Kafe Setinggan, Ipoh

This is Kafe Setinggan in Jalan Margosa D/15, Taman Margosa Bandar Seri Botani, Ipoh.

  It is the home of Laksa Telur Goreng Bersarang, a simple but tasty bowl of laksa (rice noodle) soup with specially fried egg. I'll show you what it looks like later.

Sink. To wash your hands.

Taste - DELICIOUS!

Price - Fair from RM 3.50 per bowl.

Ambiance - the decor is supposed to be like rumah setinggan (squatter settlement), mismatched and quaint. 

Plenty of seats even when there was many patrons because PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T BUY FOOD DID NOT HOG THE SEATS LIKE IN IKEA! (sorry, that's one of my pet peeves) Plus, you can always tarpao home the laksa from a different queue than those dining in.

Pricing

Nasi lemak kukus, coffee and some kuehs are available outside the cafe.

Now... meet the sexy and tasty laksa telur goreng bersarang of Ipoh!

Mine - no veggie and extra fried egg <3<3<3<3<3

I LOVE the laksa so much, I've went there twice and bought extra to bring back home. Come on, people! Just over 2-hour drive from KL ;) 

  All you gotta do is to pick a Saturday, get out at 10 am and arrive just in time for lunch. Then drive back home or go further North for tea and dinner in Penang. Hehe. Check out #GoMakan #Penang for suggestions.

Operating Hours: 1200 - 1900 (Saturday to Thursday)

Those who plan to skip work after Friday prayer will be disappointed because this place is closed on every Friday =P

Puro Gusto, Tan Son Naht Airport

Puro Gusto in Tan Son Naht Airport, Saigon is probably not halal-certified but Muslims can get pre-packed food like chocolate and potato chips here. They also have croissant and other pastries. 

Taste - Good

Price - 225.000 VND for 2 pax

Ambiance - Typical airport shop/cafe. Not many seats available.

Passio, Zen Plaza

Passio

Zen Plaza

Nguyen Trai

Ho Chi Minh City.

Facebook | PassioCoffeeVietnam

Kindly note that this isn't a halal-certified outlet.

Therefore, order accordingly. I chose plain croissant, chocolate pastry, lemon tea freeze (forgot what they call it) and dunnowhatcoffee (my partner's).

Taste - DELICIOUS!

Price - 121.000 VND

Ambiance - modern cafe in shopping complex (think well-lighted Starbucks)

Good service, polite and helpful staff. Newly opened branch (when I visited).

Recommended for breakfast or tea.

Quan Pho Lau Amin, Ho Chi Minh City

Quan Pho Lau Amin

Kedai Halal Amin is located in the 'Malaysian Street' of Ho Chi Minh City. Very near Ben Thanh and the hotels that are popular among Malaysians. It is about 10 minutes walk from Ono Saigon, the hotel I was staying in.

  Opposite the restaurant, there's another shop under renovation but bearing the same name. I guess those going to Ho Chi Minh City later will get to enjoy their halal food in a new and hopefully improved restaurant.

Taste - Average

Price - 140.000 VND for 2 pax

Ambiance - as the picture above

I don't remember what are the names of dishes we ordered but they were basically beef noodle soup and Pattaya fried rice (no veggie).

My only issue with this restaurant is that the server probably doesn't understand English. I asked for "no veggie" complete with head shake and hand gesture but maybe in Vietnam they meant the opposite.

  Tadaaahhh... I got a plate of ulam (untouched) and normal Pattaya fried rice with chopped daun pokok. 

It's no big deal to some but if you have fussy kids/person in your party, avoid this place or make sure they understand exactly what you want. Some people are on tight budget and are genuinely veggie/spicy food/seafood/lactose/etc. intolerance. You don't want to go hungry or to have to spend extra just because of avoidable misunderstanding.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City Museum

65 Ly Tu Trong

District 1

Ho Chi Minh City.

Operating Hours

0800 - 1700 daily

Entrance Fee: 15.000 VND per adult

Garden outside the building

Personally, I think that this museum isn't as well-curated and well-maintained as the War Remnant Museum. The flow of information was choppy and there was a terrible smell in some parts of the building.

  However, it is a beautiful building. There were at least 2 couples doing their wedding photoshoot during my visit.

A bit like the late Azean Irdawaty kan?

Cu Chi Tunnel

It is always a good idea to visit a museum before going to the actual historical sites. So plan to spend at least 1 hour here to get some idea on the history and people of Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, Ho Chi Minh City

It is a church. A beautiful one but it is still in use so be respectful. It is within walking distance from the War Remnant Museum. In fact, you will pass the main gate of The Independence Palace to reach Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica.

There are plenty of cafes nearby so you can enjoy a drink while appreciating the architecture of the building.

I didn't spend long here as the weather was gloomy and I wanted to get to Ho Chi Minh City Museum before it starts to pour!

War Remnant Museum, Ho Chi Minh City

War Remnant Museum

28 Vo Van Tan,

Ward 6, District 3,

Ho Chi Minh City.

Operating Hours

0730 - 1200

1330 - 1700

Daily

Note: They *really* close for lunch. If you're already inside, they'll politely tell you to come back later.

Entrance Fee: 15.000 VND per adult

I took a taxi from hotel (only 30.000 VND) and bought tickets from the booth at the entrance. Along with ticket stubs, I was given a sticker (pic below).

There are some military machines and vehicles outside the building. Lots of photo opportunities.

The museum has 3 levels. You might want to start from the top. Flow of information was good. I believe the curator did a good job. 

  The displays were sobering for me. Many times, I had to stop myself from actually shedding tears. Basically, I walked around the museum with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. The top and middle levels are where the heavy stuff are on display. Photographs, labels and diagram on war, death, violence. 

  Stories from actual victims of Vietnam War, photographs by war photographers who lost their lives and many other media of information serve as a reminder for us all. Both the horrors and the beauties of Vietnam past are on exhibit in this building.

Clockwise L-R: Propaganda, Journalists/Photographers Who Died/MIA during war, An agent orange's young victim, & Story of a photographer's last picture

The Death of Robert Capa

"... or you can become a psycho like the lifer (E-6) in the picture who really digs this kind of shit." 

"Regardless of prevention, a number of Americans participated in the campaign against the war in the first months of the Nixon Administration. They supported Jim Peck, an American who was arrested in a demonstration in the spring of 1969"

"Portrait of Mr. Jui Cunosin, a Japanese who burnt himself in front of the Japanese Prime Minister Palace on November 11, 1967 to protest against the US aggressive war in Vietnam."

  The heartwarming displays are at ground floor. Inspiring and yes, tearjerking. More people died as a consequences of Vietnam war even when they are thousand miles away. You should really experience it yourself. Expect to spend at least 2 hours here. 

P.s. There is a playroom to leave the kids in.

If you're facing the building from the main entrance, there are some souvenir stalls on the left side and a cafe on the right.

This is a highly recommended venue to visit in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Enjoy your visit. Peace.