Malaysian Chinese Cuisine

“I feel inexorably attached to Malaysia for many reasons, but one of them is that I got there early in my career as a traveler, wasn’t really ready for it, and was changed by the place. It seduced and overwhelmed me at the same time. The smells and colours and flavours—the look and sound of the place, the at times impenetrable mix of Indian, Malay and Chinese cultures.” ― Anthony Bourdain

Lai Ching Yuen 荔晶园

Nicholas Ng
Private Room - Lai Ching Yuen - Food For Thought

Found within the winding walkways of the Grand Millennium Hotel sits Lai Ching Yuen (荔晶园), a Cantonese-style Chinese restaurant, famous for its dim sum fare. This little gem offers some of the best dim sum you will find in town, and being in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with the plethora of Chinese restaurants round the corner, this is no simple task. As all traditional dim sum aficionados know, the only way to test the skill of a dim sum chef is to taste one of their basics, their har gow, (蝦餃, prawn dumplings), and siu mai (燒賣, pork dumplings). Continue reading →

Kebaya Dining Room by Seven Terraces

Nicholas Ng
7 Terraces Entrance - Kebaya House - Food For Thought

While strolling down Stewart Lane, you come across the façade of the beautifully restored Anglo-Chinese Seven Terrace boutique hotel, located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The dining area houses the Kebaya Dining Room, serving some of the best Indochinese and Peranakan fare you can find in Penang, from classics like the wing bean kerabu to the fusion joo hoo char roll, offering an experience which will leave you wanting more. Continue reading →

Food Guide: Street Food in Penang

Nicholas Ng
Food Guide Penang Food Title Card

When it comes to best island experiences in the world, there are few that can compare to that of Penang, the pearl of the Orient. The island boasts a complex and rich history due to its pivotal position during the colonial era. This has resulted in Penang becoming a melting pot of multicultural identities from the Chinese, Malay, Indian and European influences. Not only is Penang an unbelievable food haven, its unique position in history has resulted in George Town being named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue reading →

Char Kuey Teow 炒粿條 : Food History of Char Kuey Teow

Nicholas Ng
Char Kuay Teow | Food History | Food For Thought

Malaysia is home to some of the best tasting foods in the world, so much so that Lonely Planet named it food destination of they year for 2015. Amongst the food that was said to be a must try is none other than the local delicacy with its very humble origins, the Char Kway Teow, chau gwai diu (炒粿條) in Cantonese, or bilingually as Fried Kuay Teow. This dish hails from the northern state of Penang, the pearl of the orient, which is itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue reading →