Eat/Drink

  • Belgium races to get beer to bars for great reopening

    1 month ago

    Belgium races to get beer to bars for great reopening

    BRUSSELS, May 2 — Belgium’s cafe terraces will not re-open to thirsty beer drinkers for another week but the country’s renowned brewers are already all hands to the pump....

  • In Damascus, crispy pastry sweetens frugal Ramadan

    1 month ago

    In Damascus, crispy pastry sweetens frugal Ramadan

    DAMASCUS, May 2 — Year after year Ramadan meals become more frugal in war-torn Syria as the economy worsens, but Damascus dwellers say a traditional wafer-thin crispy pancake...

  • Zest up your life with this zesty orange crumble cake

    1 month ago

    Zest up your life with this zesty orange crumble cake

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Some days we just feel tired and tapped out. The energy sapped from our bodies, the life slowly seeping from our bones. Some of you may beg to differ: Not...

  • After masked bunnies, Belgian artisan shifts to chocolate syringes

    1 month ago

    After masked bunnies, Belgian artisan shifts to chocolate syringes

    LONZEE, Belgium, April 30 — A Belgian chocolate company that put white masks on its Easter bunnies a year ago is now producing large chocolate syringes as it tries to keep step...

  • Going vegan: Is the cheese world ready for cauliflower 'Camembert'?

    1 month ago

    Going vegan: Is the cheese world ready for cauliflower 'Camembert'?

    LOS ANGELES, April 30 ― Camembert is the latest food getting the vegan treatment, landing as a cheese-free cheese made with cauliflower and hemp seeds. But how will this faux...

  • KL's Tiffin curates unique gift sets featuring some of Malaysia's top food purveyors

    1 month ago

    KL's Tiffin curates unique gift sets featuring some of Malaysia's top food purveyors

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — For those who miss Tiffin Food Court's unique curation of the who's who in our local food scene, you can now get something made by the same vendors whom...

  • This Ramadan, 'buka puasa' in an intimate setting at PRIVATE @ The Chow Kit

    1 month ago

    This Ramadan, 'buka puasa' in an intimate setting at PRIVATE @ The Chow Kit

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Want to dine out for buka puasa but worried about your safety? Try PRIVATE @ The Chow Kit. The boutique hotel launched their private dine-in in their...

  • Tapas bars could put cork in Champagne name challenge

    1 month ago

    Tapas bars could put cork in Champagne name challenge

    BRUSSELS, April 29 — Tapas bars in Barcelona called champanillos could see off a legal challenge from France’s Champagne region if the European Court of Justice follows a...

  • Meet Basque chef Elena Arzak and her 3-star ‘sea-rooted’ cuisine

    1 month ago

    Meet Basque chef Elena Arzak and her 3-star ‘sea-rooted’ cuisine

    MADRID, April 28 — From the fourth generation of one of Spain’s most celebrated culinary families, Elena Arzak has won plaudits for taking traditional Basque cuisine in a new...

  • CMCO delivery: Buy these soft, creamy salted eggs from Batu Arang's Happy Duck Free Range Eggs to support the elderly and disabled

    2 months ago

    CMCO delivery: Buy these soft, creamy salted eggs from Batu Arang's Happy Duck Free Range Eggs to support the elderly and disabled

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — When it comes to salted eggs, it's always been a mystery to me why the yolk is always hard and tasteless. Even with mooncakes, the salted egg yolk part...

  • Italy considers new law to freeze out bad ice cream

    2 months ago

    Italy considers new law to freeze out bad ice cream

    ROME, April 27 — Italian ice-cream makers injecting large amounts of air into their mixtures to make low-cost gelato could soon fall foul of a new law and run the risk of being...

  • Savour everything: What the Japanese cuisine of ‘kaiseki’ teaches us about slowing down

    2 months ago

    Savour everything: What the Japanese cuisine of ‘kaiseki’ teaches us about slowing down

    COMMENTARY, April 27 — When is dining not about dining? When is a meal not a meal, or at least more than just a meal? Enter the world of kaiseki-ryori, specifically the ancient...

  • ‘Selak Pintu’, the Banjar special delicacy only found during Ramadan

    2 months ago

    ‘Selak Pintu’, the Banjar special delicacy only found during Ramadan

    BATU PAHAT, April 26 — A traditional Banjar kuih (cake) with the interesting name of ‘selak pintu’, (door latch), is a rare dessert that can only be found during Ramadan or...

  • CMCO delivery: Excellent 'chai kuih' from KL and an unusual brown sugar 'pao' all the way from Balik Pulau

    2 months ago

    CMCO delivery: Excellent 'chai kuih' from KL and an unusual brown sugar 'pao' all the way from Balik Pulau

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — I often come across all sorts of items sold on Facebook. What caught my eye was this woman Poey Jun's postings on the Kepong Delivery Service Facebook...

  • Baking away solitude: Vienna cafe hopes to unite world’s grandmas

    2 months ago

    Baking away solitude: Vienna cafe hopes to unite world’s grandmas

    VIENNA, April 25 — Framed by wooden cabinets, Karin Hofbauer holds a stick of butter to her laptop camera and imparts to the novice bakers gathered virtually in her kitchen the...

  • Demand for Rendang Tok continues despite pandemic

    2 months ago

    Demand for Rendang Tok continues despite pandemic

    IPOH, April 24 — The famous Rendang Tok Perak, which is passed down from generation to generation, remains a favourite dish for breaking of fast and Raya delicacy to go with...

  • Looking for a unique Raya gift? Here are three that curate snacks, 'buka puasa' treats and even cooking kits

    2 months ago

    Looking for a unique Raya gift? Here are three that curate snacks, 'buka puasa' treats and even cooking kits

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 — Since UNBOX by Huff & Puff kicked things off with their beautifully designed Mid Autumn gift sets last year, the anticipation is high for every...

  • CMCO delivery: If you're missing your mother's cooking, order from Cheras' Cherine Home Cooked Food

    2 months ago

    CMCO delivery: If you're missing your mother's cooking, order from Cheras' Cherine Home Cooked Food

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — When it comes to the pandemic, most people only highlight the downside (of which there are many!). Interestingly, one of the pluses has been the...

  • 3D-printed meat, insects or fauxmage: What's for dinner, dear?

    2 months ago

    3D-printed meat, insects or fauxmage: What's for dinner, dear?

    NEW YORK, April 23 ― Alternatives to meat are increasingly prevalent in today's stores. Some imitate the taste and texture of meat, while others feature adventurous new...

  • Frost damage could cut French wine output by a third

    2 months ago

    Frost damage could cut French wine output by a third

    PARIS, April 22 — Frost damage to French vineyards this month could reduce wine production by nearly a third compared with recent years, farm office FranceAgriMer said today,...

  • What Malaysians in Bangkok crave when they miss home

    2 months ago

    What Malaysians in Bangkok crave when they miss home

    BANGKOK, April 22 — My mind has been wandering the soi — the narrow streets and alleys — of Bangkok recently, especially with the Songkran celebration last week. (Sawasdee...

  • Mouth-watering snacks bring joy to Yemen during Ramadan

    2 months ago

    Mouth-watering snacks bring joy to Yemen during Ramadan

    SANAA, April 21 — At the thought of breaking his Ramadan fast with a snack of sambusa, a deep-fried savoury pastry triangle popular in Yemen, Issa al-Shabi’s face lights up...

  • CMCO delivery: Delicious Western meals from Klang's Skinny Legs Barbeque

    2 months ago

    CMCO delivery: Delicious Western meals from Klang's Skinny Legs Barbeque

    KLANG, April 21 — Started in May last year, Skinny Legs Barbeque is a pandemic baby run by Mauritian Yuvan Vyde who is a professionally trained chef. He had worked around the...

  • Happiness buns and rainbow ‘mantou’: How Zoey’s Homemade celebrates the sacrifices single mothers make for their children

    2 months ago

    Happiness buns and rainbow ‘mantou’: How Zoey’s Homemade celebrates the sacrifices single mothers make for their children

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — The rainbow hues of the steamed buns attract attention, and not just from the little ones. You start guessing: the green must be from pandan, the...

  • Makcik Kiah’s firewood baulu, sought by many

    2 months ago

    Makcik Kiah’s firewood baulu, sought by many

    KUALA KANGSAR, April 19 — Kuih baulu (baulu cake) is among the favourites not only during Hari Raya, but also as a tasty treat in the morning or evening accompanied by coffee or...

  • CMCO takeaway: It's all about bouncy handmade noodles at Kepong's New Ban Lee Restaurant

    2 months ago

    CMCO takeaway: It's all about bouncy handmade noodles at Kepong's New Ban Lee Restaurant

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — I admit I am a noodle head. Whenever I hear of handmade noodles, I must give them a try. I had stumbled upon New Ban Lee Restaurant via someone's social...

  • Missing the street food of Bangkok? How to enjoy 'pad Thai' without leaving home

    2 months ago

    Missing the street food of Bangkok? How to enjoy 'pad Thai' without leaving home

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 — It’s hard to imagine but for most of us travel has been nothing more than a memory for the past year as most borders remain closed worldwide. So when...

  • CMCO takeaway: So who has the best apple strudel in the Klang Valley?

    2 months ago

    CMCO takeaway: So who has the best apple strudel in the Klang Valley?

    KLANG, April 16 — For 30 years, Fruity Bakery & Cafe in Klang has held the crown for the best apple strudel. Their Apple Talk strudel is said to be based on a recipe from...

  • Cocktail hour: Ginger brings a fiery kick to alcohol-free options

    2 months ago

    Cocktail hour: Ginger brings a fiery kick to alcohol-free options

    NEW YORK, April 16 ― Fresh, spicy and fiery, ginger makes a great pre-dinner drink. With summer just around the corner, ginger is proving to be a versatile cocktail hour partner...

  • Celebrate Songkran this week with 'khao chae' for a cooling Thai summer treat

    2 months ago

    Celebrate Songkran this week with 'khao chae' for a cooling Thai summer treat

    BANGKOK, April 15 — We scoop the rice into our bowls, every grain separate yet without the tell-tale slick of oil. There is a floral — no, it’s more smoky than floral,...

  • Ipoh’s famous mutton bubur lambuk returns

    2 months ago

    Ipoh’s famous mutton bubur lambuk returns

    IPOH, April 14 — The India Muslim Mosque in Ipoh has resumed the tradition of distributing its famous mutton bubur lambuk or a savoury porridge to local residents during Ramadan...

  • CMCO delivery: Munch on these cornflake cookies and 'dodol' this Hari Raya

    2 months ago

    CMCO delivery: Munch on these cornflake cookies and 'dodol' this Hari Raya

    KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — As most places close their orders early, here are my two picks for must-eats this Hari Raya. Both of them use incredibly fragrant sugar extracted from...

  • Top French chef Yannick Alleno plots post-Covid revolution

    2 months ago

    Top French chef Yannick Alleno plots post-Covid revolution

    PARIS, April 14 — He has scaled the heights of French gastronomy, now Yannick Alleno says it is time to reinvent fine dining for a post-Covid age, both on the table and in the...