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APRIL <strong>2017</strong> | ISSUE 11<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM<br />
The charm of<br />
Nyonya<br />
Cuisine<br />
TAKE A TRAIN DOWN TO<br />
Central Vietnam
Contents<br />
18<br />
9On The Radar<br />
25<br />
30<br />
12<br />
Now Boarding<br />
14<br />
FYI: Digital<br />
Nomads<br />
16<br />
Out & About<br />
17<br />
Road Less Taken:<br />
Bintan Island<br />
23<br />
Bucket List:<br />
Heritage Hotels<br />
25<br />
Tokyo Shopping<br />
Districts<br />
12<br />
23<br />
18<br />
Central Vietnam<br />
30<br />
Nyonya Cuisines<br />
4 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
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COVER PHOTO BY FAIDZ ZAINAL<br />
@LIFEPHOTOGRAPHIEOFFICIAL<br />
EDITORIAL TEAM<br />
GROUP HEAD & BRANDS<br />
JOHN SO<br />
EDITOR<br />
AISHAH AZALI<br />
GRAPHIC DESIGNER<br />
JAMIE SOO-HOO<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
FAIDZ ZAINAL, KATHLEEN POON<br />
& DOREEN SOOSAI<br />
DIGITAL TEAM<br />
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES<br />
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JAZLYN@PCOMASIA.COM<br />
COMMERCIAL & PARTNERSHIP<br />
JOHN SO<br />
JOHNSO@PCOMASIA.COM<br />
CONTENT<br />
AISHAH AZALI & AYUMI SWEED<br />
PUBLISHED BY<br />
PUBLISHCOM ASIA SDN. BHD.<br />
NO. 83–1, JALAN MEDANG SERAI, BUKIT<br />
BANDARAYA,<br />
59100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.<br />
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WHERE IS YOUR<br />
FAVOURITE PLACE TO<br />
EAT ROJAK MAMAK?<br />
Be Our Food Ranger with #GAPeats & Your<br />
Photo Can Be Featured In Our Magazine!<br />
1. Look out for our food question of the month.<br />
2. Post a picture on Instagram of your favourite eating place based on our monthly question.<br />
3. Tag @goasiaplus and #GAPeats.<br />
4. Top posts will be featured on our magazine in our new column #GAPeats.<br />
The views expressed in the articles published are not necessarily those of Publishcom Asia Sdn Bhd (963236–P). While every reasonable care is taken in compiling the magazine, the publisher shall<br />
not be held liable for any omission, error or inaccuracy. Please notify the publisher in writing of any such omission, error or inaccuracy. Editorial contributions are welcome, but unsolicited materials<br />
are submitted at the sender’s risk. The publisher cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage. All rights reserved by Publishcom Asia Sdn Bhd (963236–P). No part of this publication may be<br />
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6 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Alan<br />
Me<br />
Baba<br />
John<br />
EDITOR’s note<br />
Are you happy as I am that monsoon season is over?<br />
It is the best time for weekends on the islands off<br />
the coast of Terengganu and short getaways to<br />
charming towns like Kuching, which I did recently.<br />
If you are looking for an island getaway close to home,<br />
check out the Road Less Taken section for my piece on<br />
Bintan Island in Indonesia. You can take a 2-hour ferry from<br />
Johor Bahru or Singapore to reach there. Nothing beats<br />
beautiful beaches and Indonesian satay there.<br />
Our food piece takes a look into the flavourful world<br />
of Nyonya cuisine where I interviewed an actual Baba of<br />
Peranakan descent. Nyonya cuisine is one of my favourite<br />
Malaysian food so you can imagine how happy I was to<br />
taste all those delicious dishes.<br />
Shopaholics will enjoy the shopping section where we<br />
wrote about the various shopping districts in Japan. There<br />
are more interesting and weird things to buy in Tokyo than<br />
just green tea Kit Kat, ok?<br />
Lastly, if you did not know, I co-host a radio show on<br />
AFO Radio called <strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong> (obviously, right?) where<br />
Adrian Seet and I chat about everything from food to<br />
travels. We even sometimes argue because he always<br />
insists on shopping while I prefer to visit some obscure<br />
island. You ever had that kind of travel friend? I eye roll but<br />
adore him anyway. Catch us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday<br />
of the week at 3pm!<br />
PHOTO BY FAIDZ ZAINAL<br />
PHOTO OF THE<br />
MONTH WINNER<br />
TERACOTA79<br />
FOLLOW US<br />
@goasiaplus<br />
#goasiaplus<br />
#photoofthemonth<br />
Aishah Azali<br />
Editor<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 7
Rantings<br />
bird man ranting<br />
A CONNOISSEUR OF TRAVEL BY PASSION, THE BIRD MAN COMES WITH<br />
AN EXCEPTIONALLY KEEN SENSE TO HELP UNRAVEL THE COLOURFUL AND<br />
COMPLICATED WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY. OPINIONATED HE MAY BE BUT HIS RARE<br />
COMBINATION OF A NEWSMAKER’S MIND AND BEING A NATURAL BON VIVANT<br />
DOES INDEED MAKE SCRUMPTIOUS FOOD FOR THOUGHT. ENJOY!<br />
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF THE NORTH<br />
KOREAN’S HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR?<br />
They have no sense of humour. Perhaps their hair stylist<br />
might have some but not the government in general.<br />
Poison is not cool at all. Shaolin Temple in China or Ninja<br />
academy in Japan is a much better choice for the training.<br />
They can always fake their identity to enter.<br />
WHAT IS YOUR STANCE OR OPINION ON ‘DURIAN<br />
SEASON’?<br />
I doubt if there’s still any “season” as the food engineers<br />
are able to make it available all year round. Ministry of<br />
Agriculture should champion this. I’m not a durian lover<br />
but I just hate those who presume everybody is. Bringing<br />
people to a full durian meal without asking for permission<br />
is a big insult to human rights. Throwing jargon like ‘bin<br />
and barrel’ is definitely sexier than ‘musang king’.<br />
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE FOR<br />
FAMILIES THAT ARE TRAVELLING WITH THEIR KIDS?<br />
Do not travel with kids until they are able to listen to your<br />
commands. Hotel is not a babysitting centre. Same goes to<br />
aircrafts or any form of public transportation. Perhaps you<br />
enjoy changing diapers in public and shouting to your kids<br />
in restaurants. Turning the foyer of a shopping complex<br />
into public toilets is a privilege to certain tourists from<br />
different countries, just not in your country.<br />
IS VANITY A BAD THING?<br />
Vanity is like a mistress. Those who talk bad about it do<br />
not have one and are furious and envious about it. Those<br />
who are in possession of it enjoy it secretly.<br />
8 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
On The Radar<br />
ON THE RADAR<br />
Dive Season at Tanjong<br />
Jara Resorts<br />
The waters at Terengganu Marine Park flourish<br />
beginning in March till October with colourful<br />
corals and rare sea life for divers and snorkelers<br />
alike. Tanjong Jara Resort off the coast of<br />
Terengganu is offering tours to the pristine Tenggol<br />
Island, a mere 50-minute speedboat ride from<br />
the resort. The Tenggol Diver’s Delight package<br />
features two leisure diving sessions over two<br />
days with barbeque lunch and daily breakfast and<br />
dinner for RM1244++ per room per night.<br />
www.tanjongjararesort.com<br />
Mercat Introduces A<br />
Catalan Breakfast Menu<br />
Enjoy a Catalan-style breakfast as Mercat Barcelona Gastrobar<br />
extend its opening hours to include a breakfast menu. Healthy and<br />
wholsesome is the key as Mercat is cooking up scrumptious dishes<br />
featuring a selection of tarrada or toast with toppings like Botifarra<br />
Catalana (Catalan sausage). While a beautiful breakfast come in<br />
their yogurt jars topped with granola and a variety of preserves.<br />
www.mercat.my<br />
AirAsia Carry-On<br />
Allowance<br />
Flyers of AirAsia are reminded<br />
on the carry-on allowance which<br />
includes a cabin bag measuring<br />
56 x 36 x 23cm plus one small<br />
bag measuring 40 x 30 x 10cm.<br />
Note that the total weight of the<br />
two pieces must not exceed 7kg.<br />
Multiple items that are strapped or<br />
tied together will not be counted<br />
as one piece of cabin baggage. If<br />
you have small kids, strollers cannot<br />
be brought onboard but can be<br />
checked in for free.<br />
www.airasia.com<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 9
On The Radar<br />
Floral Fragrance<br />
A pop of pink with a burst of floral, the<br />
latest fragrance from Gucci’s Flora collection<br />
encapsulate the delicate scent of the gardenia<br />
flower. The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia<br />
limited edition scent also adds the addictive<br />
notes of red berry, patchouli and brown sugar<br />
for a feminine and elegant bottle perfect for<br />
the spring season.<br />
www.gucci.com<br />
Cathay Dragon<br />
Lands in KLIA<br />
Cathay Dragon has expanded its flights<br />
to Malaysia with the addition of their<br />
third route to Kuala Lumpur. The airline<br />
already operates 11 weekly flights to<br />
Penang and five weekly flights to Kota<br />
Kinabalu. Now with the addition of the<br />
Kuala Lumpur route, Cathay Dragoon will<br />
operate 44 weekly flights to Malaysia.<br />
www.dragonair.com<br />
Third Hotel Opens at<br />
Hong Kong Disneyland<br />
Experience the latest accommodation at Hong Kong Disneyland<br />
with their newly built Disney Explorers Lodge equipped with 750<br />
hotel rooms spanning seven storeys. Themed gardens inspired by<br />
various cultures and named after beloved Disney characters like<br />
the Rafiki Garden and the Little Squirt Garden set the tone for<br />
exploration. Book now as guests staying at the Disney Explorers<br />
Lodge will receive a Priority Admission Pass for selected<br />
attractions in the park.<br />
www.hongkongdisneyland.com<br />
10 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
On The Radar<br />
The Minimal Weekend Bag<br />
LIKE US!<br />
facebook.com/<br />
goasiaplus<br />
For those spontaneous weekend getaways, the latest weekend bag from<br />
Baggu will be your new best friend to throw in your gear. It is made<br />
from durable recycled cotton and has multiple exterior pockets for easy<br />
access of your knick knacks while on the go. Choose between vibrant<br />
colours and patterns like cobalt blue with splashes of corals or the<br />
nautical themed stripes for a stylish trip.<br />
www.baggu.com<br />
Monti, Singapore’s Newest Jazz Lounge<br />
Overlooking the Marina Bay Sands and<br />
its stunning bay, the Fullerton Pavilion<br />
welcomes the newest jazz lounge on<br />
the waterfront called Monti. The classy<br />
lounge is equipped with an open-air<br />
rooftop terrace for a view to kill while<br />
sipping some drinks and tapping to<br />
some jazz tunes. Jazz musician Jeremy<br />
Monteiro is helming the jazz music with<br />
help from regional and local talents for a<br />
musical trip down memory lane.<br />
www.monti.sg<br />
Diva of the Rainforest<br />
One of Malaysia’s acclaimed songstress, Sheila Majid<br />
is teaming up with Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak<br />
for a special showcase to promote her latest album<br />
while helping out the Pulau Banding Foundation. On 29<br />
<strong>April</strong> <strong>2017</strong>, fans can experience the intimate showcase<br />
against the backdrop of one of the world’s oldest<br />
rainforest. Travellers can do so by purchasing the 2 days<br />
and 1 night packages at Belum Rainforest Resort.<br />
www.belumrainforestresort.com<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 11
Now Boarding<br />
NOW BOARDING<br />
with<br />
tony eusoff<br />
An all-round entertainer, Tony Eusoff is no<br />
stranger to the entertainment scene in Asia.<br />
He’s been around the TV scene and has even<br />
lend his pipes for stage musicals like P. Ramlee<br />
the Musical as well as Tunku the Musical.<br />
We caught up with this world traveller on his<br />
insane discoveries about public toilets while<br />
abroad and what role he would like the chance<br />
to play in his acting career.<br />
INTERVIEWED BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY TONY EUSOFF<br />
Are you a planned packer or you just throw<br />
everything into a suitcase and go?<br />
I always try to, although there have been a couple of bum<br />
plans in the past. Like discovering my dress shoes while on<br />
an island trip. But overall I do try to make sure I have at least<br />
covered the basics for my trip. I keep a travel checklist in<br />
my phone for the essentials like phone charger, plug point<br />
adapter, toiletries etc.<br />
What kind of music do you listen at the gym?<br />
To be honest I’m not too hung up on gym music. So I just<br />
work out to whatever’s playing on the gym’s house speakers.<br />
Admittedly there have been times where I had wished I’d<br />
brought along my own playlist instead but hey, I figure that’s<br />
way too much prep for just hitting those weights. Besides,<br />
bad gym music shouldn’t be an excuse to ditch the treadmills,<br />
right? Take that annoying music and turn it into muscles I say.<br />
If you had some time, a map and a vehicle, where<br />
would go for a road trip?<br />
I would probably attempt to cover as much drivable surface<br />
area of the entire Borneo as possible. Start all the way from<br />
the southern tip of Sarawak, taking in the scenic mountains<br />
and vast pepper farms, make my way up through Brunei and<br />
arrive in Sabah, then turn around and find an entry point into<br />
Kalimantan via Sandakan and travel back down south and out<br />
again where I started in Kuching. Should be an interesting<br />
trip especially when so little is known about greater Borneo.<br />
12 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Now Boarding<br />
You have acted in both TV and theatre roles, which one is<br />
a little more exhilarating to perform?<br />
I enjoy working in all the mediums, but exhilaration would<br />
have to come from stage or theatre. Primarily because the<br />
performance is done live and the audience responds real-time.<br />
I mentally prepare for and anticipate possible performance<br />
mistakes and general technical glitches before I go on stage<br />
which just adds to the adrenalin rush. No two shows are exactly<br />
the same which means there’s little room for complacency. One<br />
has to be on guard because you never know what you’re going<br />
to get.<br />
Are you adventurous when it comes to trying different<br />
cuisines when globetrotting?<br />
When it comes to food I say try something at least once, as long<br />
as it doesn’t conflict with your beliefs. You know that saying,<br />
when in Rome do as the Romans do? My guideline is to look at<br />
what the local people eat. In Manila I was offered some ‘balut’<br />
(un-hatched duckling). To decline would’ve been rude, so I<br />
took the plunge and swallowed a whole egg. It actually tasted<br />
pretty rad that I helped myself to another couple of eggs! Of<br />
course, learning about how balut is supposed to be one hell of<br />
an aphrodisiac didn’t hurt either. In a Hatyai food market I saw a<br />
bunch of kids snacking on bags of deep fried insects and worms<br />
despite the availability of the more commercially common junk<br />
foods. I thought to myself, “hey if it’s good enough for the kids,<br />
it should be good enough for me!” and wow did it taste good! I’d<br />
trade a packet of Lay’s chips for a bag of fried maggots any day!<br />
What is the most research you had to do for a role?<br />
Assuming the role of P. Ramlee for both stage and TV has<br />
warranted the most preparation thus far in my career. I look<br />
and sound nothing like the legend, so learning his distinct styles<br />
in singing and the little nuances in how he speaks and how he<br />
moves was of top priority. It required hours of binge watching of<br />
all his films, everyday for weeks before I was ready to perform to<br />
a potentially critical and unforgiving audience.<br />
What kind of food reminds you of home?<br />
Sorry for the cliché, but this would have to be Laksa Sarawak<br />
for me. The shrimp paste gravy used for the laksa gives out the<br />
most wonderful aroma as you step into a typical Sarawakian<br />
coffeeshop. The taste is to die for especially if you’re a fan of<br />
Belacan. Any time is a good time for Laksa Sarawak!<br />
What attracts you to a new destination? History,<br />
architecture, food?<br />
A combination of everything really. I tend to look for an island<br />
or beaches if it’s for a quick getaway. But cities with rich history<br />
and a melting pot of cultures and races are also a big draw.<br />
I was pleasantly surprised by the irony that is London. The<br />
more central you go in London, the more Pakistani or Indian or<br />
Arabic it gets. Very amusing to say the least. Having actually<br />
studied architecture for my degree, I’m also very tuned in to the<br />
appreciation of buildings, structures and spaces. Skyscrapers<br />
in Hong Kong are a thing of practicality. A tiny island with a<br />
swelling population, the only way to build is upwards, with<br />
the aid of bamboo scaffoldings! When it comes to food, I’m a<br />
sucker for all things Indonesian. I absolutely LOVE Nasi Padang!<br />
Another mind blowing fact I’ve learned from my travels is that<br />
the Thai people have really really clean public toilets. I’ve used<br />
lavatories that are cleaner than most eateries in KL. What gives?<br />
What is a type of character that you are interested in<br />
portraying that you have not had the chance to play?<br />
A drag queen perhaps? It would be a great challenge just to<br />
walk on heels! Not to mention all the body hair I’d have to get<br />
rid of. I’m sure every queen has a compelling story to tell. I can<br />
only imagine how much fun the preps would be for such a role.<br />
Fingers crossed!<br />
What have you got planned for <strong>2017</strong>? Any new projects<br />
or roles?<br />
To expand my range as an actor and versatile performer. Earlier<br />
this year I was involved in a mandarin speaking drama titled<br />
Beautiful World, where I was definitely out of my comfort<br />
zone. Having only able to speak elementary level Mandarin, I<br />
had to constantly keep my head down on memorising my lines<br />
phonetically. I’ve also just wrapped my supporting role in a<br />
special project to celebrate our country’s independence. Future<br />
projects are still in discussions at this point but suffice to say<br />
you may be seeing more of me on TV and films by year end and<br />
early to mid 2018.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 13
FYI<br />
DIGITAL<br />
NOMADS<br />
The World Is<br />
Their Office<br />
WORDS BY KATHLEEN POON · PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES<br />
Have you often wished to escape the winter in Europe and<br />
travel around Southeast Asia? Or perhaps to eat your<br />
way around Italy, learn yoga in an ashram in India and to<br />
surf in Bali, for as long as you want? Many of us long for that<br />
flexibility in budget and workload to travel on our schedule<br />
but the reality is, we have to be present in the office and have<br />
limited time for our holidays.<br />
Images of working on a laptop with a pina colada on the<br />
side at a palm tree-lined beach seem like a lifestyle that we<br />
want to attain. Although internet connectivity rarely extends<br />
all the way to the beach and sand gets into the keyboard, that<br />
lifestyle is not impossible to achieve. You just need to be a<br />
Digital Nomad.<br />
What is a Digital Nomad?<br />
The term “digital” suggests online and “nomad” is an<br />
individual who changes destinations without having a<br />
permanent home base. Living a digital nomad lifestyle implies<br />
relying on the internet to work remotely to financially sustain<br />
a location-independent life. Digital nomads may stay up to<br />
six months, a year or more abroad, after which they change<br />
locations and earn a living while working online.<br />
The number of digital nomads is flourishing these past<br />
few years, and the reasons why this location-independent<br />
lifestyle is becoming a trend are due to:<br />
• An increasing demand for the internet and the<br />
improvement of internet speed around the world.<br />
• A growing acceptance of remote work contracts among<br />
individuals, freelancers and businesses. Business owners<br />
are realising that it is cost-effective to hire a remote<br />
worker or freelancer than to hire on-location staff.<br />
• Many entrepreneurs want the freedom to travel where<br />
they want and for as long as they want, without having<br />
to go to the office to work. As such, they leverage on<br />
the internet to create a business that can be run from<br />
anywhere in the world.<br />
• A burgeoning presence of co-working spaces provide<br />
digital nomads the office amenities such as desks, fast<br />
internet speed, meeting rooms and other facilities to<br />
work effectively without incurring high rental costs.<br />
How to Become a Digital Nomad?<br />
First things first, you need to be computer-savvy, that is, you<br />
need to know how to use the computer and know how to<br />
browse the internet.<br />
The other skills that are in demand, and by no means an<br />
exhaustive list are:<br />
• Content writing<br />
• Blogging with platforms such as WordPress<br />
• Photo-editing with Adobe Photoshop or similar tools<br />
• SEO techniques<br />
• Online marketing<br />
• Research<br />
14 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
FYI<br />
• Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai has repeatedly appeared<br />
as No. 1 digital nomad hub in South-East Asia. The city is<br />
presently popular with freelancers due to numerous cafes<br />
with fast Wi-Fi and over ten co-working spaces available in<br />
the city, each of which has their own unique vibe.<br />
• Penang, Malaysia: The biggest attraction in Penang is its<br />
culinary diversity, as a result, it is a hub for foodie digital<br />
nomads. Cafes and street art are scattered all around<br />
Georgetown, the UNESCO World Heritage Area, offering<br />
varieties of food and coffee to boost work productivity for<br />
digital nomads.<br />
• Siem Reap, Cambodia: Renowned for the infamous Angkor<br />
Wat temples, Siem Reap is now a new trendy destination<br />
for digital nomads. The first co-working space in Siem Reap<br />
called AngkorHub was recently opened in 2015.<br />
• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: The largest city in Vietnam<br />
draws digital nomads for its low cost of living and good<br />
infrastructure. Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City is the central<br />
hub for commerce, technology and research in the country.<br />
• Bali, Indonesia: Bali has long been a traveller’s paradise, and<br />
the very reasons for the island’s thriving tourism industry<br />
have also made it an attractive place to do business from.<br />
Where else can you have access to yoga, healthy food and<br />
fresh air than in Bali, a paradise in which digital nomads can<br />
live and work at the same time?<br />
There are various types of digital nomads but<br />
the common ones are freelancers.<br />
Freelancers provide services remotely for<br />
multiple clients which frequently change and<br />
their sources of income vary as well. There<br />
is a diverse range of freelancers ranging<br />
from virtual assistants, content writers, web<br />
developers, and graphic designers to social<br />
media marketing and management.<br />
Clients are fully aware that freelancers<br />
are not present in the same location as them,<br />
hence they communicate primarily via email<br />
and Skype.<br />
Are There Digital Nomad Hubs in South-<br />
East Asia?<br />
Working freelance can be a lonely experience,<br />
thus working in a public space such as a café<br />
or co-working space can help digital nomads to<br />
be productive and to meet their fellow peers at<br />
the same time.<br />
South-East Asia has always been a<br />
favourite destination among travellers for<br />
its low cost of living and affordable lifestyle,<br />
hence digital nomad hubs are mushrooming in<br />
the region:<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 15
Out & About<br />
OUT & ABOUT<br />
THE HOTTEST & MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS OF<br />
THE MONTH IN MALAYSIA AND BEYOND<br />
7 APRIL | FIFTH HARMONY 7/27<br />
TOUR IN KUALA LUMPUR<br />
The pop-R&B group from the States made it big after forming<br />
on The X Factor US back in 2012. Their third studio album 7/27<br />
spawned hits like ‘Work From Home’ and ‘All In My Head’ which have<br />
dominated the airwaves in South East Asia. Catch them as they sing<br />
and dance to their brand of Pop-R&B to Asian fans for the first time.<br />
Surf Beach Sunway Lagoon, Selangor<br />
www.ticketpro.com.my<br />
9 APRIL | An Evening<br />
with Brian McKnight<br />
The R&B crooner is coming<br />
back to Malaysia for an intimate<br />
performance by gracing fans with<br />
his evergreen R&B hits like ‘Back At<br />
One’ and ‘Anytime’. With a black tie<br />
dress code, it will be an evening of<br />
soul and class. Opening the concert<br />
it local R&B songstress Elvira Arul.<br />
21 APRIL | One Man<br />
Star Wars Trilogy<br />
Catch one man in the form of Charles<br />
Ross as he retells the story of the first<br />
trilogy of Star Wars in this critically<br />
acclaimed Broadway comedy parody.<br />
Ross plays all 40 characters as he flies<br />
space ships and fight siths to transport<br />
guests into the galaxy far away that we<br />
come to love.<br />
HGH Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur<br />
www.milestone-entertainment.com<br />
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur<br />
www.ticketpro.com.my<br />
Across The Pond<br />
20-22 APRIL | Laugh<br />
You Long Time<br />
International queens of comedy<br />
are coming to Singapore to bring<br />
female empowerment to the<br />
stage. Join Asia’s favourite comics<br />
like Joanne Kam and Sharul<br />
Kanna to name a few for a night<br />
of scandalous laughter based on<br />
everyday problems.<br />
Mastercard Theatres, Marina Bay<br />
Sands, Singapore<br />
www.marinabaysands.com/ticketing<br />
6 MAY-20 JUNE | Single Festival<br />
A music festival for single people? Well only the Thais would come up<br />
with something like this. Spreading across a couple of regions from Khonkaen<br />
to Bangkok, taste some of the best indie music from the likes of Lomosonic and<br />
Polycat for a festival of song and dance.<br />
Khonkaen, Chiang Mai, Hatyai and Bangkok<br />
www.eventpop.me<br />
16 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Road Less Taken is a collaboration with AirAsiaGo.<br />
Check out airasiago.com.my for flight & hotel deals!<br />
Road Less Taken<br />
HOW TO GET THERE<br />
Getting to Bintan Island is mostly done<br />
by sea where you can take a ferry from<br />
Tanah Merah Terminal in Singapore or<br />
Waterfront Ferry Terminal in Johor Bahru,<br />
Malaysia which will take you to the capital<br />
of the Riau Islands, Tanjung Pinang.<br />
Tanjung Pinang has a couple of ferry<br />
terminals so get a good idea where your<br />
resort is situated. Ferry ride is roughly<br />
2 hours from Singapore and 2 hours 45<br />
minutes from Malaysia.<br />
WHAT TO DO<br />
Besides beach bumming, Bintan Island is<br />
home to a couple of championship golf<br />
courses designed by golf legends like Jack<br />
Nicklaus and Gary Player. Ria Bintan Golf<br />
Club and Laguna Bintan Golf Club are<br />
some of the golf courses with magnificent<br />
sea views to tee off to.<br />
Take a boat ride down the Sebong<br />
River amongst the Bintan Mangroves and<br />
be amazed by the clear river waters. The<br />
variety of wildlife is amazing with the<br />
area being popular with fireflies so for a<br />
ROAD LESS TAKEN:<br />
Bintan<br />
Island,<br />
Indonesia<br />
THE RIAU ARCHIPELAGO IS STILL<br />
SOMEHOW A MYSTERY TO SOME BUT<br />
THE ISLANDS THAT DOT SOUTHERN<br />
SINGAPORE ARE A BEACH GETAWAY<br />
WAITING TO HAPPEN. PRISTINE<br />
BEACHES MIX WITH HERITAGE<br />
SITES THANKS TO THE COLOURFUL<br />
HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS, MAKING IT<br />
A GEM ON INDONESIAN WATERS.<br />
WORDS BY AISHAH AZALI<br />
· PHOTOS BY AIRASIAGO<br />
special experience, take the night tour for<br />
a twinkling boat ride.<br />
Sacred sites on Bintan Island include<br />
the 500 Lohan Temple featuring over 500<br />
life size Lohan statues of all shapes and<br />
size. There is also a 200-year-old Banyan<br />
Tree in a fishing settlement.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
Nestled between the forest and<br />
ocean, The Banyan Tree Bintan (www.<br />
banyantree.com/en/ap-indonesia-bintan)<br />
is an all-villa sanctuary offering luxury<br />
amenities in a prime location. Sleep in<br />
canopy beds overlooking the sea, perched<br />
on a cliff and take a dip in your private<br />
infinity pool for a relaxation getaway of<br />
your dreams. The Banyan Tree Bintan<br />
also host a golf course and a luxury spa<br />
featuring traditional Indonesia therapies<br />
using native spices.<br />
A glamping option next to a blue<br />
lagoon is in the form of The Canopi (www.<br />
thecanopi.com) located at Treasure Bay.<br />
40 spacious safari-themed tents surround<br />
the lagoon equipped with an en suite and<br />
some that include an outdoor whirlpool.<br />
The lagoon will keep you occupied with<br />
activities like canoeing, wake boarding<br />
and a ride on a water tricycle.<br />
#GoodToKnow<br />
• Bintan has a community of sea<br />
gypsies, a nomadic sea tribe that live<br />
on water. Nowadays they live on stilt<br />
houses by the shore in a place called<br />
Panglong Village.<br />
• To get the best of Indonesian street<br />
food, Akau is a car park turned night<br />
bazaar to feast on local dishes like<br />
the shellfish called gong gong and<br />
Indonesian satay.<br />
• To better discover the island, hire<br />
a driver or rent a car to take you<br />
around. Better yet, rent a scooter<br />
at Treasure Bay under Adventure<br />
Scooters for some self-discovery.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 17
Central Vietnam<br />
CEN TR A L<br />
CRUISING THROUGH<br />
V IE TNAM<br />
FROM LEFT The Perfume<br />
River at Hue with its<br />
blossoming trees; The<br />
inside of the citadel of<br />
the Imperial City at Hue.<br />
18 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Central Vietnam<br />
HISTORY, NATURE AND NOT TO MENTION SOME<br />
OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES CONVERGE ON<br />
THE CENTRAL COAST OF VIETNAM FOR A DIFFERENT<br />
SIDE OF THIS MAGICAL COUNTRY.<br />
WORDS BY AISHAH AZALI PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES<br />
riverside Imperial City at a former royal capital and a<br />
A bustling beachside city with sprawling bridge structures are<br />
just some of the places you can find in Central Vietnam. Or get a<br />
tan at the many sandy white beaches dotted along the coast that<br />
could give the islands of Thailand a run for their money. Follow<br />
us as we take the train down to cruise through the central coast<br />
of this majestic country.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 19
Central Vietnam<br />
Hue<br />
Go back in time in Hue as this charming town is<br />
chock full of history and culture. It was the former<br />
capital of Vietnam under the rule of Nguyen Dynasty<br />
so expect sprawling palaces and intricately-designed<br />
pagodas along the Perfume River.<br />
The four Citadels that make the Imperial City are<br />
the main star of the town, a complex of surviving<br />
buildings just north of the Perfume River. Immerse in<br />
the history and architecture of the Forbidden Royal<br />
City where the former royal family resided where<br />
the bright walls trim with gold filigree will leave you<br />
in awe.<br />
Other sacred structures worth visiting include<br />
the octagonal Thien Mu Pagoda or the tombs of<br />
ancient emperors like Emperor Minh Mang (the<br />
second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty) where his<br />
tomb is next to a pond of lotuses. You can even take<br />
a boat ride along the Perfume River to pass these<br />
sites and embrace the surrounding nature of Hue.<br />
Hue has its share of beaches and the turquoise<br />
lagoon of Lang Co sees visitors flock every <strong>April</strong> till<br />
August for some fun in the sun. It is located at the<br />
end of the Hai Van Pass (more on this later) with<br />
10km beachfront and a popular destination to eat<br />
shellfish of all kind like mussels, oyster, and clams.<br />
Da Nang<br />
Once you step in Da Nang, you sort of have this<br />
surreal experience where you are not sure if you<br />
are in Vietnam anymore. The city is a tad modern<br />
compared to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, a riverside<br />
city with gleaming lights and an impressive array of<br />
bridges. Driving through the streets will remind you<br />
a little bit of Las Vegas with Singapore thrown into<br />
the mix. It is a beautiful city lined with even better<br />
white sandy beaches.<br />
The bridges in the city cannot be ignored<br />
and they do have a couple of majestic structures<br />
crossing the Han River. Like the Dragon Bridge that<br />
connects the airport to the main roads of the city.<br />
The bridge looks like a dragon is slithering through<br />
it and can even shoot fire and water at 9pm on<br />
weekends.<br />
Despite the contemporary landscape of the<br />
city, its surrounding destinations are deeply rooted<br />
to Mother Earth featuring panoramic hills and<br />
mountains. The Marble Mountains are just 7km<br />
away from the city center filled with tunnels for<br />
trekkers. There are five mountains altogether and<br />
are all named after the five elements; fire, water,<br />
metal, earth and wood.<br />
Close to the Marble Mountain is the world<br />
famous Non Nuoc beach, a 5km slice of paradise<br />
with waters as azure as the sky. It is dotted with<br />
high-end resorts and is an awesome spot for<br />
watersports like surfing.<br />
20 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Central Vietnam<br />
THE IMPERIAL CITY IS<br />
THE MAIN STAR OF THE<br />
TOWN, A COMPLEX OF<br />
SURVIVING BUILDINGS<br />
JUST NORTH OF THE<br />
PERFUME RIVER.<br />
FROM TOP LEFT The structures<br />
and surviving buildings within<br />
the Imperial City; The view from<br />
Marble Mountain in Da Nang.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 21
Central Vietnam<br />
FROM TOP One of the<br />
many beaches along<br />
the Da Nang coast;<br />
The dragon bridge in<br />
Da Nang city centre.<br />
Traveling to Hue & Da Nang<br />
A little geography lesson, Hue is 700km south of Hanoi<br />
with domestic daily flights to Phu Bai International<br />
Airport that take roughly an hour. Da Nang is about 60km<br />
south of Hue and home to Vietnam’s third busiest airport,<br />
Da Nang International Airport.<br />
Though traveling by plane is fast, the best way to<br />
experience central Vietnam is through its trains. A train to<br />
Hue from Hanoi will run you 12 hours with an additional<br />
2 hours to reach Da Nang. But the interesting part<br />
about this is the Hai Van Pass which is a 20km stretch of<br />
cliffside road and track overlooking the South China Sea.<br />
The stretch begins just after the Hue station down to Da<br />
Nang and trust us that it is majestic to say the least.<br />
Good To Know<br />
• The Hai Van Pass has a 6.2km tunnel which is<br />
the longest in South East Asia.<br />
• One unique Catholic Church in Vietnam is<br />
the Da Nang Cathedral built by French priest<br />
Louis Vallet in 1923 where the façade is pink.<br />
• The Perfume River in Hue is said to be named<br />
thanks to the flowers that fall into them from<br />
the surrounding blossoming trees, giving it a<br />
pleasant aroma.<br />
22 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Bucket List<br />
Heritage<br />
Honouring Our<br />
Buildings of the past get a fresh look as<br />
luxury accommodations paint an oasis for<br />
visitors while retaining its old world charm.<br />
Better yet, embrace a culture through its<br />
architecture with hotels that encapsulate the<br />
country’s rich history.<br />
WORDS BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL,<br />
BURASARI HERITAGE & THE HERMITAGE<br />
EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL | Penang, Malaysia<br />
The colonial meets Moorish grandeur of the E&O Hotel has span over<br />
100 years beginning with a vision by the Sarkies brothers of Armenia.<br />
Their tastefully decorated rooms of dark wood furniture and poster<br />
bed face the city or the Andaman seas. Dine at any of the 3 restaurants<br />
featuring local and international cuisine and even a charming colonial<br />
coffee shop called Sarkies Corner.<br />
www.eohotels.com<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 23
Bucket List<br />
BURASARI HERITAGE | Luang Prabang, Laos<br />
Next to the majestic Nam Khan River stands a 20-room<br />
resort that evokes the Laotian heritage thanks to its cozy<br />
rooms, lined in wooden panels of brown and white with<br />
cute balconies for sipping tea and watching the boats<br />
pass by. Their award-winning spa specialises in bespoke<br />
treatments using ancient remedies while their riverside<br />
dining will bring you the best of French and Lao cooking.<br />
www.burasariheritage.com<br />
THE HERMITAGE | Jakarta, Indonesia<br />
An art deco building from the 1920s is turned into one of the most<br />
architecturally stunning hotels in Jakarta. The halls are lined with<br />
Carrera marble and wainscoting throughout, even in the rooms for an<br />
accommodation as close to The Great Gatsby as you can get. The décor<br />
also features a hint of Indonesian flair with its accessories, creating<br />
rooms that will take you back in time. Plus the swimming pavilion with its<br />
veined plants is a sight worth Instagramming.<br />
www.tributeportfolio.com<br />
24 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Outlet Malls<br />
Tokyo Shopping<br />
FROM LEFT<br />
The sleek facade<br />
of the Daikanyama<br />
T-Site ; The ‘best<br />
bookstore in the<br />
world’ called<br />
Tsutaya Books.<br />
Essential Guide To<br />
TOKYO’S<br />
SHOPPING<br />
districts<br />
TOKYO IS A LAND OF CONTRASTS; ASIA’S FASHION AND HIGH-TECH<br />
CAPITAL WITH A CULTURE FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE OLD THAN ANY<br />
OTHER. FOLLOW THIS ROADMAP TO ENDLESS SHOPPING IN TOKYO<br />
THAT GOES BEYOND GREEN TEA KIT KATS AND HELLO KITTY KNICK<br />
KNACKS, GUARANTEED TO SATISFY THE SHOPAHOLIC IN YOU.<br />
WORDS BY DOREEN SOOSAI • PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES & DAIKANYAMA T-SITE<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 25
Tokyo Shopping<br />
DAIKANYAMA &<br />
NAKA-MEGURO<br />
Vintage Goldmines<br />
DAIKANYAMA T-SITE<br />
The old keeps coming back, in new forms<br />
with every passing year and never is<br />
this more apparent than in Daikanyama<br />
and Naka-Meguro, a prefecture of an<br />
unfathomable collection of independent<br />
boutiques and vintage shops, restaurants<br />
and cafes along the Meguro canal. One<br />
architectural masterpiece inspired by<br />
such is Daikanyama T-Site, touted as the<br />
‘best bookstore in the world' featuring a<br />
T-shape latticed façade on the outside<br />
and a hipster haven of well-curated books,<br />
a café-lounge with shops selling cameras<br />
and vinyl. It is also equipped with a hotel,<br />
hospital, restaurant & cafe, making it an<br />
all-in-one hipster building of your dreams.<br />
J’ANTIQUES<br />
Opened in Megoru-ku circa 2005,<br />
J’antiques sells chic vintage American<br />
menswear, womenswear, military wear,<br />
antique accessories including fabrics<br />
and buttons, paper goods, tableware<br />
and furniture dating from as late as the<br />
1950s and as early as the 1800s. Immerse<br />
yourself and be inspired for your next<br />
signature piece among the choice of<br />
denim, knitwear, jackets and beyond, all<br />
stacked highly and tightly throughout the<br />
floor which is divided into three sections<br />
– secondhand and accessories, vintage<br />
menswear and vintage womenswear.<br />
When you’re done shopping, stroll along<br />
the Meguro canal which is lined with<br />
cherry blossom trees that burst into<br />
bloom each <strong>April</strong>.<br />
SHIMOKITAZAWA<br />
A Met ropolitan<br />
Bohemian Village<br />
RAGLA MAGLA<br />
The spirit of the hippy era penetrates<br />
every nook in Shimokitazawa - a relaxing<br />
bohemian paradise with narrow streets<br />
that discourage cars and large buildings<br />
and dotted with cafes, clubs and unique<br />
blend of novelty shops. Ragla Magla is a<br />
bric-a-brac backpacker’s budget-friendly<br />
store that will remind you of a psychedelic<br />
rendition of the movie Pulp Fiction,<br />
selling blazers, duffle coats, denim jackets,<br />
vintage t-shirts, plaid shirts, accessories<br />
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The<br />
interior of Daikanyama<br />
T-site selling books and<br />
vinyl; A road intersection<br />
at Shimokitazawa; One of<br />
the smaller streets in the<br />
bohemian village.<br />
26 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Tokyo Shopping<br />
and paisley everything for only 990<br />
yen. Both men and women can enjoy<br />
coordinating their outfits here for a look<br />
you can never find at any major retail<br />
outlet back home.<br />
EHIMADE<br />
Another shop worth visiting, despite being<br />
part of a larger chain, is Ehimade. The<br />
name Ehimade is actually a combination<br />
of two words: “Ehime” and “made”.<br />
Together, they form the clever name<br />
of a shop that sells artisanal products<br />
from Ehime Prefecture, most notable of<br />
which is the imabari towel, the greatest<br />
towel in the universe. If aliens are indeed<br />
visiting planet earth, your best chance to<br />
see them is in an Ehimade shop picking<br />
up some towels for their interplanetary<br />
travels. As the list of laudable imabari<br />
towel attributes is quite long, let me just<br />
say that their absorbency level is next to<br />
none. When dropped onto the surface of<br />
water, the towels must sink within five<br />
seconds.<br />
HARAJUKU AND<br />
AOYAMA<br />
Tokyo s Kawaii Capital<br />
ALICE ON WEDNESDAY<br />
Forcing you to crouch through a small<br />
door, Alice on Wednesday transports<br />
you on a magical journey through 3<br />
floors packed with Alice-themed goodies.<br />
The first floor features snacks such as<br />
fruit-flavoured popcorn, cute “Drink<br />
Me” bottles (filled with cider) and an<br />
assortment of cookies. The second floor<br />
mimics the lush gardens of the Queen<br />
of Hearts, filled to the brim with quirky<br />
Wonderland accessories like bags and<br />
necklaces. The 3rd floor depicts the Mad<br />
Hatter’s Tea Party, where you'll find the<br />
iconic Cheshire cat smiling at you selling<br />
larger accessories and books.<br />
ORIENTAL BAZAAR<br />
If you’re planning on buying cheaper<br />
kimono/yukatas, save your money for the<br />
Oriental Bazaar. Conveniently located<br />
in Harajuku, it isn’t your typical souvenir<br />
shop with tacky products. You will find an<br />
amazing range of high quality and unique<br />
things available across three levels of<br />
shopping. Every cup, keyring, magnet and<br />
piece of crockery you can think of is there<br />
and displayed beautifully throughout<br />
the store, with polite and attentive staff<br />
to assist you. The second floor features<br />
expensive antiques and authentic<br />
beautiful kimono. This is the place to<br />
purchase cool and beautiful knick knack<br />
and souvenirs.<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 27
Tokyo Shopping<br />
Donki in<br />
Akihabara<br />
is special<br />
because<br />
it houses<br />
the AKB48<br />
Theater<br />
with live<br />
shows 6<br />
days a week<br />
FROM LEFT The streets<br />
on Harajuku and Aoyama<br />
for all your ‘kawaii’ style<br />
need; Digital land of<br />
Akihabara filled with<br />
store signs that light up<br />
at night.<br />
AKIHABARA<br />
Elect ric Town and<br />
Anime Capital<br />
DONKI HOTE (Don Quijote)<br />
Donki is not only a shop in Akihabara, but<br />
also a chain store famous for selling nearly<br />
everything from groceries to piercings to<br />
electronics to costumes at a discounted<br />
price. While there are Donki shops all<br />
throughout Tokyo, the Donki in Akihabara<br />
is special because it houses the AKB48<br />
Theater, with live performances 6 days<br />
a week. Even if you’re not into AKB48,<br />
Donki is one of the best things to do in<br />
Akihabara, since it has one of the highest<br />
concentration of pop culture in Tokyo.<br />
KIDDYLAND<br />
Kiddyland is a Japanese anime<br />
merchandise store that’s great for starting<br />
or expanding your anime merchandise<br />
collection or souvenir shopping. Let your<br />
inner child run free by browsing from<br />
speciality articles to character items,<br />
gadgets, stationery to an immense variety<br />
of toys. Kiddyland has different sections<br />
densely packed with merchandise for<br />
your selection, from Pokemon, Gundam,<br />
Disney, Hello Kitty etc.<br />
28 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
The Suitcase<br />
corum booba<br />
The unique Bubble watch has been<br />
a signature of Corum since its<br />
inception in the early 2000s. Many<br />
artists have creatively collaborated<br />
on the Bubble timepiece and this<br />
year, French-Senegalese rapper<br />
Booba contributed his flair in the<br />
latest Bubble Booba watch. The<br />
face features graffiti-like words set<br />
in a choice of gold or black bezel.<br />
Both come with black leather straps<br />
but the all black version is a stand<br />
out thanks to its street chic design.<br />
www.corum.ch<br />
THE SUITCASE<br />
Look at the Time<br />
WHILE TRAVELLING, TIMING IS KEY. FROM THE BEST TIME TO VISIT<br />
A LOCATION TO KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR FLIGHT AND GROUND<br />
WORK TRAVELS. HERE ARE SOME TIMEPIECES THAT FULFILL THEIR<br />
TASK OF TELLING TIME WITHOUT SACRIFICING BEAUTY AND STYLE.<br />
WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI PHOTOS BY CORUM, FRANCK MULLER<br />
& FREDERIQUE CONSTANT<br />
Franck Muller Vanguard<br />
7 Days Power<br />
Reserve Skeleton<br />
Franck Muller’s newest masterpiece is<br />
equipped with a skeleton avatar for a<br />
mesmerizing view of the manufactured<br />
movements. The bridges are hand-polished<br />
and also comes with a second counter at 6<br />
o’clock. Plus the 7 days power reserve is a<br />
bonus next to the stylish integrated bracelets<br />
that are available in options like titanium,<br />
stainless steel and 18-carat white gold.<br />
www.franckmuller.com<br />
Frederique Constant<br />
Classic Worldtimer<br />
Manufacture<br />
The timepiece for the travelling man,<br />
the latest Worldtimer by Frederique<br />
Constant features the world map finely<br />
etched onto the dial. Twenty-four<br />
cities make the outer rim from Tokyo<br />
to Bangkok for a world time function<br />
adjustable through the crown. It is<br />
designed with a brown leather strap and<br />
hand-polished rose gold-plated hands.<br />
www.frederiqueconstant.com<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 29
Nyonya Cuisine<br />
The Nectarous Charm of<br />
Nyonya Cuisine<br />
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT NYONYA CUISINE THAT ENTICES THE<br />
PALATE. IT’S BECAUSE OF THE DISTINCT TASTE CREATED BY THE<br />
ARRAY OF SPICES AND UNDOUBTLY FROM THE RICH HISTORY IT HAILS<br />
FROM. AISHAH AZALI SAT DOWN WITH ONE OF THE LAST ‘BABA’ THIS<br />
SIDE OF MALAYSIA FOR A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE AND SOME<br />
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MUCH LOVED NYONYA CUISINE.<br />
WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY FAIDZ ZAINAL<br />
30 · WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM
Nyonya Cuisine<br />
FROM LEFT<br />
The vintage<br />
chic interior of<br />
Limapulo, one of<br />
the hottest Nyonya<br />
restaurants in KL<br />
WWW.<strong>GOASIAPLUS</strong>.COM · 31
Nyonya Cuisine<br />
1<br />
2<br />
If you really think about it, Nyonya cuisine came to be<br />
thanks to cultural borrowing with a sprinkle of innovation<br />
as the Chinese brought their cooking methods and<br />
blending them with the flavours and spices of Malaysia and<br />
Indonesia. It is a type of cuisine dating back when the Chinese<br />
(mostly from Hokkien ancestry) came to the Malay Archipelago<br />
and married the locals.<br />
Nowadays it is a much-loved cuisine thanks to its piquant<br />
flavours and in order to get the best input on Nyonya cuisine,<br />
I had to track down a ‘Baba’ from Peranakan descent to get<br />
to the bottom of what makes these dishes so tantalizing to<br />
the palate. Truthfully, it was not so hard to find Baba John of<br />
Baba Can Cook and Limapulo restaurant because his eatery<br />
in the heart of Kuala Lumpur is on the list of top places to eat<br />
authentic Nyonya food in the city.<br />
1 Pai Tee<br />
The little cups made of rice flour and stuffed with vegetables<br />
looks similar to a top hat and is an exceptional Nyonya<br />
appetiser. It is a finger food best eaten once served so you can<br />
savour the crunchiness of the shell. Baba John even advised to<br />
take it in one bite.<br />
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Nyonya Cuisine<br />
From the stories passed down from his grandfather and<br />
father, the word pai tee derives from the Hokkien translation<br />
of ‘prayers to the Jade Emperor’ where ‘tee’ is a short form for<br />
Thien Kong, the Jade Emperor. It’s an old tale, historian might<br />
dispute it but I was more than happy to hear Baba’s colourful<br />
side of the story.<br />
2 Nyonya Laksa<br />
This quintessential Nyonya dish is a bestseller at Limapulo,<br />
evident from the many bowls ordered by the lunch crowd.<br />
The bowl of goodness consists of thin mee hoon drowning in<br />
a pool of fragrant broth and topped with an array of colourful<br />
condiments.<br />
The complexity of flavours actually derives from a<br />
meticulous cooking process as Baba John told me in all<br />
seriousness that the dish takes 9 hours to complete. Those 9<br />
hours include preparing all the ingredients and spices, blending<br />
and cooking them before simmering it into a broth of tasty<br />
perfection.<br />
Common Malay ingredients like turmeric, galangal,<br />
lemongrass and candlenut are blended with onions, dried<br />
chillies and shrimp paste for an herbaceous broth base. Mix<br />
in the noodles and toppings like fried tofu, a boiled egg and a<br />
dollop of sambal for a dish bursting with flavour.<br />
Baba John went as far as to tell me a tale of the origins of<br />
the term ‘laksa’. It started with a number 63 shop in Melaka,<br />
selling a noodle dish that no one knew the name. So, they<br />
called the dish based on the number of the shop where in<br />
the Hokkien language, 6 is ‘lak’ and 3 is ‘sa’. Combine them<br />
together and you get laksa.<br />
3 Petai Prawns in Sambal<br />
Sambal is good with everything, the Asian Tabasco sauce we<br />
dip and cook into a lot of our foods. Nyonya cuisine is no<br />
different and a delicious combination is when they cook sambal<br />
with fresh prawns and petai.<br />
Petai or bitter beans (sometimes stink beans) is a humble<br />
legume that is an acquired taste. Malaysians know it as the<br />
bean where your body emits a slight odor after consumption<br />
3<br />
4<br />
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Nyonya Cuisine<br />
CLOCKWISE<br />
The exterior of<br />
Limapulo restaurant<br />
with the greens<br />
bursting with life<br />
and Baba John in<br />
his vintage chair<br />
5<br />
(like it ever deterred Malaysians from eating it anyway) but Baba told me about its underrated<br />
health benefits. The vegetable helps flush out the kidneys, expelling toxins and what not. Punchy<br />
flavours and a body detox? Somebody bring me a plate of rice because you do not simply turn<br />
down petai prawns.<br />
4 Sago Gula Melaka<br />
When you think of Nyonya desserts, gula Melaka or palm sugar always come to mind. Add that<br />
to the pearly translucent sago topped with coconut milk and you have got yourself a traditional<br />
Nyonya delicacy. Baba did emphasize that the gula Melaka makes or breaks the dish. Using<br />
other forms of sugar just won’t cut it with a tip to add a little bit of water when melting it down.<br />
Though traditionally it is eaten with coconut milk on top, Limapulo does have a modern version<br />
where they drench the sago with evaporated milk.<br />
5 Limapulo<br />
The historical colonial shophouses at Jalan Doraisamy have revamped itself from a seedy row<br />
of clubs to sophisticated food establishments for casual lunches, coffee evenings and cocktail<br />
nights. Limapulo is nestled in between, a gem of a restaurant with a funky almost junkyard<br />
interior of steel and cement that feels like you have travelled back in time.<br />
Their menu includes Nyonya dishes passed down from Baba John’s family where he learned<br />
how to cook by first observing and eventually helping out his mother in the kitchen. Besides the<br />
food mentioned in the article, other dishes include chicken pongteh, roti jala and mee siam.<br />
If you plan to taste their delectable laksa, well laksa days are only on Monday, Wednesday<br />
and Friday. Trust me when I write that those bowls of noodles sell like hot cakes among the<br />
lunch crowd so do come early.<br />
50, Jalan Doraisamy 50300 Kuala Lumpur | Monday – Saturday | 12pm till 3pm | 6pm till 10pm<br />
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