6 noodle dishes you should try in Penang

The noodles in Penang are renowned in Asia as some of the best. Although there are plenty of other good reasons to visit the big island in Malaysia, the foods attract attention and admiration from people all over the world.

Char Kway Teow

You'll encounter this heavy, filling noodle dish under many spellings such as "char koay" or just "kway teow."

As the name implies, the noodles have a deliberately charred and slightly burned aroma that comes from the wok. Kway teow was once the dish of choice for poor laborers who needed a filling meal to keep them going. The dish is usually prepared with pork fat, fish cake, egg, and prawns.

Hokkien Mee

Named after the Chinese immigrants to Penang, Hokkien mee (sometimes spelled "mie") often contains barbecued pork sliced into thin strips, prawns, shallots, and a fish-based chili paste. Yellow egg noodles are mixed with rice vermicelli.

The version of Hokkien mee in Penang differs a little from other places because it is spicier. The hearty broth is made from pork bones and shrimp shells.

Penang Laksa

Laksa is a famous dish celebrated throughout Southeast Asia, however, Penang has put a special twist on it. A little fishy and seasoned with lemongrass, ginger, and mint, Penang's take on laksa is a unique taste that you'll never forget.

Penang laksa is a variant of asam laksa — both are slightly sour thanks to sour mangosteen fruit — rather than sweet as are laksa variants based on coconut milk.

Mee Rebus

Mee rebus is a noodle dish often prepared with ketchup or a sweet tomato gravy; lime provides citrus that offsets the sweet taste. Expect yellow egg noodles, half of a boiled egg, and shallots.

Mee Goreng

Mee goreng simply translates to "fried noodles" and can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on the whim and style of the street food hawker. Noodles can be rice, egg, or in a worst-case scenario, the same "instant" noodles upon which starving college students sometimes rely.

Mee goreng — prepared by Indian-Muslim hawkers in Mamak eateries — is a good option for avoiding the pork typically found in other noodle dishes.

Loh Mee

This noodle soup is thickened with egg and corn starch into a gravy that lends a somewhat-slimy texture to an otherwise-tasty noodle dish. The noodles are usually thick, yellow noodles. That mysterious, spongy option seen floating in the dish is a slice of fishcake.

Loh mee is sometimes spelled as "lor mee."

See more: Top 11 destinations to visit in Malacca

Source: Internet

Where to find the most delicious dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong

If there’s one type of cuisine in Hong Kong that you’ll likely want to eat, again and again, it’s dim sum. These delicious bite-size dishes, like a Chinese version, is Hong Kong classic version. Usually served for breakfast or lunch, the difficult part is choosing where to go amid the dizzying number of options.

1. Tim Ho Wan

Ever since Tim Ho Wan was awarded a Michelin star in 2010, they’ve become known as the most affordable Michelin-starred dim-sum spot in Hong Kong. Much to the delight of local diners, they’ve kept their affordable prices (about US$1.30 to US$3 per dish) which is extremely reasonable. They are renowned for their traditional Hong Kong dumplings like siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) and, no surprise, they are also renowned for long queues – so best to get there as early as possible.

✔ Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

2. Lin Heung Tea House

For the best traditional dim sum experience, Lin Heung Tea House ticks all the boxes. They specialize in old-fashioned dishes such as Chinese sausage rolls, pork dumplings topped with liver and even juicy chicken feet. If you want to experience a traditional Cantonese dim sum dining experience then look no further. It’s often hot, noisy, crowded and a feast for all the senses, but this is about as authentic as it gets in Hong Kong.

✔ 162 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

3. Lock Cha Tea House

Since the majority of dim sum dishes contain meat, vegetarians often feel that they miss out. However, this is not the case at Lock Cha Tea House who is renowned for their exceedingly tasty vegetarian dim sum. The fried turnip cake and fried squash dumplings are must-try dishes. The added bonus is that Lock Cha is one of the most famous tea houses in town. For those of you looking for a good brew, or are interested to learn more about Chinese tea culture and ceremony, this is the place to come.

See more: Check out Hong Kong Michelin food guides

4. Yan Toh Heen

Eating at Hong Kong’s Intercontinental Hotel is always a classy affair and Yan Toh Heen is no exception. Nothing much else can rival these two Michelin star restaurant. The dim sum here is highly praised and recommended by many of the top concierges in town. The options are vast, but their Superior Dumpling combinations are among the most popular items on the menu. Prices are reasonable given the quality of what’s on offer here. Service is impeccable and to top it off, the restaurant also boasts spectacular view overlooking the Victoria Harbour.

✔ Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

5. Dim Sum Icon

Playful and creative dim sum is the order of the day at Dim Sum Icon. They specialize in a cheeky take on dim sum classics with dumplings decorated as popular cartoon characters and other imaginative variations. Think chocolate buns with an egg custard that oozes out when squeezed. It’s all in the name of fun. Highly Instagrammable dim sum would best describe it.

✔ L308, 3/F, The ONE 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Source Internet

The best coffee shops you should try in Pai, Thailand

The town of Pai, Thailand is famous for its coffee shops and it is easy to see why. Coffee shops line the street of this little town, all offering a different vibe and menu. Looking for epics view while sipping on coffee shops? Want to practice a little yoga before getting your morning fix? Prefer a quiet spot where nobody can find you? Below are some coffee shops for you to explore.

Ten Belles

Ten Belles was one of the city's original specialty coffee shops, it continues to turn out high quality house blends roasted by Belleville Brulerie. But due to its small square footage, this spot does brisk takeaway business. Expect regulars, coffee fanatics, and tourists on a stroll through the neighborhood.

Pai Siam Bistro

It is as though there is some kind of force from the gods that brings people to visit, and fall in love with, Pai. It may be because it is a quiet town surrounded by mountains and gorgeous rice paddy fields, or that the journey to this place, from Chiang Mai to Pai, is a treacherous drive through the mountains that makes it seem like all other forms of civilization are beyond physical reach.

Coffee in Love 

The most famous coffee shop in Pai is one actually on the outskirts of town, Coffee in Love. Every one of my Thai friends that is visited Pai has spent well over two hours here just drinking a latte and taking photographs, as it is so beautiful. Built like a Swiss chalet, it has a beautiful view looking out over a stunning valley with mountains in the distance.

Do not miss sitting out on the lovely wooden deck, where you can enjoy one of the best hot lattes. Do not forget to take pictures too, particularly next to their famous sign. Located on the main highway into town, just a couple of minutes from Pai.

Cafecito

Cafecito’s popularity for Mexican food is undeniable, and the coffee is no afterthought. In fact, Cafecito’s coffee is amongst the best rated coffee in Pai and was number 1 until The Pedlar came along.

Alongside its great coffee, Cafecito serves authentic Mexican food, with an all-day breakfast menu and a short list of well-prepared Mexican classics. The in-house baker makes all their breads and flour tortillas from scratch, with a daily selection of home-baked cakes as well.

Read more: Top things to explore in Pai, Thailand

Khaota

Khaota has a loyal following amongst local Thais in Pai, so much so that even in this small town, they have two locations.

Khaota roast their own coffee in-house using locally sourced Thai coffee beans, and though a little on the darker side, the coffee is nonetheless good. Aside from the occasional cookie, there is no food menu at Khaota, so do not plan for breakfast here.

Source Internet