I’ve had some amazing curries, some delicious laksas and some fabulous seafood on this Malaysian Kitchen taste journey. But what I hadn’t found was some of the simple snacks that I always eat when I’m famished from a day of shopping on the streets of Malaysia. A good Kaya Toast and a Rose Milk drink.  They aren’t the most well known Malaysian food choices over here, but these are the quiet hero foods that to my mind, are a brilliant ice breaker for those who’ve never ventured into this cuisine.

I knew I wasn’t going to find these specialties at your local Malaysian restaurant, so instead I took myself on a lunch date to Old Town Kopitiam in the QV centre in Melbourne’s CBD. Straight from the get go I knew I’d found the place to indulge in my rose milk drink passion. Right behind the bar was a wall wide display of cans containing all the key ingredients for a good Malaysian cafe drink. Milo, Horlicks, evaporated milk.. and loads of grass jelly.

My rule for ordering drinks in any Asian eating establishment is to try the version with as many things in the description that I’ve never heard of and can’t pronounce. It’s like playing roulette with your palette. It doesn’t always work out but when it does… oh boy! And that’s how I met the Rose Milk drink with Grass Jelly and the simple and yummy, Kaya Toast.  These are two perfect snack partners, and with Old Town being located right above all the QV shopping boutiques, it is the perfect mid afternoon solution for me.

Given that I can’t live on bread alone, I also ordered a couple of main dishes for lunch to perk me up. A chicken with “red sauce” and fried chicken with jasmine rice and a papadum on the side. Notice the Indian influence? I sure did when I tasted the red sauce! The serving size was quite generous for the $9.00 price tag, but like all food that is served within one minute of you ordering it, isn’t really the freshest. The chicken with red sauce was quite delicious, a nice mango and chilli tang on whole pieces of chicken on the bone. I’ll admit I’m not sure I really got the full experience of that dish as eating chicken off the bone with chopsticks is a little beyond my skill level and eating with my hands is a total no with my nails!

The fried chicken, I’m sorry to say, was a sad disappointment. I hadn’t realised at the time of ordering that these dishes were pre-cooked, and hence quite dried out and unappetising. Compared to the Ayam Kapitam fried chicken I’d had during a previous dining experience, this just didn’t make the grade and I left most of it untouched.

Even though my main meal was somewhat disappointing, those two treats that had drawn me to Old Town, the Kaya Toast and Rose Milk drink, were exactly what I needed.  Combined with the decor, certainly the best I’ve encountered on my Malaysian Kitchen experience, I could see myself heading back to try out the rest of the drinks menu.  I’d like to try their cook to order menu and compare that to the quality of the ready serve, but I’m only going to do that if I happen to be at QV on foot. Why? Because the parking at QV is $20 for an hour! So if you’re looking for a yummy way to round off an afternoon’s shopping, I’d suggest grabbing a bite of Kaya toast and playing drinks roulette at Old Town Kopitiam.

Restaurant – Old Town Kopitiam Mamak, Level 2, Shop 11, QV Square

Ambience – Great, modern decoration with authentic touches including the wall display of milo and horlicks tins! Clientele of shoppers and students on breaks.

Average price for mains – $11.00

Value for money – Okay. Given that the quality of the ready serve was on the not so flash side of things, that may balance out with the cook to order. For entree, drink and main serving for one it came to $17.00. More than I’d like to pay for a simple work day lunch, but that does include a $4.00 serving of Kaya Toast.

Pros – Fantastic drinks menu and great classic snack and breakfast foods like half boiled eggs and toast.  Really nicely decorated, spacious and good service.

Cons- Remember some of the menu selections are ready cooked, so if you are eating later in the day between main meal times as I did, it may not be the best.  Parking at QV is $20 per hour, so this is one place best visited on foot.

Being a Malaysian Kitchen Insider has been a fantastic way to discover lots about Malaysian cuisine, but also to explore the city around me.  On Saturday, we finally visited the aptly named ‘Malaysian Kitchen’ restaurant in Doncaster.  I’d driven past this one so many times and wondered what it was like, because from the street, it has a fantastic appeal.  It has a look about it that reminds me of being in Singapore, dining out at night on those warm tropical evenings.  With a big bull nosed verandah, great lighting and a warm vibe, there is something about this place that makes you want to bring all your buddies and sit there eating and drinking till midnight on a warm Spring evening.

(Thanks to Miss 7 for her photo skills in this portrait.)

The one overriding thing about this particular restaurant was the level of service – exceptional!  The staff were so friendly and attentive, paying attention to everything and anticipating your needs. It is a slightly odd, but good combination of one step above a cafe vibe, but not full on restaurant; yet the wait staff’s level of service would have been quite suited to a good restaurant. Certainly better than I have encountered in some of the more expensive Melbourne restaurants for sure.

The choices and selections of food were ample, with a more true Malay and also Indian influence rather than the often seen Chinese. But the measure of a good Malaysian restaurant is it’s laksa.

Mmmmm… good! Really fresh ingredients, nothing watery or frozen; moderately spicy and with a perfect combination of seafood that wasn’t all filler.  The only thing I felt was missing was the ginger flower I’d been spoilt with at Laksa Me at the beginning of this taste journey.  This Laksa was rich and full bodied, but was missing that vibrant lift that the ginger flower gives.  But at the end of the day, each dish ordered was tasty, well presented and quick to arrive. Combine that with the affordable price point, $60 for four people, the great service; and I think I may have found a new local favourite!

It was the little things about Malaysian Kitchen that really impressed me. The waiter that brought new chopsticks before they’d even hit the ground, the tea was refilled before any indication was given, the staff smiled and were genuinely happy; and then to top it off.. they were playing music by Bobby Darin!

Restaurant – Malaysian Kitchen, 920 Doncaster rd, Doncaster

Ambience – Warm, friendly, relaxed; like a great street cafe you’d find on holidays in Malaysia. Excellent staff!

Average price for mains – $17

Value for money – Tops! A really great dinner for four for only $60. Fast, friendly service and even good music. It has a bar and serves good coffee. One of those great places to go with friends after a movie and hang out till all hours.

*Super Kawaii Mama dined as a guest of The Malaysian Kitchen program. All reviews are conducted on a fully transparent, non-paid, no obligation basis. *

When I first began this Malaysian Kitchen Ambassador program, I remember saying something about being all inspired to cook more. That hasn’t changed, but then again, neither has my punishing schedule which is why there is still no food in the house.  After a huge weekend away in Sydney for the Fifties Fair, I came home and hit the ground running without a moment to stop for breath let alone a loaf of bread. When Monday night rolled around and the girls looked at me with hungry eyes, I knew it was time to hit up a Malaysian Kitchen to save me from their appetites.

The last adventure at Penang Inn was moderately successful in terms of getting them to eat dinner. But I did recall that when we’d taken them to Singapore earlier in the year, they’d eaten so much of a certain style of fried chicken I thought they’d burst. I had no idea what it was called, but the hunt was on to find it again.

Heading out for dinner on a Monday night isn’t always advisable, as it turns out that there are a lot of places closed. My lack of preparation was entirely apparent as we drove around, list in hand awaiting an open sign. While the children nawed on the head rests, we pulled up to Rasa Malaya, a simple strip-shop front with only one other customer in sight.

During the drive around I had called ahead to book us a table, and now upon entering, saw why this was funny. This is not the kind of joint you book for, more of a friendly drop in for locals who like me, never stock the pantry.  We were quickly shown to a table and given polite, perfunctory service – no frills.  But all of about 2 minutes later, the food appeared! Considering we were nearly falling off our chairs with hunger, this was an impressive feat.

Wanting to create one of the simple Singapore dining experiences we’d recently had on our family holiday, we chose Chicken Rice, Chicken satay (honestly – these kids and their ‘chicken on a stick’!) Ayam Kapitan (that amazing kind of KFC like fried chicken), a lamb curry with naan bread, and for desert a coconut based creation called Chendol.  Of course we all laughed about eating a “Ken Doll” for dessert, ’cause that’s what you do when you’re 4.

But honestly, the food was great. Fast, fresh, delicious, inexpensive and a typical no-frills hawker style experience.  It is the kind of place I’d go back to over and over for a fast and satisfying meal that will keep me out of the dog house.

Restaurant – Rasa Malaya 272 Blackburn Road, Doncaster East

Ambience – Dark, rudimentary hawker style type of set up. Authentic and traditional Malaysian dress worn by the serving staff. If you’re bringing children and plan on enjoying a leisurely dinner, make sure you have your phone stocked with kids games. They’ll eat and finish so fast you have to keep them entertained while the adults linger.

Average Price for Mains-  $13.00

Value for Money – Very good. The value was great, as was the taste. The super fast service is the perfect solution to when you think you need fast food, but want something with far more substance and loads more flavour.

My tummy says – Thumbs up! Don’t eat alone though as this is food made to be shared.

With Spring just around the corner I know we’re all looking for new ways to reinvigorate ourselves for the season; and my new series of workshops aims to do just that! First up on September 4th, I have the honour of presenting a whole new twist on traditional High Tea.

From the Press Release-

“Alison Waters of The Waters Group has developed an exciting opportunity for discerning tea drinkers to join David Zhou at the Melbourne Central Oriental Tea House, and introduces Candice DeVille; Australia’s premiere vintage stylist. Candice will  present a truly memorable and authentic Yum Cha High Tea workshop. In a New World twist on an Old World tradition, Candice DeVille will guide you through the etiquette and elegance of a vintage Yum Cha Tea Ceremony with all the charm, flavours and delights of East meets West.

 Experience the time honoured traditions of the tea ceremony in this afternoon workshop, set in the fragrant ambience of the Oriental Tea House’s vintage Shanghai vibe.  With a banquet selection of Yum Cha morsels and a superior selection of teas, this exclusive offering is a feast for the senses.

*Super Kawaii Mama dined as a guest of The Malaysian Kitchen program. All reviews are conducted on a fully transparent, non-paid, no obligation basis. *

My first born just about came out of the womb eating spicy food. Which is no surprise really given that I ADORE it. We used to think to ourselves (quite self-righteously), “What’s all this talk about children being fussy eaters? Ours is so easy!”  But you know what they say about pride coming before a fall – yep, you saw it coming didn’t you. These days Miss 7 now on occasions even complains that her tomato sauce is too spicy; and that’s just the regular supermarket variety. So last week I decided to take my Malaysian Kitchen Ambassador challenge to the frontiers where so many parents fear to tread.  The children in a restaurant scenario.

Given that it was Mr SKM’s birthday (Happy Birthday MR!), we decided to head out for dinner together so no one had to cook… or clean up.  I called up Pennang Inn to make a reservation for the evening, especially asking if the place was child friendly. I smiled at the wait staff’s hesitation as they said, “friendly for how many children?” Yep, good question!  After we got the green light, we headed in for dinner at 6pm, the perfect hour to take children out; that is to say before restaurants get filled with other patrons who might be a little cranky with their antics.

From the street front, Pennang Inn was very unasuming. The kind of unassuming that I’ve driven past possibly 100 times before and never noticed. Neon signage, fairly unadorned interior, a well spaced selection of tables with the stock standard white cloth and cafe style padded chair.  I have to admit, it all screamed “sweet & sour pork!” when I looked through the door. But knowing that I’d been asked to put it to the test, my family ventured up the stairs, BYO case in hand.

First thing we notice is the totally lack of other patrons (but hey, it is 6pm on a week night), but then (and big child win points for this) we are seated at a round table right next to the huge fish tank filled with fan tailed gold fish.  Who needs to bring an iPad to dinner when you can chase those around all night. Second win – realising that children will likely take your arm off at dinner time, each child is presented with a large basket of prawn crackers that they promptly thrust their faces into. Good; quiet menu reading time.

After deciding on a mix of dishes that were marked both spicy and non spicy, we decided to put on our critic hats and see if the “fantastic Chicken” actually was.  We chose a selection of entrees we thought would appeal to the girls; their favourite food in the world being, “chicken on a stick.” So we went with the satays and the BBQ Pork dish. The BBQ Pork was an unexpected selection as so many Malaysian restaurants don’t serve pork (Malaysia being a Muslim country), but I’m told that some restaurants include this to provide a full range of options to their clientele. The “chicken on a stick” lasted all of about two heart beats… okay, so not too spicy for their under developed palettes then.  The entrees didn’t look the most appetising things in the world, but they were defiantly tasty.

When it came to choosing main dishes we wanted to get a selection that reflected true Malaysian choices and gave us both those listed as spicy and those not. So it was Beef Rendang Curry, Fantastic Chicken, Steamed duck with vegetables, Lime and Chilli Calamari and Coconut Rice.  I’d anticipated that the curry and the calamari would be pretty spicy given the little chilli icons on the menu, but no. In fact I’d have to say that the curry was so far beyond mild that it was hard to even pick chilli as one of the ingredients. So bad if you’re a spicy food lover but a winner if you’re trying to feed fussy, hungry children.

The duck, (never my first choice as it is usually very fatty) was exceptional. Flavoursome, lean (this is probably not the gourmet way to eat it but my hips approved) and perfectly complimented with the mushroom selection.  The lime and chilli calamari was by far my favourite and when combined with the coconut rice I knew I’d hit my archillies heel for this restaurant. That coconut rice was so morish! Comforting, delicious and made you feel all warm and tropical; which in a Melbourne winter is a feeling you want to hold on to. The only thing that wasn’t fantastic was the “fantastic chicken”, but I’d suspected that given it’s name we were about to experience dining irony. It was at more of an “Okay chicken”, but I’m sure that doesn’t do much for you in marketing terms.

Restaurant – Penang Inn 1031a Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill

Ambience – Rather stark, suburban cafe restaurant feel. Nothing fancy, just serviceable, clean and friendly.

Average Price for Mains-  $13.00

Value for Money – Very good. With main dishes starting from 10.80 it was an inexpensive dinner out for 4 adults and two children coming it at $104 with three entrees, four large mains, rice and corkage.  It also has to be noted the entertainment factor the staff provided the children, being very chatty and patient with them as they wanted to talk to them the whole night!

My tummy says – Good for a fast and delicious feed. Not for impressing people with a fancy factor, but for a satisfying meal in a very relaxed atmosphere and fast, friendly service.

P.S: Obviously Malaysian food isn’t too spicy for Malaysian children ’cause that would just be silly; but for these soft, fussy Australian girls? It was still a winner.