Han Guk Guan, Melbourne

It's hard to find a good and affordable Korean restaurant around Melbourne - especially in the city. When this place first started, not many people knew about it except for the Korean Melbournians because it was so hidden between two massive office buildings and is out of the heart of Melbourne CBD. But because they produced pretty good food, it became popular and by word of mouth it's not one of the most well known Korean restaurants in Melbourne to be able to fit massive groups of people and for their generous portions!

One of my all-time favourite entries by Han Guuk Guan - Mandu deokbokki

Their hotpot and Sweet & Spicy Chicken a definite need for this winter season in Melbourne :)

Daorae, Malaysia

One of the best things about Malaysia is their food. Cheap & good quality Asian food - whether it is Malaysian, Chinese, Korean, Indian or Japanese cuisines. One of the best restaurants I dined at during my time there was at Daorae. Daorae is a traditional Korean restaurant and has successfully made its name among the locals in Malaysia the past 3 years. Taking advantage of the increase popularity in KPOP, they opened a couple of franchises over Kuala Lumpur within a short period of time - smart, I must say..

For local standards, Daorae is considered pretty pricey and is definitely not your usual go-to places unless you've been in full time work for awhile... and you're willing to pay around RM 40-50 per person for a meal.

 Seaweed soup served at the beginning before the waiters start serving you other side dishes and frying off your meat for you

I know, I know... WHAT A FEAST!

 Daorae's Sam Gae Tang (Korean Ginseng Chicken) with sweet rice served in a stone hot pot

My favourite dish from Daorae - their Chapjae (Potato noodles)

Zumbarons, Sydney

FINALLY got to try ze all-time famous Zumbarons by Adriano Zumbo - made popular by him in Masterchef Australia and they taste AMAZING!

 A box of six for AUD12 

Beachcomber, St Kilda, Melbourne

Although a tad bit overpriced compared to other beach food (i.e. chicken schnitzels, fish & chips....), at Beach Comber you dine facing the best view of St Kilda's sunset.

To be fair, Beach Comber's food is pretty good - my family's all-time favourite 'special occasion' go-to restaurant. They never fail when it comes to quality and quantity. Just be prepared to pay at least AUD5-10 more than other restaurants out there which serve pretty similar stuff...

My Elephant, Malaysia

One of crazes in Malaysia - indie/hard-to-find chic cafes/restaurants. Some of my best friends in Malaysia drove me all the way from one end of the city to another just for Thai food! Apparently this place has one of the best authentic flavours! My Elephant, an upcoming (At the time) go-to places for Malaysian young adults is hidden in one of the apartment buildings in Sri Hartamas. Unless you know a local, it's almost impossible to even know of its existence or find your way there. The streets are usually dark after 6pm and it was a pain trying to find a parking spot! We rounded the area for at least 20 minutes before we found a spot, which is probably one of the quickest time ever one can find a spot in Malaysia. No, I wasn't joking.

My friends were right - My Elephant was aroi mak mak!! (super delicious in Thai) Their green curry was amazing! It was packed with strong authentic asian herbs and they explode in your mouth - ah SO GOOD - definitely my favourite from My Elephant!

Plus, they're so health-conscious; they serve brown rice with your dishes. But I think it's probably a strategy to help their customers feel less guilty after consuming all that carbs and cholesterol from coconut milk and deep-fried goodness...

This was called fresh mango and peanut salad if my memory served me right. Fresh and a perfect way to start a meal - just makes you want more! Good play with colours I must say, make it look gorgeous!

Something I found really strange during my trip to Malaysia this time was how you can actually find fried ferns as a (very popular) dish! Back in the days I was still schooling in Malaysia, ferns were only plants you find at the parks and play with; they weren't for eating purposes! But after trying it from My Elephant, I have to say, good dish! A perfect combination with the chilli and shallots! 

AHH! ANOTHER FAVOURITE OF MINE - My Elephant's Authentic Seafood Tom Yum for the clan that night!! Packed with heaaaaps of flavour, this tom yum was perfect in every way - spicy and sour just as it should be! The king prawns and squids were well-cooked too - their freshness preserved and added the extra sweet flavour to the dish. 

Top: Sambal Chili Fried Squid - equally yumm as! The squids were perfectly cooked - not chewy and the chili was really appetizing! 

2nd photo: Otak-otak Omelette - Until today, I can't wrap my head around the flavours and texture of otak-otak dishes - they're a little mushy and are made of fish. Not my cup of tea but a good change with the sauce at the side.

Can't wait for my next trip - My Elephant's definitely on my list! 

My Elephant

Jalan Sri Hartamas 8, Taman Sri Hartamas.

Tel: 010-220-1283

Chuckle Park, Melbourne

Taking a break from my travel entries today - they take too much time filtering and editing.

Locked in a little alley in Melbourne CBD, Chuckle Park literally took over one back alley in the heart of Melbourne city and transformed it into a semi outdoor cafe (in the day) and pub (at night)! Such brilliant concept and design.

Such a comfortable, cosy and chic place. 

I remember walking pass this place often while working in the city but never dared enter because it seems pretty pricey but surprisingly their food are very affordable! We ordered a Pulled Pork Burger, $9.5 (their all time famous dish) and a warm hearty Spanish Meatballs, $11.5. Their portions were massive (just how we like it though) and we left with overly-filled bellies :) 

Chou's Shrimp Rolls, Tainan, Taiwan

During my last trip to Taiwan, I took about 2,000 photos. My friends said I was crazy but they now appreciate it because these photos which seized our good memories together are helping us get through the year (studies with no traveling)!

Towards the end of my Taiwan trip, we spent an afternoon in Tainan where a good friend of mine brought us to Chou's Shrimp Rolls. This place is apparently famous among the locals and many artistes and musicians dine there - but probably at the Taipei outlet instead. 

Chou Shrimp Rolls is a restaurant with much similarities to that of a fast-food chain-store  You walk up to the counters and order whatever you want and bring it back to your table. That being said, the environment in the Tainan outlet was really chill and spacious. It's not as squashed or hectic as any fast-food store. At the side, they provide self-serve red or green tea (hot or cold). 

They serve iconic native food such as braised pork rice (lu rou fan), pork rib noodle soup and many deep-fried goodness!

ＹＥＳ，　ＤＥＦＩＮＩＴＥＬＹ　Ａ　ＦＥＡＳＴ！