What's brewing in Bangalore.

A budding city in Asia and although at times unfashionable, Bangalore makes up for their flaws by being a centre for technology and the pious. However, you would be sorely mistaken if you thought Bangalore, the IT hub of India, has caved in to the demands of Western conglomerates’ and allowed full access (or should I say penetration) to their local food & beverage market.

Granted, the level of income in today’s working class India probably doesn’t appeal to these multinational companies. Spending power remains at an average but as always with developing countries, the ‘crème of the crop’ middle-class citizens and the expatriates stationed here want to indulge in cafe culture and surely wouldn’t mind forking out the extra bit for a connoisseur’s experience.

Where there’s an opportunity, there you’d find an intelligent businessman busy building his empire. Enter Coffee Day, Bangalore’s successful and modestly styled bistro. It has all the likeness to a full-blown upmarket coffee chain outlet, minus the bourgeois. The franchise is sprouting almost everywhere in the city area prompting rumours that its owner, Mr. V.G. Siddartha is planning a domestic dominance with 160 outlets planned for Bangalore alone (as quoted by an insider). Judging from current outlet count at 134 (in Bangalore alone) and 647 (in the whole of India), coupled with the insatiable appetite of young and modern Bangaloreans for all things sweet, I’d be the last to doubt his vision!







Coffee Day outlets are designed and furnished in a fairly simple manner; painted in red, brown and beige; with limited seating areas. Some outlets have petite-looking bar areas which are restrictive to staff members when handling brisk business. Despite that, it is remarkable the way Coffee Day staff members get on with their day with such enthusiasm towards customers.





In regards to their products, Coffee Day offers customers a comprehensive array of products available on their jocularly composed menu. Beverages include staple favourites (espresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato and black coffee), gourmet blends (Aztec and Ethiopian), ice blended assortments (trademarked as ‘Cold Sparkle’, ‘Tropical Iceberg’, ‘Iced Eskimo’ and ‘Kaapi Nirvana™’), cream blended selections (cafe frappe, ‘Devil’s Own’ and choco frappe), tea selections (‘Masala Garam’, ‘Assam Express’, ‘Darjeeling Divine’ and ‘Lemon Demon’), non-coffee based varieties (‘Lemon Freeze’, ‘Strawbrrrrrrry’ and ‘Lychee Thanda’, Fruiteazers (consisting of shakes, granitas and spritzers) and last but not least Freeze Frames (ice-cream desserts). For the fairly hungry, Coffee Day’s fresh from the oven goodies (cookies, croissants, sandwiches, cakes, doughnuts and muffins) are there to save the day!

Other than Coffee Day, there’s virtually no other proper cafe franchise available for the public to patronise. It’s a huge wonder why Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf haven’t entered their market. Suppose political head honchos haven’t been put to work to allow this to happen. Fortunately, locals here are rightfully content with a highly efficient and cost-friendly Coffee Day. In the long term though, I think globalisation and competition should just be allowed to take its course so as to improve the cafe connoisseurs’ experience in Bangalore.

Instead of whining about the lack of coffee house franchises I have to choose from, I decided to give a few of their listed drinks a try. To the seasoned coffee drinker who might want to upsize their orders, that option is sadly unavailable. Often packed to the brim, it must be remarked that their outlets often have problems taking up ice blended drink orders especially in mall outlets; quoting stock depletion as a single source of reason. Of all their ice-blended drinks, Kaapi Nirvana™, their award winning flagship beverage, ranks as a personal recommendation – just get them to go easy on the cream topping. Most coffee orders served here are extremely sweet!





Cafe culture here in Bangalore, from my observation, remains an untapped and partially ventured market in India. Tea remains their favourite type of beverage and with only one sole coffee house franchise dominating the scene it is hardly a surprise that you don’t necessarily get a ‘bang for your buck’ when patronising their outlets. There is however so much potential that Coffee Day can strive better to deliver while they’re still a big player in the local business. After all, a lot can happen over their coffee, can't it?

Schweeet!: Burmah Road Honey Lo Han Kuo.

If you display a fondness for sweet concoctions, I have just the recommendation for you. This is nothing new to the islanders for it has been around for ages, circa 1970 to be exact. Tattered yet comfy, this roadside stall in the form of a rickshaw has been in operation for many years; delighting nearby residents and faraway visitors with the delicious and VERY cheap (MYR 1.00) 'honey lo han kuo' (a form of Chinese herbal beverage).





The roadside makeshift stall is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Lok. They have been actively trading since the early 70s when they first set up their business along Magazine Road. After a few years, in 1976, they then relocated to where it stands today, Burmah Road, where they enjoy a healthy stream of regulars from nearby office buildings salivating for a taste of their version of 'honey lo han kuo' after a hard days' work.




Its contents consist of nata de coco (jelly), a scoop of white fungus, a few dragon balls (longans) and some small starch beads. When asked about her famous herbal drink, she offered me a little tip that, "...it's a home-made recipe...nothing fancy...you just gotta wake up a little early to prepare it to match the customer's expectations."

Small swarms of non-poisonous/non-attacking bees often mingle about here and the numbers intensify as the durian session draws closer. But the more bees show up, the more customers turn up too. After interviewing Mrs. Lok, she says that with the current trend of food prices going up, business isn't as fruitful as before and they've actually had to absorb losses in certain areas and also due to the hefty cost of chrysanthemum flowers, they were forced to stop selling chrysanthemum tea altogether since 2008. She is however grateful for the community's support and never fails throw customers aback with her delicate 'Annie Lennox-like' smile even when it's a friggin' hot sunny day.



The roadside stall is located just beside the Union Primary School, a few metres from a 7-Eleven convenience store. Its opened daily from 1200 hours - 2200 hours (except for Sundays).

The Original Fatty Loh Chicken Rice.

I was craving for it. Penang's finest. Every single succulent & aromatic bite of it. I was craving for 'The Original Fatty Loh's Chicken Rice'. But when I returned to its last known location at 37-G Cantonment Road, it was all but gone! Then it occurred to me that announcements have been relayed in October regarding their move to a new outlet at Nagore Place, Nagore Road. Scouting for the place was easy...find the only restaurant in the area with the most cars parked around it!


The original logo for Fatty Loh's, discontinued from use as of 1st November 2006.




To those not in the know, 'The Original Fatty Loh's Chicken Rice' was established back in 1969 by its current sole proprietor's father, Mr. Loh Kok Keong. It flourished from being just a small family business in a little wooden house along Fettes Park, Tanjung Tokong to a major Asian food connoisseur's attraction in Penang. The family business prospered for many years to the point that they had to expand their business to the city area. And so it happened...in 1997, 'The Original Fatty Loh's Chicken Rice' was then relocated to No. 37-G, Cantonment Road, Penang. Till today, 'The Original Fatty Loh's Chicken Rice' boasts of having the most loyal regulars not only from Malaysia but returning patrons from the world over! In the same year of its 're-establishment', it won the prestigious Mix FM 'Best of Malaysian Food Award' under 'The Best Chicken Rice' category.



From the old generation to the new, the recipe remains the same as ever. Passed on by the originator himself, the authentic chicken rice meal is the only recipe in town with specially roasted chicken teamed with steaming hot white rice, hot ginger chili sauce and special black sauce.




Variety has always been observed so new culinary delights have always been added for the customers. As of January 2006, besides the usual chicken rice meals for 1 to 8 pax, they have been serving:

- Pork (roasted pork, bbq pork with sweet sauce, chinese sausages, pork ribs).
- Duck (roasted duck, braised duck, duck meat).
- Noodles (fishball noodles, rice vermicelli, rice vermicelli with fish fillet, claypot noodles).
- Porridge (fish, chicken, bbq pork, duck, plain).
- Vegetables (bean sprouts in oyster sauce, bok choy in oyster sauce).
- Other dishes include vinegar pork, hot & spicy vegetable soup, thai kerabu (pickle), stewed chicken feet with mushroom, otak-otak (fish cake), beancurd, salted eggs and mushrooms.


Chef de mission, Mr. Tony Loh.

Patrons not only love the dishes provided, but also the casual and friendly ambiance and atmosphere infused by the staff members and owners Uncle Tony Loh Seng Lee and Aunt May Eu themselves. The former; the always humble and friendly dude behind the chopping board, explains to me that resulting from high overhead costs, their restaurant had to be shifted in November 2006 following the raise of rental charges for their restaurant on Cantonment Road. The move to Nagore Place promises a better environment (laid-back traditional Chinese wooden house), ample parking space and an even better ambiance for discerning chicken rice lovers out there.


The new face of Fatty Loh's.



To the loyal customers and inquisitive taste buds, the famous chicken rice restaurant of most Penangites is back in full throttle after shifting operations from Pulau Tikus to Nagore Road. Open from 9 am to 9 pm, 'The Original Fatty Loh's Chicken Rice' is now located at Nagore Place, 77 & 79 Nagore Road, 10050 Penang. Call 6-04-229 4268 to make your reservations today.

NOTE: IMAGES ARE PENDING FOR UPLOAD ON OUR PRIMARY IMAGE HOSTING SPACE. BLAME THE TAIWANESE EARTHQUAKE SO I WAS TOLD (pity the lads over there) - I'M HAVING SEVERE ISSUES WITH PHOTOBUCKET AT THE MOMENT...APOLOGIES FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

UPDATES 7 JAN: Photobucket's still down so the blog updates will have to be postponed till further notice.

UPDATES 8 JAN: Uploaded all images!

Substance vs. Spice.

Nothing beats Penang food I tell ya. It's either you're an MSG freak or you're some village folk who still cooks with charcoal.

Father's Day dinner.

Music: Jeff Buckley - Vancouver (click to download)



My Dad and I don't exactly share a good father and son relationship. We seldom talk to each other unless there's an absolute need to do so. We hardly see eye to eye on things even though I am still living under his roof. I sometimes joke about it that it's "not a lack of respect, it's individualism". Being Asian, it's a rarity for the males to move out of the house until the day they get married so I'm basically stuck here till I find the means to get hitched for real. Despite our indifferences, I long for the days when he'd take me out to the beach during the weekends and catch mussels for Sunday dinner. The joy of working together with my Dad; in unison is certainly a revered feeling that's gone missing in my childhood years. We don't plan for these excursions anymore - time is of importance to both of us. He's got his business to attend to and I've got my condition to manage.

Denying my Dad a little celebration of what he is today wouldn't be right. Dinner was the least someone who has a father, could do. A rare 'family-all-in' outing ensued and we enjoyed the luxury of FINALLY having dinner with every single member of the family on the dinner table at the same time.








Even if we're busy with our personal set of problems, it's fitting to let my Dad to know today that I'm blessed to have him around in my life 365 days in a year.

Thanks Dad.

Dinner at Bequadro.

Music: Camera Obscura - I Need All The Friends I Can Get (click to download)

Sook Yee, Ewe Ting, Angelene, Ai Ling, Loo Ming and I had dinner last night at Bequardo, a rather posh Italian restaurant located in E-Gate, Penang. Dropped by Starbucks afterwards but I wasn't craving for coffee that night. The excitement of catching up with old friends - definitely a good stress reliever after all those months of being in limbo. Next time around, we should do karaoke!

'Char hor fun' gluttony.

Music: R.E.M. - Why Not Smile (click to download)

After the last blog post, I've been finding my nights relatively longer. Haven't been sleeping appropriately in the past few nights, counting down the days and hours for the big day. The only action that takes my mind away from it all would be eating, gluttonously I might add. Like my cousin Gavin said, "...at least you're well enough to eat, which is one of life's best creature comforts." Absolutely spot on there, Gavster!

Yeah, I know...of all the things I should avoid right now, I should seriously stay off starchy Chinese food especially 'char hor fun' (sometimes pronounced as 'sar hor fun'). Sometimes, there are simple pleasures in life that you just can't live without and that's rings true when it comes to Malaysian food.



Michelle, Kabian and I went to a Chinese coffee shop-cum-eatery called 'Leong Huat Seng' (418 Jalan Sungai Tiram, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang) which is just located off the main road, 5 minutes from the Penang International Airport. The large 'char hor fun' meal that I had is nicely priced at MYR 3.50. You can opt for additional seafood and porky bits if you're into that sorta thing but I requested them to just add more rice vermicelli instead.





Kabian had his usual dose of Hainanese chicken rice and two servings of fried belacan tofu.


Michelle had 'ee foo mee'.

That's it for tonight. I've gotta head over to the hospital tomorrow morning at 1000 hrs for an appointment with my surgeon. They're scheduling a blood test and preliminary health examination for me.