The Tropical Spice Garden had been high on my list of places to visit when planning my recent trip to Penang. I had read about the cooking classes, the café, and the tours of the gardens which made it sound like it would be quite a pleasant day out. […]
Chowrasta Market, Penang’s famous 19th Century Institution
Chowrasta Market, also known as Chowrasta Bazaar, is a famous Penang institution that has been around since the late 19th century. Housed inside a recently renovated building, with a façade that reminds me of a 1960s council building, the market is a hive of activity with a few interesting points […]
13 Famous Must-try Penang Hawker Food
When it comes to the famous must-try Penang hawker food, there is no shortage of quality options available. As a result, the competition is fierce which means the quality of dishes is outstanding. As I’ve written before, to help me research this important topic, I joined the “Penang Hawker Food” […]
The Essential Guide to Must-try Food in Penang
The food in Penang – it is a visit to Malaysian food heaven. When Malaysians argue about their favourite food city or town, Penang is always high up on the list, if not first most of the time. The food in Penang is heavily influenced by its multicultural history. Waves of immigration […]
The Secret Garden Restaurant – Saigon
The Secret Garden restaurant is well named, with a couple of secrets you need to discover before sitting down to a hearty Vietnamese meal. First, the entrance is partially a secret and quite difficult to find as it’s marked by a small sign at the end of a busy alleyway. […]
5 Must Visit Markets in Saigon
One of the best ways to experience the vibrancy of Saigon is to visit one of the many markets located throughout the city. From the tourist-centric Ben Thanh Market in District 1, to Binh Dien, the mega seafood wholesale market located on the outskirts of the city, you will find […]
Snakes, a Cooking School, and Ben Thanh Market
Cooking and eating snake! Yes, this was going to be a first. I had been looking through the brochure from Saigon’s Vietnam Cookery Centre, where they list each days’ available dishes for the cooking class. I was immediately drawn to Monday, where they made mention of “snake” in two of […]
The Lunch Lady with a Side-serve of Cynicism
I wanted to visit The Lunch Lady in Saigon’s District 1 after reading about Anthony Bourdain’s visit as well as a number of other positive articles on the consistency and quality of the soup served each day. The Lunch Lady (Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh) has a routine of serving a […]
Trinh’s Frog Legs Recipe with Lemongrass and Chili
This frog legs recipe with lemongrass and chili is a delicacy in Vietnam. The mix of lemongrass and chili is a classic Vietnamese food combination that is simply delicious. Today I find myself in the kitchen of my good friend Trinh. Trinh and her family run a small homestay through […]
Binh Dien – Saigon’s Wholesale Seafood Market
As we enter the seafood section of Binh Dien, Saigon’s largest wholesale market, the first sound we hear is the rattling sound of clams being shaken back and forth in metal graders. It’s an unrelenting noise and combining that with the glare coming from large lights hanging from the ceiling […]