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: Mukha Café; Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, TTDI

There is a never-ending exploration TTDI, where so many cafés and restaurants set up shop. Half of these we have no idea about. So when Wils spied one of his friends heading to Mukha, we were glad of another new place for us to discover.

Tucked in a more quiet street than the more “happening” side of Lorong Rahim Kajai (where Sid’s Pub, TDH and 42 East) are located, Mukha sits beside Surisit (a Thai kopitiam we have yet to try) and is quite hidden so that if you weren’t looking properly you might just miss it. The first time we went looking for it, we completely drove past it before taking another round and going “it’s there, it’s there!!”.

Mukha is inspired by the seaport of the same name in Yemen and hence most of the food there has Middle-Eastern notes and influences. Shisha is also available for anyone who wants to puff on while having a long chat with friends.
The interior of the restaurant is cosy and warm, rough brick walls and a huge blackboard along the bar where the menu and the specials are written for all to see.

Left: Mint Hot Chocolate (RM7) was one of the specials of the day when we visited – full of minty chocolatey goodness!
Right: Virgin Mojito (RM8), a highly refreshing blend of mint and citrus.

Most of the time when I go to Mukha, I have their Chicken Kebab (RM13), which is total comfort food. Portion is quite large, lots of spiced chicken breast slices (yay!) with peppers and onions and a nice side of salad in balsamic vinegar.

 
The chicken kebab comes with some sort of garlic mayo sauce (slightly tangy as well) which went really well with the kebab’s taste especially if you stuff them into the pita bread that comes with the dish.

My friend had the Gulf Rice (RM16) a serving of basmathi rice with chicken cooked in briyani spices. It also came with vegetable chutney, mint yoghurt sauce and papadom. I didn't try this personally but my friend said that it was pretty good.

Wils had the Smoked Salmon Sandwich (RM14). A generous helping of smoked salmon between two slices of pita bread with something that tasted like mustard sauce on the side.

 
This Hazelnut Torte (RM9) came from a cake shop in the same shoplot as Mukha but beside Mukha (not sure if that actually made any sense lol) and is separate from Mukha. You have to pay for your dessert at the counter before the lady serves it to your table. The hazelnut torte that we had scored highly looks-wise and tastewise! It was moist and you could taste hazelnuts in almost every bite. Extra points for the truffle chocolate on top of the torte! :D

In conclusion, Mukha is definitely a place to check out. Prices are not at all expensive and the food that you get is good and value for money. The epitome of comfort food that keeps me wanting to go back for more.

Only downside is parking (as always), but if you get here early maybe before 7.30pm there should be quite a lot of spaces still.

Address:
Mukha Cafe @ TTDI,
15, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Map *here*