Halal dim sum at Bonda Kitchen (Malaysian Food)

Bonda Kitchen in Paddington specializes in Malaysian food hence its Halal dim sum offerings.
What makes their dim sum good is that it does not contain lard which causes bloating and indigestion in my case.

The dim sum offerings were a little different and unique like the duck shao mai which we ordered.

Also ordered roast duck with rice and some blue coloured Smurf crab and prawn dumplings.

The crab and prawn dumplings were pretty much how I expected them to be, the duck shao mai was a bit different to how I expected it to be.

Shao Mai filling is usually minced meat mixed with some flour but the duck shao mai was literally chunk of pulled duck meat which made it quite meaty and a little dry.

Last but not least was the roast duck which turned out to be sliced pieces of aromatic duck served with rice and not roast duck.

Anyway, the duck was quite dry that I felt that it was either left over duck that was refried or duck fried twice as the meat was literally quite crispy and dark brown.

In a way it reminded me of Indonesian smashed duck.

To summarize, I felt that the dim sums fared better.

Tesco Cafe experience

Obviously the Tesco Cafe isn't new but I had to feature it because supermarket cafes are disappearing quickly and getting replaced by Costas etc.
The menu was really impressive and they even have a majority of what you would find at M&S Cafe from scones with clotted cream to modern items like Shakshuka.
The Halloumi Rice Bowl which I really wanted was not available but listed on their site.
Anyway, I had the Mushroom and Emmental Croissant which was quite nice but the croissant was on the sweet side
The carrot cake, although quite small was in fact a good size as it was quality with lots of raisins in it.
Overall, the cafe was really good and I intend to come back.
The only thing, I did not like was the self ordering kiosks because the only human touch you got was when they brought over the food to you which is off putting to the elder generation.

Mantu at Watani Box

I made a trip to Ilford to try Afghan ice cream so I thought I would have Mantu as well from Watani Box which is their neighbour.

It is not the first time I've had mantu but just like dumplings every place makes them differently so you might find them different in terms of shape.

At Watani, you get a box of nine neatly arranged dumplings topped with yoghurts, split peas and all that.

Compared to the previous place, I found it quite spicy.

As well as dumplings, they have many other options which I will try on my next visit before having ice cream.

Moule frites enough for two for £12.50 at Del Boy’s Salt Beef Bar

I was at Tooting Market to get something when I spotted someone having Moule Frites which turns out to be from Del Boy’s Salt Beef Bar which specializes in meats.

Anyway, decided to give it ago after my shopping.

Priced at £12.50, I didn't have any expectations but the mussels the person had looked good and the portion looked good enough for two and to be precise it looks like a 1kg pot!

The mussels took quite a while to arrive compared to other places I've had it.

When it arrived, there was so much mussels in the pot, the sauce was beyond piping hot.

I felt that the mussels were a bit over cooked as they could have been springier, normally I don't complain about food being too hot but in this case, the sauce is so hot that while you eat, the other mussels in the pot are getting cooked further by the latent heat.

I think I can hazard a guess that they just boiled the mussels in the pot hence the reason it took so long.

Usually, the mussels are tossed about until the shells open.

To be fair, the sauce and mussels were not bad, quite a few of them had a beard (byssus) and there are quite a few cracked shells which you have to be careful but £12.50 is seriously good if you are not fussed and better than some places.

Pret Ruby Chocolate Shaker

Pret have just launched these New Iced Shakers and one of them is Ruby Chocolate.
As a Ruby Choc fan,  I had to get my hands on them.

The store I went didn't even have it displayed so it was that new and I was again the first customer at that store because they had to open a brand new box of Ruby chocolate powder.

Usually Callebaut comes to mind for Ruby Chocolate, but I spotted them using Van Houtens which is a brand acquired by Callebaut.

Taking, a sip I couldn't stop drinking it, the ruby chocolate was smooth and sweet without tasting artificial or powdery.

I don't normally finish my drinks but I finished this all in one go because it was that good.

Also had the Crayfish salad with avocado which was light yet filling.

#ssgpret #ssgrubychocolate

Pret Ruby Chocolate Shaker

My first and best Tantuni at Durak Tantuni

Last week when I was out and about, I spotted this new restaurant chain from Turkey offering Tantuni so as a foodie I had to find out what it was.

Tantuni comes from Mersin city, it is meat served with parsley and raw onions, sumac and tomatoes.

There are quite a few places in London but I chose to try my first ever Tantuni at Durak Tantuni which is in the middle of no where especially when I don't live in that area but since I was having lunch in Farringdon, it was easy to travel there.

The nearest tube station is Turnpike Lane Station where it is a 10 minute walk or three stops on the bus.

Arriving at Durak Tantuni, I was greeted with a counter where you could see the meat in the pan looking moist, chopped salads etc.

I asked to see a menu and was told that Tantuni was the only item they serve which cost £4 each.

Having had lunch, I only ordered one to start.

The guy did his magic, he put the wrap literally on top of the meat to moisten it with the meat juices until it was evenly covered, then he filled it with the meat, parsley and raw onions.

The pan was literally where he wrapped it all up!!!!!

There was tomato as well but I didn't fancy any because I wanted the parsley to be more prominent.

When it was served, there was a plate of lemon and chillis which I wasn't sure if it was charged but there were so many lemon piece to my delight because I love it super acidic which makes it appetizing.

Taking, a bite the Tantuni was just as delicious as imagined, meaty pieces, refreshing lemon, grassy parsley and crunchy onions so every mouthfeel was heaven.

For every bite, I squeezed a wedge of lemon which made me hungrier hence ordering another one.

The wrap was soft and thin like the ones they use at GDK and tastes like a lahmacun which also has the same ingredients but not wrapped up.

At Durak, they use lamb shoulder meat which is tender and juicy, again it was good quality meat as you don't see or chew on some nasties like fat, sinew or bones. 

Overall, I was so glad I went all the way to try this because it was my first and best tantuni.

#ssgyum

@duraktantunisalonu

Durak Tantuni

390 W Green Rd, London N15 3PX

Lamb bites (Battered doner pieces) from Maria’s Fish & Kebabs

When I heard about these lamb bites I had to try them myself as this could be the first place serving them as I haven't seen them ever.
Before I went, I had in mind thin doner slices or slivers in batter but it turned out to be doner chunks in batter.
Overall they were nice doused in vinegar.
They reminded me of spam fritters which is similar as they are both made of reformed and processed meats.
I also regretted not trying a cod bite as it was only 99p each.
The chips were ok but on the greasy side.