Hello ... been missing you Blog!

Nearly June 2017! Almost 6 months from the last entry. But I am making a comeback (said that before didn't I?) and Coffee Girl is back! Didn't realize I miss writing again until I log in to this almost-dusty space.

To sum it up, been pretty busy since February with work stuffs. I thought I could catch a breath in between, apparently not. But it's not necessarily a bad thing, in fact I sort of expected them and thus was mentally prepared.

Got to make a short one today since I'm borrowing a bit of time to stall over an assignment. So here's what I had been up to this week: A short work-related trip down the currently underway Pan Borneo Highway via Sematan to Telok Melano.

 With colleagues and peers at the Pan Borneo Highway...

And as for my little girl, she is now 2 years 5 months and has been diaper-free for the last 2 months! Wohoo! More on that later. Last week she had a high fever coupled with coughing and flu, all which made her rather clingy and cranky especially at nights. Whenever people asked me my secret to weight-loss (a bit only lah, all those post-baby fat), I would just answer 'lack of sleep' because I know my diet hasn't change all that much. Yup!

2yo Sasa having her breakfast...

It'll be June soon and a much-needed holiday is coming up! Will be back with more updates! Here's wishing all my Dayak friends and all those celebrating the upcoming festive! SELAMAT HARI GAWAI! HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

And to all those looking forward to the upcoming Ramadhan month, SELAMAT BERPUASA!

Ah Huat Instant White Coffee...

Instant coffee current fix? Here goes...

I grabbed a packet of Ah Huat 3-in-1 White Coffee from Everrise fast lane counter the other day, and I've been hooked on this brand ever since. Grabbing just any on the go was actually a gamble since 2 out of 3 times I always ended up disliking the taste and therefore blacklisting the brand while the packet will be left untouched until it reaches the expiry date (and then disposed of). A waste of money.

But this one time gamble paid off. Who knew right? Which is why you should never gamble.

Anyway, back to Ah Huat brand.  The one that got me started was the 'Classic' type. Delightfully, it wasn't sweet at all and not aromatic either (I hate it when my coffee smells weird...). It smells like white coffee, thankfully, and tasted even better... creamy but slightly bitter on the side.

And then I tried the 'Low Fat' type. It was even less sweet and slightly more bitter than the Classic. The 'low fat' tag kind of give me a better feeling but of course we all know it's probably a lie, but who cares?

Ah Huat Low Fat White Coffee (blue), Ah Huat ClassicWhite Coffee (brown...

By the way, ignore the OldTown White Coffee satchet. I like the hot cup they make for me at Old Town cafe, but the instant one is nothing close to it. This one is actually bitter than I prefer, like it lacks sugar and cream altogether. So... this is one of the failed gamble I was talking about earlier.

While I would still take Aik Cheong 2in1 once in a while (I still have a few satchets left and the brand is also not too bad), I have altogether chucked Kopiko (too bland), Super (too bland and too smelly), CheckHup Ipoh White Coffee King (too sweet and creamy and gave me headache) and Nescafe (stopped being a fan since 2003, too sweet and smells weird). By bland I mean my system has probably gotten used to them and therefore just doesn't do the trick anymore. Sorry for these bunch, no offense.

Yes I agree instant coffee is not good for health especially on a frequent basis... but it's as close to having a good quick cup of coffee whenever I feel like having one. This one trick I swear by: When your pee starts to smell like coffee, do a few days' detox and go coffee-free until your pee stop smelling like coffee. Now I remember why I stopped taking Nescafe 3in1...

On a different note, the coffee at any coffee shops served using traditional cups and saucers, priced at RM1.20... is still the best kind.

Have a good weekend ahead people!

Caffeine therapy at The Coffee Clinic, Kuching...

Well Hello December! My favourite month of the year!

Today's routine trip to the obgyn stresses one thing only: that I should be actively mobile and spend time doing rounds at all the malls in town for Christmas shopping and buy things we don't need, since we still have a few more days before the EDD. A good therapy, that. 

A session with the doc and the ultrasound adventure always make me feel like celebrating. So that's how we ended at The Coffee Clinic, another new coffee place opening up in Kuching. Well they have been around a few months earlier, it's just new to me because I haven't been living up to my namesake expectation of late... but let's not go there.

Overall outlook. Photo: Coffee Clinic Facebook

This place is really pretty, for lack of a better word. Kinda like what I imagine my dream coffee place will be like someday (if I ever I get to relive that dream, ever). Small, cozy, tastefully decorated, a little homely, and a lovely setup for a first coffee date or meet-up or get-together. There wasn't any loud music at the time of my visit... just some low melody barely heard playing in the background. 

They have a range of coffee brew and flavor for you to choose from... served either hot or cold, ice-blended, or straight from that little tube-like lab glasses that oozes off steam and dripping off black concoction. (Sorry no demo pic). And they also have fruit flavored tea and classic branded tea. Ask for the flavor of the day tea! It sounded like fun! Except I already ordered my latter, so perhaps next time.

Front counter...

They also have cakes and biscuits and biscotti to go with your drink. The cake selections may not be as elaborate as Secret Recipe's or Starbuck's, but they have quite a lovely range to feast your eyes upon. 

The cake counter...

Meanwhile, the hot caramel latte macchiato I ordered was exquisite and looking really fine, served with a really creamy and melt-in-your-mouth almond cookie...

Caramel latte macchiato... a pretty one...

... To go with my cheesy chicken panini. They also have pasta, burgers, finger food... but for this time, nothing too heavy, after all it's just mid morning. The toasted panini was not bad either, since I wasn't expecting anything fancy. It was enough to assuage the morning hunger pang.

Cheesy chicken panini...

My partner in crime on the other hand, decided to order their Meal of the Day -- Ayam Penyet -- knowing full well it might be a gamble. And a gamble it was... in which they lost. I had a taste and all I can say is... If you had called it Grilled Chicken Rice instead of Ayam Penyet, my system would learn to accept and appreciate it better. Because in fact the dish is okay, it's just the name that would make you expect more.

Ayam Penyet, menu of the day...

Anyway, I didn't manage to snap a few other shots of the interior and exterior as I was too busy trying to settle my big belly down. Haha. But credits to blogger Dora for this lovely shot of the upper bunker seats, kinda like an attic seating setup, with contemporary handrails, and seats a maximum 5. 

Photo: Blogger Dora Yeu

Overall, I'd say getting your dose of coffee fix at a clinic like this may be a little pricey, but hey... once a while, when it's worth the drink, why not? My blood type is coffee, it says. 

The midmorning damage...

Hey listen, I won't recommend coffee for pregnant ladies, but talk to your doctor first. I got my clearance at just a cup a day (including coca cola, tea and all other caffeine intake) since I began, so don't judge me. =) This is the only clinic legal to give you the kind of high you need in a cup. 

Location: Refer to the receipt above. It's at Jalan Song. Next to The Bedroom, same row with Secret Recipe. Right opposite the road from CityOne Mall. You can't miss it.

Have a great December everyone! 

Review: Best Laksa Sarawak in Kuching...

According to me, that is.

Street food, hawker's favorite, uniquely Sarawak... whatever it is called, this dish has always been my favorite Saturday morning breakfast. Laksa Sarawak is easy to find all over Kuching compared to other parts of Sarawak, but whether you like what you're being served is very subjective and entirely up to your taste buds. Or if you're a little industrious and diligent, then hey you can also opt to fix a bowl on your own!

But in case you're new in town --- and remember this is a review based on MY taste buds only --- and is looking for some awesome Laksa Sarawak experience, here's MY Top 10 places to have the best Kuching.

1. Fat Cat Cafe, Stutong 
- same row with J&J Cafeteria Stutong and next to Ambank
- RM6 for a big bowl. Steamed chicken as per photo below is additionally ordered from the chicken rice next stall (cause I like my chicken in big pieces instead of shredded)
- Very consistent in taste.
- Opens daily but they normally finished serving by 11am, so wake up early man.
- This Cafe is usually crowded in the weekends but not so bad on other days
- My rating: 10 star!

Fat Cat Laksa...

 
2.  Chong Choon Cafe, Jalan Abell
- same row with Air Asia sales office; Raja Ayam Bakar)
- Around RM6 - RM8 for a big bowl
- Also consistent in taste. And they also have a very big glass of teh C peng to go with it.
- Normally finished serving by 11am, so if you're late, then it's your own fault.
- This cafe is almost always packed with customers so sharing tables with smiling strangers are almost always a necessity too. Food connects people, yes?
- My rating: 9 star

 Chong Choon Laksa...

3. Sin Chong Choon Cafe, Green Height Commercial Centre

- just right behind the Cold Storage

- very crowded during peak breakfast hour at any time of the day so if you mind waiting, you can nicely ask to share table, although waiting for an empty table won't be that long

- Around RM8 for a big bowl

- We usually order steamed chicken drumstick (no rice) from the next stall to add in to our laksa (the chicken rice is also not bad weh)

- My rating: 7 star (or 6.5 if they don't have the coriander leaves which I love so much in my laksa)

Sin Chong Choon laksa...

4. Foody Goody Cafe, Stutong/Jalan Setia Raja
- the next block of shop before Kuching Specialist Hospital; in fact it's also almost at the same area with Fat Cat Cafe, just different blocks of shops
- reasonably priced for a big bowl, although sometimes the prawns are not so big even when you ask for a special bowl (which they make up for with quantity)
- Business is brisk and the good news is they normally finish by 12pm, if you're lucky, which is convenient for me in case Fat Cat laksa is gone, I can always opt to come here as a second choice
- My rating: 6.5

 

Foody Goody Laksa...

5. Mom's Laksa, Jalan Semarak or at any location
- This cafe has a few branches in Kuching, just watchout for the logo (with the same name)
- The one I normally visit is at nearby Gita/Matang area, opposite Bemmers Cafe, because it's closer to home. There's another one at Jalan Astana, Petra Jaya
- Opens daily (7am - 11pm)
- The gravy is slightly thick and creamy and sometimes they have king prawn to go with it, if they don't run out of stock too fast
- My rating: 5.5

Mom's Laksa...

6. Fu Xiang Food Court, in between Rubber Road/Jalan Satok
- I might have missed the road signs but this food court is right opposite Hong Leong Bank in Satok (this side of the road on Rubber Road) before you pass by the Original Car Wash
- The laksa here is not bad, in fact if they also serve it with the green soup leaves (or coriander), I might've frequented it more often since it's not that far away
- The gravy is consistently nice
- We also usually order extra steamed chicken meat from the next stall just to add more bites to it
- My rating: 5 (also because the lady owner is sweet)

Fu Xiang laksa...

7. Madam Tang's Cafe, Jalan Petanak, Padungan
- ah king prawn, the 'big special' is priced at RM12, last time I ordered
- The gravy is nice but not always consistent, sometimes it's a bit salty and sometimes slightly bland but I supposed I can forgive them for the amount of garnishing they usually put
- Laksa is served throughout the day although lunchtime would be very packed and you won't be able to find an empty table for awhile
- My rating: 4.5

 

Madam Tang laksa...

8. Ciak Pa Boi Cafe, Jalan Datuk Tawi Sli
- Near 3rd Mile roundabout and Jua Joo Park, you can't miss it on your coming down from the flyover heading to Boulevard Mall
- The good thing about the laksa here is that it opens from morning till late at night
- A special order would have the red pork meat in them (so this makes it non-halal)
- The gravy is not bad (although can be better) and the portion is big
- My Rating: 4.5

Ciak Pa Boi laksa...

9. Yee Ho Yan Cafe, Matang Jaya
- Is a new cafe, same block with a discount score
- Now this place was introduced by an avid food critic on FB.
- Overall I'd say it was ok
- Gravy slightly lacking in the creamy department but the presentation is nice; the lady selling it was also friendly. If all else fails, I'd probably make this the second last resort
- My Rating: 4; but you gotta try it to rate it yourself

 

Yee Ho yan laksa...

10. Garden Cafe Laksa, Golden Arch, Hua Joo Park
- right at the 3rd Mile roundabout, can't miss it
- Finding a parking would be a slightly challenging task
- The laksa sarawak here used to be the talk of the town due to its big prawns and real creamy gravy.
- Lately I found the gravy getting spicier, like hot spicy, the kind that can make your nose run.
- The service is fast and the waitresses are always friendly especially to regular customers, so points scored for that.
- On a normal craving day, this would be my last resort
- My Rating: 3.5 

 Golden Arch laksa...

So there you have it! You either take my word for it or you don't, that's entirely up to you. And there are actually a lot more other places selling really nice Laksa Sarawak, but probably I haven't discovered them. These ones above have been tested and tried.

 

And if you noticed, most of these cafes have Chinese names, but that's Sarawak for you. And don't be worried about its state of halal or non-halal. Most Laksa Sarawak do not have pork or lard in them (otherwise you would be informed about it). Or to be safe, you can always opt to visit Muslim cafes selling laksa. :-)

 

ON THE OVERALL FRONT... And this goes without saying...

Of course, I still prefer my own home-made laksa sarawak (below) because I can customised however I want, add more prawns than I dare and play around with the garnishing according to my own taste buds. You can read about that little laksa adventure HERE.

Coffee Girl's home made laksa...

Bon appétit and have a great laksa ahead people! :-)

Homemade Cucur Cempedak ... Checked!

So I had been craving for this delicious coffee-time delicacies for a few days and finally managed to assuage the yearning last night, by fixing it on my own at home since it's really difficult to find stalls selling this stuff anywhere in Kuching.

The locals call it Cempedak. I don't know the English word for it, but it is in the same family with jackfruit and breadfruit. But of course, cempedak is softer, lusher, and best eaten as cucur cempedak (or cempedak fritters), for me lah. This fruit is in season now and easily found in your local farmers market for a price of RM3-RM5 per fruit, depending on the size and level of ripeness.

Ok now pictures, do your stuff. Let me take a back seat while I imagine eating them again.

Step 1: Get a ripe or medium ripe fruit. You can ask advice from your seller the best one to make fritters with. The too ripe one will be too mushy and might caramelize the whole mixture later.

Source: EverydayMalaysia.com

Step 2: Cut the fruit open. Notice the perfect yellowish medium ripe colour...

Some people prefer to fry the flesh with the seeds together, but I prefer mine all fleshy. Your preference really, I just don't like to chew the seeds while enjoying my fritters, and besides, the seeds tend to be undercooked anyway (and might end up thrown away).

Step 3: My preference? Using clean hand, separate the flesh ...

Step 4: ... from the seeds. Put the seeds aside, we'll deal with that later...

Step 5: For the flour mixture, combine regular wheat flour with a pinch of salt and enough water in a bowl. Then immerse the cempedak flesh inside the batter, ready for deep-frying ...

Step 6: Heat enough regular oil inside a deep-frying pan, then carefully scoop and put the immersed cempedak in, one by one...

Step 7: Wait for 5 - 8 minutes or until it has turned a slight gold, then turn them over and fry for another 5 - 8 minutes until completely turned gold. Watch your frying temperature...

Step 8: Scoop them out, and tadaaaaa!! First batch is done! Get ready for the next batch until you finished frying the whole lot...

Step 9: Fork one and take a bite while it's still hot! Or bring them over for some good cuddling time in front of the TV while watching Lifetime Channel with your loved one...

That was easy right? I'm no chef, but when the time calls for desperate measure, then we will answer the call!

Oh by the way, as for the seeds, those are edible too. For the final step...

Step 10: If you had decided to split them from the flesh, you can boil this inside a pot for like maybe 20 -30 minutes on medium fire or until the seed is soft. Sprinkle a pinch of salt for some flavor. When the seeds has softened, hey it's cooked! Drained, serve and best taken on its own, like you would eat boiled peanuts... or sprinkle with melted brown sugar and have some with sugar-free tea. :-)

So that's it then. What baby wants, baby gets. Have a fun cucur cempedak day everyone! 

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Note: Pictures of Xiaomi Mi3 quality only.