Asean Cafe & Catering

I don’t really know just how ‘updated’ the pictures that I have of this eatery since I’ve been to their place awhile back (again, my apologizes for the late entry as I’ve absent-mindedly thought that I have put out a post on them before this). Taking the former spot of Cafe Societe at the Perdana Jaya commercial area (the buildings near to Giant Hypermarket), the restaurant has branded itself with the slogan ‘paling sedap, tiada duanya’ (roughly translated to ‘the most delicious restaurant in town’) and I would say that I have mixed feelings about said proclamation.

For example, the Nasi Goreng USA and Club Sandwiches were superb in taste. The fried rice was nicely portioned and well-seasoned while the sandwich had the sort of crunchiness that I liked. But the Singapore Fried Mee Hoon and Mushroom Hotdog were both unremarkable and a bit too salty for my liking. It goes the same with their pastries, as I’ve tried both their slice chocolate cake and brought home their Chocolate Indulgence cake and the latter won in terms of taste and moist texture. But then again, that is just my personal opinion so why don’t you guys give them a try yourselves, as I’ve noticed that hordes of people seems to love their food (judging from the almost packed place especially during the weekends).

** Current status – Has been closed (as of June 2020) 

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Grand Nova Food & Catering

A visitor of my blog has recommended me this place a while back (thank you said visitor!). Truth be told, I’ve actually noticed this restaurant as I was cruising along Fajar Complex numerous times (more specifically in front of CIMB Bank and right next to a Sports Toto outlet) but has unintentionally ignored them due to other distractions nearby (my bad). So no more excuses as I’ve made my way there one evening with my partner in tow for our dinner. The menu was pretty impressive and in the end, we’ve decided upon their Nasi Goreng Ayam Kunyit (Fried Rice with Stirred Fried Turmeric Chicken) as well as their Nasi Goreng Sambal Udang (Fried Rice with Sambal Prawns). Both dishes were commendable, as I especially like their dried version of turmeric chicken (as it was more common for the locals to cook them a bit wet) and my partner loved the ‘just nice’ spice level of its sambal. There’s also this stall called Buntut Viral Pioo Pioo (the name just tickles my funny bones) that sell fried chicken wings, gizzards and such; light munchies to go with your drinks while hanging out with your pals until the wee hours of the night.

** Current status – Still in operation (as of August 2018) 

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Dunkin' Donuts KKIA (KKFoodieVenture #94)

As we’re making our way back after a very short time in KK, I can’t help but be drawn to take away some of these babies home. Personally, I prefer the donuts from this American originated franchise better than its main rival. So when I spotted them near to the Airasia Self Check In machine (at the main departure area on the upper floor of KKIA), I wasted no time in ordering some Nutty Choc, Black Forest, Croc Frost, Boston Cream and Double Chocolate Heart respectively. Well, one would never have guess which flavour is my favourite just by looking at my choices of donuts right (wink wink)? I really love their Double Chocolate Heart (for obvious reasons) but I was a bit taken aback with the Boston Cream as it has this clear, gooey filling that I don’t really fancy (and I had no idea what it was too). But if you have miss out their stall, do not fret since they also have another (and not to mention bigger) shop on the ground floor level of the departure area (near to departure gate A10 if I’m not mistaken).

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Crepe Express (KK FoodieVenture #93)

Due to our seemingly endless business throughout the day, we’d only managed to walk to Centre Point shopping mall during our last night in KK. And since we had an early dinner, I thought that I would like something sweet and ahem.. ‘chocolate-y’ to munch on. That is why I decided to buy my all-time favourite the Chocolate Chip Waffle with a chocolate filling from this particular booth (they’re on the lower ground floor, right in front of the Multibake bakery). Man, eating the snack really brings me back to when I was still studying in KK, as I’d never miss a chance to dropped by and try out their selection of munchies (you know, with my very limited student budget and all). I just love the fluffy texture of the waffle and the oozing chocolate filling inside. My partner tried out their more savoury offering, which was the Beef & Cheese Crepe and he thought that it was okay only. Oh and since we’re eating our food on-the-go, I initially forgot to take some pictures of my waffle and totally missed out in taking any of my partner’s food as he ate the thing like a champion speed eater.

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ASquare Container Night Market (KK FoodieVenture #92)

Before I begin, let me express just how much I wished that we had such a happening place here in Tawau. I mean, the concept of a container food stalls is not that foreign (especially in the Peninsular Malaysia) but this was the first one (for me at least) that I’ve seen here in Sabah.  

I did mention in my previous post that since our time in KK this time around was quite limited, we were ‘forced’ to find food nearest to our hotel (they’re sandwiched between the Promenade Hotel & Wawasan Plaza mall). And because there were plenty of food choices within the premise, me and my partner took a solid 10 minutes roaming around the sizeable area while silently weighting our options. We ended up with several things such as Nasi Kuning Ayam (from a stall called Resepi Acil – straight from Tawau y’all), grilled chicken & beef burgers (from Mamaritos Fud Trak – although it is not exactly a food truck now isn’t it?) and some Chocolate Eggettes (from Fry Day – hahaha get it?). The former and latter tasted delicious and fulfilling while the burgers might need a bit more time on the griller as the strips of ham in mine were chewy and the patty was a teensy weensy underdone.

Oh and on a side note, it is advisable for you to bring your own tissues or napkins as you’re on your own in that matter. Also, the place practises a free seating concept and it is preferable if you could clean yourselves up after eating for the convenience of others that are using your table afterwards (as they only have 1 or 2 cleaners within said premise). Plus most of the in-the-know patrons did just that; which was an applaudable act indeed.

*This is the Fry Day stall...

... where we bought the Chocolate Eggettes...

... after we have ordered from the Mamaritos Fud Trak stall...

... for some grilled chicken burger...

... and special grilled beef burger (sorry I can't recall their specific name though).

We also stopped by this Resepi Acil stall...

... for some Nasi Kuning Ayam

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Anjung Senja Waterfront 2.0 (KK FoodieVenture #91)

My ongoing ‘relations’ in Kota Kinabalu has brought me to the city yet again last month. And since it was mainly for business and not pleasure, I don’t get to go out as much as would’ve loved to. Some of the places that I’ve managed to go to were the ones near to our accommodation hence the limited new eateries to review this time around.

As me and my partner had arrived during the night time, our option for dinner has narrowed down to the strip of stalls in front of the hotel or that new place right next to them (more on that later). The last time I’ve stop by this place was probably sometime in 2015 so I was glad to see that they’ve further improved their quality of food. We settled down on a spot and ordered from several nearby stalls such as the Dayangku Restaurant & Catering (for their Nasi Goreng Lalap and Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin), Sate Kajang Station (for some chicken satays of course) and a nameless stall that sells grilled chicken wings and such. Everything was simply satisfying and better tasting (especially in the case of the Satay Kajang as I’ve eaten their food before).

*This is the Dayangku Restaurant & Catering...

... with our Nasi Lalap Ayam order (sorry, I forgot to take a pic of my Nasi Goreng Ikan Masin).

This is the nameless grilled chicken stall right in front of the latter...

... where my partner order these grilled stuff...

And last but not least this is the Satay Kajang Station...

... where we had their Chicken Satays.

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