Simple & Affordable Dinner @ Ipoh Big Tree Noodle, SS2

We've been exploring SS2 quite a lot lately because that is a runaway place for dinner for us whenever there is a jam or that we decide not to overspend in a restaurant located in a mall. One of the first that we have tried is Ipoh Big Tree Noodle, which is supposedly originated from a famous stall in Ipoh! 

Stole this picture from malaysianfoodie,com.

A look at their menu, they sell noodles, from clear soup, curry, dry, dry with curry till Assam Laksa. So we made our choices. As for the Yong Tofu we had to pick from the Yong Tofu selection, which was sadly a little disappointing with quite limited choices. We nonetheless, picked six pieces to share.

Dry Hakka Mee with Curry Gravy, RM5.50.

Curry Bihun Mee, RM6.

I had my Dry Noodle with Curry in Hakka Mee, which was pretty awesome. Love the texture of the noodles and the fact that it comes with bean sprouts and long beans, making it a balance bowl of noodle. Deardo had their Curry Mee, which tasted above-averagely good, but honestly for RM6, I've expected it to come with more ingredients, especially when their display picture has cockles and prawns while the reality is we only got chicken, tofu pok, bean sprouts and long bean, with some mint for garnishing. 

Yong Tofu, RM1 per piece onward.

The homemade Yong Tofu were also not bad, although I prefer the fried stuff here more and I think things can be improved in terms of presentation/platting of the Yong Tofu. They just don't look appetising at all when they arrived on our table!

Herbal Tea, RM2.90.

The faces of 'we're just happy we are trying out new things!' LOL!

Together with a glass of herbal tea, the bill came up to RM22.80, which is still quite economical. Just bear in mind that the noodles don't come in a big portion, so if you are a big eater, you probably want to have extra Yong Tofu to go with your noodles. I'd say the food aren't fantastic but decent and cheap enough as another dining option.

Ipoh Big Tree Noodle
22, Ground Floor,
Jalan SS2/67,
47300 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor.
Tel: 03-7865 2908

Affordable & Yummy Taiwanese Food @ Taipei Taipei, Solaris Dutamas

We were struggling to find a place for nice dinner at an affordable price one fine evening at Publika when we saw Taipei Taipei, which is located right next to Coffee Societe. Though the decor of the restaurant looks pretty fancy, the menu suggests that the food are quite wallet-friendly! So we gave it a try.

I have a soft spot for their modern-oriental design and decor, providing a very cozy dining experience. Some of the old school stuff are just too cute and they sometimes make me miss Taiwan a lot. Though I won't say Taiwan is the best country I've traveled to, it is indeed quite a nice place to travel simply because of its friendly people, clean cities and their old streets and buildings that are completely different compared to what you find in Malaysia.

They have a one-page menu but from snacks, rice, noodles up till some typical Taiwanese drinks, they offer almost everything you know about Taiwanese cuisine. And so we made our orders...

Our side dish and green tea that cost RM6.

For the mains, you can choose to have it as ala carte or top up another RM6 to make it a set meal which comes with a drink and a side dish. We only topped up one of our dishes so we could share. The side dish was a spicy marinated cucumber which was quite appetising but I wouldn't say it's super nice. We had the hot Taiwan Green Tea but I think I would prefer it iced next time.

Taiwanese Style Marinated Pork Chop Rice, RM13.90.

Soy-Stewed Pork Rice, RM13.90.

Onto the mains, Deardo tried their signature Taiwanese Style Marinated Pork Chop Rice which was pretty awesome. The pork chop was flavourful and doesn't feel very oily at all. The side vegetables and egg that came with the bowl of rice also got a full approval from Deardo. :) I had the Soy-Stewed Pork Rice which is quite yummy but I would prefer the meat to be a bit more tender. I do, however really appreciate the fact that the rice comes with all the side vegetables to make it a balance meal. Also very glad that they actually use Taiwanese rice which are shorter and fatter, and of course, yummier! 

Spicy Noodle (dry) with Chicken Chop.

We recently visited the place again for lunch and I had the Spicy Noodle with Chicken Chop. While the noodle is not for the faint-hearted (very spicy and a little too sweet to my liking), the chicken chop was totally to-die-for! So crispy, tender yet sinful! :p

So glad that we have found another nice spot for some nice and affordable Taiwanese food! :D

And for the dinner, we paid RM37.20, including service charge, which I assume is still considered very reasonable compared to you dining in other fancy restaurants inside Publika! We already went back once and I'm quite sure we will be back for more! :)

Taipei Taipei

D3-G3-3A, Solaris Dutamas,

No.1, Jalan Dutamas 1,

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-6206 5682

Springy Wanton Mee @ Keong Kee Recipe, Seremban

During one of the recent long weekend holidays, we didn't go to anywhere fancy because of bad planning and probably because choices were limited since I'm pregnant, until the very last day, we decided to go to Seremban again for a makan trip, then to Port Dickson. We kinda like doing that nowadays since Seremban and PD are damn near. Read our previous visits here.

Had to steal this from Tripadvisor cos we forgot to take picture of the restaurant.

This time though, we gave Keong Kee Recipe a try. In fact, we were there during our last trip but by the time we found the restaurant they were already closed. The fact is, the restaurant, although located at a corner, is often missed if you drive past too quickly since there are always cars blocking the place.

We were really glad to have finally found the place and we can't wait to try out what they can offer! *rub hands~*

Chicken Feet in Herbal Soup, RM4.80/pair.

First up was their famous side dish - Chicken Feet in Herbal Soup. The Chicken Feet were normal but the uniqueness of the dish lays in its herbal soup which tasted really awesome and flavourful. Definitely a must try!

Delicious Wanton Mee, RM4 (medium). 

And then came the main dish - the Wanton Mee! Well if you know me well, I never liked Wanton Mee in KL cos the one we have back in Taiping are different and the Wanton Mee at Keong Kee definitely look and tastes much similar to what we get back home. Springy, fresh and I'm assuming also handmade, it isn't those typical egg noodles you get in KL! Very delicious, especially when the gravy was not too dry and it has a nice fragrant with pork lard in it! Just too bad the Wanton and Char Siew were really disappointing. Having said that, I would definitely go back just for the noodles and the Chicken Feet! 

Yay! Found something that reminds us of home yet it's not too far away from home! :p

The Noodles are priced at RM4 for a medium, and RM4.50 for a large portion, not too bad a price too! They are apprently quite famous for their Curry Wonton Mee too! Must make this another must go place the next trip to Seremban yo! 


Keong Kee Recipe
71, Jalan Seng Meng Lee,
70200 Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan

Post CNY Letter to My Future Son

Yo, what's up my lil' boy?

Nope, we haven't decide on your name yet. So we can only still call you 'baby' or 'baby boy'...

I normally write an entry for CNY happenings on a yearly basis, but this year because of you, I'll make it a letter to you a.k.a CNY report.

Papa and mummy having fun posing with you during CNY! :)

Compared to last year, being away from my own family for most part of CNY has become easier this year. Perhaps it was you who made me stronger or 'manly'? In fact I think I had a very good time back in Taiping this time around without much emo-ness!

Ah Gong went to a wedding on Valentine's Day and came back dancing in this attire so we decided to join the fun too! :p

Me, 2e and 3e being silly again...

Another joy of going home? Awesome Ang Tao Ga that I need them in KL now because of the hot weather!!! 

However, I'm still very happy that your papa allowed me to go home whenever I want because I think as a pregger with you in my tummy, it's important to surround you with crowd so you won't be scared or shy to face big crowd and noises when you are born. Moreover, mummy's family has so many cool, fun and happy people that it is extremely important for you to spend time with so that you can become a cheerful boy too! 

Your crazy aunts and uncle wanting to feel you!!! 

Here's your Aunt Carina (who is only 11 years old) doing a very good job as she wish you to become a very 帅 boy! So cute of her!

I cannot tell you enough how much mummy enjoyed the CNY with many of my aunties and cousins so curious about you. They wanted to feel your kicks/punches, they wanted to know how are you doing, they wanted to know how big you are, they wanted to know when can they finally play with you! I cannot imagine how much love and attentions you will be getting next CNY when I bring you home! Let's just hope that you can handle them with ease yo! *wink~*

Soon, baby, soon you will be joining us for all these awesome and fun photo sessions! :D

Because I'm pregnant, most of the time now when I talked to my aunts it's all about parenting and I see a lot of good examples in 3e's parenting cos my cousin Eu Jin and Jan Yi grew up to become very happy, lovable, obedient kids, yet very close to their parents. I must make sure I learn from 3e and that you will learn from my cousins too to become a good kid.

Having fun times with siblings and cousins!

Mummy also went for old schoolmates' gathering where we were entertained by cute and very happy Princeton. Urm, baby, the bar has been set okay! 

Going home is always a joy for me too cos I get to eat your Ah Ma's cooking again! She always ask me what I want to eat before buying the ingredients so almost every single dish on the dining table are mummy's order of the day. They don't need to be fancy food, in fact what I really missed the most are the simplest homecooked dishes by your Ah Ma. So this CNY I had some simple meals like porridge and fried bihun which are all awesome too! I know you love them too cos you kicked pretty hard while I was noming! :)

Ah Ma very seldom cook big dinners like this so this was really special cos your papa was there for dinner! LOL!

Ah Ma's fried rice is always so delicious I don't know why...

After too much of food, we decided to have porridgveand it was still a very satisfying dinner! :)

Ah Ma's fried bihun is also unbeatable, trust me! 

Apart from all the CNY hoo-haa, papa and mummy just saw you through ultrasound the other day. While it is harder to see details of your body now, we are just glad that your heart is beating strong and normal and you are weighing a healthy 1.7kg already! Big hands for you my little boy!

First day of CNY when I was at your papa's we took this family photo with you Ye Ye and Mama...

At 3e's house for another round of CNY gathering back in KL!

3e (your 3e Po) made some really yummy Heng Hua Mee Suah for us! Yumzzz...

Mummy also wants you to know that you can continue to kick/punch/swim in my tummy as much as you want because every movement I feel from you is a sign that you are still strong and alive. I've read too much about baby being caught by the umbilical cords and it freaks me out so much. For instance, mummy's friend Aunty Madeleine recently gave birth through c-sec and her son came out with the cord around his neck. Thank god he is alive! So promise mummy that you are playing very safely inside okay? Haha by the way, I was still a bit stiff holding her son Mikhail during my recent visit to her house so let's hope I'll be okay holding you when you are so small! :p

Baby Mikhail is shoooooo cute!

Since this is the third trimester, mummy is really feeling very heavy, bloated and tired all the time. Moving around has become tough task for me... Whenever I feel tired, breathless, aches, swollen, emotional or insecure, I'm always grateful that your papa is always there to cheer me up, massage me and show me the love that I need right at that very moment that I needed them the most. Sometimes I wonder if all these will go away once you are born? Will your papa treat me differently after this? Hmmmmpppphhhh... He better not cos giving birth to you won't be easy okay!!! 

Papa said he want to buy me belated Valentine's Day flowers so I picked these lovely and cheap flowers over the typical roses. They live longer lives and the vibrant colours really brighten up the house! :)

Papa and mummy understand that when you officially come into our world, we will be very busy taking care of you and may not have time for ourselves so much (mummy, especially) so papa has been very 'cooperative' bringing mummy to a movie and to a Karaoke session recently. God knows when is our next time at these places when you are our top priority next time?

Papa and I belting out some of our favourite numbers! 

Luckily too for mummy, perhaps because I was quite active working-out before this or perhaps it is your 'manly' hormone that makes me still pretty strong. Despite always feeling tired and sleepy, I'm still able to do quite some walking and sort of really enjoy going out still. Ahhhh... Maybe it's just because I know I'll be confined for one whole month after this! :S

Us after one of our walking sessions back in Taiping.

Oh nom nom nom...

Still very excited about going to the mall! 

Oh yea, right before CNY, mummy's friends Lea and Jason took some very cute and nice maternity photos for me! I'm still in the midst of tidying-up the photos but here are some sneak peek. What do you think? Is mummy looking good with you in my tummy? :p

Photos taken by amateurs, but turned out to be really nice! :)

Well I don't think you have a choice, before you find your dream girl when you are older, mummy has to be the most gorgeous woman in your life! You have zero choice! :p

Okay, time for mummy to go take a rest. Talk to you next time okay? Mummy loves you A LOT A LOT A LOT!

XOXO
Mummy Shirlexia