Latest news with #NasiGoreng
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Savour flavours of Indonesia at Novotel
Vijayawada: This monsoon, Novotel Vijayawada Varun is set to transport guests to the heart of Southeast Asia with an authentic Indonesian food festival. From July 28 to August 4, the hotel's Pan-Asian restaurant, Red Bowl, will host a culinary showcase led by celebrated guest chef Faisal Martadinata, who has flown in directly from Indonesia for this exclusive event. Chef Faisal Martadinata brings a wealth of culinary expertise straight from Indonesia's culinary heartland. Chef Faisal is renowned for his mastery of age-old recipes and his ability to present them with a modern flair. His specially curated menu for Novotel highlights the incredible diversity of Indonesian cuisine, balancing robust spices with soulful comfort food. Guests can look forward to authentic dishes such as Beef Rendang, Soto Ayam, Nasi Goreng, and the iconic Dadar Gulung dessert. Each dish promises to tell a unique story of Indonesia's rich gastronomic heritage. Hotel Manager Manish Pathak stated: 'This festival is about more than food—it's a cultural experience. Chef Faisal's specially crafted menu mirrors our vision of experience-led dining and promises an exciting journey through Indonesia's most loved dishes.' The Indonesian food festival will be available for both lunch and dinner at Red Bowl, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, from July 28 to August 4.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Molly Mae's sister got Bali completely wrong – the reality is beautiful lesser-known spots and friendly locals
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BALI has always been described as paradise, a place full of beautiful beaches, friendly locals, and a fascinating culture. At least, that's what I found when I visited, so I was shocked when Molly Mae's sister, Zoe Rae, ditched the island after just two days. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 I was in Bali at the same time as Zoe Rae Credit: Megan d'Ardenne 5 Myself and Zoe even attended the same fitness class Credit: Megan d'Ardenne Initially when I saw that Zoe Rae - Molly Mae's sister - was going to be in Bali at the same time as me, I was genuinely excited. I thought it was great that someone with her platform would be shining a light on a destination that thrives on tourism - but as we've all heard, it didn't exactly work out that way. Bali's economy is heavily dependent on people coming from around the world to experience its food, nature, culture, and community And someone with influence, like Zoe, has the power to support that. So I was disappointed when, just 48 hours after arriving, Zoe and her husband Danny flew to Dubai to finish their holiday, calling it a 'quick extraction." In her vlog, Zoe explained that Bali hadn't lived up to her 'high expectations', saying that if you 'zoom out' of the photos of coffee shops that influencers post, the reality was different. Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and experiences. But Zoe's take on Bali, based on less than two days on the island, misses so much of what makes it special, and more importantly, risks negatively shaping the way others perceive it too. I was in Uluwatu at the same time as Zoe and Danny. My partner and I even crossed paths with them at a group exercise class at Bambu Fitness, a fantastic local gym known for its community vibe. What we experienced was a place that, while not always picture-perfect, is layered with amazing beauty and culture. Enjoy a spot of swing Bali 5 Bali is a developing region but is an incredible destination Credit: Megan d'Ardenne 5 Bali is not about luxury, more culture and raw beauty Credit: Megan d'Ardenne Yes, Bali has its challenges - it's a developing region, and it isn't flawless. But it's a deeply spiritual, community-driven island with rich traditions, warm hospitality, and landscapes that don't need a filter to feel magical - it's not Dubai. And that's the point. Dubai is all about curated perfection, luxury on tap, and air-conditioned ease. Bali is the opposite, and that's what makes it so special. Yes, the infrastructure isn't perfect. Yes, there's traffic. Yes, it can be chaotic. But if you're open to it, you'll find so much more. The real magic of Bali, for me, is in its people, its energy, and its breathtaking landscapes. It's in the beat of a Kecak fire dance echoing through the night and in the steaming bowl of Nasi Goreng served at a local warung. It's feeling the spray of a waterfall on your face in Tegenungan, catching your breath between waves when surfing in Uluwatu, or wandering through Ubud's peaceful rice fields. That's Bali - not just coffee shops and influencer photo opportunities, but something much deeper, if you're willing to give it the time. I understand that for many, travel is about quick escapes and curated experiences. But as a travel content creator, I believe in showing the full picture. Travel isn't always aesthetic lattes and infinity pools, some days mean scooter rides in the rain or struggling to find decent Wi-Fi. But there's beauty in those moments too, they're just as much a part of the journey. My top tips on places to visit in Bali instead Ubud: Cretya sunset jungle day club - amazing jacuzzis overlooking the rice paddies Omma day club - overlooking the Tegenungan waterfall, amazing pool and live DJ Pyramids of Chi - ancient sound healing bath Mason Adventures - ATV jungle experience Tegallalang Rice Terrace Sacred monkey forest sanctuary Zest - plant based cafe with amazing view This is Bali - great brunch spot & healthy Balinese bowls Donna restaurant - great food and vibe Uluwatu: Uluwatu Temple - beautiful temple and they do Kecak fire dancing each night Balangan cliff sunset point Karang Boma Cliff - great sunset views over the Indian Ocean Cashew Tree - live music night on Thursdays, great atmosphere Morabito - great place for a sunset drink Ulu Garden - live music every night and great local food Secret comedy night - weekly comedy night in a secret location (also in Ubud and canggu) Alchemy Yoga - great alfresco yoga studio with outdoor hot and cold plunge pools and sauna Alchemy - lovely plant based eatery Arabica - great coffee spot Bambu fitness - fantastic gym, amazing group exercise classes and great healthy cafe Ulu Cliffhouse - day club with incredible views Dreamland beach - gorgeous beach, perfect waves for beginner surfers Rapture Camp - surf school Krinsa Sliver workshop - make a bespoke piece of jewellery Hatch Sunday market - great place to shop from local business owners (jewellery l, clothes, souvenirs, food) Travel is a privilege. So when someone with a big following on social media shares a negative impression after such a fleeting visit, it shapes perceptions in ways that go far beyond one vlog. It affects local business owners, hospitality workers and families who rely on tourism not just to survive, but to thrive. Of course, not every destination is for everyone. And maybe Bali just wasn't what Zoe expected. But Bali isn't pristine, it's raw, real, and soulful. A completely different place, with a completely different vibe, and she left without really giving it a chance. So yes, Bali is more than just coffee shops and luxury resorts. And no, it's not broken, sometimes it's just our expectations that are. Check out my adventure through Bali on my account @megsandalex. For anyone who wants to visit Bali, here's all the information you need from the guide to the Indonesian island's dry and rainy seasons. And here's the tiny 'Bali of Europe' town right by Africa has beautiful beaches and £20 flights from the UK.
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scottish chef ‘steps back' from restaurant amid first cookbook success and London move
Julie Lin | contributed Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For chef, broadcaster and now author Julie Lin, 2024 was a year of career highlights - from her restaurant Gaga being awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand to writing her first cookbook, something she had been thinking about doing for a number of years. Her love of food started from a young age as Lin, whose mother is Malay Chinese, and father is Scottish, grew up learning how to toss pasta with chopsticks, listen to the sizzle of something cooking, and create a banquet out of leftovers; lessons that were integral in helping her embrace her culture. 'Have you eaten yet?' is the question her mother asks her most frequently to this day, and by the age of three Lin was asking this in two different languages. John Devlin This love of cooking and fusion of Scottish and Malaysian food led to her opening a food stall in Glasgow in 2016 with classic Malaysian dishes like Nasi Goreng and dishes with a twist: sesame prawn toast using a local delicacy – Scottish, thick-cut Mother's Pride Bread. Lin called this ' making little lunch boxes for people. It was almost like the hawker style stalls that you get in Malaysia,' she explained, on the latest episode of our podcast Scran . 'I really loved street food, so I started cooking at lots of festivals and things like that, lots of great music festivals in Glasgow. And then we ended up opening our first little restaurant.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The little restaurant was Julie's Kopitium, located on Pollokshaws Road in Glasgow's southside. Lin called it 'like a hole in the wall". I loved it'. The cosy restaurant, and the food being cooked in the postage stamp kitchen went hand in hand - and enveloped diners in a warm embrace of spicy flavours and unexpected combinations all eaten in what felt like your friends dining room. Picking up takeaways from there was something that helped me get through lockdown, such was the comfort of the soft coconut curries and jars of hot and spiced chilli oils. Julie's Kopitiam inevitably led on to bigger things, this time with the opening of Gaga in the city's west end in 2021. Lin, in partnership with the team that, at that time, managed the nearby Thornwood bar. But now, she is starting a new chapter, quite literally, with the launch of her first cookbook, Sama Sama (which means same same or you're welcome) and a move to London. This means taking a step back from Gaga, as Lin said: ' I am no longer a restaurateur and now becoming an author. It feels really good to be at this stage of having gone through lots of different styles of hospitality and food and learning about food to now have a little book that's just been released.' Lin said she'll always have a toe in restaurants but with the book coming out, and more TV work on the horizon (you may recognise her from Saturday Kitchen on Somebody Feed Phil), she wants to take a step towards teaching, home cooking and presenting. Lin added: ' I've grown up in Glasgow and I love it. I feel like a Glasgow girl through and through. As much as I don't live here anywhere. I live in London now, I still love Glasgow with all my heart, but it's been really nice to see my food journey happen through Glasgow.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sama Sama is Julie's first cookbook | contributed In Sama Sama, Lin showcases how food is central to culture and how it has, for her mum, broken down barriers, something she hopes we can take to heart in these more turbulent times. She said: 'If I was to bump into you, I would say 'hi, how are you? What have you been doing?' But in Malaysia you would say, hi, have you eaten yet? Because you just start every conversation with food. So it seems to be that food is ingrained in every single part of our lives, even from the very beginning of you speaking to someone. And that's no different from how my mum taught me about foods and how we eat growing up, it was always very much a celebration of what we had in the house. My mum used it as a kind of social way of making friends when English wasn't her first language. I feel like food would've done a lot of that communicating for her.' Lin added: 'With everything that's going on in the world right now, there's so many amazing parts about living in the UK and food is so diverse here. You get so many different countries selling food and that is such a privilege. We've had people that moved here to create lives. Food doesn't resolve everything, but it certainly helps us speak about all of the things that are happening in the world because it's essentially political in itself. For me, I think we need to celebrate within Scotland and the UK all of the amazing kind of food that we've got.' Julie Lin | contributed This fusion of cultures in food is what you might call modern fusion , but forget any kind of perception you have of fusion dishes from the past. Lin said: 'I think that fusion food got a really bad rep in the nineties and noughties, and I think primarily from fancy chefs who didn't quite know what to do with all of these ingredients from all over the world. Actually fusion is such a lovely way of cooking and what it represents. I would even argue that Malaysian food in itself is a fusion because it's so mixed. You've had so many years of colonisation and movement. There's Malay Indian influences, a British and Portuguese influence in the food.' After a whirlwind book tour, you'll see Lin back on TV as she's presenting Discovering the World's Table on BBC World Service, where she's visited Istanbul, an experience that she relished. ' You look back and think 'wow'. I feel so lucky to be at this point and very privileged to have had all of these opportunities including doing quite a lot more TV presenting.' But when it comes to the book, of which she's already planning a second, she said ' A special shout out to Scotland because writing the book really was a nice exploration of celebrating being Scottish, but also celebrating, being mixed.'
