5 Years of Pet-Friendly at the Square, Jaya One

In a neighbourhood where pet-friendly establishments are a rarity, The Square by Jaya has truly been a blessing lasting over 5 years. This month, the iconic pet-friendly space celebrates its 5 Years Anniversary themed, ‘Truly Yours, Truly Pet-Friendly’. 

[Cafe Review] Sin Tong Hong Kopitiam, Taman Paramount PJ

 Is just me or is modernise kopitiam the new trend joining the food scene in the Klang Valley? No more sweaty, hot dining experience and hello, beautiful designed interior with plants and plenty of natural lighting. First hailing from Sitiawan in 1999, the much loved Sin Tong Hong Kopitiam has now moved to Taman Paramount PJ.

Run by the Tan family, the new cafe takes up two levels of space in the unassuming shop lot, fitting in alongside electrical shops, car workshop, traditional coffee shops and the latest additions of cafes to the neighbourhood. Similarly its interior reflects this harmonious blend of traditional and modern across its two floors. 

[Cafe Review] Kona Bakehouse SS2 Petaling Jaya

Cafes are popping up around Petaling Jaya like happy mushrooms, sending crowds of people into the further corners of the suburbs in search for the next it place for their next social media posting. I am no different but there are days when all I want is a quiet cafe with good pastries and coffee where I can spent a hour just chilling and trying not to virtually murder my colleagues. 

Kona Bakehouse in SS2 hits that mark right on a weekday. I imagine on weekends, being right next to the viral matcha-coffee specialist, Story of Ono, Kona would have its fair share of crowds as well. With Japanese in its theme, their main highlight is the shio pan which basically translates to salted bread. And it just so happened, I was hunting for shio pan and to my knowledge, there were only two bakeries that does this quite well. 

[Cafe Review] Daun Cafe, MAHSA Avenue PJ

When MAHSA Avenue is mentioned, instantly a certain glasshouse-concept cafe comes to mind but I am not going to talk about that cafe today. Instead I am going to talk about their sister cafe, Daun. 

Tucked away on the second floor of Block B of MAHSA Avenue in Kedai, Daun cafe overlooks the courtyard where groups of people will flock to Pokok cafe. Despite sharing the flora-themed name, Daun is more dessert and coffee focused and projects its own cosy ambiance. 

[Cafe Review] 270 SQFT, Seapark PJ

Hidden in Seapark, Petaling Jaya is a cafe that is literally only 270 square feet in size and hence its astute name, 270 SQFT. Helmed by Vivien, 270 SQFT opened in the middle of Dec 2020 right smack in the center between two traditional coffeeshops, a duck rice restaurant and a car workshop in one of the oldest part of Petaling Jaya. 

[Cafe Review] Mossarium Cafe 1 Utama

To be honest, I am not sure why this little cafe in 1Utama isn't trending yet because it was such a cozy escape inside such a popular mall. Mossarium cafe is a must visit for plants, coffee and dessert lovers. 

[Food Review] Sarawak Laksa at Kedey Kamek SS2

There seems to be a boom in Sarawakian cuisine readily available here. Kedey Kamek has been a time long presence here with several outlets in TTDI, Bangi and Kuching. Kedey Kamek is as authentic as they get with a team hailing from East Malaysia, from Kuching and Miri. Its name was in fact Sarawakian for 'my shop'. 

[Cafe Review] Half and Hafu, the Hub SS2

 I first spotted this cafe on Instagram in October and since it was relatively near me, I made a mental note to check it out. Then it started appearing on a lot of cafe listicles and I decided wokay, time to pay a visit before it becomes too popular.

And that was how I found myself at Half and Hafu in the  Hub SS2. Its design reminded me of some of the bespoke cafes I peeped into when in Japan but never dared venture into and its name - Hafu meant half in Japanese. True to its name, half of the first floor lot was a hair salon and the other half was an aesthetically pleasing orange and brown cafe or rather coffee bar. Located away from the busy row of cafes and eateries that are often crowded with people, Half and Hafu was an oasis of peace and quiet. 

[Food Review] Shimmer Shine Cafe, Petaling Jaya

It has been a while since I've done a food review but I am back now with a impromptu dinner visit to the new cafe in PJ New Town. I've driven past Shimmer Shine Café quite a few times and it was hard to miss the gigantic shining signage on the same row as Pizza Hut and Orange Business Hotel. 

Hey PJ-ians, Jaya One Now Has an Aeon Big Hypermarket for Your Grocery Needs

After seven long months of renovation, Jaya One finally has a hypermarket once more! Alongside welcoming Aeon Big, The School by Jaya One also launched its new entrance to the hypermarket and its other food tenants such as Tiger Sugar, Famous Amos, Sangkaya and Fulleaf as well as Guardian pharmacy.  The brand new entrance opening indicates the transformation of a wholesome experience that caters to the needs of the neighborhood around Section 13. 

16 Ways to Travel without Travelling with Tourism Selangor

With the raising number of cases of Covid-19 and the strict movement control order regulation implemented in Malaysia and some other parts of the world, travelling plans have to be put on hold and prior travel bookings have to be cancelled or postponed. Bound to stay home, now is the time for us to take this opportunity to travel through virtual experiences and let the mind wonder through the beauty of your travel destinations. Let’s look at some ideas on how you can make yourselves travel without even leaving home.

1. Travel into Tourism Selangor’s official website Selangor.travel for interesting places to visit in all the 9 districts of the heart of Malaysia. 

A&W is Back with More AWesomeness!

A&W has always had a strong affinity among Malaysians who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. Many of us have grown up with birthday parties at their outlets with Rooty® The Great Root Bear and have spent a lot of time at A&W after school and in the evenings for the yummilicious RB Float. 

More than a year since A&W Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. was acquired by Inter Mark Resources Sdn. Bhd. (IMRSB), the 56-year-old Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain brand is well on track to bring awesome-ness back to its outlets. George Ang, Chief Executive Officer of both A&W Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and IMRSB said this at the kick-off of A&Wesome Festival, which took place at A&W’s first drive-in outlet in Petaling Jaya to thank loyal fans for their continuous support over the years.

Kings Hall by Cafe in a Box, Section 13 PJ

This was one of the few places I wished had opened when I was working at Blu Inc Media a long time ago. A nice coffee specialist cafe right in the backyard of the office. Kings Hall is the latest addition to the rapidly revamping Section 13 industrial area. Taking up the space next to the SportsCity Futsal Court, the cafe boasts its own parking lot and coffee roastery by Toothless Coffee Roaster.

Sarawak Laksa at SALTed, Mutiara Damansara

Happy Malaysia Day to my fellow Malaysians!

In case some of you may not know, I am a Sarawak-born, Peejay girl and with that, comes a love for Sarawak Laksa. Compared to Penang and Ipoh cuisine, good Sarawak food are hard to come by in Peninsular Malaysia. Once I find a place or two that meets my standards and fulfill my cravings, I tend to go back to those places again and again for the same dish.

Tiffin Food Court is Back with a Rotating Array of Food Every Week for Two Months!

After having to close shop prematurely last year, Tiffin Food Court is back in a new venue right in the heart of Petaling Jaya with Klang Valley’s latest food offerings. Taking over a disused military warehouse near Jaya One, the gastronomy fair is an eight-week long fiesta, held in collaboration with more than 50 vendors and partners on rotation over the following weeks. 

When and Where

Tiffin Food Court kicks off from 30th August until 21st October at Lot 15, Jalan 13/6, Seksyen 13, Petaling Jaya (behind The Gasket Alley). Hours are 5pm until late. Admission is free.

Getting an International Driving Permit for Malaysians

It's almost a global knowledge that Malaysian drivers are notorious on the roads. Hence why our driving licenses aren't recognized internationally except in some countries. So in order to rent a car in certain countries, we are required to obtain an international driving permit (IDP) beforehand.

Japan is one such a country and for my trip to Hokkaido, I was the assigned driver and had to get my IDP sorted out before the trip. Initially I was informed that I could get my IDP done at the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) and also at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) office but a quick call and internet search told me that AAM had ran out of IDP until further notice.

So it was off to the closest JPJ office to my house. To get it done, I needed to prepare:
1. Photocopy of my IC and driving license
2. RM150
3. 1 passport-sized photo

Salted Egg Yolk Croissant at Le Bread Days, SS2

I was at New Paris restaurant for a Chinese New Year lunch with my colleagues and thought hey, why not try my luck with the famous salted egg yolk croissants from Le Bread Days next door. The first time I tried it was long before a certain blogger drew attention to it and I was curious to see if the quality remained.

It was past twelve by then and their first fresh batch of croissants comes out of the oven at 11:30am. The last time I tried getting it, a guy ahead of me bought the last four croissants which sent me to Bake Plan to get my fix.

Boran Classic Thai street food Seapark review

A new Thai cafe has opened up in Seapark within the vicinity of MyBurgerlab, the Maybank nasi lemak and Shell station there and it is called Boran cafe. Strangely enough, this is the only Thai spot in this area with the closest being Thai Camp and Go Thai, a 5 minutes drive away.

Anyway, a quick visit during lunch on a weekday found a near packed cafe that was clean, neat and with walls decorated with old signage. Quite cool.

Salted Egg Yolk Croissant, Bake Plan SS2

Is this me hopping onboard the salted egg yolk croissant wave? Of course not.

Le Bread and its now famous salted egg yolk croissant was introduced to me by a colleague long before a certain popular blogger shone the spotlight on it. I ate it, I liked it, I forgot about it the very next day. To me, it was just salted egg yolk custard delivered in a croissant. Dim Sum restaurants have the steamed pau version and yet I don't see everyone flocking everyday to a Dim Sum restaurant just for that. Yes, I am looking at you, people who have nothing to do but stalk the bakery for two- three days in a row for salted egg croissant.

Fluffed Cafe and Dessert Bar, Taman Paramount

So this little hidden jem of a waffle place just opened down the road from my office and I cannot be any happier. Fluffed cafe opened in mid-November and despite being new, have produced some lovely-looking and delicious waffles with interesting combinations of toppings and ice-cream.

Pooh Bear's Favourite was quickly the favourite amongst us as it came with hokeypokey ice-cream which wasn't too sweet actually. A generous drizzle of salted caramel, crushed honeycomb, banana, strawberry and blueberry atop the waffle - light, fluffy and crunchy all in one - won us over at first bite. Mind you, we were having this after a pretty heavy Thai lunch so for us to be lapping it all up spoke of its yumminess.