Khadijah's Kitchen

If you were growing up in Malaysia during the 70s and 80s, chances are you would have heard of Khadijah Ibrahim and her songs. Khadijah was a very popular singer back then but she left for New Zealand to pursue a course in interior design where she also ran a Malaysian restaurant there for several years.

Following her return to Malaysia, the legendary songstress opened Khadijah’s Kitchen in Section 11, Petaling Jaya. I’ve always wanted to visit this place since I’ve heard rave reviews about her signature dishes such as Laksa Johor and Assam Pedas Melaka. Khadijah prepares all the pastes and does most of the cooking herself and I couldn’t wait to try her dishes.

The restaurant is not very big and can only seat about 30 people at any one time. I found out that Khadijah purposely planned it this way to make her customers feel at home. The cosy setting also meant her customers can practically see each other from across the room and perhaps even be friends the next time they dine at her restaurant.

The place was packed when we arrived so we had to wait a few minutes before we were seated. There was a jovial and happy atmosphere; people were talking and laughing while enjoying the food and Khadijah herself was seen mingling and chatting with her customers, treating everyone as if they’re part of a close-knit family. Most of the furniture is made of solid wood and the walls were lined with framed photos of VIPs and local celebrities who had visited the restaurant.



The menu is pretty extensive with a wide variety of Malaysian delights covering favorites from the state of Johor right up to Terengganu. Beside the main dishes that would go well with rice, there are sections devoted solely to all kinds of laksa (laksa Johor, laksa Terengganu, laksa Penang) and rice sets (nasi bryani, nasi tomato, nasi ayam, nasi kerabu). The rice set consists of a starter, main rice dish, ice lemon tea and dessert of the day. There is also a Kid’s Menu for 10 year-olds and below and the Afternoon Tea Set (available 3pm-6pm) which offers tea-time favorites such as cucur udang and pengat durian with pulut.

Most of the dishes on the menu are from Khadijah’s own recipes but she sometimes uses her friends’ or relatives’ recipes and credits the dishes with their names. I guess that’s how Nasi Goreng (FBI) Datin Paduka Faridah Sedap Gila and Ubi Kayu Goreng (Ramli Sarip) got their names!

We spent some time looking at the menu after which we settled on these 4 dishes from the Starters and Main Dishes sections, to eat with white rice:



Sotong Masak Hitam (Ibrahim Family Favourites) (recipe from  Masria)
RM10.80 (S), RM23.00 (L)

This is pan-fried squid with tamarind, ginger, onions and chillies and is a popular dish among Johoreans. The squid ink is used as an ingredient which lends the dish its dark color. Not many restaurants serve this and I was really excited to see it in the menu. However, I was disappointed when our order arrived. There was very little squid meat in the dish and the jet-black gravy was a bit too watery for my liking.

Kari Ikan Jenahak (Kak Mas)
RM11.80 (S), RM24.80 (L)

The thick gravy of the curry was bursting with flavor although we felt like we were eating reheated, day-old curry since the fish wasn’t very fresh. However, taste-wise, this dish would appeal to any curry lover out there.



Tauhu Telur 
RM9.80

The tauhu telur (Chinese egg tofu) garnished with shredded carrot and bean sprouts, was cooked to perfection. It was simply crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth soft on the inside. What also makes this dish outstanding is the cili padi dipping sauce - a fiery sweet combo of light soy sauce with cili padi (bird’s eye chillies).

Gado-gado 
RM9.80

The Gado-gado was another big disappointment for me. The taste of the peanut sauce was a bit off and it was way too oily.

At the end of our meal, we were already full and there’s no way we could make room for dessert or even the Laksa Johor, which I was dying to try. So we decided to take away these 3 dishes and enjoy them at home.

Laksa Johor 
RM15.80

The secret of a good laksa lies in its gravy and Khadijah Kitchen’s version was superb. The spicy fish broth was full of flavor and the sambal belacan (chilli paste) provided a nice kick to this yummy dish. I wished there was a bit more garnishing though – some fresh mint leaves and ‘daun kesum’ (Vietnamese coriander) would have been nice.

Kway Teow Goreng 
RM9.80

The fried kwayteow with chicken was really delicious and I liked that it wasn’t dripping with oil. 

Forgot to take a photo of the Bubur Kacang Hijau (RM7.80) but I loved the creaminess of this dessert which wasn't overwhelmingly sweet and the beans were boiled just long enough to make them tender but not mushy soft. 

Overall, our meal at Khadijah’s Kitchen fell short of my expectations. Apart from a few dishes that stood out such as the Tauhu Telur, Laksa Johor and Kuay Teow Goreng, I felt the other dishes were mediocre. I’m guessing it’s because these dishes were pre-cooked and not prepared on order so they have somehow lost their freshness along the way. I certainly hope that Khadijah looks into the quality of the food served because Khadijah’s Kitchen used to be THE place to bring your visiting foreign friends for a taste of authentic Malaysian cuisine.

Apart from operating her restaurants (there are 2 more outlets in Setapak and Shah Alam), Khadijah also produces a range of cooking sauces.

My Overall Verdict:
Taste: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Presentation: 6/10
Value for Money: 5/10

Address and contact details:
Khadijah's Kitchen
11, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Seksyen 11,
46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: 03-7960 1079
Website: https://www.facebook.com/khadijahskitchen

Operating hours:
Daily 12.00PM - 10.00PM


Lotsa Luv

I Am A Conqueror

Hi everyone,

How many of you out there are Empire fans? Did you manage to catch the episode in Season 1 where Jamal sang the best duet ever with Delphine? Both the song and performance simply blew me away. But if you’re not an Empire follower and have no clue what I’m talking about, let me back track a bit.

Empire is an American TV musical drama series which centers on a hip hop music and entertainment company, Empire Entertainment. When Lucious Lyon, the founder and CEO of Empire Entertainment learns that he has a disease that is going to incapacitate him in three years, he is bent on grooming one of his three sons, Andre, Jamal or Hakeem to take over the company. Complications arise when Cookie, Lucious’ ex-wife and co-founder of the company, is released from prison and wants to reclaim her rightful place in the company.

The show has a wide variety of music that incorporates Empire’s themes and plotlines, thanks to Timbaland, the show’s executive music producer. But what many fans (and yours truly) consider its best song yet has to be “Conqueror”. Performed by Jussie Smollett (who plays Jamal) and British singer-songwriter Estelle (as Delphine), “Conqueror” is a beautiful duet that will be stuck in your head forever once you hear it.

The lyrics are as powerful as its melody ("I'd rather stand tall / Than live on my knees, / 'Cause I am a conqueror, / And I won't accept defeat") and Estelle’s voice is perfectly in sync with Jussie’s oh-so-gorgeous vocals (no wonder Columbia Records couldn’t wait to sign him!). Together, the two singers make up an extraordinary and moving combination.

But hey, don’t just take my word for it; check out the music video yourself. I have a feeling you’ll be hooked big-time!

For Malaysian viewers, you can catch the latest episode of Empire Season 2 on Astro Star World channel 711 on Thursdays 9pm or Sundays 10.05pm.

Lotsa Luv

10 Easy Ways To Make Time To Read

Lately I’ve been wishing that there are more than 24 hours in a day. In between holding a full-time job, blogging, spending time with loved ones, eating, sleeping and keeping up with the Kardashians, there’s just soooo much stuff to do.*wails*

Ever since I can remember, reading has always been one of the things I absolutely enjoy doing. Nothing beats curling up in a comfy spot and losing yourself in the pages of a good book. Unfortunately, these days it’s been quite a challenge to even finish a page, let alone a book. When a close friend and a fellow book lover said that she hardly has time to read anymore, I can’t help but agree with her whole-heartedly.

So how do we so-called voracious readers manage our hectic lifestyles and still find the time to indulge in our ultimate passion?

Check out these tips that have helped other busy people make time for one of life’s greatest pleasures and you might just fall head over heels in love with reading, all over again:

Tip #1: Don't Leave The House Without Bringing Some Reading Material With You

This is a very practical tip. I always keep a copy of The Reader’s Digest (my favorite magazine) in my handbag, or a book or two tucked away in my car. In this day and age, you can also read stuff from your smartphone and other mobile devices. You’ll be amazed at how much reading you can do while waiting for your queue number to flash at the bank or at the school gates during pickup time.

Tip #2: Spend Your Commuting Time To Read

Obviously this is not a tip for those of you who drive to the office. But if you take the train or bus to work, reading during your commute is a productive way to pass the time. Just don’t be too engrossed in your reading until you miss your stop and end up taking longer than necessary to get to the office or back home!*grins*

Tip# 3: Read Books That You Actually Enjoy

If you only prefer reading business books, that’s great, but if suspense novels are right up your alley, then that’s fine too. Don’t listen to what others say you “should” be reading or be pressured by the “Bestsellers List”; just read for your own pleasure. You’ll find that you’ll make more time to read if what you are reading brings you joy and excitement.

Tip# 4: Set Reading Goals

Set a daily time or page limit. Challenge yourself to spend 30 minutes of reading time each day or to read 40 pages each session before you put your book aside. Once you have set a target for yourself, stick to it. Then slowly push the bar a little higher each time and keep yourself motivated to accomplish your goal.

Tip# 5: Read More Than One Book At A Time

I used to be a serial reader – I pick up one book and read it cover-to-cover before diving into another book. But over the years, I’ve discovered that some books such as fiction novels are more suitable for bed-time reading whereas motivational books or books on religion are best read when the mind is fresh and alert. Reading multiple books enables you to keep the momentum going – you can easily switch back and forth between a serious book and a more lighthearted one, depending on your mood and the time of day.

Tip# 6: Borrow/Buy More Books Than You Can Read (?)

I’m not so sure about this tip though. I have a stack of books that I know need to be tackled at some point but seeing them piled up in a corner doesn’t encourage me to actually pick one up. What that does is just stress me out! Although this tip may not work for everyone, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try if it makes you read more than what you have time for.

Tip# 7: Read Together As A Family

This is a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones and to nurture the reading habit in small children. Try switching off the TV say after 9:00 p.m. every day so that each family member reads for at least half an hour. I know that at the end of a busy day, all everyone wants to do is just unwind in front of the TV. But instead of watching two or three shows, just watch one and substitute the other hour for reading time. As cliché as it may sound, a family that reads together does stay together!*smiles*

Tip# 8: Go Book-Clubbing

Join a reading club or book exchange club to get to know other avid readers. The KL Book Exchange and the Subang Jaya Book Exchange are great examples in the Klang Valley. Most of us need a push to get motivated and being part of a group will encourage you to continue reading. If you do join one, don’t forget to share these tips with your fellow club members!*winks*

Tip# 9: Try Speed-Reading (Or Not!)

Some people say that if you want to read more in a short amount of time, you can learn to read faster. There are various techniques for speed-reading that are easy to put into practice. These include grouping words instead of reading word by word, making your eyes move quickly by moving a ruler or pen across the page, or holding your breath and trying to finish a paragraph in that time. But if you are like me and you want to savour every written word at your own pace, this tip may not work for you.

Tip# 10: Track Your Progress

There are many ways of doing this – a Pinterest board, a note on Facebook, a list on your phone, your GoodReads account or an actual notebook. Keeping track of the books that you have read and those that you would like to read later on will help you focus on your reading.

So there you go, folks, 10 useful tips to help us busy people make more time to read.

Happy reading, everyone!

Lotsa Luv

Info credit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-jessen/how-to-make-time-to-read_b_6153350.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/11-ways-busy-people-make-time-read.html
http://michaelhyatt.com/5-ways-to-make-more-time-to-read.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/7-steps-becoming-avid-reader.html

Love Thy Mother

Hi everyone,

Sunday, 6 March 2016 is Mother's Day in the UK and Ireland. As a special tribute to all mothers world-wide, check out this heart-warming video about a mother's unwavering love for her runaway daughter. Warning: You might want to keep some tissues handy. 

Happy Mother's Day! 

Lotsa Luv

Thai Silk Songket Collection

Quality fabric in vibrant colors and beautiful designs.

2 meters of fine Thai Silk paired with 1.8 meters of intricately patterned Songket.

Exclusively handpicked and perfect for any occasion.

Whatsapp 012-305 2659 for further details.

Hurry while stocks last!

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Lotsa Luv

Palm Seremban Hotel

I was doing an on-line search for a place to stay for our weekend trip to Seremban when I came across the Palm Seremban Hotel.

As usual, I had wanted to book a room through Agoda.com, but somehow none was available in either Agoda or booking.com. Not wanting to give up, I called the hotel directly and lucky for me, I managed to book a Deluxe Room at RM198.00 nett with breakfast for 2 persons (slightly higher than Agoda’s rate but still a bargain).

The hotel was opened in June 2014 and is located right in the heart of Seremban city. It is connected to Palm Mall which is the largest shopping complex in Seremban with over 180 retail shops, a range of F&B outlets and a 10-screen movie theater (Golden Screen Cinema).

We had traveled to Seremban by car and it was not difficult to find the hotel since it is merely 500 meters from the Seremban toll exit off the PLUS highway.

Parking is available throughout the multi-level car park in the Palm Mall but it’s more convenient for hotel guests to park at either Level 5 or Level 6 since these two floors provided direct access to the hotel. Those staying at the hotel need not pay for parking. Just get your ticket validated at the hotel reception on Level UG and re-validate the ticket at the Auto-Pay machine on Level 5. If you exit the car park, you will need to get a new ticket to enter the car park again.

Our drive up to Level 5 on the spiral car park ramp was quite scary due to the fairly sharp bends. Once we’ve parked, we took the lift to the hotel reception on Level UG. Watch out for the uneven step as you approach the lift foyer; I had almost tripped!

The reception counter with the hotel’s tagline “Your Lifestyle Hotel” in the background

Our spacious room on the 8th floor which came equipped with 2 comfortable Queen-sized beds, a 40” LED HD Smart TV with Hypp TV channels, mini fridge, iron/ironing board, safe box and free Wi-Fi.

Walking barefoot on the uncarpeted, cold floor tiles (which were painted to look like hardwood) may be uncomfortable but it’s good that bedroom slippers were provided

Love the huge wall mirror

It’s always nice to have coffee/tea-making facilities in the room

The large bathroom although unfortunately, there was no hot water at the sink

The next morning, we had our breakfast at the Sago Coffee House on Level 6 which serves a wide spread of local and continental dishes.

It’s not often that you find “lempeng” (traditional Malay pancake) at a hotel breakfast buffet but Sago Coffee House has a whole station offering both “lempeng pisang” (banana pancake) and “lempeng ubi” (tapioca pancake). Cooked in aromatic banana leaves, this yummy treat was a hit with the breakfast crowd.

Two thumbs up for the friendly and efficient breakfast service at Sago Coffee House

If you had a late night and did not wake up in time for breakfast which is served until 10.30 am, there are many small eateries in the surrounding area that are within walking distance.

There is also a “mamak” restaurant right outside the hotel which is opened 23 hours instead of the usual 24 (that 1 hour is needed for crew change I’m guessing).

After a long day out, Coco Lounge is the place to unwind in the evening with a drink in your hand while being entertained by live performance

The Spa & Wellness Center on Level 5 – each massage room has its own private jacuzzi

Overall, our stay at the Palm Seremban Hotel was a pleasant one. The fact that the hotel is integrated with the shopping mall makes it very convenient for anyone’s shopping, dining and entertainment needs, especially for business travelers and those without their own transport. The hotel has a 3-star rating but the room size, amenities and service level were more than what you would expect from other hotels of the same standard.

An area for improvement that I would suggest is to beef up the security in the hotel by introducing electronic key cards that restrict the use of the lifts to the floor where the room of the checked-in guest is located. Without this safety feature, basically anyone can reach the hotel rooms through the car park lifts.

At the time of our visit, the hotel was running a promotion on room rates but you may want to check if the promotional rates are still available before making a booking:

Standard room (1 Queen Bed) – RM178.00 nett
Deluxe room (2 Queen Beds) – RM198.00 nett
Premier room (1 King Bed) – RM238.00 nett
2-Bedroom Suite (1 King + 2 Queen Beds) – RM498.00 nett
*rates inclusive of breakfast for up to 2 persons for Standard, Deluxe & Premier Rooms and up to 4 persons for 2-Bedroom Suite

My Overall Verdict:

Location: 9/10

Hotel Ambiance: 7/10

Room Comfort: 8/10

Service: 8/10

Value for Money: 9/10

Palm Seremban Hotel

Add: Jalan Sungai Ujong, 70200 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Tel: +606-768 0088
Fax: +606-768 0099
Email: reservations@palmseremban.my
Web: www.palmseremban.my

Lotsa Luv