Lanzhou feast

It was meant to be celebratory feast for Jan for her best STPM result. Same time we wanted to try out new cuisine, new place. 

Lanzhou Ramen, a Chinese restaurant in The Podium. 

The place wasn't that packed when we were there. The staff was eager to usher us to our table and since everything was ordered online, so it took us a while to choose our food. 

This onion pancake was like our version of roti canai but thicker version. Very crispy. We all enjoyed that. 

As this is a Lanzhao restaurant, of course we must try out its handmade noodle. Hubby went for its beef noodle, with thick beef broth. 

Its jiao zi is also a must-order. It only had the leek type, so we went for that. Tasted fine but I personally like the cabbage filling. 

My mil and girl went for pork rib soup base which was quite tasty and flavourful. Meanwhile, I went for milder taste with the boys. We opted for the white radish base. It was rather bland so we needed to add the sauce for more flavour. 

The smoked beef slice was one of their signature dishes. Only hubby and I ate most of the slices since the others not so into beef. Dry for me but I guess that was how smoked meat supposed to be. 

Overall it was a different kind of cuisine experience for us. Not so much to our liking but we gave it a try. If you ask me if we would come back again, I don't think so. 

Time flies to 2026

My eldest Jan finished her STPM last year and scored  aggregate PNGK 4.0 in her exam. What a huge accomplishment for her after about 2 years of hard work in Form 6. 

On June 2026, when result was announced, she and top achievers from Sarawak went to attend STPM result ceremony in Kuching. 

Photo taking after ceremony in SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg Kuching

Then the following week, the school organised its own appreciation ceremony in their hall. 12 top achievers with 4.0 this year from the school, making it on Top 4 among all the schools in Sarawak. Well done to SMK Green Road Kuching. First 3 schools are from Sibu. 

With this, she has concluded her diploma level and now plans to pursue degree in Bioscience. She has been offered by Swinburne but still waiting for more universities offer via UPU portal. So now she is enjoying her life, helping at the shop and not to think too much about university yet. Enrolment is expected in September this year. 

With free education offered by Sarawak government this year, we are encouraging her to study in local university here. But final decision is up to her. 

Dinner @ Kim Seafood

A family dinner last weekend. Our first time to this Kim Seafood Restaurant in Jalan Ellis. This place used to be a car wash but many years ago. 

A small sized restaurant with less than 10 tables in the air-conditioned room. Those who opted for outdoor and smoking zone, there was few roofed seating arrangements right in front of the restaurant. 

Served no pork, this restaurant has good dishes selection. Price is reasonable. 

We have this bok choy dish which tasted good. Nothing to shout about. 

Sea cucumber soup used to be my favourite as a kid and now I still enjoy this thick, eggy soup. 

The oyster omelette wasn't that great. The crispy pancake batter was a bit on thicker side so it wasn't nice to bite in. 

I liked this nestum chicken strip. It was appetising and addictive. Really good to take with white rice. 

The Mongolian lamb was alright. Well seasoned and the meat wasn't that tough. 

We ordered another vegetable which was stir fried Hong Kong kailan. I preferred this more. 

Their signature beancurd was nice. Soft inside with crispy skin. 

Overall a decent dining experience. Nice and cozy ambiance.  Spent over RM250 for all plus drinks. 

 

Morning time

It is my shop's off day today so I brought my mil to market to buy grocery. After that, we went to this pan mee shop for breakfast.

My mil paid for the breakfast so I wasn't aware of the pricing. We both had the same fried pan mee,; not big portion but enough for us, small eaters. Big thick noodle with some fried anchovies and cangkuk manis fried in soy sauce. It was sweet but you could add its homemade garlic and dried chilli flakes for added taste.

Mil also ordered this chicken floss toast. RM3 for this set. Sweet toast as the chicken floss and mayonnaise were sweet. 

We headed home after our breakfast. Now my girl started to drive to school, so she together with her brother went to school together. I only need to send the youngest to his school as it is nearby. My youngest is in primary 6  now, so next year he will go to secondary school and in afternoon classes. Less on the road for me since my girl can drive to school. No need to rush in and out. Less stress for me. 

Lui Cha

If you are looking for some detox or healthier remedy, this dish will be a good option. A change from eating noodle or meat dish, we now have Hakka Lui Cha for you.

Lui cha or Thunder rice literally translated is a tea based traditional Hakka dish originated from China. 

Lui cha has a beautiful history but lengthy preparation as its ingredients need to be chopped or grinded properly. Traditionally prepared in mortar and pestle, now most people use blender to prepare the dish.  Groundnuts, tea leaves, vegetables, beancurd and other herbs are parts of this healthy and vibrant rice dish. 

You could just pour the bitter soup into the bowl and mix everything up. Or you could just eat it dry, without the soup as most people are not used to the butter tea leaves soup. I like to miss a bit of the soup into the rice and mix all the ingredients. Taste? A bit of sweet and bitter. Bring a Hakka myself, I have been exposed to Lui Cha at a young age. Of course based on own preference, you could find-tune the taste of the soup; make it more enjoyable and sweeter. 

If you are curious to know how it tastes like, do from by to my coffee shop. Open now. 

Ren ri

It is Ren Ri today so wishing everyone Happy Birthday. 

Traditionally we would be having Lui Cha on this special day. There will be Hakka Lui Cha stall opening this week but not in time for today. Will blog about the new stall once they open.

So let's have some Foochow chicken mee suah instead. Comforting and warm noodle soup with fragrant red wine drizzled on it. Definitely nice to take during this wet season.

Oriental in Kuching

 Yes, Oriental Kopi is finally in Kuching. 

We went for breakfast at this eatery chain this morning. It opens at 9 am so we reached there slightly before that time and it already has few tables occupied. 

A must-order was its famous egg tart. This tart was super addictive with its creamy and buttery custard filling with crispy outer pastry puff. 

Our morning completed with its beautiful half boiled egg and well toasted double butter and kaya toast. 

Here came our main dishes. The girl went for Signature Nasi Lemak, which looked good and appetising. Such a hearty dish for breakfast but she managed to finish most of it. 

Mil and the boys opted for the same dish, which was fried chicken meat kampung mee hoon. 

Curry cheese Cheong fun was hubby's order, which was slightly spicy and sweet. 

Oriental chicken hot fun was my comfort food this morning. Mild flavoured broth accompanied the noodle. 

No one ordered its signature coffee since besides hubby, no one is a coffee drinker. Hubby didn't felt like drinking coffee this morning so he chose iced teh cincau (glass jelly iced milk tea). 

Soon the outlet was packed and long queue outside the place. Luckily we came early because within minutes we seated, hardly vacant tables left. 

After settling our bills and packed 2 sets of egg tarts, we left and went for CNY visiting. Fortunately the rain had stopped after few days of rains. 

Here wishing everyone Happy Chinese New Year. Wish you good health, happiness and prosperity in the Year of Wood Snake. Gong Xi Fa Cai.