Sunday, July 28, 2013

Soong Kee Beef Noodle @ Lot 10 Hutong


Soong Kee has a long history when it comes to beef noodle in KL. Besides the original shop located near Jalan Pudu, one can dine in comfortably in one of their branch in Lot 10 Hutong.

 
One can read its history from newspaper articles which are on display at the stall. It tells the story of how the founder started the business and how the brand become successful today.

 
 
Everything here is self service and one will need to carry the tray of what they ordered, just like any food court in the malls. Definitely one of the best place to enjoy beef noodle in an air conditioned surrounding.

 
The egg noodle actually tastes like wanton noodle. It is topped with finely minced meat (it could either be beef or pork) cooked with dark soya sauce paste. It is not the taste of the beef noodle I am used to but this one will still do.

The price had definitely went up in the recent year. The combo cost a total of RM 10.80 (subtotal: RM 10.20 and government tax : RM0.60). It used to cost less than RM10. I like the beef balls soup better though. It comes with thin beef slices and beef intestine.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Sinki Restaurant, Dengkil

When it comes to food, Dengkil has a lot to offer and one of the best place to eat here is at Sinki Restaurant. It is at a row of old shop houses just beside the police station.

 
This restaurant is now seems to run by the second and third generation of the original founder. Due to its proximity to Putrajaya, some of the ex-ministers used to dine here.

 
The Chilli Fish (RM 20) is a must try fish here. No visit will be complete without trying this dish. The fish is fresh and fried crispy. The spicy and sweet gravy is the best part. It goes really well with the fish and rice.

Pork Knuckle (RM 25) is quite a decent dish which comes with thai sauce. I still prefer the German pork knuckle though.

Paku (RM 10) is nicely stir fried  with some dried shrimp, chillies and garlic.

I really like the food here. Cheap and cheerful. Some of the other worthy dishes here are the prawn in dark soya sauce, simple boiled chicken & steam tofu and fish balls

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Raya Decoration 2013 @ The Curve


The Curve is probably the earliest shopping mall to set up their Raya decoration this year around the Klang Valley.

Their concept this year is to rewind back to the sixties and create the ambience of shopping at KL's famed Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

 
 
Shoppers can bring back those good old memories with the colourful 1960-era facades with their distinctive colonial style architecture.

 
The Coliseum Theater replica also act as the main stage where performances will be held at certain intervals.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Electra House

Electra House was once the focal point of the city as it was the first multi storey shopping complex in Kuching. This is the place where the urban and rural people meet back then. Most of the city bus will converge here and turn this place to some sort of transportation hub.

The shopping complex adopts an open air concept and is not air conditioned. Sugarbun fast food outlet is at the ground floor and business seems to survive in the current competitive business environment.

Just opposite the complex is an open air food court (with the iconic observation tower which once house the fire station for the town). This once popular and important building still stands proud until this very day.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Bishopgate, Kuching


There is a tiny street which cut across Carpenter Street in Kuching which has some historical value not known to many. Most visitor will miss the gate as it is not so conspicuous among the shop houses along Carpenter Street.  However, the once prominent gate is now reduced to just a small portion of the brick wall.

 
Bishopgate Street derived its name after the gate of the Anglican Mission complex in the 18th and 19th century. The Anglican mission complex was separated from the shop houses of the bazaar by a brick wall.

 
The stout ironwood doors of the Bishopgate were used for pedestrian access to the Kuching's main thoroughfares, the bazaar and the Waterfront. Today, most part of the wall had to make way for a new road (which is a shame actually).

 
The official access to the Cathedral compound was from the front, that is from the Rock Road. The Bishop's watchman locked the gate at dusk, keeping the mission staff and families in and unwelcome visitor outside.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Balai Polis Sentral, Kuching

Balai Polis Sentral used to be the police headquarter for Kuching and was built during the Brooke era. It is now consider a heritage building and still function as an important police station for the city centre.

 
The police headquarter was built in 1931 adjacent to the Padang Merdeka and Post Office to replace the old one at the Round Tower in Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg. It is constructed wholly on concrete. All branches of the police force are based here.

Back then, the lower floor are the offices and the upper floor have living quarters for bachelors. It was once known as "Rumah Pasong (The Lockup)". The roof was once constructed of belian timber.

 
All of the access points (windows and doors) are strongly secured by metal grills and solid construction door which pretty much retain its original design and architecture.

Friday, July 5, 2013

St. Thomas's Cathedral, Kuching

Just beside the Padang Merdeka, stand a magnificent cathedral in the heart of Kuching city. It has a history of more than a century.

The Church of England sent its first missionary to Borneo in 1847 at the request and invitation of the first white Rajah, Sir James Brooke. The Revd. Francis Thomas McDougall, priest and doctor was chosen for this pioneer work and his team landed in Kuching on 29th June 1848 after sailing for 6 months from England. A considerable area of jungle-covered hill behind the old town then was given to the church by the Rajah.

On 28th August 1849, Revd. McDougall began the erection of a fine wooden Gothic Church capable of holding 250 persons. On 22nd January 1851, Bishop Wilson of Calcutta consecrated this church to the glory of God and in honour of St. Thomas, the Apostle. It serves as the Pro-Cathedral until 1920 when it was considerably enlarged and raised to the status of a cathedral. The old cathedral was situated at the site of the present Parish Hall.

The foundation stone for the present cathedral was laid on 15th October 1953 by H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent while the first sod was cut by Bishop Nigel Cornwall on 27th January 1955. The building was completed by May the following year. The greater part of the cost was given by the Christians and others in the Diocese as each parish sponsored a part of the building. The consecration of the Cathedral took place on the 9th June 1956 at the hand of Bishop Cornwall

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Plaza Merdeka

Kuching City Centre has been deprived of quality shopping experience since the opening of The Spring Shopping Mall at Jalan Simpang Tiga where most of the tenants at Sarawak Plaza, Riverside Shopping Complex and Tun Jugah Complex had left.

Plaza Merdeka which was opened to the public on November 2012 is located just opposite the Kuching Post Office and adjacent to the Padang Merdeka. This modern shopping mall with a classical building facade is designed by Yolanda David Reyes.

 
It brings back the sorely missing shopping experience back for the visitors and tourists who do not have vehicle to visit at the more vibrant shopping complexes outside the city centre.


 
 
It is a medium sized shopping mall with decent mix of tenants. For those who are used to bigger malls in KL, Plaza Merdeka is a pale shadow compare to its counterpart at the bigger cities.

 
 
The Plaza offers a decent open space to hold events. Notice a sizeable crowd patronizing this place during the weekend. Overall, it still offers a pleasant shopping experience.

 
 
There are a few cafes and spots within the plaza which offer a clear view of the Padang Merdeka and its surrounding area. Definitely an ideal place to unwind after a hectic day exploring this beautiful city.