THE UNPLANNED GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE FOR DINNER IN MELAKA

    21ST JULY 2026    ~ When you did not plan the itinerary during your trip properly, then you could not even decide where to go for dinner. Consequently, we just randomly went to this restaurant named Restoran Shaslinda, located in a block near Menara Taming Sari [but facing the other side]. We were walking somewhere near Jonker Street before that but could find an eating place. Furthermore, we were a bit late for dinner after the Encore Melaka show before that [READ HERE].

tom yum

steamed fish

omelette

We were the only diners at that hour, other people were already in bed. At the same time, the location of the restaurant was a bit hidden. We actually asked a shop assistant from a shop we went to before dinner for recommendation, then only we got to know about this place.

Fortunately, the Thai food was good and we were happy that we chose to eat there. However, I need to bear in mind not eat dinner that late anymore as the digestive system went haywire after that and disrupted my sleep.

THE DINNER SESSION AT "BIG STONES" IN MERBOK, KEDAH

   11TH JANUARY 2026    ~ When I thought the road trip after the wedding reception in Jitra [READ HERE] was about to end, Mr. Fakhrul diverted his car into smaller road heading into a village area. At that time, all the food from the wedding feast had not yet been fully digested, I was now taken for another gastronomic adventure at Big Stones Merbok Food Garden.

What makes Big Stones special is its location. Located in the middle of nowhere, far away from the city, it has the concept of the restaurant complex in the village, by the stream and near the forest and mountain, I supposed. The prominent landmark is the Lembah Bujang Archeological Musuem situated beside it, the place I am yet to visit one day.

The ambience of this place reminded me so much of another eating place called Dusun Riffaa in Changloon which I visited in December 2024 [READ HERE].

All the food was super delicious. The Prawn Tom Yum gravy was thicker than the usual one that I had had at home. It was worth the time and effort to get to this place which was a bit away from Sungai Petani town. Definitely commendable and I am giving a 5-Star rating.

Thanks again to Puan Suhana Abdul Jamal [a friend of the UPM TESL Class of 1993 clan] and her husband, Mr. Fakhrul, for being the excellent hosts throughout my stay. God willing, I will be seeing them in Kuantan for the next wedding reception real soon.

GOING THAI FOR DINNER IN PAKBARA, THAILAND

   21st NOVEMBER 2024    ~ After checking in at the hotel, it was time for us to embark on our very first gastronomic adventure in Pakbara. We decided to stop at a restaurant that was not far away for the hotel called Papaya Mom 2.

The restaurant was brightly lit and beautifully decorated.

Diners could also have the option to dine out outside at the spot which was right beside the ocean. I guess the ambience would be different to enjoy the food during the day, with the waves splashing right next to you and the bright daylight for you to enjoy the view.

We had the regular Thai food for our first meal which comprised of rice, tomyam and all the seafood. Everything was almost similar to the Thai food we have in Malaysia.

Once the tummy was full, we were happy and ready to get back to the hotel to get some rest after the long trip, and get ready for more adventure the next day.

FOOTNOTE: If you could not tolerate spicy food in Thailand, do remember to request for dishes which are less spicy.

[MY HATYAI/SATUN TRIP MAIN PAGE]

MY HAT YAI GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE - HAVING LUNCH AT CHALEE D'HATYAI

3rd DECEMBER 2019 ~ We had a proper meal for lunch on the second day at a halal restaurant recommended by the tuk tuk driver waiting in front of the hotel. He took us to this place named Chalee D'hatyai which had a very beautiful landscape and traditional building.

We had rice, vegetables, chicken, fish, fried egg and most importantly the tom yum. I must say the tom yum was really delicious or was it because we were extremely hungry. It was actually a bit late for lunch but some people were too busy shopping at the market for the second time.

If you like good food in Hat Yai, then I would not hesitate to suggest Chalee D'hatyai to you. I will come back for its tom yum again.

[MY HAT YAI TRIP MAIN PAGE]