Tiyula Itum: Recipe for royalty

Tiyula Itum, a dish from Tausug, Sulu in Mindanao. This black soup is usually served during special occasion like Muslim weddings and is known to be one of the dishes served to Royalties.

This dish takes its name from Tiyula which means soup or stew and Itum which means black. The soup’s color came from the burnt coconut meat which flavors the dish making it unique from any other dish found in the Philippines.

burn coconut meat in stove top and grind it in a blender or food processor to make a powder

Tiyula Itum is a dish which can be compared to Nilaga or Tinola from the northern part of the Philippines, but has a bolder flavor. This dish is surely unique and is rarely served in typical Filipino restaurants.

I actually researched about this dish and came across only a couple of articles about it. It is a pretty hard to find recipe, so I just gathered what I can find and also rely on the taste that I remember when I ate this during our trip in Zamboanga. All in all, I did find the taste that I am looking for.

So here is my recipe for Tiyula Itum. This might not be the traditional one but the taste is pretty much the same. I used chicken instead of Beef since I can’t find the perfect cut for this dish in our neighbourhood.

Note: If you decided to go for Beef go ahead and find the Sirlion steak and cut it thinly to make the cooking process easier.

TIYULA ITUM RECIPE

Serving: 3-4

Prep time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 30 mins to 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kilo of Chicken
• 3 tbsp or 1/8cup of Ginger, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 2 small onions
• 3 stalks of lemon grass, tied in a knot
• 1/3 cup of burnt coconut meat powder
• 3 tbsp of turmeric powder
• 3-5 tbsp of sambal or sriracha sauce (depends on your spice level tolerance)
• 2-3 cups of beef stock
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk (optional)
• 2-3 tbsp of refined coconut oil (You may use any cooking oil with neutral taste)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. In a pot, add the cooking oil and saute onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, sambal, and burnt coconut until fragrant.

2. Then, add the chicken or beef and stir until well combined.

3. Add the beef stock and lemongrass. Let it simmer for 15-30 mins. (For beef slow cook it in low fore for 45 mins to an hour until meat is tender)

4. Stir in the coconut milk and simmer for another 10 minutes.

5. Add Salt and Pepper to taste.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Enjoy your very own Tiyula Itum. It was a favorite when I served this to my family and I hope you would like it too!

Cheers and till my next recipe!

Halle

Filipino Crispy Chicken Adobo

Whenever I come across videos or articles of foreigners trying out Filipino food, Adobo will always be one of the top 5 most tried out food from the Philippines. Mainly because it’s kind of the “national dish”, well it’s not official, but it has always got the attention of people.

Let me give a brief background of this beloved “national dish” of the Philippines.

Filipino Adobo came from the spanish word Adobar, which means “sauce”, “to marinade”, or “seasoning”. Mainly the dish is consisted of any kind of protein marinated in garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and black peppercorns. The meat is simmered in it’s own marinade until it’s cooked.

Another thing about Adobo is the preparation and ingredients for the dish varies in different regions, and also varies on the tradition of the family making the dish. So there is no actual right and wrong recipe as long as you stick to the template which is protein marinated in garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and black peppercorns.

So if you want to try your take on Filipino Adobo, go ahead just go with the template and add your own twist to it. Like what I did to this Crispy Chicken Adobo.

Crispy Chicken Adobo Recipe

Serving: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken thighs + legs
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of soy sauce
• 1 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar (you may use white vinegar)
• 3 -4 tbsp of brown sugar
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• 2 star anise
• 2 bay leaves
• Pinch of black peppercorns
• 1-2 tbsp of tapioca starch (you may use corn starch)
• 4 tbsp of water

Procedure:

Part 1: Chicken Prep

Rub the chicken with salt and rinse with running water.

In a pot, add the chicken broth, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, black peppercorns, star anise, and bay leaves. Let it boil.

Add the chicken in the pot and adjust heat to medium. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Once done, get the chicken from the broth, pat the skin with a kitchen towel to get rid of excess water from the skin.

Place the chicken in the fridge for the skim to dry a little bit more. Don’t put a lid on the container.

Part 2: The Sauce

Using the same broth where you boiled you chicken, fish out the garlic, bay leaves, and star anise.

Let the broth simmer again.

While waiting for the broth to simmer, In a bowl, add the tapioca starch and water and stir until the starch is completely dissolved.

Add the starch mixture in the broth and stir until the consistency is thicker. You’ll know when it’s ready if the sauce covers your spoon and it’s not runny.

Part 3: Fry up that chicken!

Get your chicken from the fridge and pat it again with a kitchen towel to get rid of excess moisture in the skin

Heat up the oil to 165 degree celsius, then drop the chicken in the oil.

Fry until the skin is crispy enough to your liking.

Serve with rice and the sauce.

Enjoy!

–Halle

Creamy Hot Chocolate Recipe

Nothing beats a hot beverage whenever it’s gloomy outside. There is always something very much soothing when you drink something hot specially on a rainy day. It might be because we are reminded of our childhood, sipping a cup of those homemade hot chocolate drink made by our moms or even making our own, even those instant ones. There is always a comforting side in sipping a simple cup of hot chocolate.

In the past years, I’ve always gone to instant hot chocolate drinks, those powdered ones which you only need to add hot water, and there you have your instant hot chocolate. But, while I’m coming of age, I’ve always wanted to have my own version of that favorite childhood drink which I want to make for my future kids. That’s why I made this recipe to share to my future kids, so they could remember their moms hot chocolate, and also to share with my friends and family.

A simple and easy to follow recipe for the creamiest hot chocolate.

Creamiest Hot Chocolate Recipe

Serving: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of organic cocoa powder (you may use any cocoa powder you have)
• 2 – 3 cups of milk (I used a non-fat one)
• 1/3 cup of vegan cream (you may use half and half or all purpose cream)
• 4 tbsp of sugar
• 1/3 cup water

• Procedure:

In a sauce pan, add all ingredients and combine

Heat the pan, until you see steam coming out. Simmer for 3-5 mins

Serve and enjoy.

Hope you enjoy your rainy day with this creamy hot chocolate!

Cheers!

Halle

Top 10 Things you need to know before going to Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand. The land of smiles and very famous for their array of good food.  Thus, making Thailand a must see destination here in Southeast Asia with an estimated count of over 35.38 million foreign visitors last 2017 and still increasing every year.

If you are one of those planning visitors or already in Bangkok and needs a little help from the internet to navigate the best foreign exchange rate, how to go from point A to point B, etc. well this post is for you!

Here are some things to know before exploring Bangkok, Thailand. 

1.  Where to get the best exchange rate? 

• If you are just getting off the plane and do not have any Thai Baht with you best to exchange only a few dollars just to get you to your destination. I do suggest to locate the Bangkok Airport Link station at the basement level of the Airport. You can get better exchange rates at the booths near the entrance of the station.

• Go to any SUPER RICH 1965 branch for the best exchange rate in Bangkok. (Note: Check the logo and color orange for the SUPER RICH 1965 branch since there are other SUPER RICH brands for exchange rates.)

For the list of SUPER RICH 1965 branches in across Bangkok, click here.

2. Do I need to buy a sim card to have internet?

• Well, you don’t have to buy a sim card. You can actually rent out a pocket wifi in the Airport but it comes around 200 Baht per day which is not that cheap and you have to give a 2,000 Baht deposit which will be given back to you once you give them back the device.
• If you are only staying in Bangkok for 3 days, I don’t suggest to get a sim card or a pocket wifi since you would probably have internet at the place where you are staying in. But if you are staying for 5 or more days, I do suggest for you to get a sim card which has the unli data.
• I suggest getting the DTAC SIM CARD which has 4G unlimited data for 7 days for only 299 Baht. Check out the DTAC counter at the airport regarding their promos or any DTAC stores located in Malls.

3. How to travel from the Airport to my Hotel? 

• If you don’t have a lot of baggage with you, and would like the cheaper alternative. The best option for you is to take the Airport Rail Link from the Suvarnabhumi Airport.   The train is open from 6:00 am to 12 midnight everyday and would only cost around 15 Baht to 45 Baht (0.45 USD – 1.35 USD) per person.

 I will discuss this in detail in another blog so stay tuned! 

(Note: Refer to the RED line for the Airport link stops as seen in the photo below)

• Second Option: Take the Taxi cab which would cost you around 200 Baht to 500 Baht depending on how far you are going. Also there are fees like toll for their express way as well which you will also shoulder. If you are traveling with 2-3 companions taking the taxi is a better option for you.

• Last Option: Book an airport transfer to your hotel.  There are various companies in Bangkok that provides private service to and from your hotel to the airport. It’s best to contact the place where you are staying at and get the best price from them.

4. Where should I stay? 

Where you stay in Bangkok is key on how you’ll actually enjoy the city. Being able to be near the tourist attractions, convenient for getting food, and very accessible by public transportation are part of the criteria for making a good place to a great one.

Based on my Experience here are parts of Bangkok where you could stay given the criteria of accessibility, convenience, comfort, security, and budget. 

•  Sukhumvit Road Area. The Sukhumvit Road is the longest in Thailand where most of the Skytrain (BTS) stations are found.  Various food stalls are scattered in different Soi (“soi”,  meaning street).  Walking at night are not scary at all since a lot of tourists are also roaming in this area. Also big malls like Terminal 21 and EmQuartier Shopping mall are also located here.

Budget Friendly Accommodation in Sukhumvit Road Area:

• 3Howww Hostel at Sukhumvit 21
• Jellybean the blocks Hostel
• S Box Suhkumvit Hotel

• Khao San Road Area. Khao San Road is well known as the back packer’s road in Bangkok since a lot of back packing tourists do prefer to stay here because of the night life, and great food around the area. Also, it is kind of near the famous tourist attractions like the Grand palace and Wat Pho. If you like partying the night away and meet new people from different parts of the world you must stay in Khao San. (Disclaimer: Prices in Khao San road maybe a little bit more pricier than the other parts of Bangkok)

Budget Friendly Accommodation in Khao San Road Area:

• Bed Box Khaosan Hostel
• The Printing House Poshtel
• 3Howw Hostel  at Khao San
• Buddy Botique Inn

You may also opt to book an AirBnb within these areas, there are a lot of good deals for condo/house rentals. Just book at least a month before your stay in Bangkok since a lot of tourists do prefer AirBnb than staying at hotels in Bangkok.

5. What to wear?

This section refers to dress codes if you plan to go to the temples like Wat Po and Wat Arun, and also if you’re heading to the famous Grand Palace.  If you are not in the proper dress code you will not be allowed to enter or you would be fined around 2,000 Baht, so better just wear the appropriate attire.

Note: Don’t worry if you are wearing shorts there are stalls in each temple where you can borrow a sarong for 20-40 Baht. 

6.  Haggle before you ride. 

• Riding the Tuktuk. Before riding the Tuktuk haggle first, some Tuktuk drivers will really give a much higher price for tourists. Better polish your haggling skills before trying out the Tuktuk. 
• Riding Taxi Cabs. In some parts of Bangkok, taxi cabs would give you a fix rate rather than using the meter. If this happens, just say no and hail another taxi cab. But if this goes on and on, just haggle with the taxi driver with your best price. Usually go 50-100 Baht lower than what they are actually saying.

7.  Afraid to eat at street stalls? 

Let’s face it Bangkok is well known for their street food. Every street (“soi”) will always have their own vendors which will give you mouthwatering dishes once you order. I know for some people, eating beside the road is not very ideal so I do have one suggestion for those who are hesitant to eat beside the street.

• Head to Piere 21. Piere 21 is a food court located at the 5th floor of Terminal 21 mall. This food court will surely blow your mind. Locals and foreigners alike comes here to eat well known Thai dishes from Pad thai up to the sweet Thai milk tea. Everything you can imagine already in one place and the good thing about it is, the price is cheaper than the actual food served in the street stalls.

• Siam Paragon Food Hall. Like Piere 21, Siam Paragon Food Hall is also a well known food court in Bangkok, Located at the ground floor of Siam Paragon,  it serves a mix of different cuisines from Thai, Japanese, French, etc. The selection is wider with a higher price than Piere 21.

8. Trains are your best travel buddy. 

The train system in Bangkok is consisted of MTR (Subway), BTS (Skytrain), and the Airport Link which are very convenient and cheap. The train systems do have interchanges for you to get to point A to point B fast.

Below is the map of the whole Bangkok Train System. It’s nice if you have this on hand. Just print it out and put it in your wallet or bag.  (Click here for more info regarding the train system)

9.  Simple Thai words. 

Know these simple phrases or words.

(Note: In every end of a sentence/ phrase use “Ka” if you are a female, and  “Kap” for male)

• Sawadee – Hello
• Khob khun – Thank you
• Chai – Yes
• Mai Chai – No
• Tao Rai – How much
• Aroi – Delicious
• Aroi Mak mak – Very Delicious
• Gai – Chicken
• Nuea – Beef
• Moo – Pork
• Kho tot – Excuse me

10.  The trick of pointing. 

A lot of Thai today already knows how to converse in English but you may come across someone who only converses in Thai. Be not afraid, if you want to ask or buy something but the vendor only speaks Thai just point using your index finger to the item you want and they will have their calculators ready to put in how much the item is.

Well that’s it! Hope you all find this list useful in your travel to Bangkok, Thailand.

Cheers and Safe Travels!

Top 10 Tips: For first time Hong Kong Visitors

Hong Kong is a place well known for its buzzing streets, food, neon lit streets, and basically a melting pot where west meets east. A mixed of British and Chinese influences that gives the place its own unique culture makes you want to know and experience the City a little bit  more.

I’ll be sharing my top 10 tips to make it easier for first time visitors in this city. I’ll be including some of the prices and conversion in PHP for you guys.

Note: All conversions in this blog in HKD to PHP will have the 1HKD = PHP 7 conversion rate. (Since this might be the highest conversion rate so far for HKD to PHP)

 

Tip #1:
Convert a small amount of money at the airport (If you do not have some HKD with you)

• You basically just need 150 HKD (1,050 Php) to get the Octopus card to ride the Airport express from the airport to the MTR station near the place where you’re staying.

 

Tip #2: Get an Octopus Card at the Airport

• Once you get your luggage, just look for the Mcdonald’s, near it, you will see the information desk where you could purchase the Octopus Card for 150 HKD ( Php 1050)which has 100 HKD which you could consume and 50 HKD deposit which you could refund once you return the card.

 

• What is an Octopus Card? – An octopus card is an all-around transportation cash card which you could use when riding the MTR, Tram, Bus, and even Taxis. You could also make a purchase in all the 7-11 branches in the city with this card. So definitely recommend to get the card!

 

Tip #3: Take the Free Airport Shuttle Bus

• You can get the complimentary airport express shuttle bus service brochure after getting your luggage in the airpor

 

• The Airport bus can be located at the Kowloon Station of the MTR. So from the airport take the airport express and go to Kowloon Station (this will cost you 90 HKD using the octopus card).

 

• Check the Airport shuttle bus numbers for your destination (take note of the Place and the Street of where you are staying) The Airport shuttle bus has their bus stops in the well-known hotels of every area in Hong Kong so it’s nice to also know the well-known hotel near the area which you’re staying (ex. The Peninsula, Intercontinental, Prince Hotel, etc)  the nearest place where you can be dropped off and just walk to your destination
• Take the route where your hotel is, for example, in our case we were staying at Citadines in Ashley Road which was near The Peninsula Hong Kong. So the shuttle bus number is K2, So we got off The Peninsula and just walked towards Ashley Road which was just a 5 mins walk.

 

Photo care of the Kin Shing Money Exchange Co Ltd site

Tip 4: Look for a Money Changer near you

• If you are staying at Tsim Sha Tsui we recommend KIN SHING MONEY EXCHANGE CO LTD. It’s located at Chung King Mansion, 36-44 Nathan Road. They are one of the best FOREX in the area. You could also check their rates on their website so you could compare to other money exchange as well at http://ksme.hk/index.html

Photo care of yourbigtour.com

Tip 5: If you have 3 days or less we encourage you to get the Big Bus Tour

• The Big Bus tour is not your conventional tour, it’s just an easier way to navigate the city without the hassle of finding the MTR and other modes of transportation. Basically, what they provide is a tour of the city with your own phase they just have a pick-up and drop off spots, which has time slots, for you to board the bus which leads you to different tourist spots in the city. So you could just hop on and off their bus and, also, you can have discounted prices of tickets on different places.
• You may check their website for more details: https://www.bigbustours.com/en/hong-kong/hong-kong-tour-tickets-and-passes/​

 

Tip 6: If you think you’re lost just look at the street signs, and hop on the nearest MTR Station.

• Hong Kong’s MTR is an excellent way to get around the city. If you get lost just look for the MTR sign and follow. Look at the MTR line which you want to go and just hop on the train, you may interchange lanes in some MTR stations like Hong Kong station, Central Station, and Admirality.

 

Tip 7: Read the map at the bus stops if you’re planning to take the Bus or Tram

• The MTR closes around 11 PM, so if you are enjoying your night with and stay out after 11 PM most probably you’ll take the bus. What is convenient about Hong Kong’s public transportation system is that tourists can understand everything in their maps. You just have to read. So take a look of the buses that stops in the terminal near you – they have numbers btw, check the route, and just hop on. You’ll have to use your octopus card when you board the bus.

 

• The Tram is also a nice way to roam around the city. Well, this way of transportation is only available in some parts. So basically, you’ll just have to look at the sign which is in front of the tram itself. If you see the for example Kennedy Town, it’s like the line going to Kennedy town like the MTR but has different stops. So it’s better if you know the MTR line of the destination and would be the best if you have a map with you.  Just pay before you get off the tram.

Tip 8: If you’re looking for a cheap place to eat

• Eating in Hong Kong maybe a little bit pricey, with typically 50 HKD – 150 HKD (Php 350 – Php 1,050) for a meal. It’s nice to check out the stores around some streets and check their prices.
• One place we recommend around Tsim Sha Tsui is a place called Ah Say Fastfood in Lock Road. They have a large array of food choices which you could choose from, it’s cheap and has large portions.
• Also, we recommend to stroll around Temple Street in Kowloon, there are a lot of old style restaurants with very cheap prices (ex. 18 HKD for a noodles soup). So just don’t be afraid to scout around your area.
• If you’re in doubt with street food, and you’re in a budget, just check out the 7-11 branches. They do serve meals which only cost 27HKD (189 HKD)

Tip 9: Always have some tissue or wet wipes with you

• Not all restaurants will provide tissue for you so it’s nice to have these in hand

 

Tip 10:  Wear your most comfortable shoes and get ready to walk around the city.

• The best way to experience this place is to just walk around. Wear your best shoes for walking because you’ll not mind hours walking around the city.
• My biggest mistake in Hong Kong is wearing shoes that made me want to take them off at the end of the day. So I tried bargaining to buy some slippers in the temple street night market and it was expensive for just a pair of flip flops (65 HKD to be exact, that’s Php 455). So just wear the best walking shoes you have or just wear flip flops.

Side Tips:

• Check the weather forecast of the days when you’ll be staying in Hong Kong. The weather there can go from cold to warm in an instant. So it’s better to check! Just take a jacket with you if you’re in doubt.

• If you are planning to go to Disneyland, Ocean Park, or Madam Tussauds book your tickets online. It is way cheaper and convenient. No more long lines and it’s around 50 HKD-100 HKD less than walk-in tickets.

Well, that’s it for my Top 10 Tips for first time Hong Kong tourists! If ever you have further questions, I am very glad to answer them just comment below.

To check out my detailed guide to places in Hong Kong click here .

 

Always Stay Curious!

Going to Places: Hong Kong

This is a written guide for my fellow travelers out there who would rather go to the places in Hong Kong without any tourist guides. I’ll make this detailed as I possibly can and hope you get to your destination with ease!

First Stop: Avenue of Stars

• Take the MTR going to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station take Exit J, this connects directly to the starry gallery.
• If you are staying in TST like us, just look for The Peninsula hotel and cross the Salisbury Road and make your way to the Hong Kong Space Museum. At the back of the space museum, you’ll see the Hong Kong Museum of art at the right side and the Avenue of Stars at the left.

Other places within the area: Clock Tower, Hong Kong art museum, Hong Kong Space Museum and Cultural Center. 

Second Stop: The Victoria Peak

• Take the MTR to Central Station, and take the J2 Exit.
• In Charter Garden, walk towards the direction of the Bank of China Tower.
• Cross Queen’s Road Central and Cross to Garden Road heading to the Cheung Kong Center
• Walk up Garden Road until you reach the lower Albert Road, you’ll pass by the St. John Cathedral.
• Cross Lower Albert Road and cross the street again where you could see the fountain with the sign The Peak tram.
• Take the Peak Tram terminus to get to Victoria Peak.

Side Tip:

• If you are planning to also go to Madam Tussauds, and do not have a ticket on hand. We highly encourage you to get their package with the road trip via tram, sky terrace, and the madam tassauds entrance ticket.
• If you’re not planning to go to Madam Tussauds, go to the place very early especially on weekends. The place is really jammed packed and the line may reach across the street. So better be early!

 

Third Stop: Hong Kong Observation Wheel

• Take the MTR, get off Central station
• Take Exit A walk along to the site along Central Pier 7, walk to Central Pier 9 you’ll see the wheel next to it.

 

Fourth Stop: Times Square

• Via MTR, get off the Causeway Bay Station then Walk towards Exit A.

Via Tram, from Central Station just take the Tram with the sign “Causeway Bay” and get off the causeway bay station.

 

Fifth Stop: Stanley Bay / Stanley Market

• Take the MTR going to Chai Wan Station and Exit at exit C.
• Get the minibus 16M which will go directly to Stanley Market.

Sixth Stop: Hong Kong Disneyland

• Take the MTR, and get to the Tung Chung line (orange lane in the MTR map).
• Get off Sunny Bay Station.

Change lanes going to the Disneyland Resort station

Seventh Stop: Tian Tan Buddha 

• Take the MTR going to Tung Chung (orange lane in the MTR map)
• Get off Tung Chung station

Option 1: Taking the cable car from Tung Chung station

• When you get off Tung Chung Station, locate the Cable Car terminal at Tat Tung Road.

        Option 2: Take the Bus

• The bus terminal going to Lantau Island is beside the Cable Car terminal.
• Ride the number 23 bus going to Ngong Ping.
• Get off at the last stop.

Other places to see within the area: Ngong Ping village and Po Lin Monastery. 

Hope this helps my fellow travelers in roaming around Hong Kong, if you have further questions, just leave a comment below!
Cheers!