Happy 54th Independence Day, Malaysia!

Merdeka!  Merdeka!  Merdeka!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

2011 Ramadhan Bazaar

Ramadhan brings with it much flavours. I enjoy going to the few Ramadhan bazaars in Kuching whenever Ramadhan comes a-knocking as I know I’ll be greeted with a myriad of traditional delicacies which only surface during this time of the year. It is indeed a sight to behold.

The ever popular Satok Ramadhan Bazaar has never failed to please a shutterbug like me.

Satok Ramadhan Bazaar

This year, I also made my way to the Kem Penrissen Ramadhan Bazaar, sanctioned by the West Malaysians to be the bazaar to get authentic Semenanjung food like nasi kerabu, ayam percik, satar and the likes.

Kem Penrissen Ramadhan Bazaar

On the way back to Kuching City, I stopped by the Kota Sentosa Ramadhan Bazaar. My first time there, and I was amazed by the huge volumes of people. Walking the entire length of the bazaar with the intention to capture some shots required a Herculean effort. The crowds were shoulder to shoulder!

Kota Sentosa Ramadhan Bazaar

I decided that I should also visit the Stutong Ramadhan Bazaar, and I wasn’t disappointed for I was greeted by a kaleidoscope of colours upon my arrival.

Stutong Ramadhan Bazaar

Okay, you must be wondering if I bought anything at all from any of the Ramadhan bazaars. Well, I did, but none of them made a lasting impression. Till the next Ramadhan…

2011 BCCK Ramadhan Buffet, Kuching

The much anticipated Ramadhan buffet at BCCK is here again.  Due to the good response last year, this year, they are holding it in The Great Hall of BCCK.

Undeniably, the BCCK Ramadhan Buffet ensures a memorable experience for food lovers like moi. For the third consecutive year, I made my way to BCCK to indulge myself in the bountiful buffet spread. I must say the spread, as always, is slightly different from the run of the mill variety, and the price tag of RM65 nett is supplanted by the copious amount of food one can partake to his heart’s content.

The main buffet spread for the evening was diverse enough; it consisted of local and international cuisines made up of a myriad of appetisers, salads, meat dishes, and fresh seafood (though I was a little disappointed with its less than stellar choices of seafood). The innumerable assortment of desserts was certainly a feast for one’s eyes and tummy.

The roasted lamb was definitely a requisite; very juicy and tender it made me want to go back for more only that I had to resist from doing so. There seemed to be a perpetual queue for this delightful offering the evening I was there.

For those of you who are still contemplating whether BCCK is the right place for a truly delightful Iftar experience, wait no more. There are also various action stalls guaranteed to satisfy all the hungry palates. The menu changes every Friday, and the last day for you to spoil your taste buds will be Friday, 26^th August 2011.

Come, BCCK is certainly a wise choice. Savour the delectable spread and Maher Zain’s soulful voice. Your ears and tummy will no doubt rejoice.

Note: Alhamdullilah is a song sung by Maher Zain

RJ Ayam Bakar Kopitiam

RJ Ayam Bakar...dimiliki oleh RJ Ayam Penyet Kopitiam Sdn. Bhd.  My first time patronizing RJ Ayam Penyet Kopitiam was sometime in August last year.  During the month of Ramadhan to be precise.  This year, again in August, just as the month of Ramadhan was crawling to the end of the first week, I made my way to its branch, RJ Ayam Bakar.  It is located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, next to the Air Asia ticketing office.  You won't miss the signboard, simple yet eye-catching with big bold letters in dark brown, as you cruise along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The menu is more or less the same as it is at Raja Ayam Penyet Kopitiam.  Even before we plonked ourselves comfortably at the table with a ceiling fan swirling at full speed high above us, we had already made up our mind what to have.  Why, of course, the signature Ayam Bakar Special (which comes with tempe and tauhu goreng).

The chicken portion was rather small.  But with all the other condiments, fret not that you'd leave feeling half-fed.  The grilled chicken was so wonderfully infused with flavours that coupled with the piping hot rice, we were rendered dumb momentarily.  We shredded the chicken with our fork and spoon, stationed the shredded piece on some rice together with a very fresh cabbage leaf and topped it all with a big dollop of sambal.  Yeah, we went through that motion till we finished every bit of what was served to us on the plate.  Now, I must tell you, the sambal is spicy (not to the extent of torching one's mouth though) and appetizing.  You may ask for extra sambal to kick it up a notch, but that costs RM0.50 more, and I'm inclined to believe that it is a small amount to pay in return for total satisfaction.  :)  The young cabbage leaves, ulam raja and cucumber slices were all very fresh.

Ayam Bakar Special

Oh, yes!  You must try the Banana Fritters with Grated Cheese Topping served over a puddle of condensed milk too.  Only one word to describe this dish:  Scrumptious!  Eaten while they are still hot, these fritters are simply out-of-this-world.

Banana Cheese

RJ Ayam Bakar selling pastries too?  I did not try these pastries but they looked quite tempting.  Next trip perhaps.

Chicken & Mushroom Quiche

Seafood Quiche

Potato pastry

I am certain I'll go back to either one of the RJ Kopitiams to try out more food.  HHmm...Ikan Bakar perhaps?  I can't wait but I have to, for this month is going to be a heavy makan-makan month for me.

Sanga Japanese Restaurant, Kuching

From the Kingdom of Thailand to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan...I greet you Yoi ichi-nichi!  I don't normally go for Japanese food for it is not my cup of tea.  But Sanga, a Japanese Restaurant at Jalan Chan Chin Ann, Kuching was where my friends and I ended up at last Christmas.

Maneki Neko beckoning us to enter the restaurant

What we ordered:

Shisamo Furai (Deep Fried Pregnant Fish)

What can I say?  The Shisamo Furai was so crispy and had no distinctive fishy smell even without being bathed with lemon juice.

As for the main dish, we ordered Unagi Don set and Chicken Teriyaki set.  Each set came with a bowl of miso soup and two slices of watermelon.  The unagi and chicken were well-marinated;  the herbs used were not too overpowering so as to overtake the original flavours of the unagi and chicken.  

Unagi Don set

Chicken Teriyaki set

Japanese Kimchi

Kimchi is a well-known pickled dish in Korea.  Why did it end up in a Japanese restaurant?  Could this be the Japanese version?  But I couldn't tell the difference.  To me, it tasted like...well, the Korean kimchi!

Yakitori

Skewers of chicken dipped in barbeque sauce and grilled to perfection.  That's Yakitori for you.  The chicken used for the yakitori was incredibly succulent that juices oozed out with each bite.

Ebi (Prawn) Tempura

Kraaaakkk krraaakk...This sound filled the air as we sank our teeth into these deep fried prawns.  I believe skills are required in order to make a good tempura batter.  This crisp treat is great for nibbles.  Oishi!

Edamame (Steamed soybean)

Having edamame is just like having groundnuts with beer.  One healthy dish that we ordered.

Lidako

Lidako is my favourite dish.  I like this steamed and well-marinated little octopus.  It was just sooo...chewy.  Every bite was just so delightful.  A must-try!

Hey, what is having Japanese food without ordering sushi and sashimi, right?  We ordered a random selection of sushi and sashimi.  The most important part of sushi is the rice.  Here, the rice is sticky enough just to hold all the ingredients together and not too dry.  Then  the ingredients, must be fresh.  Very fresh.

Unagi Maki

California Maki

Ebiko Sushi

Mixed Sushi

Salmon Sashimi

For a reasonably priced Japanese food, this is one restaurant to go to.