--> Aswin and Alia's Food Journey

Mamak Kitchen: A Fusion of Singaporean, Malaysian, and Thailand Cuisine

Opened in the mid of 2013, the restaurant is serving a fusion of Singaporean, Malaysian and Thailand cuisine

Bali (Culinary) Trip in March 2014

Finally, after a year of planning, we are able to set up a trip to Bali. Very excited! Alia has been mentioning about Ubud for quite some time and now this trip is about to be realized.

Welcome Home: Nanny's Pavillon Housewarming

On 30th of April 2014, we were invited to the housewarming of the newest Nanny's Pavillon restaurant in Jalan R.E. Martadinata (Riau), Bandung.

Caffe Bene: Korean Coffee Shop in Bandung

Alia has been craving to visit this place for a while, so when the time comes to visit she was delighted

Warung Sangrai: Real Indonesian, Eat With Their Bare Hands!!

Located in the opposite side of Mamak Kitchen, the restaurant is serving traditional Indonesian Food with one particular course that are standing out: Quails

8/23/2012

Bangkok (Culinary) Trip in July 2012: Ikea Restaurant & Bistro at Mega Bangna

It has been my obsession to go to Ikea everytime I went to surrounding East Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia and of course Bangkok since we don't have any Ikea in Indonesia. Well, there's an online shop where you can order for the Ikea items but the price is expensive.

So, first day in Bangkok I decided that I should go there. It was quite easy to go to the Ikea Mega Bangna and the detailed instruction is available at their website. Our hotel is near Phayat Thai BTS, the Sukhumvit Line, so I just took the BTS and then stopped at the Udomsuk BTS, went my way to the exit 5 and then waited for the Ikea shuttle bus that available every hour from 10 am - 11 pm, in front of the 711 convinience store. If you hesitate just asked to the cashier of the 711, but if you can see a lot of people waiting for something, especially if you spot tourist then you're on the right track.

Not like in Indonesia, the shuttle bus arrived at the exact time, I was waiting for the 10 am shuttle bus and surprisingly the bus came at exactly 10 am. Nice! Well, if the traffic quite good, the approximate time from Udomsuk Bus Station to Mega Bangna is around 30 minutes. And don't be so shocked this MEGA Bangna is very HUGE!!, even mall in Indonesia can not compare with this. So, the bus will stop in front of the Ikea, just be patient when the bus stop waiting for the other passengers in front of 711 (again).

The restaurant was located just outside the Ikea store itself. The place looked like food court with cute interior decoration. Actually, the restaurant wasn't my first option as place for lunch, I searched for Burger Bangkok Company but couldn't find it or other place I would liked to have lunch, so I stumbled at the Ikea restaurant.

I ordered Pasta with tomato sauce only (THB 65) with no meatball, because apparently it contained pork, glad that I read the ingredients and then grabbed the apple slices with mineral water. The concept of the restaurant was new for me, because there's main dish and you can add salad, breads, desserts, and drinks, all self service. And they also provide the trolley to bring the food, I never saw it before and after you finished your meal then you had to return the plate to the appointed place and also throw the rubbish to the bin.

There's also Ikea Bistro when you had to have quick meal such as hot dogs and ice cream, well, I bought the ice cream in both flavor, vanilla and chocolate (two tone) after I paid the items at the cashier and it only cost THB 7 around Rp. 2100,- very cheap and it tasted good! Beside the Ikea Bistro, there's Swedish Food Market where the provided the whole range of Swedish traditional specialties. I bought chocolate bar, in dark and hazelnut (THB 32) and marshmallow to take to Indonesia.

Don't have to worry, after you shopped at Ikea you can still strolled around Mega Bangna, because Ikea provide locker. :)

Well, so for me even it took 1 hour travel time from Bangkok city centre, Mega Bangna is worth to visit.

Ikea Restaurant & Bistro
38 Moo 6 Bangna-Trad km. 8
Bangkaew Sub-District, Bangplee District,
Samutprakarn 10540
GPS coordinates: 13.644198, 100.679923 or
+13° 38' 39.11", +100° 40' 47.72"
Opening Hours
Everyday 09:30 - 22:00
(kitchen closed 21:30)
E. customerrelations.ikeath@ikano.asia
Ph. 02-708-7999
http://www.ikea.com/th/en/store/bangna/indexPage

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Seating Area #1
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The Entrance
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Seating Area #2
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Seating Area #3
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Seating Area #4
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Pasta with Tomato Sauce (THB 65), Dole Apple Slice & Mineral Water
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Ikea Swedish Food Market 
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Ikea Bistro
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Eating Area for Ikea Bistro

8/22/2012

Bangkok (Culinary) Trip in July 2012: Bake A Wish at Mega Bangna

In Bangkok, I wanted to buy every food I see, but you know I only have one stomach. Japanese sweets always tempted me and when I was strolling around Mega Bangna, I saw Bake A Wish, which sold Japanese dessert and yeah...I bought one, my all time favorite, Blueberry Cheesecake (THB 95).

Just I expected the cake just sat in the hotel refrigerator, since we always came to the hotel with full stomach and we ate it at our last day in the hotel, like the fruits that I bought in Chinatown. The cake still tasted good, the cream was light and the cheesecake like I imagined it should be.

Actually, Bake a wish famous for it's Chou Cream, at first I also wanted to buy that, but well, I was afraid it was too much. Well, like this website said that  Bake a Wish offers a wide range of different baked goods but we say plump for the original and popular chou creams, light, sweet and slightly crispy with a lovely soft, fragrantly-sweet cream inside.

Enjoy!

Bake A Wish: Japanese Homemade Cake
Mega Bangna, 2nd Floor
39 Moo 6 Bangna-Trad Rd., Km.8 Bangkaew, Bangplee
Samut Prakan
Website: http://bakeawish-japanesecake.com


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The Stalls at Mega Bangna

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The Packaging
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Blueberry Cheesecake (THB 95)
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Ate the cake before checked out




8/21/2012

Bangkok (Culinary) Trip in July 2012: Breakfast at True Siam Hotel

Preparing for the conference, we are a bit late when we are having breakfast at our Hotel, True Siam. As the detailed explanation from the hotel voucher suggested, we only got the ordinary ABF (American Breakfast) servings for our breakfast, so we are not expecting much at the beginning.


It turned out that we are so wrong...


The first surprise is that the hotel was ranked as one of the best hotel in Bangkok in 2012 by TripAdvisor! The second surprise is that the so called ordinary American Breakfast that we are expecting, exceeds our expectation! Yes, the breakfast menu is very simple, but everything is being prepared very thoroughly. The sausage cooked well, the sunny side up is looking great, Hell, even their coffee tasted great. Really started up our day :).


Sawadee-Kaap! Bon Appetit


True Siam Hotel
45 Soi Sriayuttaya 12, Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10400 Thailand.
E. info@truesiamhotel.comPh. +66 (0) 2 6426932-4
Mobile. +66 (0) 86370 7739, 66(0) 81824 7791
F. +66 (0)2 2466083
Skype: Truesiamhotel
GPS: Lat: 13.45.33 Lon: 100.32.11
Sales and Marketing 
E. sales@truesiamhotel.comMobile. +66 (0) 81 7772263
For Long stay or Monthly rate :
Contact : +66 (0) 81 7772263
Suggestions and Complaints:
E. complaint@truesiamhotel.com


Note: This is Alia's review in Tripadvisor about True Siam Hotel

I went to Bangkok last week and choose this hotel because it was near the Siam City Hotel, the location of conference that my husband would attend. But before we made final choice, first we looked for reviews about the hotel in this website and suprisingly most of them were good, so we picked this True Siam hotel for our stay in Bangkok.



The service was good and the staffs were very helpful. The room was so spacious (standard room), there was balcony which looking over Pullman hotel at the back of the hotel. Although the building kind of old, but the room was clean, some of furnitures and also the bathroom, I think they were stil new. The great thing here, they provided free Wifi in the hotel with good connection. What I really don't like that I can heard the sound of people in the upper room walking and it was very annoying, especially at night when it was time to go to bed.

The location was very good, it was closed to the Victory Monument BTS, Phayat Thai BTS and Airport link/ City line Station, it was also closed few minimarts (711 and CP food market). So, it wasn't difficult when we had to go somewhere by BTS (their public transportation).
and needed some snacks/drinks.

Well, after 4 nights here, we LOVE the hotel, especially their breakfast, the best things were their fried egg and salad. We also love their lobby and breakfast area, where they gave Thailand's Traditional House touch.



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Day 1

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Day 2


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Salad with Sliced Fruit 
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Pumpkin Soup

Day 3


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Onion Soup
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Sliced Fruits
Day 4

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8/20/2012

Bangkok (Culinary) Trip in July 2012: Dinner at Hotel Room from 711

Breakfast in Bandung, Lunch in Jakarta, Dinner in Bangkok. What a life! :)

We arrived very late to our hotel in Bangkok, almost around 10.30 pm. Thankfully the committee of AcE-Bs 2012 is kind enough to wait for us, although the flight was being delayed for more than 1,5 hours. We were planning to eat in street vendor around the Victory Monument, but as most of the business in Bangkok closed around 09.30 pm, we are running out of option for our empty stomach.

So, it is time for 711 rescue!
Not much to be selected from there, as the foods are very limited, plus most of them contained pork. But we've managed to grab some snack and one pre-heated dish, some fried rice with New Orleans wings. Enough to fill out empty stomach for the night.

Enjoy!

711 Convenience Store
Chaturathit Road
Bangkok, Thailand

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Crab Fried Rice with New Orleans Chicken Wings
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Snacks!

8/19/2012

Bangkok (Culinary) Trip in July 2012: Bakso Ino, Terminal 3, Soekarno Hatta Airport

If you are a foodie, just go to Bangkok. This city is heaven. There's an array of restaurants from street foods to fine dining.

It was our second time came to Bangkok and last time we had great time here. The memorable Crepes & co, the amazing Sirocco and the interesting Khaosan Road. So, it was our plan since last year to attend the Conference that was held in this city, that's why we're so excited and couldn't wait to go. So, on first and second day Aswin had to attend the Conference while I was going to Ikea and Chinatown. Then, on the third day we're planning to go to Asoke and Thong Lo area, while our last day we planned to meet with our friend, Monike.

So, enjoy our next posts which told the story of our travel in Bangkok through the foods.

...

It's our first day trip to Bangkok. Both of us were excited and exhausted. Early in the morning we are attending the Munggahan (family gathering before fasting month begin) for our Lengkong family from 07.00-09.00 am, and straight away at 09.00 we have to go to Primajasa (shuttle bus services) that will takes us to Soekarno Hatta Airport.

When we got to the Terminal 3, we are amazed with their minimalist and green concept design of the terminal, and somewhat confused, as the food vendor there is unfamiliar to us. After a bit of consideration, we've decided to choose between Bakmi GM and this vendor, Bakso Ino. Bakmi GM turned out to be very crowded, so the option finally sets for the Bakso Ino.

We ordered the rice dishes (Alia choose the Ayam Kremes, I choose their Seafood Fried Rice, with shrimps goes to Alia), because we still have almost 5 hours waiting + trip to Bangkok (it turned out the flight was delayed for 1,5 hours, making us wait for 6,5 hours).
The food was OK, and it's definitely makes into a handful of option being provided in the terminal.

Enjoy!

Bakso Ino
Soekarno Hatta Airport, Terminal 3
2nd Floor
Jakarta - Indonesia

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Ayam Kremes

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Sea Food Fried Rice


8/18/2012

Munggahan: Breakfast at Amaroosa Hotel in Bandung

For our Munggahan event in Bandung, our big family decided to book the Amaroosa Hotel in Jl. Aceh, Bandung. This place is selected as the next Lebaran event is also being held here. So, the idea is to have a family meeting and gathering before Ramadhan, and also to see the condition of the hotel.
The hotel itself is quite big, but as located inside a small road, the traffic and parking can become a problem. Their food is ok, and overall we have a great family gathering :).


Enjoy!

Amaroosa Hotel
Jl. Aceh No. 71A
Bandung, Indonesia
Phone: +6222 422 2221
Website: http://www.amaroosahotel.com

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Aswin at Live Cooking Area
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The Indoor Seating Area

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The Outdoor Seating Area

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The Ballroom

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Breakfast #1
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Breakfast #2

8/17/2012

Bali (Culinary) Trip in July 2012: Ryoshi Japanese Restaurant in Kuta

It was our last night in Bali, actually at 9 pm we had to go the airport for our flight to Bandung. After we checked out from the hotel, we spent out last hours in Kuta area since it was closed to the airport and we can see many places by walking.

Well, actually we already had our late lunch at Dijon. So, after we hang around at Discovery Mall to watch the sunset and also some music and dance performances in the event called KOMPAK!, company social responsibility (CSR) done by PT. Semen Gresik, we decided that it wasn't holiday in Bali if we didn't go to Ryoshi.

Ryoshi is Japanese restaurant, which we could only find in Bali. At first, we went here couple years ago, when we even not considerate as foodie. We found Ryoshi when we strolled around the area and thinking that the place was cute, we should try it. Well, after a while my friend who reside in Bali told us that it was quite famous restaurant in Bali and the sushi were good. Yeah, we thought that too, the place was nice and the food was great. We fallen in love with Ryoshi at that time.

When we came here last time, Ryoshi was small place on the upper side of Batan Waru Cafe and the place just looked like restaurant that we saw in Japan from television. So, this time we found out that it was being renovated and the place more spacious, it has outdoor seating area. While the building was simple but somehow it still had Japanese atmosphere. It has unique design.


We ordered small portion, just salmon skin roll, yakitori, with one rice set for both of us and the drinks were hot ocha and cold ocha. Well, they still serving great sushi after all this time and place that you can't missed out when going to Bali.


Itadakimasu!

Ryoshi Japanese Restaurant
Jl. Kartika Plaza, Kuta
Bali - Indonesia
ph. 0361 766301

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The entrance, side by side with Batan Waru Cafe
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The hallway #1
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The hallway #2
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The outdoor seating area
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A glimpse of the indoor seating area from our seat
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The menu
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The sushi: salmon skin roll
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Yakitori and rice set, including miso soup
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The drink: hot ocha and ice ocha
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