A Wok Around Asia Recipe by Chef Chanrith Van of Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort I can legitimately say that I’ve never looked at an ant (red or otherwise) and wondered what it would taste like. Nonetheless, I wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to try it during my visit to Siem Reap, where it was served as part of a carpaccio-like rare » Read More
How to Cook Khmer Beef Lok Lak
March 30, 2018 by
A Wok Around Asia Recipe by Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort Beef Lok Lak is a famous Khmer dish that is ubiquitous on restaurant menus and at street stalls all over Siem Reap. Chef Chanrith Van of Courtyard by Marriott Siem Reap Resort takes it up a notch by applying his classical culinary training to this local favourite; he uses local » Read More
Jom Makan! Wok Around Asia Street Food Masterminds
January 4, 2018 by
Back when I was asked to run some cooking classes at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang, a local food blogger, Ken from KenHuntFood.com, showed up with a takeaway pack of Chee Cheong Fun for me to sample. That gesture has stuck with me, not just for the Chee Cheong Fun, which tasted delicious, but because it encapsulated the » Read More
10-Day Pacific Islands Cruise – Carnival Legend
January 17, 2017 by
When the Inner West Mums Facebook group told me they’d raised enough money to send me and Noah on a “short break” I had no idea it’d be as extravagant as a 10-day Pacific Islands cruise. The closest I’d gotten to joining a cruise was when I was approached by another cruise line a couple of years prior about doing a TV commercial for them. Their » Read More
How to Cook Malaysian Young Jackfruit Curry
June 9, 2016 by
I don’t think I’ve ever come across young jackfruit here in Sydney, but I’ve seen frozen breadfruit in Indian grocery stores, and I think that would work as a perfectly acceptable substitute. FYI young jackfruit needs to be boiled with vinegar to remove its slimy texture, should you ever use it in this recipe. In keeping with the character of » Read More
Singapore vs Malaysia: Food Fight
March 8, 2016 by
Some of the coolest people I’ve met online have been Singaporeans - Ling Pang (@sixinchheel), Tammi Kwok (@insatiablemunch), Shen Tan (@madamtans), to name a few - so it pains me to write this (alright, not really) but it’s universally accepted knowledge in Malaysia that our food is better than yours. (I like taking potshots at Singaporeans because » Read More
Street Food Recommendations For Your Next Trip to Malaysia
March 1, 2016 by
I regularly get asked about eating recommendations in Malaysia and last week was no exception. My journalist friend Steph emailed me to say she was planning to travel through Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Ipoh and Penang (among other places) in May and asked if I could suggest people and food she should look up. She will be travelling alone and is » Read More
How to Make Maggi Crab Noodles – Travel Diary Kelantan – Part 9
December 21, 2015 by
Recipe for Maggi Ketam (Claypot Crab with Maggi Noodles) from Indra Tom Yam One trend I’ve noticed in my trips to Malaysia in recent years is the use of Maggi ie. instant noodles in some street food dishes. You might come across Maggi Goreng (ie. fried Maggi noodles) cooked Mee Goreng-style at some food courts, and I’ve had Maggi Udang ie. Mee » Read More
How to Make Squid Ketupat – Travel Diary Kelantan – Part 8
December 16, 2015 by
Recipes for Ketupat Sotong (Squid Stuffed with Glutinous Rice) and Kerabu Pucuk Nipah (Palm Shoots Salad) from Perdana Resort, Kota Bharu We showed up at Perdana Resort, a beachside property, for the next two cooking demonstrations - and found another extravagant banquet had been prepared for us that included Kelantan’s very unique laksa (I will » Read More
How to Make Ayam Percik – Travel Diary Kelantan – Part 7
December 15, 2015 by
Recipe for Ayam Percik (Grilled Chicken) from Cikgu Garden Chalet We next headed to a Kampung Stay called Cikgu Garden Chalet - a pristine village with manicured gardens in the middle of rural Kota Bharu. Cikgu Garden Chalet in Kota Bharu, KelantanFlashback: Cikgu Garden Chalet in Kota Bharu, Kelantan Posted by Jackie M. on » Read More