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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Always Lapar: Retro kampung cafe in town dishes up nasi lemak papadom & homemade gula melaka soy milk
On a trip to Cherating a while back, I noticed how common it was for old kampung-style houses to be transformed into eateries and touristy spots. I love that concept. Totally fitting for a place like Kuantan, which (thankfully) hasn't been overly gentrified yet. You don't see much of that in KL or Selangor, so it was a delight to stumble upon a similar spot just 5 minutes from home: Always Lapar. It's tucked along a narrow road near a shortcut I usually take to the highway. I was worried it'd be hard to find, but nope, the signage is loud and clear. From the outside, it's giving major 'grandma's house' energy with its wooden pillars, creaky doors, and old-school windows adorned with batik curtains. Inside, it's decently spacious but a tad warm. The space is split into a few cosy sections: there's the main dining area with plastic tables and chairs, an elevated corner with batik decor and wooden furniture (you'll need to take your shoes off here), and a nook filled with shelves of dusty old books. The walls are covered with retro Western posters, which felt a bit off. Personally, I think some local art would've added more soul, but hey, the vintage vibes still hit the mark. You can tell they put effort into making it feel nostalgic and homey. Now, full disclosure: I'd read a few Google reviews saying the food was… not great. So while the place looks the part, the real question is: can they deliver where it matters most? Time to find out. I went with their Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah (RM16) from a tempting lineup of local dishes. It's a classic I know well, and one that shouldn't be that hard to get right, surely. The plate looked great. The coconut rice came with all the usual bits, plus some extras like papadom, fried tempeh, and a side of thin cabbage in what seemed like a yellow curry or gulai. Nice variety. But the rice was a letdown. Even before tasting it, I could feel the grains were too firm. It ended up tasting like regular plain rice, just harder and dry. Definitely not the fluffy, fragrant nasi lemak rice you'd hope for. Nasi Lemak Royale Kedah: Must-try Kedah-style yellow nasi lemak with juicy chicken & squid eggs in Ampang The sambal had potential but missed the mark. It was heavy on the shrimp paste, but lacked the depth and balance of a proper nasi lemak sambal. It felt like it was rushed — missing the chilies, the aromatics, and the whole essence of this type of sambal. The tempeh and ikan bilis were stale and chewy. After one bite, they were pretty much ignored for the rest of the meal. The 2 pieces of chicken were a decent portion for the price. Unfortunately, they were too tough to enjoy. A shame, really, because the seasoning was spot on. The only miracle on the plate was the crispy, piping hot papadom. To drink, I went with the Homemade Soy Milk with Gula Melaka (RM4.80). It came in a bottle, served with ice cubes and melted palm sugar on the side. The soy milk tasted fresh and clean. Not store-bought for sure, but it was completely plain. Pouring in the entire glass of gula melaka made it finally enjoyable. For the price, the drink was solid. I didn't set out to be this critical, but this might just be the most disappointing nasi lemak I've ever had, which is a real shame. That said, the soy milk was amazing: fresh, delicious, and refreshing. Major kudos to the Always Lapar team for breathing new life into a charming kampung house. The decor was thoughtful, nostalgic, and absolutely worth a little detour. Here's hoping the kitchen finds its rhythm soon, because the concept and setting deserve better food to match. Expected damage: RM8 – RM16 per pax Ashhryshoshedap: JB's XL salted egg pasta & belacan fried rice with 12K+ reviews — overrated or must-try? The post Always Lapar: Retro kampung cafe in town dishes up nasi lemak papadom & homemade gula melaka soy milk appeared first on
CBS News
6 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Major USDA cuts cripple food banks, school food programs in North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina — At Riverside High School in Durham, North Carolina, the food is as fresh as can be because most of it comes from local growers. "We receive local shredded carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, because we feel that we need to support people in our own communities," Jim Keaten, who runs the nutrition program for Durham Public Schools, told CBS News. Keaten said the school district's produce comes from local growers under a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that was cut by the Trump administration. "Immediately, my thoughts were, what are we going to do?" Keaten said of his first response when he learned the program funding had been cut. "Because these are the funds we use to provide local foods to kids." In March, the White House cut two federal programs that provide just over $1 billion in annual funding to school districts and food banks nationwide. It slashed $660 million in funding to the Local Food for Schools program, and another $420 million to the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which goes to food banks and other local groups. The impact is being felt in every state, including North Carolina, where CBS News followed the trail of food and funds to assess the impact of the cuts. One of the growers providing food to schools is Pine Knot Farms in Hurdle Mills, about one hour's drive from Riverside High School. Linda Leach-Hughes, co-owner of the farm, said last year it sold $150,000 in produce to local schools. She calls the sudden loss of revenue "devastating." "If we do not have this extra income coming in to help local folks in the community, then we will have to lay folks off, we can no longer employ folks," Leach-Hughes told CBS News. Pine Knot Farms also provides produce to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Amy Beros, the food bank's president and CEO, said its share of lost aid from the cuts is now at about $2 million. "I don't understand," Beros said. "We're facing one of the worst hunger crises in decades, and now we're going to increase the need even more. The access to this food makes them not have to choose between the life-saving medicine they need and food for that month." The concern over who gets fed is especially felt by those who grow it. "How are you going to make America great again if you're taking food out of the mouths of babies, senior citizens, nursing homes, rehab centers, hospitals, all of these agencies that are dependent on federal dollars?" Leah-Hughes asked. "How are you going to make America great again?" contributed to this report.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
CAFRE Enniskillen campus gears up for Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend
CAFRE Enniskillen Campus will welcome pre-registered school groups on Friday, June 13, and will open to the public on Saturday, June 14 from 10:30am to 4pm for the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend. Visitors can enjoy a range of family-friendly activities including self-guided farm tours, horse and machinery displays, seed planting, countryside games, farrier and beekeeping demonstrations, a treasure hunt, and a fun farm quiz. Organised by the Ulster Farmers' Union, with Bank of Ireland as the title sponsor, alongside platinum sponsor NFU Mutual, retail sponsor Asda, and event partners Livestock & Meat Commission NI, Pilgrim's Europe, Thompsons and the Irish Farmers Journal, the event aims to help the public - especially those from non-farming backgrounds - to better understand how our food is produced and highlight the importance of the local supply chain. This year's event will also spotlight the role farmers play in the community, the heritage of farming, diversification, and the nutritional benefits of locally produced food. Each participating farm, including CAFRE Enniskillen Campus, is a working or family farm not normally open to the public. On public open days, visitors receive a free behind-the-scenes pass to witness firsthand the care and dedication involved in food production. There's also the chance to meet the farmers and, on some farms, taste or purchase local produce - reinforcing the value of supporting your community by buying local. For full event details of participating farms and opening times, visit
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Crowds turn out for first day of the Suffolk Show 2025
Thousands of people have attended the first day of the Suffolk Show, celebrating the industry, agricultural heritage and culture of the two-day show has taken place in Trinity Park near Ipswich, since 1960 - although the event itself dates back to have come from far and wide to the showground to enjoy displays and competitions as well as sample the best local food and drink. Helen Fomenko, part of the organising team at the Suffolk Agricultural Association for the past 20 years, said the event was "thrilling", but they would soon begin planning next year's event. "It does take a year," she explained."Straight after the show we debrief then we starting thinking about what could we do better, what could we do different, what could we do the same, and it applies to everything from activities, to livestock, to trade stands."Gates open at 07:00 BST and trade stands are available from 08:30 to 18:00 both entry is at 19:00 on Wednesday and 17:30 on Thursday. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Culinary curiosities abound in Lethbridge as monthly Foodie Fest kicks off for summer
The warm sunshine brought many people in Lethbridge outside on Tuesday, and those who were downtown were able to indulge in the kick-off of Foodie Fest. The warm sunshine brought many people in Lethbridge outside on Tuesday, and those who were downtown were able to indulge in the kick-off of Foodie Fest. The event started at noon in Galt Gardens and Festival Square. The fest features a range of local food trucks, live entertainment and free samples from several restaurants and cafés. The Downtown Lethbridge BRZ says the event is one of its most popular throughout the summer months. 'It's just such a great community event. People love it. People come out. It's a good opportunity for us to showcase the food in downtown Lethbridge and showcase what's here, what can people explore,' said Emily Chong, Downtown Lethbridge BRZ communications manager. The warm sunshine brought many people in Lethbridge outside on Tuesday, and those who were downtown were able to indulge in the kick-off of Foodie Fest. The warm sunshine brought many people in Lethbridge outside on Tuesday, and those who were downtown were able to indulge in the kick-off of Foodie Fest. Foodie Fest was planned to run until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and will be held again, the last Tuesday of every month until August.
