I didn’t use to be this enthusiastic about food,
but either my appreciation for good food has increased drastically,
or i’ve just become more greedy.
I hope it’s the former
This is a post for me to remember all the stuff i ate in Shanghai (with some tak halal pics to boot)
So if you don’t like to look at pictures of pork,
or don’t like food (i can never be friends with people who don’t LOVE FOOD and DRINK)
then you can close this window kthxbai
Some restaurants in Shanghai have each person’s eating utensils and plates wrapped in plastic by a dish-cleaning company.
Haven’t seen that before!
First few days i spent there were also spent pigging out on pork fat.
Clem doesn’t eat any fat, but even he said this was really good after trying it!
On the few occasions when i split up from Clem and his family to wander about by myself,
i’d take the opportunity to eat Hunan food cos it’s spicy (and they don’t eat spicy food too much).
I tried Guyi, as it was recommended on a few site and magazines including SmartShanghai – the online guide i used most.
Some people stared at lil me having lunch by myself,
but i just tucked myself into my book and food heeee
Ordered a veggie, and chili pork knuckle which was SUPER yum.
I know it looks like ONLY chili in the picture,
but all the pork knuckle is buried underneath.
I couldn’t finish the dishes, so got it packed and planned to give it away to a poor person while walking around that afternoon.
You know how you can’t find something when you really want to, even though you always see it around when you don’t?
Yeah. At the time i was scouting real hard for a poor person to give my nice leftover food to, i couldn’t find a single one! Hmm how bout that man? Nope… he doesn’t look that poor and might be insulted
Hmm that lady… nope she’s sweeping the road and might throw the food in her bin -_-
So i ended up carrying the food all day long
And on the day before and after, i saw many-a poor people sitting around.
Guyi
89 Fumin Lu, off Julu Lu
Jing’an District
+ + +
Another day, Clem and i went to try Simon’s Test Kitchen,
one of the places stated in TimeOut to have a great selection that was value for money.
One of the two chefs who own it is called Simon,
and it’s called Test Kitchen cos they’re trying out their dishes while hunting for the perfect location for their proper restaurant. [source: enjoyshanghai.com]
I really liked the vibe there.
It was modern and cosy due to its small size.
We were really lucky to get a table during lunch hour.
All the dishes are small and cheap,
so they’re easy to share and taste as much as we could!
The crab + pork xiao long bao was out of this world.
One of the best i’ve EVER had cos the dumpling skin was SO thin yet steady,
and the filling was moist and rich and awrhhhh just writing this is reminding me how it tastes in my mouth and am physically salivating now!
We also ordered another serving of xiao long bao (just pork), beef tendon soup, a starter, fried pork + fried rice, and a couple of drinks.
Total bill was less than RM50 for Clem and i.
Daymn.
Simon’s Test Kitchen
The Point Jingan Building
561 Anyuan Lu, off Jiaozhou Lu
Metro: Changshou Lu
+ + +
One evening after walking around the French Concession area (which i’m not going to post pictures of cos it’s quite touristy)
we went to try Whisk, this cafe famous for its chocolate offerings.
We’d just come from a Vietnamese meal (i know, it does sound like all we did was eat!)
so we just shared a chocolate creme brulee and a choc coffee each.
Place was warm and smelt yummy,
saw some people ordering food which looked like massive portions
but really didn’t have enough tummy space to handle that!
Whisk
1250 Huaihai Lu
(French Concession area)
+ + +
I stopped by Citizen one afternoon to read my book a bit,
and have some coffee and apple pie + ice cream
Citizen
222 Jinxian Lu
Metro: Shanxi Road Station
+ + +
Clem said he liked how he didn’t have to do anything this trip.
His parents would plan where to walk and sight-see,
and i’d plan where to eat.
One of the occasions i forgot to refer on whether there was an English menu was this Shanghainese restaurant we went to.
We sat down and waited for one of the bustling waitresses to take our order,
before a very friendly customer who spoke English and was watching us said that we weren’t going to get any food that way.
We had to order and pay at the counter,
before getting our food.
Unfortunately for us, the menu was in Chinese so we pointed at a few pictures (so sad right!)
and looked around at what other people were eating to order the same
Our favourite dish that night was this strange concoction of stewed mushrooms.
When it arrived, i didn’t think much of it, but once i scooped some in my mouth, i was sold.
It’s got a twangy herbal taste that is really pleasant…
Too bad NONE of us know what it’s called!
+ + +
Yet ANOTHER restaurant we went to on a separate night only had a menu in Chinese.
This time, there were no plentiful of tables next to us as the room was tiny (Clem’s mummy said it was like sitting in a train)
so we pointed out the leftover dishes on the table next to us while Serge went downstairs to peep at what other people were eating and order via pointing.
Food was really good too, despite it being a random encounter.
I initially planned to go to the restaurant next door, but it had an hour’s waiting list, so we abandoned that idea.
+ + +
To appease the white man, we went to have breakfast at a place that served Western stuff. Kin – part streetwear shop, part cafe – sounded promising.
Clem had mac + cheese, and a ham + cheese toastie
The pear juice was sublime.
I went for the pork belly sandwich with a fresh tomato salad and crispy thin fries.
Damn writing this post has got me awfully hungry!
In fact in the middle of it i called someone to ask, “DO YOU WANT TO GO EAT!?”
I’m sorry if you’re reading this in the office and it does the same to you mwahahaha
After the Blackberry event @ The Curve yesterday,
i dragged myself to the ATM cos i had less than RM1 in my purse.
On the way home, i payed the toll using one of the notes i’d just withdrawn.
Crashed into deep sleep cos i woke up at 7:30am that day,
and went to buy dinner to find that i didn’t have my purse with me.
I must’ve dropped it in the carpark when i got out of the car earlier,
and didn’t notice cos i was so tired!
Couldn’t help thinking what RM500 could’ve bought me.
Not to mention having to file a police report for loss of IC and driver’s license.
Then i was thinking about how i could have lost something worse.
Like my Blackberry. Or my other phone.
Or i could have withdrawn RM1,000 instead of RM500.
Then i felt okay.
There’s no use crying over spilt milk.
It’s lost, it’s gone, and every second i spend getting upset about it is just wasting my time.
Plus, i haven’t lost anything for years, and i guess it was about time the Universe collected some taxes seeing all the good things i have in my life.
I received an invitation to the JW party during F1 weekend last year,
but couldn’t go cos i was away, somewhere, i can’t remember!
The nice PR peeps invited me again this year,
but i’ve decided not to go…
I really want to (i’ve never gone to an F1 party in Singpaore!)
but i’ve been jumping countries so many times this year that i’m… well, a bit tired 0_o
I’m tired of packing and unpacking,
and just need to stop running around for a bit
Plus i’m pretty sure i’ll be hungover from Arthur’s Day party the night before to lagi reason to STAY PUT.
Ok i just bought myself tix to catch the Chemical Brothers in Singapore on Friday night.
And Saturday night i’ll be attending the F1 partay.
So much for self control.
Nevertheless, i agreed to give away 5x tickets to KinkyBlueFairy readers!
Venue: One on the Bund, 80 Collyer Quay Clifford Pier
Doors open 7pm
Party starts 10:30pm
Entry via invitation only
Have a look at the video!
Just answer the question: “Why should you win a pair of tickets to this year’s Johnnie Walker’s Jet Black Party at One on the Bund?”
Email your answers to joycethefairy@gmail.com by 6pm 20th September 2010.
Entrants must be 18 years and above.
Open to Malaysians and Singaporeans.
First few things we did as new visitors to Shanghai,
was visit a couple of the tourist spots.
It’s one of those things which you do just so you can say, “Oh yes, i went there,” before graduating your way up to the more interesting hidey holes of the city.
My favourite picture of the day *cough* was this cat in the window.
It’s such a jolly cat!
I just stood there staring and laughing back at it.
I even continued laughing to myself when i looked back at the picture i took, while walking around the area.
Clem thought i was a bit crazy (but he knows that already).
I don’t usually do the whole perching on some rock and taking a touristy picture.
But don’t know why i succumbed to it this time.
Maybe i was thinking why not, who knows, maybe in twenty years time i can look back at a picture of myself sitting on a rock in china and have good memories.
Yes that would totally happen.
Of course Wilson didn’t miss out on the holiday.
He got a free flight.
We also went to the City God Temple that was built during the the Ming Dynasty (after 1403).
After the opening of Shanghai Port, merchants swarmed around the temple and surrounding areas and fostered a flourishing market. Today, the market around the temple is rebuilt into a large-scale tourist and shopping center of traditional Chinese features.
Dom, Clem, Serge
top, baci; floral leggings, copenhagen; scarf, vintage from london market
We separated a few times while walking around the temple.
Clem found me in a corner with rather gleeful look on my face…
… I found a fan.
You have no idea how a fan will be your best friend in the stifling heat of a temple!
Here’s another picture of the fan because it was my favourite thing in the temple *blasphemy!*
I was invited to the Arthur’s Day media event in Sunway (oh i HATE Sunway!) the other day.
Terrified of the traffic that plagues KL every single evening,
especially during Ramadhan month,
i left for the event venue at 6 pm as it was to start at 7 pm.
Traffic was, as expected, crawling.
So i soothed my nerves by listening to The New Pornographers (their name is nothing like their music!)
and telling myself that a many-a Guinnesses were waiting for me at the end of the journey.
That actually helped.
Then…
I ended up being early and cursed myself a bit.
Cos who goes to an event right on time these days
Check out the massively lit Guinness logo as the doorway!
Impressive for a media event.
Walked in and was elated to spot someone i know and chat to a lot – Patrick!
Patrick and i recalled that we met at the very same Guinness media event a year ago
and have been drinking buddies since.
Guinness really does bring people together
Had an awesome time catching up with him,
and am planning to double date with his girl and him heh.
They were making everyone raise their Guinnesses and shout “To Arthur!”
Crowd super layan.
Mark Jenner (pictured in left below), Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Marketing, went up to announce the list of artistes whom are to perform at Arthur’s Day in Kuala Lumpur this year.
It wasn’t a boring speech… and i believe one of the few that i’ve seen everyone in the room pay attention to!
Guess his drinking since 5pm did help him
Artiste line up for Arthur’s Day on 24th September 2010 are:
He was wondering and wondering whether he should take a picture with her,
and with some pushing from FourFeetNineAud,
he kancheong-ly asked us to hold the many things he was clutching in his hands so he could get a picture with her.
I found myself holding his water bottle.
Who brings a bottle of mineral water to a Guinness event?!
But he was such an adoring fan, i couldn’t help laughing.
SmallSerena + AdamPoserPan
Serena’s hair is like a few years ago when i first knew her!
And Adam… Adam you need to cut your hair okay.
Adam, FourFeetNineAud, TimTiah
I don’t know Audrey that well, just from what i read off her blog and i like how she expresses herself there.
That night… i was standing next to her when face lit up and she went,“Ooh!!”
So i thought she saw a friend or something.
Kononnya when i turned around, it was a tray of food going past us.
I just BURST out laughing cos i don’t usually see people so openly excited about food.
And anyone who gets THAT excited about FOOD is good in my books!
DJ Fuzz, Mizz Nina + Pop Shuvit
I left the event after 3 Guinnesses and went home to Clem,
where i showed him the doorgifts i got at the event – a Guinness glass + a silver keychain in the shape of a Guinness bottle.
Straight away, i proudly (and okay, slightly drunkenly) hung the keychain off my Anya handbag.
Guinness. On my Anya.
Haha, i’m leaving it there cos that’s how much i love Guinness… as much as fashion!
Thinking bout it, just this year alone, i’ve drank Guinness in Singapore, Spain, New York, and London. (the links actually take you to posts where i mention drinking Guinness in it :p)
In London, there were times where i’d insist to Yishyene that we MUST go to a pub,
just so i could have Guinness.
And i was really happy she strengthened our friendship by agreeing it wasn’t so bad (she doesn’t really drink but erm after hanging out with me so much she does now haha) and having a few pints with me. I even took pictures of her sipping it while i cooed, “I’m so proud of you!” like a pleased mother.
Ugh i digressed!
Back to Arthur’s Day!
Last year’s celebration featuring the Black Eyed Peas brought 15,000 people to Sunway Lagoon.
This year, will probably be as massive.
Tickets are priced at RM98 (regular), RM198 (VIP) and RM350 (mosh pit)
and can be obtained thru Axcess Tickets or Galaxy Hotline.
There will also be 2 contests on the Arthur’s Day website,
whereyou get to win tickets to Arthur’s Day,
and even a trip to Dublin!
Man of Vision Contest
[click to enlarge]
All you have to do is try to spot as many Guinness elements as you can in an image provided!
Print it out if you think it helps you!
You can get hints by following @GuinnessMY or liking www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia.
Each hint is connected to an element in the illustration you need to submit. I.e. The hint given is “How far Arthur saw into the future”. The illustration element that goes with the hint is a shop with ’9K’ as its lot number and a sign saying it’s leased. The answer is “9,000-year lease”.
Here’s another hint for you: There are 40 facts. Spot them all and stand a chance to win.
Compile all your answers and email contest@arthursday.com.my
with name, IC no., and mobile no.
Grand Prize – Trip to Dublin and a pair of Arthur’s Dayy Mosh Pit tickets worth RM350 each
The fastest submission with the most correct answers wins the Grand Prize (Deadline: Sun, 19 Sept 11:59)
Weekly Prizes – A pair of Arthur’s Day Mosh Pit tickets worth RM350 each
Answer all ‘clues of the week’ as released on Facebook or Twitter correctly before the end of the week. First all correct entry wins the weekly prize!
Week 1 contest period: 23 Aug – 29 Aug
Week 2 contest period: 30 Aug – 5 September
Week 3 contest period: 6 Sept – 12 September
Week 4 contest period: 13 Sept – 19 Sept
Consolation Prizes – A pair of Arthur’s Day White Zone tickets worth RM98 each
Top 15 fastest submission with the most correct answers win a pair of Arthur’s Day White Zone tickets.
If you reckon spotting things in an image isn’t your thing,
then you could go for the contest below!
Man of Action Contest
First, you have to ‘Like’ www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia
Then, choose your favourite song and recreate it any way you want on video – sing, dance, re-enact the music video, anything goes.
Upload your video performance onto YouTube.
Your video must feature a mention of Arthur’s Day 2010 in the title, e.g: “Arthur’s Day 2010: <insert own title>.”
Copy the embedded code or URL from your YouTube page and post it on the Guinness Facebook page together with your name and video title.
Grand Prize– Trip to Dublin and a pair of Arthur’s Day Mosh Pit tickets worth RM350 each.
The most creative entry of all video submission as decided by the judges will win the Grand Prize.
Runner-up Prizes – A pair of Arthur’s Day Mosh Pit tickets worth RM 350 each
Another 4 most creative video submissions as chosen by the judges will win a pair of Arthur’s Day Mosh Pit tickets.
Consolation Prizes – A pair of Arthur’s Day White Zone tickets worth RM98 each
All other video submissions that comply with the guidelines and are deemed relevant by the judges will win a pair of Arthur’s Day White Zone tickets.
All winners will be announced on Tues, 21 September 2010
‘Twas my first time in China, and i thought it ironic:
1. i was going with a French family.
2. i couldn’t speak a single word of Mandarin to save any of us.
Okay so i know a grand total of six words in Mandarin – ‘no’, ‘thank you’ and ‘i don’t know’.
Knowledge of 3 Mandarin phrases in China = Super Fail. *covers face with hands*
Random notes about Shanghai:
1. I LOVE THE FOOD
The one thing i was most excited about was being able to eat different types of Chinese food – Shanghainese, Hunan, Si Chuan – loved them all. So different from Malaysian Chinese dishes, and spicier too. I was really lucky to pick up an issue of TimeOut there, which happened to have a feature on Cheap Eats. The TimeOut team basically combed thru the city selecting the best places with a varied selection of yummy and affordable food. That issue became my bible when i was there and i carried it around EVERYWHERE. More posts to come JUST ABOUT FOOD later!
2. Taxi/MRT fare is cheap
Before i went to Shanghai, people were telling me that it’s expensive and i was expecting something like Copenhagen. So far, no other place beats Copenhagen in terms of price where a pack of gum in a 24-hour costs RM5. The way i judge whether a city is expensive is by observing prices of their petrol/transport, food, alcohol :p, rent, and basic amenities like mineral water, gum, etc. I don’t think Shanghai is expensive… getting around was incredibly cheap, with MRT/subway tickets costing RMB3 (RM1.50) a trip; and cab fares usually around RMB12-25 (RM6-13).
3. It’s really clean.
The roads were exceptionally clean, probably due to the World Expo going on. Occasionally i’d come across some smears of shit (sorry but there’s no kinder way to put it) on the pavement and i’d gingerly hop over it, inwardly screaming for my shoes.
4. Good luck finding someone who speaks English.
I probably came across one person daily who spoke English. Waiters, taxi drivers, store attendants, all don’t speak English. Most of the time, one person in a restaurant could speak English if you’re lucky. If i went to a Western restaurant there was no problem at all. All the Chinese people were really nice to us (but i told Clem i bet it’s because he’s white) because the ONE time i was alone and smilingly tried buying something in the pharmacy, the girl rolled her eyes at me and refused to try and understand my gestures.
5. The city is massive.
I never thought of Shanghai as an ultra megalopolis till i went there. See for yourself! >
[Pix above taken by Clem, have to give credit, nanti the fellow say i steal his pics -_-]
We went to Cloud 9, a bar on the 87th floor of the Grand Hyatt with a spectacular 360 degrees view.
i’m wearing > top; gift from mum
pants; h&m
shoes; kg
scarf; flea market
Clem + his mummy Dom
Serge + Dom
We also took long walks around the less commercial areas,
which were my favourite!
Lanes where no tourists ventured,
filled with colour,
locals going about doing their daily thing,
and clothes hanging everywhere.
People taking care of their old, and young.
[click for larger view]
[click for larger view]
Saw quite a few men (like the one above) who liked to walk around with their shirts hiked up above their tummies.
[click for larger view]
I really like the picture above for some reason.
The red and green garments sticking out yet blending in with its surroundings.
I wasn’t joking when i said clothes hung everywhere.
On strings tightened from one building to another,
on telephone wires,
below low rafters and roofs,
over shop entrances,
on chairs and parked bicycles,
heck, i even saw someone’s bed comforters hanging on the highway divider (wish i took a picture of that now!).
