GOASIAPLUS April 2017

APRIL 2017 | ISSUE 11 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

The charm of 

Nyonya 

Cuisine 

TAKE A TRAIN DOWN TO 

Central Vietnam

Contents 

18 

9On The Radar 

25 

30 

12 

Now Boarding 

14 

FYI: Digital 

Nomads 

16 

Out & About 

17 

Road Less Taken: 

Bintan Island 

23 

Bucket List: 

Heritage Hotels 

25 

Tokyo Shopping 

Districts 

12 

23 

18 

Central Vietnam 

30 

Nyonya Cuisines 

4 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM

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COVER PHOTO BY FAIDZ ZAINAL 

@LIFEPHOTOGRAPHIEOFFICIAL 

EDITORIAL TEAM 

GROUP HEAD & BRANDS 

JOHN SO 

EDITOR 

AISHAH AZALI 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

JAMIE SOO-HOO 

CONTRIBUTORS 

FAIDZ ZAINAL, KATHLEEN POON 

& DOREEN SOOSAI 

DIGITAL TEAM 

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES 

AISHAH@PCOMASIA.COM 

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER 

ZOE GOH 

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 

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JAZLYN@PCOMASIA.COM 

COMMERCIAL & PARTNERSHIP 

JOHN SO 

JOHNSO@PCOMASIA.COM 

CONTENT 

AISHAH AZALI & AYUMI SWEED 

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WHERE IS YOUR 

FAVOURITE PLACE TO 

EAT ROJAK MAMAK? 

Be Our Food Ranger with #GAPeats & Your 

Photo Can Be Featured In Our Magazine! 

1. Look out for our food question of the month. 

2. Post a picture on Instagram of your favourite eating place based on our monthly question. 

3. Tag @goasiaplus and #GAPeats. 

4. Top posts will be featured on our magazine in our new column #GAPeats. 

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 

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 

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 

reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission in writing. 

KDN PP 19019/05/2016 (034482) 


Alan 

Me 

Baba 

John 

EDITOR’s note 

Are you happy as I am that monsoon season is over? 

It is the best time for weekends on the islands off 

the coast of Terengganu and short getaways to 

charming towns like Kuching, which I did recently. 

If you are looking for an island getaway close to home, 

check out the Road Less Taken section for my piece on 

Bintan Island in Indonesia. You can take a 2-hour ferry from 

Johor Bahru or Singapore to reach there. Nothing beats 

beautiful beaches and Indonesian satay there. 

Our food piece takes a look into the flavourful world 

of Nyonya cuisine where I interviewed an actual Baba of 

Peranakan descent. Nyonya cuisine is one of my favourite 

Malaysian food so you can imagine how happy I was to 

taste all those delicious dishes. 

Shopaholics will enjoy the shopping section where we 

wrote about the various shopping districts in Japan. There 

are more interesting and weird things to buy in Tokyo than 

just green tea Kit Kat, ok? 

Lastly, if you did not know, I co-host a radio show on 

AFO Radio called GOASIAPLUS (obviously, right?) where 

Adrian Seet and I chat about everything from food to 

travels. We even sometimes argue because he always 

insists on shopping while I prefer to visit some obscure 

island. You ever had that kind of travel friend? I eye roll but 

adore him anyway. Catch us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 

of the week at 3pm! 

PHOTO BY FAIDZ ZAINAL 

PHOTO OF THE 

MONTH WINNER 

TERACOTA79 

FOLLOW US 

@goasiaplus 

#goasiaplus 

#photoofthemonth 

Aishah Azali 

Editor 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 7

Rantings 

bird man ranting 

A CONNOISSEUR OF TRAVEL BY PASSION, THE BIRD MAN COMES WITH 

AN EXCEPTIONALLY KEEN SENSE TO HELP UNRAVEL THE COLOURFUL AND 

COMPLICATED WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY. OPINIONATED HE MAY BE BUT HIS RARE 

COMBINATION OF A NEWSMAKER’S MIND AND BEING A NATURAL BON VIVANT 

DOES INDEED MAKE SCRUMPTIOUS FOOD FOR THOUGHT. ENJOY! 

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED IF THE NORTH 

KOREAN’S HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR? 

They have no sense of humour. Perhaps their hair stylist 

might have some but not the government in general. 

Poison is not cool at all. Shaolin Temple in China or Ninja 

academy in Japan is a much better choice for the training. 

They can always fake their identity to enter. 

WHAT IS YOUR STANCE OR OPINION ON ‘DURIAN 

SEASON’? 

I doubt if there’s still any “season” as the food engineers 

are able to make it available all year round. Ministry of 

Agriculture should champion this. I’m not a durian lover 

but I just hate those who presume everybody is. Bringing 

people to a full durian meal without asking for permission 

is a big insult to human rights. Throwing jargon like ‘bin 

and barrel’ is definitely sexier than ‘musang king’. 

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE FOR 

FAMILIES THAT ARE TRAVELLING WITH THEIR KIDS? 

Do not travel with kids until they are able to listen to your 

commands. Hotel is not a babysitting centre. Same goes to 

aircrafts or any form of public transportation. Perhaps you 

enjoy changing diapers in public and shouting to your kids 

in restaurants. Turning the foyer of a shopping complex 

into public toilets is a privilege to certain tourists from 

different countries, just not in your country. 

IS VANITY A BAD THING? 

Vanity is like a mistress. Those who talk bad about it do 

not have one and are furious and envious about it. Those 

who are in possession of it enjoy it secretly. 


On The Radar 

ON THE RADAR 

Dive Season at Tanjong 

Jara Resorts 

The waters at Terengganu Marine Park flourish 

beginning in March till October with colourful 

corals and rare sea life for divers and snorkelers 

alike. Tanjong Jara Resort off the coast of 

Terengganu is offering tours to the pristine Tenggol 

Island, a mere 50-minute speedboat ride from 

the resort. The Tenggol Diver’s Delight package 

features two leisure diving sessions over two 

days with barbeque lunch and daily breakfast and 

dinner for RM1244++ per room per night. 

www.tanjongjararesort.com 

Mercat Introduces A 

Catalan Breakfast Menu 

Enjoy a Catalan-style breakfast as Mercat Barcelona Gastrobar 

extend its opening hours to include a breakfast menu. Healthy and 

wholsesome is the key as Mercat is cooking up scrumptious dishes 

featuring a selection of tarrada or toast with toppings like Botifarra 

Catalana (Catalan sausage). While a beautiful breakfast come in 

their yogurt jars topped with granola and a variety of preserves. 

www.mercat.my 

AirAsia Carry-On 

Allowance 

Flyers of AirAsia are reminded 

on the carry-on allowance which 

includes a cabin bag measuring 

56 x 36 x 23cm plus one small 

bag measuring 40 x 30 x 10cm. 

Note that the total weight of the 

two pieces must not exceed 7kg. 

Multiple items that are strapped or 

tied together will not be counted 

as one piece of cabin baggage. If 

you have small kids, strollers cannot 

be brought onboard but can be 

checked in for free. 

www.airasia.com 


On The Radar 

Floral Fragrance 

A pop of pink with a burst of floral, the 

latest fragrance from Gucci’s Flora collection 

encapsulate the delicate scent of the gardenia 

flower. The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia 

limited edition scent also adds the addictive 

notes of red berry, patchouli and brown sugar 

for a feminine and elegant bottle perfect for 

the spring season. 

www.gucci.com 

Cathay Dragon 

Lands in KLIA 

Cathay Dragon has expanded its flights 

to Malaysia with the addition of their 

third route to Kuala Lumpur. The airline 

already operates 11 weekly flights to 

Penang and five weekly flights to Kota 

Kinabalu. Now with the addition of the 

Kuala Lumpur route, Cathay Dragoon will 

operate 44 weekly flights to Malaysia. 

www.dragonair.com 

Third Hotel Opens at 

Hong Kong Disneyland 

Experience the latest accommodation at Hong Kong Disneyland 

with their newly built Disney Explorers Lodge equipped with 750 

hotel rooms spanning seven storeys. Themed gardens inspired by 

various cultures and named after beloved Disney characters like 

the Rafiki Garden and the Little Squirt Garden set the tone for 

exploration. Book now as guests staying at the Disney Explorers 

Lodge will receive a Priority Admission Pass for selected 

attractions in the park. 

www.hongkongdisneyland.com 


On The Radar 

The Minimal Weekend Bag 

LIKE US! 

facebook.com/ 

goasiaplus 

For those spontaneous weekend getaways, the latest weekend bag from 

Baggu will be your new best friend to throw in your gear. It is made 

from durable recycled cotton and has multiple exterior pockets for easy 

access of your knick knacks while on the go. Choose between vibrant 

colours and patterns like cobalt blue with splashes of corals or the 

nautical themed stripes for a stylish trip. 

www.baggu.com 

Monti, Singapore’s Newest Jazz Lounge 

Overlooking the Marina Bay Sands and 

its stunning bay, the Fullerton Pavilion 

welcomes the newest jazz lounge on 

the waterfront called Monti. The classy 

lounge is equipped with an open-air 

rooftop terrace for a view to kill while 

sipping some drinks and tapping to 

some jazz tunes. Jazz musician Jeremy 

Monteiro is helming the jazz music with 

help from regional and local talents for a 

musical trip down memory lane. 

www.monti.sg 

Diva of the Rainforest 

One of Malaysia’s acclaimed songstress, Sheila Majid 

is teaming up with Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak 

for a special showcase to promote her latest album 

while helping out the Pulau Banding Foundation. On 29 

April 2017, fans can experience the intimate showcase 

against the backdrop of one of the world’s oldest 

rainforest. Travellers can do so by purchasing the 2 days 

and 1 night packages at Belum Rainforest Resort. 

www.belumrainforestresort.com 


Now Boarding 

NOW BOARDING 

with 

tony eusoff 

An all-round entertainer, Tony Eusoff is no 

stranger to the entertainment scene in Asia. 

He’s been around the TV scene and has even 

lend his pipes for stage musicals like P. Ramlee 

the Musical as well as Tunku the Musical. 

We caught up with this world traveller on his 

insane discoveries about public toilets while 

abroad and what role he would like the chance 

to play in his acting career. 

INTERVIEWED BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY TONY EUSOFF 

Are you a planned packer or you just throw 

everything into a suitcase and go? 

I always try to, although there have been a couple of bum 

plans in the past. Like discovering my dress shoes while on 

an island trip. But overall I do try to make sure I have at least 

covered the basics for my trip. I keep a travel checklist in 

my phone for the essentials like phone charger, plug point 

adapter, toiletries etc. 

What kind of music do you listen at the gym? 

To be honest I’m not too hung up on gym music. So I just 

work out to whatever’s playing on the gym’s house speakers. 

Admittedly there have been times where I had wished I’d 

brought along my own playlist instead but hey, I figure that’s 

way too much prep for just hitting those weights. Besides, 

bad gym music shouldn’t be an excuse to ditch the treadmills, 

right? Take that annoying music and turn it into muscles I say. 

If you had some time, a map and a vehicle, where 

would go for a road trip? 

I would probably attempt to cover as much drivable surface 

area of the entire Borneo as possible. Start all the way from 

the southern tip of Sarawak, taking in the scenic mountains 

and vast pepper farms, make my way up through Brunei and 

arrive in Sabah, then turn around and find an entry point into 

Kalimantan via Sandakan and travel back down south and out 

again where I started in Kuching. Should be an interesting 

trip especially when so little is known about greater Borneo. 


Now Boarding 

You have acted in both TV and theatre roles, which one is 

a little more exhilarating to perform? 

I enjoy working in all the mediums, but exhilaration would 

have to come from stage or theatre. Primarily because the 

performance is done live and the audience responds real-time. 

I mentally prepare for and anticipate possible performance 

mistakes and general technical glitches before I go on stage 

which just adds to the adrenalin rush. No two shows are exactly 

the same which means there’s little room for complacency. One 

has to be on guard because you never know what you’re going 

to get. 

Are you adventurous when it comes to trying different 

cuisines when globetrotting? 

When it comes to food I say try something at least once, as long 

as it doesn’t conflict with your beliefs. You know that saying, 

when in Rome do as the Romans do? My guideline is to look at 

what the local people eat. In Manila I was offered some ‘balut’ 

(un-hatched duckling). To decline would’ve been rude, so I 

took the plunge and swallowed a whole egg. It actually tasted 

pretty rad that I helped myself to another couple of eggs! Of 

course, learning about how balut is supposed to be one hell of 

an aphrodisiac didn’t hurt either. In a Hatyai food market I saw a 

bunch of kids snacking on bags of deep fried insects and worms 

despite the availability of the more commercially common junk 

foods. I thought to myself, “hey if it’s good enough for the kids, 

it should be good enough for me!” and wow did it taste good! I’d 

trade a packet of Lay’s chips for a bag of fried maggots any day! 

What is the most research you had to do for a role? 

Assuming the role of P. Ramlee for both stage and TV has 

warranted the most preparation thus far in my career. I look 

and sound nothing like the legend, so learning his distinct styles 

in singing and the little nuances in how he speaks and how he 

moves was of top priority. It required hours of binge watching of 

all his films, everyday for weeks before I was ready to perform to 

a potentially critical and unforgiving audience. 

What kind of food reminds you of home? 

Sorry for the cliché, but this would have to be Laksa Sarawak 

for me. The shrimp paste gravy used for the laksa gives out the 

most wonderful aroma as you step into a typical Sarawakian 

coffeeshop. The taste is to die for especially if you’re a fan of 

Belacan. Any time is a good time for Laksa Sarawak! 

What attracts you to a new destination? History, 

architecture, food? 

A combination of everything really. I tend to look for an island 

or beaches if it’s for a quick getaway. But cities with rich history 

and a melting pot of cultures and races are also a big draw. 

I was pleasantly surprised by the irony that is London. The 

more central you go in London, the more Pakistani or Indian or 

Arabic it gets. Very amusing to say the least. Having actually 

studied architecture for my degree, I’m also very tuned in to the 

appreciation of buildings, structures and spaces. Skyscrapers 

in Hong Kong are a thing of practicality. A tiny island with a 

swelling population, the only way to build is upwards, with 

the aid of bamboo scaffoldings! When it comes to food, I’m a 

sucker for all things Indonesian. I absolutely LOVE Nasi Padang! 

Another mind blowing fact I’ve learned from my travels is that 

the Thai people have really really clean public toilets. I’ve used 

lavatories that are cleaner than most eateries in KL. What gives? 

What is a type of character that you are interested in 

portraying that you have not had the chance to play? 

A drag queen perhaps? It would be a great challenge just to 

walk on heels! Not to mention all the body hair I’d have to get 

rid of. I’m sure every queen has a compelling story to tell. I can 

only imagine how much fun the preps would be for such a role. 

Fingers crossed! 

What have you got planned for 2017? Any new projects 

or roles? 

To expand my range as an actor and versatile performer. Earlier 

this year I was involved in a mandarin speaking drama titled 

Beautiful World, where I was definitely out of my comfort 

zone. Having only able to speak elementary level Mandarin, I 

had to constantly keep my head down on memorising my lines 

phonetically. I’ve also just wrapped my supporting role in a 

special project to celebrate our country’s independence. Future 

projects are still in discussions at this point but suffice to say 

you may be seeing more of me on TV and films by year end and 

early to mid 2018. 


FYI 

DIGITAL 

NOMADS 

The World Is 

Their Office 

WORDS BY KATHLEEN POON · PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES 

Have you often wished to escape the winter in Europe and 

travel around Southeast Asia? Or perhaps to eat your 

way around Italy, learn yoga in an ashram in India and to 

surf in Bali, for as long as you want? Many of us long for that 

flexibility in budget and workload to travel on our schedule 

but the reality is, we have to be present in the office and have 

limited time for our holidays. 

Images of working on a laptop with a pina colada on the 

side at a palm tree-lined beach seem like a lifestyle that we 

want to attain. Although internet connectivity rarely extends 

all the way to the beach and sand gets into the keyboard, that 

lifestyle is not impossible to achieve. You just need to be a 

Digital Nomad. 

What is a Digital Nomad? 

The term “digital” suggests online and “nomad” is an 

individual who changes destinations without having a 

permanent home base. Living a digital nomad lifestyle implies 

relying on the internet to work remotely to financially sustain 

a location-independent life. Digital nomads may stay up to 

six months, a year or more abroad, after which they change 

locations and earn a living while working online. 

The number of digital nomads is flourishing these past 

few years, and the reasons why this location-independent 

lifestyle is becoming a trend are due to: 

• An increasing demand for the internet and the 

improvement of internet speed around the world. 

• A growing acceptance of remote work contracts among 

individuals, freelancers and businesses. Business owners 

are realising that it is cost-effective to hire a remote 

worker or freelancer than to hire on-location staff. 

• Many entrepreneurs want the freedom to travel where 

they want and for as long as they want, without having 

to go to the office to work. As such, they leverage on 

the internet to create a business that can be run from 

anywhere in the world. 

• A burgeoning presence of co-working spaces provide 

digital nomads the office amenities such as desks, fast 

internet speed, meeting rooms and other facilities to 

work effectively without incurring high rental costs. 

How to Become a Digital Nomad? 

First things first, you need to be computer-savvy, that is, you 

need to know how to use the computer and know how to 

browse the internet. 

The other skills that are in demand, and by no means an 

exhaustive list are: 

• Content writing 

• Blogging with platforms such as WordPress 

• Photo-editing with Adobe Photoshop or similar tools 

• SEO techniques 

• Online marketing 

• Research 


FYI 

• Chiang Mai, Thailand: Chiang Mai has repeatedly appeared 

as No. 1 digital nomad hub in South-East Asia. The city is 

presently popular with freelancers due to numerous cafes 

with fast Wi-Fi and over ten co-working spaces available in 

the city, each of which has their own unique vibe. 

• Penang, Malaysia: The biggest attraction in Penang is its 

culinary diversity, as a result, it is a hub for foodie digital 

nomads. Cafes and street art are scattered all around 

Georgetown, the UNESCO World Heritage Area, offering 

varieties of food and coffee to boost work productivity for 

digital nomads. 

• Siem Reap, Cambodia: Renowned for the infamous Angkor 

Wat temples, Siem Reap is now a new trendy destination 

for digital nomads. The first co-working space in Siem Reap 

called AngkorHub was recently opened in 2015. 

• Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: The largest city in Vietnam 

draws digital nomads for its low cost of living and good 

infrastructure. Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City is the central 

hub for commerce, technology and research in the country. 

• Bali, Indonesia: Bali has long been a traveller’s paradise, and 

the very reasons for the island’s thriving tourism industry 

have also made it an attractive place to do business from. 

Where else can you have access to yoga, healthy food and 

fresh air than in Bali, a paradise in which digital nomads can 

live and work at the same time? 

There are various types of digital nomads but 

the common ones are freelancers. 

Freelancers provide services remotely for 

multiple clients which frequently change and 

their sources of income vary as well. There 

is a diverse range of freelancers ranging 

from virtual assistants, content writers, web 

developers, and graphic designers to social 

media marketing and management. 

Clients are fully aware that freelancers 

are not present in the same location as them, 

hence they communicate primarily via email 

and Skype. 

Are There Digital Nomad Hubs in South- 

East Asia? 

Working freelance can be a lonely experience, 

thus working in a public space such as a café 

or co-working space can help digital nomads to 

be productive and to meet their fellow peers at 

the same time. 

South-East Asia has always been a 

favourite destination among travellers for 

its low cost of living and affordable lifestyle, 

hence digital nomad hubs are mushrooming in 

the region: 


Out & About 

OUT & ABOUT 

THE HOTTEST & MOST ANTICIPATED EVENTS OF 

THE MONTH IN MALAYSIA AND BEYOND 

7 APRIL | FIFTH HARMONY 7/27 

TOUR IN KUALA LUMPUR 

The pop-R&B group from the States made it big after forming 

on The X Factor US back in 2012. Their third studio album 7/27 

spawned hits like ‘Work From Home’ and ‘All In My Head’ which have 

dominated the airwaves in South East Asia. Catch them as they sing 

and dance to their brand of Pop-R&B to Asian fans for the first time. 

Surf Beach Sunway Lagoon, Selangor 

www.ticketpro.com.my 

9 APRIL | An Evening 

with Brian McKnight 

The R&B crooner is coming 

back to Malaysia for an intimate 

performance by gracing fans with 

his evergreen R&B hits like ‘Back At 

One’ and ‘Anytime’. With a black tie 

dress code, it will be an evening of 

soul and class. Opening the concert 

it local R&B songstress Elvira Arul. 

21 APRIL | One Man 

Star Wars Trilogy 

Catch one man in the form of Charles 

Ross as he retells the story of the first 

trilogy of Star Wars in this critically 

acclaimed Broadway comedy parody. 

Ross plays all 40 characters as he flies 

space ships and fight siths to transport 

guests into the galaxy far away that we 

come to love. 

HGH Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur 

www.milestone-entertainment.com 

Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur 

www.ticketpro.com.my 

Across The Pond 

20-22 APRIL | Laugh 

You Long Time 

International queens of comedy 

are coming to Singapore to bring 

female empowerment to the 

stage. Join Asia’s favourite comics 

like Joanne Kam and Sharul 

Kanna to name a few for a night 

of scandalous laughter based on 

everyday problems. 

Mastercard Theatres, Marina Bay 

Sands, Singapore 

www.marinabaysands.com/ticketing 

6 MAY-20 JUNE | Single Festival 

A music festival for single people? Well only the Thais would come up 

with something like this. Spreading across a couple of regions from Khonkaen 

to Bangkok, taste some of the best indie music from the likes of Lomosonic and 

Polycat for a festival of song and dance. 

Khonkaen, Chiang Mai, Hatyai and Bangkok 

www.eventpop.me 


Road Less Taken is a collaboration with AirAsiaGo. 

Check out airasiago.com.my for flight & hotel deals! 

Road Less Taken 

HOW TO GET THERE 

Getting to Bintan Island is mostly done 

by sea where you can take a ferry from 

Tanah Merah Terminal in Singapore or 

Waterfront Ferry Terminal in Johor Bahru, 

Malaysia which will take you to the capital 

of the Riau Islands, Tanjung Pinang. 

Tanjung Pinang has a couple of ferry 

terminals so get a good idea where your 

resort is situated. Ferry ride is roughly 

2 hours from Singapore and 2 hours 45 

minutes from Malaysia. 

WHAT TO DO 

Besides beach bumming, Bintan Island is 

home to a couple of championship golf 

courses designed by golf legends like Jack 

Nicklaus and Gary Player. Ria Bintan Golf 

Club and Laguna Bintan Golf Club are 

some of the golf courses with magnificent 

sea views to tee off to. 

Take a boat ride down the Sebong 

River amongst the Bintan Mangroves and 

be amazed by the clear river waters. The 

variety of wildlife is amazing with the 

area being popular with fireflies so for a 

ROAD LESS TAKEN: 

Bintan 

Island, 

Indonesia 

THE RIAU ARCHIPELAGO IS STILL 

SOMEHOW A MYSTERY TO SOME BUT 

THE ISLANDS THAT DOT SOUTHERN 

SINGAPORE ARE A BEACH GETAWAY 

WAITING TO HAPPEN. PRISTINE 

BEACHES MIX WITH HERITAGE 

SITES THANKS TO THE COLOURFUL 

HISTORY OF THE ISLANDS, MAKING IT 

A GEM ON INDONESIAN WATERS. 

WORDS BY AISHAH AZALI 

· PHOTOS BY AIRASIAGO 

special experience, take the night tour for 

a twinkling boat ride. 

Sacred sites on Bintan Island include 

the 500 Lohan Temple featuring over 500 

life size Lohan statues of all shapes and 

size. There is also a 200-year-old Banyan 

Tree in a fishing settlement. 

WHERE TO STAY 

Nestled between the forest and 

ocean, The Banyan Tree Bintan (www. 

banyantree.com/en/ap-indonesia-bintan) 

is an all-villa sanctuary offering luxury 

amenities in a prime location. Sleep in 

canopy beds overlooking the sea, perched 

on a cliff and take a dip in your private 

infinity pool for a relaxation getaway of 

your dreams. The Banyan Tree Bintan 

also host a golf course and a luxury spa 

featuring traditional Indonesia therapies 

using native spices. 

A glamping option next to a blue 

lagoon is in the form of The Canopi (www. 

thecanopi.com) located at Treasure Bay. 

40 spacious safari-themed tents surround 

the lagoon equipped with an en suite and 

some that include an outdoor whirlpool. 

The lagoon will keep you occupied with 

activities like canoeing, wake boarding 

and a ride on a water tricycle. 

#GoodToKnow 

• Bintan has a community of sea 

gypsies, a nomadic sea tribe that live 

on water. Nowadays they live on stilt 

houses by the shore in a place called 

Panglong Village. 

• To get the best of Indonesian street 

food, Akau is a car park turned night 

bazaar to feast on local dishes like 

the shellfish called gong gong and 

Indonesian satay. 

• To better discover the island, hire 

a driver or rent a car to take you 

around. Better yet, rent a scooter 

at Treasure Bay under Adventure 

Scooters for some self-discovery. 



CEN TR A L 

CRUISING THROUGH 

V IE TNAM 

FROM LEFT The Perfume 

River at Hue with its 

blossoming trees; The 

inside of the citadel of 

the Imperial City at Hue. 



HISTORY, NATURE AND NOT TO MENTION SOME 

OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES CONVERGE ON 

THE CENTRAL COAST OF VIETNAM FOR A DIFFERENT 

SIDE OF THIS MAGICAL COUNTRY. 

WORDS BY AISHAH AZALI PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES 

riverside Imperial City at a former royal capital and a 

A bustling beachside city with sprawling bridge structures are 

just some of the places you can find in Central Vietnam. Or get a 

tan at the many sandy white beaches dotted along the coast that 

could give the islands of Thailand a run for their money. Follow 

us as we take the train down to cruise through the central coast 

of this majestic country. 



Hue 

Go back in time in Hue as this charming town is 

chock full of history and culture. It was the former 

capital of Vietnam under the rule of Nguyen Dynasty 

so expect sprawling palaces and intricately-designed 

pagodas along the Perfume River. 

The four Citadels that make the Imperial City are 

the main star of the town, a complex of surviving 

buildings just north of the Perfume River. Immerse in 

the history and architecture of the Forbidden Royal 

City where the former royal family resided where 

the bright walls trim with gold filigree will leave you 

in awe. 

Other sacred structures worth visiting include 

the octagonal Thien Mu Pagoda or the tombs of 

ancient emperors like Emperor Minh Mang (the 

second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty) where his 

tomb is next to a pond of lotuses. You can even take 

a boat ride along the Perfume River to pass these 

sites and embrace the surrounding nature of Hue. 

Hue has its share of beaches and the turquoise 

lagoon of Lang Co sees visitors flock every April till 

August for some fun in the sun. It is located at the 

end of the Hai Van Pass (more on this later) with 

10km beachfront and a popular destination to eat 

shellfish of all kind like mussels, oyster, and clams. 

Da Nang 

Once you step in Da Nang, you sort of have this 

surreal experience where you are not sure if you 

are in Vietnam anymore. The city is a tad modern 

compared to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, a riverside 

city with gleaming lights and an impressive array of 

bridges. Driving through the streets will remind you 

a little bit of Las Vegas with Singapore thrown into 

the mix. It is a beautiful city lined with even better 

white sandy beaches. 

The bridges in the city cannot be ignored 

and they do have a couple of majestic structures 

crossing the Han River. Like the Dragon Bridge that 

connects the airport to the main roads of the city. 

The bridge looks like a dragon is slithering through 

it and can even shoot fire and water at 9pm on 

weekends. 

Despite the contemporary landscape of the 

city, its surrounding destinations are deeply rooted 

to Mother Earth featuring panoramic hills and 

mountains. The Marble Mountains are just 7km 

away from the city center filled with tunnels for 

trekkers. There are five mountains altogether and 

are all named after the five elements; fire, water, 

metal, earth and wood. 

Close to the Marble Mountain is the world 

famous Non Nuoc beach, a 5km slice of paradise 

with waters as azure as the sky. It is dotted with 

high-end resorts and is an awesome spot for 

watersports like surfing. 



THE IMPERIAL CITY IS 

THE MAIN STAR OF THE 

TOWN, A COMPLEX OF 

SURVIVING BUILDINGS 

JUST NORTH OF THE 

PERFUME RIVER. 

FROM TOP LEFT The structures 

and surviving buildings within 

the Imperial City; The view from 

Marble Mountain in Da Nang. 



FROM TOP One of the 

many beaches along 

the Da Nang coast; 

The dragon bridge in 

Da Nang city centre. 

Traveling to Hue & Da Nang 

A little geography lesson, Hue is 700km south of Hanoi 

with domestic daily flights to Phu Bai International 

Airport that take roughly an hour. Da Nang is about 60km 

south of Hue and home to Vietnam’s third busiest airport, 

Da Nang International Airport. 

Though traveling by plane is fast, the best way to 

experience central Vietnam is through its trains. A train to 

Hue from Hanoi will run you 12 hours with an additional 

2 hours to reach Da Nang. But the interesting part 

about this is the Hai Van Pass which is a 20km stretch of 

cliffside road and track overlooking the South China Sea. 

The stretch begins just after the Hue station down to Da 

Nang and trust us that it is majestic to say the least. 

Good To Know 

• The Hai Van Pass has a 6.2km tunnel which is 

the longest in South East Asia. 

• One unique Catholic Church in Vietnam is 

the Da Nang Cathedral built by French priest 

Louis Vallet in 1923 where the façade is pink. 

• The Perfume River in Hue is said to be named 

thanks to the flowers that fall into them from 

the surrounding blossoming trees, giving it a 

pleasant aroma. 


Bucket List 

Heritage 

Honouring Our 

Buildings of the past get a fresh look as 

luxury accommodations paint an oasis for 

visitors while retaining its old world charm. 

Better yet, embrace a culture through its 

architecture with hotels that encapsulate the 

country’s rich history. 

WORDS BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL, 

BURASARI HERITAGE & THE HERMITAGE 

EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL | Penang, Malaysia 

The colonial meets Moorish grandeur of the E&O Hotel has span over 

100 years beginning with a vision by the Sarkies brothers of Armenia. 

Their tastefully decorated rooms of dark wood furniture and poster 

bed face the city or the Andaman seas. Dine at any of the 3 restaurants 

featuring local and international cuisine and even a charming colonial 

coffee shop called Sarkies Corner. 

www.eohotels.com 


Bucket List 

BURASARI HERITAGE | Luang Prabang, Laos 

Next to the majestic Nam Khan River stands a 20-room 

resort that evokes the Laotian heritage thanks to its cozy 

rooms, lined in wooden panels of brown and white with 

cute balconies for sipping tea and watching the boats 

pass by. Their award-winning spa specialises in bespoke 

treatments using ancient remedies while their riverside 

dining will bring you the best of French and Lao cooking. 

www.burasariheritage.com 

THE HERMITAGE | Jakarta, Indonesia 

An art deco building from the 1920s is turned into one of the most 

architecturally stunning hotels in Jakarta. The halls are lined with 

Carrera marble and wainscoting throughout, even in the rooms for an 

accommodation as close to The Great Gatsby as you can get. The décor 

also features a hint of Indonesian flair with its accessories, creating 

rooms that will take you back in time. Plus the swimming pavilion with its 

veined plants is a sight worth Instagramming. 

www.tributeportfolio.com 


Outlet Malls 


FROM LEFT 

The sleek facade 

of the Daikanyama 

T-Site ; The ‘best 

bookstore in the 

world’ called 

Tsutaya Books. 

Essential Guide To 

TOKYO’S 

SHOPPING 

districts 

TOKYO IS A LAND OF CONTRASTS; ASIA’S FASHION AND HIGH-TECH 

CAPITAL WITH A CULTURE FIRMLY ROOTED IN THE OLD THAN ANY 

OTHER. FOLLOW THIS ROADMAP TO ENDLESS SHOPPING IN TOKYO 

THAT GOES BEYOND GREEN TEA KIT KATS AND HELLO KITTY KNICK 

KNACKS, GUARANTEED TO SATISFY THE SHOPAHOLIC IN YOU. 

WORDS BY DOREEN SOOSAI • PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES & DAIKANYAMA T-SITE 



DAIKANYAMA & 

NAKA-MEGURO 

Vintage Goldmines 

DAIKANYAMA T-SITE 

The old keeps coming back, in new forms 

with every passing year and never is 

this more apparent than in Daikanyama 

and Naka-Meguro, a prefecture of an 

unfathomable collection of independent 

boutiques and vintage shops, restaurants 

and cafes along the Meguro canal. One 

architectural masterpiece inspired by 

such is Daikanyama T-Site, touted as the 

‘best bookstore in the world' featuring a 

T-shape latticed façade on the outside 

and a hipster haven of well-curated books, 

a café-lounge with shops selling cameras 

and vinyl. It is also equipped with a hotel, 

hospital, restaurant & cafe, making it an 

all-in-one hipster building of your dreams. 

J’ANTIQUES 

Opened in Megoru-ku circa 2005, 

J’antiques sells chic vintage American 

menswear, womenswear, military wear, 

antique accessories including fabrics 

and buttons, paper goods, tableware 

and furniture dating from as late as the 

1950s and as early as the 1800s. Immerse 

yourself and be inspired for your next 

signature piece among the choice of 

denim, knitwear, jackets and beyond, all 

stacked highly and tightly throughout the 

floor which is divided into three sections 

– secondhand and accessories, vintage 

menswear and vintage womenswear. 

When you’re done shopping, stroll along 

the Meguro canal which is lined with 

cherry blossom trees that burst into 

bloom each April. 

SHIMOKITAZAWA 

A Met ropolitan 

Bohemian Village 

RAGLA MAGLA 

The spirit of the hippy era penetrates 

every nook in Shimokitazawa - a relaxing 

bohemian paradise with narrow streets 

that discourage cars and large buildings 

and dotted with cafes, clubs and unique 

blend of novelty shops. Ragla Magla is a 

bric-a-brac backpacker’s budget-friendly 

store that will remind you of a psychedelic 

rendition of the movie Pulp Fiction, 

selling blazers, duffle coats, denim jackets, 

vintage t-shirts, plaid shirts, accessories 

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The 

interior of Daikanyama 

T-site selling books and 

vinyl; A road intersection 

at Shimokitazawa; One of 

the smaller streets in the 

bohemian village. 



and paisley everything for only 990 

yen. Both men and women can enjoy 

coordinating their outfits here for a look 

you can never find at any major retail 

outlet back home. 

EHIMADE 

Another shop worth visiting, despite being 

part of a larger chain, is Ehimade. The 

name Ehimade is actually a combination 

of two words: “Ehime” and “made”. 

Together, they form the clever name 

of a shop that sells artisanal products 

from Ehime Prefecture, most notable of 

which is the imabari towel, the greatest 

towel in the universe. If aliens are indeed 

visiting planet earth, your best chance to 

see them is in an Ehimade shop picking 

up some towels for their interplanetary 

travels. As the list of laudable imabari 

towel attributes is quite long, let me just 

say that their absorbency level is next to 

none. When dropped onto the surface of 

water, the towels must sink within five 

seconds. 

HARAJUKU AND 

AOYAMA 

Tokyo s Kawaii Capital 

ALICE ON WEDNESDAY 

Forcing you to crouch through a small 

door, Alice on Wednesday transports 

you on a magical journey through 3 

floors packed with Alice-themed goodies. 

The first floor features snacks such as 

fruit-flavoured popcorn, cute “Drink 

Me” bottles (filled with cider) and an 

assortment of cookies. The second floor 

mimics the lush gardens of the Queen 

of Hearts, filled to the brim with quirky 

Wonderland accessories like bags and 

necklaces. The 3rd floor depicts the Mad 

Hatter’s Tea Party, where you'll find the 

iconic Cheshire cat smiling at you selling 

larger accessories and books. 

ORIENTAL BAZAAR 

If you’re planning on buying cheaper 

kimono/yukatas, save your money for the 

Oriental Bazaar. Conveniently located 

in Harajuku, it isn’t your typical souvenir 

shop with tacky products. You will find an 

amazing range of high quality and unique 

things available across three levels of 

shopping. Every cup, keyring, magnet and 

piece of crockery you can think of is there 

and displayed beautifully throughout 

the store, with polite and attentive staff 

to assist you. The second floor features 

expensive antiques and authentic 

beautiful kimono. This is the place to 

purchase cool and beautiful knick knack 

and souvenirs. 



Donki in 

Akihabara 

is special 

because 

it houses 

the AKB48 

Theater 

with live 

shows 6 

days a week 

FROM LEFT The streets 

on Harajuku and Aoyama 

for all your ‘kawaii’ style 

need; Digital land of 

Akihabara filled with 

store signs that light up 

at night. 

AKIHABARA 

Elect ric Town and 

Anime Capital 

DONKI HOTE (Don Quijote) 

Donki is not only a shop in Akihabara, but 

also a chain store famous for selling nearly 

everything from groceries to piercings to 

electronics to costumes at a discounted 

price. While there are Donki shops all 

throughout Tokyo, the Donki in Akihabara 

is special because it houses the AKB48 

Theater, with live performances 6 days 

a week. Even if you’re not into AKB48, 

Donki is one of the best things to do in 

Akihabara, since it has one of the highest 

concentration of pop culture in Tokyo. 

KIDDYLAND 

Kiddyland is a Japanese anime 

merchandise store that’s great for starting 

or expanding your anime merchandise 

collection or souvenir shopping. Let your 

inner child run free by browsing from 

speciality articles to character items, 

gadgets, stationery to an immense variety 

of toys. Kiddyland has different sections 

densely packed with merchandise for 

your selection, from Pokemon, Gundam, 

Disney, Hello Kitty etc. 


The Suitcase 

corum booba 

The unique Bubble watch has been 

a signature of Corum since its 

inception in the early 2000s. Many 

artists have creatively collaborated 

on the Bubble timepiece and this 

year, French-Senegalese rapper 

Booba contributed his flair in the 

latest Bubble Booba watch. The 

face features graffiti-like words set 

in a choice of gold or black bezel. 

Both come with black leather straps 

but the all black version is a stand 

out thanks to its street chic design. 

www.corum.ch 

THE SUITCASE 

Look at the Time 

WHILE TRAVELLING, TIMING IS KEY. FROM THE BEST TIME TO VISIT 

A LOCATION TO KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR FLIGHT AND GROUND 

WORK TRAVELS. HERE ARE SOME TIMEPIECES THAT FULFILL THEIR 

TASK OF TELLING TIME WITHOUT SACRIFICING BEAUTY AND STYLE. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI PHOTOS BY CORUM, FRANCK MULLER 

& FREDERIQUE CONSTANT 

Franck Muller Vanguard 

7 Days Power 

Reserve Skeleton 

Franck Muller’s newest masterpiece is 

equipped with a skeleton avatar for a 

mesmerizing view of the manufactured 

movements. The bridges are hand-polished 

and also comes with a second counter at 6 

o’clock. Plus the 7 days power reserve is a 

bonus next to the stylish integrated bracelets 

that are available in options like titanium, 

stainless steel and 18-carat white gold. 

www.franckmuller.com 

Frederique Constant 

Classic Worldtimer 

Manufacture 

The timepiece for the travelling man, 

the latest Worldtimer by Frederique 

Constant features the world map finely 

etched onto the dial. Twenty-four 

cities make the outer rim from Tokyo 

to Bangkok for a world time function 

adjustable through the crown. It is 

designed with a brown leather strap and 

hand-polished rose gold-plated hands. 

www.frederiqueconstant.com 


Nyonya Cuisine 

The Nectarous Charm of 


THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT NYONYA CUISINE THAT ENTICES THE 

PALATE. IT’S BECAUSE OF THE DISTINCT TASTE CREATED BY THE 

ARRAY OF SPICES AND UNDOUBTLY FROM THE RICH HISTORY IT HAILS 

FROM. AISHAH AZALI SAT DOWN WITH ONE OF THE LAST ‘BABA’ THIS 

SIDE OF MALAYSIA FOR A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE AND SOME 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE MUCH LOVED NYONYA CUISINE. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY FAIDZ ZAINAL 



FROM LEFT 

The vintage 

chic interior of 

Limapulo, one of 

the hottest Nyonya 

restaurants in KL 



1 

2 

If you really think about it, Nyonya cuisine came to be 

thanks to cultural borrowing with a sprinkle of innovation 

as the Chinese brought their cooking methods and 

blending them with the flavours and spices of Malaysia and 

Indonesia. It is a type of cuisine dating back when the Chinese 

(mostly from Hokkien ancestry) came to the Malay Archipelago 

and married the locals. 

Nowadays it is a much-loved cuisine thanks to its piquant 

flavours and in order to get the best input on Nyonya cuisine, 

I had to track down a ‘Baba’ from Peranakan descent to get 

to the bottom of what makes these dishes so tantalizing to 

the palate. Truthfully, it was not so hard to find Baba John of 

Baba Can Cook and Limapulo restaurant because his eatery 

in the heart of Kuala Lumpur is on the list of top places to eat 

authentic Nyonya food in the city. 

1 Pai Tee 

The little cups made of rice flour and stuffed with vegetables 

looks similar to a top hat and is an exceptional Nyonya 

appetiser. It is a finger food best eaten once served so you can 

savour the crunchiness of the shell. Baba John even advised to 

take it in one bite. 



From the stories passed down from his grandfather and 

father, the word pai tee derives from the Hokkien translation 

of ‘prayers to the Jade Emperor’ where ‘tee’ is a short form for 

Thien Kong, the Jade Emperor. It’s an old tale, historian might 

dispute it but I was more than happy to hear Baba’s colourful 

side of the story. 

2 Nyonya Laksa 

This quintessential Nyonya dish is a bestseller at Limapulo, 

evident from the many bowls ordered by the lunch crowd. 

The bowl of goodness consists of thin mee hoon drowning in 

a pool of fragrant broth and topped with an array of colourful 

condiments. 

The complexity of flavours actually derives from a 

meticulous cooking process as Baba John told me in all 

seriousness that the dish takes 9 hours to complete. Those 9 

hours include preparing all the ingredients and spices, blending 

and cooking them before simmering it into a broth of tasty 

perfection. 

Common Malay ingredients like turmeric, galangal, 

lemongrass and candlenut are blended with onions, dried 

chillies and shrimp paste for an herbaceous broth base. Mix 

in the noodles and toppings like fried tofu, a boiled egg and a 

dollop of sambal for a dish bursting with flavour. 

Baba John went as far as to tell me a tale of the origins of 

the term ‘laksa’. It started with a number 63 shop in Melaka, 

selling a noodle dish that no one knew the name. So, they 

called the dish based on the number of the shop where in 

the Hokkien language, 6 is ‘lak’ and 3 is ‘sa’. Combine them 

together and you get laksa. 

3 Petai Prawns in Sambal 

Sambal is good with everything, the Asian Tabasco sauce we 

dip and cook into a lot of our foods. Nyonya cuisine is no 

different and a delicious combination is when they cook sambal 

with fresh prawns and petai. 

Petai or bitter beans (sometimes stink beans) is a humble 

legume that is an acquired taste. Malaysians know it as the 

bean where your body emits a slight odor after consumption 

3 

4 



CLOCKWISE 

The exterior of 

Limapulo restaurant 

with the greens 

bursting with life 

and Baba John in 

his vintage chair 

5 

(like it ever deterred Malaysians from eating it anyway) but Baba told me about its underrated 

health benefits. The vegetable helps flush out the kidneys, expelling toxins and what not. Punchy 

flavours and a body detox? Somebody bring me a plate of rice because you do not simply turn 

down petai prawns. 

4 Sago Gula Melaka 

When you think of Nyonya desserts, gula Melaka or palm sugar always come to mind. Add that 

to the pearly translucent sago topped with coconut milk and you have got yourself a traditional 

Nyonya delicacy. Baba did emphasize that the gula Melaka makes or breaks the dish. Using 

other forms of sugar just won’t cut it with a tip to add a little bit of water when melting it down. 

Though traditionally it is eaten with coconut milk on top, Limapulo does have a modern version 

where they drench the sago with evaporated milk. 

5 Limapulo 

The historical colonial shophouses at Jalan Doraisamy have revamped itself from a seedy row 

of clubs to sophisticated food establishments for casual lunches, coffee evenings and cocktail 

nights. Limapulo is nestled in between, a gem of a restaurant with a funky almost junkyard 

interior of steel and cement that feels like you have travelled back in time. 

Their menu includes Nyonya dishes passed down from Baba John’s family where he learned 

how to cook by first observing and eventually helping out his mother in the kitchen. Besides the 

food mentioned in the article, other dishes include chicken pongteh, roti jala and mee siam. 

If you plan to taste their delectable laksa, well laksa days are only on Monday, Wednesday 

and Friday. Trust me when I write that those bowls of noodles sell like hot cakes among the 

lunch crowd so do come early. 

50, Jalan Doraisamy 50300 Kuala Lumpur | Monday – Saturday | 12pm till 3pm | 6pm till 10pm

GOASIAPLUS April 2017

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