Food: Contempoary Sushi Shop.

At some point, I think there are many sushi shop open in the past decade.  It is all good to have bento box for the diner. But, things is change when chef introduce more contemporary sushi roll. It reflects some of the Japanese cuisine has change its direction. From the start of the regular sushi bar like Sushi Zen, Sushi Zenmai, Sushi Tei, and Sushi King. Certainly, people might not interested in the menu of Sushi King because it is not quite attractive anymore. The menu fail because of many reason: It doesn't have any special rolls and the sushi is not different from the past. Now, the Sushi Zrnmai and Sushi Zrn are the most popular Sushi shop in Mid Valley because both share the same concept of making improvement on rolls, rice noodles, chicken menu. So, this is the main attractiion in these two shop. The Sushi Zenmai has some different menu from Sushi Zen. The sushi ,emu has blend with some new creation of sushi into it like the Toro belly and Slightly Grilled Slamon sushi are the highlight of Sushi Zenmai. Anyway, I just visit Sushi Zen for a try.

When I first walk towards the entrance of the shop, it makes me feel unpleasant. If you are dining with a place especially in a mall, it should maintain certain standard. This is one of the bad exmaple of the shop. I really find that this shop has to make a change for its chair before their turn off their customer.

The Soft Shell Crab maki us really a simple roll to make. You need to deep fried the soft shell crab with some tempura flour. Then, sliced it into hald and put it into the sticky rice. The taste of the rice with the soft shell crab is incredible. Indeed, ithe rice is the magic here.

Everywhere you go in Japan, you can't miss their classical raw fish fillet. It is important to taste the fatty and fresh fish without the fishy flavor. I  think that only bad thing will happen is the fish is totally not fresh or it is just in the refrigerator for sometime. So far, this Sushi shop is quite alright. I can'y expect that it is really fresh from the ocean, but I  really taste some freshness in it.

Deep fried things like tempura is always easy to done. But, if the prawn is not fresh, you will still end up chewing something is soft and easily tear apart. Fortunately, I feel good about this King Prawn Roll. It is done nicely and nothing short in flavour. So simple, yet is a one of the roll that makes you feel joy..

Japanese cuisine is about fresh and preserve it in a good manner. Food wise, this shop is done a good job to lift up the standard. So often in a shop that is not really cares about their food or even just don't bother about the customer needs. I think this Sushi shop is really good for people who like Japanese food. I mught say that it is totally a place that has everything in it.

Travel: Chinatown Food and History.

Chinatown or Shu Chong Gai is one of the popular destiny in Malaysia. This place is located at the Petaling Street which is close to an iconic hotel called Lok Ann Hotel. Chinatwon is one of the place that has all you need to know about the food and culture. One the things you must do is to taste some of the local food. The local food like Pork Noodles, Beef Noodles, Beef Balls Noodles, Seremban Baked Bun, Dry Wanton Noodles, BBQ Pork, Roast Pork and Pan Mee are some of the examples of food in the Chinatown. On top of that, you will experience the different coffee culture like one of the coffee shop near Jalan Tun H.S Lee, it is one of signature drink to try.

One of the reason that people come here is to know what makes this Chinatown special is the settlement of Chinese immigrant in Kuala Lumpur. During the time of 19 century, Chinese immigrant migrant from China though agents like Yap Ah Loy to work as miner. Besides that, the begin of Chinatown slowly take place as more people dealing with trading become the main source of income. The progress of the Chinatown become a trademark as it reflect on the Chinese who work there and they livelihood in that place. Those immigrants who migrant to Malaysia are Fu Chow, Teow Chew and Guang Dong. There is a mix of different dialect in a Malaysia.

For traveler, this is definitely a place to explore. The first place to go is the Kwan Ti Temple which located at the Jalan Tun H.S Lee. The temple has two fierce looking guardian who protect the temple from evil and in the front of the temple, there is two lion sitting there. When the moment you look up the hall of the temple, you will see a spiral incense.  The best time to visit this place is when Chinese New Year and the 15th days after Chinese New Year. What you will see is the people will gather that place to pray for good job, successful and of course have a good life. One of the tradition is to pray to one of the God to help you go though a difficult time. If you are born in certain Zodiac, you might experience some bad thing or worse ever difficulty, you have to pray. During the time of 15th of Chinese New Year, there will be people going round and round the temple and praying. This possession is continue for follower who really believe in Kwan Ti.

The second place to see is the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. It is a iconic place because it has been built for more than a century. It has a beautiful architecture at the front entrance. The masterpiece of art at the entrance is really reflect the Hindu religion in town. The art work has been repair and preserve by a trustee who manage the temple.

The Third place to go is Chinatown market. The Chinatown market has a lots of traditional food that you haven't taste in other parts of world. One of it is the Stuffed Fish Paste in Vegetables or Yong Tau Fu. The Yong Tau Fu stall has been selling more than 50 years. It has been one of the main dish in Chinese diet. Besides that, you will a stall selling Chee Cheong Fun. The name Chee Cheong Fun means pig's intestine noodles or simply means the rice sheet roll similar to pig's intestine.  This dish usually serve with chili sauce and sweet sauce. The Chili sauce is make of hot chili and the sweet sauce consist of fermented prawn paste.  There is also one stall selling Asam Laksa. Asam Laksa is one of the local dish that has the unique blend of sweet and sour. The sour is come from the Tamarind and the sweet is come from the fermented prawn paste. It is dish that gives you a boost in the morning because it is light and tasty.

The Fourth place is to visit the beef ball noodles shop near Jalan Tun H.S Lee. This place is located at the opposite of Lai Foong Coffee Shop.  This shop is called Sin Kao Yu. The reason why I introduce this place is because it has a history. This place have been carry on for decade and it is one of favorite noodles shop. Just imagine, Chinatown use to have a theater full of people, you will know the food here should be good, otherwise it will be long gone. The shop serve the fresh beef balls around the town. Lucky enough, it is air conditional. The beef balls mixed with some spices that create a distinctive flavor which enhance the freshness of the beef. Besides that, the soup is pack with fresh beef flavor. Indeed, this is also one of the iconic place to go.

The Fifth place to go is the Central Market. It is located at the opposite of Pasar Seni station. The main thing to try is the local coffee. If you haven't try one, you better try it now because local coffee has one kind of a smell. The aroma of the coffee is mainly come from the process of roasting it. It certainly don't have the taste of Italy coffee or even the Spanish coffee, but it has the flavor of roasted coffee. The main attraction there is the variety of local products. Some of the local product is from the East Malaysia. The place is used to be a wet market for people to get they food supply. It has change because of the inconvenient of the place to the public. So, it becomes a traveler place.

The Sixth Place to go is the Lai Foong Coffee Shop. One of the oldest and iconic shop in Kuala Lumpur. They have few hawker stall selling local delight such as Pork Noodles, Beef Noodles and Chicken Rice. This one of a kind experience because you will seldom stay in such a old coffee shop to drink the coffee and eat the food.

The Seventh place to go is the Sin Tze Ya Temple. It has a rich history and the place have a different atmosphere. Compare to Kwan Ti temple to this temple, this temple is a very small temple. This temple is building by the famous Yap Ah Loy. This temple is devoted to the death of  Kapitan Shin because his blood is white not red, it is consider as saint. Since the death of Kapitan Shin, the miner worship him as a saint.

The Eight Place to travel is the Seng Kee. This place is located at the back of Furama Hotel. At the back of Furama, there is one lane to the Chinese school. When you walk into the lane, walk straight, then you will discover this shop. This place offer some traditional food like Cantonese style noodles, is one the best dish in this restaurant. It is good to come here during the week day because weekend is really crowded. Sadly, this shop doesn't have third generation to take over the shop, it is about to gone in the history.

The Ninth Place is to visit the Chinatown. Chinatown is one of the place to experience the food culture in Malaysia. One of food you will probably heard of is the BBQ pork. It has the sweet taste from the soya sauce, sugar and oyster sauce. Another food you will want to try is the roast pork. The roast pork is not like the German or the Spanish roast pork. This roast pork is done by using the chimney to roast the entire pig. It often comes up crunchy skin and soft meat.  Another thing to try is the dry wanton noodles. One drink you have to try is the soya bean milk. This soya bean milk has been selling for decade. So, it has some history over there. When you walk to right of the street, you will see people selling curry puff and biscuit.  Then, you will saw someone grilling a thin slices of meat on a grill. It is one of the snack in the town. When you go at night, it is one of the different experience. There have stall selling bags, perfume and purse. Besides that, the local food like the Portuguese grill fish and Fried rice is one of the favorite.

The Tenth Place to go is to visit the Kuan Yin temple next to Monorail Maharajarela. If you going to this place during the full moon in Chinese calender, you can see the devotee sharing some food in there. This place is worth to seen as one of the temple in Kuala Lumpur.

When you come over to Kuala Lumpur, you have experience the food and the culture over here. It is unique because the Chinese here is not totally from a same state, but there are from either Kuang Dong , Fu Chow or  Chew Chow. There is a unique blend of they food and how they interpret the food in Malaysia. When you are sampling some the local food, you definitely know the food is from either Cantonese, Hokkien, Teow Chiew and Fujian. Besides that, you will witness the belief in Chinese god and goddess is one of the significant in Chinese settlement in Malaysia. Therefore, the food is unique and different to the Chinese from China.

Food: Chicken rice in Mid Valley.

If you are about to hungry, you might try one of the chicken rice shop in Mid Valley. But, you have to be prepare that the chicken rice shop is just fine to eat only. I have to admit that the chicken rice is expensive because the amount flesh their offer is far to less. In terms of taste, I guess there is one taste quite authentic than the other one.

Ipoh Chicken Rice Shop is located at the office block near the Indian restaurant. This shop selling their famous chicken rice in Mid Valley. I have try the chicken, it smell aromatic because of the sesame oil and soy sauce. The chicken is claim to be organic. I not really sure it is organic, but it taste pretty much like chicken from the village. Besides that, they have curry mee. The curry noodles is little bit sweet, the pork ball is quite alright. I guess, you will only try the chicken rice for sure.

The another chicken rice shop is located near S&J gift shop. This shop selling roast chicken and steam chicken. The texture of the chicken is not really that good because it wasn't like the village chicken. Indeed, it is not a place to eat traditional chicken rice.

Food: Sushi shop.

Comparing prices and the food, it is really tough to find a better Sushi shop in Mid Valley. If you try the food elsewhere like Sushi King for example, you don't really taste the best of Japanese sashimi. I have to say, only one shop that sell food at its lowest price compare to other sushi shop. One of the great thing about this shop is that it really deliver good quality of food. I'm pretty impress with a shop like that because money has been a issue for people who can't afford more than RM 50 or above.

The Sushi Zenmani is a decent place to go. It just located at the 3rd floor near Borders. Not to say it is the best dining experience, but it have something to offer to everyone. Honestly, the Sashimi taste really good. Fresh, not stinky or taste awful, it just taste really sweet and of course the texture is beautiful. The Tuna belly sashimi is a must try because it taste like chewing a mashmellow. Soft and tender, just melt in your mouth. Although the fish is imported from Japan. It really have that can taste that you can never imagine. It is mind blowing experience. Indeed, the sashimi is fresh.

For a Sushi shop like Zenmai, it is not about the classical dish like beef terriyaki that brings the ambient. It is the Sushi bell that speak for itself. I have try the expensive one like RM 4.80 for 2 piece and the Rm 6.00 categories. It is not too bad for a sushi shop in a Mall. That mean, it pass the critic criteria.

Personally, I not really into rice and noodles section. But, I have to tell you that the eels rice is really worth value for money. In terms of the price and the food, it is really worth.  The roll is something you have to try. The Stamina roll, the Dragon roll, the prawn roll and the soft shell crab roll, all taste good. I can tell you that, even the sushi shop is located in such a high end mall, you still can experience some good food.

Value of money, I still prefer Sushi Zanmai. In terms of quality, it is quite good. I must say, you have to think about your budget in Japanese food. Spending like RM 30 per person in Sushi Zanmai, is consider to be reasonable.

Food: Hawker food .

 Hawker stall is one of the main attraction to local especially for those who want to eat something local and within the budget.. Although money is a big thing, but the food must be great to try. Even if you have a good place like in Mid Valley, Pavillion or KLCC, you still have to think that whether all these are really taste good. Comfort is one of the issue for hawker stall. If there is a place is really hot during the hot day, I guess you better go to a more cooling hawker center. I introduce you 2 hawker stall that is good to try, but not necessarily good condition. As long as the restaurant is not dirty, I guess is pretty alright.

If you have try some of the street food in Lot 10 basement, you would probably thinking that it is something special. Anyway, the roast duck is great. When you are about to try the Bak Kut Teh, it is time to reflect on the people who taking. So far, it taste good. How about something you often don't find in other hawker stall, Fried Hokkien noodles. Indeed, it is delicious to try. What else? I think is the Soong Kee beef ball noodles, it is something unusual as in hawker stall seldom serve this to people. Of course, the cow's internal organ is really good too.  The porridge and rice shop near the end is really good for people who wants more in their lunch. The Japanese noodles is just average, it taste quite alright. The pork meat ball porridge is not bad to try. It is something good too. Overall, this food court is pretty nice looking and comfortable. It is not a bad experience for anyone, it is just fine. I really fine that everything that you don't have in other food court is the food their serve. It is more like a tradition after tradition. Indeed, it is a unique food court.

If you didn't know the way to Bangsar food court, you better try the shop next to Alliance bank. There is one stall serve FoChiew balls. Pretty new to people, but it taste good. Soo Kee stall serve some restaurant noodles like Cantonese noodles. .The Soo Kee is really good. The taste and the sauce is really authentic.There is a stall selling Wantan. Chicken rice shop also there. There is one stall serve mince pork with Kuay Teow The mince pork is something you don't have in the city. It is pretty much a delight to try it out. This place is pretty cooling, I don't think you would feel discomfort.The food there is something special. How often you get a minced pork noodles in city area. This place is not hard to find in Google map. From Jalan Maarof to Jalan Ara Kiri, then find Alliance Bank. The shop is facing Jalan Cenderai.

These two hawker place is alright to dine. The environment is casual and it is just moderately place to go. There is not fancy thing about the Food Court in Lot 10 basement. It just new design. I must say that the food is quite authentic because it taste quite good. Not a bad experience and pretty decent.

Travel : Imbi Market

Indeed, this place is just a plain and simple shopping with Isetan departmental store. What is unusual is the food court. Before I introduce the food lets talk about the history of the place. Before this place ever started, it was just an ordinary market. When place becomes a commercial area, it just transform into a shopping mall. So, there is about 20 - 30 years ago. If you are not familiar with the area, lets have quick look.

From the start, let talk the way to good to Imbi market. If you haven't feed the unique open air cafe, I can tell you it is something unusual in town. This market have some kind of vibe for you to look forward. If you think of a fancy market, I don't think it is, but it has something that you looking for. Based on Google road map, this place is located at Jln Kampung and it also show Pasar Besar Bukit Bintang. If you travel by Monorail, you have to travel to Imbi station.Then follow the direction as guided by Google map.

Why I bring you to the market? Because this market have some special thing you could not find in the city. Most of the time, you will either going to the market to just get the things you want. But, in here, it is the coffee culture that have been there for quite sometimes. It is unusual to find a place where can have a big market and coffee shop in the same place.

The market offer variety of vegetables and some special Chinese ingredients. Some shop selling the classic thing like fermented pak choy and small shrimp, it is something you won't find in other place in town except in Petaling street. Beside that, you can have pork in the market. The most important thing must have in the market is the chicken.  

The food is not fancy but it is cheaper. If you are thinking of fine dining in a restaurant, I don't it exist over here. For this reason, you would try something normal but is still local food. The food is just like street you found in Penang food court.

Lets talk a bit about the food there. There is one shop selling pig's intestine. This is something you wouldn't get in anywhere else within the city. For local noodles, there is one shop that sell curry noodles with pork. If you are thinking of pig delight, then try the pork noodles.

How about wantan noodles? It is just good to try. One thing that reminds me that this place is unique because it has crispy snack that seldom have in other place. It is fun to eat too. Looks like pan cake with a thinner version, it is also a must try.

Although this snack is good to try, but there is one shop always invite crowd to line up. This hawker sell Chee Cheong Fun. For those who think that it is just ordinary, wait until you taste it. For the Chee Cheong Fun, it is pretty smooth and silky. It something really nice to eat. Beside Chee Cheong Fun, this stall also sell Yong Tao Fu. I can only tell you that, the Yong Tao Fu is good. Definitely is a local delight if you like this kind of food.

When you are on your way to the otherside of the market, you will find a Malay shop at the corner. This shop selling some traditional chicken cook with curry and herb. The shop also selling some fried chicken and other dish as well. The rice and the chicken, it taste really good. It is worth to pack it for lunch.

If you are thinking of coming here, I think you better come at the morning like 7.00 a.m - 9.00 a.m. This place is really crowded. The food price is around RM 4 - RM 6.