:: Nutshell Kitchen - Gogalbi 고갈비 / Korean Grilled Fish ::

 I love cooking and baking. Since the day I got married, I have the opportunity to cook or bake more, trying new recipes and taking up challenges, as breakfast for my hubby (oh yes, he is my guinea pig) and as dinner for my in-laws. Sometimes I cook for my parents too.

I got to try this recipe, thanks to my dad. He bought one medium sized fresh fish from the market. They call that fish "Beh Ka" in Hokkien (the common dialect in my current place of stay). I googled and got to know that is called Indo-Pacific King Mackerel/ Spotted Spanish Mackerel. Wah, all the years I have been eating this fish and not knowing it's a King Mackerel. Sorry fish, I apologized. LOL. So, back to the story, my dad wanted to some BBQ dish using that fish and asked me to marinate it and he wants it SPICY. Hahahaha...  I looked through the recipes or ideas through internet, and being a Korean food fan, so I browsed through some korean recipes pages and found one. I adapted this recipe from Beyond Kimchee, but I change the cooking method.

Ingredients You Need:-

• 2 medium sized fesh mackerel fillets, halved
• 2 Tbsp canola oil/ vegetable oil

For the sauce:

• 2 Tbsp Korean chili paste (Gochujang)
• 2 Tbsp Korean chili flakes (gochugaru)
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp rice wine
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp honey (Original recipe: 1 Tbsp green plum extract (mashiljeup))
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 yellow sweet onion, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsp sesame seeds
• a few dashes of black pepper

The Ingredients

Marinate the fresh fish with 2-pinches of salt. Rub the salt on the fish and set aside. 

Mixed all the sauce ingredients well. Marinate the fish using 1/3 part of sauce mixture. Keep the rest of the sauce mixture for later. 

Sauce Mixture

Marinate using 1/3 part of the sauce mixture

Let the fish to sit for 30 minutes or more at room temperature before grilling. 

Heat up grill pan at high heat, and add in oil. When the grill pan is hot, reduce to medium heat (so that you won't burn the fish fillets). Grill the fish, the skin side first, for about 4 - 5 minutes, then flip it over to another side for about 4-5 minutes as well. 

Fish Fillet on Grill 

Perfectly Grilled

Ready to be served

Once ready, remove from grilled pan. Spread the rest of the sauce mixture evenly on the fish fillet. 

Serve warm with rice. Yumms..... 

:: Dak galbi 닭갈비 ::

I don't really into writing blog but I've seen people keep writing, and so I pick up my laptop and continue my blog. After such long, it's quite to find words to describe the things I want. LOL.

Well, have you all heard of Dak galbi (닭갈비) ? It's a popular dish in Korea made by stir-frying marinated chicken with sliced cabbage, sweet potatoes, rice cake (tteok) in a special sauce made of gochujang (korean chili sauce), gochugaru (chili flakes) and other ingredients. Each restaurant selling Dak galbi will have their own secret recipe. Yup, that means all secret lies in the special sauce. Describing this now makes me salivate, thinking of going to eat it again. :P

Did I mentioned that the most famous Dak galbi is from Chuncheon, South Korea? It's a local specialty in Chuncheon, so that's why sometime they call it Chuncheon Dak galbi. :D Yes, it's so famous, and it's really tasted good.  I had it before when I was in Chuncheon.

Anyway, just recently, there is this chain Uncle Jang Dakgalbi opened a new branch in Penang. They have a few branches in KL, Malacca and JB, and now finally in Penang. It is hotcake, with long queuing almost everyday since it'e opening. There is no reservation allowed, and only for walk-in. I finally made it to eat. Oh, I've eaten it before but it was in KL.

Dakgalbi @ Uncle Jang 

Look! Isn't that look delicious? I love the flavour, the combination of it. The chicken is so juicy and tender, combine with the chewy rice cake and fresh cabbages and scallions, and the sauce of course. Perfect! At Unlce Jang Korean Restaurant in Penang, the minimum order is 2 pax and one pax is at RM 21 (Original Dakgalbi) and if you opt for Super Spicy Dakgalbi, that will be at RM 22/ pax.

Dakgalbi when served

A tips to all if you are going for Dakgalbi, please be prepared to be smelly, because the restaurant workers are going to help you to stir-fry your dakgalbi, just in front of you. Meaning you will feel the heat and smell the aroma immediately. ^^ I remember reading a blogger's blog written that he/she will prefer to sit into a good ventilation restaurant will eating dakgalbi. I would like to say to him/her, sorry, that proves you haven't been to a real dakgalbi restaurant. LOL,

Dakgalbi ~ Ready to Eat

Free flow of Banchan (Side Dishes) 

Korean would love to add in Ramyeon (Ramen) when they order Dakgalbi. Btw, you can order extra to add in. E.g. Ramyeon, Cheese, Rice Cake, Sweet Potato. I would not recommend you to add in ramyeon if just 2 pax dine in, unless you have 4 pax dining together. Why? Because you will not be able to finish it, because there are some better things to add that I highly recommend you do towards the end.... and yes, fried rice!!

Add on Fried Rice @ RM 6

While you are about to finish your Dakgalbi (20 - 30%), you can order for Fried Rice, that comes with rice, vegetables, seaweeds and more sauce! Then they will fry it together with your leftover, and serve it to one complete meal! Yes, the Koreans love that! If you are a big eater, like some Koreans, then you can add in the Ramyeon and the Fried Rice. ^^

Since I'm writing about Dakgalbi, I will share on the Chuncheon Dakgalbi I had in South Korea.

Chuncheon Dakgalbi

Yummy!

For more information on Uncle Jang Korean Restaurant, the details as below:- 
Address: No. C-01-10, Vantage Desiran Tanjung, Jalan Desiran Tanjung, 10470 Tg Tokong, Penang
Business Hours: 12pm - 3pm; 6pm - 10pm (Weekdays)
                           12pm - 10pm (Weekends) (Daily)
Contact No.: 016-256 7210


I will be sharing the recipe for Dakgalbi soon! 
Enjoy Eating! 

:: Idealite Wellness Restaurant 品味舒食 ::

Idealite ~ Malaysia First Wholesome Dining Place, is now available in Penang. :) If you are into a healthy and wholesome meal, you can try out this place. There are 3 outlets available in Penang ~ Waterfall, Queensbay Mall and Gurney Plaza.

I have heard of this restaurant for sometime, but do not have a chance to visit it. Finally, they have open one new outlet in Gurney Plaza, so it's easier for me. :)

Overview of Idealite

People said first impression is very important. Yes, I agree with this especially if you are into business. Their menu is superb attractive. Check it out yourself. I just have here a sneak preview. :P

 I've ordered their Signature Nasi Lemak. It's an excellent choice, and indeed a Signature Dish. I love the Sweet Potato curry. The taste of spices are perfectly brings out the flavour. Definitely won't be a wrong choice.This serves with the Brown Rice. Yumm is th word. =D

Signature Nasi Lemak (RM 15.70)

 He ordered Bak Kut Teh Vermicelli and was satisfied with the choice. Initially I was thinking a meatless bak kut teh will be weird but it does come out really something out of expectation.

Bak Kut Teh Vermicelli (RM 13.70)

  Because he is a MEAT person, so he was afraid that just the vermicelli will not fill up his tummy, so he ordered extra dish, which is Sesame Chee Cheong Fun. Well, since the original Chee Cheong Fun you could get out there are also meatless, so I personally think the Sesame Chee Cheong Fun they serve here not that unique or special. But you can try too if you want.

Sesame Chee Cheong Fun (RM 5.70)

There a lot of healthy drinks they serve here, from fresh fruit juices to Chinese Sweet Deserts to some healthy drinks. Well, we ordered Fresh Lemonade, and indeed very very lemony, and of course they serve it less sweet, so it's kinda sour. =P

Fresh Lemonade (RM 5.70)

If you are looking for a healthy meal and meatless meal, and you don't really have time to prepare it yourself, do drop by this place for a wholesome meal. Their promises ~ no MSG, and a healthier way.

Idealite Gurney Plaza 
3F-60, Gurney Plaza,
Persiaran Gurney
10300 Georgetown Penang

:: Winter Solstice 冬至 ~ Tang Yuen ::

For Chinese tradition, everytime when it's Mid Winter, roughly around December, they will celebrate Winter Solstice. It's a time whereby all the family get together again, and make the Tang Yuen together. It's symbolized family unity. My family are everywhere of the world. So it's quite difficult for them to come back for this season. Well, I managed to make some, to have it with my mum. :)

Overview of Tang Yuen Making

Normally, we don't like it just plain white for our Tang Yuen (Glutinous Rice Ball). But we don't like it for just artificial colouring. So, I did a few colours with natural colour.

As you can see from the picture, I have 5 colours include white. There are Purple, Pink, Orange, White & Blue. Purple colour is from Purple Sweet Potato, Pink is from ripe Mulberry, Blue is from Blue Flower (蓝花), Orange is from Sweet Potato and White is from the flour itself. :)

It's all about your determination. If you would want it colourful, and want it healthy, just spend a little more time to make it natural colours with beautiful effect.
Here is some other suggestions of colours from natural.

Yellow - Japanese Sweet Potato
Red - Beet Root/ Red Dragon Fruit
Green - Pandan Leaves
Grey - Yam
Black - Black Sesame Seeds
Olive Green - Green Tea/ Matcha

See, there are wonderful colours from the natural. You don't need the colourings from the market. Just spend a little time extra to have it. :D

Enjoy. Happy Winter Solstice!

My Colourful Tang Yuen

:: Via Pre ::

As Christmas is just around the corner, I think this place is a great place for Christmas Hangout with friends. I went with my bunch of colleagues.

Overview of Via Pre

Via Pre has a very cozy environment with great food as well. It's a good Italian Restaurant.
I love their Pizza the most. Thin crust with very appetizing toppings. Yumms.

Buffalina (RM 32) 

  Buffalina (tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, parma ham, rucola, parmigiano) - a splendid combination!
The parma ham is real good!

Del Porto Salad (RM 26)

Del Porto Salad ~ a combination of mix salad, rocket salad, smoked salmon, prawns, asparagus, artichokes, tomatoes, lemon & chives dressings, capers and olives. A word to describe ~ fresh.

Gnocchi Allo Speck (RM 29)

Gnocchi Allo Speck ~ Ricotta & Potatoes dumpling in blue cheese sauce with speck. I like this very much. But this dish you cannot finish it all by yourself coz it's too cheesy. =P

Catch of the Day (RM 39)

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio (RM 18)

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio seems a simple dish but it's the most difficult dish to prepare. Look plain but simply delicious. ^^

Tiramisu (RM 16)

Ricotta Cake (RM 16)

How could you say no to dessert in an Italian Restaurant? No matter how full you are, I think you would just share a dessert. Haha... of course I said YES! and Obviously say yes again to a hot latte. :)

Hot Latte (RM 9)

It's a lovely meal at a cozy place. Excellent is the perfect word. :)

Via Pre
5 Weld Quay,
10300 Georgetown
Penang
Tel: 04-262 0560
Business Hour: 10am - 11pm (Daily)

:: Hon Kei Food Corner ::

This place is all about Pork, whether you would like to order a bowl of porridge or vermicelli. The only choice is whether you want the normal which includes the minced meat, brain, intestine, liver & heart; or just the minced meat. Haha... this must be sounded scary to ya. :p

Overview of Hon Kei Food Corner

The owner used to sell his "Bak Moey" or Pork Porridge at a small stall by the roadside. Due to overwhelming response through years, now he own this nice restaurant with proper seats for the customers. Good choice!

Minced Meat Porridge (RM 6.00)

Of course I just ordered the Minced Meat only coz I don't really fancy the rest. But for 'him', he ordered with Brain as well. -_-' (That will be another RM 1.50).

Lots of Meat

Look, it's really got a lot of meat. Real meat. :) It's worth the money you pay.

Hon Kei Food Corner
45 Kampung Malabar,
10100 Georgetown, Penang
Tel：012 - 443 5559 / 016 - 443 9085 （For takeaway orders）
Business Hours：9:00am - 3:00pm & 5:00pm - 12:00am （Closed on Thu）

:: Armenian House Cafe ::

I've noticed this cafe through other ppl's blog few weeks back. But noticed that they just open until 6pm. Well, I finally managed to step in to this cafe on Sunday when I went for a ride with buddies.
It's nice place as it gave you that heritage feel. :)

Overview of Armenian House

As we had a big breakfast and the weather was so hot, we didn't order any food. Just drinks .. I mean coffee.. and yes, ICED. =D

Three Different Types of Coffee

Can you differentiate which is which? =P From left: Hazelnut Latte (RM 13) , Cappuccino (RM 12), Caramel Latte (RM 13). I can say their coffee is just normal. Not a wow factor but overall not bad. I must admit that the ice did a very good job for the weather.

Heritage Feel

 The cafe is nicely decorated. Notice the picture frames at the wall? They are lovely.

Nicely Decorated Wall

Hazelnut Latte (RM 13)

A tempting cup of Hazelnut Latte for a warm day. Satisfying. :)

Armenian House Cafe
35, Lebuh Armenian,
10200 Georgetown Penang
Tel: +6016 486 8309 / +6012 300 8277 / +604 262 8309 
Business Hour:  9am till 6pm