Saturday, May 02, 2015

Hung Hing Coffeeshop, Kuching

I cannot tell you how lucky you are, Kuching people.

You have, Italians operating a coffee shop here in Kuching, in the heart of Kuching to be exact, serving you coffee from moka pot, chocolate salami, gelato and cheese cakes. 

This coffeeshop, is a middle shop lot, it is just across the road from Chong Choon Coffeeshop on Abell Road.

I love the kolo mee here, and during my student years in Kuching, this coffee shop was my second home. 

So after I left Kuching, the coffeeshop is taken over by Italian. 

Strange but true, an Italian man with dreadlocks came and took orders from me. 

They do serve kopi o, and the usual suspects. 

Moka Pot Coffee at Hung Hing Coffeeshop, Kuching

Italian Nutella Jar as Sugar Container at Hung Hing Coffeeshop, Kuching

You can refer to the kolo mee post in the aforementioned link, unfortunately, this time around I am not fated to savour the kolo mee. 

Moka pot espresso was top notched. 

Faultless, perfect 10 espresso. 

I don't see why you have to go to drink espresso elsewhere, this is the real deal! 

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Mind Blowing Homemade Chili Sauce and Marmalade at Plaza Mont Kiara Night Market

I grew up eating bread almost each day for breakfast, packed sandwiches for school.

Whenever I opened my container, I just sighed. 

It was either: margarine spread with a sprinkling of sugar, peanut butter or orange marmalade.

I felt rather 'bleh' sort. But thinking back, I realised how grateful I am back then, to have food and all but still complaining.

Back then, my parents were not that well to do, so they couldn't afford to give me pocket money on a daily basis to 'indulge' in canteen food.

Fast forward a couple of decades later, my tastebud somehow goes rather nostalgic and I do, as a matter of fact, appreciate all those flavours mentioned above, EXCEPT margarine.

I have multiple types of fine butter, several jars of peanut butter and also jars of different brands of marmalade.

Speaking of which, I guess you won't quite understand this marmalade thing if you are not from Sarawak.

I have been swaying, brands after brands finding that perfect marmalade.

And I stumble upon this.

Homemade confitures, salt and an array of sauces, curds and such at Plaza Mont Kiara Thursday market / night market (pasar malam). 

She made these amazing condiments herself.

Celio Orange Marmalde at Plaza Mont Kiara Thursday Market
I was a bit sceptical in the beginning, but I thought, since it was (and it is still is) affordable, so I decided to get a small bottle and try.

Homemade Condiments by Celio at Plaza Mont Kiara Thursday Market
I was like, oh…this is way better than Chivers!

Very fragrant, just that perfect hit of sweetness and that signature tang of marmalade.

Cannot be more perfect than this.

And that is not all, she makes very very mind-blowingly tasty chili sauce.

So good, that I have to scoop a few teaspoons onto my food daily. 

It has chili, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and a hint of lemongrass maybe? I can't really figure out, but as long as it gives pleasure to my palate, I am all for it!

It drives my husband crazy that I incorporate chili sauce in whatever savoury dish that I am about to eat, but then again, I remind my husband over and over again, that I practise food democracy in my household. 

That is to me, my freedom of eating. 

Needless to say, it is a perfect match with chicken rice.

Homemade Chili Sauce at Plaza Mont Kiara Thursday Market

I mean, just look at that.

Apparently, I am not the only one who is obsessed with the chili sauce.

I saw lots of people from Plaza Mont Kiara ordered from her.

Fret not if you are not from this area, and would love to purchase from her.

She has Facebook page

The contact details are there.

She would be more than happy to post to wherever you are in Malaysia.

Best of all, her products are carefully and meticulously cleaned and prepared (that's a lot of love going in there)

So, worry not, and enjoy.

There are very affordable, I promise you. 

Homemade Condiments at Plaza Mont Kiara Thursday Market
These are so good that they are worth mentioned in Time Out KL.

She has a plethora of other condiments, some I have yet to try.

So if you like to meet the seller in person and try for yourself or just to ascertain if I am just bombastic, you head on down to Thursday Market in Plaza Mont Kiara.

I do not know what time she starts her business, but what I do know is that I spot her there as early as 3 pm. 

Don't go to bed dreaming of chili sauce and marmalade tonight. 

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Baaji's 1 Mont Kiara

Do you know that there is a small middle eastern willy wonkish shop tucked in 1 Mont Kiara? 

It is small and quiet and maybe not many people are aware of this shop.

It is located on the first floor of 1MK mall, not very hard to find. 

They have small pretty little baklavas in various shapes and sizes, stuffed dates, nougats, date vinegar, oh. I cannot remember what else.

But one thing that is a must for me to bring back to Sibu (because baklavas are dainty) is the almond dragees. 

Baaji's 1 Mont Kiara Mall

Baaji's 1 Mont Kiara Mall
 Don't let the colours fool you.

They are so delicious, they are out of the world!

Another term for almond dragees is Jordan almond.

Chocolate coated almond with a hard shell sugar surface.

It tasted like artisanal M&M's

Only better.
Almond Dragees at Baaji's 1 Mont Kiara Mall
 So, so, good.

Normally I buy the bottled ones, bubbled wrapped them and stashed them in my suitcase. 

A few months back, the sales person gave me a chocolate date to try (because I bought a lot of baklavas and nougats)

Chocolate Date at Baaji's 1 Mont Kiara Mall
And I was like. Ooo.

This is super! 

So this Chinese New Year, I got my family chocolate dates too.

How can something so simple, just dates coated with chocolate can taste so good?

Oh yes, they can.

Give them a visit.

The one in 1MK.

The shop is very cute, trust me. :)

Baaji's 1MK
L1-10 1 Mont Kiara Mall,
50480 Kuala Lumpur