Asia Archives - Serendipity Mommy

6 Delicious Jakarta Street Food That Will Make Your Doctor Frown

November 15, 2019 by Mandy

With over 17,000 islands, Indonesia is considered to be the largest archipelagic country in the world. The metropolitan area of its capital city, Jakarta, is home to more than 31 million people, making it the second largest city in the world next to metro Tokyo in terms of population. As the city draws more people from different regions of Indonesia and from different countries, Jakarta’s food culture also continues to evolve and absorb new influences.

The food in Jakarta—especially the street food—are some of the most decadent and flavourful in the world. That’s why while visiting the city’s attractions on your Jakarta tour package, you should make sure not to miss out on the unique gastronomic adventure that only Jakarta’s must-try street eats can offer.

Satay (Sate)

Start off your food crawl with one of the most iconic dishes in Indonesia (and probably the healthiest in this list). Satay, a grilled meat skewer dish, originates from the island of Java and comes with endless varieties such as goat, pork, beef, chicken, and more. While similar to other meat skewers like yakitori in Japan and shish kebab in Turkey, satay is dipped in a unique peanut butter and soy sauce mix whose flavour can vary depending on the vendor’s recipe. In addition, the portion of meat is deliberately kept small so you can taste more variety of satays without getting prematurely full.

Stuffed Pancake (Martabak)

Martabak is a fried “pancake” that comes in two main varieties: savoury or martabak malabar, and sweet or martabak manis. The savoury variant comes with a stretched wheat dough that’s fried, then layered with an egg mixture that includes minced meat and shallots. The excess dough is folded to make a rectangular “pancake,” then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, the dessert variant of martabak uses pancake batter and is layered with a variety of death-defying ingredients like margarine, butter, condensed milk, chocolate, sprinkles, cheese, and Nutella. Needless to say, if you are diabetic, you’d better stay away from this dessert, as tempting as it is!

Fried Foods (Gorengan)

Gorengan is at the top of the most popular street food for locals. These carts often appear at the most opportune times to save hungry commuters from Jakarta’s legendary traffic.

Gorengan literally translates to “fried things,” and these “things” vary widely depending on who’s selling them. From sweet pineapples to savoury tofu, there’s no way to tell what could be under all that flour batter unless you ask! What’s more, people don’t even mind that the oil is so black from being reused countless times. As long as the mystery fritter is piping hot and crispy, it’s all good.

Duck Egg Omelet (Kerak Telor)

Kerak telor is one of the traditional Betawi dishes of Jakarta with a unique cooking method. The omelet starts with glutinous rice, coconut, and egg mixed together, then carefully spread on the surface of the wok. Next, the wok is turned upside down over the fire to roast the omelet. It’s unclear how the mixture defies gravity, but after a topping of fried shallots and dried shrimp, you get a crunchy roasted rice omelet that’s unlike anything else you ever tasted.

Grilled Bread (Roti Bakar)

For breakfast, the locals usually go for a “ropita” or “roti bakar.” These are thick toasts that come with a variety of toppings like strawberry, chocolate, and cheese. As if there are not enough sweets on this breakfast, condensed milk is drizzled generously on top to finish it off.

If you’re really testing the limits of your pancreas, you can up the sugar level even further with the additional scoops of ice cream!

Fried Banana (Pisang Goreng)

One of the favourite quick snacks in Jakarta is the pisang goreng or fried banana fritters. Before coating the banana with the usual flour batter, it’s sliced thinly and spread out like a fan. This ensures a wider and flatter surface for a crispier banana fritter. Another thing that separates this fried banana from similar dishes in Singapore and the Philippines is the sambal dip that comes with it. It adds a spicy kick to the rich and oily snack.

Jakarta has such a wide variety of rich street food that tasting them all might put you in a serious food coma. If you ever find yourself in this megacity hungry and craving for sweets, be sure to have your insulin shots ready because the city is going to indulge you, big time!

9 Amazing Reasons for Visiting Vietnam This Year

October 11, 2019 by Mandy

How do you fancy visiting somewhere with delicious food, flawless beaches, and tropical forests? What if we said it’s also extremely affordable, filled with friendly people, and rich in culture?

Visiting Vietnam is a must for anyone who wants adventure mixed with surprising ease. This beautiful and mountainous South East Asian country has got so much to offer that a single vacation won’t be enough.

Read on to discover why Vietnam should be top of your vacation wish list.

1. Don’t Break Your Budget

From hotels to food, Vietnam is a very affordable country to travel in. Tours, travel, and activities are often considerably cheaper than you’d find back home.

You can eat out for just a couple of dollars and the street food scene is world-famous. Pick up souvenirs and stay in opulence for little money.

2. Fall in Love with the Cuisine

Vietnam’s cuisine will charm you from the moment you take the first bite. From the classic noodle soup Pho to the intricate flavors of the local herbs and spices, you’ll be buying a Vietnamese recipe book before you leave.

3. Hike Amongst the Rice Paddies

Hiking here is outstanding with mountainous regions, tropical forests, and rice paddies. Head to Sapa valley in Northwest Vietnam and prepare to have your mind blown. Hike through the incredible landscape and don’t forget your camera.

4. Relax on the Beaches

Vietnam’s beaches are out of this world. With vast cliff backdrops, white sand, and clear water, you can lie back and forget about everything but the present moment.

Travel to Phu Quoc to visit Star Beach and Long Beach. Go snorkeling in the beautiful water and lie under coconut palms dreaming of lunch.

5. Visit Stunning Towns

This country is full of wonderful villages and towns that show you what everyday life is like here. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An and hire a bicycle. Explore the stunning streets with yellow houses and sample the town’s renowned restaurant scene.

6. Explore Vast Cave Networks

You might not know this, but Vietnam is famous for having some of the most amazing caves on the planet.

Travel to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and explore the Son Doong cave, the largest in the world.

7. Get to Know the Locals

Is Vietnam safe to visit? That question will be answered as soon as you leave the airport because you’ll quickly discover that the Vietnamese are incredibly friendly and welcoming.

Even with a language divide, locals will be happy to give you directions and help you out. Homestays are a great way to get to know Vietnam’s wonderful people.

8. Embrace the Activities

From hiking and ziplining to kayaking and snorkeling, Vietnam is a country rich in activities. With 30 National Parks, there’s plenty of walking and nature hikes to be had.

Cooking courses are also a fun activity and you’ll go home with expert local tips and tricks to impress all your friends with.

9. Enjoy the Easy Travel

Vietnam has the perfect balance of backpacker trails and friendly people. It’s easy to get around and you can take tours wherever you go. Many Vietnamese in the tourist trade speak English and help is never far.

Make Time for Visiting Vietnam

With so much to do and in such a phenomenal landscape, visiting Vietnam is a no-brainer. Pack flip flops and sunscreen and be whisked away on an adventure you’ll never forget.

Karachi, and its unparalleled beauty

September 10, 2018 by Mandy

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Founded as the village of college, in the beginning, the capital of Sindh (a province in Pakistan), is the most populous city in the nation. Population drastically increased after the arrival of the East India company. It even ranks as the sixth most populous city in the world. But the city also ranks as one of Pakistan’s premier financial and industrial hubs. In short, it is the nation’s cosmopolitan city. But that’s not all, as Karachi, located on the Arabian Sea also is an important transport hub with two of the country’s largest seaports- namely Port Bin Qasim and Port of Karachi. On the social front, Karachi is an ethnically diverse nation and this city of lights, once upon a time used to boast of an amazing nightlife.

If you want to explore this city for yourself, then you can get in through the city’s Jinnah International Airport which serves both domestic and international flights. There are non stop destinations throughout the world and so availing tickets, especially the cheapest Dubai to Karachi flights, the Cairo to Karachi or the Singapore to Karachi flights and more so is not difficult if you are doing the prior booking.

So now that you are here, let’s explore Karachi:

Take a look at Asia’s Largest Cross: Located in the sole working Christian cemetery in Karachi called Gora Qabristan Cemetery, this 140-foottall bulletproof cross is the result of a dream that came to Parvez Henry Gill. But the project almost didn’t come to fruition once the workers came to know what the structure actually was. Yet many stuck through and the ultimate result was a collaboration of Christian and Muslim communal efforts.
Visit Mazar-e-Quaid: In this mausoleum lies the remains of the founder of the nation- Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The structure is a blend of simple and yet striking. The building is lined with striking fountains which provides a serene aura to the place. The mausoleum also contains the remains of his sister Fatima Jinnah who was known as the mother of the nation as well as of Liaquat Ali Khan, who was Pakistan’s first Prime Minister.
Visit Mumtaz Begum: This is a half woman, half fox figure which tells stories from her cage in a Pakistani zoo for over four decades. The truth is actually that, it is a performer Murad Ali, who inherited the role from his father. So, if you want your fortune told by a famous charlatan, peep in here then.
Show your debating skills at Karachi Press Club: This has been around from 1958 as it was formed by a group of journalists in a Victorian manor. The club acts as the base of Pakistan’s first press club and is the ideal place for intense discussion and debate. From that small group of journalists, it now has about 1000members who promote Democratic ideals. There’s a chess room, a press conference room, bar and library in the KPC. This is one place for the free thinker and where various revolutionary ideas were born into. How to get an invitation in here? Simple, just convince them of your debating prowess.

Karachi is a land besotted with people who are stuck in between the old and the new, a land as old as time and its traditions are spiritual as well. If you would like a truly unique experience, then this is the place to head into.

11 Foods to Eat in China

May 10, 2018 by Mandy

There is no denying that China is one of the richest tourist attractions in the world. The vast country is not just rich in attractions but also boasts of a diverse culture and culinary expertise not found anywhere else in the entire universe. The variety, modes of preparation and how the foods are eaten are some of the reasons why most people see it best to go for online passport renewal so that they can embark on purely food tours in China. If this has been a long dream of yours, and you feel the time to make it come true is now, then you can be assured of a magnificent trip, and to help you out with the varieties, here is a brief look into some of the dishes you must try-:

Sweet and sour pork

You could have probably seen or even tasted this dish in a Chinese restaurant in your home country, but you will never taste anything like when in China. For beginners, it features pork fried in a doughy butter, before being dressed with different sauces. It is mostly served with rice, and it is available almost every restaurant you will walk into while in China.

Kung Pao Chicken

Irrespective of the number of chicken dishes you have had in your life, you can expect a completely new experience with the varieties you will be found in China and one of the best you should never miss is the Kung Pao Chicken. It is a famous Sichuan specialty and is loved by both foreigners and locals. The major components of this tasty delicacy include fried peanuts, dried chili, and diced chicken.

Ma Po Tofu

Ma Po Tofu is not just another delicacy worth trying in China, but it is one that comes with a lot of history behind it. It is very famous in the Chuan region, where it is believed to have been around for over 100 years. The delicacy features brownish red ground beef prepared with lots of chopped green onions, in addition to a variety of spices which makes it spicy and mildly hot. It is literally one of the tastiest delicacies you will have while in China.

Wontons

In China, it is a custom for people to eat wontons during the winter solstice and this is a tradition that has been practiced since 618 during the Tang Dynasty. The most common shape of wonton you will encounter are the triangle ones, which are almost similar to tortellini from Italy. They are usually boiled then served in a soup, though they can also be deep fried as a variation in the preparation. The wontons are normally stuffed with diced shrimp or minced meat.

Dumplings

Dumplings have been around in China for more than 1,800 years. They are a traditional delicacy synonymous with the northern parts of the country, and the primarily consist of a mixture of minced meat and chopped vegetables which are then carefully wrapped in a very thin piece of dough skin. Some of the popular filings for dumpling include beef, chicken, vegetables and diced shrimp. They can be steamed, boiled or fried, and if you happen to visit China around the Chinese New Year, then you can be sure to eat a lot of them.

Chow Mein

A sampling of Chinese delicacies will never be complete without trying out the noodles, and the perfect introduction to the noodle dishes is the Chow Mein noodles. The name loosely translates into stir-fried noodles. Most of the time, it consists of meats such as shrimp, chicken or pork, together with celery and onions. In making the dish, the noodles are first cooked in boiling water for some minutes until they are soft and tender. They are then allowed to cool before they are stir-fried.

Peking Roasted Duck

Ducks are a very common street food in China and if you want the perfect duck first experience, then you should not try anything other than the Peking roasted duck. This is a famous dish in China, mainly in Beijing, and is regarded as one of the country’s national dishes. The dish is cherished for its crispy thin skin. It is normally eaten with sweet bean sauce, pancakes, and mashed garlic. If you happen to be in Beijing, then this is a dish you must give a try by all means.

Spring Rolls

You may have tasted a million spring rolls before, but none will taste like the dim sums you find in China. The fillings in the rolls are mainly meat or vegetables and they could either be sour or sweet. In preparing the rolls, the fillings are neatly wrapped in a spring roll wrapper then deep fried to golden yellow color before being allowed to cool.

Sichuan shredded chicken

Here is another chicken variety that makes it to the list of the must-try foods in China. It is a spicy chicken native to the Sichuan region, hence the name, and it features shredded chicken which is first cooked over high heat in a mixture comprising of bamboo shoots, carrots, and a decent amount of green peppers. The sauce for the chicken is a bit sour and a bit sweet with a generous amount of garlic to introduce the sweet but pungent flavor adored by many.

Hairy Crab

If you happen to be in Shanghai during the months of fall, then you will meet lots of hairy crabs roaming everywhere. When the crabs are steamed to perfection with the local expertise, then you are guaranteed of enjoying very nice and delicious meals from the shells. The locals prefer to dip the crab in a dark vinegar sauce before sending it down their throats, and it is something you can also try, though most foreigners do find it strange and unusual.

Dan dan noodles

If you consider online passport renewal for a trip to China, then you must not tire about eating lots of noodle dishes and the dan dan noodles is another one that finds a mention in our list. It is a spicy noodle dish from the Sichuan region, and most Chinese consider it as a comfort food. The noodles are prepared in a spicy sauce featuring preserved vegetables, minced pork, chili oil, and lots of scallions.

Plan An Unforgettable Family Trip To China With These Ideas

March 20, 2018 by Mandy

If you are worried your kids will be sulking and whining about things to do, you can breathe easy for China. Filled with fun attractions, sights and activities for adults and kids alike, your family will never be bored.

There are countless things for the curious. Plenty of new foods, markets, amusements, tours and more to explore. If you are looking to take some of the weight off your back, why not book China private tours now. They will take care of the details and bookings so you don’t have to. Plus, their travel experts and tour guides have insider, local knowledge of the places you’re visiting. Nothing could be simpler!

Fun Family Activities When Visiting China

Great Wall Ski Lift

If you are nervous your kids will spoil the epic trek to the top of the Great Wall of China, don’t risk it. They will be in awe and truly amazed by the lift that towers above the sea and goes on for 723 meters. You will get to see some amazing scenery whilst the kids are entertained and fully experiencing the ride. This is a must for anyone visiting China but doing the ski lift is a sure way to settle the kids and teens.

Chinese Princess Makeovers

What girl doesn’t love dressing up and posing for photos? If you are looking for something special for your little princess to do, why not take them to do a photoshoot! They can dress up as princesses, have their hair and makeup done and feel like a VIP for the day.

Watch Acrobatics

Book tickets to see Chinese acrobats that perform jaw-dropping stunts similar to those seen in superhero movies. No ropes and safety nets required, the amazing stunt men and women know how to wow the audiences and keep them on their feet.

Take Them To A Kung-Fu Class

Why not take the kids for a thrilling session of Kung-Fu with some real masters? Several hotels and tour agencies in China will book child-friendly lessons for a number of martial arts. Your kids can be kept entertained and learn something they may come to love later down the line! They also get introduced to an authentic part of Chinese culture.

Visit The Theme Parks In Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the most exciting cities in China. Full of trains, skyscrapers and more, your kids will have plenty of fun things to do. Take them to a theme park for the day and discover some of the fun-filled attractions China has to offer.

These are just a few of the many things you and your family could be getting up to on your trip to China. There are countless kid-friendly things to do that will make your trip to China completely unforgettable.