Fishball Noodles @ Restaurant Song Wan/ Kedai Kopi Song Wan, Old Klang Road

Restaurant Song Wan (Kedai Kopi Song Wan) has been operating for many years and is famous with it's signature fishball a.k.a Uncle Lim Fishball. The coffee shop starts operating at 7 am in the morning and that's the time when you notice the emerging crowd around the coffee shop.

It's a beautiful Sunday morning again! A day to start with an astonishing breakfast....

Restaurant Song Wan a.k.a Kedai Kopi Song Wan- Uncle Lim Fish Ball @ Old Klang Road

Fishball Noodles with clear soup base served with fish ball and minced pork

It's not the noodles, it's the marvelous springy and chewy fish balls that attracts the crowd! Once mixing the minced pork into the clear soup base, it's even tastier! Am delighted with the fishballs actually. The fish meat are finely pulverized leaving a smooth and springy texture and yet the sweetness of the fish meat is well preserved within.

Fishball Lou Shu Fun served dry (Soy sauce) -with fish ball and minced pork

Another thing that is to be made known to everyone, the soup base prepared are without MSG! Song Wan used to have a stall in Oasis Food Court, Mid Valley but I am not sure if it is still operating after the food court was moved. So, if you are looking for a place that serves quality fish ball, here is the recomended restaurant for you.

Address:

Kedai Kopi Song Wan (松园茶餐室)
No 38, Jalan Sepadu,
Batu 5, Taman United,
Jalan Kelang Lama,
58200 KL
Tel: 03- 7982 1021
Rest day: Wednesday

Visit Malaysia- Sabah ~ The Land Below The Wind~

Sabah is the second largest state in Malaysia, situated on the Northern part of the Borneo Island. The unique land consist of 5 division and is reputed as the land of eco-treasures with its beautiful beaches and islands, forests and mountains, wetlands, coral reefs and rivers.


Sabah is also known as "Land Below the Wind" as the location of Sabah is just at the south of the typhoon prone region (known as Lingakaran Api Pasifik in Malay) and probably that is the reason Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah was known as Api-Api among the locals.


About Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu(KK) formerly known as Jesselton is the capital city of Sabah . The city was largely destroyed during the Second World War has been developed into a modern city and is currently the main gateway to the rest of the districts in Sabah.

Kota Kinabalu View from Observatory Tower

Kota Kinabalu surrounded with world class holiday resorts and hotels

Kota Kinabalu -Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens- Roundabout with a swordfish scuplture

Along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu

Sabah Park Jetty @ Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens

Fruits Market, Wet Market, Food Market & Handicraft Market View

The awesome Mount Kinabalu- Where's the peak??

Sabah a perfect place to experience the wonders of the eco treasure- adventurous jungle trekking, cave exploration, white water rafting, mountain climbing and sea diving.

My trip to Kota Kinabalu was short but exciting although the weather doesn't seem inviting. It's definitely a perfect place for a holiday! Perhaps a re-visit?

Le Meridian @ Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

First of all, thanks to Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu for the 3 days 2 nights complimentary room. Had a fantastic stay there!

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu is located in the heart of the city, A hotel with warm, friendly and helpful staff that smiles all the time. Remember, involving in hospitality industry, a smile is very important!

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Complimentary accommodation of 3 days 2 nights stay @ Deluxe Room Le Meridian, Kota Kinabalu

Le Royal Club @ Le Meridian Kota Kinabalu

Swimming Pool view & Fitness Centre @ Level 2

View from the hotel- Strategic Location

The room is clean and spacious with facilities like hair dryers, shavers plug, iron & ironing board were all provided. Besides that, the location of the hotel itself is attractive. It's located along Jalan Tun Fuad Stepens, right accross the fruit market, food market and handicraft market. From the markets, further down to right would be The Waterfront, a perfect place for a beer or a drink with perfect seaview! Across the road from the right of the hotel, there are shopping malls too- Warisan Square!

The hotel's breakfast was great too!

Penang Village @ Berjaya Times Square

Penang Village is not new anymore, but somehow it is new in Berjaya Time Square! It's a restaurant that serves local food, Penang Nyonya and Chinese cuisine. A restaurant that revives many of the simple and hearty traditional dishes!

Penang Prawn Noodles @ RM 9.90

Penang Original spicy prawn noodles with tasty broth served with shreded chicken, fried prawns, hard boiled eggs and kang kung. This noodle dish is satisfying but am not please with the fried prawns serve with the spicy soup base. I prefer the prawns to be boiled with the soup to retain the fresh sweetness of the prawns and the soup base.

Penang Char Koay Teow @ RM 9.90

Doesn't look appetizing to me Taste wise? Got to confirm with Jessie.

Penang Nasi Lemak with beef rendang @ RM 13.90

Penang Nasi Lemak with Curry Chicken @ RM 13.90

Both plate of Nasi Lemak looks good in presentation. As for Penang Nasi Lemak with curry chicken, the rice were aromatic with the fragant from the coconut milk. As for curry chicken, the gravy was thick and tasty with a tender chicken drumstick served. Nasi Lemak is served with homemade sambal, tamarind prawns, acar and half of a boiled egg. What about the beef rendang?- I don't know-Not interested to know too...

If you are having a tough time deciding what to eat, Penang Village would be in the recomended list. There are lots of varieties in terms of food and the renovation of the restaurant makes one feels comfortable and homey. Do unwrap the treasure here!

Outlets: Visit http://www.penangvillage.com.my/

Markets @ Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu

It is always the matter of time when you are traveling to this town. Yes! Kota Kinabalu a busy but relaxing old town. Along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens there are about 4-5 markets. I missed the Gaya Market which is the famous Sunday Market in Kota Kinabalu. Gaya market operates only on Sunday from morning till afternoon. Too bad... I reached Kota Kinabalu only at late noon.

But.......... I do enjoy strolling down the market right in front of Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu There are a few types of markets along the Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens:

Food Market Kota Kinabalu

Food Market @ day time

Stalls selling local snacks - Amplang, Kuih cin cin etc

Food market @ Night

Stall selling Malay mixed rice

Stall offering grilled fresh seafood

During mid noon, the food stalls begins it's operation. Common food stall offers mee goreng tuaran, soto ayam, bakso, soto daging and drinks. At night, there are more food stalls operating and the most common food that can be found here are the Sabah version of grilled chicken wings, satay and grilled fresh seafood. And you don't know what's for supper? Don't worry, the stalls here operate till 12 am!

Fruits Market Kota Kinabalu

Situated to the right of the food market would be the fruits market. The front rows are mostly stall selling coconuts, coconuts drinks and pudding. A place to quench your thirst!

Behind this row of stalls offering coconuts, there are stalls which sell various kind of fruits. Banana and mangoes are commonly found here and there is a fruit which is highly recomended to everyone which is "TARAP" - the white nangka. Too bad, there are two kind of fruits in my must try list that I did not manage to try out. One would be the tarap fruit and the other one is the wild durian.

Fruit Market @ Kota Kinabalu

Stall selling coconuts, coconuts crinks & pudding

Other fruit stalls

Wet Market Kota Kinabalu

Right behind the rows of fruits stalls is where the wet markets are located. You will find stalls selling fresh seafood, seaweeds and besutiful corals.

I did not walk further in as I hate walking along the wet lanes with the stinky pungent smell. Am not doing any shopping for seafood too.

Corals

Shells

Seaweeds

Handicraft Market Kota Kinabalu

The handicraft market also known at the Filipino market is situated to the left of the food market. It's a covered market and you will find rows and rows of stalls selling handicrafts especially the pearls handicraft. Beautiful handicrafts of souveniors can be found here, you may want to bargain but for me, it's not advisable to shop for souveniers here. Myself prefer to shop in Warisan Square.

Salted fish market

Further down to the left, right after the Handicraft Market, there is a market that sells only dried seafood. Salted fish, dried shrimps and perhaps some local snacks are sold here.

Salted Fish market

Dried shrimps

Dried seafood, salted fish and local snacks

If you are a great shopper, most of your time might be spend strolling down the markets to search for some gems in there! Or else, you might just want to have a look and that's it!

Hainan Tea @ Plaza Low Yat

Hainan Tea Station @ Plaza Low Yat are more likely for a place to catch a tea but they do serve other meals too. I have seen many reviews on their bread set but somehow, I have not try it as yet. Instead, we went there for lunch. These are photos I have taken after 2 visits.

Hainan Tea Station @ Plaza Low Yat

Dinosaur Milo Extreme @ RM 4.50

Although there are quite a few of eateries that serve this drink, but this is the first time I am trying Milo Extreme! Am sort of addicted to it! Well, sometimes guilty actually....hahahaha..who cares! I like eating those Milo that clogs together in cold. Reminds me of the good old days, there are funny things that we do during childhood... isn't it? We used to have a Milo feast! One of us sneak into the kitchen and bring the whole tin of Milo, the other two is waiting underneath the staircase for the Milo Feast. Milo- Bring Out the Champion In You!

Hainan Coffee

Served in a small cup, slightly bitter and yet aromatic- another kick to start the other half of the office hour!

Hot Ginger Coke @ RM 3.90

Hot ginger coke, heard that it is a good remedy for cold. Well, I am not having a cold, ordered simply because I wanted to have something hot but not coffee! The combination of coke and ginger gives a spicy kick and the fresh ginger leaves a burning sensation that lingers around the throat then all the way down.

Nasi Lemak Chicken Rendang @ RM 6.90

Nasi Lemak Fried Sausage @ RM 6.90

So, what's for lunch? The common Nasi Lemak that makes one very full and then sleepy after lunch.! Well, the fragant rice tasted so-so but the chilli paste was good.

Combo Chee Cheung Fun @ RM 3.80

This is what I have ordered during my second visit. Wanted to have a light lunch but ordered chee cheung fun (rice noodle roll). The rice noodle roll is smooth and silky but the combo of the not so fresh fishball spoiled the dish.

Probably, I should try Hainan Tea's bread sets during my next visit. Are you planning to visit Plaza Low Yat to shop for gadgets? You might want to stop by at Hainan Tea for a drink

Address:

Hainan Tea,
2nd Floor, Plaza Low Yat,
7, Jalan Bintang, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

Sabah Seafood @ Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

Tanjung Aru is a sub-district of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. We were recomended to visit Tanjung Aru for seafood. Not knowing which restaurant to go, we just drive around and try our luck!

First beach cafe @ Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu

Hawkers stalls @ Tanjung Aru- behind First Beach Cafe

I think there are more seafood eateries around, but we were not familiar with the area. Besides that, it was pouring heavily and once we came across First Beach Cafe, we drove in and saw a huge food court selling Malay style seafood. So, we decided to dine here instead of driving further down.

Fresh seafood display

Satay -Sabah Style @ RM 0.50 per skewer by Stall 39

Dining in Sabah is incomplete if you didn't try their version of satay and chicken wings. The falvourful skewers of satay is irresistable. The smell of sizzling meat and charcoal aroma were fantastic! Bite sized chicken marinated with oil, palm sugar and tumeric. Meat grilled to perfection with caramelized glaze resulting from palm sugar adds on to the appeal of the satay!

Satay served here is different from East Malaysia. In color and taste wise, both are different. Served with sweet peanut sauce and cube rice.

Clams fried with ginger @ RM 7.50 ( 1kg +RM15.00) by Stall 38

Cooked with ginger sauce, appetizing, sweet and fresh. Taste wise is different from the Chinese cooking style. Although no Shao Xing wine is used to prepare this dish, the tasted good too!

Tom Yam Fried Rice @ RM 5.00 by Stall 34

Am starting to drool now...Hahahaha.... The tom yam fried rice is extremely good. Flavoursome and tasty with generous portion of prawn.

Chilli paste (Sambal) grilled fish @ RM 17.00 by Stall 35

It's not spicy but delectable and delicious! Perfectly grilled, not overcooked and the grilled sting ray is aromatic and juicy.

Since we had the Chinese style seafood restaurant, the next day we tried the Malay version grilled fish. Although we are not sure if this is the right place for seafood, but we definitely enjoyed our dinner here. A simple yet delicious and satisfying one indeed!

Address:

Hawker Stalls behind First Beach Cafe
Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu