Smitten Amidst the Namoo

Railway Traveller heads off to an interesting place in Publika, Solaris Dutamas on a humid Tuesday evening to celebrate a colleague's farewell.

Going for that fusion feel by its very name, its Namoo (or tree in Korean Hanguk speak), Korean dessert cafe n bistro on The Park, this restaurant with its eclectic decor blends in the Korean with a hint of western in many of its desserts and traditional dishes where you can find familiar ingredients like rice, beef slices to die for, red bean, citron fruit; added with a dash of tacos, served with salads and drizzled in dressings and sauces to tantalise your senses.

True to the Asian spirit of sharing, dishes ordered went on rotation between friends so we can sample different dishes.

 If you love rice, then Bibi Rice burger is an interesting option. Something like MOS burger for those who are acquainted with the Singaporean brand, except that you have fried egg, with grilled chicken and grilled rice. more like a quick bento lunch on the go, aye?

If you feel like you wanna have more salads, but with more scrumptious bits and pieces of heavenly beef, then don't resist the urge for Taco Bulgogi beef.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

It's rolled...

It's leafy...

It's convincingly healthy... in a subtle way.

This dish comes with a nice bowl of the all familiar kim chi, and another accompanying salad with dressing. Your needs for carb is addressed with crispy chips to crinkle your senses as you munch those juicy tacos. 

For those who crave for something creamy and milky, then there's the White Cream Omuto - you can go with either the chicken or prawn option. Wrapped chicken with rice rolled in omelette then served in white cream sauce. Very interesting fusion! Trying to get the smooth taste at the first bite, with hidden meat and egg textures. 

For those who dare not tread the path of the adventurous fusion can go for  the Hot Stone Bibimbap, which is equally not bad. In a shop that has the affinity for fusion food, you can still find good traditional Korean dishes like this one to keep you sanely Korean. Nice!

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

When meals are done, your tummy's full,

With plates licked clean and bowls are empty,

Then i saw this dish that made me drool,

A nice cool finish that satisfies completely.

We had a selection of 3 different kinds as we ended our evening with nice dessert.

The desserts we had here came with adorable servings of ice cream. Talk about serving it up with an ice cream "on top"!

 Right most is the Hottuk pancake that has this deceivingly fluffy-like whip cream twirled and sitting on banana slices with the Korean pancake as the base. The first pancake bite is crispy with spongy consistency, but as you much through, it gets interesting with a slight hint of a "tapai" aftertaste . Goes well with the banana slices and peanut honey drizzled cream on top.

For cake lovers, you can try Namoo's chocolate banana cake. I believe it was the cake of the day. But the "pièce de résistance" is that middle picture... "Sweet Potato Cake" For some, it might be like eating mash potato. I like to look at it as savouring tender cake slices of sweet tangy feeling with a hint of potato aftertaste that crinkles with every bite. A nice touch to savour this is with of course is the ice cream serving that comes with it.

The waiter awaits

Food adventure soon over

Drink to make it last...

Desserts anywhere goes well with a nice pipping hot drink. I like the first option which was the Yuza tea (top) Its a tangy citron served hot. Then there's the sweet potato latte that puts an interesting spin on a latte drink. Don't have a heavy meal with this one, its bound to be feeling

Then there's also the cinnamon punch with dried Korean persimmon. Slightly strong on the cinnamon with bits and pieces of fruit. Fascinating drink to try is all I can tell you.

A lovely farewell meal for our Railway Traveller's friend so dear. Something to remember us by I hope.

An Asian taste with a bit of slang, 

Perched in a corner that's not so dark, 

Seoul comes to you with a western twang,

Smitten by namoo as you cross this park.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Railway traveller's log 

namoo korean dessert cafe n bistro on the park
Publika, Level G3, Lot 4A , Solaris dutamas No.1 , Jalan Dutamas 1 , 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
03-6411 6698

Raya Greets with Poetic Treats

I chanced upon on Raya's eve,
A double rainbow in the sky,
The whispering Azan among the leaves,
Anticipation and mood is high.

A month has passed so much has been,
The final fast ended that night,
A time of joy where feasts begin,
Syawal arrives in earnest with light.


Here's an Eid Mubarak wish to all my Muslim friends as you herald in the rays of Aidilfitri :))

Unfair new Bill 'disguised' as Islamic law

Calls for a relook into bill deemed unconstitutional. Dear ministers, please review and don't pass this into law. We are a multiracial nation moving on to Vision 2020. lets make it fair for everyone as we embrace globalisation.

Check out Malaysia Chronicle:

Unfair new Bill 'disguised' as Islamic law: CABINET HELD RESPONSIBLE!

Aramaiti!!

Clickity clack goes the bamboo poles,

Boisterous clangs of the tuak bowls,

Singing and dance in tribal colours,

Aramaiti resound amidst paddy flowers.

A years harvest bounty proclaim,

Together we miss, reminisce and exclaim,

See who can drink the most, stand up and walk,

Watch who can reach the end, after so-much talk.

Triumph and might conquered, O Kinabalu's sun,

Wishing all our Sabahans, an amazing Kaamatan!

Don't leave your bowls alone, hear the horbill's cry,

Wishing all Sarawakians, a joyous day of Gawai!

:: alkh ::

Look close and see

White is the colour we see whenever we want to drink milk,
Brown is the sugar we use as gula melaka in kuih's ilk,
Yellow is the fruit that we eat for a breakfast made fit for kings,
Black is the colour we like that blends with almost all things.

Hate is the expression we make when confusions suddenly occur,
Guilt is the feeling we have when words misplace and reasonings slur,
Forgive is the want that we need to restore the union of everlasting peace,
Friendship is urgently needed to return to those days affectionately missed.

So long have we lived together knowing all likes and nots,
Why must mere words uttered cloud all emotions and our thoughts?
Does it matter whose race we are after 56 years of struggle?
When Malaysians have always been, the true race that matters to all people?

Look close and see what is right away from all disturbing delusions,
Things don't seem what might be from the so called surface conclusions,
The truth will prevail at the end of this long arduous journey,
So then we will act to break free and unite which we always have and eternally will be.

- ALKH -

'Tis the air of hope...

Upon the fields we see blooming springs of flower,
Winds blow and there's an air of change in weather,
Awake O seedlings, awake from your slumber,
Tis the air of hope and the wait is now over.

The rain has gone on for far too long,
Drenched and gloomy the tune of this song,
Did i see the sun, is it just me, or was I wrong?
The rays of light that shines out so strong?



Arise and shine O glorious beam,
Disillusioned much, or so that it seem,
Overjoyed am I to see that gleam,
The colours of Spring awake from my dream.

So thence we march unafraid and brave,
To break the storm and bring what we saved,
Sprinkles of water was all that they gave,
As if keeping all treasures hidden in a cave.

Enough said, we sang, and called the dew of Spring,
The colours a flutter in the songs that we bring,
Convinced, emboldened bells toll and ring,
The one who was lost, could now become king. 

A Hokkien's Fame

* taken from facebook. all credit goes to Leonard Luar for providing this useful historical information.

HOKKIEN IS THE SOLE SURVIVING CHINESE LANGUAGE FROM THE TANG DYNASTY 2,000 YEARS AGO.

If you're a Hokkien, do you know Hokkien is the Ancient Imperial Language of China - 2,000 Years Ago. 

If you're a HOKKIEN Take Note !! 
You'll be Surprised. You have heard it. You, your parents, or grandparents may still be speaking this ancient, archaic language!

Yes, it's HOKKIEN (Fujian/Minnan Hua 福建话/闽南话)

Hokkien is:

1. The surviving language of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝, 618 - 907 A.D.), China 's Golden Age of Culture.

Note: The Hokkien we hear today may have "evolved" from its original form 2,000 years ago, but it still retains the main elements of the Tang Dynasty Language.

2. Hokkiens are the surviving descendants of the Tang Dynasty -- When the Tang Dynasty collapsed, the people of the Tang Dynasty fled South and sought refuge in the Hokkien ( Fujian 福建省) province. Hence, Hokkien called themselves Tng-lang (唐人（比喻为唐朝子孙） Tang Ren or People of the Tang Dynasty) instead of Hua Lang (华人 Hua Ren).

3. Hokkien has 8 tones instead of Mandarin's 4. Linguists claim that ancient languages tend to have more complex tones.

4. Hokkien retains the ancient Chinese pronunciation of "K-sounding" endings (for instance, 学生 Hak Seng (student), 大学 Tua Ok (university), 读册 Thak Chek (read a book/study) -- the "k" sounding ending is not found in Mandarin.

5. The collection of the famous "Three Hundred Tang Dynasty Poems" (唐诗三百首) sound better when recited in Hokkien/Teochew if compared to Mandarin.

6. Consider this for a moment: Today, the Hokkien Nam Yim Ochestral performance still has its roots in ancient Tang dynasty music. Here's the proof: The formation of today Nam Yim ensemble is typically seen in ancient Tang dynasty paintings of musicians.

More Astonishingly:
Although not genetically-related, Hokkiens, Koreans and Japanese share many similar words (which are different from Mandarin). Example: News - 新闻 Shim Bun, World - 世界 Se Kai in Japanese)

That's because Hokkien was the official language of the powerful Tang Dynasty whose influence and language spread to Japan and Korea (just like Latin – where many words were borrowed by the English, French, Italian, etc).
To all 49 Million Hokkien Speakers:

Be Proud of Your Ancient Hokkien Heritage & Language! Speak it Loud and Clear. Teach Your Future Generation this Imperial Language, Less it Fades Away. Be Proud Children of the Tang Emperors.

To all Mandarin-speaking friends out there -- do not look down on your other Chinese friends who do not speak Mandarin – whom you guys fondly refer to as "Bananas". In fact, they are speaking a language which is much more ancient & linguistically complicated than Mandarin.

Keep in mind that Mandarin is just:

1. A Northern Chinese dialect 北方话 (heavily influenced by non-Han Chinese) that was elevated to the status of National Language by Sun Yat Sen (孙中山，原名孙逸仙) for the sake of China’s national unity.

2. Mandarin was never spoken by your proud, imperial Tang Dynasty ancestors. It was probably spoken by the Northern (Non-Han 北方民族) Jurchen (女真族), Mongols (蒙古族) and Manchu (满族(女真族的后代)) minority. Start speaking the language of your ancestors today. 

Ayuh berpantun, Baba membalas...

A Peranakan's New Year during CNY is incomplete without a little bit of pantun...

Ikan berenang di kolam air,

Di sebalik daun menangkap berudu,

Lauk tradisi Nyanya mahir,

Sibuk memasak sehari berlalu.

Katak melompat ia terjaga,

Selamat berudu jauh disana,

Raya cina lima belas harinya,

Sanak saudara dilawat mesra.

Ikan haruan bertuah empunya,

Membawa masuk rezeki selalu,

Tok panjang hanya sekali dua,

Apa yang jarang, tersedia dijamu.

Nyonya sibuk bermain cherki,

Baba mengidam kueh bangkit,

Kediaman terhias megah terperi,

Dentuman mercun bingit di langit.

 

Pengat dimasak manis di rasa,

Detik sambutan meriah dikenang,

Bakul Siah Nah kuih dibawa,

Agar bahagia usia pun panjang.

Kepada semua yang manyambut Tahun Baru Cina, semoga Tahun Ular membawa kebahagiaan, berkat tuah dan kesihatan yang baik sepanjang tahun.

Keong Hee Huat Chye! 

 

Sometimes...

Sometimes i wonder if it is this thing i did it right,
Sometimes I fumble still and scared my choices will or might,
Bring low esteem and curse my soul with all that makes it wrong,
The big unknown is what i fear compared to what i knew all along..


But then if I don't try, then i don't think i would not ever know,
That this would have led to something that would make me wanna go,
So this mystery is really black and its like pandora's box,
To which our dreams lay unfulfilled till time to break all locks.


So why is it I worry still, frowning at every choice,
And clouds my mind and confuse me more with so much awful noise?
Sometimes I wish this wasn't time and force me to decide,
Sometimes maybe we must do this to have a clearer sight.


Go forth...Eaorlingas!!!

Escape

The Aurora from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.


Lights dancing in the sky,
Mind and logic goes blank with a sigh,
Staring and wanting that inner escape,
To a bliss once remembered when memories still could shape.


Calling on the voice that resides inside us,
This intense longing that becomes infectious,
Bellowing out with all its might,
At long last that inner fear takes flight.

Celestial yonder oscillates unceasing,
Spins a message that life is teeming,
Greeting with drums in tune with that song,
That has been playing in your ears all night long.

I Climb...

The Mountain from Terje Sorgjerd on Vimeo.

I climb this mountain to reach the stars,
So much illumination, could it be headlights from cars?
Could the waves really bounce like so?
Could the raging lights above come down here below?


Clouds part like Moses commanded it to,
Plants move in motion from some wind that blew,
Imitating life as if in jest of what we humans are,
Completely oblivious to such awesomeness that ain't so far.


Sometimes I wonder if the world is like a fridge,
Freezing the elements that stand poise to boil over this bridge,
What links us from here to eternity,
Standing against all odds for as far as the eyes can see.


I climb this mountain again looking for clues,
For much there is in life that demands so much dues,
For once can't we shout "Enough!" and raise our hands to say,
That we have made it this far, no other than my way.


Like shooting stars stream from end to end,
Making trees look tall, and streams to bend,
Break that concrete that seems to cement,
The fallacies that delude us which quickens our descent.


 I now climb down this mount with relief and sigh,
That beckons me to wave and say my goodbye,
I shall return again to that all familiar place,
where I could rest and rejuvenate with peace on my face.

Gambar

Gambaran hidup disinari matahari,
Ribuan warna membanjiri sanubari,
Kagum melihat keajaiban alam,
Terfikir sejenak hidup sendiri yang semacam.

Tidakkah kamu insaf untuk dosa-dosa yang membukit?
Tidakkah kamu khuatir akan hukum hakam dari Ilahi di langit?
Bertaubatlah kamu sebelum terlambat untuk diubat,
Insaflah dengan segera sebelum nak henti pun tak sempat.

Begitu senang hidup kita dinoda,
Dengan pukauan manis yang disalut dusta,
Hambanya rasa jika dapat pula,
Mengawal diri sebelum jadi alpa.

Tekan kelik alat di tangan,
Ilusi indah ditangkap dan disimpan,
Membuka dan melihat apa yang lepas kembali,
Gambar dipapar depan mata dan juga dihati

Mission

Being there to settle the score,
Doing the job wanting some more,
Thinking its all beauty and ideal,
Once you're in you might think its a done deal.

What do you know when you get in?
Things aren't what they seem within,
When outside, you'll fail to see,
The external walls paint false wannabes.

Goals and aspirations tense our will,
Hearts a flutter, nothing is still,
Aching to attempt the big leap,
Praying and hoping all that we'll reach that heap.

Upon arrival, all seems good,
But as time goes by, situations change as much as they could,
Reluctantly accepting one fault at a time,
Till boiling point has reached good tastes comes with lime.

Now the will goes reverse against the flesh,
That we could change back as our objectives clash,
If not only I were given the sands of time,
Going back to take whats good to bring back the old chime.

If only, i would should and could,
Throw back all thats taken and bring back the wood,
To try once again to right the wrongs,
And bring old memories back to life & joyful songs.

Rambang Randoms

Huff & puff into a balloon,
With all my might like a silly old baboon,
Red & big a familiar shape i see,
Round & large like a big bumblebee.


Oh, how scared if that is really true,
To see such a large insect, can't kill that with a shoe,
Tinkle goes the bell of my phone that incessant rings,
Its all not over yet till the fat lady sings.


Sometimes i wonder if the sun continues to rise from East,
Can it go reverse, as if the world ends attacked by a beast,
Will the sky fall, or can water break,
If this is really part of nature, why not go opposite or just fake?


Ok, that's enough so goes without saying,
Don't know what else i can do, besides these nonsense I'm ranting,
Online, O Online to love or to hate.
That's it for now, no more time to wait.


Tata for now.

Forgive Or Not to Forgive...

To err is human, to forgive divine,
So says some, and so was mine,
But when it happens, i can't say,
How fury & rage be kept at bay.


So we plead with Him, the only One,
Who can forgive, let mercy be done,
At some small corner, where we can't hide,
A space in between, in which we decide.


That as dusk and dark shrouds the sky,
Before life ends, before we die,
We let it be and release the pain,
and grasp for peace, may calm regain.


And hope for that whom we forgave,
Shall learn their lesson, themselves to save,
For God is great, great teacher of love,
Amend all anger, store treasures above.

Itula laguku

Merdu sungguh seruanNya,
Dengarlah, ingatlah sabda Allah Bapa,
Kepada umat dan insan taatlah selalu,
Sesungguhnya beroleh rezeki, doa direstu.

Musim berpuasa, mengerjakan amal,
Kemaafan dipinta, dosa tidak berkekal,
Walaupun susah bertaubatlah sahaja,
Moga jadi baik dan teladan kepada semua.

Begitulah sahaja seruan kami,
Kesederhanaan itu sangat dipuji.
Walaupun dahaga, Yesus berpesan,
Hati jangan keras, berdusta itu jangan.

Pride, Humilty

Oh, why art thou pride prying my conscience,

breaking my inner peace, testing my patience,

guilty and wronged do i feel now,

after all that I've committed, till i break my vow.

sorry is all that i have to say,

great what am i to do for feeling this way,

Rebuke and mockery now arraign in my face,

There is nowhere to hide, not one safe place.

so refrain and abstain do i take charge,

to keep still my blabber, chain the devil at large,

so i can redeem my name and respect,

to put right the wrongs, to get all dots to connect.

so once again i can heave a sigh,

that i don't end up all high and dry.

hear me O God for this i intercede,

Only you O Lord, is all that i need.

A Little Something for the Ears

Here's a little something i wrote to share what i went to see yesterday on Valentine's Day 14 Feb 2011. Al Andalus rocks !!

Many thanks to my sister for getting us the tix to watch this wonderful ensemble headed by Tarik & Julia Banzi @ MPO. There was a special performance from a professional flamenco dancer to top off the creme-de-la-creme for that wonderful night.



AN OUD TO THE NEY

Into the silent dark trooped in our musicians,
Dressed in their finest ready with their renditions,
Warm light emerges, a lonely Oud sounds,
The ney, flute, guitar, violin then resounds.

Rhythm picks up, the tempo hastens,
A strong voice is heard as the beat quickens,
In strides our dancer fully dressed and all,
She strikes a pose, such beauty, so tall.

Cleverly they weave the Andalusian tunes,
Imagine them as twirling dervishes and dunes,
They burst into flamenco such rigor & awe,
What heartful poetry, that you wanna see somemore.

Bravo, encore! the hall fills with applauses,
Impressive notes, with beautiful & meaningful pauses,
Snip snap, click clack goes our dancer in heels,
Muy buena, increible! Al Andalus truly thrills.

Chay Kao (9th Day CNY)

Penang, Klang, Subang Jaya, PJ, Johor, Singapore..
...everywhere where Hokkiens may be...
Its a special day for them!

The blast of firecrackers louder than Chay Eet began the celebrations of Chay Kao or Pai Thi Kong.

Be it celebrating our escape from invaders many centuries ago, or be it thanksgiving for blessings for a new year, or maybe even the Jade Emperor's birthday, its a big do and affair with layers upon layers of altar filled with food and the irresistible suckling pig waiting for chow time with forks and chopsticks ready on hand.

Here's a short poem i did just to commemorate the occasion:


Bright lights incense here and there,
Friends & relatives everywhere,
There goes the cracker close your ears,
food galore enough to bring you tears.

Sleep not now for its time to play,
louder than the very first day,
Praise & thanksgiving sound the gong,
Wishing all Happy Pai Thi Kong!


Happy Chay Kao everyone :o)

New Plant

Found out the name for the beautiful creeper vine plant that we commonly call it money plant.
Its not money plant actually.

The botanical name is Epiprenum aureum or correctly Golden Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Silver Vine, jade plant. It is a type of liana that grows rapidly and quickly on the ground, on the trees anywhere else that it can climb on.

Qualities:

1. Damn easy to grow. also very easy to cultivate and multiply/transplant. just cut a few stems that come with roots and plant in a well aerated pot of soil or rocks, hanging or on the ground and water sparingly.

2. The lesser exposure the sun, the more green and bigger the leaves. but totally no sun, leaves will be pale/brown.

3. more exposure to sun, the more yellow it'll be, and smaller the leaves.

4. Easy to grow, very resistant to long periods of drought. Ideal for busy people like me!

5. Good for air circulation and health if planted indoors. Coolness maximus!!

What are you waiting for? 

Go plant some golden pothos now!