ronnycakes @ Taman Tun Dr Ismail Ramadan Bazaar

This whole Ramadan season, we haven’t been to a single bazaar because we’ve either been too busy or it just keeps skipping our mind. After reading posts on Ramadan bazaars by boolicious and vkeong, we figured it was high time to get to one before they all disappear (Raya is just this end of the week!). One of Wils’ favourite bazaars to visit is the one at TTDI, which stretches along Jln Mohd Faud 2 daily from 4pm onwards. Since we went on a Friday, it merged with the pasar malam that usually sets up at the TTDI so there were fruits, clothes and knick-knacks on sale too.

One thing about bazaars is it brings out the inner greedy in us. The spread of stalls and food galore reminds us so much of a buffet and we just walk along the stalls and point “I want this, that, this, that”. I basically just pointed in all directions until it seemed as though we had overbought… XD

Beautiful looking percik wings.

Raja Murtabak (RM3 for biasa, RM7 for special) wrapping up some sizzling murtabak.
I got too close to one of these and ended up with a flying speck of oil on my thigh. :(

 
Murtabaks galore in beef and chicken!

Filling kebabs for hungry patrons.

Slow-roasting kebabs.

There were several stalls selling Ayam Percik and since we weren’t sure which one was the best one, we went for the one that looked like it was going to finish. Priced at RM6 per piece, it was a little pricey but it was really good especially with the peanut-y coconut-y sauce.

Nasi Kandar

 

 
Little dainty putu piring plates (RM0.40 per piece).

RM3.00 for big packets.

Lamb kebab!

 
Delicious-looking sticks of satay on display.

On recommendation from vkeong, we tried a the Mie Cord Wet Char Kuey Teow at RM4, and boy we weren’t disappointed! I think it was one of the best things we bought that evening.

Managed to get a photo of it before Wils devoured it all at home. Chock-full of prawns and cockles, delicious!

 

Some colourful looking nasi goreng.

My favourite appam balik!

The pulut hitam one was especially good, first time I’ve tried an appam balik with pulut hitam filling.
As for the kacang one, it was good but I still prefer the ones I have at Singapore hawker shops, partially because they don’t use so much margarine/oil and it’s a lot drier and crispier.

Pulut hitam appam balik in action!!

 

Roti goreng.

 
More colourful ayam percik!

Assortment of fried noodles, mihun, and kuey teow from another stall.

 
Left: Chickens for flavouring the soto ayam.
Right: Spooning some steaming hot tummy-warming soto ayam for us.

Needless to say we went home with much lighter pockets and much heavier tummies. :D
Few more days left to enjoy Ramadan bazaars guys!

Address:
Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 2
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
(The road opposite Yon Leng Coffeeshop and Popeye’s)

Map *here*

ronnycakes reviews: Serai @ Empire; Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang

On strong recommendation from a friend, we decided to check out this Thai/Western/Malay fusion place in Empire Shopping Gallery all the way in Subang. Before I even stepped into the compound, I did the obligatory research and found myself drooling over the menu on their website and pre-deciding all the things I already wanted to try.

I pre-booked a day in advance since many other food bloggers noted how packed it gets during lunchtime and were they right about that! At 12pm literally 80% of tables had been occupied and we were ushered to a small table at the brighter end of the restaurant. Forgot to take a photo of the interior, but I loved the ambience and deco; all whites and wood and modern minimalist.

In the background is Serai Iced Tea (RM12) – Lemon sorbet, lemongrass extract and a hint of fresh mint, and in the foreground is Minted Calamansi Soda (RM10.50) – Soda with crushed mint leaves and calamansi. Personally I preferred the Minted Soda (I’m a sucker for anything minty and fizzy!). The Iced Tea was just the right amount of sweetness and very refreshing.

How could we ever pass up a chance to have Tom Yum Seafood (RM8) in a Thai place? Serai’s version was a bit sweeter than usual and the taste of lemongrass was a tad overpowering.

The portion might look small but if you’re ordering a few dishes to share then one bowl is enough for two people.

The Deep-Fried Brinjal with Serai Spice (RM12 for standard portion) was fried to a crisp with a hint of lemongrass, generous amounts of scallions. Very crunchy!

We seem to be having a thing for squid lately… Hot Chilli Basil Squid (RM20 for standard portion). Tender pieces of squid fried with chilli and basil is one of my favourite combinations. Abundance of sauce went well with rice; love the aroma of basil so a thumbs up from me!

Wils had a long time craving for fish so we had a Garoupa Steamed with Lime Sauce (RM49 based on market price).

The dish came with fresh lime, but sauce-wise it was still a little too much on the sweet side for me (I love anything sour, the sourer the better!) but the fish was very fresh. My only gripe would be that portion seemed to be a bit small for the price we were paying.

Serai’s signature dessert is it’s Berry Pavlova (RM14) and it is a definite looker. I fell in love with it seeing the photo in the menu and just had to try one at the end of the meal no matter how stuffed I was. And I absolutely didn’t regret it!

It consists of a meringue base with layers of whipped cream, strawberries and grapes. It was very refreshing with the mix of tanginess from the strawberries and grapes, even for someone who was stuffed to the brim and sweetness of the dessert was controlled very well.

Layers of meringue and whipped cream!


The Chocolate Banana Parfait (RM10) on the other hand was quite disappointingly average.

Chocolate and vanilla ice-cream with layers of crushed oreos, honey cornflakes and sliced bananas.

All in all, I had a pretty satisfactory experience at Serai even though the bill came up to about RM160 for just two of us (must be the fish!!). Serai’s menu is pretty extensive, with fusion pastas, western food, Malay fusion dishes and even Chinese style dishes! So I can’t wait to make my return trip and try one of the delicious looking pastas or the nasi lemak which was given good reviews by other food bloggers.

If you’re looking to head down here for lunch or dinner do call in advance as it can get really packed.

Address:
LG37, Empire Shopping Gallery,
Jalan SS16/1, 47500 Subang Jaya.
Tel: 03-56370706

Map *here*