Gourmet Garden

It has been a while, finally I get to see and taste the new additions to the Rock & Roll Menu at Hard Rock Cafe Penang. I have been anticipating for the refurbished menu at Hard Rock Cafe since last year, therefore although we were in the midst of interviewing an eighty year old Peranakan chef for our ‘Food Conservation’ project on the same day, I had to take an earlier exit leaving Gill with the “hard-work” to make it almost on time for the invited event attended by... (more...)

Recently, I was invited to KDU Penang Campus to judge their annual KDU Power Chef Competition that was held on the 13th of April 2013. This year’s competition was their 6th instalment, and it saw a total of 65 teams from 21 schools from secondary/high schools from Penang putting their culinary skills to the test, competing for the right to be called champion and to have their school crest place on the KDU Power Chef Challenge Shield. This year’s competition was their 6th instalment,... (more...)

Last month we were invited yet again to a newly establish restaurant in Straits Quay. Taking over from Agua, Five 27 serves Nordic cuisines that are prepared by Executive Chef cum General Manager, Nizar Achmad. Chef Nizar has spent 14 years of his live establishing and mastering his culinary skills in Sweden, where it was said that he has cooked for a list of high-profile patrons which includes the likes of stars, royalty, and Nobel Prize winners. It is an unusual name Five27 is! The named was conjured... (more...)

Scones are originally from Scotland and are single-serving cakes or quick bread. Scones are the basic component of the cream tea or Devonshire tea. Traditionally, they are made from wheat, barley or oatmeal with baking powder as the leavening agent, unlike tea cakes and other sweet buns, which are made with yeast. They are often lightly sweetened and occasionally glazed. A recent interaction with Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa’s Executive Pastry Chef, Chef Nazeri Ismail, has shed some... (more...)

Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup that was formed through the fusion of Asian cultures. The dish can be found in Malaysia and Singapore, and Indonesia where migrant Chinese and Malays can be found coexisting in harmony irregardless of religion and and race. There are so many varieties of laksa out there, ready to be explored by gastronomist who has a pungent appetite for the ‘stronger’ ASEAN food cultures that have been molded by the demographic migrations, necessity and uniquely available... (more...)

Since setting foot in Penang with its initial outlet in Gurney Plaza some months back, Sushi Tei has carved a name for itself in the Japanese food scene and gathered a line of loyal clientele. With the confidence built up, they have ventured into the Province Wellesley market with their recently opened outlet in Sunway Carnival in Seberang Jaya. Since its debut in 1994, Sushi Tei has spread their wings to over 5 countries; from Singapore to Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Australia. Their menu features... (more...)

A recently held Norwegian Consumer Goods Exhibition held at Gurney Plaza that we were invited to for their launch was organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy from Kuala Lumpur. The exhibition held from 1st November 2012 to the 4th in Penang, was a virgin showcase of some of the range of products and brands that have set foot in Malaysia. Alongside the exhibition, the Norwegian embassy also brought with them the Norwegian life and landscapes captured through the lenses of their photographers in their “Norway... (more...)

We have been to Aji Noren for quite a few times, then I decided to write it but that was months back. And thus, if can’t quite connect with taste memories please be gentle! Aji Noren is a Japanese restaurant located in the Prima Tanjung business block off Jalan Fettes in Tanjong Tokong. Prior to writing this piece, I have found that many have actually written about this small yet functional restaurant that seems to project a cozy and homey atmosphere with a touch of TLC (tender loving care)... (more...)

The Penang Lor Mee (槟城滷面) may not be as famous as its peers like Hokkien Prawn Mee, Assam Laksa or Char Koay Teow, but it is a unique hawker fare that has its roots in Mainland China but has been reinvented in Penang. In Fujian Province of Mainland China the Hokkiens do have their tradition of eating Lor Mee (滷面) but in the form of stir-fried noodles, Chinese cabbage and meats with thick starchy gravy minus five spice powder and the dark/black appearance. Penang Lor Mee (a.k.a stewed... (more...)

Hui Lau Shan (許留山) may be foreign to many here in Penang but it is not the case in Hong Kong. Hui Lau Shan was established in the early 1960′s as an herbal tea specialty shop that emphasizes on the originality and healthiness of their products. Armed with a continuous R&D initiative, they managed to reinvent Hui Lau Shan and assert its legacy and status as Hong Kong’s Fresh Fruit Dessert Pioneer in 1992 with its rolling out of its mango sago dessert without leaving their heritage... (more...)

Before there were multi-screen Cineplaxes like Gold Screen Cinemas and Tanjung Village, movies were normally screened in stand-alone big screen theatres where local street foods and tidbits were abundant. Currently we only see imports like popcorn, deep fried nuggets and french fries, hot dogs, and lots more at those Cineplexes. May be those who are 30 – 35 years of age and above might still remember the good old days where street vendors who were ever ready with their trays of local delicacies... (more...)

It is the month of the year again when our Muslim brothers and sisters fasts to remember the hardship faced by the poor and unfortunate. Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk during the Ramadan month. In conjunction with this year’s Ramadan month, Hard Rock Cafe & Hard Rock Hotel in Penang will be providing diners an opportunity to taste Malaysian favourites alongside great American flavours that will tantalize your taste buds when fasting... (more...)

It is another launching of another drinking hole on the Batu Ferringghi beach front in the recent months. This time it is Penang’s very own Hard Rock Hotel’s turn to fire up the night life at this otherwise not so “happening” beach front after the sunsets. Batu Ferringghi used to be one of the most happening places on the Penang Island, stretching from the now closed Teluk Bahang’s Mutiara Hotel to Tanjong Bungah’s Orchid-Copothone, it was filled with discos and... (more...)

It has been weeks since our last publishing, reason being that we are currently preoccupied with a food research project. Therefore, in the recent months we have had to do without with most of the usual invited reviews to give way to our aspiration and passion of “real” food. With the limited time that we have in between appointments, interviews and reports, we try put them into good use like sampling new ideas, tantalizing our senses with new flavours and unwinding to release some stress.... (more...)

Shangri-La’s  Golden Sands Resort has just launched their Sigi’s Bar & Grill Beach Bar, an addition to their alfresco no-frills, real food restaurant by the beach. The have got the soft sand at their feet, whacky bean bags, relaxing reclining chairs, soothing sound of waves washing ashore sand, the cool sea breeze, the warmth of a setting sun and a variety of beers, Mojitos, wines, cocktails and soft drinks, but the picture is not perfect without you.The beach front bar that is capable... (more...)

Hainanese cuisine plays a big role in Penang’s food culture and heritage. Although some of the dishes are influenced by the Hokkiens and Peranakans, it is distinctively different. The influences are all due to the demographic changes and history. Many centuries back, a Fujian a.k.a Hokkien minister was sent to the Hainan Island to assume the responsibility of the local government, and thus the beginning of the exodus of Hokkiens to the island that was and is still inhabited by the local tribes.... (more...)

The Hard Rock franchise being an American brand, will be introducing an American themed buffet coming April 6th, 2012. Recently, we were invited together with other journalists from mainstream print media and magazines to a simple media preview before the actual launch of the buffet. The “Great American Buffet” will run from April the 6th onwards, on Fridays and Saturdays at their in-house Starz Diner for dinner only. The buffet is priced at RM108++ for an adult and RM54++ per child of... (more...)

In the hope of making a better living and finding a means to support their family, many Chinese migrants left their home and found their way to Nanyang (南洋) or other words Malaya. Some left their loved ones behind and some came with their family. The Hainanese was the last Chinese dialect to have found their way to Malaya back in the 1920′s. Being late comers to the Peninsular, they found themselves having to adorn the aprons of kitchen helpers, cooks, chefs, domestic helpers for the British... (more...)

Amidst the row of pre-war houses along Kimberley Street in George Town, Penang, there lay many hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered by the young and restless. House in these old buildings is people and businesses who have seen Penang’s development through their century old windows. In this busy street, many famous delicacies that are significant to Penang’s food heritage and culture that are key to it’s food tourism were born, koay teow th’ng stall that once used abalone... (more...)

At least 2 years, we have not really been to Kuala Lumpur (KL) to explore the food scene. Last month we were there for a working plus leisure visit. The trip brought us to Jalan Peel for Hakka Yong Tao Fu, Cheras for some old school Hakka dishes, Jalan Imbi for fried Hokkien Mee, China Town for some handmade delicacies and also Lot 10 Hutong for their publicize gathering of famous good eats around Kuala Lumpur. Those unfamiliar with Lot 10 Hutong, it is a food court that gathers the famous and much... (more...)