Nasi Lemak: One of the Most Loved Local Food in Malaysia and Singaore

NASI LEMAK

 

If you are planning to visit MALAYSIA and SINGAPORE, you should try their local food.

As a matter of fact, just like other cities in South East Asia, Malaysia and Singapore are food heaven.

Everywhere you go, in Malaysia or in Singapore, you can find kedai kopi (coffeehouse) or rumah makan (restaurant), where they sell bunch of local food, and you will never be bored.

Among the local food in Malaysia and Singapore, I would recommend that you to try NASI LEMAK.

NASI LEMAK is a Malaysian traditional dish served in one plate, or traditionally served wrapped in banana leaves.

Nasi Lemak being sold in banana leaves

NASI lEMAK usually consists of a scoop of rice cooked with coconut milk or, in Malay, “santan”,  and topped with topping such as, boiled egg, cooked peanuts, small fish, chicken curry, fried fish and fried chicken.  And NASHI LEMAK has to be served with Sambal or Malaysian cooked chili sauce.

Sambal

 

I love NASI LEMAK for always for several reasons.

First, NASI LEMAK simply tastes good.  The combination of rice cooked with coconuts rice and sambal really enhances the rest of toppings in the mouth, and the combination of all the ingredients together in the mouth is exquisite.

Also, in many occasions, you can choose what you want to put on the rice, so there would be many combinations of the topping, and the process of choosing the topping is really fun.

Nasi Lemak is one of the most famous national food of Malaysia and Singapore.  Even it is traditionally food for Malay people, NASI LEMAK is loved by all the people in Malaysia and Singapore.

As a matter of fact, several years ago, talented Malaysian actor and director, Woo Meng Chee, who is a Chinese of Hainanese decent person, made a movie called NASI LEMAK 2.0.  This is a good example to how Malaysians love NASI LEMAK.

 

Usually, when you order NASI LEMAK in commercial restaurant, chain restaurant or restaurant which does not really specialized in NASI LEMAK,  the restaurant have already decide what to put on the rice.

But if you go to a restaurant whose specialty is NASI LEMAK, most of all the time, you may be able to chose your toppings.

The toppings are usually displayed at the entrance of the restaurant.  They usually put they rice on the plate for you , and you point out the toppings you want. They the staff will put the toppings on your rice.  And your NASI LEMAK is ready!

Nasi Lemak food vendor in Singapore

Nasi Lemak toppings displayed

Choice for Nasi Lemak

 

People in Malaysia and Singapore usually understand English, so you should not have any problem ordering NASI LEMAK.

But just in they do not understand English, HERE ARE SOME MALAY LESSON for you!

 

Minta Nasi Lemak=May I have Nasi Lemak.

Minta yang ini=May I have that one (please point the food when you say this)

Terima Kasih=Thank you

 

I guess if you know these sentences, you will get by to but yourself a NASI LEMAK.

 

NASI LEMAK is so popular in Malaysia and Singapore, that you can eat NASI LEMAK everywhere.  For example, Airasia, which, I would say, is the most successful low cost airlines in Asia,  they serve NASI LEMAK in the air, too.  And it looks like this.

AirAsaia Nasi Lemak

 

WHERE SHOULD I GO TO EAT NASI LEMAK?

May I introduce you some NASI LEMAK restaurants I recommend in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and last but not least, in NYC.

 

IN SINGAPORE

BOON LAY POWER NASI LEMAK

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak Restaurant

Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak

I always love the taste of NASI LEMAK of Boon Lay Power.  The restaurant is located in Boon Lay Place Market & Food Center in Jurong. Singapore. The food is basic, but very nice.  The taste of curry is sweet and spicy, rather mild. and the good aroma of curry will stay in your mouth for a while.

I do recommend this restaurant.

 

 

 

KUALA LUMPUR

WARONG SINARNOR

 

Nasi Lemak from Warong Sinarnor

Worung Senarnor restaurant offers traditional style of NASI LEMAK.  All the NASI LEMAK served here are good.  But the most significant about this restaurant is their Sambel or Malaysian Chili Paste.  I do know the recipe, but their Samble is good in your moth.  It is pretty spicy, but it does not burn your mouth at all.  I feel like I can eat many bowls of white rice only with their Sambel.

Their NASI LEMAK also can be served with Pegedil, which is Malay style potate cake.  I love their Pegedil with their NASI LEMAK.  It is such a good combo.

This restaurant is little far from Kuala Lumpur City Center, and it takes about 15 minutes or more by Taxi.  But I am telling you, it is worth a while trying Worung Sinarnor‘s NASI LEMAK.

 

NEW YORK CITY

SANUR

Entrance of Sanur Restaurant

 

I just went there and I wrote a review  about Sanur Restaurant in Chinatown, NYC.

Click HERE TO SEE MY REVIEW ON YELP HERE!

When I feel like I can’t wait till I visit Malaysia or Singapore next time, this is the place I go and fulfill my need for NASI LEMAK in NYC.  Please go and try their food.  I am telling you, not only NASI LEMAK, but the rest the food is wonderful there.

 

Nasi Lemak I took out today from Sanur Restaurant

 

Ok guys, again, if you visit Malaysia or Singapore, try NASI LEMAK.  I know you gonna like it, and see why all the local people of Malaysia and Singapore love NASI LEMAK.

Ok guys, have a good day, and Bon Voyage!

 

 

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT BELOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Singapore Airlines: Always the Best!

Singapore Airlines’ A380

Fly Singapore Airlines’ First Class to Singapore and to Asia, if you want a Ultimate Luxury!

Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew

Singapore Airlines is always said to be the best of world’s best airlines which provides the service “Even Other Airlines Talk About.” Singapore Airlines is always ranked as 5 star airline on Skytrax, among other 5 star airlines including Asiana Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cathay Pacific, Hainan Airlines,  Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airlines.

ANA‘s Cabin Crew

 

Qatar Airways Flight Attendants

What I think very distinctive about Singapore Airlines service is if you fly Singapore Airlines Business or First Class, the cabin crew remembers your name. Believe it or not, I flew Singapore Airlines First Class, one time before.  And the service was excellent! The service was very personal and cabin crew were very attentive.

Singapore Airlines Crew At Singapore, Change Airport

Singapore Airlines Fist Class

Also, when  I flew Singapore Airlines Business Class from LAX to Narita, Tokyo on Singapore Airlines, even after I moved from Upper deck of 747 to main deck, the cabin crew on the first floor knew my name without asking me.  That was a big good surprise, and it made my entire experience a memorable one.

 

(courtesy of Singapore Airlines)

 

In the U. S., Singapore Airlines flies to Singapore Change Airport   from JFK (via Frankfurt),  Houston (via Moscow),  Los Angles  (via Tokyo, Narita) and  San Francisco (via Hong Kong and Seoul, inchon), and further connect you from Changi to other Asian cities, such as, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Brunei, Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta and Bali.

Singapore Airlines Route Map

Changi Airport Terminal 3

Singapore Airlines Frequent Flyer Program is called KrisFlyer. You can earn miles for free airlines ticket awards by flying Singapore Airlines or with other Star Alliance members carrier. Click Logos below for some of Star Alliance members websites

Air Canada

 

Thai Airways

 

Swiss International Air Lines

 

Air New Zeland

 

Austrian Airlines

 

South African Airways

 

Egyptair

 

Eva Airways

Singapore Airlines is known as the first airline to operate the world’s biggest commercial fleet, A380.

Singapore Airlines A380

A380 of Singapore Airlines equipped with Singapore Airlines Suites.

Singapore Airlines Suite

Singapore Airlines Suite

As you can see, Singapore Airlines Suites are sort of private room in the air.  Flight Attendant will not bother you unless you need them.  Just push the button and the will visit you through a small window equipped on the slide door of Singapore Airlines Suites. When you fly Singapore Airlines First Class, you can pre order your in-flight meal menu in “Cook the Book” from which you can chose over 30 main dishes of Western, Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean and Indian.

U.S. Grilled Prime Beef Fillet

Seared Black Cod Fillet ‘à la Niçoise’

Chinese Style Cod with Fried Rice

Singaporean Style Chicken and Lamb Satay

 

 

Japanese Kyo Kaiseki by Yoshimura Murata, owner chef of famous Japanese restaurant in Kyoto, Ryotei, KIkunoi

Singapore Airlines First Class, Hainan Chicken Rice

 

Lobster Thermidor in Singapore Airlines First Class

 

Singapore Airlines First Class passenger have privilege to enjoy famous Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004

Singapore Sling, a World Famous Singapore born cocktail derive from World Famous Long Bar in Raffles Hotel

 

On Singapore Airlines flights, ll the china in First Class and Business Class, and all the toiletries are by French Haute Couture, Givenchy which celebrities from all over the world love.

 

At Changi Ariport, Singapore, when you fly First Class on Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines provides “First Class Check In Lounge,” solely for First Class Passengers.

 

Singapore Airlines First Class passenger Check-In at Changi

Upon arrival at Changi Airport, you well be met by a porter who will you guide to the First Class Lounge, where you can check in for your flight, then you will be escorted to Immigration counter specially for Singapore Airlines Fist Class Passengers to beat the long line of immigration.

After the immigration, you are directed to the First Class Lounge of Singapore Airlines called SilverKris Lounge. where you can relax chill out before your flight.  Singapore Airlines First Class lounge provides free Wifi and shower facility.

SilverKris Lounge in Changi T3

SilverKris Lounge Shower Room

 

So is it  only Singapore Airlines First Class passenger who feel fabulous and special? Even in the coach class of Singapore Airlines, you will feel special, too.

Singapore Airlines Coach class

Even in the coach class, Singapore Airlines serves three main courses on their long haul flights.

Singapore Airlines Menu in-flight Singapore Airlines from Frankfurt to Singapore

Singapore Airlines Menu in-flight Singapore Airlines from Frankfurt to Singapore

 

Singapore Airlines economy class in-flight meal

Singapore Airlines economy class in-flight meal

Singapore Airlines economy class in-flight meal

 

Singapore Airlines economy class seats are designed for the pas sender to feel comfortable even on a long haul flights.  Space between seats are wide enough.  The seats are also equipped with foot rests.

Singapore Airlines Economy Class

Singapore Airlines Economy Class

Singapore Airlines Economy Class

Singapore Airlines Economy Class

Singapore Airlines Economy Class

 

The seats of Singapore Airlines coach class are equipped with peronal TV, where you can choose over 1000 programs such as, games, music, movies through their in-flight entertainment system, KrisWorld.

KrisWorld

KrisWorld

(Courtesy of Singapore Airlines)

 

I really need to stop now, cause if I start complimenting about Singapore Airlines, I will not stop forever. So may I stop here.  But I do recommend flying Singapore Airlines for your next trip to Singapore and Asia. I guarantee you will feel like a Queen or a King, no matter what class you fly on Singapore Airlines. Ok everyone, Bon Voyage!

How much is my $ worth to Asian currencies?

Asian foreign currencies

 

How much is my $ worth?  That is the question you will have when you are planning to travel.  Especially to Asia, you may not know what currencies are used in Asian, and how much are the exchange rates are.

Most of Asian countries except some exception adopts floating exchange rate system.  So the exchange rate of each currencies vary depend on the flow of foreign exchange market.

The exchange rate is very tricky. For example, in Brunei, the government has currency board arrangement policy on their currency.  Meaning Brunei government links their currency, Brunei Dollar‘s flow to Singapore Dollar. So the value of Brunei Dollars is always equal to that of Singapore Dollar.

Sample of Brunei Dollar

 

 

Sample of Singapore Dollars

 

To convert U.S. dollars to currencies overseas, I use XE.com.

 

The home page of the website looks like this.

 

Xe.com

I like this website better than other currency exchange site like Yahoo exchange or Google exchange, because xe.com has more function like currency historical rate tables and travel expense calculator.

Travel expense calculator page makes it easier for you to budget your travel expense. Travel expense calculator function also allows you to do the math on the fees at the exchange or credit card fees of your each spending.

You can also download apps on Android and Iphone. Ipad and Windows Phone.

So now let’s start making a plan for your next trip to Asia with Xe.com.  I know you will be a pro on foreign currency exchange anytime soon.

Von Voyage!

Sample of Japanese Yen

Sample of Cambodian Riel

Sample of Thai Baht