guess this will be the most uninformative post. Tata !! Good Night !

Pho Hoa, Tropicana City Mall. Vietnamese Beef Noodles Soup

 I tend to have a soft spot for any kind of noodles soup particularly Vietnamese style. It will be my obvious choice if any food court/shopping mall is serving one of these. Restaurant Pho Hoa, as the name suggested they are specialized in Vietnamese Pho (Flat Noodles Soup). Vietnamese Noodles soup usually comes with lime, mint and coriander leaves as condiments. By adding in some chopped chillies, your bowl of Pho is perfectly sour, spicy, sweetened by onions, beef broth as well as a refreshing minty after taste. A bowl of regular adventurer's choice of briskets, flanks, tendons, steaks and tripe @ RM18.90 has never fail to satisfy me.

 Restaurant Pho Hoa is a Vietnamese food chain started off in North America and has since established around the globe. A bowl of regular Pho is usually in the range of RM15.90 to RM18.90. With the large bowl priced at RM2.00 more. Pho Hoa is one of the place that I reckon served a better version of these Vietnamese proud.

As appetizer, we had the Gol Muc (Squid Salad) @ RM6.90 which is a rather let down as the squids were tough and chewy. The taste was rather dull either. I dont think I will order that again for my next visit. While, Cha Trung Hap, home style steamed chicken & egg pie was simply marvelous. Best served with the companion sauce. The thin vermicelli mixed in the pie, added comfort dining texture towards every mouthful that you savour. Cha Trung Hap is priced @ RM5.90 for a bar size. 

I really hope that I will get to visit Vietnam some time this year for a real authentic bowl of hawker style Pho. It has been such a comfort food to me that the crave for it is as strong as sexual drive. ^_^

   

Safee Sali is exported to Pelita Jaya FC, Indonesia

Safee Sali, the most talk about footballer in Malaysia or perhaps the whole Asean region is officially joining Pelita Jaya FC, an Indonesian League side. Thought there were rumours saying that Safee is going to join Persib Bandung earlier on. However, it seems Safee decided to choose Pelita Jaya instead which is currently placed at the bottom place of Indonesian League. Pelita Jaya FC which consists mostly younger players with less experience, are struggling to score. It is hoping that with the assistance of Suzuki Cup's golden boot, there will be advancement on their league position. 

My 2 cents worth, I'm 110% on Safee Sali's side on choosing Pelita Jaya to gain more playing times rather than Persib Bandung which already have 2 South American strikers plus the neutralized Cristian Gonzalez. It is such a crucial move for Safee who is already 27 and he does realized that such opportunity of oversea exposure may not come again if he will to miss out on this one. 

Safee Sali, who has constantly been compared to the legendary late Mokthar Dahari scored 3 awesome goals in both legs of Suzuki Cup final against Indonesia. Such performance has landed the golden boy that golden chance of his career. If I have to relate him to a current prominent striker in the football world, it has to be Wayne Rooney. They both are quite similar in size, not naturally gifted in height but well built enough to win most of the body contact with defenders. Of course, the killer instinct in front of goal.

All the best, Safee Sali. Lets create your own legacy and be the legend of the current generation. Good luck !!

The Old School - Klang Bak Kut Teh

Bak Kut Teh is not a new thing to savor in my book. I do have BKT "meat bone tea" once a while. My favourite is a dry version served at one of this BKT outlet in Kepong. However, I'm still a shy virgin when it comes to original Klang Bak Kut Teh. Needless to say, I have never been to Klang before.  

 I finally get the chance to visit this town which is so synonym with BKT delicacy when Lard from Czech Republic visited us. We were brought to this unknown shop lot in the older part of Klang. I know I should have making the effort to at least even find out the name of the restaurant. This is definitely not the famous Seng Huat but rather similar as they served their BKT in a rather traditional way. That is in a bowl and no fancy condiments, no "You Tiao", mushrooms, inners, not even chilli padi and garlic.

 A small bowl of this, cost us RM8.00 each. Rather pricey considering the portion. Though I have no complain on the taste. The meat was succulent and the soup was flavorful but if this is the best of Klang has to offer, I will say it is over rated then. I can definitely find equally awesome BKT else where.

The lunch session for the four of us with a pot of tea costs us RM47 in total. Good value for money ? hmm...not really. I will reserve my judgment up until I have tried other established BKT joints in Klang.

By the way, does anyone of you know what is the name of this BKT joint ?

Happy Rabbit New Year 2011

It is the first day of the lunar new year. May the year of rabbit be a prosperous one be it in the form of wealth and health to you and your family members.

And more Ang Pao !!!!! Gong Xi Fatt Cai !!

Jess Lee Jia Wei 李佳薇 is a Malaysian

Jess Lee Jia Wei 李佳薇 has been a household name for the past few days among the Chinese community around the globe. Particularly in Malaysia. For being the first Malaysian ever to win the 超級星光大道, a Taiwanese based singing competition which is equally well known as American Idol of the Chinese world. Kudos to her. Jess is making Malaysian real proud.

I'm not jumping in the bandwagon to discuss about her victory here. But I'm rather let down with some of the comments the Chinese Malaysians left on Youtube. There were criticisms saying that Jess is not suppose to sing a Malay Song "Gemilang" as well as to converse in Malay to thank the Malaysian fans. And I see Jess done that in an absolutely brilliant way. She does not forget her identity of being a Malaysian and fully utilized the multi lingual ability of being Malaysian. Chinese Malaysian in a singing competition does not have slight disadvantage at all. We are bringing in our own characteristic. It is this element that sustain. Well done, Jess !!

While, there were comments that "yet another Malaysian artist shined in the foreign land but not locals". Fair enough, most the Chinese Malaysian artists make their name overseas before they would ever get noticed back home. Does that means we do not have the platform for Chinese Malaysian artists to shine in Malaysia ? Does that means that we do not have the atmosphere for the artists to grow ? My 2 cents is most of these Chinese Malaysian artists were trying so hard back home, with the opportunity given, the platform to perform. Yet the core element in an entertainment business, which is us , the fans are not there to support them. So stop blaming that Malaysia does not give Chinese Malaysian artists a platform. We are given as much freedom as any other races in the country.

It is the fans that does not willing to even spend a bloody 10 bucks to support our Malaysian movie. Without the fans recognition, artists moved overseas, gaining their fame. Then We, the bloody sick Chinese Malaysian starting to join the bandwagon to celebrate their glory. Get a life !!!

Support our very own entertainment business be it local music or film industry.

Seafood @ Pulau Ketam

We went over to Pulau Ketam(Crab Island) today as our friend, Lard who is on his ASEAN go-around is stopping over in Malaysia. Pulau Ketam is 35 mins away from Port Klang on speed boat. It is a fishing village whereby seafood is the main and only attraction perhaps to the tourist. We picked one of this restaurant which have the most eaters to enjoy our seafood feast. I just realized that I dont even know what the restaurant's name was. One landmark to this restaurant is the "lala Jing" / Oysters Fried Egg stall in front. Priced @ RM10.00 a plate, it wasn't the best I ever have and it is certainly not the worst.

Well, it wasn't really a seafood feast anyway. We have no crabs neither fishes just to save a bit on our budget. Dishes that we ordered were "lala soup" which was strongly indulged by Chinese Wine, sweet & spicy mantis prawn, deep fried squids that everyone thought was very good, a plate of greens that I did not bother to capture any photo. And........

This giant sized - bamboo shell. I thought it was over-sized that it certainly affecting my appetite.

 The lunch costs RM92.00 for the 4 of ours. Acceptable for a tourism island's standard. I thought Pulau Ketam is pretty use out. It certainly past its fame. Today was my first visit here and I didn't have the best impression. Pulau Ketam which once known as an island for stray dogs is now more like a garbage island. 

Chicking Fried Chicken @ Tropicana City Mall

ChicKing is yet another fried chicken option after KFC and POPEYE. They recently established their first Malaysian chain in Tropicana City mall.

Chicking portrait themselves as a product of UAE. One thing for sure, their marketing plan is targeting halal market particularly the Muslim countries.

 3 pieces dish, with two side dishes and a soft drink goes at RM12.00. I enjoy both the mashed potatoes and coleslaw. I rated those higher than the KFCs.

 I ordered myself 2 spicy and an original. I found the chicken to be less oily with almost nil skin and dry. Perhaps over-fried. Not a pleasant dining experience really. A lot of chewing needed even on the suppose-to -be-tender thigh. I still prefer my fried chicken to be oily and sinful.

 Chicking is giving out free mini wrap on the purchase of every main meal. One and only valid point from me on Chicken King is, you don't pay for government tax neither service charge.

Happy Thaipusam !!

China Town Seng Kee - Claypot Lou Shu Fan

 Claypot Lou Shu Fan (Rat tail noodles) is relatively sought after in this side of the world. Seng Kee, off China Town Petaling street is one of the establish restaurant for the said dish. Do not expect eatery like this to score points on hygiene and ambiance. It is what they serve that matters.

Overflow mince meats, pork livers, shrimps, a raw egg on top, all these goodness in an old school Claypot.  Mixed and tossed it all together, the raw egg cooks from the refrained heat of the Claypot. It provide double pleasure tickling to both your taste bud and eyesight. I find this version to be a form of culinary art. A reflection of Malaysian Chinese street food culture. Priced @ RM8.00, it is very reasonable judging at the generousity of the ingredients.

 

Siew yoke mien (Roast pork noodles), is another signature of their business. I'm not trying to be skeptical, this one just does not impress me. It is edible, not to the extend of "amazing". Especially when you are paying RM10.00 for a plate. You will expect some form of satisfaction. It is just roast pork fried with garlic to a level of crispness.The noodles are tossed with dark soy sauce and lard oil. RM6.00 is the maximum I'm willing to pay for this dish. Perhaps as a Sarawakian, we tend to place Kampua and Kolo Mee as the king and queen of "tossed noodles". No replacement can even be closed enough to be as good.

The Golden 2011

Happy new year 2011 !! This is gonna be my first post in the year 2011. I'm going to make it freestyle. So random, with no theme. The fact that I'm uploading a picture of butter crabs have nothing to do with what I'm going to write about. 

First of all, kudos to the Malaysian football team for bringing home the Suzuki cup. It was the first senior title after the 1989 SEA game gold medals. The Harimau Malaya is truly the king of ASEAN football in 2010 as we emerged champion as well on the earlier SEA game in Laos, an under-23 event.  

Lets hope the Westport KL Dragons is going to go strong as well to secure their first ABL title. Releasing of Hartman can be pretty sad. If it is for good of the team, it is most welcome. New adding, Justin Leith seems to be a tough player. That is exactly what we need. We need to add that bit of depth in the paint, we need to be rough and nasty. Lets hope that Nakaie and Justin combination can release more shooting chances  to Patrick, Rudy and Guga from 3 points range. Is Justin Leith the answer ? We shall wait till the next game.

With the Christmas and New Year celebration ceased to memory, the next anticipated big time is the Chinese New Year. I finally bought my flight ticket. To avoid Air Asia burning a hole on my wallet, I need to transit in Kuching instead of direct flight to Sibu. And I need to leave my home town on the second day of CNY to save a couple hundred bucks. But I'll be back as earlier as 27th Jan, that shall pretty much ease the sorrow.

And finally I wish everyone to have a prosperous 2011 as golden as the butter crabs. Be it in wealth, health, career, academically and relationship wise.