Cafe Hopping: Four Weekends With My Mother-in-law

Week Zero: 5 March, Saturday, Home.

Please Enjoy!

In the winter of 2010, I was working in Silicon Valley. My Singaporean friends and I were craving kopi siew dai and roti prata, but we didn’t know of any place that served those signature Singapore dishes. The closest thing we found was a Chinese-Hawaiian restaurant with an overwhelming menu that was 50…

I’m Sorry, Japanese Food

I watched intently as the aunty sitting across the table spooned a fat dollop of wasabi onto her sauce dish. “Don’t…

Back In Time: A 1960s Malaysian Coffeeshop

My mother was born in Kajang, a small town mostly known…

The Kiam Siap Diner’s Guide

‘Kiam siap’ is a popular phrase of the Hokkien dialect spoken widely here in Malaysia. It basically translates…

I Know What You Ate Last Supper

We walk past a million different things everyday; some we notice, some we don’t. One Thursday afternoon…

The Mukbang Theory

A man appears onscreen. He has a medium build, is fairly handsome and from his lips spew Korean words in a manner quieter and…

The Woes of Ordering Chinese Food (and how to overcome them)

Thank You, Cake

Dear Cake,

It’s been so long, I can’t believe I have never thanked you.

I even remember the first time we met. You were large, rectangular and chocolatey, with light purple icing that wished me a happy fourth birthday. You came from Lana, and your…

Touching Me, Touching You

I have a habit of eating with my hands. Whether that’s seen as acceptable or not depends on my dining companions…