Malaysian Hawker Food Paradise @ Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur

Famous Jalan Alor Grill Chicken Wings

Jalan Alor or Alor street is 'the' place to go for great hawker fare in downtown Kuala Lumpur. The normally quiet road will be transformed to more than 50 hawker stalls selling a myriad of famous Malaysian hawker food after 6pm daily. You'll definitely be spoiled for choice. Since most of the shops offer similar food, you can be rest assured of the quality as competition is super fierce.

The dish that you must order is the famous Jalan Alor grill chicken wings. The pre-marinated chicken wings are flame grilled on red-hot charcoal. The end-result is a succulent piece of grill chicken wing that is irresistible.

Stir-fried Clams

Next up is another must order dish: stir-fried clams. Super fresh clams are stir-fried over hot wok with spicy dark sauce. The oyster omelet dish is also highly recommended. I especially like Jalan Alor's version as it is fried to crispy thin and generously infused with fresh oysters.

Oyster Omelet

For the more adventurous folks, you may try the frog porridge. Yes, I'm not joking. Farm breed frogs as de-skinned, marinated and cooked together with porridge. This dish is highly sought after due to it's medicinal benefits. It is widely acknowledged by the Chinese for to be able to cure persistent acne and it's detox capabilities.

Frog Porridge

We also ordered the grilled tau foo and stingray. Grilled tau foo/bean curd is a popular Malay dish where it is first grilled on charcoal till crispy and stuffs with cucumber slices, and cover with generous black peanut sauce. While grill stingray is also highly recommended with it's addictive spicy chili toppings.

Grill Bean Curb with Stuffing

Grill Stingray

All this sinful hawker food is best washed down with a bowl of traditional sweet Chinese herbal soup. You'll definitely not be disappointed with a visit to the famous Jalan Alor.

'Luk Mei' Traditional Sweet Chinese Herbal Soup

Related Reviews:
1. Masak-masak
2. MalaysiaSite
3. The Travelling Hungryboy

Address:
Jalan Alor,
Off Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

Map to Jalan Alor Hawker Food Paradise:

Cheap & Affordable Food in Stockholm, Sweden

Affordable Burger King Meal

Finding affordable food while traveling on a shoestring budget in Scandinavian countries is indeed a huge problem. Since this will be my final post on the recent Scandinavian trip, I would like to share some tips on getting affordable food in Stockholm, capital of Scandinavia. First up will be Burger King, the American burger joint that serves the amazing Whopper burger. A typical combo meal of burger, fries and soft drink will only set you back a mere SEK69 (EURO 7) compared to a 2 course meal in a restaurant that easily cost above SEK200 (EURO 20).

Surprisingly Good

Maybe due to the strict quality control and fresh ingredients utilized, the burger we ordered was surprisingly good. I must say it was much more better than what we have back in Malaysia.

Cheap Supermarket Food

The next tip I'm going to share is very important. Cheap but good food can be found in local supermarket. Supermarkets in Stockholm typically located near T-Bana/Metro/Subway Station and they sell cooked food such as salads, grill or fried chicken, prawns, salmon etc. The above meal I bought that consists of the amazing grilled salmon, teriyaki chicken, potato salad, bread, soft drink, potato chips and banana only cost around SEK120 ( EURO 12) enough to feed 3 person.

Mini market

Mini markets or convenient stalls as shown above is also a good place to buy fresh fruits such as apples, oranges and banana. You can get a combo of 3 different types of fruits for SEK20 (EURO 2). The huge Costa Rica banana was very very good.

Super Sweet Costa Rica Banana

Last but not least is the stalls that sell quick snacks such as ice cream, toast, hot dogs etc. You could get a French hot dog for only SEK25 (EURO 2.5). A French hot dog is actually a baguette in cylinder form toasted and fill with a grilled hot dog and tomato plus mustard sauce. It can be very addictive. In short, one need to set aside around EURO10 per day for food.

Quick Snack Stall

Yummy French Hot dog

Fantastic Thai Food @ Tjabba Thai, Stockholm Sweden

Fantastic Thai Food

One of the highlights of my Scandinavian trip is the discovery of a fantastic Thai restaurant in Stockholm: Tjabba Thai Restaurant & Catering. Tjabba Thai Restaurant is conveniently located at Centralen Station (Central Railway Station) T-Bana/Metro/Subway exit under Nordic Light Hotel in Stockholm Sweden. My crave for a bowl of fragrant steam rice actually led me to this restaurant.

Tom Yam Gung (Prawn Tom Yam)

This restaurant is ran by native Thais that have migrated to Sweden. Their service is prompt and friendly. Since we could only comprehend 5% of the menu, we proceed to order based on what our neighbouring diners have ordered. First up is the delightful Prawn Tom Yam. Cooked using the finest Scandinavian Scampi and lots of Thai imported herbs and spices, this dish is surprisingly authentic and nice.

Thai Style Stir-fry Chicken

Next dish was the Thai Style Stir-fry chicken. Marinated chicken breast is stir-fry together with mushroom, red and green chili peppers & cashew nuts. Another wonderful dish with balance flavors and crunchy vegetables.

We were so delighted with this restaurant until we paid them a second visit. This time we ordered the red curry prawn and stir-fry vegetables which were equally good as well. Do pay this restaurant a visit if you crave for some authentic Thai cuisine that is both delicious and fairly priced.

Thai Style Red Curry Prawn

Thai Style Stir-Fry Vegetable

Tjabba Thai Restaurant

Address:
Tjabba Thai Restaurant 7 Catering
Vasag. 9, 11120 Stockholm, Sweden.
(In Tunnelbanans Centralen Station, under Nordic Light Hotel)

Telephone number: 08 - 21 99 88

Breakfast on a Ship @ LogInn Hotel, Stockholm

The Charming LogInn Hotel

It is not easy to book accommodation in Stockholm during late Spring and Summer season. I was lucky to grab a room in a Hotel Ship called LogInn. Loginn Hotel @ 'm/s kronprinsesse Märtha' is a charming hotel, a restaurant and conference ship built in 1928. It is strategically located in the center of Stockholm and only 8 minutes walk from "Gamla Stan", the historical old town.

Classic & Charming Restaurant cum Bar

I am glad breakfast was complimentary and was even more surprise when I noticed that hot food was served instead of the common bread, cheese, salami, ham etc processed food. This is by far the best breakfast I have had in this 8 days trip. Hot food such as crispy bacon and scramble eggs were on offer apart from 4 different types of bread, cheese selection, corn flakes, biscuits, fruit jams, tomato and etc. Drinks offered includes 5 different types of fruit juice, selection of teas and brewed coffee.

Crispy Bacon Strips, Scramble Egg Combo

Sinfully Rich Chocolate Cake & Bread with Fruit Jam

There were even desserts of muffin and chocolate cake for breakfast. All in, I was fully satisfied and glad that I chose LogInn Hotel.

Mixed Fruits Corn Flakes With Yogurt

Surprisingly Good Hard-boiled Egg

Address:
Södermälarstrand,
Kajplats 16,
11825 Stockholm,
Sweden.

Direction to LogInn Hotel:
From CENTRALEN / CITY TERMINAL
T-Bana/Subway/Metro to station MARIATORGET
(exit Torkel Knutssongatan, turn right and follow the street down to LogInn)

Telephone:
+46 (0)8 442 44 20

Website:
Link

Inflight Food & Beverage from Kuala Lumpur to Stockholm, Sweden @ Malaysia Airlines, MAS

Chicken Sausage, Hash brown, Mushroom Omelet Breakfast

This is the second post related to my recent Scandinavian trip. I would like to share the food and beverage served on board of my flight to Stockholm, Sweden via Malaysian Airline (MAS). Personally I think MAS's in flight food & beverage service is definitely one of the best in airline industry.

First up is breakfast, we were given a choice of Chicken Sausage + Hash brown + Mushroom Omelet or Chicken Rendang & Squid Dried Curry Nasi Lemak (Coconut milk infused steam rice with chicken and squid curry). Both choices are also accompanied by croissant, fruit platter, cheese cake, fruit juice, coffee or tea. I would say both choices are above average in terms of taste, freshness of ingredients, and presentation. My only complain is the slightly soggy hash brown.

Chicken Rendang & Squid Dried Curry Nasi Lemak

Moving on to dinner, we were given a choice of prawn fried rice serve with chicken in peanut sauce or herb roasted chicken with sauteed potatoes & vegetables. Both choices wwere also accompanied by soft bun, mixed fruit pie, smoked salmon appetizer, wine, fruit juice, coffee or tea.

Prawn Fried Rice serve with Chicken in Peanut Sauce

Excellent fried rice with crunchy and succulent prawns plus highly addictive peanut sauce. Comparatively, the herb roasted chicken breast was overcooked and quite hard to chew. Nevertheless, the roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetable was done exquisitely.

Herb Roasted Chicken with Sauteed Potatoes & Vegetables

We were also served a light snack goodies pack in between the 2 meals since it was a 12 hour flight. The pack consisted of a piece of fruit cake, a pack of dried guava, cheese, chocolate, and a pack of butter crackers. Great to munch at while watching the in flight videos.

Light Snack Goodies Pack

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Asian Express @ Oslo, Norway

Asian Express in Oslo City Center, Norway

I have recently embarked on a 8-days Scandinavian backpack trip. This will be the first of a series of Swedish & Norwegian food posts. Oslo as the capital of Norway is one of the cities with the highest living standard. Dining out in Oslo is definitely not a cheap affair. A typical meal of a main course plus drink will easily set you back for more than 150 Norwegian Kroner (approx. RM97). This explains why the top 3 preferred food in Oslo is bread, bread and bread.

I for one cannot stand eating bread from morning till dawn. Thus, I would like to introduce this little joint called Asian Express that is situated in a garden between Parliament building and National Theater in Oslo.

Thai Fusion Dishes

The menu is quite limited and laid out on the wall with nice pictures. You may choose chicken, beef and scampi (prawns) with rice or noodles. Once you have chosen your choice of meat, the chef will quickly stir-fry the meat with a selection of vegetables such as mushrooms, bamboo shoots, onions, leaks and carrots with spices such as turmeric, curry paste and coconut milk. I would say the cooking style is mainly Thai Asian fusion.

American Style Takeaway

Regardless of dining in or takeaway, your meal will be served in a US style paper box with rice or noodles beneath the cooked dish.

Close-up on Chicken Meal

Taste wise, the dishes on offered were definitely not perfect and not up to our Malaysian standard. But who cares when you are 10,000 KMs away from home and all you want is a bowl of hot rice with meat and vegetable on top. This is our staple food: rice, rice and more rice please.

Tucking-In

Address:
Healthy Choice: Asian Express
Along Karl Johans Gate, Oslo, Norway.
Between The Parliament & National Theater

Pho 24 The Original Vietnamese Beef Noodle @ Hanoi, Vietnam

Pho 24: Vietnamese Pho Noodle

My search for the original Vietnamese Pho Noodle or beef noodle has brought me to Hanoi, Vietnam. However, frankly speaking I have no guts to try the myriad of road side stalls selling Pho around the city. Thus, I was indeed elated to find the posh Pho restaurant: Pho 24.
Pho 24 boasts 24 ingredients and choice beef, which has simmered for 24 hours to enhance its full and rich flavor.

Extremely Clean & Cosy Decor by Vietnam Standard

Pho (noodle soup) is one of the quintessential Vietnamese dishes. I am highly impressed by Pho 24's clean, modern and comfortable decor.

Modern & Snazzy Utensils

Soft drink or bottled water please

You may choose a variety of Pho with different cuts such as brisket, flank, tripe and tendon. We ordered a bowl of beef balls as starters. The broth was very flavorful and addictive. While the beef taste of the meatball was quite powerful. Definitely not for the faint hearted or non beef lover.

Yummy Beef Balls

The Original Pho Noodle

My long search is finally over. I ordered a bowl of pho with tendon and brisket. It came with a plate of condiments: onions, scallions, lime, red chili, sweet basil & beans sprout. The aroma and taste of the beef broth was wonderful. The flat rice noodle was cooked just right and the beef was as fresh as it could be. Two thumbs up!

Scallions, Lime, Chili, Sweet Basil & Beans Sprout

Strange but Good Combo ~RM10 Only

If you drop by Hanoi, do give this restaurant a try. Erm....but I still prefer Pho Hoa back home.

Other Reviews:
1. CookingwithAmy
2. Eatthewalk

Address:
37, Phan Dinh Phung
Hanoi, Vietnam
(Near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum)

Pho Hoa Vietnamese Beef Noodles @ The Curve, Mutiara Damansara

Pho hoa is the largest Vietnamese restaurant chain in North America with locations in almost every city where Asians densely populate. Their signature dish is Pho-noodle soup, which is essentially a bowl of Vietnamese Beef Noodle.

Founded in 1983, the first Pho Hoa restaurant opened in San Jose, USA and has expanded to over 50 restaurants in USA, Canada, Singapore, Korea, Philippines and Malaysia. Whenever I crave for a bowl of light and yummy beef noodle: Pho Hoa will be my first choice.

The must try Vietnamese Drip Coffee

Vietnamese drip coffee is definitely worth a try. Basically roasted coffee powder is mixed with hot water inside a special stainless steel mug with a small opening at the bottom. The resultant coffee will slowly drip to the cup beneath which already contains generous amount of sweetened condense milk.


You may also pour the coffee into another cup filled with ice. So thoughtful indeed. Be patient though as it does take a while (> 5 minutes) to brew the coffee. But trust me, it is worth the wait.



















I always order the Vietnamese fried roll as appetizer. Freshly fried roll is filled to the brim with vegetables and best eaten with the accompanied fish sauce.

Grilled Chicken Rice Platter With Fried Roll

Grilled chicken rice platter with fried roll is also very delicious. Well marinated chicken thigh is grilled to perfection. Coupled with fluffy Vietnamese steamed rice and special sauce, this is definitely the best chicken rice.

Signature Pho-Noddle Soup

The must order dish here is their signature Pho-noodle soup. I always order the version with brisket and meat balls only. The more adventurous one can choose steak, frank, tendon & tripes. The accompanied condiments include sweet basil, lime, scallions, coriander leaves, green chili & bean sprouts.

Yummy bowl of Vietnamese Beef Noodles

The aroma and taste of the beef soup is simply heavenly. I also love the crunchy and tasty meatballs and fresh beef brisket. Do give it a try and you'll not be disappointed.

More Reviews:
1. Sweetsformysweets
2. Da Wheel of Life & Happiness
3. Chochoholicmemoirs

Address:
Pho Hoa at the Curve
G34, No.6 Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.