A classic Negori Dish - Masak Lemak Nangka

Masak Lemak is a signature dish from the Southern state of Negeri Sembilan. Young jackfruit is best cooked this way because coconut milk balances its earthy flavours wonderfully. This is a fiery dish so lessen the chillies if you can't handle the heat.

Ingredients
500g young jackfruit ( nangka ), chopped and boiled
2 chicken thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
3 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
A handful of bird's eye chillies ( cili padi ), pounded
2 tsp turmeric powder
Coconut Milk, extracted from 1 coconut
1 Cup Water
A pinch of Salt

Method
1. Boil the young jackfruit ( nangka ) for 30 minutes or until it starts to soften.
2. Drain the water.
3. Pound chillies and turmeric powder together. Add lemon grass and continue pounding until the mixture forms a paste.
4. In a wok, combine chicken with pounded ingredients.
5. Cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add in coconut milk.
7. Add in water. Leave it to boil.
8. Add in cooked jackfruit and simmer for 10 minutes.
9. Season well. Cook for a further 10 minutes and it's done.

Here are the ingredients you need for this classic Negori dish.

Boil the young jackfruit (nangka) for 30 minutes or until it starts to soften.

Pound chillies and turmeric powder together.

Add lemon grass and continue pounding until the mixture forms a paste.

In a wok, combine chicken with pounded ingredients.

Add in coconut milk and water.

Add in cooked jackfruit and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Cook for a further 10 minutes

Done all ready....Nyumm...nyummm

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Top 10 Adventures in Malaysia

Located in the tropics, Malaysia is separated into two halves by the South China Sea. The peninsula is home to the sprawling modern cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, while Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo boast jaw-dropping landscapes and vast amounts of endemic flora and fauna. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country with a very diverse culture and heritage. It is the abode of tropical evergreen forests, huge national parks as well as rugged mountain terrains.

Here is my bucket list of some great Malaysian adventures that I would love to do when I visit this beautiful country!

Hiking in Mount Kinabalu:

Mount Kinabalu earns the distinction of being the tallest mountain in South-East Asia and offers an astonishing panoramic view of Sabah from it’s highest point. It is one of the easier peaks to conquer but the addition of a 1.2 km long Via Ferrata now offers various routes that have different levels of difficulties. The hike to Low’s Peak, which is the highest point (4095m) is the best part of the tour as the views from the peak are stunning and make all the effort worthwhile!

Yachting:

Malaysia boasts a fascinating coastline and the best way to enjoy the beauty of it is by chartering a yacht. Sailing to Langkawi islands would be a serene experience. Langkawi is home to uninhabited islands, lush rain forests, beautiful white sand beaches, astonishing caves and lakes. You can also spot long tailed macaques, Langkawi sea eagles, hairy nosed sea otters as well as the shy yet beautiful langour. It would be a perfect sailing holiday for all nature lovers.

Mountain Biking:

Mountain biking through the tarmac roads of Borneo is a great way to see what Malaysia has to offer. It’s a rustic way to discover mountains, beautiful rivers, beaches and the dense forests of the country! It is an adventurous way to get a feel of the country as it moves under your wheels!

Jungle Trekking in Taman Negara:

Taman Negara is Malaysia’s largest national park and is home to numerous wonderful species of wildlife and dense, lavish rainforests. The canopy walk which affords you a view from atop the forest, and the night watches for nocturnal life, makes for once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

Scuba  diving in Sipadan:

Sipadan is considered to be the Mecca for most diving enthusiasts. Sipadan is an exquisitely beautiful habitat for over 500 species of coral and over 3000 species of fish. Scuba diving in the Sipadan waters is unique as it features a majestic drop-off that cascades down into 700 meters of endless beauty. The diving site offers a visual treat as the waters feature a diverse range of marine life ranging from the hawksbill turtle to the white-tip shark.

Platform Snorkeling:

The Langkawi islands offer a unique experience of exploring the beautiful coral reefs, not through scuba, but from a floating platform that is accessed by a speed boat. This gives a rare opportunity for snorkelers to tour the radiant coral garden that is enriched with great marine life!

Whitewater Rafting:

The Sungai Kampar river in Perak offers a thrilling rafting adventure as you can ride through the beautiful river that is set amongst a luscious rain forest and tackle 14 exciting rapids. The river flows along extravagant caves and temples, and also features hot springs. The whitewater rafting will make you go on an adrenaline rush and is a great way to get in touch with nature!

Living with the Penan Tribe:

This is a great adventure as you can get to explore some unprotected areas in Sarawak and live with the tribes as well as learn about their fascinating rituals. You can experience their activities of blowpipe making, rattan weaving and wildlife tracking, and learn the value of medicinal plants as well. It is a truly fascinating way to appreciate nature among those who are closest to it.

Wreck Diving:

Diving enthusiasts can indulge in wreck diving as four great wrecks await exploration in the stunning Labuan Islands. They include an Australian wreck, an American wreck, a blue water wreck and a cement wreck. The crystal clear blue waters give great visibility for all the wrecks.

Jet Ski:

Another great, fun water activity is the jet ski tours on the waters of the Menumbok river, in Sabah. The tours last up to almost three hours and the jet skis can be rented from the many watersports centres in the area. Jet skiing is a great water sport for people of all ages and probably the best way to enjoy the sun and waters!

With such rich natural beauty, culture and heritage, Malaysia is indeed “Truly Asia”!

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Ayam Goreng Mamak

This fried chicken is a famous staple at Indian-Muslim ( mamak ) joints across Malaysia. Crispy, juicy and bursting with spices, it's sinful and greasy but so freakin' delicious which makes it simply irresistible.

Ingredients
3 Large Chicken Drumsticks, scored

Aromatics
4 cloves Garlic
1 Large Onion
an of inch Ginger

Spice Mix
1 Tbs Chicken Curry Powder
½ Tbs White Pepper
2 Tbs Chilli Powder
½ tsp Turmeric Powder
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Sugar (optional)

For Frying
2 sprigs Curry Leaf
Enough Oil for deep-frying

Method
1. Blend aromatics into a thick paste.
2. Combine the spice mix and aromatics paste together. Coat the chicken with the mixture and marinade for at least 2 hours. ( Overnight is best )
3. Heat up enough oil for deep-frying.
4. Once the oil starts to heat up, add curry leaves.
5. When the leaves start to crisp up, carefully put the chicken pieces in.
6. Fry the chicken until it turns a reddish golden brown colour.
7. Once done, take the chicken out of the oil and rest for 5 mins, then cut into smaller pieces and serve.

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Welcome to LEGOLAND Malaysia

According to Tourism Malaysia, there were 24.7 million recorded tourist arrivals last year, with tourism receipts totalling RM58.3bil. The Malaysia Tourism Plan 2020 is targeting 36 million tourist arrivals and RM168bil in tourism receipts by 2020.

Legoland parks typically house miniature Lego structures built around themes such as Star Wars as well as mini villages with landmarks in the area. Other Legoland parks are located in Denmark, Germany, the UK and the US.

The heart of Legoland Malaysia is Miniland, which features various Asian landmarks recreated using more than 25 million Lego bricks.

Apart from Legoland’s own features, Boerst believes that up and coming attractions nearby will drive visitors to the Iskandar region and by extension, to Legoland.

“Legoland fits well with the tourism pillar of Iskandar. There is a good concept for Iskandar and we are working with other attractions in the vicinity to offer attractive packages,” Boerst said.

The Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park in Nusajaya is scheduled for a November opening with attractions such as Lat’s Place and a Sanrio Hello Kitty Theme Park among other things. Iskandar Malaysia is looking to add more theme parks for the region to boost tourism activity there.

Some have been quick to point out that Legoland is no match for Singapore’s integrated resorts, which have stronger products to offer. The attractions at the resorts include Universal Studios Singapore, a casino and the Marine Life Park which cater to a wide range of visitors compared to Legoland’s target audience of young children.

But Boerst believes that Singapore’s resorts are not direct competitors.

“It is always good to have healthy competition, but I believe we can profit from each other. Legoland’s presence here adds to the whole tourism attraction in this part of South-East Asia and tourists on longer stays can visit parks in both countries,” he said.

Additionally, a water park and Legoland Hotel are slated to be opened in 2013 and 2014 respectively, which would mean more integrated offerings for Legoland. This will draw longer-staying visitors and add to Legoland’s revenue.

Legoland expects to generate more than RM100mil in revenue in its first year of operations. This will come from all the attractions in the park, restaurants as well as retail outlets.

“We should see operational profit in the first year itself, but to recover the full investment will depend on the long-term development of the park which usually takes about 15 to 20 years,” Boerst said.

The combined cost of the theme park and planned water park is RM720mil, which is fully funded by the Malaysian government, while the construction of the hotel will cost RM190mil.

Boerst said, although Legoland essentially only manages the park in Malaysia, UK-based Merlin Entertainments Group, the owner and operator of the other Legoland parks, will look into acquiring at least a 20% stake in Legoland Malaysia moving forward.

This will increase Merlin’s reach in Asia, which is expected to be the new playground for theme park operators as the North American and European markets mature and visitor numbers plateau.

A report by Pricewaterhouse-Coopers forecast Asian theme park attendance to grow to 290 million in 2012 from 249 million in 2007, while spending in that period is expected to rise from US$6.4bil (RM19.93bil) to US$8.4bil.

Market research company Global Industry Analysts Inc estimates that the global theme parks market could reach US$29.5bil by the year 2015 and US$31.8bil by 2017, offering plenty of room for growth in Asia.

Boerst said Legoland may venture into other Asian markets and is already in negotiations for a theme park in South Korea.

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R.A Nasi Lemak

If we have to choose a national dish, nasi lemak would be a worthy contender. It's the most familiar and widely enjoyed dish in Malaysia. In KL, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to nasi lemak. One of our all-time-favourite NL haunt is R.A Nasi Lemak.

Paru goreng at R.A is what makes me come here over and over again. Theirs is the dry version where cow lungs are deep fried with ginger and shallots until crispy. To tenderize the lung, they boil it whole for a few minutes before cutting it into thin slices and then frying it. The texture of the lungs is like beef jerky, crisp on the outside and a little chewy when you take a bite. If you're a paru fan, be prepared to come early because these dream-worthy lungs would be one of the first things to run out every day.

Sambal sotong is also popular here. The squid is covered with thick sambal while the texture is springy with plenty of bite. 

Even eaten plain, the nasi lemak here is pretty good. Rice is cooked almost al-dente so it's not clumpy and dense. It falls into individual grains making them the perfect transporter for the chilli sambal. The rice is flavoured with just a hint of coconut milk, which makes it light enough to enjoy on a workday morning. 

The sambal is not overly sweet and has just enough heat. So, if you love chillies, this could be a bit mild for your liking.

You can find R.A Nasi Lemak at Raja Abdullah ( hence the R.A in their name ), near the Dang Wangi police station. A cook named Haji Gedek created most of the popular dishes here and the recipes have remained unchanged since he started selling nasi lemak more than 25 years ago.

Although Haji Gedek is no longer around, his legacy lives on through his grandchildren, Puan Roslin and Encik Fendi. Now, they're the ones handling the business. The business has prospered and nasi lemak fans still flock here every day to get their nasi lemak fix. With so many fans, it's no wonder that R.A goes through 5-6 barrels of rice daily.

Another plus point for R.A are their prices. Even though it's located smack in the middle of the city, the prices have remained low. For 'nasi lemak biasa' you only need to pay RM1.50 and even with lauk, a plate of nasi lemak would usually only cost about RM3.50. This makes breakfast here tastes even more tastier! 

For lung aficionados who don't mind waking up early to sample the best paru goreng in KL, I urge you to try the ones sold at R.A. Even if you're not an early-riser, you'll have to try it at least once. I won't be surprised if the paru goreng here would actually motivate you to wake a little bit earlier than usual because they're just so totally worth it. 


Address:
15A Jalan Raja Abdullah, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur. 
(Roadside stall behind Dang Wangi train station)

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"Don'tcha want Some Dalca?"

Nasi Dalca
This is a chuck-everything-in-the-bamboo-and-let them-get jiggy-with-each-other kinda recipe. It cooks super fast too because unlike lemang where there's only the rice to soak up the liquid, here there are lentils and meat to help it along.

Ingredients
2 Tbs Oil/ Butter
300 g Beef/ Lamb, cut into small chunks
1 cup Dhal/ Lentils, soaked
2 cups Rice
4 Shallots, chopped
2 Garlic, chopped
1 Tomato, chopped
2 Star Anise
1 Cinnamon Stick
4 Cloves
1 Tsp Mustard Seeds
1 ½ Tbs Beef Curry Powder
A sprig of Curry Leaves
½ Tbs Salt
1 Tsp Sugar
4 ½ cups Water
Banana Leaves
Bamboo, cut into sections

Method
1. In a mixing bowl, except water, mix all the ingredients together.
2. Insert / roll banana leaf into the bamboo. Use enough to cover the sides of the bamboo.
3. Fill in 2/3 of the bamboo with the combined ingredients and pour water in till it reaches the top of the bamboo.
4. Repeat this step till all the ingredients are used.
5. Let it steam for about 30 minutes.

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Gulai Asam Keladi

The humble taro is cooked in a delightful tangy broth in this simple recipe. This dish is a common 'lauk' served in Malay homes across Malaysia.

Ingredients
400 g Taro (Keladi), peeled and cut
1.5 L Water
2 cloves Garlic
6 Shallots
an inch Belacan
an inch Turmeric
20 gm Anchovies
6 pieces Asam Keping ( Dried Tamarind )
A Handful of Laksa Leaves
3 Tbs Chilli paste
Salt 
Sugar

Method
1. Boil the taro until 2/3 tender, discard the water when it's done cooking.
2. Add a new batch of water, about 1.5 litre and bring the taro to boil.
3. Pound the aromatics, anchovies and belacan into a rough paste.
4. Mix the paste into the taro and water mixture. Add in chilli paste.
5. Add in laksa leaves and asam keping.
6. Season well.
7. Let it cook for about 5-7 mins.

Peel the keladi

Cut it into chunks

Boil until 2/3 tender, throw away the water. Bring the Keladi to boil with 1.5 litre of water

Pound all the ingredients into rough paste.

Pour into the boiling pot. Put everthing in.

Season well. Let it boil for about 5-7 mins.

Gulai asam keladi is done!

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