Jonker Street – A Fascinating Street

If you are looking at a list of “must-go” places in Melaka, you will find that Jonker Street will always be at the top of the list. It is also a highly recommended place for those who would like to discover Melaka in an interesting and interactive way. If you are planning to spend an hour there before hopping to another major attraction, think twice as it is not an ordinary “street” – one can spend a whole day there just to check out the attractive shops along the street.

Located at Jalan Hang Jebat, this street is also known as Jonker Walk. At an easily accessible location, some people might perceive it as nothing more than a straight and narrow street. However, once you stepped into the entrance of the street, you will be amazed by what you see in each and every distinct shop. Along the street, you can find shops selling unique antique, wood-craved statues, interior and household products, fashionable clothes, colourful accessories and various souvenirs.

The main souvenir that you will be easily attracted to is probably the colourful clogs. Made by wood and painted with striking flowery pattern, the clogs are available in various colours such as red, yellow, purple and blue. You can even find those clogs in different sizes for both adult and children! These modern type of clogs are “invented” from clogs that old nanny wore in the olden days, which was just a simple one with red rubber strip and no colourful painting. Today, these clogs are just another hit item here!

Promised to get some nice souvenirs of Melaka for friends? Here is the best place to source some unique souvenirs without having to burn a hole in your pocket. Different shops along the street sell souvenirs like key chain,beautiful wind chimes made by sea shell and photo frame. If you are looking for something even more extraordinary, wood craving will be a good choice. Wood-craved statues of different type of animals are also available in Jonker Street.

For those who are looking for “personalized” souvenirs, go for seal engraving. It is where you can engrave names or initials of Chinese character on a smallstones and use it as a personal stamp. Apart from the ordinary stone, you can also opt for something fancier – stones with motives like tiger, dragon or others. This service is available in front of a souvenir shop named Banyan Garden Café . Prices for seal engraving are varied depending on characters you would like to engrave and stones you prefer.

Besides selling souvenirs, shops in Jonker Street also sell pretty apparels. Most of the boutiques are renovated in an amazing way, featuring natural theme by utilizing earth tone colour for wall, table and even hanger. Even though most of the boutiques are in a relatively small size if compared to retail outlet in cities, they provide comprehensive apparel ranging from blouse, dress, T-shirt, pants to matching bags, accessories and hat!

Tired of walking along the street and checking every attractive shop? At Jonker Street, there are numerous café and restaurant that sell local delicacies. The most renowned among tourist will be Geographer Cafélocated at the middle of the street. Painted in yellow with striking green window pane, the café is another landmark in the street.

You can also feast your palate with local delicacies such as Chicken rice ball,curry noodles, assam fish and dessert like cendol. Choose from a wide range of restaurants that sell local delicacies along the street. There are also stalls that sell mouth-watering snacks such as pineapple tarts, dodol (sticky sweet delicacies) and crunchy barbeque sun-dried squid.

For those who are visiting Jonker Street on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you will be able experience the same place in different ways. During these 3 days, there will be a night market starting from 6.00 pm to 12.00 am where there will be additional stalls along the pedestrian street. No matter day or night, Jonker Street is not merely a narrow street with shops. It is a discovery into the cultures of Melaka.

Penang Food

Lor mee (Chinese: 卤面) is a Chinese-inspired noodle dish served in a thick starchy gravy and thick flat yellow noodles (also known as lor mee). The dish is eaten by Hokkiens (Min Nan speakers) in Singaporeand Malaysia. The thick gravy is made of corn starch, spices andeggs. The ingredients added into the noodles are usually ngo hiang,fish cake, fish, round and flat meat dumplings (usually pork), half a boiled egg, and other items depending on the stall and the price paid. Vinegar and garlic can be added as an optional item. The dish is also eaten with red chilli. Traditional versions also include bits of fried fish as topping though few stalls serve this version anymore."

They used to be just a small stall @ a coffee shop. Today, they moved to a new coffeeshop and have about 6 people running the stall just to accommodate their customer's orders...

Some place's lor mee taste funny... or should i say their spices are too empowering it just turns you off before you even eat it or after just one taste. But this one.... this one is really nice. Well balanced. Cooked to perfection I'll say.

Born and raised in Penang, I am practically a living and walking food guide when it comes to eating Penang hawker food or street food. As requested by many readers, I have finally put together this comprehensive “An Insider’s Guide to Penang Hawker Food“ to give you the insider’s tips about thewhere, what, and who of the best of the best in Penang hawker food scene.

Assam Laksa (* Click on the title to view picture of food)

Noodles in tangy and sour fish broth served with fresh vegetables such as mint leaves, onions, cucumber, lettuce, pineapple, red chili, and bunga kantan (torch ginger bud). A spoonful of Hae Ko (a dark and thick prawn paste) brings out the essence of this ever popular Nyonya creation.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Laksa Air Itam

This is the most famous Laksa stall in Penang. Managed by a father-son team: Ang Kak Seong and Ang Kar Foo, this Laksa is a must try!

Kek Seng Coffee Shop

Hokkien Mee / Prawn Noodles

A popular noodle soup with spicy broth made from prawn shells and heads. Served with slices of hard-boiled eggs, shredded prawns, water convolvulus, pork, crispy fried shallots and a spoonful of chili paste.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Hokkien Mee at Kedai Kopi Classic

Coffee Shop at the corner of Macalister Road and Rangoon Road (Morning)

Curry Mee

Yellow noodles and vermicelli infused in rich and spicy coconut curry and with cubes of pig’s blood, cockles, fried tofu puffs, cuttlefish, and shrimps as toppings. Penang Curry Mee is unlike Curry Mee / Curry Laksa served elsewhere in Malaysia; the broth is usually lighter as less coconut milk is used.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee

Char Koay Teow

Char Koay Teow / Char Kway Teow is basically fried flat rice noodles with prawns, cockles, egg, bean sprouts, Chinese chives, and chili paste. Sometimes, slices of Chinese sausage are added. The best Char Koay Teow is usually fried with pork lard, which gives that extra aroma to the dish.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop

There are two stalls outside of the coffee shop. Go for the one with a lot of customers. Afternoon.
Kedai Kopi Lam Leng

Rojak

Rojak is a Penang-style salad. Ingredients such as cucumber, jicama, pineapples, jambu (water apple), bean curd pieces, and cuttlefish are tossed with Hae Ko (prawn paste), chili, roasted belacan and topped with ground peanuts.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop

Majestic Rojak

Jiu Hu Eng Chai (Cuttlefish Salad with Water Convolvulus)

Another salad where blanched cuttlefish and water convolvulus are tossed with prawn paste, chili, sweet sauce, and topped with sesame seeds and grounded peanuts. This dish is very delightful. A must try.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Gurney Drive Hawker Center

New Lane Hawker Juction

Popiah

Filled with jacama (yambean), diced beancurb, and crab meat wrapped in fresh spring roll skin, Popiah is juicy and delicious. The best Popiah can be found at Padang Brown Hawker Center.

Insider tip: order the deluxe Popiah with real crab meat instead of the regular popiah with artificial crab meat.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Padang Brown Hawker Center

New Lane Hawker Juction

Grilled Stingray (Ikan Panggang)

One must not miss Grilled Stingray when you are in Malaysia. In Penang, Ikan Panggang / Ikan Bakar can be found at Chinese Kopi Tiam or Malay hawker joints.

Other than Stingrays, there are other fish and seafood to choose from, for example: clams, squids, and other shellfish.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

New Lane Hawker Juction

Oh Chien (Fried Oyster Omelette)

Originated in the Fujian region in China, Oh Chien is fried omelette with fresh oysters, with starch mixed into the eggs. The key to this dish is Wok Hei (breath of wok) as well as the generous use of fresh and succulent oysters.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Seng Thor Coffee Shop

Chicken Rice

Chicken Rice is a very popular dish in Malaysia because it’s filling, delicious, and cheap. Other than steamed and fried / roasted chicken, you can also order barbequed pork, char siew, gizzards, innards, and other side dishes to go with the chicken rice.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Goh Thow Chick Famous Hainan Chicken Rice

Otak-Otak

Otak-otak is a Nyonya specialty. Wrapped in a banana leaf, Otak-Otak is basically spicy fish custard made of fresh fish fillets, eggs, and daun kadok (wild pepper leaves). Penang Otak-Otak is usually steamed while in Melaka and southern states, they are grilled. Both are equally delectable and it’s great as a snack.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

New World Café (Siin Se Kai)

Loh Bak

Loh Bak or meat rolls are wrapped in beancurd skin and deep fried to perfection. At Loh Bak stalls, you can also order prawn fritters (Heh Chee), fried bean curds, and other side dishes such as octopus, century eggs, etc. Loh Bak are usually served with two dipping sauces in Penang: chili sauce and a starchy sauce flavored with five-spice powder and eggs. Penangites usually order a combo plate of Loh Bak, prawn fritters, and fried beancurb.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Café Kheng Pin

Padang Brown Hawker Center

Hawker Center at Batu Lanchang afternoon market

New Lane Hawker Juction

Chee Cheong Fun

Chee Cheong Fun is steamed rice rolls with oil, sweet sauce, and Heh Koe (prawn paste sauce) and topped with toasted sesame seeds, and fried shallots and chili sauce (if desired). Penang Chee Cheong Fun is very different from those served elsewhere in Malaysia. This is one of the must try hawker food in Penang.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

New Lane Hawker Juction

Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop

Cheh Hu

Cheh Hu or Chinese-style rojak is a healthy serving of bean sprouts, julienned cucumber, jicama (yambean), prawn fritters, beancurd, sliced jellyfish in a sweet potato sauce. This is one of my favorite afternoon snacks.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Padang Brown Hawker Center

Hawker Center at Batu Lanchang afternoon market

Taman Free School Hawker Center

Muar Chee

Muar Chee is a light snack consists of glutinous rice balls coated with grounded peanuts and sugar. As simple as it might sound to you, these little rice balls are very tasty. I crave for them every so often.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Gurney Drive Hawker Center

Lok Lok

Lok Lok or fresh food in skewers with a pot of hot boiling water is fun to eat. There are two kinds of Lok Lok: sit-down Lok Lok where there is a table for patrons and stand-up Lok Lok where there is no seating. I personally like sit-down version because it’s just fun sitting down with a bunch of your friends or family members and have a communal dining experience.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Padang Brown Hawker Center

There are two stalls to choose from. Both are great, but with slightly different selections of food.

Pulau Tikus Evening Market

Apong Balik

Apong Balik is a kind of Malaysian pancake filled with sliced bananas. Click on the link above and check out the picture; need I say more?

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Apong Guan

Roti Canai

Roti Canai is one of the best creations by Mamak (Indian-Muslim). This fluffy, crispy, and flaky bread is cooked on a flat iron skillet with lots of oil. Roti Canai is best when served with curries (choices include but not limited to chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or vegetarian).

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Roti canai stalls at Chulia Street

If you like your Roti Canai buttery, order Roti Bom or Roti Planta. If you like them with fillings, do try outMurtabak (filled with onions and beef) or Roti Pisang (filled with sliced bananas).

Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar is very popular in Penang. Operated by Mamak (Indian-Muslim), Nasi Kandar stalls or restaurants serve meals of steamed rice with a variety of curries, fried food, and other side dishes. I like eating my Nasi Kandar with a side order of Roti Canai, Papadam, and a glass of cold ice Syrup (a drink with pink syrup).

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Restaurant Tajuddin Hussein in Little India

Line Clear

Cendol

Cendol consists of pandan-flavored noodles, shaved ice, red beans in coconut milk and palm sugar syrup. Cendol is a popular dessert. Some tourists and visitors come to Penang just to try
this out!

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Joo Hooi Café

Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop

Ice Kacang

Shaved ice with red beans, sweet corns, grass jelly, atap chee (the flesh from young seeds of a mangrove plant called Nypa Frutican) and jello. Sweet syrup and evaporated milk are generously drizzled over the shaved ice. This dessert is a great after a hot day in the sun.

Loh Eng Hoo Coffee Shop

Kek Seng Coffee Shop

New World Park

Nyonya Kuih

Nyonya Kuih are little cakes created by the Peranakans. They are colorful, delicate, and full of flavor and are best as a light breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Rasa Malaysia recommends:

Padang Brown Hawker Center

Pulau Tikus Market

Cecil Market

Tee Nya Kuih

Tee Nya Kuih are rice cakes with brown sugar / palm sugar syrup. This Chinese delicacy is getting harder and harder to find these days. A must try. Pandan flavor is also available.

New World Park

Lat Chee (Roasted Chesnuts)

Roasted chesnuts were my childhood favorite. They are sweet and addictive and I would always steal them from my late grandmother (it was her favorite too). Once you start eating them, you just can’t stop.

Chowrasta Market

There are two stalls in front Chowrasta Market. Both are equally good.

The picture below is

Penang Tong Sui | Wai Sek Kai - Leng Chee Kang

Ajisen Ramen, I Utama

Whoever saw this cute little girl holding a bowl of noddles, am sure you will know this is Ajisen Ramen's symbol or rather logo. Unfortunately I don't understand Japanese, thus don't really understand what it says about its history in their website.

I believe this is a 1st outlet in 1 Utama, Kuala Lumpur. Daniel and I was pretty spontaneous when we decided to call a half day off from our hectic schedule. We both are enjoying our quality time that spent together. I didn't know much about this Ramen, but from the menu that they gave us, I could see they do have many branches in all over the world, eg. Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, etc.The waitress there was kind enough to introduce their specialty and also explained to us their soup base are mainly came from pork ribs, bones and so on (non-halal). In fact, she recommended 'Volcano Ramen' which is the spicy type of ramen.

With that recommendation, I took the 'Volcano Ramen' and hubby took the Dried Ramen. Both turn out to be nice and good, but hubby prefers their Dried Ramen, cuz, that's something different from the soupy. Oh yes, one thing that we like it very much is because the noddle textures are crunchy and less alkaline. For the lunch itself, we have spent RM31-50, so expensive or not?? Or we should weigh this with the quality time spent with your loved one?

2nd 1 day trip to Kampar, Perak

I, Daniel and Kim Mun started the journey to Kampar this morning around 11am plus after we finish our Brunch at Pappa Rich, Bandar Sri Damansara. Along the highway to Kampar, we look at the sky and lots of the design on the cloud. We saw 1 cloud with the shape of rat, chicken drumstick and many more which we do not know how to describe the shape. Kim Mun get a shock how come it takes a long time only reach Kampar and we tell him that actually Selangor is quite big also so until now, we are still within Selangor border.

At last, we reach Slim River, where we will be going out of the Selangor border. After we have already passed the Slim River sign board, soon we will found the Kampar sign board by showing University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) location. After that we already pass by the Kampar toll where we will still need to head UTAR as the location which is much further in. We drove the car about few kilometres finally we reach Westlake, where that is the location for UTAR. We called the landlord and he informs that he will be coming out to take us go in to his house by showing us the direction.

After we had already taken a look on his house and make the decision, we continue our journey by going to few places for photo shooting. In our plan, we got 2 places where we wanted to go that is Kellie’s Castle and Batu Berangkai (Waterfall area). Along the journey on the highway, we saw the sign board stated Gua Tempurung, so, we decided to go and have a look. We reach Gua Tempurung and unfortunately, if we wanted to go into the Gua Tempurung, we will have to pay money for the ticket and some more the weather is so hot which there isn’t any rain at all for the whole afternoon. We change our mind to proceed to the Kellie’s castle. After a while looking for the Kellie’s Castle, finally we reach there but the weather is still so hot.

We came down from the car and proceed to the ticket counter as we still need to pay money for the entrance ticket. We pay for the entrance ticket and go in to the Kellie’s Castle. For this castle, one of my friend said that do not make so much noise as the castle can say s very creepy. Daniel and Kim Mun just walk a while, both of them already sweating nonstop so which means that the weather is really very hot. This Kellie’s Castle is an uncompleted castle during the year of 1907. While we are walking at the surrounding of the castle, there is some notice by telling you on which room is belong to which room. We did take quite a number of the photos while visiting each room. In the castle, there got one of the tunnels which are very dark and we don’t dare to go in. While we are climbing up the stairs to the highest floor, we found some bats on the ceiling. After that, we go up to the highest floor which is called “parapad” where if Mr. William Kellie Smith manage to build up the whole castle and if he is still alive, he will be able to stand at the “parapad” there to look at the his own castle and the estates.

After finish visiting the castle, we proceed to the waterfall which is called “Lata kinjang Waterfall” where we saw the sign board stated there. We reach the waterfall as it is about 8km from the entrance of Chenderiang. We walk up to the middle of the waterfall to take a picture of the water. While Daniel and Kim Mun is busy taking photos, I take off my shoe and walk to the water there. The feeling when we touching the waterfall water time are very cooling but the stones there are very slippery. Although, I already walk very carefully in the water, I also will fall down due to the stones are very slippery and just only my pants get wet. After we had already finish taking photos, we decided to go back KL as the weather already inform us that it is going to start to heavy rain.

This is what we called 1 day trip and it gives us the feeling which is very happy as we manage to take a lot of photos. So, we are heading back to KL to have out dinner as all of us tomorrow will have to go for work.

à That’s all for today for the 1 day trip to Kampar again. Chao ~~

Lata Kinjang, Waterfall, Tapah, Perak Darul Ridzuan

The very dramatic - Lata Kinjang

The Brownish advertisement board advise motorist to turn into Tapah to see this waterfalls. It is easy to find but for those in a hurry, the waterfall is not so near to the turn off point. So go on a tight time budget if you decide to make a small detour.Everyone admire this large waterfall, wondering how to access the spot and awe at its size. Yes- this is the prominent fall beside the North-South expressway between Ipoh and Tapah. What is visible in this picture is the center part of a 300 meters tall cascade.

The fall appears dramatic with widespread white steaks pouring down and the openness of the drop allows viewers to see entire drop. Hidden from sight are the small fall at the top and the cascades at the bottom.There are camping grounds and a broad picnic areas. The first at ground level, a big pool preceded by a slide down the incline slope. An artificial slide is now available beside the edge of this last cascade

Diagrammatic interpretation of the top picture. More information's on the hidden top waterfalls are featured as Lata Kinjang 2.The 1st[top] and 3rd portion picnic] area are hidden from view at the Expressway but can be easily accessed A proper ring walkway takes visitors to the highest possible landings at the foot of the cliff wall. A suspension bridge joins the opposite bank to complete the loop.By the time you reach he ledge and bridge, the ascend could be close to 65 meters. Not an easy task for most city folks who do not adapt themselves to strenuous walking.

The elevated bridge over the ravine gives a full effects of this dramatic fall against the wall and a bird's eye view of the valley and picnic area all the way down. Makes this place a "Must visit"

It is not too dangerous but exercise maximum caution to get close to the falling water. Catch a glimpse of "water falling from the sky"

This picture is taken about 10 meters away from the wall, so as not to get my camera wet.

Pool here is a narrow canal of 2 meters wide "carved" by falling water. Daring ones will soak themselves in this pit and enjoy the massaging effects of water

To reach the fall, [1] take the turnpike on the North South Expressway at Tapah, then go north towards Tapah using Federal route 1. There is a right turn into Cenderiang. OR [2] from Kampar in the north turn left into Cenderiang .

This junction along Federal Route 1 showing the appropriate turn into the village is very marked. There might be some confusion though at the "cowboy" town where the much need direction sign are non-existence. Ask the town folks, as there is only one way to the fall, which is another 5 kilometer away. The sign board, not as big, are there, see carefully.

This waterfall is a series of tall cascades, many of them dropping vertically. The picture here shows the last cascade that was a long slide of 100 meters tall.

A classic picture before the place became popular and before the enhancement took place.The Forestry Department administers the facilities around the fall. There are car parks, toilets and food stalls. While there is no picnic area provided, the poolside is dotted with enough boulders for groups to perch on. For the more daring, the almost flat rocky surface at the start of the cascade is a good place to have your picnic.

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