Imperial Art Cottage | Sri Petaling

I was searching for some new vegetarian shops in Sri Petaling recently and found this shop while surfing through the net for good food recommendation. This shop is located quite near to Sri Petaling Hotel. This vegetarian shop was reviewed to serve Japanese vegetarian food. As a Japanese food fan, I knew instantly I must visit this place. Curious of how they will serve sashimi and sushi, let's check it out!

I ordered Boh Green Tea to go with my meal. I need a light beverage to taste the dishes.

Spring Rolls (5 pcs)- RM 4.90

The deep fried spring rolls taste nice, crunchy and not oily. Overall is nice and the price is reasonable too!

Summer Roll- RM 8.90

Since a lot of good comments on their sushi, I ordered the summer roll that sound so happy and bright. The summer roll taste really delicious, it doesn't give you an impression of eating the same old taste of  vegetarian food. Their sushi rice is as good as those serving in the Japanese restaurant.

Sashimi Mix- RM 17.90

This is the dish that excites both of us the most. We can imagine using vegetarian to create sushi or temaki but to create sashimi, it really trigger our curiosity. We ordered one of their most expensive dish in their shop. We wondered how will it looks like as it doesn't show any photo in the menu. Here it is and it looks exactly the same as the real sashimi! Bravo! Texture is chewy, taste light and cold except without the fishy smell. It is created using mushroom I believe. I think it is a good try especially for those who can't stand the taste and texture of Sashimi, you should try this out.

Sweet & Sour Rice- RM 6.90

When it comes to vegetarian, I will always match it with Chinese food. However, the Chinese food here doesn't taste as good as their Japanese dishes. I guess for safe side, order only the Japanese dishes.

Mapo Beancurb Rice- RM 6.90

The Mapo beancurb doesn't taste like the mapo tauhu at all. It taste quite similar to the sweet & sour rice above with more spicy and sour. I think the taste of their Chinese food need to be improved. Just go for their Japanese food!

Imperial Art Cottage

No 27, Jalan Radin Anum 2

Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur.

Business Hours: Tue – Sun: 11am – 9pm (close on Monday)

03-9059 2843

Osaka Day 2: Kuromon Market

Kuromon Market is one of the famous morning market that must visit when you are in Osaka. It is just few mins walking distance from Namba station. There are more than 100 stalls, from selling fruits, fresh fish, seafood, meat, clothes, tea to food outlets and etc. We actually had our  breakfast here most of the morning when we are in Osaka. They also served fresh sashimi in reasonable price where you can eat on the spot(seating area are available there). Here is the latest guide map.

Managed to capture this scene when the old man cycle in the market.

Stall selling grilled seafood 

Fresh sashimi, price from 400 yen to 2200 yen

We actually tried out a few of the food stall. Let's see what have I discover!

Curry Restaurant New Daruni (no. 29 in the guide map)

This is one of the famous curry restaurant in town, a small shop at the end of the road. Basically, it can only accommodate around 10 pax. This little shop is solely operate by the owner himself, he cook, take order and serve. He also sell fresh packed curry outside his shop where the local will buy back to cook.

Counter based seating where you can see the owner cooking from your seating area.

This shop only served curry which only comes with 4 items in the menu. Three types of curry rice(beef, pork and shrimp) and curry udon. 

We really felt in love with the curry, it taste so nice and so different from the normal Japanese curry we had in Malaysia. You can smell the curry from far, although the food presentation is simple but it taste super delicious. The spiciness of the curry is around 3/5, a bit spicy compare to normal Japanese curry. You just can't miss it when visit Kuromon market. 

Chicken Shop Maruchiku (no. 31 in the guide map)

The shop selling wide variety of chicken like free range chicken and ducks. They even sell ready to eat fried chicken. 

We bought the Karaage chicken that served in small pieces. I can't remember the price but it is not cheap. All fried chickens are sold by weight. The karaage wasn't taste that nice as it is already cold and not crispy. Quite disappointed.

Restaurant Daikichi (no. 28 in the guide map)

There isn't any English signboard to indicate the place, so I follow the guide map based on the number given and photo to track the place. This shop famous for its Dashi (Japanese cooking broth). Since I was craving for udon, we went to tried out their food.  

Again, small shop operates by owners themselves. The place able to accommodate around  24-30 pax. Simple setting with wooden tables and chairs.

I think a lot of tourist visited the place, therefore English menu is provided. Finally, I am able to read the menu and pick my preferred item without him to translate for me!

Tempura Udon- 600 yen

I ordered their tempura udon. I love their dashi, clear soup and tasty. However, I still prefer the Omen's Udon in Kyoto. The best Udon so far though the price is high.

Oyako Don - 630 yen

He ordered the chicken & egg rice since he is a fan of Japanese rice. He just love it and can't be bored about eating it every meal every day. Overall the taste is just so-so but the standard is much more better than a lot Japanese restaurants in Malaysia.

We also bought some green tea from Yamaguchien Tea Shop. It is located at no. 7 in the guide map.   The owner is a old man, very friendly guy. He introduced us the Sencha (premier green tea) and let us try out a few type of green tea. He even gave us a list of how to brew green tea based on the type of green tea available. I missed to take photo of his shop, too excited talking to him (oops, my guy who talk to him in Japanese not me..>.<). I will definitely visit him again!

Restoran Terapung Bujang Firefly | Johor

When we are in Desaru, we visited one of night attraction which is the firefly tour. The firefly tour start at 8pm. Instead of having our dinner at the hotel, we straight took at 20 mins drive from our hotel to the place. At the same area, there is a restaurant named Terapung Bujang Firefly that served decent Chinese style food. It is a halal restaurant operated by Malay owner. We actually had our dinner there before we took the boat out to see firefly.

Restoran Terapung means Floating Restaurant which exactly reflected where the restaurant is located.

There are plenty of seats available in the restaurant, simple wooden floor above the water. They also provide accommodation at the area where you can stay a night here.

Their menu comes in package of 2,3,4,5,7 and 10 pax. No ala carte provided. Therefore, you will need to order based on number of pax and each comes with a,b,c and d choice with different pricing. Visit here for their full pricing. I choose the 2 pax package that cost RM 65 with:

Jus Oren/ Orange Juice

Nasi Putih/ Rice

Tomyam campur/ TomYam Seafood Soup

Kangkung belacan/ Vegetable

Siakap Tiga Rasa/ Fried Fish with Sweet & Sour Sauce

Sotong goreng tepung/ Deep Fried Calamari

Telur Dadar/ Fried Omelette

I actually change the Tom Yam Soup to Non Spicy Clear Soup. The taste of their food surprisingly quite good. The portion of the dishes are enough to cater for 4 pax, however we have no choice as we have to order the package based on the number of pax we have even though we are small eater. That is the low side of this place.

After our dinner, we bought the ticket RM 20 from the cashier for the firefly tour. Here is the boat where you board on for the firefly tour. The tour took around 30 mins. It actually quite dangerous as you will be given normal plastic chairs to sit on inside the boat. Life jacket are not given to us to wear when departing instead it were kept on the roof.

One of the staff actually managed to capture one firefly and pass to my hand. It looks so small and bright. The place is so dark, we can hardly capture it with our camera without flash.

Although the place doesn't turn out to our expectation, however it is still a nice tour we have in Desaru. It is a great pleasure to be able to see those bright little fireflies near the river banks. I still remember I used to watch those fireflies outside my garden during childhood time, but now it all gone.

Sangkaya Coconut Ice Cream | Uptown Damansara

This place was introduced by my colleague as we both love the coconut ice-cream in Bangkok. Coconut Ice-cream is one of the famous street treat in Chatuchak market. I personally love it very much when I first try it in Bangkok. Now, it is so near to my office when I can have it everyday without travelling to Bangkok.

Sangkaya is located same row as the Library cafe. They serve everything from coconut. The nice thing about here is you are able to choose the toppings according to your liking on your coconut ice-cream.

The menu is limited, basically only 4 items available. Their SIGNATURE comes with 4 scoops of ice-cream, 3 toppings and coconut flesh served on coconut husk. While their CUP comes only with 3 scoops of icre-cream & 1 topping. You can also order just a scoop of ice-cream on the cone or the coconut water.

The layout of the cafe, unique set up using the pipes as the stand for the chairs and tables.

Preparing the ice-cream onto the coconut husk

Toppings adding time!

I ordered their SIGNATURE that cost RM 9.90, a bit pricey compare to Bangkok price. I added the cone flakes, dry coconut flakes & roasted peanuts for the toppings. Taste wise was not bad, the coconut flavour in the ice-cream was stronger than the one I tasted in Bangkok. I personally still prefer mild coconut taste that is more like sorbet kind of texture compare to creamy ice-cream. The downside of it is the coconut husk is too small, quite a mess when trying to scoop the ice-cream out. 

Sangkaya Coconut Ice Cream

No. 80, Ground Floor, Jalan SS21/39, Damansara Utama 

47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Stacks by LasVacas | IOI City Mall

LasVacas recently open a new restaurant in IOI City Mall named Stacks, a new concept to their business. This restaurant mainly serve burgers and sandwiches which is more towards the fast food concept but at the same time bringing best quality for their customers. The restaurant is located directly opposite Magnum Cafe, just in front of the front entrance.

I love the combination of wood and concrete in the restaurant. The concrete actually toned down the wood colour, making the whole place looks more energetic.

Since it is an open concept restaurant, order will be make at the counter.

The kitchen where it can be seen easily from outside. Clean and Organised!

FOODIE time! Let's see what they have!

Pressed Sandwiches: Salami and Mozzarella-RM 20

Beef salami with grilled vegetables and mozzarella, served with Cubano-style bread and coleslaw.

Pressed Sandwiches: Cheesy Smoked Turkey-RM 20

Cubano-style bread with smoked turkey ham, mushroom bechamel and cheese, served with coleslaw and nacho as side.

Pressed Sandwiches: Roast Chicken & Olive-RM 20

Cubano-style bread with roast chicken chunk, olives, cheese and roasted garlic aioli, served with nacho and coleslaw as side.

12-Hour Smoked BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich (150g)- RM 20

Served with coleslaw and buttermilk ranch dressing.

Traditional Roast Beef Sandwich (150g)- RM 20

Served with mushy peas, horseradish and gravy.

The Mediterranean Burger-RM 25

150g lamb patty with grilled vegetables, cheese and mint yoghurt dressing served on a sesame seed bun.

The Godfather burger-RM 25

150g beef patty with special pomodoro sauce, creamy bechamel, spicy pepperoni slices and melted mozzarella on a sesame seed bun.

Mixed Platter (300g) -RM 40

A combination of beef and lamb with choice of side salad.

Coffee and Capsule Bar

Check out their Capsule Bar Espresso and Custom French Press Coffee at the coffee bar.

Besides, they also sell Joey's Homemade Peanut Butter. I love the peanut butter, used to get it from IOI Mall Puchong. Now, you can find it here in Stacks. Peanut Butter is selling at RM 15 while Cashew Butter at RM 22.

Stacks by LasVacas
Lot GE-05, IOI City Mall,
IOI Resorts, 62502, Putrajaya
Tel: +60 3 8328 0787