Melted In The Heat Queuing For This Thai Ice Cream At Artbox? Now You Don't Have To.

Hailing from the North, our neighbours in Thailand have finally brought the famous ice cream shop, IceDEA to our shores!
Founded by Prima Chakrabandhu Na Ayudhya, a Thai designer, the brand specialises in creating unique ice creams for shops and events. The ice creams you see are created based on customer feedback and to appease the Instagram-loving crowd.
Image Credit: IceDEA
They are known for their realistic-looking ice creams with patterns such as fruits, dogs and barbecued corns. Perhaps some of you might have even remembered (and queued for) the ice creams from their stall at ArtBox 2018 too.

From April 20th-May 12th, 2019, you’ll be able to enjoy up to 5 different types of IceDEA ice cream flavours. Flavours include fruits in their “husks” as well as fruit popsicles.
This pop-up store in Shoppes by Four Seasons is a test for them to gauge the market with hopes of setting up their first IceDEA flagship store in Malaysia.
We paid them a visit recently to find out a few yummy deets about these ice creams!

1. The ice-creams are imported directly from Thailand

Yes these are the original IceDEA popcicle ice creams from Thailand!
Michie from Great Fruita (IceDEA’s first authorised distributor in Malaysia) shared with us that it takes up to a total of 10 hours to get the ice creams air-flown from Thailand to KL!
Here’s the 10-hour breakdown: 3 hours in the airport prior to flight + 2 hours flight + 2 hours in immigration + 3 hours transportation and storage.
During the lengthy travel time, a minor blunder such as slightly warmer storage conditions could lead to costly consequences such as the ice creams melting and losing their original shape and design. Having to import 30,000 units at a time, this sounds like a huge risk of meltdowns (pun intended) to handle!

Hence, these ice creams are priced as closely as possible to the original prices in Bangkok. Michie shared that the durian in its husk and the mangosteen in its shell is pretty much the same price as it is in Thailand (NP: 239THB / RM31).
The popsicles are slightly pricier (NP: 89-139THB / RM11.50-18) than if purchased in Thailand, but in the grand scale of things, it’s still comparatively cheaper than taking a flight for it.
Here are the prices:Durian with husk (RM29.90)Mangosteen with shell (RM29.90)Durian Popsicle (RM19.90)Mango Sticky Rice Popsicle (RM19.90)Mangosteen Popsicle (RM23.90)
2. They offer unique flavour combos
A “trip to Thailand” never happened unless you’ve had their iconic mango sticky rice dish. While it’s traditionally served in a bowl or container that’s prone to spillage, these ones won’t!

The Mango & Sticky Rice Ice Cream was one of our favourite flavours. The resulting look is akin to a marriage between a whole mango and a white almond Magnum ice cream. The Nam Dok Mai (as it’s known in Thai) is a mango sorbet mixed with coconut ice cream and is topped with coconut sauce and crispy beans.

The taste is a refreshing flavour of mango which is not too heavy, along with the pleasant sweet and savoury taste of coconut milk. When we tried the sticky rice layer on its own, it really tasted like authentic glutinous rice cooked with santan. The crispy beans added a milky white chocolate taste profile as well.
3. They have an immense attention to detail
Michie shared that passersbys often mistook them for a fruit stall. With all this attention to detail, we’re not surprised.

The flesh of the mangosteen ice cream imitates the natural segments and texture of the real fruit while the colour ratio of the skin to pulp is also fairly accurate.

Besides that, the sticky rice in the mango sticky rice popcicle has the texture of solidified rice clumped together. This was a really interesting texture as it gave a more solid bite to the light mango sorbet.
4. The vibrant yet realistic colours are from natural sources

The mangosteen ice cream is made from three flavours that compliment each other while also giving it the natural colour. Made from mangosteen and mulberry, the shell is a deep maroon and purple colour. We love how the mulberry sorbet adds a slight tanginess to the light-tasting mangosteen sorbet.
Plus, the flavours of this popsicle aren’t too heavy, making it the perfect treat after a meal!
Image Credit: IceDEA
P.S.: Their mangosteen ice cream comes in 2 segments (the top half and bottom half) and opens just like a bowl with a lid on top.
The shell has a stem made from green apples, seeds made from pistachio and an addition of some fruit jam in the middle!
5. They use authentic golden pillow durian for their durian ice cream
You’ve probably heard of the RM1 durian ice cream or even tried it out yourself. Well, here’s another treat for durian lovers!

Shaped like a perfect durian seed, this popcicle is made with authentic golden pillow durian. At first glance, you might’ve even mistaken it for an actual durian seed.
The “flesh” has an intense creamy sweet durian taste balanced out by the white portion which is made from milk ice cream. Honestly, as a durian lover, this is the perfect treat because it’s all durian and no seed. Plus, this ice cream leaves no heavy aftertaste or durian breath so you’re all good for a date after this treat. 😉
Image Credit: IceDEA
For a more “authentic” durian experience, they have durian ice cream with an edible husk. The durian used in all their ice creams are exported from their own farms too.
The flavour of this treat is akin to a pecan ice cream encased with a thick and creamy durian flesh, combined with a green tea and roasted almond ice cream husk.
More Than Meets The Eye
One might ask, “Why should I pay RM20 for a stick of ice cream when I can get others for a fraction of the price?”
Importing prices aside, these desserts are a work of art. The amount of effort, planning, and R&D that’s put into creating each design is different from creating a luscious tub of ice cream.
An RM2 ice cream potong might cut it for you if you’re just looking for a fruit-flavoured ice cream.
However, if you’re willing to shell out more for an authentic durian ice cream which is not only made from pure durian itself, but is also shaped like one, this is worth the try.
At the moment, only the durian and mango sticky rice popsicles are available at their store. However, the shipments for the other three ice creams will be arriving soon so do follow them on Facebook to stay updated!
Image Credit: Instagram User @booooooomerang
We’re guessing you’d also not want to miss out on this adorable golden retriever-shaped Earl Grey Ice Cream!

IceDEA Malaysia
When: April 20th-May 12th, 2019 (10am-10pm, daily)
Address: Level B1, Shoppes @ Four Seasons Place KL, 145, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Website: IceDEA Malaysia


Banyan Tree KL’s Large Food Servings Aim To Please, But Their Nasi Lemak Is The Standout

Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur sent us some dishes from their takeaway menu for a super indulgent lunch, but no la, no RM460 burger

FAVOURITE? Nasi Lemak (RM46): This was our favourite! It came with beef rendang, a tiger prawn sambal, a typical sambal, and a fried chicken drumstick. The rendang was sweet and gingery, the sambal not too spicy, so good to eat everything together.
The nasi lemak comes with very generous portions of meat.
California Maki (RM54): This was so loosely wrapped, the roll was close to coming apart  when picked up We doubt it was due to the delivery process because we’ve had other sushi delivered to us before too. The crab stick coupled with the tobiko made the roll very fishy tasting, not very pleasant unfortunately.
The double boiled fresh ginseng soup is packed with ingredients.
Double Boiled Fresh Ginseng Soup (RM62): Made with black chicken, the cordeceps really overpowered the other ingredients so we couldn’t taste much of the ginseng. But as you can see, the soup ingredients were generous in portion. It was a very herbally soup that older folks would probably appreciate though.
Black Angus Beef Burger (RM88): Hugeee burger and large portion of fries here, but the fries desperately needed more salt and seasoning. Because the beef bacon was quite tough and hard to chew, we had to take it out of the burger midway. This also really needed more sauce, it would tie all the variety of ingredients together and make it a juicier bite.

Carrot Cake (RM24): If you like carrot cake, FYI carrots aside, this is nutty and even has pineapples in it, with very thick cream. Sadly, we don’t like carrot cake (vege in a cake ggrrrr ) sooo this couldn’t be enjoyed by us oops.
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur
Online Orders: https://www.tableapp.com/delivery/banyan-tree-kuala-lumpur


BigBang Seungri's Restaurant In KL Is Every Single Diner's Dream Come True

Aori Ramen‘s first Malaysian outlet has officially opened its doors to the public in Pavilion, KL.

Aori Ramen, which has more than 30 outlets across the world, operates by a truly-Japanese concept where single diners have their own designated sections.

In fact, single diners have priority seating here even when there are regular seating available for larger groups. Though single diners dominate the space, you could of course choose to sit next to your dining partner (though each of you will have a separate booth).

At your seat, you will find an overhead compartment to store your bags and the curtain in front of you will be drawn close for privacy as soon as your meal arrives.

Being the brainchild of Lee Seungri from BigBang, fans of the K-Pop artiste can support their oppa by dropping by to sample Aori Ramen’s simple menu.
You’ll find 3 main dishes served as of now:
1. Aori Ramen Lite
Here’s the most basic of dishes to get at Aori Ramen. Priced at RM31, the dish consists of fluffy white rice and 2 basic toppings of barbecued marinated pork and Japanese bunching onion.
2. Classic Aori Ramen

Top up an additional RM4 to get the classic Aori Ramen which is rice paired with 5 basic toppings of barbecued marinated pork, Japanese bunching onion, marinated soft boiled egg, dried seaweed and marinated bamboo shoot.
3. Tamago Kake Gohan

TKG is the Japanese version of a premium nasi kicap with egg—only a whole lot better. Topped with minced pork and Japanese bunching onion, it’s definitely a comforting dish to have and what’s more, it’s priced at only RM10.
Additional toppings are available too if you’d like to complete your meal with more classic Aori Ramen ingredients. For instance, you could get 2 pieces of barbecued marinated pork for RM5 or 3 pieces of dried seaweed for RM2.

The Aori Ramen team is looking to expand their menu in the near future, but as of now, you could look forward to these classic dishes from the Japanese restaurant.
Some of the drink options available include Asahi beer for RM16, Perrier sparkling water for RM13 and green tea (hot/cold) for RM3—the green tea is refillable.

Who’s up for some good Japanese food? 😛
Aori Ramen
Hours: 10am-10pm, daily
Address: Lot 6.36.00, Level 6, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
Website: Aori Ramen
Tel: 03-2110 1700


4 Things To Expect When Hiring Nathalie Gourmet Studio As Your Event Caterer

You’d probably have heard of award winning Chef Nathalie Arbefeuille of Nathalie Gourmet Studio. She’s famous for her macaroons but did you know you can hire her catering services for your next event?! Here’s what you can expect when you hire her catering services for your birthday party, wedding, product launch or cocktail party!
Quality food
Chef Nathalie believes in providing quality food to each and every customer and that’s exactly why you should have her as your caterer! Using fresh and quality ingredient is key to producing a nutritionally balanced meal and that’s what Chef Natalie practices. You might think that this leads to a boring and mediocre catering because how beautiful can your broccoli or fish look if you’re all about serving a nutritionally balanced meal?! Well, this leads to the second point.

Roasted Lamb served with Lamb Mint Jus and Grill Polenta and roasted Vegetable.
Presentation
She doesn’t compromise on her presentation and you can expect top notch food plating from her team of experts. We can guarantee you that you’ll get a good flatlay out of it because we’ve seen it and done it! In today’s digital age, food presentation is key and you can place your trust in Chef Nathalie that you’ll get Instagram-worthy pictures during your event.

Food is customised to the event theme
You heard it from us, your menu is exclusively created for you depending on your theme and occasion. Don’t worry about having the same food served to your guests because she assures you that will never happen. Also, speaking about customisation, your food presentation will be matched to your theme – how perfect is that?!

Mont Blanc NEO Concept Store opening in KLCC.

Audemars Piguet in-store event at Starhill Gallery.

Hublot Roadshow at KLCC.

Emilio Pucci’s Cocktail Party.

Louis Vuitton’s Cocktail Party.
Professional waiters
The last thing you would want is having your food served by waiters who stick out like a sore thumb during your event. Rest assured, this will never happen when Chef Nathalie is in charge because all waiters are required to be in formal black attires for that polished look! Also, this is why it is recommended that you engage with their waiters instead of hiring your own!

BONUS! If you intend to have a dessert spread or bar, trust Chef Nathalie to take care of all aspects of aesthetics, flavour, presentation and scent! Let her work her magic and you’re bound to have a beautiful display to tempt your guests!

The dessert spread for Louis Vuitton’s Cocktail Party.

The dessert spread for Roger Viver’s Cocktail Reception.

Dessert section for Randstad’s Conference.

The dessert spread for BMW’s Auto Fair.
Chef Nathalie doesn’t only cater to high-end or corporates who are looking to have a cocktail party or product launch. If you’re planning to host a sit down annual dinner, wedding or birthday party, she’d be able to accommodate all your needs!
To learn more about Chef Nathalie, read more about her here. Or, hire her for your next event, here! Go ahead, and click it. It is absolutely FREE to request for a quotation.
This article was first published on Venuescape. It is republished on Discover KL with permission.


This Headphone Concept Café In Dataran Sunway Lets Us Tune Out The World While We Eat

Most of us, when we wish to “escape” the world for a bit, would put on headphones or earphones and zone out to our favourite tracks. Music is after all a therapy for the mind and soul, and a café in Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara is having music as their main attraction.
Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio
Stars Picker Audio is a headphone concept café and they have plenty of headphones and audio devices that one can use while they’re dining in the eatery. Stars Picker Audio recently relaunched and they’re introducing a new menu including meals like waffles, coffee, affogato and more.
Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio
Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio
It’s interesting to note that the founders of Stars Picker Audio are audiophiles themselves. They begun their journey in the industry, back in 2012, as forum sellers of headphones. Currently, their retail outlet and display hall doubles as a place where people can purchase audio gadgets, as well as chill out to some music while they dine.
Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio
Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio
There aren’t many such cafés in Klang Valley where people, especially those who are dining alone, can privately listen to music in a café. It’s the perfect place for introverts to gather for a quiet meal in a serene setting. For those who enjoy high quality audio gadgets, they can also take the opportunity to test out some of the products prior to purchasing them.
Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio
If you’re looking to enjoy a peaceful day with a trusty pair of headphones as your companion, why not give this Kota Damansara outlet a go?
Stars Picker Audio
Address: 28-3 Jalan PJU 5/11, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Website: Stars Picker Audio
Tel: 03-6156 1984
Feature Image Credit: Stars Picker Audio


If You're A M'sian Travelling Soon, Here's How To Check If Your PTPTN Is Barring You

We are officially approaching the fourth quarter of the year whereby festive spirits tend to be higher and many choose to travel during this period as well. But if you’re looking to travel abroad and you’re a PTPTN borrower, it’s best to check whether you are allowed to leave the country at all. News broke recently of how not paying your loan will cause you to be unable to leave the country.
It’s not new news as Malaysians know fairly well that they have to service their loan in order to perform tasks such as purchasing a house or a car and even travelling abroad. Still, we often delay important tasks such as paying off our loans and often times we would scramble at the final hour to pay the debt off when we realise that we are unable to travel due to that very fact.
Well, Malaysians need not take time off work just yet to head to a PTPTN office because you can actually check your status online.
Image Credit: http://sspi2.imi.gov.my/
All you have to do is:
1. Head to http://sspi2.imi.gov.my/
2. Key in your IC number.
3. Cross your fingers for the ‘Tiada Halangan’ results.
Image Credit: http://sspi2.imi.gov.my/
If the results show ‘Tiada Halangan’ which translates to ‘No Restrictions’, then go ahead and book your flight tickets because you’re safe to travel.
The repercussions of not paying your student debt off extends beyond your own personal inconvenience of not being able to apply for loans or purchasing a brand new car, it also could reach a point whereby it becomes a legal issue. Therefore, it’s best to settle the payment earlier, if anything just to have the peace of mind during your next travels.
Feature Image Credit: 1bpblogspot.com, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/


Enjoy Mediterranean Cuisine Tapas-Style At This Italian-Spanish Restaurant In Ampang

Anyone who knows me well would tell you that I love Italian food. So of course I jumped at the opportunity to review one of Ampang’s most authentic Italian Spanish restaurant, Sapore.
The thing I love most about Italian cooking is the fresh and vibrant flavours that showcases the beautiful ingredients used in cooking the dish, and Chef Fabio Ruggiero does just that.
Chef Fabio is the man behind the restaurant, hailing from Italy’s Puglia region, he has worked in several 5-star hotels and some of the best restaurants worldwide before he decided to open his own restaurant here in Kuala Lumpur.
Located next door to La Risata, Sapore certainly gives the popular Italian chain a run for its money. Sapore stands out by offering tapas and sharing dishes, which I love!
I’ve always been a fan of tapas, I like trying a bit of everything, and Sapore offers some mouthwatering delights.

We started our evening with Sapore’s Antipasti Tagliere for Sharing (RM88), which was one of the BEST antipasti platters I’ve had.
It featured chorizo pork sausage, salchichon spanish sausage, parma ham, capocollo salami, porchetta pork roast, rillettes, and pickled vegetables. The standout was the porchetta pork roast and capocollo salami, both were incredible! But everything else on that platter was spot on, and I loved the pickled gherkins and green olives they paired with the meat.

The Eggplant Parmigiana Style (RM18) was another favourite. The eggplant was cooked to perfection and the layers of cheese and rich tomato sauce were to die for! It must be one of the best eggplant parmigiana dishes I’ve ever had!
I’m not a fan of tripe, so the Beef Stewed Tripes with Tomatoes (RM22) was not on the top of my list. But if you like tripe, you’d love this dish. The beautiful tomato sauce is reason enough to order this dish.

The Artichoke and Sun-dried Tomatoes (RM18) was another favourite of mine. There aren’t many places that serves up artichoke and I don’t cook with it at home, so I was so pleased with the dish.
This dish is served cold and there was a slight tanginess and freshness to this dish that cuts through the richness of all the tomato-based dishes. I’d highly recommend this lovely vegetable dish!

Another cold dish to try as an appetiser is the Anchovies Marinated in Olive Oil (RM22), which was fresh and delicious.

But one of the standout starters was the Queso Manchego cheese served with honey and nuts (RM22). Manchego is a cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain from the milk of sheep of the manchega breed.
The cheese has a slight sweet taste and is paired incredibly well with the honey and nuts, I should eat cheese this way more often! And that was just the starters.

Moving onto the mains, we tried three pasta dishes before we had to throw in the towel and surrender our bloated tummies. The Rigatoni Rosticciana Tube Pasta and Stewed Iberico Pork Ribs, Tomatoes (RM38) was my personal favourite pasta at Sapore. The pork was so soft and tender and has that incredible rich taste that iberico pork has. The tomato sauce and cheese just adds to the richness of the dish! So good!

The Spaghetti Aglio Olio Crumbs and Anchovies Pecorino and Baby Tomatoes (RM26) was my least favourite pasta out of the three we tried. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad pasta. It was cooked well and had good flavour, I am just not a fan of the fishy flavour of the anchovy. However, as an aglio olio, it was flavourful and fans of anchovies would probably love this.

Sapore serves up some authentic Spaghetti Carbonara with Egg Yolk, Guanciale Ham and Pecorino (RM28). It is rich, creamy, and just what you hope for in a carbonara!

When you think of a typical Italian dessert, the first thing that comes to mind is tiramisu! Sapore’s Tiramisu with Coffee and Kalua (RM20) was stunning! The creaminess of the mascarpone cheese and the richness of the coffee and that hit of alcohol from the Kalua is a definite winner!

The Panna Cotta (RM12) was another great dessert with a great wobble! It is smooth, velvety, with a beautiful vanilla flavour.

The Vanilla Creme Brûlée (RM16) was unfortunately disappointing for me. It may have been a bad batch, but when we had our creme brûlée, the custard seemed a bit curdled. The texture was off! But other than that, the burnt sugar top had that lovely crack and crunch, and the flavour was good.

We had the pleasure of enjoying this lovely Siderit gin with Mint Leaves and Rosemary Leaves (RM42) cocktail. I am a huge fan! I love gin, and I love that freshness you get from the herbs.

The Espresso Martini with Kailua, Frengelico, Vodka and Vanila Syrup (RM38) was another great cocktail. I loved the strong flavour of espresso, it was rich and very full-bodied.
Overall, Sapore encapsulates everything I love about Italian and Spanish food. The dishes were unique and the ingredients were fresh.
I would definitely recommend paying Sapore a visit!
Sapore
Hours: Monday-Friday: 2pm-11.30pm, Saturday-Sunday: 10am-11.30pm
Address: 18, Persiaran Ampang, Desa Pahlawan, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website: Sapore
Tel: 03-4266 6362
This article was first published on Foodie vs the World. It is republished on Discover KL with permission.
All Image Credits: Foodie vs the World


This Mall In PJ Has Transformed Into A Winter Wonderland For Christmas

One day after Halloween, everyone had already shirked their inner Wednesday Addams for the Olafs in them. Darkness found light, and creepy skull decorations and occasionally cutesy pumpkin carvings made way for cheery reindeer and ice shavings and fake Santa Clauses.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb3tWrRHiU0/?taken-at=917949610
Malls are following this change, and slowly but surely, they are switching decorations to welcome the upcoming celebration of the birth of Christ. Out of all the malls in Malaysia, 1 Utama is probably winning that race. While it is not completely done yet, watching the whole transformation to a pseudo White Christmas is pretty gratifying and awesome.

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They are not even done yet, and we can already see giant gift boxes, lit up fake snow, a hanging crescent moon, booths, and Christmas trees arranged strategically to allow for passages and aisles. Who knows what we will actually see when the decorations are finally done?

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Whenever you go to 1 Utama, the main area will be a large reminder that Santa Claus is coming to town (probably).

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A post shared by Faith•Eat•Travel (@faithluv2eat)

Definitely cannot wait to see the final result of the great efforts that have been put into putting up these decorations!
Featured Image Credit: Instagram users @louisyongxd, @cheephang_cp


We Can Now Get Tubs Of Edible Cookie Dough Delivered To Our Doorsteps!

There’s a sense of indulgence about digging into a freshly prepared cookie batter, or better still, one that has been chilled in the fridge for some time and has solidified just a touch.
Biting into the creamy dough is satisfaction with each mouthful and a company in Malaysia is bringing that nostalgic factor right to our doorsteps.
Yes, we can now get tubs of edible cookie dough delivered straight to us.

Doh Malaysia whips up tubs of edible cookie dough in flavours such as Oreo, S’mores, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Chip.
All of the ingredients in these cookie dough mixtures are safe to be consumed unbaked and real Oreos, high quality Australian chocolate chips and premium ingredients are used in the mixture.
The cookie dough can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator and can be kept frozen for approximately 2 months.

Alternatively, you can even bake Doh Malaysia’s cookie dough. All you have to do is place 1-inch balls of cookie dough at 180 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
Delivery is available in selected areas in the Klang Valley but arrangement can be made to deliver outside of these areas too.
Website: Doh Malaysia
Feature Image Credit: Instagram users @dohmalaysia, @toddypapii


Fellas, It's Time To Bring Your Other Half To This Café In TTDI

What’s your other half like?
Do they wake up early on Fridays through to weekends, say 9am, and even earlier on the 4 remaining weekdays of the week?
Is their meal of choice a Western brunch?

Are they chilled out, into minimalism and generally looks good on the camera?
Well, it doesn’t matter if your other half is none of the above because you’d find all of these qualities in The Other Half.
This TTDI café encourages you to expect the unexpected with their cuisine. “We are a Malaysian cafe inspired by the Melbourne brunch and coffee culture,” The Other Half mentioned on their Facebook page.
From a crossword puzzle wall clearly highlighting the words, “The Other Half”, to a spacious setting with sunlight streaming in through the windows, this eatery has got its own level of style down pat.

As for meals, be prepared to come here hungry as portion sizes mimic Australian brunch cuisine through and through: they’re big and they’re hearty.
And that’s where your other half comes into play because the meals are just the right size for sharing.
So go ahead and do just that over a meal of grilled chicken sandwich or tamago dish with cured sea bass sashimi.

The Other Half
Hours: Mondays-Thursdays: 7.30am-5.30pm, Fridays-Sundays: 9am-5.30pm
Address: Unit 2-1, Greens Terrace, No.1 Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Website: The Other Half
Tel: 03-2771 6221
All Image Credit: The Other Half


8 places to get unique Yee Sang to "lou" with your friends and family this Chinese New Year

It’s that time of the year again when you get together with your friends and family members for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Since this is the Year of the Rabbit, the fourth animal in the Chinese Zodiac that symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty, here are eight brands you can get stunningly unique Yee Sang from to “lou” with your friends and family.
1. Durian Mama

Living up to their name, Durian mama is going a step further to make their Yee Sang unique by replacing salmon sashimi with Musang King durian, which offers a creamy and sweet aftertaste that’s bound to leave an impression on everyone around you.
On top of that, the dish also includes various ingredients such as red cabbage, yam bean, carrot, snow fungus, jackfruit, red taro, fresh seaweed, konnyaku, cracker, roasted peanut, sesame seeds, honey sour plum, and abalone for RM239.
Durian Mama

Address: PT 1976, Jalan SS2/64, SS 2, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Price: RM239
Website: https://www.durianmama.asia/
Contact number: 018-292 7391
Number of Pax: Up to 6 pax
2. Art of Salmó

If you’re looking for Yee Sang with the freshest salmon possible, Art of Salmo has the Good Luck Yee Sang, which includes ingredients ranging from radish, carrots, Chuka Kurage, Chuka Wakame, Tamago, sunflower seeds, peanut chunks, roasted sesame seeds, and crunchy lotus chips served with lemon poppyseed dressing.
They also include slices of salmó sashimi harvested and flown from Norway within 48 hours. Art of Salmó is also halal certified, which means that it can be enjoyed by all Malaysians!
Art of Salmó
Address: G-13A & G-15, D7 @ Sentul East, 800, Jalan Sentul, Sentul, 51000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM108
Website: https://www.artofsalmo.com/
Contact number: 010-211 9019
Number of Pax: Up to 8 pax
3. Maria’s SteakCafe

For those not big fans of salmon in Yee Sang, Maria’s SteakCafe’s Yee Sang options might be worth considering, as customers can choose between Yee Sang with smoked salmon or pulled beef.
While they do offer delivery and takeaway, you can also dine in at their outlets in 1 POWERHOUSE, Bangsar, Sunway, and Sura KLCC via their Chinese New Year Menu, which includes the Prosperity Set at RM1188 for up to 10 pax, and their Abundance Set at RM788 for up to 6 pax.
Also, if you spend more than RM300 on a single receipt, you can get limited edition Maria’s SteakCafe red packets for free.
Maria’s SteakCafe
Website: https://www.marias.com.my/
Price:  Medium: RM98 for 6 pax / Large: RM178 for 10 pax
Address:
Suria KLCC – Maria’s SignatureAddress: Lot 157, First Floor, Suria KLCC Shopping Center, Jalan Ampang 50088 Kuala LumpurContact: 03 – 2181 6788 / 010 – 902 0386Operating Hours: 11:00AM ~ 9:00PMBangsarAddress: 58, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala LumpurContact: 03 – 2282 2220 / 016 – 902 0495Operating Hours: 12:00PM ~ 11:30PMDamansara Address: Centre Wing, Level 3, Metropolitan Square, No. 2, Jalan PJU 8/1, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling JayaContact: 03 – 7725 2313 / 016 – 902 0490Operating Hours: 12:00PM ~ 11:00PMSunwayAddress: 5A, Jalan PJS 11/7, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, SelangorContact: 03 – 7496 6415 / 016 – 902 0497Operating Hours: 12:00PM ~ 11:00PM1 POWERHOUSEAddress: 1 POWERHOUSE ZONE 4-A, L-30 Dataran Bandar Utama, PJU 6, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, SelangorContact: 016 – 902 0490Operating Hours: 12:00PM ~ 11:00PMIpohAddress: Persiaran Greentown 1, Greentown Business Centre, 30450 Ipoh, PerakContact: 05 – 242 4133Operating Hours: 4:30PM ~ 11:00PM
4. PapaSan Canteen

Every year, PapaSan Canteen has always been consistent with offering their Rainbow Yee Sang, which includes a variety of unique seafood ingredients like salmon sashimi, octopus, honey baby prawns, baby octopus, and jellyfish, on top of grapefruits, strawberries, pear, and mandarin oranges.
While it’s a little on the pricier side, the portion is quite large, and it looks enough for up to 10 pax, and the explosion of flavours are bound to excite your taste buds. They also offer dine-ins where you can enjoy their other food offerings too!
PapaSan Canteen
Address: 18-G, Jalan 2/114, Off, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Kuchai Business Centre, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Price: RM248
Website: https://papasan-canteen.business.site/
Contact number: 012-580 0883
Number of Pax: Up to 10 pax
5. Salad Atelier

While Salad Atelier does offer generic Yee Sang with salmon sashimi, they also have the HAPPIEE! Prosperity Yee Sang that’s suitable for vegetarians because it does not contain meat.
In this particular Yee Sang, they replaced salmon sashimi and other meat-based products with Prawniee and Squidiee from HAPPIEE!, an edible meat replacement produced by Growthwell Food.
They have multiple sizes available for their Yee Sang, too, such as personal (from RM17.81), a set for four pax (from RM36.68), and a set for eight pax (from RM55.55).
Salad Atelier
Website: https://saladatelier.oddle.me/en_MY/
Price: From RM17.81 ~ RM83.85
Number of Pax: Up to 8 pax
6. Flakes

One thing that sets apart Flakes’ Yee Sang from the others is that instead of normal crackers, it comes with crispy croissant chips.
This year, they have four packages available such as their regular Yee Sang (RM68), a package with eight pieces of Salmon (RM98), one package with 8 pieces of (Abalone RM128), and lastly, 10 pieces of Salmon and Abalone (RM168).
Flakes
Address: B-G-06, The Hub SS2, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website: https://flakes.beepit.com/
Price: From RM68 ~ RM168
Number of Pax: Up to 8 pax
7. Gooddam

Gooddam, a modern Italian-inspired restaurant in SS2, Petaling Jaya, is a bit on the pricier side compared to some of our listings here, but for an understandably good reason.
They serve a few in-house developed inspired Yee Sangs including their Prosperity Yee Sang (RM308), which includes Grilled Lobster, Scallop Sashimi, house-Smoked Salmon, and Citrus Sesame Vinaigrette that feeds up to 6 pax.
If you prefer having their Yee Sangs at their restaurant, they, unfortunately, only have the Mini Classic Yee Sang suitable for 2 pax that’s available for dine-in.
Gooddam Restaurant
Location: Lot B-G-07, The HUB SS2, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Website: https://www.gooddam.com/
Price: From RM88 ~ RM308
Number of Pax: Up to 6 pax
8. Licky Chan & the Poke Guy

Unlike the rest of the Yee Sangs mentioned above, Licky Chan’s offering is more alcoholic in nature, and it’s priced at RM88.
You can also add on Licky Chan’s seasonal “Raisin’ The Bar” alcoholic ice cream for an additional RM38, too!
This is a great alternative for those who are not big fans of traditional Yee Sangs, or want something alcoholic to spice up their Chinese New Year celebrations.
Licky Chan
Address:
Dang WangiAddress: 24, Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala LumpurContact: 011 – 6410 3677Operating Hours: 12PM ~ 10PM (closed on Tuesdays)SS15, Subang JayaAddress: 26, Jalan SS 15/8b, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, SelangorContact: 03-5612 3324Operating Hours: 2PM ~ 10PM (closed on Tuesdays) REXKLAddress: RexKL, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala LumpurContact: 011-6410 3677Operating Hours: 1PM ~ 10PM (closed on Mondays)
Price: RM88, additional RM38 for “Raisin’ The Bar” ice cream
Website: https://www.lickychan.com/


UPDATED: TeaLive's Next Appeal To Federal Court Has Been Filed

UPDATE: This article has been updated on July 6, 10.15am, with Tealive’s response.
According to a spokesperson, “Loob Holding has instructed its lawyers to file for leave to appeal to the Federal Court against the Court of Appeal’s decision given on 27th June 2018 and it has been informed that the application had been filed yesterday.
Its lawyers have been further instructed to make the necessary application to the Federal Court to maintain status quo and the said application was filed earlier on Thursday morning.”
Meanwhile, according to Free Malaysia Today, as Tealive’s fate is uncertain, Chatime has offered to re-employ Tealive’s staff from the remaining 161 outlets. Stay tuned to DiscoverKL as we will update while the case unfolds.
According to The CanLaw Report, The Court of Appeal has dismissed Tealive’s stay of execution and the bubble tea brand must now close up shop immediately.
Loob Holding which manages the home-grown Tealive brand had initially filed for an application to stay and that’s precisely why Malaysians could still enjoy the Tealive beverages in the past 2 weeks.
Now that The Court Of Appeal has had its say, Tealive will be no more.
According to The Sun Daily, Tealive operates 161 outlets nationwide and the demise of Tealive in Malaysia will affect 800 staffs.
Tealive has been synonymous with the Malaysian lifestyle since its inception less than 2 years ago. The impact will definitely not be a minimal one because even with other bubble tea brands out there, it’s clear that locals favour the flavours and the appeal of the Tealive brand.
Now that Tealive will no longer be around, it’s time for a new wave of bubble tea brands to step up their game.
Are you sad that Tealive is leaving? Let us know in the Facebook comment section!
Feature Image Adapted: Tealive


This Roti Banjir Just Might Be The Most Glorious Roti Canai You'll Ever Have

Mansion Tea Stall is a name that those residing or working in the heart of KL would be familiar with.
If you were to imagine the richest roti canai experience, this will probably be it. Roti canai is served with a fish curry, sambal, dhal and topped off with 2 half boiled eggs.
It doesn’t get more indulgent than that.

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Locals love it for the aromatic curry that goes well with the crispy, buttery roti canai that absorbs the sauces well. To top it all off, the half boiled eggs give it a creamy taste.
The resulting order is a messy one, and you’d likely have to eat this dish with cutleries. But for the adventurous, dive in with your hands and tilt the plate up slightly to drink up every last drop of the well-cooked sauce.

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Like any good roti canai experience, order up some teh tarik or kopi O and wash your meal down with it.
Due to Mansion Tea Stall’s popularity, they already have a lineup of regulars so it’s best to head there early or during off peak hours.
If you’re looking to up your roti canai game, look no further than Mansion Tea Stall’s classic Roti Banjir.
Mansion Tea Stall
Hours: 24/7, daily
Address: Selangor Mansion, Lorong Bunus Satu, Off Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, 50100
Feature Image Credit: Instagram users @chrisdai & @astrid.yen


We walked 6,000+ steps in IOI City Mall Phase 2 to show you what to look forward to

It’s official, IOI City Mall is now the largest mall in Malaysia as it opens its doors to its Phase 2 expansion today.
A short walk from IOI City Farm which we visited earlier this week, Phase 2 is home to new shops, attractions, and activities to fit into the mall’s value proposition as being a lifestyle spot.

Notable attractions worth highlighting are the IOI Grand Exhibition and Convention Center, a 40,000 sq ft fully-carpeted event hall, and IOI Sports Centre. The latter has 15 badminton courts with rubber flooring, and two mini futsal courts that can be converted into a full-sized futsal arena.
Of course, retail stores make up the bulk of the 2.5 million sq ft of net lettable area, and as we walked through Phase 2, here’s what we noted was already opened, and what else is coming soon.
This categorised list is non-exhaustive and is based on what we came across while walking at least 6,000 steps over an hour.
Disclaimer: We put together this list based on what we saw when we visited on August 25, we do not know when the stores that are coming soon will actually open in the future, or if any of these stores will be changed.
F&B brands

F&B brandsOpenedComing soonDonutes✓Cheese U✓JM Briani House ✓Taco Bell✓Uncle Chong✓Congkak KL✓Mémorie✓Big Fish Small Fish✓Jollibee✓Nak Nak✓Pan8✓BIFE Charcoal Steakhouse✓DOME✓Jordan Hong Kong Restaurant✓Food Empire✓Madam Croffle✓Tealive✓Sushi Jiro✓Chef Wan✓Ramen Seirock-Ya✓Penyet Express✓Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf✓Teppanyaki✓The Travelling Duck✓Madam Kwan’s✓Aha!✓DIN by Din Tai Fung✓Starbucks✓Kenny Hills Bakers✓RAKUZEN✓Ambon Boenda✓

Fashion & accessories brands

Fashion & accessories brandsOpenedComing soonSometime by Asian Designers✓SODA✓BONIA✓Mis Claire✓COMÔ✓Colegacy✓neubodi✓Hegira✓Siti Khadijah✓DRUM✓Pandaeyes✓Christy Ng✓Quicksilver Roxy✓SK Jewellery✓S.WAN Jewels✓mj jewellery✓LC Waikiki✓Steve Madden✓Michael Kors✓Calvin Klein✓COACH✓Braun Buffel✓Shavonne✓pierre cardin✓nichii✓6ixty8ight✓Larney✓POLO✓

Tech & gaming brands

Tech & gaming brandsOpenedComing soonMission World✓QMac✓Bright Star✓Gajeto✓Universal Gaming✓Todak✓BEST✓PerySmith✓iON✓

Kids’ brands

Kids’ brandsOpenedComing soonKiddytopia✓ROOKIE✓Play United✓hippopo✓Tiny Button London✓Toy World✓

Home & living brands

Home & living brandsOpenedComing soonObjet✓Ergowork✓Epitex✓Aihome✓Hooga✓KAISON✓NITORI✓MUJI✓MajuHome✓Outpozt✓SIGNATURE✓LORENZO✓Goodnite Signature✓

Entertainment, leisure, & fitness brands

Entertainment, leisure & fitness brandsOpenedComing soonIOI Sports Centre✓Puzzle Planet✓GSC✓Yonex✓IOI Grand Exhibition & Convention Centre✓Rollerwa✓Maharaja Karaoke✓JD Sports✓ADIDAS✓Believe Fitness

Health & beauty brands

Health & beauty brandsOpenedComing soonJac’s Optometry✓SASA✓OWNDAYS✓Optometris Anggun✓Swiss Watch✓A-WoW-ME✓Cutiecle The Nail Experts✓SR Aesthetic✓A-LOOK✓Guardian Pharmacy✓Step Health✓Foot Link✓OGAWA✓ITSU✓Chinie’s✓APT Salon✓Amazing Hair Professionals✓GINTELL✓

Convenience & grocery stores

Convenience & grocery storesOpenedComing soonDON DON DONKI✓AEON✓CU✓Family Mart✓
-//-
With Phase 2, IOI City Mall has proven that it’s poised to be the go-to destination for lifestyle and leisure retail and attractions.
Something that we unfortunately didn’t get to properly explore was the outdoors area of Phase 2, since it began raining cats and dogs just shortly after our tour of the IOI Sports Centre (read our sister brand DiscoverKL’s exploration of the space here).
So, if the weather permits whenever you’re heading to check out Phase 2, do take a walk outside too.
IOI City Mall
Address: Lebuh IRC, IOI Resort, 62502 Putrajaya, Selangor
Website: https://www.ioicitymall.com.my/home/
Contact: 03-8328 8899

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8 Places To Chill And Listen To Awesome Live Music In KL

Have you ever felt like you just want to go somewhere, chill out and listen to some awesome live music? But you can’t think of anywhere particularly good to go to so you end up forgetting your plans in the first place? I’m sure most of us have been there before.
Fret not, for our lively city is full of music venues that host all kinds of cool acts, from the mellowest of indie singers to the most hardcore of punk bands. Most of these hidden gems have regular music nights too, so take note of when they have performers playing when planning your next visit!
Merdekarya, PJ
Image Credit: blog.peatix.com
If you want to go to a super chill, laidback place to have some drinks and listen to good music, I’m sure you’ve already been to Merdekarya before, right? Pronounced ‘Merde-kar-ya’ (not ‘merdeka-ria’ like I thought) and located at an unassuming shoplot in Petaling Garden, PJ, this music venue is as indie as it gets. The furniture consists of repurposed wood palettes, drink crates, even stacked egg cartons for seats, the walls are covered in handdrawn murals and art, and the selection of books and CDs being sold are all of the independent, unheard-of sort.
They host live music performances and open mic nights every Tuesday to Saturday, so you’re pretty much guaranteed an amazing indie singer or two almost every night. If you yourself are interested in performing for their open mic nights, check out their website to book your slots for the coming months! And if you’re having some trouble finding the place on your GPS, according to their website, their address doesn’t technically exist (that’s so punk rock). They say: “some maps/GPS change Petaling Garden to Bukit Gasing, some to Gasing Indah. We don’t know why.” Try asking around if you can’t find the place!
Address: 352, 1st Floor, Jalan 5/57, Petaling Garden, Section 5, 46000, Petaling Jaya (above Restoran Sun Raj, entrance is through the back alley)

Tel: 016-202 0529 / 016-207 1553
Website: http://www.merdekarya.com/
The Bee
Image Credit: Time Out
The Bee is a hip restaurant that’s already well-known for being a cool music space for both budding performers and high-profile acts alike. Both their outlets, at Jaya One or Publika, have weekly live music acts so you can enjoy some awesome tunes while having your dinner or supper. The artists usually play indie pop or indie rock, and international acts like Grimes, The Vaccines, and A Place To Bury Strangers have all played on their stage before, so they’ve set the standards real high!
They also organize open mic nights twice a month, and the best performer of the night gets to open for one of their weekly Lot 36 shows. They even stand a chance to win a recording deal! Check out their website or their Facebook page to see this month’s scheduled artists and plan your weekly music fix.
Outlets at Publika and Jaya One.
Tel: 03-7960 2160
Website: http://thebee.com.my / https://www.facebook.com/TheBeeMY/
The Garage KL, Ampang
Image Credit: ctliyana86.blogspot.com
This place has been previously mentioned on a couple of our lists before (here and here), but it deserves a spot on this one too. The Garage KL is known for their ‘hipster’-esque décor, cool container structures, and overall industrial vibe, but did you know they host live bands every night too? At 9pm everyday, a performing band or artist will set up on their designated stage and sing their hearts out to you while you’re having your dinner. Most of the performers play indie music, or acoustic rock jams, but there’s been a little bit of everything played on their stage, really. Don’t forget to order a side of their monster freakshakes to go with your night’s music!
Address: 841 Jln Hulu Kelang, Hillview, 68000 Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 5.30pm to midnight daily
Tel: 03-4266 9776
Website: http://thegaragekl.com
W_are_house, Subang
Image Credit: Time Out
W_are_house is located within a warehouse (get it?), and has been a popular event space for the past year since they’ve opened. With exposed bricks, cement floors, and chalkboard walls, the place is definitely appealing to today’s Instagram youth. Besides being able to host parties, meetings, even weddings, they organize open mic nights every other Thursday, so you’ll be able to watch 8 acts throughout the night! Their stage is DIY-ed out of old wood palettes, and it fits the vibe of the place just right. Their performers are usually from the acoustic indie scene, so you’ll know what to expect when you show up. You can perform if you’re interested too, by signing up at the bar by 10pm during show nights. Enjoy your chilled-out night at W_are_house!
Address: No.11A, Jalan USJ19/2, 47630 Subang Jaya
Open mic hours: 8pm onwards every other Thursday (check their Facebook page for more info)
Tel: 016-718 0908
Website: http://www.w-are-house.com/ / https://www.facebook.com/w.are.houseatusj19/
Fishee Coffee, Bukit Jalil
Image Credit: sini.com.my
This year-old café, known for their signature Fishee Ball Cake, is also home to live performances every Friday and Saturday night, namely by jazzy duo The Tangs. They perform acoustic, jazzed-up versions of popular songs at the specially created Fishee Music Corner, so feel free to sing along if you know the songs! They’ve even done themed nights before, like an 80’s music theme all throughout May, Acoustic Nights, and even Ballad Night just last week. Check their Facebook page for updates on when their shows are scheduled if you want to drop by. Some great music will be perfect to accompany your waffles and coffee!
Address: 12-20 M (Upstairs), Jalan Jalil Perkasa 13, Arked Esplanad Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 10am-7pm on Sun-Wed, 10am-11pm on Thurs-Sat, closed on Tuesdays
Tel: 03-8999 2012
Website: http://www.fishee.com.my
Live Fact, Taman Desa
Image Credit: juiceonline.com
This unassuming, small music venue has been host to various shows over the past year that it’s been open, which just goes to show the irresistible pull of good music. It used to be a rehearsal space for bands (well technically it still is) but now its main focus is to be a place for smaller performers to put on their own shows and for music lovers to be able to come whenever they want to enjoy some good performances. It’s a very intimate space, so it’s the perfect place to make some new friends and fall in love with new bands. The fact that they’ve hosted over 50 shows within the first five months of operations shows that even their obscure location won’t stop fans from showing up to appreciate talent!
Address: No.33-2, Plaza Danau 2, Jalan 3/109f, Taman Danau Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 012-377 8558
Website: https://www.facebook.com/LVFCT
Barlai, Jalan Sin Chew Kee
Image Credit: says.com
The BIG Group’s chilled-out bar/restaurant at Bukit Bintang plays host to bi-monthly open mic nights every other Thursday, so you can listen to great music while enjoying your supper. The old-school heritage building that houses Barlai is the perfect backdrop to casual, acoustic performances that are put on by the artists, and visitors can sit back, relax, and listen in to the open mic shows at ease. Singing along to your favourite songs are also more than welcome! If you’re interested in joining yourself, simply drop them a message on Facebook or email [email protected] to book a slot!
Address: 3 Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Open mic hours: 8pm onwards every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
Tel: 03 2141 7850
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BIG.Barlai/
Live House, TREC KL
Image Credit: trec.com.my
If you’re into music, comedy, and good food, Live House is the place to go! Divided into two floors, the lower floor, named the Main Room, is a music venue for all sorts of live bands and DJ sets, while the upper floor, LOL @ Live House, is the venue of choice for comedy acts in the city. There’s music performances going on almost every night, from retro jams on Fridays to rock n roll nights on Wednesdays, so there’ll be sure to be something for everyone. And if that isn’t enough to tide you over, the masterminds behind KGB (Killer Gourmet Burgers) are the ones cooking up a storm in the kitchen, so you know that you’re gonna get some good grub!
Address: TREC KL, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 012-372 2374
Website: http://livehouse.my/
So next time you’re craving some live music, you know where to go! Let us know of your favourite places to listen to live performances below!


健身跳跳乐！大马首家Jumping®教室位于Bukit Jalil, KL！

小时候，大家都喜欢在弹簧床上跳来跳去，但你知道跳弹簧床也可以是一个很好的健身活动吗？前阵子风靡欧洲的弹跳健身『Jumping®』，终于也来到了大马。这项充满儿时回忆的健身运动，比起一般单调的健身运动更好玩有趣！
Image Credit: Jumping Fitness Malaysia
Jumping®是一项在专业的PROFI弹跳床上进行的有氧运动，过程中你会随着音乐摆动，别看它好像很轻松，这些简单的弹跳动作做起来可是会让人汗流浃背。
Image Credit: Jumping Fitness Malaysia
Jumping®源于欧洲，2014年在韩国掀起了一阵风潮，近日在吉隆坡的Bukit Jalil开设了第一家Jumping®教室。目前吉隆坡的分店总共有两种课程，分别是Jumping® Fitness 和 Jumping® Aerobic。
Image Credit: Jumping Fitness Malaysia
前者是一项强烈的有氧运动，据说一堂课就可以让你燃烧1,000卡路里！Jumping® Aerobic则类似Jumping® Fitness，但你会随着不同的音乐（K-Pop、Latin Pop和摇滚乐等等）做弹跳动作，
https://www.facebook.com/v2.3/plugins/video.php?allowfullscreen=true&app_id=249643311490&channel=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticxx.facebook.com%2Fconnect%2Fxd_arbiter%2Fr%2F0eWevUAMuoH.js%3Fversion%3D42%23cb%3Df27a5c3df0ae3a4%26domain%3Ddiscoverkl.com%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fdiscoverkl.com%252Ff18d5842c82118%26relation%3Dparent.parent&container_width=800&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjumpingmalaysia%2Fvideos%2F263815247364498%2F&locale=en_US&sdk=joey
Jumping®是一项对膝盖、脚踝、骨盆和背部很好的运动，非常适合过重或关节比较弱的人。这是除了游泳，另一个非常有助于锻炼关节和背部的运动。
Image Credit: Jumping Fitness Malaysia
Jumping®根据不同的课程而有不同的价格，每一堂课长达50分钟，要价RM30-RM999之间。现场还会有专业的教练指导你哦！
Jumping Fitness Malaysia
营业时间: （星期一至四）10am-12pm, 7pm-9.30pm （星期五）10am-12pm（周末）9am-1pm
地址: Jumping Fitness Malaysia, The Earth Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 57000
网址: Jumping Fitness Malaysia
电话: 012-699 1512
Feature Image Credit: Jumping Fitness Malaysia


What To Do This Week: Happening Events In Klang Valley From November 1-6

KL is full of exciting activities that one should not miss out on, and it is in fact a great excuse to have a get-together with friends. Best part is, you get to enjoy the activities with one another, whether it’s a run or a party. Here are 9 events happening this week, from November 1-6, that you should consider heading out for!
1. Armour @ The Park, KLCC
Image Credit: The Straits Times
Are you a sports enthusiast? Then it’s time for you to get fit with Under Armour Malaysia Community’s first ever free workout session. Now, there’s no excuse to be fit because you don’t even need to pay for the event! This time, the Under Armour team will be focusing on yoga and teaching you how to synchronise your breathing at the same time.
When: November 1, 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Where: KLCC Park
Info: Armour @ The Park

2. Malaysia Fashion Week 2016
Image Credit: Star 2
If you missed KL Fashion Week 2016 in August, then make sure to free your schedule for Malaysia Fashion Week 2016! They are back with more local and international designers who will be parading their works on the runway. Vendors will also be selling their designs during the event and there would be an exclusive premium outlet sales where you can get international brands like Michael Kors, Gucci, Chanel and so much more for up to 70% off!
When: November 2-5, 10am-5pm
Where: MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre (MECC), Kuala Lumpur
Info: Malaysia Fashion Week 2016
3. Fuze Club KL x VINAI #37
Image Credit: Fuze Club KL
VINAI was just voted 37th out of the top 100 deejays in the Top 100 DJs 2016 chart and the duo which has been performing their hits globally will be gracing KL shores this time around. They are known for hits like Bounce Generation, Ravelogy and The Wave, so get ready to fist pump and dance into the wee hours of the morning!
When: November 4, 10pm-3am
Where: Fuze Club KL
Info: Fuze Club KL
4. Murfest 2016
Image Credit: Murfest 2016
Murfest, also known as The Malaysia Urban Retreat Festival, celebrates wellness through music and dance. This 3-day event would gather 80 world class facilitators, musicians and artists who would guide participants through activities like Bollywood dancing, hula hooping and even capoeira!
When: November 4-6, 8am-5pm
Where: MaTIC, Jalan Ampang
Info: Murfest 2016
5. What Am I, A Bloody Banyan Tree?
Image Credit: Muka Space
The renowned local theatrical actress, Marina Tan is ready to bring her solo act to Theatre Lounge Café. The performance is about an ordinary teacher who is trying to deal with her own personal deadline. What makes this performance special would be the fact that it will be a workshop performance breaking the fourth wall.
When: November 4-6, 9pm-10.45pm
Where: Theatre Lounge Cafe, B1-3A, No. 63 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
Info: What am I? A Bloody Banyan Tree
6. Fun, Arts, and Bites with Bina Warehouse
Image Credit: Bina Warehouse
Need some renovation in your own personal bathroom? From tiles to bathroom sinks, this warehouse sales is where you can get these items at a discounted price. What’s interesting about this bathroom warehouse sale is that there would even be a DJ playing his set. Now that’s one event not to be missed!
When: November 5 – 6, 10am – 5pm
Where: 7A, Jalan 51/215, Seksyen 51, 46050, Petaling Jaya
Info: Bina Warehouse
7. JunkED: Makers’ Market
Image Credit: Katong Kids
JunkED: Makers’ Market is all about promoting our own local goods that is made by our own community. JunkED will also conduct a few workshops for makers to learn and connect. Besides that, if you are a young entrepreneur, this will be a platform for you to learn from other vendors as well as share ideas with them too!
When: November 5, 11am – 6pm
Where: Prototype Gallery, Level 2, Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Info: JunkED
8. TREC Fashion Bazaar
Image Credit: Poskod Malaysia
TREC is known for their themed bazaars and events and this time around, they will be themed after the Malaysia Fashion Week 2016. Considering how both events fall on the same week, TREC’s fashion bazaar is a chance for you to stock up on fashion items from local designers and more.
When: November 6, 5pm – 11pm
Where: TREC KL
Info: TREC Fashion Bazaar
9. Pun Competition Malaysia
Image Credit: JD Raja Lawak @ Youtube
If you find yourself having a bad day and wish to turn your frown upside down, the pun competition is the place to be. This event is the first of its kind in Malaysia and there will be 35 acts ready to blow your socks off. Get ready to laugh at all the funny punny jokes throughout the 4 hour-long event!
When: November 6, 7.30pm – 11pm
Where: The Bee @ Publika
Info: Pun Competition Malaysia
Feature Image Credit: The Straits Times, Katong Kids


[DKL Video] Savour True Works Of Art In The Form Of Desserts At This D'sara Uptown Café

Damansara Uptown is known as a “happening” hangout spot, what with it being close to The Starling Mall and a plethora of shoplots and eateries. From Chinese family-style meals to hipster cafés, there’s something here for everyone. One such café is Shugatori Dessert Café. They offer everything from toasts to waffles and it isn’t just tasty—the meals are works of art too.

Shugatori Dessert Café
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 2pm-11.30pm, Friday: 2pm-12am, Saturday: 12pm-12am, Sunday: 12pm-11.30pm, Closed on Mondays.
Address: 95G, Ground Floor, Jalan SS21/1A, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya
Website: Shugatori Dessert Café
Tel: 03-7732 2588
For more on Shugatori Dessert Café, click here.


这家咖啡厅的牛奶是装在奶瓶里的——『牛奶就是要用奶瓶喝才美味！』

大家在还是小宝宝的时候都会用奶瓶喝奶，但长大了的你还有用过奶瓶吗？
位于PJ的Slurp Café采用了以漫画为主题的室内设计，店里那色彩强烈的漫画壁画非常夺人眼球。除了那独特有个性的室内装潢，他们在餐点和摆盘上也花费了不少心思哦！

Image Credit: Clarrisha Chong
Image Credit: Clarrisha Hong
Slurp Café主打西日合并的餐点，来到这里一定要尝尝他们的招牌日式蛋包饭！别看蛋包饭看起来很简单，但其实制作过程非常考究功夫。
鸡蛋不能太熟，也不能太生，而煎蛋的过程中也必须保持鸡蛋漂亮的形状。把煎得恰好半生熟的鸡蛋放在炒饭上，在正中央划下一刀，滑嫩的煎蛋瞬间摊开在炒饭上，热热的蛋汁渗入饭中，加上Slurp Café特调的酱汁，简直是人间美味啊！

此外，你还可以选择加点鸡排，一份蛋包饭要价 RM13.90 至 RM21.90。
Image Credit: Slurp Cafe & @Tieqazi
Image Credit: Slurp Cafe
这里的拉面汉堡也非常值得一试。炸的酥脆的拉面取代了一般的汉堡面包，增添了口感上的层次，中间夹着由鸡蛋包裹着的汉堡肉，肉质鲜嫩多汁，非常好吃！
Image Credit: @Cozosen & Slurp Cafe
他们在大马美食之王『Nasi Lemak』上也发挥了巧思，把椰浆饭换成了意大利面，吃起来别有一番风味。
Image Credit: Slurp Cafe
除此之外，这里最大的卖点就是他们的牛奶了。为什么呢？因为他们的牛奶可是装在奶瓶里的哦！他们认为牛奶和豆奶就是要用奶瓶喝才美味，但顾客可以选择直接就着奶嘴喝或用吸管喝。至于卫生方面，别担心，他们的奶嘴用过即会换新的，非常干净。一瓶牛奶或豆奶的价钱是RM6.90 至 RM7.90。
Image Credit: 吃货出闸咯
这里的咖啡冰砖还是超人造型的哦！是不是超酷哒？
Image Credit: Slurp Cafe & @Yoongkent
今天放工后，就和朋友一起来这俏皮有创意的咖啡厅来顿美味的晚餐吧！
Slurp Café
营业时间: 每天 11am-11pm
地址: 3 Two Square, 2, Jalan 19/1, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya
网址: Slurp Cafe
电话: 03-7497 1367
Feature Image Credit:吃货出闸咯


What To Do This Week: Happening Events In Klang Valley From July 17-23

There are a ton of interesting events happening in KL everyday. Check these events out this coming week!
1. Sunset Yoga
Image Credit: Sunset Yoga/Cynthia Wong
Avid yogis who are looking to spice up their yoga routine can opt for the upcoming Sunset Yoga event which is coupled by live music and taught by certified yoga instructor, Cynthia Wong. The event, which is set under a dome is priced at RM50 for 1 pax (early bird: RM40), RM90 for 2 pax (early bird: RM70) and RM120 for 3 pax (early bird: RM90). In order to score yourself the early bird prices, book here by the end of Monday, July 17th. This alternative yoga experience allows one to enjoy the beautiful sunset with accompanying melodies by sound artist Hannah Lo and singer-songwriter Ray Cheong. Don’t forget to bring your own mat, water and a towel too!
Where: The Dome – PJX-HM Shah Tower, Petaling Jaya, Level 9
When: July 23, 6.30pm-8pm
Info: Sunset Yoga

2. The PLOY Open Mic #2
Image Credit: The PLOY Open Mic #2
The PLOY Open Mic is the newest open mic night event in Klang Valley and it happens every Monday night! Featured acts for this week would be Sarah Daniella and Amr Mohsen. You can even sign up to join an open mic session by emailing the team at openmicmalaysia.org
When: July 17, 7-10pm
Where: PLOY @ Clearwater
Info: The PLOY Open Mic #2
3. The Lindy Jam
Image Credit: The Lindy Jam: Friday, 21 July 2017
If you like meeting new people through dancing, The Lindy Jam is all about that! For only RM15, you get two non-alcoholic drinks and you’ll learn how to do the east coast swing style of dancing before mingling with other like-minded participants on the dance floor. Doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie at dancing, these folks are all about getting you acquainted with your two left feet anyway!
When: July 21, 9pm-12am
Where: The New Star Studio, Taman Desa
Info: The Lindy Jam
4. Bon Odori 2017
Image Credit: Bon Odori 2017 (Shah Alam)
Every year this Japanese-Malaysian Cultural Exchange event is held at the National Sports Complex in Shah Alam, with an expected attendance of over 30,000 participants. Come for a unique experience of this Japanese Festival held in Malaysia! Similar to past year events, you can expect entertainment and performances as well as lots of delectable Japanese treats. Go ahead and doll up in your kimonos and attend this event!
When: July 22, 7pm-9.30pm
Where: Kompleks Sukan Negara Shah Alam
Info: Bon Odori 2017
5. Visual Arts Expo 2017
Image Credit: Visual Arts Expo 2017
Visual Arts Expo is back again for their 2017 edition, and they will he hosting the event in Shah Alam. The Visual Arts Expo is a two-day pop culture festival, showcasing the newest and latest in visual arts, animation, comics, film, music and video games. You’ll also be able to get up close and personal with international guest speakers from various creative industries.
When: July 22 & 23, 10am-10pm
Where: Shah Alam Convention Centre (SACC) Official
Info: Visual Arts Expo
6. Technologue 024 w/ Jamie React
Image Credit: Technologue 024 w/ Jamie React (TropicLab/Midnight Shift)

Technologue is back! Expect some serious techno in the basement as they present to you Jamie React (TropicLab/ Midnight Shift)! On the decks: Jamie React (TropicLab/Midnight Shift), Notion A – Official (SoulMatters/Plus/Technologue) and Jason Voon (Technologue). Entry is RM15 and you can party all night long.
When: July 22, 10pm-3am
Where: Under9
Info: Technologue 024 w/ Jamie React (TropicLab/Midnight Shift)
7. House On The Hill
Image Credit: House On The Hill feat Funkayrol, Sharil, Flickswitch & Adam
House On The Hill is an event for those who appreciate house music, hence the name of the event. DJs Sharil, Flikswitch, Funkayrol and Adam will be on the decks all night long with some sweet funky, soulful and classic house beats. Best part is, admission is free!
When: July 22, 11pm-3am
Where: Pisco Bar
Info: House On The Hill feat Funkayrol, Sharil, Flickswitch & Adam
Feature Image Credit: Astro Awani, J-Travel.blogspot.com


Tasty Yet Super Affordable BBQ From Taisyu Yakiniku (October 2020)

Odds are, if you’ve heard or even been to Taisyu Yakiniku in Taman Desa before, you might know it as just “Japanese BBQ” instead.
This restaurant strips away all the fancy trappings like specially built seats, table booths and even a permanent roof. What it leaves behind is more than enough though: affordable, tasty and enjoyable food.
Cold ramen (RM10): This was the first thing that arrived at our table and also the first on our fave list. We can’t rave enough about it. The ramen was springy, fresh and tangy, thanks to a combination of vinegar, soy and lemon.

We didn’t think that we’d have one of the best cold ramens we’ve tried in Malaysia at an unassuming outdoor BBQ store. KM (the owner) really surprised us. Special mention must be made for the beautifully cooked ajitama.

Although the chashu (pork) was good too, we would have happily done without it for more egg instead. In fact, that’s what we got. We would have easily eaten another bowl but we were there for a BBQ review so we had to get to that.
Genghis Khan (RM23): The Genghis Khan dish is more common to the northern part of Japan in Hokkaido, and Taisyu’s version uses a hot plate, rather than the more traditional convex pot.

This is because it’s been adapted for local tastes, we Malaysians love our broth. We had lamb in ours, and it was tender, flavourful and a perfect savoury-sweet combo you might be familiar with if you like sukiyaki. It’s perfect for a cold day, and still good even if it’s hot out. This was another big favourite with us. And this whole pot is RM23?? The price and taste of just this dish already makes Taisyu worth visiting.

Pork belly+neck (RM10 each): So this was the meal where we realised that we don’t actually like BBQ-ed pork in the Japanese style. After this, we’re probably not going to order it unmarinated again.

Although the cuts and thickness of the pork looked really good, we don’t have a liking for too much fat. And unlike beef, plain pork on a grill doesn’t have a lot of its own natural flavour or gamey-ness. We’ll stick to char siew and siew yoke instead for our porky fixes.

Beef ribeye (RM15): The ribeye comes in long thin slices, and it’s also marinated in Taisyu’s signature sauce. It’s tender and not too chewy. Another bonus is that because they’re quite thin, you don’t have to wait too long for them to cook, just throw them on, turn them once or twice, and they’re done.
Pork liver (RM5): We must make a quick note here to apologise to the Taisyu Yakiniku team. We left the liver for last, and we were undone by our capacity. We only managed to eat one piece before declaring ourselves full to the brim ? What we had was good, our only issue was that we weren’t sure if we were overcooking or undercooking it. Do note when eating here that the portions are very generous, so take care not to be greedy and overorder like we did.
Mushroom foil yaki (RM10): We took a break from all the meat to sample the foil-wrapped mushrooms, and boy if you love garlic, you’re in for a treat.

The mushrooms are sitting happily on a generous bed of garlic, and thanks to the foil, they’re juicy, tender, well-flavoured.
Kimchi (RM5): We enjoyed the kimchi, it was crisp and fresh and just sour enough to help us overcome the earlier jelak from all the meat. Not a “must-order”, but not a bad choice as a palate cleanser.
Garlic Rice (RM10): Our garlic lovers declared that they would have liked it with more of a garlic punch, and also more lard to give more texture when eating.

We had a lovely night, big thank you to KM and the Taisyu Yakiniku team. The food was overall delicious, extremely affordable, and memorable. Also, don’t worry if it’s raining—even though it’s open air, they do provide large tents that you can happily enjoy your meals under.
Gerai Makan Japanese BBQ Taisyu Yakiniku
Address: 16A, Jalan Desa Jaya, Taman Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamandesajapanesebbq/


Baking Like A Pro At Bakebe MY (October 2020)

Bakebe MY is a co-baking space in Publika where you can go in as an individual or group and follow recipes to create Insta-worthy and delicious desserts. The goal here is that everyone, even amateurs, should be able to produce a beautiful baked creation at the end.
You’ll be assigned to a workstation, that will be your base of operations where you do your hand-whisking and mix together most of your ingredients. The Bakebe pantry is an organised person’s dream, with rows of goods arranged and labelled in aesthetically pleasing containers.

The whole space’s design and layout is planned and done well, from the pastel Kitchen Aid mixers, to the abundance of photo spots all around (not forgetting plenty of phone holders and lighting for your IG live videos and pics). It’s also equipped with the latest and newest Samsung ovens and microwaves.

Even if you’re completely an amateur at baking, Bakebe’s handled most of the fiddly tasks for you. Egg whites and egg yolks are already separated, butter and cream cheese already cut up into cubes, whole eggs already mixed. It’s really difficult to mess up your ingredients, all you have to do is measure everything out by weight.
We saw couples and even friends baking together on the night we went in. You’d think that they are experienced bakers from the looks of their creations, surprisingly they’re mostly new bakers and first-timers at Bakebe.
There’s also a cafe you can take a break at in between your tasks.
The best part, hands down, is that you don’t need to do any of the clean-up. Enjoy all of the fun parts of baking without the mundane stuff to drag it down!
Our very own creation on the right, topped with pearls, tea and gold flakes.
The highlight is that after all the work you’ve done (with Bakebe’s help with ingredient prep), you’re rewarded with a dessert that you can bring home to enjoy! The recipe options that you can choose from include meticulously decorated mermaid cakes, unicorn cakes/cupcakes, macarons, and more.
We chose to bake the lava lychee Earl Grey chiffon cake. It was both a joy to make and an absolutely tasty treat after we took all the photos/videos we wanted. It was soft and fluffy with good Earl Grey flavour (we increased the quantity of Earl Grey leaves needed for the recipe because hello, Earl Grey fans here).

Oh you beautiful delicious beauty.
The cream and pearls were the perfect complement to the cake. We can confidently say that this recipe must have been tried-and-tested thoroughly by Bakebe for the result to be this good. We swear we’re not being biased about how good it tasted, even though we made it ?
Since we were given a more personal experience, we had extra attentive help from the co-founder herself, Sherrine. So while we did not get the 100% genuine experience of doing everything ourselves, other new customers do not need to worry because if you’re ever confused, you’re encouraged to ask any of the kitchen assistants there for help.
One of the most popular backdrops for a photo, everyone who was there the night we were baking took a photo with this.
We can see this concept being a hit for a night out with the girls, or even as a company team-building exercise that comes with its own tangible reward at the end (and no cleaning, whew).
Prices are based on the difficulty of the cakes, from RM150 to RM250 (with special rates for couples and families). If you really enjoy the experience and want to go more regularly, there are also VIP packages that’s better value for money.
Bakebe MY
Location: G3, Lot 5, 6, & 7, Publika, 1, Jalan Dutamas, Solaris Dutamaa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website: https://www.bakebe.com/ms/homepage-my/


We Suss Out Whether This Pink Unicorn Café In Subang Is Worth All The Hype

Chances are that you might have already heard of the iconic unicorn café in Sunway Geo.
Known for its bright pink interior filled with unicorn memorabilia, La Fleur X Uniqorn is fast becoming one of the must-try eateries in Subang.

The DiscoverKL team recently dropped by for some good food and even better coffee.

We had their Waffles (RM16) first. The waffles are freshly made upon order and you can choose between the standard waffles, egglet or pancake—ours took 10 minutes to arrive, upon ordering. Choose to top it off with homemade ice cream flavours like Bubblegum, Uniqorn Sh*t and Uniqorn Nipple, sauces like chocolate sauce, honey or whipped cream and unlimited toppings.

Having an immense love for chocolate and everything sweet, the Cookies & Cream ice cream was my personal favourite. It was served with the standard waffle with chocolate and maple syrup and a generous amount of toppings like marshmallow, chocolate chips, sprinkles as well as fresh bananas, strawberries and blueberries.
You know how some waffles are soft and frankly quite bland? This is the complete opposite. I’ve never been a big fan of waffles, but I really liked this one. It’s crispy without being too tough to slice into, and it’s perfectly cooked throughout. The Cookies & Cream ice cream paired well with it, adding just the right amount of sweetness without being too overpowering. The Matcha ice cream was a little on the subtle side though as I could barely taste its matcha flavour in the midst of all the sauces and toppings.

Next was the Mango ice cream on an egglet with maple syrup, paired with toppings like fresh fruits, marshmallows, chocolate chip and sprinkles. The maple syrup and mango ice cream made it one of the most fragrant egglets I’ve ever eaten. Just like the standard waffle, everything on the egglet paired well together. And you have to admit, these dishes are also great for your Instagram feed!
Alternatively, for ice cream fans, you can even get ice cream served with unlimited toppings and it will be plated with a cute chocolate syrup illustration of a unicorn! This dish is priced at RM10.

Next up is the array of coffees. La Fleur has a variety to choose from – Matcha Latte, Classic Latte, Hot Chocolate, Mocha, Hazelnut Latte and Caramel Latte (all RM9 each). Psst, there will be new flavours coming soon too! 😉

Note: Be sure to take your coffee pictures in one minute, or it’ll end up topped with tiny bubbles!

One thing I found very interesting is the fact that you can actually pour your own latte art here! The friendly cosplaying waitress showed us how to pour one cup expertly and when we tried… well, all I can say is points for effort. 😛
The Hot Chocolate is my personal favourite. It wasn’t too strong nor was it tasteless. If you’re a big fan of green tea, go for the matcha latte. Its rich taste will win true matcha fans over.

With reasonably-priced meals and a unique concept, we’d see this café filled with plenty of guests for the foreseeable future. As for the unique concept of DIY latte art and unicorns, C of La Fleur X Uniqorn mentioned that there’s a reason behind this.
C noted that La Fleur (which stands for flower in French) is a play on words, whereby it also stands for coffee art in the Mandarin dialect.
This makes complete sense when you know that guests are encouraged to make their own latte art at La Fleur X Uniqorn.
“Latte art is not an easy thing to do and I want guests to appreciate it. Plus, it’s fun to be able to do your own latte art too!” C said.
As for the unicorn theme, C noted that it’s a hype that has never died and some might say that it’s even on the rise.

La Fleur X Uniqorn is made for more than just the unicorn-loving millennial in mind.
If you’re one to enjoy good coffee (and you’re keen to try your hand at latte art), this space is one to look out for.
And come June 1st, you can expect an expansion of menu to include more meals like cakes and mochis too!

La Fleur x Uniqorn Café
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 12pm-12am, Friday-Sunday: 10am-1am
Address: E1-01-02, Sunway GEO Avenue, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway
Website: La Fleur x Uniqorn Café
Tel: 011-1179 6750


8 Enchanting Places In China That Look Like They Belong In Europe

If you’ve ever had the privilege of traveling in Europe, you would know that it’s a hefty price tag but an experience worth paying for, what with stunning sights like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the iconic tulip gardens in the Netherlands.
A little closer to home, China is a beautiful nation with cities worth visiting too, such as Kunming, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
They even have their very own version of European lookalikes, like the Stonehenge of Kunming, which is called the Stone Forest. Here are 8 places in China that feel truly European, so much so that you might be confused if you’ve traveled to Europe after all.
1. Anting New Town, Shanghai
Anting New Town, Shanghai. (Image Credit: Frank P. Palmer AS & P)
Anting New Town in Shanghai bears an uncanny similarity to the Old Bavarian Town in Munich, Germany. The architecture is a part of Shanghai’s One City, Nine Towns initiative where they have constructed nine lookalikes of famous places around the world—one of it being Germany.
Old Bavarian Town in Munich, Germany. (Image Credit: Zicasso)
The colourful buildings of Anting New Town make for a good selfie backdrop. As you stroll through the cobbled steps of this city in Shanghai, you might just feel like you’ve stepped right into the Old Bavarian Town of Munich.
2. Thames Town, Shanghai
Thames Town, Shanghai. (Image Credit: Places Journal Org)
Thames Town in Songjiang District is meant to resemble an old English town in Thames. Dubbed the Ghost Town of Shanghai, the place is mostly abandoned and visited mostly by couples looking to take their bridal photos.
Market Place, Kingston upon Thames. (Image Credit: Geograph.org.uk)
Here at Thames, Shanghai, you’d find many European classics such as English shophouses, churches and even the iconic red telephone booth. The tudor buildings closely resemble Market Place in Kingston upon Thames. Like its name suggests, it’s a traditional market place and home to florists, fishmongers and butchers, just to name a few.
3. Tianducheng, Shanghai
Tianducheng, Shanghai. (Image Credit: Brijj.com)
No trip to China would be complete without paying the “Paris Eiffel Tower” a visit. Located a 2-hour car ride away from Shanghai, Tianducheng houses its very own version of the majestic Eiffel Tower—only 192 metres shorter.
Eiffel Tower, Paris. (Image Credit: Travel + Leisure)
Mostly visited by tourists looking to take their Eiffel Tower jumpshot, you can drop by for some coffee in a quaint Parisian coffee shop or toss a coin in the fountains right in front of the tower, reminiscent of Paris’ very own Trocadero Fountains.
4. Spanish Town, Shanghai
Spanish Town, Shanghai. (Image Credit: arnd Dewald)
The Don Quixote windmills are steeped in history and they have long been seen as an iconic attraction in Spain, specifically in Castilla La Mancha.
More than just a windmill, the Spanish Town in Shanghai borrows influence from Spain and is a pretty bizarre find, considering how it is home to Chinese shophouses.

Don Quixote Windmills, Spain. (Image Credit: travelmyne.com)
Among some of the establishments you’d find here are restaurants, boutiques, supermarkets and shopping centres.
5. Huizhou, Guangdong in Shanghai
Huizhou, Guangdong in Shanghai. (Image Credit: Youtube user @laowhy86)
It looks like a quaint lil’ town in Hallstatt, but it’s not. Complete with large, rectangular planters hanging beneath open windows, it’s almost as if you’re strolling through a small town in Austria.
Hallstatt, Austria. (Image Credit: Easy Voyage UK)
We’d say that Shanghai’s version of the UNESCO heritage Hallstatt village is spot on. Among some of the noteworthy spots here are the European style houses—there’s even a church clock tower. This Hallstatt lookalike is only an hour plus car ride away from Shenzhen.
6. Stone Forest, Kunming
Stone Forest, Kunming. (Image Credit: Top China Travel-China Travel Agency)
The limestone formation in the Stone Forest of Kunming is otherwise known as the First Wonder of the World. More than just a tourist attraction, countless people flock to Kunming each year to visit this place in order to observe the limestone formation of animals, plants and humans.
Stonehenge, England. (Image Credit: History of Stonehenge)
Whilst the Stonehenge of England is not a limestone formation and are stones instead, the way they are positioned, one on top of the other, makes for a worthy comparison to the Shanghai Stone Forest.
7. Dufu Thatched Cottage, Chengdu
Dufu Thatched Cottage, Chengdu. (Image Credit: China Tour Advisors)
Nestled deep within the forest of the Chengdu outskirts, lies the Dufu Thatched Cottage. It’s a park and museum filled with greenery and would bring to mind memories of the iconic Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan.
La Bambouseraie en Cévennes, France. (Image Credit: The Local Switzerland)
Europe has its very own version of the Dufu Thatched Cottage—minus the cottage. It’s called the La Bambouseraie en Cévennes in France. The focus of this botanical garden in Générargues is its bamboo trees which covers an impressive 12 hectares of land. And of course, the biggest similarity between these 2 locations in France and China are its arch bridges.
8. Dongchuan Red Soil, Kunming
Dongchuan Red Soil, Kunming. (Image Credit: Absolute China Tours)
Dubbed “God’s Magic Palette” by tourists, the Dongchuan Red Soil in Kunming does somewhat resemble a large paint palette of warm hues. From a distance, it looks almost as if the long stretch of grass alternates between red, brown and green shades when in fact, the redness is attributed to soil with a deep red pigment.
Tulip Gardens, Netherlands. (Image Credit: Selfie Destination)
From an aerial view, the natural wonder of Kunming looks like the colourful tulip gardens of Netherlands, minus the flowers.
If anything, this just goes to show that China is filled with sceneries that match up to their European counterparts. For those who are looking to take a vacay to Europe but are not willing to burn a hole in their wallet, it’s nice to know that China offers a couple of European lookalikes.
AirAsia flies to routes in China, including Kunming, Shanghai and Shenzhen where you can see these iconic places in person. We can also head to cities like Shantou, Xi’an and Hangzhou with AirAsia for an all-in fare (one-way) from RM179 only.
What’s more, we can now get an additional 10% discount on top of all of AirAsia’s promotions by purchasing via UnionPay.
If your wanderlust has set in, these are the dates to remember:
Booking Period: Now till 28 Jan 2018.
Travel Period: Now till 31 Jul 2018.
This article is brought to you by AirAsia and UnionPay.


KL-ites, You Can Now Get Yourself A Personalised Nutella Jar With Your Name On It

Nutella is a delicious yet sinful spread that almost everyone enjoys. From Nutella wraps to Nutella milkshakes, there are endless possibilities on how to consume it. If you’ve seen those personalised Nutella jars with names and phrases on it and wanted one of your own, you’d be glad to know that you now can!
Image Credit: Nutella
If you don’t already know, #NutellaMessenger is an upcoming event where you get to personalise your name or message on a Nutella jar. This is not the first time that Malaysians could personalise their own jar and this time around, the event will be held in 2 locations within Klang Valley.
Image Credit: Nutella
All you have to do is purchase the Nutella jars at the designated #NutellaMessenger booths in 1 Utama and Sunway Pyramid. The Nutella jars are limited to 2 per pax at any given time and if you wish to purchase more, you would have to queue up once again.
Next, provide your customised message to the staff. Do note that each message will have a 12 character limit, inclusive of symbols and spacing. After you have finalised your message, proceed to queue to collect ONE complimentary crepe for each personalised Nutella jar purchased. There is also a chance for a photo opportunity at #NutellaMessenger.

So what are you waiting for? Time to personalise your Nutella jar for yourself and for your loved ones too!

Sunway Pyramid
When: February 24-26, 10am-10pm
Where: LG2 Central Avenue, Sunway Pyramid
Info: Nutella Messenger

1 Utama
When: March 1-5, 10am-1opm
Where: GF High Street, One Utama
Info: Nutella Messenger

Feature Image Credit: Favulous.femme & Timeout


This Café In Subang Jaya Specialises In Adorable Jelly Cakes & Bingsu Bowls

It’s official. We’ve possibly found the most adorable dessert house in town and it’s located right in the heart of Subang.

While the Taipan business hub is known for its bigger and more prominent shophouses such as the McDonald’s restaurant or the Dao Rae Korean restaurant, just to name a few, Jeli Dessert House might just be overlooked.

Hidden away on the first floor, you might not notice Jeli Dessert House immediately.

It also doesn’t help that they’re located along the Subway shoplots row which is arguably one of the quieter rows in Taipan, save for the Epicuro restaurant which is just a stone’s throw away.

What makes Jeli Dessert House unique though is their house specialty: jelly cake desserts and bingsu bowls.

First up, they are known for adorable layered jelly cakes which are not only fun and colourful, but also better for you. If you’re looking for something a little more substantial for your afternoon tea, there’s also a rainbow cake topped off with rainbow marshmallows.

Beat the heat and cool down with Jeli Dessert House’s signature bingsu bowls. They come in flavours like dark chocolate with strawberries and mango with nata de coco.

End your meal with Jeli Dessert House’s refreshing coconut water drinks as well as the signature coconut shakes.
Jeli Dessert House
Hours: Wednesdays-Thursdays, Sundays-Mondays: 12pm-11pm, Fridays-Saturdays: 12pm-11.30pm. (Closed on Tuesdays)
Address: 5B, Jalan USJ 10/1J, Taipan Business Centre, Subang Jaya
Website: Jeli Dessert House
Tel: 03-8020 7018
All Image Credit: Jeli Dessert House


Japanese BBQ At Kiwami Yakiniku @ SS18 (October 2020)

When you walk into Kiwami Yakiniku Japanese Restaurant, directly on the left wall stretching from the entrance is a whole plethora of certs, letting you know where the beef you’re about to put into your mouth is coming from.

We dropped by on a quieter afternoon so we don’t know how it this would differ if it was a busy time, but their service was really on point. Our waiters were friendly, helpful, and very familiar with the menu. They asked if we’d like our meat to be cooked for us and we gladly accepted so that we don’t under or overcook anything.
Since we got help with the cooking, we could focus on the eating!
Wagyu Jyo tongue (RM30 for 9 slices): This was the first meat we had, and it ended up being our favourite.
The tongue is so chewy and springy, it was such a joy to eat and it also went very well with the sauce provided. We really enjoyed it, and wouldn’t have minded eating a lot more.

A5 Wagyu Ohtoro Karubi (RM120/100 gm): Recommended by our waiter because it was on promo for RM88, the beef itself was very fatty, which made it very light and melt in the mouth when we tasted it. We requested for it to be medium rare.

 Although it was really very good, we found that after 3 slices each, we almost had our fill of it, because of its sheer richness. Would we order it again? Probably only if it’s on offer at the current promo price.

Pork belly (RM28/150 gm): We were a little underwhelmed by the pork belly, and although it tasted much better with the lemon dip provided, it was quite an ordinary experience.

An average Korean BBQ restaurant would probably be a better choice if you want your fill of pork belly.
Chicken skin skewer (RM3): The chicken skin was quite crispy, but we felt it was a little one note. It was basically just salty, and because we took a while to get to eating it (we were very distracted by the barbeque-ing meat), unfortunately it really didn’t seem to be very much to shout about. Also with the amount on the skewer, it didn’t feel like it was worth RM3.
The selection of skewers we got.
Lily mushroom and beef skewer (RM10): This was an instant favourite, the beef was tender, the mushrooms were juicy and all were well-flavoured and went together so well. This is one skewered combo we’d order again.
Shitake mushroom (RM3/skewer): They didn’t look very appealing, and unfortunately, they also weren’t very seasoned and we felt that they were also undercooked. We’d have liked to see more char on these (maybe we should have popped it onto the grill for some extra cooking, ahha!).

Grilled tiger prawn (RM4/skewer): The prawns were a good size, and just right in terms of the doneness. We thought that there was enough salt for seasoning, and because of the natural sweetness of the prawns, it didn’t need anything else and was good eaten as is.
Unagi kabayaki (RM35): We were a bit surprised by the unagi because we didn’t expect it to be so soggy. The skin was a tad underdone, making it a bit sticky and the overall experience eating it wasn’t very pleasant.

It definitely could have been on the grill longer before serving, which was a pity. The sauce itself was decent, we used it for our pork belly slices!
We would say that overall there were some hits and misses at Kiwami, but the meats were fresh and good quality.

However for RM210 total for 3, it was a decent meal (we all felt super full!) but not entirely memorable. If you do visit, we feel most of their beef dishes are good but we’re a little more on the fence for the rest.
Kiwami Yakiniku
Address: 5, Jalan SS18/1B 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Phone Number: 03-5632 0988


Signature, The Roof’s New Menu Promises To Tantalise Taste-Buds, We Sent 2 Tough Critics

Signature by the Hill is one of the few eateries nestled high above the Bandar Utama skyline in the penthouse area of First Avenue known as The Roof.
As the extreme examples of foodies on our team, Sarah and I were invited to sample some of the brand new dishes on their menu. We were told that they would “tantalise taste buds at a glance!” and so we went expectant.
The glossy pages of the new menu with the meticulously styled food seemed to be promises of what was to come.

Our first entrée was the Medley Of Seafood (RM22). With a name like that, we expected nothing less than a crock full of marine offerings and we were not disappointed.

The scent was rich, even meaty, and what we particularly enjoyed was that the seafood was both fresh and expertly cooked. It was a very generous serving, with mussels, prawns, squid and clams, all still sweet without having lost their flavour to the broth.
Personally, I found the tomato base rather overpowering, but it had the exact right spicy kick-in-your-face bite to it. Sarah on the other hand had a coughing fit thanks to the chilli.
The second soup we were served brought on very mixed reactions.
I love oxtail soup, both the Asian and Western varieties. Signature’s version (Oxtail Soup, RM20) seemed to be trying for a marriage of two cultures, with sauteed oxtail on the side and a thin beef broth filled with vegetable chunks.

I was disappointed. It lacked the rich thickness of the Western style or the spicy kick of the Asian oxtail you get at mamaks.
Sarah loved it. She waxed lyrical about the quantity of vegetables with the celery, potatoes, carrots, and fried shallots.
I could only chew through what I considered undercooked carrots (which some people may enjoy), and gnaw at the very savoury but tough oxtail pieces.
What we did agree on was that having what felt like an excessive amount of peanuts in the soup added a lot of texture, but no flavour. “I had to chew my soup, very weird,” in Sarah’s words.
The next dish was poison to me due to my garlic aversions, so Sarah had it all to herself.

I believed Sarah’s lies that you can’t taste the garlic and hazarded a dip of my bread into the oil. The aftertaste was disgusting (as someone who hates garlic, not that the flavour was actually disgusting).
The prawns themselves were rather tough and rubbery, probably from being overcooked in the sizzling oil, a far cry from the just-right prawns from the seafood soup earlier.
All in all though, we found it hard to justify the RM30 pricepoint for the Garlic Prawns, particularly since they came with just two buns, and everything else in the oil was not really edible (garlic, onions, dried chillies, curry leaves).
It was now time for a refreshing salad, or so we hoped.

Yes, the Forest Mushroom Salad (RM23) did have very delicious mushrooms—delicately deep-fried enoki, sauteed portobello, button and more enoki mushrooms, BUT they were disappointingly scarce.
The dressing also tasted like every Japanese restaurant’s sesame dressing, so it was unimpressive all round.

To be honest, we were slightly disappointed with the use of this gimmick for the Tandoori Chicken Flying Pasta (RM36). After all, the pasta’s only going to get cold hovering up above in the air like that.
We tend to distrust fancy tricks like this.
Sometimes, eateries resort to such tactics to make up for the disappointing taste of their fare. The appearance of the chicken didn’t help, it looked dry.
By this course, Sarah (who doesn’t enjoy spicy food) was already suffering from the assault on her tastebuds, but she gamely took a forkful first. “It’s good!” she said.
I took my first bite, and then whipped out my phone to write a tribute to the chef’s perfect al dente. I cannot emphasise enough how difficult it is sometimes to find someone who gets it right. The chicken too, did not live up to its appearance, and was relatively juicy, considering that they were pieces of breast meat.
As for the taste of the pasta, it’s almost like eating naan bread with your tandoori chicken, except confusingly it’s in the form of pasta tendrils instead of roti.
In terms of Asian-Western fusion, this was a distinct winner.
We were sated by now, but were gamely ready for the next dish, a Mediterranean Lamb Rack (RM68).

“Smells suspiciously spicy,” said Sarah, battle-worn from her exertions.
I was feeling the food starting to settle, so I attacked the vegetables first. The zucchini was cooked to perfection and the sautéed mushrooms juicy.
For us, the star of the dish was actually the pumpkin potato mash. Both sweet and flavourful, we think we’ll probably add this to our own home menus from now on.
Don’t be frightened by the wasabi dust on the lamb, it barely registers.
The lamb itself was a little fatty, but tender and easy to carve off the bone. It’s an overused trope, but it really was melt in your mouth. I enjoyed how the lamb was not overly gamey, but my dinner companion actually saw that as a disadvantage.
We only had two major complaints with this dish. The roasted whole mushrooms on the side? Completely oversalted. Sarah couldn’t even bring herself to eat it and spat it out after popping it into her mouth.
And the broccoli and asparagus? Under-seasoned. We did provide feedback to the outlet manager after the meal, so hopefully this will be amended.
We’d been looking forward to dessert (who doesn’t?) and were excited when a slice of red velvet cake was placed before us.

We did approach the cake with a fairly blasé attitude. After all, it’s a red velvet, been there done that all before. Many eateries think adding generous amounts of cream cheese to a dry wallpapery sponge is the way to go, but they are wrong.
Imagine my surprise to find a moist and soft sponge that is brought all together with layers of hazelnut paste. That’s right, this is a Red Velvet Nutella Cake (RM22), and we think this is one of the most brilliant additions to the standard red velvet recipes we’ve tried in a while.
We had just enough space for one last dish, the Lychee Cheese Tart (RM20).

It’s light and sweet and crust is good (crispy but not overly fragile) but there’s nothing else to it. The lychee registered only as a faint aftertaste, and the lashings of cream were overwhelming.
Sarah and I agreed that the new dishes were a bit of a hit-and-miss for us, but we’d definitely return for the cake. We were actually hoping for a more mind-blowing experience, but the quality and overall taste was above average. Perhaps our expectations had set too high a bar.
Myself? Typing this has already given me cravings for the pasta, so it’s probably down to the nearest mamak for a tandoori chicken naan to satiate those longings for now.
Signature by the Hill, The Roof
Hours: Monday-Friday: 11:30am–2:30pm, 5pm–2am, Saturday-Sunday: 5pm–2am
Address: The Roof, 1 First Avenue, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Website: Signature by the Hill
Tel: 03-8605 3388