Clarity

Clarity

Saturday 15 March 2014

Food: Jal-Dae-Ji Korean Restaurant @ One Ampang Business Avenue

For those who know me well enough, I've been a Korean enthusiast since a few years back. It started when I fell in love with Super Junior and then subsequently, I started being into K-drama. Slowly, I developed a liking for Korean food as well or better known as '한식' (Hansik). 'Han' literally means Korean and 'sik' means cuisine.

I began making my own 'kimchi' (fermented cabbage) because it was just too costly to purchase them from supermarkets. I was extremely adventurous as well as I tried making my own 'kimchi jjigae' (kimchi stew) and 'doenjang jjigae' (bean paste stew) from recipes on Youtube. All in all, I guess you can say I'm an all rounded fan of everything Korean!

Oh, I speak basic Korean too, yes, it's definitely from watching too many K-dramas. Haha.

Anyway, for those who wish to seek for yummy Korean food, then Ampang 'Korean Village' is a perfect place. They have at least 20 restaurants here for you to choose from. I've been there a few times to get my ingredients for my homemade 'kimchi' and in fact, I have tried out a few places there before too.

Last Thursday, I had the privilege to attend a food review session at Jal-Dae-Ji and it was an authentic Korean experience.Thank goodness it wasn't too jam when we reached about 7 pm. The restaurant was half filled with customers at that time and it wasn't even specifically dinner time yet.

The boss, Mr Lee ushered us to our seats and brought along the menu. He mentioned that it was better for him to select the dishes which he wants us to try as there were too many on the list for us to choose from.

Before anything else arrive, of course the usual 'banchan' (side dishes) arrive first.


'Banchan'
The variety is impressive, ain't it? These can be refilled for free at all Korean restaurants by the way. At Jal-Dae-Ji, they change theirs daily and everyday it will be different types of side dishes. The only thing that remains constant is the staple 'kimchi' of course.


For the barbecued/grilled meat, Mr Lee picked a few for us.



 'Young Yang Galbi' (Young Beef Ribs)
Look at those marbled, high grade beef! I included pictures of before and after grilling because I needed you guys to see how good it looks. These were served with mushrooms and the beef ribs were so juicy and tender. Well-marinated and fragrant, this is a definite must have at every dinner table.


 'Dwae Ji Galbi' (Pork)
According to Mr Lee, this was marinated for a few days. No wonder the taste seeps right in to the bones and it is so yummy! I like how this isn't too salty and the meat isn't too chewy either. 


 'Dak Galbi' (Chicken)
Now, I shall teach you guys the right way to eat the grilled meat. 

1. The first bite should be the pure meat itself, so that you can savour the true taste of the meat. 
2. Secondly, dip the meat into the special sauce. Place the pickled salad mix (this is slightly sour and salty at the same time) and meat on a piece of lettuce. 
3.Take a small piece of garlic and put a little spicy pepper paste/'ssamjang' on it. 
4. Wrap the lettuce together and place it all in your mouth.
5. Savour and chew slowly!

To be honest, this is the FIRST time I have eaten a wrap with the pickled salad mix. Most of the Korean restaurants I've been to, they don't serve this together with the grilled meat. I think that the salad mix actually compliments the meat and I wished more restaurants would go through the trouble to prepare this.


 'Gochujang Samgyeopsal' (Pork Belly)
This was a special serving given by Mr Lee personally for us to try. This was so flavorful and chewy, it was my favourite of the night. It wasn't too dry and the fat in the meat usually gives it a slightly smooth texture compared to other grilled items.


'Bulgogi' (Grilled Marinated Beef')
I had this previously in Korea, and this tasted pretty much the same. The only difference was the way they served this. It is recommended to eat this with rice or else, it'll be too salty. Serving size wise, this is pretty decent.


'Kimchi Jjigae' (Kimchi Stew)
My all time favourite! Out of all the kimchi stew I've tried before, this is the least spicy version and it had that sourish ketchup taste to it as well. It was a rich broth and there were meat, tofu, straw mushrooms, cabbage in this. 


'Haemul Pajeon' (Seafood Scallion Pancake)
This is pretty similar to the Chinese pancake with chives which I genuinely dislike. However, it wasn't so bad because they had some seafood in this. It wasn't too thick as well and I guess the sauce served together with this will compliment its flavor.


'Tteokbokki' (Spicy Rice Cake)
Korea's most popular street food. This is chewy and I liked how they serve this with eggs. Oh, don't worry, this isn't too spicy! Reminds me of Malaysia's very own 'chee cheong fun' actually.


'Bibim Guksu'  (Stirred Noodles)
This is a traditional Korean noodle dish which is served cold and made out of thin wheat flour noodles. The noodles are slightly soft and taste wise, it is a little sweet and sour probably from the vinegar and sugar used.


Ta-da! A picture grabbed from my Instagram at the restaurant :)

I'll be definitely going back to try the other items on their almost neverending menu. Here's their Facebook for those of you who are curious to head over.

The address is as below:

B-41, One Ampang Business Avenue, Jalan Ampang Utama 2/2, Kuala Ampang, Malaysia.
016-671 4625

Sunday 9 March 2014

Food: Tai Lei Loi Kei @ Taipan, USJ

I've heard previously of this restaurant, Tai Lei Loi Kei from my friends on their infamous pork chop bun which originated from Macau. First thought that came to my head was that it was probably somewhat similar to the usual burgers. 

Anyway, I headed over to try it out because yes, I've never tried it before. We went to the Taipan USJ branch, but bear in mind that they have 17 outlets altogether in Malaysia and there are plans to expand to Penang as well as Malacca.

Okay, now let's have a look at the food!



Signature Pork Chop Bun
What a generous portion of pork chop! I would have to say that this was definitely one of the best dish of the day. The meat was tender and juicy at the same time. The bun was toasted and buttered, I really loved the flavour and combination!


Polo Pork Chop Bun
This is exactly the same as the previous one. The only difference is that the bun used for this is a pineapple flavoured bun or 'polo' bun as it is more famously known. I didn't quite enjoy this combination because I felt the sweetness of the bun failed to compliment the meat which was more to savoury and salty.


Signature Pork Chop Bun with Cheese & Ham
Yums! Honestly, the add-ons brought out the flavour of the pork chop :) This definitely satisfied my cravings and the serving size is really huge.



Pork Chop Bouncing Noodles
This noodles came with add-ons of luncheon meat, ham and a fried egg. They served the pork chop in a separate plate. The texture of the noodles was bouncy as the name suggests and it is made out of duck eggs which I found extremely unique. 


Supreme Chicken Chop Rice with Egg
I didn't like this at all. The chicken chop was way too salty while the rice which smelled of pork lard was just nauseating for me. I can almost imagine the amount of calories this have for a health freak like myself.


Fish Ball Curry Noodles
This was similar to the Nyonya laksa as it is filled with 'santan' (coconut milk). The soup was quite rich and a bit spicy. Although this would probably be high in cholesterol, I think it's worth it!


Macau Chicken Wings
The chicken was well grilled and wasn't too oily for me. It's best to eat this once its served hot because the skin isn't crispy anymore if left uneaten for a long time. For the price, I think the serving is pretty decent. 


Original Sawdust Cake
A pure indulgence! This cake is made only from milk and cream. The consistency and texture was exactly the same as ice cream. The perfect dessert for those who like something mild after a heavy meal. Don't be afraid to try this because the 'sawdust' is actually biscuit crumbs! :)

That's all, lovelies! I'll definitely head there again sometime soon for their lovely pork chop buns and sawdust cake. Overall, I think this place is great for those who students like me to hang out on the weekends. Be prepared to spend approximately RM 20 for a decent meal here.

Here's the address!

Tai Lei Loi Kei
4A, Jalan USJ 10/1J, Top Speed Business Centre, Subang Jaya, Puchong.

Tuesday 4 March 2014

Review: Never a dry moment with NIVEA’s In-Shower Skin Conditioner

Dry skin have been a hassle for me these days as the weather erratically changes. It's been so hot that I can't even remember when was the last time it rained cats and dogs. Perhaps it was since Chinese New Year that the weather started becoming unbelievably humid and sunny. Not to mention, the haze has become increasingly bad and my skin texture is definitely deteriorating.

Anyway, I discovered the solution to moisturise even the most dry, scaly & unglamourous skin. Well, my sister recommended that I try NIVEA's brand new In-Shower Skin Conditioner and the first thought that ran through my mind was 'Oh, they have hair conditioner around and now they even want a SKIN Conditioner?!'. 



Who would have thought that it would become my Holy Grail now :)

The story continues on with me trying it out when she gave me a full sized bottle because according to her, I'd be missing out on a whole lot if I didn't try it. To make her happy, I decided to give it a go and trust me, that soft, silky feeling of your skin right after using the skin conditioner is to die for! My skin seemed to be more plump and hydrated with just the first use. However, after rinsing, you will start feeling like there's a protective coat over your skin but fret not, as all you need to do is wipe your body dry with a towel and you're good to go. I believe NIVEA's selling point is its Almond Oil in the product which nourishes the skin from deep within.


I've decided to include a picture of the real product for your viewing purposes. The consistency is exactly the same as a mix between hair conditioner and lotion to me.


This could definitely compensate for my regular moisturising lotion which is something I rarely do these days because of the lack of time. The fragrance of the skin conditioner is pretty mild and rather, natural I would say. I've said goodbye to my previous lotions who've claimed to work but ended up being sticky. Sometimes, I had to air dry myself for at least an hour before going to bed because I felt disgusted at the thought of rolling around in bed with lotion on my body.

This was exactly what I used to feel like!



Well, now, what more can I ask for when you can just protect your skin while enjoying your shower and save precious time? NIVEA's In-Shower Skin Conditioner is the perfect answer for a busy bee like me!

So, if any of you are having problems with dry skin, try this out and you'll love it, just like me. Click here to watch the promo video!

Toodles!

Monday 3 March 2014

Food: Frenz Cafe @ Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas

I'll be honest with you, I'm not a person who would usually walk into a cafe for a meal. Firstly, because it's probably too pricey or the food isn't yummy at all.

However, I recently went on a food review session at Frenz Cafe in Plaza Damas. The ambience was definitely cosy and almost instantaneously, I get a wave of homey feeling overcoming all my senses as I enter the cafe. 

Well, food wise, I think this was pretty good. Let's have the pictures do the talking :)


Curry Fish Head
I personally thought this was extremely fragrant and the curry goes well with rice. However, the fish was a little too small and serving size should definitely be larger. Oh, for those who are concerned of their health, fret not because this dish isn't loaded with 'santan' (coconut milk). Instead, fresh milk was used as a substitute for a healthier alternative.


Salted Egg Chicken
This is definitely one of the tastiest salted egg dish I've ever tasted. The meat was tender and juicy, marinated to perfection. The salted egg was a great compliment to the chicken meat. Great idea!


Steamed Brinjal
This dish was pretty simple but definitely is a good addition to your dinner table. The brinjal was steamed at the right temperature and wasn't too soft or too hard at all. There were some dried shrimps condiments which complimented the brinjal and brought out its taste.


Nyonya Chicken
Hands-down the best dish of the night! The gravy itself was so rich and fragrant that I could practically just eat it with plain rice. There were lemongrass and various spices in this that is sure to tingle your tastebuds. 


Kailan with Beef
The 'kailan' used was fresh and the beef had a slightly chewy texture which I thought was pretty nice. 


Ginger Fried Rice
Definitely one of the most unique fried rice I've ever tasted. I don't usually fancy ginger much because of their strong essence, but this is relatively mild. The amazing part of this dish is you don't really taste much of ginger with the first bite but the aftertaste is somehow overwhelming, in a good way.

All in all, it was a great dinner at a perfect place. Ta-da, a picture!



Here are the details for you guys who are interested to check this place out :)

Frenz
G-0-1 Plaza Damas
Jalan Sri Hartamas 1
Sri Hartamas
50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Telephone: 012-719 6813/012-528 6832 

Saturday 1 March 2014

Daily: Sheinside Voucher Giveaway!

Yes, you read it right! I will be having my FIRST, ever giveaway courtesy of SheInside.

It's a gift voucher worth a total of $10 for purchase above $30!

So, what do you have to do? Just follow these simple steps to be in the running to win this voucher:


1. Follow me on Instagram, @kahwaih
2. Follow me on Twitter, @KahWai
3. Sign up to follow my blog via email at the widget above on the right!


That's all, because I love you readers so much :) By the way, this giveaway is open to INTERNATIONAL readers and will end on 29th March 2014. So, anyone can join!

Here's their latest promotion of cheap basic tees.


buy sheinside hot t-shirt,only cost $9.9

And, I picked out some which I absolutely love!


That's all, I know it's a pretty short post but I'll be having exams next week. Wish me luck <3