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Nando’s: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore

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As a big fan of anything delicious, KajoMag was invited to Nando’s 20th celebration in Malaysia at Aeon Mall on June 7th.

Nando's: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore
Nando’s: The iconic Mozambican-Portuguese style chicken dish

Did you know that Nando’s first came to Malaysia 20 years ago?

Serving up their signature flame grilled chicken with its PERi-PERi sauces adored by chicken lovers all around, Nando’s first outlet to open in Malaysia was in Kuala Lumpur.

Today, Nando’s has 73 outlets nationwide, including three in Kuching (tHe Spring, Vivacity Megamall and Aeon Mall Kuching Central) and three in Kota Kinabalu (Imago Shopping Mall, 1 Borneo Hypermall and Oceanus Waterfront Mall).

“We are excited about reaching such a significant milestone here in Malaysia, We started in 1998 and 20 years on and we are still firing up the tastebuds of our amazing fans and hitting a few new-comers as well,” said CEO of Nando’s Malaysia, Stephen Chow. “Our magical little chilli called PERi-PERi is to thank for this as it is our heart and it is truly unique to Nando’s.”

Nando's: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore
The juicy and savoury chicken wings smothered in its PERi-PERi sauce

At Nando’s, we were served its usual iconic mouth-watering dishes such as their succulent chicken, savoury Portobello mushrooms, chicken wings, Mediterranean rice, coleslaw, grilled vegetables, potato wedges and sweet potato fries.

Nando's: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore
A must try: Nando’s sweet potato fries are simply addictive!

Later, we were served a plate of PERi-PERi chocolate brownies sprinkled with chilli flakes.

Nando's: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore
Assorted vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots and cucumber with their smokey PERi-PERi drizzle. To eat, mix the PERi-PERi sauce with the drizzle before dipping your choice of food into the mix.

That night, Nando’s also provided raw ingredients for guests so that they could custom-make their own PERi-PERi sauces.

In conjunction with Nando’s 20th anniversary in Malaysia, here are some interesting facts every Nando’s fan should know about the iconic Mozambican-Portuguese style chicken dish.

How it all started

Nando’s began in a small town of Johannesburg in South Africa in 1987. The restaurant was founded when Portuguese born audio engineer Fernando Duarte introduced his friend, entrepreneur Robbie Brazin to a Portuguese takeaway called Chickenland. After tasting the chicken, cooked in piri piri, a Portuguese chilli sauce from a pepper found in Mozambique, they bought the restaurant and renamed it Nando’s.

The restaurant was named after Fernando’s first born son.

After two years, the restaurant has four outlets, three in Johannesburg and one in Portugal.

Today, Nando’s has about 1,000 outlets in 30 countries.

The African bird eye chilli is the heart of Nando's great flavour and PERi-PERi sauces.
The African bird eye chilli is the heart of Nando’s great flavour and PERi-PERi sauces.

The Bird’s Eye Chilli

The iconic tiny red PERi-PERi chillies are unique to Nando’s.

They are grown in the rich soil and under the blistering hot sun in South Africa.

It takes 42, 000 chillies to fill one 14 kg bag and every year, they produce 25, 000 bags. That’s over a billion chillies!

Each chilli plant produces about 300 chillies which are hand-picked and plucked one at a time.

Hand sorted and naturally dried, the PERi-PERi chillies grow pointing up towards the hot sun.

The who, how and where of the PERi-PERi chillies

Nando’s grows its own PERi-PERi chillies with the help of 1,400 independent farmers in Southern Africa.

Nando’s sell PERi-PERi seedlings to the farmers and guarantees to purchase their crop at a pre-agreed fair price.

The chillies are grown on 494 acres of PERi Farms in Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

What is in the sauce?

Every Nando’s lovers know that the chicken gets its awesome flavour from the marinating process. In Nando’s, the chickens are marinated for 24 hours before they are grilled to perfection.

And depending on one’s choice, you can smear the chicken with your choice of heat level.

Tailored for a variety of customers, Nando’s choice of sauces consist of Extra Hot, Hot, Mild, Mango & Lime, Lemon & Herb and Plain…ish.

And if you ever wonder how the got its mouth mind-blowing flavour, it contains the mixture of onions, oil, herbs, fresh lemons and a kick of garlic.

The feel-good effect of PERi-PERi chillies

Eating spicy food gives a feel good effect for your body.

This would explain why you would feel happy after spending some time eating at Nando’s. The PERi-PERi chillies contain capsaicin which is responsible for the feel-good sensation causing your pupil to dilate and your metabolic rate to increase as you feel the rush of endorphins.

Apart from that, PERi-PERi is also rich in vitamins A, B and C.

To know more, check out their website at www.nandos.com.my

Nando's: The PERi-fect Dish Chicken Lovers Simply Adore
Nando’s Malaysia CEO Stephen Chow (second left) at Nando’s 20th year in Malaysia celebration at Aeon Mall Kuching Central.

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5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak

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Sarawakians are known to be proud for our own local food but we also appreciate foreign flavours even – and in some cases, especially – if it comes in the form of fast food chains.

While Sarawak already enjoys KFC, McDonalds, Nando’s, Subway, Burger King and Pizza Hut, most of us want more.

Here are 5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak:

  1. Domino’s Pizza

Although in February 2018, Domino’s Pizza became the largest pizza seller worldwide, it has yet come to Sarawak.

Now there are two pizza restaurant chains in Sarawak, Pizza Hut and Pezzo.

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2. In-N-Out Burger
For celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain who called our Sarawak laksa the breakfast of the gods, he called In-N-Out “the only fast food chain that I actually like, and think is reasonably good for the world.”

If Bourdain thought In-N-Out Burger was reasonably good for the world, it is good for us Sarawakians.

Their menu features three burger varieties; hamburger, cheeseburger and double-double (two patties and two slices of cheese).

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3. Jollibee

This Filipino fast food chain serves American style dishes such as burgers, spaghetti, chicken on top of some Filipino dishes.

Jollibee also offers a range of rice meals include Garlic Pepper Beef, Ultimate Burger Steak, All-day Garlic Bangus (milkfish) and Burger Steak.

As of April 2018, there are about 1,200 Jollibee outlets worldwide. Interestingly, the only Jollibee opened in Malaysia was closed down due to the 1997 financial crisis. Perhaps the next one will open in Sarawak?

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4. Dunkin’ Donuts

Sabah has Dunkin’ Donuts… so how come Sarawak doesn’t have one?

When it comes to doughnuts in Sarawak, we have to settle with local bakeries and Big Apple Donuts.

If we were to compare these two joints, Dunkin’ Donuts serve better coffee than Big Apple Donuts. What do you think?

5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak
A piece of doughnut goes well with a cup of coffee. Credits: Pixabay.

5. 4Fingers Crispy Chicken

At 4Fingers Crispy Chicken, the food is only prepared when you order which is why you can taste the crispiness of the chickens right away.

They serve Korean-styled fried chicken, which is usually seasoned with spices both before and after being fried.

Another highlight of this food joint, is its kimslaw, a side dish made of kimchi and coleslaw.

As for the fries, you pick your own flavour such as kimchi or seaweed.

This Singapore fast food chain was only established few years ago in 2009.

Now it has expanded its business to Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

5 fast food chains we wish would come to Sarawak
4Fingers Crispy Chicken

Any fast food chains you wish would come to our shore? Let us know in the comment box.

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Know the Best Beer and Food Pairing this Gawai Season

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We always hear about what food goes great with wine, but in anticipation of the upcoming Gawai Dayak festival on June 1, KajoMag learnt about which foods to pair with beer thanks to a special pre-Gawai beer and food pairing session courtesy of Heineken Malaysia Berhad (Heineken Malaysia).

Held at LePau Restaurant, a Kayan restaurant in Kuching, we were treated to a variety of local Dayak dishes paired with different alcoholic beverages to match the flavour profiles, textures and aromas.

“This Gawai, we want to celebrate [these profiles] through good food,” said Corporate Communication Manager of Heineken Malaysia, Ng Eng Kiat.

“The accentuating notes and flavours of our portfolio can make good meals great. With this event, we hope to share a whole new way of experiencing traditional flavours on a plate.”

1.   Lager

Pale lagers like Heineken, Tiger and Anchor are known for their peppery bitterness, clean and crisp flavours, making them easy to pair  with a diverse range of foods, from sweet to savoury.

As such, they go well with these subtle yet distinctive dishes like manok pansuh, stir fried rubbed tapioca leaves with tepus and what LePau Restaurant served up in its Orang Ulu BBQ platter which featured grilled meats like beef, chicken and fish.

For KajoMag, Heineken tasted exceptionally good with the BBQ platter especially when it was fresh off the grill.

Apart from barbequed meat, lager is also best paired with seafood, noodles and light cheese.

2.  Stout

Know the Best Beer and Food Pairing this Gawai Season
Try some Guiness Bright, especially tailored for the Malaysian market.

An all-time KajoMag favourite alcoholic beverage, we were informed that stout goes well with earthy and tangy flavours like chocolate, beef, chicken, seafood and dried fruit.

We were also introduced to one of Heineken’s latest brews – Guinness Bright – which was launched in 2017.

Created especially for the Malaysian market, the brew is infused with coffee, ginger and lemongrass extracts.

And to pair this Guinness right, we were served the Dayak sour eggplant with smoked beef.

3.    Cider

Know the Best Beer and Food Pairing this Gawai Season
Dinuh, topped with vanilla ice-cream is best served with apple cider such as Strongbow or Apple fox

For those who do not like the bitter taste of beer or stout, cider is the best choice.

Made primarily of apple juice, cider is an alternative that goes well with something tangy, crispy, dry and refreshing.

For our third brew of the beer and food pairing, we were served dinuh – Kayan traditional glutinous rice fritters together with Strongbow and Apple Fox Ciders.

Made from glutinous rice and palm sugar, the combination of the sweetness from the palm sugar with the fruity flavours of the ciders really complemented each other.

It also helps that the sweet light taste of the ciders added a lightness to the heavy meals that we enjoyed beforehand.  

Apart from sweet dishes, cider also goes well with chicken and pasta.

What will your choice be?

Know the Best Beer and Food Pairing this Gawai Season
A selection of the traditional pale lagers -Heineken, Anchor and Tiger.

Now that you know what to pair your favourite alcoholic beverage with, tell us at KajoMag which one is your favourite food and beer pairing.

Do remember to drink responsibly during this festive season!

Through its Drink Sensibly campaign, Heineken has been advocating responsible drinking through a 5-point system:

1. Hydrate with plenty of water between drinks;

2. Eat well so your body is ready to handle the drinks;

3. Move and dance the alcohol out of your system;

4. Pace yourself through the night;

5. Taxi home to keep yourself and others safe.

To know the latest updates on Heineken Malaysia, check out their website: www.heinekenmalaysia.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/heinekenmalaysiaberhad

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10 unique wedding cakes for your non-typical brides

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Wedding cakes have managed to transcend across different cultures that now it can be found in almost every wedding.

Who doesn’t love cake right?

While the traditional wedding cakes come with white frosting or covered in white fondant, there are plenty of unique wedding cakes to choose from.

Here are just some of the beautiful yet unique wedding cakes for the non-typical brides:

1. Nearly Naked Wedding Cakes

10 unique wedding cakes for your non-typical brides
Photos by Lanty
Some call it a ‘naked cake’, while others a ‘nearly naked cake’.

The idea of a naked cake is minimal frosting or no frosting at all. Even without the traditional frosting, it gives the cake a sophisticated rustic look, perfect for a rustic, countryside wedding.

Furthermore, without the frosting and icing, this cake is perfect for those who are keeping an eye on their their glucose levels.

2. Marbled Wedding Cakes

If there is a word to sum up marbled wedding cakes, the word would be ‘luxurious’. A marbled wedding cake looks like it is covered with, well marble.

It is made by kneading different shades of fondant together.

3. Ombre Wedding Cakes

Ombre cakes are not just popular for birthdays but it is gaining attention among couples on wedding days as well.
If you love subtle or even pastel tones, ombre wedding cake is just perfect for you.

It also makes the perfect wedding cake for those who want the traditional white tiered cake but at the same time want to put their own colours in it.

4. Inside Out Wedding Cakes

An inside out wedding cake can possibly steal the thunder from the bride herself on the wedding day.

The cake is like any other traditional wedding cake except it is cut in half. Then the inner part of the cake is covered with beautiful flowers.

When you love somebody inside and out, you might as well have an inside out cake for your wedding.

5. Two-toned Wedding Cakes

He wants a traditional white frosting wedding cake but you want chocolate frosting. How about coming together and have a two-toned wedding cake? A two-toned cake is a cake with two different kind of frosting covering it.

6. Geode Cakes

A geode cake makes the perfect centerpiece for your dream fairy tale wedding because it looks like its been inspired by a cave full of wonders. A sliver of the cake is carved out and filled with sugar rock candy made to look like crystal.

7. Story-telling Wedding Cakes

Tell your love story with your wedding cake. Literally. You can print any photos which tells your love story onto your cake.

If your bakers are skillful, they can also paint your story on the cake.

8. Watercolour wedding cakes

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With this cake, brushstrokes are no longer only meant for canvas and paper. Now you can have a watercolour-themed wedding cake to light up the most important day of your life.

Moreover, it looks dreamy and perfect for your whimsical wedding.

9. Drippy Cakes

This cake trend is famous for birthday cakes. But when you add an elegant touch, it is also great for weddings.
Imagine a smooth-finished white cake with chocolate dripping on top.

10. Stained Glass Wedding Cakes

Impress your guests with this elegant stained-glass wedding cake. The inspiration behind this cake is most probably from a church glass mural or an antique glass lamp, either way it makes an impressive wedding cake.

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All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting

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When it comes to must-try Sarawakian food, there is a long list that will be hard to complete if you don’t have much time. So why not try to cover the most food in one sitting?

One of the best places to try *almost* all the essentials in Sarawakian goodness in Kuching is at Woon Lam Cafe 1999.

All the breakfast essentials at Woon Lam Cafe 1999

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Woon Lam Cafe 1999 is famous among locals but not so much among tourists.

Located at Jalan Song Thian Cheok, this eatery is widely famous for its kueh chap.

This dish features flat and square noodles served in a soy sauce-based broth with pork meat and innards.

The kueh chap stall at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 has apparently been selling this dish since 1985.

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Kueh Chap

If kueh chap is not your cup of tea, however, why not have the evergreen classic kolo mee?

The kolo mee here may not be the most raved about in town but they do serve a decent bowl of Sarawak’s signature noodles.

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Kolo mee at Woon Lam Cafe 1999.

This kopitiam also has a Sarawak laksa stall, offering what celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain called the breakfast of the gods.

In fact, Woon Lam Cafe 1999 is a walking distance from Bourdain’s favourite laksa place at Choon Hui Kopitiam.

Now that you have kueh chap, kolo mee and Sarawak laksa as your main dishes, how about some side dishes to complement them?

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Char kueh.

Although fried carrot cake or char kueh is famous as midnight snack, you can order it at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 for breakfast.

Like most char kueh found in Sarawak, this dish is fried with light soy sauce and a heavy load of eggs.

Besides char kueh, Sarawak popiah makes a good side dish for breakfast too.

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Sarawak popiah.

Sarawak popiah is mainly made of jicama, ground peanuts, bean sprouts wrapped in popiah skin and served with a sweet sauce.

One bite into it and you can taste the different textures of the various ingredients from the softness of the popiah skin to the crunchiness of ground peanuts.

A place worth trying

There are other main dishes offered at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 too. These include yong tau fu, Teo Chew Porridge and a Western breakfast of toast, eggs and sausages.

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Egg, sausages and toasts for a Western breakfast.

This eatery may not be as famous as other Kuching favourite breakfast places such as Choon Hui or Chong Choon, but it is a good place for large groups coming together for breakfast looking to taste different Sarawakian foods in one sitting.

Moreover, it is strategically located in downtown Kuching. It is a walking distance from famous commendations such as Pullman, Grand Continental Hotel and Grand Margherita.

All Sarawakian breakfast at Woon Lam Cafe 1999 in one sitting
Going with a large group of friends is key to trying a lot of food in one sitting.

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5 halal western restaurants to visit within Kuching city centre

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While Kuching offers plenty of choices of halal western restaurants, most of them are not in walking distance of the city centre.

Here are KajoMag’s recommendations of halal Western restaurants to visit within the vicinity of Kuching city. Furthermore, they are all walk-able distance from Kuching waterfront:

1. MK Classico Caffe
5 halal western restaurants to visit within Kuching city centre
Chicken Schnitzels anyone?

First of all, every part of this restaurant is definitely Instagram-worthy. It has that rustic and rugged interior with mortal walls and exposed wooden beams on its ceiling.

You can find antiques in every corner of the restaurant from an old typewriter to a classic radio.

Food-wise, you can give MK Special Burger, Chicken Schnitzels or MK Swedish Meatball a try for a hearty dinner.

If you are there for some socialising, order some MK Classic Nachos, MK Banana Cheese or its MK BBQ wings to share with your friends.

The place also offers coffees and various mocktails. Unfortunately, it only opens from 5pm onwards.


2. Sharing Downtown

This place is famous among locals as a cosy, casual place to have dinner. So don’t get frustrated if you can’t get a table during its peak hour in the evening.

For poultry lovers out there, you have several choices including Chicken Chop, Maryland, Ice Cream Chicken Chop, Double Cheezyland and other items to choose from.

If you’re into fish, there are items such as the classic Fish and Chips, Grilled Fish Fillet, Garlic Butter Fish Fillet, Cajun Fish Fillet and Atlantic Salmon.

For a high dose of carbs, pick any of their spaghetti dishes like Spaghetti Vegetable, Chicken Bolognese, Meatball Spaghetti, Carbonara, Seafood Aglio e Olio and so on.

The price is affordable and the portions are satisfying.

3. Kuehpedia Cake Boutique and Cafe

At Kuehpedia, you’ll find more than just ‘kueh’ or cakes. This hipster cafe at Wayang Street offers local dishes such as Nasi Gian and Nasi Dagang.

But they also offer western delights such as Creamy Salted Egg Pasta, Grilled Chicken and Crispy Beef Bacon Carbonara.

Patrons can satisfy their craving for sweets with both local and western desserts at Kuehpedia.

4. Bing! Coffee

Most visitors come to any of Bing! Coffee’s branches to wind down and relax with a cup of coffee, while only a few come specifically to sate their hunger here. But this place is perfect for those who want a quick Western food fix.

Bing! Coffee offers halal Western food such as Beef Lasagna, Beef Burger, variety of sandwiches made of Panini, Ciabatta, Bambini, or Focaccia breads.

5 halal western restaurants to visit within Kuching city centre
A quick grab of sandwich at Bing! Coffee.
5. Peridot Kuching

From thin crust pizza to creamy pasta, you can find these at Peridot Kuching.

Another highlight of this restaurant is its shakshouka, a dish of eggs poached in tomato sauce, chilli peppers and onions.

On TripAdvisors, visitors seemed to rave about its salmon saying it is well-cooked at a reasonable price. Why not give that a try on your next visit?

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A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post

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If you are one of those impulsive, adventurous travellers seeking for a new place for a random tour, here is a KajoMag-worthy suggestion.

Why not make a quick trip to Bakun wharf on a Saturday morning?

Bakun wharf is located at Bakun dam’s reservoir lake, about a three-and-a-half hour drive from Bintulu town.

It is actually not a public jetty but belongs to Sarawak Energy (SEB) which is within the security area of the power station.

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
Bakun wharf turns into a trading post every Wednesday and Saturday morning.

Every Wednesday and Saturday morning, however, the wharf turns into a trading post attracting buyers from Bintulu, Sibu, Miri and even Kuching.

Here you can find various types of freshwater fish including Mengalan, Semah, Tengadak, Baung, Labang and even the famous Empurau.

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
Mengalan fish.
A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
Baong fish, which is a type of cat fish.

While most of the fish buyers are restaurant owners and middlemen, a number of visitors also buy these fish for personal consumption.

Prices usually range from RM15 onwards per kg.

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
A market with a beautiful lake in the background.

According to some of the traders, the bigger the fish, the tastier its meat.

And if you were to pick a size, choose one which weighs at least 1kg.

 

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
A trader carrying meat to trade.

There are also other traders selling their jungle produce such as paku (a type of local fern) and rebung (bamboo sprouts).

In the midst of hustle and bustle of the market, take in the beauty of Bakun lake. Do you know the man-made lake is about the same size as Singapore?

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
A view of Bakun lake which is about the same size as Singapore.

Where to go after Bakun wharf?

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
Bakun wharf.

After a visit to the wharf, you can go to nearby Bakun restaurant about 10 minutes’ drive away and let the professionals do their magic on these fishes.

They can cook the fish according to your preference and usually charge the price by weight.

Since the fish are so fresh, the best way to enjoy them is to steam them. Then you can taste the tenderness of the meat minus the fishy smell.

There are other ways to cook them too such as asam pedas (Malay-style sour and spicy dish) or the Teochew style of steaming with Chinese salted vegetables.

Spending a morning on the wharf and having a scrumptious lunch at a restaurant later… isn’t this is one of most authentic ways to spend your Saturday in Sarawak?

A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
Longboats are the best vessels to traverse Sarawak’s winding rivers which can be both shallow and deep in some places.
A Saturday morning at Bakun wharf cum trading post
A stray dog watches the buyers and sellers closely, waiting for some food scraps.

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Filipino fried pork leg of Hong Fu Seafood, a must try food in Sibu town

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When it comes to food in Sibu, most people think of kampua, dian bian ngu or kompia.

While they’re usually on top of the must-try food list of this inland town of Sarawak, there is one dish in Sibu which may be the best of its kind in town.

Hong Fu Seafood’s signature dish

Located at Jalan Wong King Huo, Hong Fu Seafood is a famous place among patrons to have dinner with their families.

Their signature dish, the Filipino fried pork leg is famous among local food bloggers that you just have to Google ‘fried pork leg in Sibu’ and you will find a host of online reviews.

So what makes this Filipino fried pork leg so famous?

First of all, it is the holy grail for all hardcore carnivores out there; crispy on the outside, the moment you bite through the skin, you’ll find the meat soft and tender.

For some added flavour, you can dip your pork leg into their vinegar, lime and soy sauce mix.

One portion of Filipino fried pork leg served in Hong Fu Seafood restaurant is huge especially for two people. It can even be enjoyed by up to four or five people.

Have it with a glass of cold beer and it is a perfect way to wrap up a night out in Sibu town.

Filipinio Fried Pork Leg in Hong Fu Seafood (3)
Filipino fried pork leg in Hong Fu Seafood, Sibu.

About Filipino fried pork leg

Hong Fu Seafood may call the dish “Filipino fried pork leg” but in the Philippines, it is called Crispy Pata prepared and served in much the same way.

Crispy pata is also similar to Schwienshaxe in German cuisine.

For Schweinshaxe, it is a roasted ham hock which is the end of the pig’s leg, just above the ankle.

Read other food-related stories here.

Filipinio Fried Pork Leg in Hong Fu Seafood (2)
The skin is crispy and the moment you bite through it, you will find the meat inside is all soft and tender.

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Subway, the most famous sandwich in Korean drama-land

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Subway is one of the most famous product placement (PPLs) brands in Korean dramas.

You’ll see everybody eating it, whether they’re on a date, saving a life or taking a break.

No matter how many times they feature the sandwiches being elegantly devoured by flawless Korean actors and actresses though, the American sandwich still seems out of place.

As a viewer, I perfectly understand PPLs are important to generate income for dramas, but having a Subway sandwich turn up in almost every corner of an episode seems to be pushing it.

For example, how would you comfort a guy who attempted to commit suicide? Do you recommend he gets counselling or do you hand him a Subway sandwich like Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo) did in Goblin (2017)?

My point is, the PPLs can get a tad ridiculous.

Nonetheless, I have to give credit to the writers for managing to insert an honest observation of the sandwich.

When Kim Shin tells Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun) that she should have some while he himself is enjoying one, Ji replies “It’s expensive. How can we buy two?” Bingo!

Subway promotes itself in Korean dramas as the meal to have while on a break. You’ll see the Grim Reaper in Goblin eating alone at a Subway outlet after a long day at work.

What better way to end your day sending the dead to the afterlife by having an American sandwich right?

Who ate the most Subway sandwiches in Korean dramas?

Perhaps the people from a specific profession which had the most Subway sandwiches during their breaks in Korean drama-land are the doctors.

In Descendants of the Sun (2016), Dr Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo) had a few subtle scenes enjoying the sandwich while Good Doctor (2013), Dr Cha Yoon Seo (Moon Chae Yeon) is seen having a sandwich break with her colleagues at Subway.

Meanwhile, Dr Jung Yoon Do (Yoon Kyun Sang), Dr Jin Seo Woo (Lee Sung Kyung) and a few other colleagues also had their piece of sandwich action (keep it clean, people!) in Doctors (2016).

On top of being a quick grab for lunch, Subway sandwiches are also being advertised as the perfect food for a picnic date.

Of course when you are as beautiful as Yoona and your date is as hot as Ji Chang Wook like in K2 (2016), even the grass looks enticing to eat.

Subway also starred in Prime Ministers and I (2013), Defendant (2017) and Big Man (2014).

The product placement seems to be working well for Subway though. A quick glance at their website revealed that there were 313 stores in South Korea alone, while Malaysia has 220 outlets. (The latter might be debatable though, as there are only 52 locations posted on the website.)

Do you agree this American franchise is overdoing it when it comes to PPL in Korean dramas? Or does their marketing strategy work and make you crave for a Subway while you’re watching a K-drama? Let us know in the comment box!

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Go to Sarikei for Glory Cafe’s Coconut Tom Yam Prawn Noodles

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Sarikei is a small town located along the Rajang River.

Known as the fruit basket of Sarawak, the town is famous for its annual Pineapple Festival.

For a small town with a population of less than 60,000 people as of 2010, this town has its own list of attractions to offer.

One of them being Glory Cafe’s Coconut Tom Yam Prawn Noodle.

One of Sarikei’s iconic dishes

Glory Cafe
The noodle of Glory Cafe, the iconic dish of Sarikei

In the blogosphere, reviews on Glory Cafe in Sarikei can be traced back to 10 years ago in 2008.

Some agree food presentation is just as essential to the dish as its taste and flavour. At Glory Cafe, the noodle doesn’t disappoint Instagrammers as it comes in a huge green coconut.

You can order the dish served in a bowl instead at a slightly cheaper price, but if you are not a Sarikeian, how many times in your lifetime can you have your noodles in a coconut?

The broth is Glory Cafe’s rendition of tom yam – spicy and creamy. Compared to some tom yam soups out there it is also more on the sweeter side unlike its hot and sour ancestor.

The highlight of the dish is none other the prawns. The coconut is filled with meaty and tenderly cooked prawns, a delight for seafood lovers.

Here comes the best part; after you have finished the noodles and the prawns, you can scrape the inside of the coconut with your spoon and savour its tom yam infused flesh.

Brace yourself during peak hours because that’s when local patrons flood the kopitiam.

 

So Sarawakians, what are you waiting for? Time to pack up for a road trip to Sarikei!

Read more:

Marudi: Small town, big cultural heart

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