Japan Trip - Ichiran and Kabukicho

Best Ramen in the world!

Being lied of the so call Japanese citizen, we start hunting food via our Google Maps. In before we found any restaurant, stumble upon this Ichiran Ramen shop. One of the most famous Ramen chain in Japan, and so we decided to give it a try.

Ichiran Ramen

Inside the shop, we have to wait for a small que as it is dinner time. However the que wasn't long, when we finally reached the vending machine, we have to wait again for the remaining customer to finish their delicious ramen to free up the seats.

Button indicator to show which seat is empty or filled.

So during the que or waiting, we were handed with this small leaflet to customize our ramen along with the coupon you purchased just now from the vending machine.

Customise sheet to design your own ramen

Some good 20 minutes waiting while chatting with other tourist, is finally our turn! But we got separated due to there's no 5 free seats in a row.

In front of you, there's a tap water valve for your free flow of iced water.

Free iced water

Beside there's a wooden panel that can be open if you are seated with friends. But normally is closed because lone customer want to have his/her ramen in peace.

Japan Trip - Shinkansen to Shinjuku

Speed of Bullet Train

Upon arriving to Shin-Osaka, we quickly rush out from Haruka platform to find where is the entrance for our Shinkansen. The ticket lady schedule us the train ride is just mere 30 minutes after arrive to Shin-Osaka, and due to the fact we're first timer and just arrive to the land of the rising sun, took us quite some time to locate the correct platform.

Shinkansen Entrance Banner

Just as planned, we went to the bento vendors to get ourself some bentos. So many choices, we can't read Japanese, can't made up our mind and the Shinkansen is leaving. Intense ; we were battling against time.

Quite expensive for just a bento

Man, Japanese with their packaging

Japan Trip - Izakaya, Shinjuku

Japanese Mamak

On our way back to Shinjuku Train Station, we came across this huge food sales. Crowded with people, and food and freebies. Staff there are pretty generous and nice, explaining what kind of food they selling in English and free taste. YUM! But is super packed, I can't even bring out my camera to take a good shot.

Food Market

Our friend here is leading us to the suppose to be Yakitori stall, knowing a good stall serving those, so we followed him, but tragedy happens.

Before of that incident, lets enjoy the Shinjuku street.

Pachinko - means casino specialise in mechanical gambling 

People everywhere, keep walking, I mean walk fast!

Penang White Curry Mee - Penang Corner @Kepong

All from Penang Corner

Recently, Social networks are being blasted and viral about the MyKuali Instant Penang White Curry Mee. Sold out in all Kedai Runcit, hypermarket, and even some shops are selling it at a much higher marked up price to earn extra profit during the hype. For a foodie like myself, of course the bandwagon are inevitable. Everyone is having it, buying it, loving it, even host some event to promote it.

But there aren't any REAL Penang White Curry Mee laying around, at least not near by KL. Stumble upon on the traditional Chinese food town - Kepong, we found this little stall that selling Penang White Curry Mee.

Curry paste

As you expected, White Curry Mee is White. Yep, we sure didn't know about it. On serving, it was white soup, more like a chicken stalk with milk, wasn't spicy, just plain milky soup noodles.

However, this magic Curry paste once added to the broth, it was a different food. The spiciness and the chilli flavour spread across the soup, making it a unique White Curry Mee taste. With pork blood, squid and shell meat, bring the freshness into the overall taste, combined with the savoury curry paste, a hearty meal for the day.

White Curry Mee served with Pork Blood, Squid and Sea Shell Meat with Curry paste added

They do serve Penang Prawn noodles, ain't shabby at all.

Penang Prawn Mee

Give it a try, not the best location of all, no parking, no air-cond, no walk ways, just a simple stall serving simple food.

GPS Coordinate : 3.207472, 101.644833

[Event] - Animagaki 2014

Bigger than ever

Animagaki is an annual event adored by our ACG fans. Hosted on Sunway Pyramid Convention Center Hall from 9th August - 10th August 2014, we expected this gonna turn up a huge event as last year surpass 7,000 attendees for such local event.

Media Pass -  Cute Design as usual

However, due to 9th August 2014 is also a TedxKL - The Open Future event hosted on the same day, I can't possible attend both functions at the same time. So I'm only visiting the 2nd day of Animagaki, and regretted missing tons of fun of the Day 1 activities.

Little Akiba

This year due to time constrain, I'll be focusing on the display of figurine and the Indie product design and produced by our talented artist. We can totally see a huge increase of quality and quantity of exhibitors.

Artwork for sale

These are the awesome magazine that can be purchased on any convenient store in Japan(My Recent Trip to Japan), and the organizers display huge amount of these on the floor to showcase to our local ACG hobbyist.

Anime Magazine

Last year, the awesome figure and model are displayed in a rather congested walkway outside the entrance, which have poor lightning and area for us to observe and take photo. However this year, they are located inside the hall on the sides where special lightning are set-up for photogs and hobbyist to observe and carry their photography.

As you can see, this are sole lightning provided by the hall, no flash gun.

Mourning for #MH17

Mourning for #MH17

20 remains of identified Malaysian remains will be sending back to its homeland on 22th August 2014.

43 ill-fated Malaysian passenger boarded MH17 flying from Amsterdam back to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over Ukraine's eastern region on a tragic day on July 17. Declared by the government as 22th August 2014 the day of national mourning, 20 MH17 victims will be finally sent back from The Netherlands.

[Update] Mourning will start from 1030 to 1115 throughout Malaysia with one minute of silence to honour the victims of the MH17 tragedy. 7 main locations, traffic will be stopped to join the mourning.

This is a historical day for Malaysian, to show a strong unity of the great nation and also act as a reminder why is important to live together in unity as Malaysians. If Dutch can shown their sign of respect by observing silence, I believe Malaysian can do so. 

I hope all Malaysian can unite as one and observe one minute silence for the respect of the MH17 victims.

Japan Trip - Kansai Airport

Konichiwa

Is time! Our long planned Japan trip is finally here! We bought our tickets around Nov 2013 during the Air Asia sales, a couple of return to Osaka. Then we revised our plan, again and again and again, and we got greedy; at the end we decided to both Kansai and Kanto region in 11 days. 

During the planning phase, only 2 of us will be travelling, but as times goes, 2 more innocent travellers decided to join us. Revise everything again to take the best advantage of 4 travellers, sharing cost and such. Talking to our host in Japan, liaising with our friend in Tokyo to make sure everything is settle.

Then we were lucky enough to experience the new KLIA 2 just after few days later from the official launch. 

Snacks booth inside KLIA 2

KLIA 2 was huge, and tiring to walk. However the interior design was OK, just some design flaw of being inconvenient. Tons of potential empty spaces being to utilized. 

Resting bench

Can you see the design of those chair? It is not design to be slept on! Bad choice of chairs for airport., especially for those who decided to overnight in the airport. Guess KLIA 2 want to make extra profit from their hotel services.

D7 0532 - Kansai Osaka

Top 6 Food Must Try in Melaka (Local Introduced)

World Heritage Town with heritage delicacies. 

A 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka, enjoying much of the unchange local delicacies. Despite being a tourist town, the flavour and quality are still the same from what I've remember 4 years ago of my first visit. However this time, we won't be looking for the famous place that most typical tourist tried. This time, we would be the hipster, we will try the food introduced by the locals in Melaka.

Here's are the Top 6 Food Must Try in Malaka (Local Introduced).

1. Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball

Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball

Succulent Roasted Chicken or Steamed White Chicken along with hand pressed Onion-Oiled Rice Ball to kick start your journey in Melaka is a must try food here. Serving with fresh light cooked cabbage to add in some sweetness into your overall experience. For person who can't live without any spicy, their home-made chilli sauce is a good enhance to your taste bud. Head to this place early for its fresh steamy rice balls.

Heng Hainansese Chicken Rice Balls

Address : No. 536, Jalan Melaka Raya 10,

Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka

Opening Hours : 0900-2000 Daily

2. Durian Cendol

Durian Cendol with Gula Melaka and Ice Cream

How can you come to Melaka without trying their famous Durian Cendol or Normal Cendol with Gula Melaka(Melacca Sugar)? Rich taste of sugar cane(Gula Melaka) with chilly smooth blended ice, Cendol, red bean, topped with heavenly Durian and vanilla ice-cream is your sweet tooth fix. A different perspective of Cendol from Penang. A must try! Do tell us which version of Cendol you carter the most.

Jeta Groves

Address : 115 Taman Melaka Raya,

75000 Melaka

Opening Hours : 0745-1600 Closed on Monday

Contact : 013 6265992, 06-2821526

A Pie Thing @ Damansara Uptown

A Pie Thing - Very British

Tv-series, movies, travel show which always have a English pie in the scene. Especially the British kind of shows. But fear not, the Pie has landed in Klang Valley @ Damansara Uptown. A Pie Thing that is.

A Pie Thing

Being a super strategic position, A Pie Thing is very easy to be spot along LDP with its beckoning flashy signboard. Step inside and few glass cabinets of pies, freshly baked presented.

Menu board for drinks and combination

They serve a series of beef, chicken, lamb or even chili with cheese and veges.
Besides savoury pies, they serve a wide selections of chocolate cakes and candy too.

Burger Junkyard @ Empire Damansara

Sounds like a Dirty Burger

The burger hype are still building within Malaysia and it's all started with the Geek's Startup - MyBurgerLab's high-profile entrance to the market. For still having not tasted MyBurgerLab, I can't compare Burger Junkyard with it, but as dirty as it sound (JunkYard yuck), it does offer a solid burger meal within Petaling Jaya.

Burger JunkYard @ Empire Damansara

By visiting the interior, is very JunkYard indeed. With pipes and creates and stuff, is a pretty nice looking restaurant with raw materiel design along with funky colour highlights.

The dining area

Quite a lot of choices that listed out the ingredient.

A nice touch for listing out the ingredient

The Beef in Blanket is what caught my eye with beef bacon and patties @ Rm18.9 in a regular set. Price indicated does come in fries and drinks.

Beef in Blanket

The dipping sauce is delicious thou. I think is a mixture of mustard, mayo, and cheese with salt and pepper.
Soft bun with sesame and seed added a little chewy and crunchy on the texture.

Side look of the burger

Serving is pretty fast, I got my order within 5 minutes which serve the standards of burger waiting time.
Definitely a try for those are burger hippie, or simply when you are around that area,

Burger Junkyard,

No. G-23 Empire Damansara, Jalan Pju 8/8,

Damansara Perdana, 47820, Petaling Jaya

Operating time : 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-9.30pm, closes on Sunday

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Taiwan - Overview

The Master Plan of Taiwan

So you are thinking about travelling to Taiwan and have no idea where to start? Here's some information of my itinerary for my trip. Guide for 7 days in Taiwan.

Day 1 - Arrival
Our flight ticket was just Rm900 with return flight, however this consider a mid range priced(can get even cheaper if we purchase earlier with AirAsia free seat promo). We ain't complain much on winter season.
Due to night flight, we stay our night at City Suite @TaoYuan for Rm300.

Day 2 - TaiChung
Took bullet train to TaiChung from TaoYuan that cost NTD540. Then we checked in to our Ming Shu which can be found in HERE.
Feng Jia Night Market, our night activities. Forget about dinner, snack your way through this night market and be a happy kid to sleep at night.

Day 3 - Qing Jing Farm(清境农场)
We have hired a local tour of 4 days to ease our trip, because some places are just too difficult to go. His name is Panda, although is a bit expensive as compared to other, but his service is very good.
We visited Taroko Gorge (太鲁阁),Qing Jing Farm(清境农场), Carton King(纸箱王) and Small Swiss Garden(小瑞士花园).

Day 4 - Sun Moon Lake(日月潭)
We visited Sun Moon Lake(日月潭) and Paper Dome.

Day 5 - Jiu Fen(九分)
Visited Jiu Fen and Jiu fen Old Street(九分久道)

Day 6 - Yang Ming Shan( 阳明山)
Visited Yang Ming Shan, have lunch at Kuang An Temple(广安庙). Then headed to Dan Shui(淡水).

Day 7 - 故宫(National Palace Museum)
Visited 故宫(National Palace Museum), then Xi Men Ding(西门町).

Day 8 - MaoKong, Shi Lin Market
Visited MaoKong for some tea. Then Shilin for the food.

Day 9 - Taipei 101
Visited Taipei 101.

Total Cost : Rm2.5k

Ok I lied, it surpose to be 9 days, but 1st and last day doesn't consider full day, So make it a 7 day guide?

Anyway, have fun in Taiwan.

Day 9 Taiwan - Country with love and food

I'll be back

The last day at Taipei, and is rainy. Finish packing, and is time to say good bye.

Rainy 

Before we leaving to the airport, we always wanted to try the Taiwan's origin, the best franchise restaurant in the world. Ding Tai Fung(鼎泰丰).

Xiao Long Bao (小笼包)

Their signature dish, Xiao long Bao. 10 piece for NTD 100. Pretty good deal, and it taste superb. Be careful thou, as when you take a bite, the meat juice inside will burst and might burnt your tongue. I did.

Vegetarian Bun - Chai Bao(菜包)

Fried rice 

Tan tan noodles - 担担面

Beautiful cooked Ramen served with minced pork sauce.

Pork Chop w/ Omelet rice - 猪排饭

Eight Precious Pudding - 八宝饭

Cloth to cover our bags, and jackets

Satisfying breakfast, but is still very early and our flight is at night. We decided to park our luggage in a locker on the main station of Taipei then walk to Taipei 101 tower and have a look.

Taipei 101 - Fog

We unable to witness the majestic of Taipei 101 due to heavy rain and fog.

Rental bike

Taipei 101 and its shopping mall

Beneath the tower, there's a huge shopping mall. Just like KLCC

Entrance

Wall of fame to those help in building Taipei 101

Wall of Fame

Time for lunch!

Food court

Even is the food court food, the food here is delicious and not that pricey surprisingly.

Food

While we on the street, we encounter a pack of protestors marching on the main street of the Government Office.

I think the protest is about the transparency of the government and the high tax of the country.

Random Art

About 4pm, we took a bus and back to Tao Yuan international airport.

Taipei, Always more Delights

At the airport, we found this lovely booth. Hello Kitty theme Eva Air. I wanted to ride one!

Kawaii!~

As usual, before we leave, final round of Taiwan's delicious!

NTD 100 - Deep Fried Pork Chop Udon on a Sizzling Plate

These huge portion of food, only cost NTD 100, and it is so good!

NTD 100 - Deep Fried Shrimp with rice along with mushroom on a Sizzling Plate

Time to check in.

Long que before 3 hours of the flight - just to check in

The long que of the check in counter, luckily we arrive early!

Immigration 

This is it, is time for us to leave. Wonderful trip I say.
Good bye to food, good bye to pretty ladies, good bye to the warmth hospitality and good bye Taiwan!

Day 8 Taiwan - Tea