Serimas Murtabak Diraja, Kota Bharu

Serimas Murtabak Diraja

Hajah Nik Faizah bt. Haji Nik Abd Rahman

Section 4, No. 19, Jalan Merbau

15300 Kota Bharu

Kelantan Darul Naim

(+609) 748 3898

Shop Outlet

Wisma Yusmah (along Billion Mart)

Jalan Long Yunus

Kota Bharu

(+6019) 984 7660

Operating Hours

Saturday - Thursday : 0900 - 2100

Closed of Friday

Murtabak diraja or royal murtabak (martabak) is roti canai-like (pancake) filled with eggs and savoury minced chicken or beef, about 3 times thicker than the normal murtabak.

The place I went to looked like a normal house if not for the streams of visitors and delicious smell wafting from the kitchen. Apparently, they also sold a variety of Kelantanese traditional cakes (kuih) and people phone in to order in advance. 

At first, I had no idea what people were buying. Some looked like sliced mangoes but they were piping hot! So we asked a kind guy behind the counter and he told us a list of traditional cakes, none of which I was familiar with (or even catch the name). 

Based on Google and from what I can remember about the cakes' shapes, I'm guessing these cakes:

Akok

Buah Tanjung

Jala Mas

Cek Mek

... and God know what else. Really, I've never even seen some of them before. But they are popular with the locals. There was a queue and some people simply went into the kitchen to collect their order.

Other stuff sold here

Since I didn't catch any of the names given by the nice seller, I decided to just buy murtabak as planned.

To be honest, I am not a fan of murtabak since most people just packed them with onions. I like the one from Khalifah Restaurant near my place and this Serimas Royal Murtabak. I even like their pickled onion (I mean the liquid part. I don't eat the onion) and I'm a fussy eater!

Chicken (RM14)
Beef (RM15)

Frozen Murtabak

 Heat in microwave oven or pan for 8 minutes at 100ºC

Serve hot

Good for 4 portions

Finding this 'house' is a bit tricky. It is opposite Maahad Muhammadi Perempuan. Look for a small lane and the house is just behind a used car dealer and a workshop.

This is the 'shop house' of Royal Murtabak!

Telephone them in advance to book if you fancy the traditional cakes. Many customers had to leave without their akok cakes; I'm guessing that akok is another specialty of Hajah Nik Faizah :)

Nasi Kak Wook, Jalan Telipot

Nasi Kak Wook

There's always a queue...

but worry not because they serve quickly and efficiently

I am not sure why this outlet is known as Nasi Kak Wook Jalan Telipot when really, it is in Jalan Tengku Maasum.

From Jalan Telipot, head east towards Pejabat Pelajaran Daerah Kota Bharu. Turn right into Jalan Tengku Maasum at t-junction.

Nasi Kak Wook is about 500 metres away from the junction, on your right.

Note: Careful when turning because it is right at a bend where seeing oncoming cars can be a bit hard

Nothing like the heavy Penang-style gravy. The gravy was flavourful yet light!

Taste - Good

Price - Fair

Ambiance - Average. Seats may be limited but don't worry because the patrons don't really linger and hog the tables here unlike in *cough* IKEA *cough*

Mural Palestine, Kota Bharu

Mural Palestine

Medan Ilmu Kota Bharu

I am not sure if the alleys are well-lit at night. To be safe, visit in the morning or late evening when it isn't too hot but still have good daylight.

Finding this place:

There are a few entrances to the alleys but I'm directing you from KB City Point (home of homestay)

Get yourself to Jalan Ismail, the opposite side from where you'd go if you want to go to Pasar Siti Khadijah. There's a restaurant called Ibu Selera Asli on this side. Recommended by a local for delicious lunch. Can't confirm because I didn't get to try.

Then walk down the road and the alley is the first on your left. It's next to Klinik Lua.

Entrance

Another entrance from Jalan Dato Pati

Not strictly Palestine but maybe it's mural of the mural artists?

Spot this one! It's quite on the ground

Lukisan Dinding Muhibah, Padang Bank

How to find these wall arts?

Get yourself to Padang Bank/Padang Merdeka. Face the field with the Tambatan Diraja at your back, look to your right. The wall arts are at the building next to Ridell Hotel. 

It is supposed to be lighted at night but I'm not sure why it wasn't when I last visited. I recommend touring this area in the late evening and then you can catch sunset by the riverside. Gorgeousness!

Restoran BY-T Laksam Special, Panji

Laksam Special (RM4)

Restoran BY-T Laksam Special

1335 Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab II

16100 Kota Bharu

Kelantan

(+6013) 980 9343

Operating Hours

Sunday - Friday : 1500 - 2230 

Closed on Saturday

My favourite place for laksam. LOVE LOVE LOVE the fish kuah (soup). Planning to try the laksa (using same kuah) next.

Special laksam comes with serunding & quail eggs.

Taste - DELICIOUS! I feel like flying to KB now just for this.

Price - Very fair. RM3 for normal, RM4 for special

Ambiance - Average

Overall <3<3<3<3 of 5 

Mine, without veggie of course but just as delicious <3<3<3<3<3

#sedap

#sedapsampainaknanges

Adni Studio, KB City Point

Adni Studio

KB City Point

Jalan Hilir Pasar

Kota Bharu

It's a nice apartment for family. There are two beds; one bed in the room and another on the other side of the wall, near living room.

The kitchenette is equipped with mini bar, microwave, kettle, hot plate, toaster, ricer cooker and some utensils. There are also the little conveniences like tissue, dish soap and plastic bag. Bath towels, pray mats and drinking water are also provided.

Bedroom

Queen bed outside the room

Booking - easy. I made mine via Booking.com

Rate - Fair. RM520 for 3D2N

Location - Very good. Within walking distance to Mural Palestine in Medan Ilmu, Kedai Kopi Din Tokyo, Pasar Siti Khadijah, etc.

Dining - NA but there are a couple of good eateries around the building

Service - Average. Easy check-in and check-out. No fuss.

Overall 3 <3<3<3 of 5

Although it is a good option for big group, I think it's more suitable for family and close friends of not more than 4 pax. There's only one bathroom so it can be quite tricky in the morning if you have too many people in the same apartment. And if you aren't close with your travel companions, you might feel shy about sharing the bathroom and access to the bedroom.

Al-Aidid Homestay, Kota Bharu

Al-Aidid Homestay

KB City Point

Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Booking - I booked using airbnb. A very last minute thing.

Rate - Good. RM336 for 2 nights

Location - Excellent! Within walking distance or short drive to many Kota Bharu's attractions

Dining - NA

Service - Good. No room service obviously. Just family member of owner(s) handing the keys and escorting up to room. Check-out was leaving the room keys in a drop box. Super simple.

Just one con and that is noise. Like if there are noisy kids in the hallway, you can hear them. Loud and clear.

4 <3<3<3<3 of 5 kisses!

Pretty complete. Just no cooking

There's mirror next to TV

Clean washroom

It's a nice place for couples and group of friends (they have 3 units). Thin wall though. If you're a light sleeper, you might feel irritated especially if the neighbours (mostly homestays) are noisy.

Bank Kerapu & Dewan Syurga, Kota Bharu

Hello~!

Happy school holiday to friends in Malaysia! Cuti sekolah ni nak pergi mana? I know ramai yang pergi vacation but ada yang prefer to stay in town, tengok circus at The Curve tu :p

Hari ni Shea nak share fasal Bank Kerapu and Dewan Syurga in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Bank Kerapu 

From my understanding, Bank Kerapu is the name of the building itself. If orang cakap pasal Kelantan War Museum/Memorial inilah tempatnya. Same place. War-related exhibition is outside the building & on the ground floor. Park je dekat Tambatan Diraja or depan Bank Kerapu itself.

  Personally I agree that this place is 'text heavy'. Felt like walking into a giant history text book. Kalau ramai visitors lain memang rimas sebab kena baca laju-laju. I visited early in the morning - tak mandi pun, sampai Kota Bharu terus breakfast kat Din Tokyo then datang sini. Tak ramai orang masa ni so tak kisahlah berdiri depan exhibition and baca lama-lama.

  Interesting kalau awak suka sejarah sebab agak in depth cerita masa zaman Jepun, khusus kepada apa yang terjadi di Kelantan. Kalau belajar history dulu dia cerita on surface je, sini detailed. I especially enjoyed a corner with stories from local people. Cuma sayang their experience were not translated into English. Siapa-siapa pergi la volunteer to translate the stories into English, boleh international visitors appreciate the stories as well.

  The upper level of Bank Kerapu houses more old treasures and stories. A bit like personal collection than a proper museum to me. Macam rumah orang pun ada. Cannot imagine how it was an office (bank) dulu-dulu.

Macam rumah kan?

See! Macam rumah sangat-sangat!

Zaman dulu lagi dah ada photobombing tau? Nampak tak?

Hobi kalau pergi museums- snap pic at some old mirrors

Park depan ni je!

View from the outdoor exhibition area

Belakang/tepi Bank Kerapu at outdoor exhibition area

Pillbox from outside

Inside the pillbox

P.s. If you want to see pillbox in-situ, go to Pantai Kundur. I found it by accident :p

Lintas jalan sikit, visit la pula Muzium Islam kat sebelah. Seriously, the Islamic Museum is just next door.

Well-shaded walkway, just a small lane in between Bank Kerapu & Muzium Islam

Muzium Islam (Museum of Islam)

Muzium Islam's main gate

Muzium Islam a.k.a Dewan Syurga. Entrance was FOC. I asked the staff why free? He said they'll only charge if there's 'special' exhibition (usually upstairs). Masa I pergi only the ground floor was open to tourists so no charge.

Even though only one floor was opened to public, there was plenty to see. I hogged at least two old books to read a couple of pages from the Jawi-written Hikayat Agung Gempita and Hikayat Bayan Budiman.

Fancy plates and bowl

Going up! Currently closed :(

Hehe! Imam got boobs

The next time some snob say they want to send their kids to private schools...

Istana Jahar and a few other attractions are within walking distance. Have fun exploring!