EXPLORING THE MUSLIM QUARTERS OF XI'AN

   2nd SEPTEMBER 2026    ~ After visiting the mosque, it was time to explore the Muslim Quarters. The street was flocked by tourists. locals and foreigners alike. It was actually a shopping street, rows of stalls and shops, selling all kinds of souvenirs and food items.

Trying the ice cream

flat bread with beef filling

This should be the place for Muslims to try halal Chinese food. We were told that all the food in this area was halal. Unfortunately, the shops and restaurants were not properly labelled so it might cause lack of confidence for us most of the time.

buying pomegranate juice

We definitely needed more time here, either to shop or to try the food available. At the same time, we were already exhausted after the long day without rest and were so looking forward to get back to our hotel.

[MY XI'AN TRIP MAIN PAGE]

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURES THAT HAPPENED IN DAMANSARA

  17TH OCTOBER 2025   ~ When I was staying in Damansara, Puan Hanna Sheikh Mokhtar and Puan Hazlina Aziz, the two UPM TESL friends, played hosts for dinner. Mr. Azizul, Puan Hanna's husband, tagged along as usual. The chosen venue was Homst, a Chinese Muslim Restaurant, in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail.

I remember going to another Homst Restaurant located in Bangi. [READ HERE]

We had a variety of Chinese Muslim dishes eaten with white rice, and we sure had our tummies filled with good food.

However, the gastronomic adventure of the evening did not end there. We then adjourned to the near Q-Bistro on foot for dessert and tea.

We just had one piece of Roti Tissue to be shared by the four of us.

It was already past 9:00 p.m. but the restaurant was jam-packed with diners. Everybody talked at the top of their lungs and we had no choice but to shout as well to chat in order to be heard. This Mamak place must be very popular here.

We had to leave the place after an hour and would be meeting again at the wedding reception the next day. [READ HERE]

THE LUNCH DATE WITH A TESL FRIEND IN BANGI

   27th SEPTEMBER 2024    ~ I was in Bangi [again] to attend a wedding reception of another UPM TESL friend's son. An old friend, Puan Azwan Shaiza Nizam, was kind enough to meet for lunch after the Friday prayer.

The chosen venue was Homst Restaurant, a Chinese Muslim eatery, located in Bangi Gateway which was very near to the hotel where I was staying and also Puan Azwan's working place.

mutton fried rice

a type of Chinese soup

look who's paying

It was just a short lunch date as Puan Azwan had to be on the way home to Seremban before 4:30 p.m. so as to avoid the traffic jam. It was always good to get to spend some time with a friend once in a while. Thanks to my TESL mate for initiating the meeting and thanks for lunch treat too. Hope to see you again some other in Bangi, Seremban, Johor Bahru or some other places in the future.