Char Siu (Chinese barbecue pork, 叉烧) has always held a special place in my heart. It is not just a dish, but a memory tied to my early years growing up in Ipoh. Back then, my mother prepared nearly every meal at home. Breakfast before school, simple lunch boxes of rice with stir-fried vegetables and …
When you think of oxtail soup, you will probably imagine a rich and heavy Western dish simmered with herbs like thyme and bay leaves. But in Malaysia, oxtail soup (Sup Ekor) takes on a completely different path. It is lighter, more aromatic, and deeply comforting. Sup Ekor, a Malaysian oxtail soup, is prepared with a …
Steamed Eggs (蒸水蛋) is a very common and easy dish that many Chinese families prepare at home. I am quite confident to say that almost everyone has either eaten it or made it themselves at some point. So the aim of this post is not to show you how to make steamed egg, but to …
Top-quality Phở Bò does not require a 12-hour stovetop vigil This Vietnamese beef noodle soup (Phở Bò) is famous worldwide for its deep, savory beef flavor. It is so distinct that just the aroma alone tells you it is pho and nothing else. That rich flavor comes from long simmering of beef bones with meat, …
Daging Masak Kicap is a popular traditional Malay soy sauce beef stew that is rich, savory, and deeply satisfying. I used to serve this dish in my restaurant, and its flavor has always stayed with me. Unlike Western beef stews or Chinese braises, it’s uniquely sweet, aromatic, and spiced with cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and …
Do you love sweet and sour sauce? I have shared quite a few versions on this blog, and each one is a little different. This time, I want to bring everything together and create one ultimate sweet and sour sauce that works for just about any recipe. Any dish made with sweet and sour sauce …
Beef stir fry with ginger and spring onion is a classic Chinese dish that uses just a handful of ingredients. I like it because it comes together quickly in a hot wok, and the aroma is incredible. But that simplicity also means you need to pay attention to the details to get it right. The …
Marinating meat is an essential technique in Chinese cooking. It is used in stir fries, deep fried dishes, steamed dishes, and braised recipes. The marinade is usually simple, but it plays an important role in both flavor and texture. Unlike many Western marinades that rely heavily on acidic ingredients, Chinese marinades focus on seasoning the …
Chicken and Zucchini Stir-fry is one of those simple home cooked dishes that fit perfectly into a busy day. In less than 30 minutes, you can put together a flavorful and nicely balanced dish with tender slices of zucchini and juicy pieces of chicken. I love this chicken zucchini stir fry recipe because it’s easy …
Sautéed green beans with garlic and dried shrimp is a quick and flavorful Chinese-style vegetable stir-fry that you can prepare in less than 30 minutes. The green beans are cooked until tender-crisp and tossed with fragrant garlic and umami-rich dried shrimp, creating a simple dish that is both satisfying and nutritious. This Chinese green beans …
The flavor of Malaysian Cereal Prawns (Mai Pian Xia / 麦片虾) is simply irresistible. The moment the fragrant aroma of curry leaves fills the kitchen during cooking, you know something special is about to be served. The crisp, golden instant cereal creates crunchy bits that cling to the prawns, tempting everyone to reach for one …