New vs the Old in Kuala Lumpur

Like many developing cities around the world, Kuala Lumpur is constantly changing. Many of the familiar landmarks in and around town have disappeared or have been replaced. Planet Hollywood is gone, new shopping malls such as Pavilion and Fahrenheit88 are the rave now. Even the old Pudu bus station has been renovated into a modern facility.

However, you can still sight the old KL charm when you visit places like Jalan Petaling where you still see street barbers at work and pork sellers in the wet market at Jalan Hang Lekir.

During my most recent trip to KL, I managed to get up close and personal with several Formula 1 racing cars on display at the new shopping malls.

One thing that has not changed for so many years is the unfinished construction site along Jalan Pudu just beside the Pudu bus station. Construction has stopped for a very long time and there is no sign that it will start again anytime soon. This time round, I saw something new though. A young boy spray painting graffiti.

More Favourite Food Places in KL

There are just so many places where you can find good food in Kuala Lumpur, that it will take a few more posts before I can list all my favourites. Every time I visit KL, I will find some new food stalls or restaurants that serve up simply irresistable fare. During my latest visit, the auntie selling "tau fu fah" or sweet soya beancurd gave me a recommendation. Her homemade soya beancurd is smooth and the sugar syrup is just right, not too sweet, and it only costs RM1.20 per bowl. Located just at the corner of Tengkat Tong Shin and near the hotel I always stay in KL, I never fail to drop by for a bowl any time I want a snack.

She noticed that I like to eat, so she recommended a stall along Jalan Alor (somewhere in the middle section of the long street) that sells homemade fish paste served with noodles in a claypot. I found the stall easily. It's called Charn Kee and serves really delicious curry noodle.

I will definitely be back to try out their other dishes.

Another of my favourite stalls is the famous Ngau Kee Beef Noodles, also found along Tengkat Tong Shin. It serves the noodles with a beef gravy that is specially made. The spicy dip sauce also needs special mention. They serve till quite late at night, so if you are ever hungry and cannot sleep, do drop by for supper.

This may look like just another bowl of porridge, but I tell you, it is possibly the most delicious chicken porridge ever. This stall has been around for more than 40 years, selling chicken rice and porridge at the same location. It is situated in a side lane off Tengkat Tong Shin. The stall is so well-known that they don't even need a name. Those who know good food, knows exactly where to find them.

So far, everyone that I brought to try their porridge has agreed with me. I simply cannot leave KL without at least going there once. Simple, yet delicious. Such is the joy of living to eat!

2011 Clipsal 500 Adelaide 17 - 20 March, South Australia

Thanks to SGP and SMSA, a group of us newly promoted senior race officials were sent to Adelaide, South Australia for the 2011 Clipsal 500 Adelaide motorsport festival. The trip, as part of the training programme, was short and the schedule was tight.

Immediately upon arrival, we went on a track walk to familiarise with the circuit and then to the race briefing.

The races involved many different categories of cars and some of these were on display at the spectator areas around the circuit.

I was assigned to Sector 6, which has a run-off area, but was relatively a safe corner. We had several incidents happening at the Sector, but nothing serious. The entire team was very experienced and they worked together very well, needing very little supervision. I certainly learnt alot from all of them.

On the final day, I managed to squeeze out some time to visit the merchandise area, and this is what I found.

It was a great experience and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The officials were all very friendly and willing to share their expertise. Many of them have been volunteering for many, many years. I hope to be able to apply some of what I had learnt to the Singapore Grand Prix later in the year.

First visit to Adelaide, South Australia

Just returned from a trip to Adelaide, South Australia. It was my first time there, so everything was a new experience for me.

The flight took about 7 hours and we flew overnight, arriving at Adelaide airport around 9am. It is considered autumn at this time of year, and the weather though hot but it was not humid. In the early morning and night, the breeze could be quite chilling while the afternoon sun is hot.

We stayed at a quaint little boutique hotel along Wakefield.

The hotel was conveniently located near the racing circuit and also not too far away from town. It takes a slow 10 to 15 minutes walk to reach Victoria Square.

From Victoria Square, it was another 10 minute walk to Rundle Mall, which is the famous shopping district in Adelaide.

Only problem is, the shops close real early everyday, around 6pm. So did not have the chance to do much shopping because I was held up all day on trackside duty. Still we managed to visit Adelaide's Chinatown which have restaurants open till late.

All in all, I had a very pleasant stay in Adelaide. I will definitely be back for more next year for the Clipsal500 meet and stay a little longer.

Petaling Street - KL's Chinatown

Every time I visit Kuala Lumpur, one place I always frequent at least once, is what they call "Chee Cheong Kai" or Jalan Petaling. Together with Jalan Hang Lekir, Jalan Sultan and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock they form the so-called Chinatown of KL.

Over there, you can find a Chinese wet market in the mornings, a "thieves" market in one of the backlanes and lots of good food. In the afternoon, the whole street is transformed into a night market or "pasar malam" which lasts till around 10.30pm every night. You can get some pretty good bargains there including antique watches, imitation footwear and apparels (which are of quite hight quality I must say), pirated DVDs and CDs, accessories and just about anything you can think of.

There is also too much good food to recommend, so i will introduce them bits at a time.  First I will start with the hawker stalls that can be found from the early morning.

King of Tea

"Cha Wong" or King of Tea can be found near the corner of Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Sultan, in front of the shops selling barbecue meats. It operates from early morning till around noon only and serves pretty decent English tea and Coffee, Hainanese style. While I was there, their take-away "teh ping" and "kopi ping" were very popular with the workers there and foreigners alike. Just look at that huge packet of ice. They certainly don't stint on ice, like our local coffeeshops. I would usually buy some titbits from the other hawker stalls and sit down to eat with a cup of fragrant and strong milk tea.

Different flavoured Muah Chee

This old lady is very friendly and she sells home-made muah chee in various flavours including sesame seed, lychee, strawberry, mango, chocolate etc. She is usually only there in the morning as her muah chee is so popular with school students that they will be sold out by early afternoon. The price RM5 per box has been has remained the same for years despite inflation.

Chee Cheong Fun

Another very popular breakfast item is the chee cheong fun, which is located at the junction of Jalan Petaling and Jalan Hang Lekir, in a corner shop. What I like is the sauce they use. It is like peanut butter mixed with mustard. You must try for it is an experience in itself.

Famous fried Hokkien noodle

The same corner shop is turned into a mini-restaurant or "zi-char" stall which sells the famous Fried Hokkien Noodle in dark soya sauce. Under same management at Kim Lian Kee Restaurant (just across the road directly opposite), they are the oldest and most famous fried Hokkien noodles in KL. It is simply delicious. Your visit to KL will not be complete without trying this dish.

Luo Han Guo/Dried Longan Drink

At the other side of the junction, you will find my favourite drink stall. They sell the best Air Mata Kuching or Luo Han Guo/Dried Longan drink in KL. Served ice cold with a generous amount of dried longans, the drink is like water in an oasis in the desert. After walking and perspiring at the night market, you will invariably be refreshed by it. One cup is usually never enough for me.

Fried sweet potato balls

Sweet potato balls, hand-made fresh on the spot and deep fried till golden brown. Not something you can find easily nowadays. This stall along Jalan Hang Lekir is located at the head of a small lane. Tasty and crunchy, but I prefer them abit sweeter like the ones at Maxwell market in Singapore.

Roast Duck Web-feet Bao

Another once of my favourite is this stall that sells roast duck, braised duck and web-feet bao. You can hardly find this tasty item in Singapore anymore.  I always make it a point to buy and bring them back for my mother and my son. It is made with chicken/duck liver and pork wrapped in the palm of the webbed duck feet and bundled together with the small intestines of the duck, roasted with a delicious sauce. I simply cannot stop once I get started.

There are quite a few more stalls and dishes which I want to introduce to you. Perhaps in one of my future posts I will reveal more. You must visit KL's Chinatown when you are in town. You can take a taxi there, but I prefer to walk down Jalan Pudu from Bukit Bintang and you are there in less than 20 minutes. Or you can take the Ampang Line transit rail to stop at the Plaza Rakyat station, a short walk down hill to Petaling Street. Another way is the take the KL Monorail to Maharajalela station and take a stroll to Jalan Petaling.