Express blogpost with my iTouch! 🙂

Just got home from dad's Malay aristocrat friends' houses after our rounds of visiting & sharing the festive joy

To be honest, I had no idea we were going to visit our Muslim mates so I totally did not bring anything decent back to Penang. Yikes.

We ought to be respectful towards the Islam religion anyhow, so I sorta panicked when I had nothing "proper" nor formal to wear.

And so I thought to myself – the Malays are going to wear their traditional Baju Kurung, Baju Kebaya and Baju Melayu; the Indians are going to wear their traditional Sari and Kurta.

What about the Chinese? Why don't I wear a Cheongsam instead? ^___^

It is our traditional attire after all.

And so I did.

I know it's not common for the Chinese here in Malaysia to wear Cheongsams or Samfoos just because we're assumably "modernized" enough not to wear our traditional outfits, I take that as plain garbage.

Cheongsams and Samfoos are hot! 😉

Especially if whoever wearing it is able to pull it off (not making any reference to myself whatsoever just to clarify)

Although Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated my Muslims everywhere,

this festivity has been essentially part of my family as our housekeeper (for 19 years) is Muslim.

ANYWAY

We had all sorts of local delicacies like Roti Jala, Ais Batu Campur, Cendol, Satay, Laksa, Mee Rebus, Nasi Tomato, Popiah, Char Koay Teow, Mee Hoon, Beef Rendang, Lemang, Nasi Goreng, Kari Ayam Masak Merah, Kuih Raya, Teh Tarik… and the list goes on.

It's just insane how much we ate. Hari Raya only comes once a year; what's there not to indulge? 😉

The VVIPs soon arrived. Guess who?

Daddy, Mom and I with Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Helmi Yahaya

….and that's our Governor!

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dato' Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas

Sad! Didn't take photos while we were at Yang Berbahagia Dato' Syed Mohamad Aidid Syed Murtaza's house.

He was such a down-to-earth and friendly man, despite being a multi-millionaire. And coincidentally, his daughter Sharina and I were from the same high school together. T'was funny when we saw each other, we were like, "OMG! Heyyyy!!!!"

She was 2 years my senior so we hardly hang out; I had no idea that Datuk Aidid was her daddy! 🙂

At the final house we visited, I just couldn't take it any longer. I simply *had* to find out how to recreate these awesome Malay food.

So I seized the chance to ask the chef – personally – how she made everything from scratch.

It will be my turn to cook these Ramadhan delicacies soon!

Uber spicy beef & chicken curries with Tomato flavoured rice. Delish 

After visiting so many Raya houses in a span of 6 hours, all our stomachs have hoisted the white flag.

ENOUGH!!! We were bursting at the seams anytime now.

Daddy : my point illustrated

I love how I always enjoy myself during Raya every year. That being said,

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI TO ALL MY MUSLIM READERS & FRIENDS OUT THERE!

Much love, Jess 

It was one fine day, my fellow foodies and I paid a visit to this relatively new Chinese restaurant in Mid Valley Megamall.
I was intrigued by the decor upon entering and by the looks of it, this place really brings back old childhood memories!
 

It’s dinner time! Noms 🙂

Talk about old skool chalkboards we had in school huh?

Aptly named Reminisce, this restaurant had the place all done up ala old skool Chinese style. The interior was rustic and filled with antiques as decorations in every nook and cranny of its vicinity. Even the walls were just bare bricks!
 

Some specialties they’ve blown up for all to see

I can’t wait to taste them all already

But first! Before the delicacies arrive our tables, I’d usually check out the place first. When it comes to an awesome restaurant, you’ve gotta look at all aspects, never just the food!
The ambience and setting plays a huge role in the atmosphere of a complete dining experience 🙂
 

So yes, pretty pretty pictures of my surroundings coming your way!

Framed up old skool Chinese comics from circa 1950s!

I bet popoh and my late kungkung recognizes this

I’m diggin’ the way they use old stereo players, cassettes and video tapes as decoration!

Thumbs up

Anyone up for some Tic Tac Toe and Marvel comics?

I used to have all of them when I was little!

Goodness gracious wow! Ya can’t get any old skool than this, can you? 😀

Nothing really beats an ol’ beat up pair of rusty roller skates and a typewriter

Here’s something right beside our table.
A rattan birdcage atop a cupboard full of ancient stuff as well.
 

Highly coincidental 🙂 There used to be a similar birdcage in popoh’s old house as well

I was then beckoned back to my seat by the fellow foodies 🙂
The drinks had arrived!

Among all the glasses of various drinks, mine was ice-cold Green Tea 🙂

The first meal then arrived, very light – serves as a good appetizer before the heavy stuff comes in!
Here’s the toasted soft bun with Bak Kwa, Meat Floss & Egg

A good start! 😀

Next up was the Traditional Yam Cake which was simply delish

It was tender and flavourful

Kinda the type that melts in your mouth! 😀

The next meal that came was somewhat a little heavier, but one of our personal favorites of the night.
Behold, the Dry Curry Chicken Noodles!

Loved loved loved the curry flavour and the potato chicken!

So much so that we asked for another one. Yup, irresistible!
Tastes just like the ones popoh used to make. Noms
 

Mei Yee and I having our 2nd plate of the said dish 😀

Ken twirling with the noodles just before he chomps it all down!

Before we finished devouring the curry noodles, more delights came our way 🙂
Here’s something not in the menu – a specialty! *winks*
 

Check out the Mongolian Spare Ribs

Wicked, juicy and bursting with flavour.

The following meal kept me hyper throughout dinner.
Here’s something I absolutely love since I was a child, it’s the Herbal Drumstick Noodle!
Don’t be fooled by the word ‘Herbal‘, trust me it ain’t bitter or yucky at all 🙂
 

Have a bite? 😀

Another plus point of this dish is that when you spoon up the chicken,

the flesh is soft enough to fall off into your spoon by itself!

I apologize to my Muslim readers for the next photo, as it is Non-Halal. Bear with me, okay? 🙂
To every other pork lover, here’s the Stuffed Pork Balls with Satay Sauce
 

Though I ain’t a pork lover, this one really got me going wow 🙂

Here’s a more common one for the not-so-adventurous! 😀 But yummy all the same
It’s the Crispy Chicken Chop with Steamed Rice combo

A pretty decent and quick meal for lunch! 😀

And who could ever miss out the -arguably- most popular dish in Malaysia?
If you wish to opt for a Malaysian cuisine, make way for the Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken!

*drumroll*

So gooooooooood! 😀 In fact, I’m bias to all Nasi Lemak

How can anyone seriously go wrong with cooking this? Unless one is a horrid failure of a chef haha!

Before it was time for desserts, I had to take a walk around to continue where I left of – and to ease my full tummy :D
Looking around at pretty thingamajigs make me smile
 

This set-up is just behind their cashier counter!

I like that calender thing on the right. It’s quite an icon in Chinatown streets 😀

Recycable glass bottles as ornament pieces

My, what a genius 😀

I’m not too familiar with these but was told that those are some of the popular Chinese candy/snacks!

And is that beer I see in the carton below? *winks* hehe!

See that stand fan? Most Chinese coffee shops back in the days own those! 😀

And the portable keyboard with the stick-it notes on the background.

Really cool, if i do say so myself.
Props to the owners and the team who actually made the place look so close to a food outlet from the past! 

When the desserts came, I peeked and wondered what it is 🙂

Why is Ken laughing at me!? haha

Among some of the desserts they have, here’s my favorite pick!
It’s called the Black Sesame Tang Yuan in Coconut Milk & Sago Pearls

Really delish! But, I honestly wonder why it has a ‘black’ in its name when it’s pure white! 😀

hehehehe 😀 You should order this when you go to Reminisce. It’s joy in a bowl

Right, Ken? 😀 Sweet tooths will love it too.

I can’t bring myself not to finish it!

All in all, I had a great dinner with a group of fab friends. Of good food and company, what could be better?
Thanks Reminisce!

Feel free to check out this post of me in CHIN’S Stylish Chinese Cuisine if you’re interested!