GOING WESTERN FOR DINNER IN PORT DICKSON, NEGERI SEMBILAN

   18th OCTOBER 2026    ~ After too much Malay food in Melaka, we decided to go western for dinner when we were in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. My co-pilot cum gastronomic adventure buddy, Mr. Redzuan, found this place called "Kafe Santai" which was not that far from the hotel where we were staying.

We ordered the Dulang Set [TRANSLATE: tray] which contained a piece of chicken chop and lamb chop, French Fries and two portions of fried rice. Western but Malaysianized as some people just could not live without rice.

The meal size was sufficient for two people and taste wise, all the food in taste was tasty that we finished everything.

That was a good start for our gastronomic adventure in Port Dickson and we would continue with the next episode the next day.

THE GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN PEDAS, NEGERI SEMBILAN

   7TH AUGUST 2026    ~ The only planned gastronomic adventure during the Shah Alam road trip was to have lunch at Selera Grobok Salai at Pedas, Negeri Sembilan. The specialty of this place was everything "Masak Lemak" - food with spicy coconut milk gravy.

There were not many customers dining in when we arrived that afternoon. We managed to get a parking space near the restaurant and there was no queue at the entrance. The place was a huge one which could accommodate more than one hundred people at one time.

I decided to try the Mackerel Eggs while my friend opted for the Catfish.

There was a small shop inside the restaurant, selling dessert, cookies and local snacks and delicacies.

Lunch was good and my tummy was happy, and I was glad to stop by at this famous eating place. We were so ready to continue driving up north to Shah Alam right after that.

THE 16TH DAY OF EID 1447H

I ventured out further, crossing into another state, into Seremban in Negeri Sembilan, on the 16th day of Eid. I went to visit the house of Mr. Raja Mohd. Hilmi and his family who are residing there. Upon arrival, I was first served with Putu Mayam, something light, as I would be attending a Engagement Event cum Eid Open House right after.

After the event, I again went back to his house and the hosts had prepared something special - Penang Laksa. Despite of still having a full tummy after the Open House, the Laksa was too good to resist.

I had actually informed Mr. Hilmi that I would be going to Seremban when he came to visit me in Johor Bahru for Eid last week [READ HERE]. He was too enthusiastic to make me go to his house and guess, I could not say "no" to his invitation.

Thanks again to Mr. Hilmi, his wife and the kids for the hospitality. That was my first visit and hopefully will not be the last.

HOTEL REVIEW - MELANG INN IN KUALA PILAH, NEGERI SEMBILAN

I chose to stay at Melang Inn in Kuala Pilah town on 21st September 2024 after attending a wedding reception. There was not much choice by the way but I had made the right choice.

There was even an indoor garden in between the blocks inside the hotel.

Another reason why this hotel was good: there was a hypermarket right opposite the hotel and there were many eating places around.

VISITING THE STATE MUSEUM OF NEGERI SEMBILAN - PART 2

   22nd SEPTEMBER 2024    ~ Near the main museum building, there were two smaller buildings which were a Negeri Sembilan traditional house and Istana Ampang Tinggi, an old palace.

The buildings were made of solid wood which were still in good condition. Generally, visitors could walk around the area as well as get into the buildings.

There was not much to see inside, except admiring the great architecture of people of the past.

The place was left unattended, There was no staff on duty so visitors had to explore on their own. Inside the buildings was very dark actually and the only source of light was from the window which was not enough to light up the rooms. Getting up and down the staircases, which were more like ladders, was actually dangerous and there should be officers supervising or at least, observing people, in case of emergency.

I spent about one hour and a half there and it was a good museum. This could be an option of a place you could visit when you are in Seremban.