Karaikudi Kozhi Kuzhumbu/Chicken Curry

Rich dark brown with a warm reddish glow, this Karaikudi Chicken Curry is made from a homemade spice paste, with tender chicken pieces and aromatic curry leaves. Mouthwatering and simply irresistible, it’s one of the most flavoursome South Indian chicken curries.

Karaikudi is a town in the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu, South India, famous for dishes loaded with spices (LAMB SOUP INDIAN STYLE).

 

This curry is also known as Chettinad Chicken Curry. It connects to the Chettinad community in Malacca, Malaysia, which continues to preserve traditional cooking and spice heritage (CHICKEN RENDANG/RENDANG AYAM).

Lamb Soup Recipe: Indian Style

Whether you prefer lamb or mutton, both can work for a flavorful Indian-style soup. But lamb is ideal for tender meat that cooks faster. Making this Indian lamb soup recipe is easy. Once the ingredients are ready, slow simmering brings out the layered Indian flavors (COCONUT MILK CHICKEN CURRY).

This spiced lamb soup is all about layering flavors. The ingredients are tempered separately - coconut oil, shallots, spices and coriander leaves, before tipping into the soup. This gives the soup a deep, vibrant flavor that is classic to Indian cuisine.

The Ultimate Bergen Norway Travel Guide

Bergen is a city on the southwest coast of Norway. It’s the country’s second-largest city, surrounded by mountains and the sea. Often called the “Gateway to the Fjords,” Bergen reflects the calm beauty and character of the Nordic region (BEST THINGS TO DO IN NORWAY). It’s also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage City. Once the capital of Norway, Bergen is located just over 450 km from Oslo. Today, it plays a key role in shipping, education, and the seafood industry.

Things To Know About Bergen
Bergen is one of the rainiest cities in Europe, with over 200 rainy days a year. This is due to its location on the west coast, where moist sea air meets the surrounding mountains. If you’re planning to explore the city, a proper raincoat and waterproof shoes are a must. On colder days, a warm jacket will help keep you comfortable (WHAT TO DO IN FLORENCE ITALY).

Masi Magam Thiruvizha/Festival, Pulau Pangkor

I am definitely not the most devout person. I certainly don’t look like one, alright? But I believe deeply in my religion, Hinduism. You won't find me in the temple, fervently praying and performing rituals, because my philosophy towards Hinduism is that being a good human is what being religious truly means. Are you a good human (CHANDIGARH INDIA TEMPLES). 

When I was invited to attend the Pulau Pangkor Masi Magam Thiruvizha, or festival, I thought, why not? It would be my first experience, and I was eager to see what it was all about. My friend took care of all the arrangements, including transport. On Sunday, we departed from Klang Sentral Bus Terminal and arrived in Lumut by late afternoon for the ferry ride to Pulau Pangkor (CHENNAI TEMPLES & NEW DELHI TEMPLES).

Chickpea Curry Recipe

Not just chickpeas, this spiced Indian curry with spinach, is simply delicious. Indeed, a healthy recipe with no magic. Just simple ingredients and aromatic spices. Instead of using ready-made fish or meat curry powders, this curry is made with a combination of spice powders, creating a full, well-rounded taste beyond a plain curry (VEGETARIAN POTATO CURRY).

 

Chickpeas for this curry are the canned version. Whether you prefer to boil your own or use canned, chickpeas are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are a great source for supporting heart health and sustained energy, for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

Even nibbling on a few chickpeas gives health benefits.

Indian Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

An Indian Fish Curry, South Indian style, striking in spices with a reddish dark brown hue. A dish that instantly captures your food love - simple, nothing complicated, yet so satisfying. Coconut milk adds a creamy, mildly sweet flavor that softens the spiciness, while a touch of sourness rounds everything off for a perfectly balanced profile (SRI LANKAN FISH CURRY). 

In a Malaysian kitchen, though, a South Indian Fish Curry often takes on a local twist (SOUTH AFRICAN FISH CURRY). Vegetables are added, something not typically done in South India. For this version, eggplant joins the curry. The rest of the ingredients are a mix of common kitchen staples and fresh finds.

Keema Recipe

Mince meat cooked in a spicy, dry-style curry, that’s keema. This popular South Asian dish is loved in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and even Malaysia. You can make keema with lamb, mutton (MUTTON RENDANG), beef, or chicken. Use home-ground meat or store-bought minced meat for convenience.

Keema is versatile. Add green peas, potatoes, or sliced button mushrooms, or keep it simple with just meat. Pantry-friendly ingredients are enough. No need for fancy extras. This recipe uses lamb, but you can easily swap in other meats or even make a vegetarian version called Vegetable Keema (VEGETABLE KURMA).

Copenhagen, Denmark: Top Attractions

There are countless things to do in Copenhagen, from historical landmarks to top sites and major attractions. Yet, it is really impossible to cover every place unless it’s a free-and-easy sightseeing trip in Copenhagen, stretching maybe to a week or so. Logically, though, touring Copenhagen means sticking to the top sites. It may also involve heading to Norway from Denmark, which means that within two days, all the main Copenhagen attractions can be covered (COPENHAGEN DENMARK WHAT TO DO). 

These top attractions are not a waste of time; they bring a full experience and highlight the most meaningful sites in Denmark (CHANDIGARH INDIA TOP SITES). 

Tom Yum Soup: Coconut Milk Thai Style

Whether it a plain simple Thai soup, or Tom Yum style, it all comes back to the Southeast Asian Herbs. Galangal and lemongrass the common cooking with herbs, and for aroma the famed kaffir lime leaves, or even coriander leaves (STEAMED FISH THAI STYLE). 

Whether it’s a homemade paste, or store bought Tom Yum Paste, or without a paste, yet with the beloved Thai deliciousness.

 

Apart from the common fiery red tom yum, there is also there white tom yum (Tom Yum Nam Sai) and this tom yum soup with coconut milk (Tom Yum Nam Khon).

Copenhagen, Denmark

Nature, unrushed life, fresh air and sunshine, and fresh seafood - welcome to Denmark in summer. For some, the weather may feel tropical, while others might need a thick jacket or even gloves while sightseeing in Denmark.

For Asian travelers, particularly those from Southeast Asia, heading to Denmark can take around 15-18 hours. The journey may include transiting from other airports before arriving at Copenhagen Airport (CPH), also known as Kastrup Airport, the largest airport in Copenhagen, catering to international and domestic flights (ROME ITALY TOP SITES). 

Mee Goreng (Fried Mee)

Apart from rice meals, (NASI KERABU/HERBS RICE) noodle dishes are highly anticipated in Malaysia, and one of the favorites is Mee Goreng (fried mee). Though it comes in different styles, it’s still Mee Goreng at heart. The variations mostly depend on the meat, seafood, or poultry used.

The Malay-style Mee Goreng is one example, and when cooked with fresh prawns, it’s called Mee Goreng Udang (MALAY STYLE PRAWN NOODLES). Eggs can be added on top, served as a runny fried egg (Mata Kerbau), or mixed into the yellow noodles while frying.

What To Do In Pulau Ketam (Selangor, Malaysia)

What makes Pulau Ketam nostalgic? This small fishing island floats quietly on the Straits of Malacca, just off the coast of Port Klang in Selangor. It’s like stepping back in time, where life moves at its own unhurried pace, and much remains as it was decades ago. The houses on stilts, fishing as a livelihood, and small, unassuming local shops are still part of daily life (PULAU KETAM TRAVEL GUIDE).

 

Pulau Ketam remains an authentic Chinese fishing village, lined with old provision stores and coffee shops. One of the most delightful things here is how locals move around. On motorbikes or bicycles, passing the narrow cement lanes and wooden walkways. Life is simple here. Clothes are casual, faces are familiar, and the sense of community is strong - complete with a police station, school, and community hall.

Pada Salted Fish Pickle

Pada Salted Fish Pickle is a famous Eurasian dish unique to the Malaysian and Singaporean Eurasian community. While other fish pickles or meen achar exist worldwide, none match the aroma, tang, and sweetness of this salted fish pickle (PORTUGUESE VEGETABLE PICKLE).

Crispy fried salted fish and green chilies in a delicious spice paste make it irresistible.

 

For taste, adjust the amount of salted fish, green chilies, and spice paste to balance spiciness, tanginess, and saltiness. These are the essential cooking tips for Pada salted fish pickle.

Pulau Ketam/Crab Island - Selangor, Malaysia

Pulau Ketam, also known as Crab Island, is a small island near Port Klang in Selangor, Malaysia, where rivers meet the sea amid muddy shores and nearby islets. Entirely built on wooden stilts above mangrove swamps, Pulau Ketam is known for its traditional fishing village, seafood markets, and unique stilt houses, attracting both locals and international travelers looking for a quick escape from city life (FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA DAY TRIP). 

Weekends and public holidays can get very crowded, so visiting Pulau Ketam on weekdays, Monday to Thursday is recommended for a more relaxed experience.

Bread Flower/Kesidang Plant: An Enchanting Beauty for the Senses

Nature is truly captivating. It fills our lives with joy and peace. But nature also needs our help. As climate change makes the weather hotter and more unpredictable, we depend more on air conditioners, even for our babies. Yet, people miss the benefits of urban gardening. It can cool our homes and naturally relieve stress (Bay Leaves Healing Therapy). Urban gardening helps the environment and fills the air with the soothing scent of flowers, offering a peaceful escape from the stress that harms us.

Enter Ms. Nava, the founder of Nava's Zen, a true enthusiast of urban gardening. Today, she introduces us to the enchanting bread flower, also known as Kesidang, Kerak Nasi, Tikar Seladang, or Vallaris Glabra (Ylang Ylang). These white, star-shaped blossoms have a scent that evokes pandan leaves or the aroma of cooked fragrant jasmine rice. Whenever they bloom, Ms. Nava takes a moment to stand in Nava's Zen and inhale their delightful fragrance. It's her natural way to calm her senses and enjoy a bit of tranquility (Rangoon Creeper).

Buns & Noodles (Bukit Rimau): Niche Excellence

Saying goodbye to loyal clients who have been strong supporters of our brand, especially when they're leaving due to moving away, brings mixed feelings. It's important to show gratitude for their support, even though it's tough to see them go. In business, clients come and go, so it's crucial to stay focused on our passion rather than getting too emotional. As a gesture of appreciation, I recently organized a heartfelt farewell for departing clients, recognizing their contributions to our business. And what better way for us Malaysians to bond than over a meal together?

As a culinary enthusiast, I'm always on the lookout for new dining experiences. This time, I decided to try out Buns & Noodles in Bukit Rimau. Beforehand, I made sure to inform them of my visit, which is important in case they have any limitations or special arrangements, as I mentioned earlier (SAFAA)