day o2.

reminiscing hong kong's old soul in kowloon. 

{ day o2 } market hopping :: jade market • shanghai street • nelson street wet market • bird park • flower market • fa yuen street market • goldfish market • tsim sha tsui promenade • museum of art • space museum • clock tower • star ferry 

finally back to my entries on #sianstakesonhk after a couple of food review inserts that i just couldn't wait to share. speaking of which - food reviews from from my november hk trip have yet to be written.

hong kong is divided by victoria harbor where the north is the soul of kowloon, capturing the old charm of the "real hong kong" and as we travelled towards the south to find the modern, progressive urbanization in hong kong island. our day two itinerary was a tad ambitious & a LOT packed, to cover as much ground as we could.. oh but the achievement of the day our food pit stops that totalled to six! (find them in my travel snippets!) 

--- {AWESOMESAUCE travel snippets of day o2} ---

one | start the day right with a pre-breakfast snack in the form of pineapple bun! returning to our first char chaan teng experience from the night before, kam wah restaurant is famed for its fresh out of the oven polo baos - fresh, still warm from the oven, soft that contrasts the crispy top with just a light honey-like sweetness. 

two | brunching on hong kong dim sum at tim ho wan, a restaurant synonymous to this local speciality. located in sham shui po in kowloon, it is best known for being the cheapest michelin one starred restaurant. delicately intricate and freshly steamed,  delicious dumplings served, this was ranked as the top food i've had in hong kong - a definite list topper for must-eat in hong kong (certainly worthy of a separate entry!)

three | market hopping - plan out the best route to cover as many markets as you can. 

[#protip] start from prince edward mtr station if you are planning to start from north making your way towards south for an early evening stroll at tsim sha tsui promenade.

get a whiff of the fresh fragrance of the many colorful blooms that lined the streets along flower market and enjoy listening to the chirping of different bird species for bird watching at yuen po street bird garden. 

[#protip] when taking photos of the birds, be wary of the owners and no flash photography since it may scare them birds. 

we walked our way towards the south, we found a mix of different things from cheap clothings to accessories sold at little stalls and the shops that lined fa yuen street. just one road down later, name brand sneaker shops were aplenty down the stretch of street aptly called sneaker street. 

fa yuen street market was also our pit stop for our in between breakfast-lunch "snack" - for mui kee's pork meatball & sliced fish congees (hkd 29 each) at shop 12 in the food court on the third floor. 

my personal favorite of the markets is probably the goldfish market where a variety of neon bright fishes are packed in little bags set up in front of stalls. or even find the occasional locals fishing out their lucky goldfish from the tanks.

another favorite of mine is having a quick walk through the ladies market (the street where i was staying at) reminded me of our very own chinatown at petaling street - a street full of petite stalls, selling souvenirs, accessories and clothing in bulk as well as many people crowding the street. gear yourself with your haggling skills to put it to the test on mustering the best deals. for the lowest prices, you may have to walk to whole stretch that spans at least two blocks.

four | take a moment to immerse in the charming 'old' hong kong culture and architecture. some of the scenes that i have only seen in hong kong shows, i was finally breathing it all in. 

the streets that house the very many old flats/apartments, the few community parks where locals people watch or even bamboo construction stilts that you often see fighting scenes are shot in action movies!

five | art appreciation in the local art scene. kowloon is the hub for many emerging artists - however, we've only had enough time for the most conventional venue - the hong kong museum of art. exhibitions of the historical chinese antiques alternating with the modern contemporary art. a change of pace for a more relaxing and mind boggling art pieces. 

[#protip] free admission wednesdays for both hong kong museum of art and space museum. both are also closed on thursdays. 

six | spending several hours at tsim sha tsui promenade to cover most of the attractions located within walking distance of the victoria harbor such as the clock tower, avenue of stars, hong kong museum of art and space museum. 

lookout for the ice cream truck - mobile softee, reminscent of our childhood years, chasing after the ice cream truck for a soft serve vanilla ice cream on the cone (hkd 9) to just top off your day. personally, it was a bit too sweet for my liking but satisfying for those with a sweet tooth.

to top it all off, the biggest highlight to my day was marvelling at the dramatic architectural spectacle that is the hong kong island concrete jungle skyline, towering over the busy waters of the victoria harbor even during the hazy late afternoon as the sun makes its way to the west to make for dusk.

as dusk slips into night, the cool november breeze becomes an inviting welcome to the illuminated skyline that brightens the otherwise clear dark night skies. i paused and inhaled the ambiance, trying to take in the view. it was simply breathtaking. photos just do it no justice.

[#protip] be slightly early to get a front seat for the nightly laser light show - the symphony of lights. 

seven | sail on the star ferry. the view is more dramatic in the direction of kowloon to central to the left of the direction of travel - the 9 minute ferry ride is a MUST to do during a clear night. even the national geographic traveller agrees with me by naming it as one of the  'must-dos' in its 'place of a lifetime' series.

[#protips] :: star ferry sailing

o1. upper decks have the best views

o2. fees: hkd 2.50 on weekdays; hkd 3.40 on weekends

o3. best seats are the ones in the middle of the boat (windowless). seats at the front and back are bound by windows

o4. octopus card works here! may want to pay by token for the experience ;)

o5. there are two routes - kowloon - wan chai & kowloon - central

i've read from my research that the ferry should be riden just before 8pm for the symphony of lights, which we attempted but might have taken the wrong route resulting on us missing out on the show. >.<

eight | my first taste of central in hong kong island, staring at the illuminated skyscrapers up-close while experiencing the modern progression of the commercial district, exuding a dissimilar atmosphere from kowloon. 

nine | slurping on famed steamed milk pudding in two films (hkd 29) from yee shun dairy company. a quick mtr ride to jordan, we found ourselves in a old school cafe having an post-dinner dessert/supper on the two of their signature dishes. more on yee shun dairy company on a separate entry. 

{ extra travel notes }

one "moon walk simulation" at the space museum that may earn it a quick visit. i still can't decide what i think of it but i could say i've done it! :) 

two i've grown to love sending postcards from my travels as souvenirs. but what i thought was exciting was the discovery of their stamp machine (nerd moment alert!). it was an awesome old-school stamp dispenser that doubles as a mailbox - make sure you have enough coins to purchase your stamps!

three the connection within the underground subway stations from central mtr to hong kong mtr is via underground walking passage. AND after what felt like a marathon (felt like it after a whole day of walking and not a lot of sitting), it still costs hkd 3.20 for using the underground passage, which i guess, to be fair had some travelators along the way. 

kowloon possesses a special charm that was reminiscent to the older parts of kl city that i grew up in, capturing the essence of the urban city i recalled from tv shows, of the hustle & bustle of its people, of its culture and architecture and of its many night markets and stalls. 

the upcoming part three of this series ventures further out of hong kong just a bit for a departure to another part of the country - macau. that will be in the works soon! and it's back to hong kong island for another kind of hong kong experience. 

disclaimer this is written based on personal experience and opinion. experiences and taste buds may vary for others.

one of the newest trends in the malaysian food scene that is finally making headlines in the media is the food truck phenomena! and charging to the forefront in the familiar texan flag colors of blue, red and white colored truck is the cowboys food truck!

the brains & brawn behind this yummy rodeo is nizar - a cowboy hat wearing engineer who spent several years perfecting his bbq-ing craft in dallas, texas and his partner-in-crime, christopher who spent many years in the land down under where locals take the barbie very seriously. starting with a passion for barbecue-ing, they've translated their love into a menu that exudes the warmth of the southern hospitality through the familiar favorites of smoked meats and crispy fried goodness - a menu that are scarcely found even in restaurants.

with the exception of special functions, you can typically catch these cowboys at public bank at ss15 subang almost every night. but it's best to track them down on their instagram or like them on their facebook page to keep yourself up-to-date with their next stop!

the modus operandi: find the truck - pick out your favorites from the chalkboard menu - place your order - pay the amount (cash only, please!) - wait for your name to be called to get your order either having it there or to go. since food is freshly made to order in the truck, it is probably best eaten there and then for the full street food experience.

tttacos :: beefy boss | beef brisket, slaw, chipotle mayo + nachos (rm 12.90)

a fusion fair with a touch of mexican - a new addition to their menu! two medium sized tacos with warmed, soft, flour tortilla shells folded around a mix of fresh chopped greens that cushioned the generous amount of beef brisket basking in their signature secret bbq sauce. 

tangy, spicy, slightly sweet and a lil smoky sauce to moisten the pulled beef brisket, mellowed the satisfying flour tortillas. it may get a little messy in a yummy way, so be prepared with some extra napkins. 

to make it a complete meal, crispy corn tortilla chips topped with a dollop of savory, cheesiness sprinkled with some smoky paprika - adding a textural difference to the serving. it also gives you an option of crumbling the nachos onto your tacos to get it all in a single crunchy bite. a hearty, fulfilling grub with a very reasonable price tag! 

po'boy sandwiches :: the big texan | crusty french loaf, sliced slow smoked beef brisket, slaw & chipotle mayo (rm 12.90)

if you prefer bread over tacos, there is a similar version in the po' boy rendition, sandwiched between crusty french loaf where the chipotle mayo slapped my tastebuds with its spicy heat. maybe slightly too spicy for me >.< my personal preference is the soft tacos since the french loaf was a tad too crusty for my liking probably cos i'm more accustomed with softer breads with my po' boys. however, the smoked beef brisket was a winner with its tenderness and mildness in spice allowing the juicy game-y meat itself to shine.

meattt :: just wing it | half a dozen fried chicken wings tossed in garlic parmesan / spicy bbq (rm 12.90)

their signature dish is a definite crowd pleaser. if you find yourself undecided between the two sauces, just get the mix where you can get three each. freshly fried and warm, the wings had a light coat of batter enveloping the juicy, seasoned chicken on the inside. 

the garlic parmesan is definitely for the garlic lover - a prominent fragrance of garlic punch in the familiar saltiness of parmesan cheese that lends a creamier finish. 

the spicy bbq sauce, their secret weapon - tangy, spicy with a minor hint of smokiness - savory and mildly sweet tousled in a balancing act. the right thing to do is to lick the fingers so none of it go to waste. yum! :)

if you are craving for some good ol' southern US favorites at reasonable price tags, gallop your way to cowboys food truck's location to say howdy to these cowboys (wherever this adventurous pair will be) and lasso in some lip smacking, meaty goodness with the full street food experience.  

cowboys food truck| location

by public bank
at ss15 subang jaya
but best to confirm their latest spots on their instagram/facebook page

{opens daily (mostly): 6pm to 10 pm}

disclaimer this is written based on personal experience and opinion. experiences and taste buds may vary for others.

it has a tagline of "have a soft day!".
it has appeared several times in the k-drama, 'cunning single ladies' {앙큼한 돌싱녀}  (*swoon*..... joo sang wook!)

sorry, i got carried away.

south korean's premium organic brand famed for its soft serve ice cream - milkcow -  the craze for this creamy cold dessert spread like wildfire on a summer's evening as soon as it found its first malaysian home in a kiosk on the lower ground of the gardens mall, located just across from cold storage.

even months after its opening in november 2014, the long queue at the counter persisted out of the petite shop dressed the recognizable cow spots of black and white. with only a few small tables for dine-ins, it's probably a better idea to find your favorite spot at the mall to enjoy your cold cups of milky goodness.. 

made with all-natural organic ingredients, milkcow offers milky way, which is the starting point for the other ten options paired with some organic toppings. there is also the occasional new creations that grace the menu for a limited time, so look out for those!

organic soft serve ice cream :: milky cube | natural honey comb (rm 13)

introducing milkcow's signature creation, the milky cube. the sole reason behind my strong desire to try it out for the first time despite the intimidating queue.


the foundation: the soft serve ice cream itself. whispers of mild sweetness and of intense milky creaminess with a silky lightness that cools as it coats the tongue in a pleasant manner. hence, making it an ideal base for the lovely, floral notes of the liquid gold of honey that trickled down from its hexagonal wax cells. it may not be everyone's favorite due to the wax lining of the honey comb. the price tag may be a tad steep but it was evident why after the first spoonful which tasted just the way it promised - made with organic high quality ingredients.


organic soft serve ice cream :: black pearl | chocolate sauce, organic salt, cocoball topping (rm 11)

with the same beginnings, this was a sweeter choice between the two... the chocolate sauce was rich molten cacao, balanced by a very light sprinkle of salt.


as you savor your way to the bottom of the cup, a sweet surprise of chocolate maltesers greets you with its crunchy malt honeycomb center for a texture difference - a nice crunch against the backdrop of soft, smooth ice cream. it was slightly too sweet for my liking even with the salt and a little heavy on the richness but managed to get a nodding approval from my mom.



milkcow offers at least eleven of their sweet and cold selections built from the same foundation of all-natural milk base soft serve ice cream, topped with organic toppings. what i love about milkcow is the all natural flavor and the quality ingredients that shines in their own right in each bite.

while some call it overrated, i call it 'yum'! try it for yourself to see which camp you belong to :)

#protip: planning for more than one visits, don't forget your stamp card to get your 11th cup for free :)

milkcow | location

lg k23,
the gardens mall
midvalley city
 kuala lumpur

{opens daily: 10am to 10 pm}

disclaimer this is written based on personal experience and opinion. experiences and taste buds may vary for others.

as 2015 has taken its baby steps into the year, a hopeful foodie anticipates 365 days of new possibilities of creative flavors on a plate. a tradition that i've started since 2012, the year just doesn't feel complete without me reflecting on the top eats that left its lasting delicious impression in the year twenty fourteen. 

i think i may have counted six. you know the drill - the list is in no particular order:

one :: les deux garcon's salted caramel macaron

it isn't a secret that i am crazy for the fusion of sweet - salty. definitely a match made in heaven.

les deux garcon's salted caramel is the epitome of the greatness when it is done right. the sweetness of the caramel dominates but the salt is the ideal partner to accentuate and cut through the richness of the caramel. perfection in many ways - the texture of the shells are light and airy within the thin, crispy exterior that shatters at the lightest of bites. the creamy and rich rounded sweetness of the light filling begins with a familiar sweetness to end slightly with a mild saltiness at the back of the tongue. this delicate macaron has captured my heart and has taken one of the spots for "the best desserts i've ever had"

two :: uncle chiam's banana fritters & kuih bakul

between uncle chiam's two signature fried fritters - pisang goreng or the kuih bakul, which are both the definition of deliciousness in their own right. since i couldn't quite choose between the two, they both were deserving to make it to the list. both had a satisfying texture and a lovely balance of sweetness. the fried banana fritters are akin to caramelized sweet bananas, soft and sweet encased in the light batter while the kuih bakul achieved a balance between the layers that offered sweet, starchy and satisfying bitefuls. simplicity done right and  #soworththecalories 

three :: standing theory's bbc waffles

another examplary display of sweet & savory combination. (told you i am such a sucker for sweet-savory)

bacon, banana, cornflakes ice cream resting atop of waffles with a drizzle of palm sugar syrup. combine them all and you get love in one bite - the warm, cold, savory, sweet, crispy, soft, creamy, and rich all resulting to a satisfying comfort. it was so good that this single dish deserved its own entry. need to return for seconds!

four :: hk's tim ho wan's siu mai dumplings & bbq pork rice noodle rolls

an entry i can't wait to share about one of my most favorite food encounters i had in my recent trip to hong kong. i've been told that dim sum is tasty in hong kong and it was proven with this addition to the top eats list. siu mai. four freshly steamed morsels of meat goodness in a bomboo steamer, the skin of the dumplings were thin and light, wrapping the moist pork and inside, a whole fresh and sweet shrimp that mingled strongly with the flavors of umami. the first bite brought a smile to my face. 

yet another double entry from a single restaurant, the bbq pork rice noodles roll deserved to be part of the list. smooth broad rice noodles rolled to envelop the savory, moist and slightly sweetened bbq pork, accentuated by the sweet soy sauce where the ratio of the ingredients was balanced exquisitely to arrive to the flavors of savory with a light sweetness. 

five :: cameron highland's smokehouse restaurant's scone

this scone was like no other. imitation is the best form of flattery and i have tried making scones from scratch using different recipes but they paled in comparison. its texture was what i'd think the scone creators would have had intended this english classic to be. soft yet crumbly, which is similar to the texture of pie crust and biscuit combined in one - dense and slightly dry where the clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam make lovely pairings. those and of course, a cup of freshly brewed tea.

six :: the kitchen table restaurant's soft egg, streaky bacon, tomato jam, watercress & sourdough


farm-to-table concept, all the ingredients were made from scratch, including the tomato jam and the sourdough bread. the golden richness of the poached egg trickles down the bacon to meld with the tomato jam slathered on the slightly tart and crispy sourdough bread to highlight the savory smoky thick cut bacon. the watercress dressed in lemony vinaigrette lends a lighter note to complete the dish.


and there you have it :: the six eight dishes that topped my tasted, eaten & loved list of 2014. despite that, there is still some dishes that earned a quick mention but didn't quite made it to the list. call it the 'bib gourmand' of the list, if you will :p






there you go, go forth and eat away or maybe try some of these items from my list of favorites. if you've found something new that i have yet to try, i would love it if you could share it with me as always :)

entries about hong kong and some new food excursions to be written soon!

disclaimer this is written based on my personal experience and opinion. experiences and taste buds may vary for others.

a look back to my past year, it was a roller coaster of ups and downs where thankfully, the ups outweighed the downs. it was a year of personal growth, discovery and many firsts that i am very much grateful for including some of these many highlights of twenty14.

twentyfifteen spells a renewal of my resolutions from last year, mainly because while i may have made slight dents for some of them, it is still a work in progress before i can truly check it off as 'i have done it!'  oh, plus a new resolution of learning how to swim!

there are still so many to-do in my personal bucket list and many more firsts to look forward to. 

thank you so very for being a part of my wonderful 2014 and i hope to continue to share my 2015 with you :)

love you. xoxo

p.s. top eats of twentyfourteen will be featured in the next entry!