MayaKirana

Only mad people or fanatical durian lovers would hop out of bed on a windless Sunday afternoon (yesterday, to be precise) to eat durians. We were either mad or mad over durians. It didn’t matter coz we had such goodies that I will brave the sun again, if only to taste these exquisite fruits!

This was the real Balik Pulau experience as we did drive all the way to the other side of Penang island. We almost missed the place as there was no signboard. Yes, that’s the signature style of Penang eateries sometimes. The good stuff don’t have signboards. You just follow your nose or secret trail. Continue reading »

The title intrigued, didn’t it?

We took our staff out for lunch 2 days ago to this place we were raving about since we got to know about it. A client took us there and it was so secretive, so weird that we had to bring our staff there, if only to marvel at what good marketing is about! Continue reading »

I have been living in this Sungai Dua area since 1994.

That was the year I entered university.

And that means I have been living in this area for about 14 years.

And that means I have been eating around this area for 14 years.

Which is a long time. Grrrr! I don’t know if that’s good or bad…

So suddenly I think: ya, actually I eat a lot around this area and I know some lovely and affordable places to eat. Not only Chinese food. I think this post was partly induced by Derek who asked me where else to eat porridge besides the one he goes to in Bukit Jambul. (Yes, Derek, I’ve tried that porridge place - Nic’s fave place to go for stewed pig ears and fatty pork! I just can’t stand the humidity and dirt of that shop.)

OK, so here goes. Continue reading »

I was doing work halfway when I got the hunger pangs so I had to stop a bit and take a 5-minute break.

Working from home today after a whole morning out and about. Sometimes I need to work from home because I’m the odd sort that needs some peace and quiet to think. Continue reading »

I love lunching out with my sis and cousins.

Being Penangites, we love to suss out good makan places. Two weekends ago, I decided to introduce them to a special place in Batu Feringghi - the Tropical Spice Garden.

Both my sis and cousin had never been there (my other cousin was in the States, on a work stint so she definitely missed out on this one). You know lah, Penangites won’t go to tourist areas unless they have out of town visitors. Continue reading »

I’ve never been a baker. I’m a soup maker but I’m not much of a baker.

The idea of a hot oven, a bunch of oily bowls (the aftermath of creaming butter and sugar etc) and washing up - well, that’s not really my idea of a good afternoon.

But I had made a promise. You see, when you make promises, you keep them. And so I was guilty because I had bought the needed ingredients but had yet to make good on my promise. Continue reading »

I hope you enjoy yee sang.

If you do, then buy some yee sang for charity!

Tze, a friend of mine, is organising a Prosperity Yee Sang for Charity in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year. She’ll also be presenting during the event to be held next Friday, 25 January at the E&O Hotel together with FoodFriends (a group of foodies under the International Women’s Association).

All proceeds during this prosperity yee sang for charity will go towards two charities, Eden Handicapped Centre and Seri Cahaya Orphanage. Both are located in Penang.

Here’s how you can support:

1. Buy a box of yee sang. Or better, buy many boxes of yee sang. After all, Chinese New Year is a time for sharing with family and friends. Each box is priced at RM18. Contact 261 4099 to buy your yee sang.

2. Join Tze and FoodFriends at E&O Hotel next Friday, 10.30am, for their pre-CNY celebration which includes a buffet lunch with wine and yee sang (of course!). Tze and her team will and explain Chinese traditions too. They have also lined up some food preparation demos by two chefs. To take part in this exclusive lunch, get your ticket at RM50 per person. Contact 261 4099 for details.

I had planned to join but I won’t be in Penang next week (though I hope to still blog when I am over in Kuching). That’s rather unfortunate because I’ve always enjoyed events organised by Tze and FoodFriends. I would probably buy some yee sang for family - the yee sang are generously sponsored by a friend of hers.

There are only 400 boxes of yee sang so hurry if you want to support this good cause.

After all, most if not all of us will be buying yee sang for our CNY celebrations so make it meaningful by grabbing some yee sang from this event!

This post was written some time back. But I wanted to introduce this place and let you know, in case you didn’t, that you can eat for a good reason! Continue reading »

This is a quick post to help a friend spread some news. Continue reading »

Ryoko and Jamie were in town this week and we fixed a dinner date.

Now the cool thing about them is that they’re upfront about a lot of things. They were in Penang for a few days to settle some stuff but they were also here for the pork stuff. Continue reading »