One of my most unforgettable experience was when I got to travel to Malaysia several years ago. My mom is an OFW there and she invited me to have my vacation or partly look for a job. I enjoyed my almost 5 months stay there where I learned about different cultures and nationalities. I also learned to eat the spiciest food and love their authentic Malaysian cuisine. Now, Malaysian cuisine is one of my most sought after dishes here in the Philippines. It reflects the multiethnic makeup of its population. I also love how they are distinct with their spices. There are several Singaporean restaurants that can cater similarly to Malaysian but living in a far away metro, it was really hard to look for Malaysian specialties whenever I am craving for it.
That is why, I was really glad when I was invited to try the dishes of Ghella's Kitchen which is just one ride away from our house. Ghella's Kitchen is a Filipino and Malaysian Cuisine that was owned by mother and daughter Leny and Angela Aquino. It was derived from Angela's nickname, Ghella. Their new location is just at the back of Mcdonald's along Marcos H-way crossing from Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall. They've transferred from their old branch from Lilac for a better site last October this year.
The great places to eat in Malaysia was nothing luxurious. You can find the best tasting dishes just outside your home or the ones from the streets. Just as Ghella's Kitchen which place is small but not pretentious with the food they serve.
Mommy Leny also shared to us that they get all their ingredients from Brunei where she still works (she owns a tailoring shop there) every two weeks or whatever they need as per their inventory. The owners are really nice and accommodtating.
Buttered Prawn with Nasi P240.00. Fried Prawn with butter and chili on top served with Nasi rice. This is one of their bestsellers. You can definitely eat the whole thing! Crunchy and tasty.
Fish Mango with Nasi P180.00. Cream Dory, sweet chili sauce and mango on top served with nasi rice. This is one of my favorite. The fish and mango complements each other with the sourness and sweetness at the same time. Nasi was also flavorful.
Buttered Chicken with Nasi P200.00. Breast Fillet, with butter and chili on top, served with nasi P200.00.
Another favorite is the Ayam Penyet P150. Quarter cut of chicken served with sambal sauce and rice.
Don't forget to dip it into the Sambal sauce which I think highlights the whole dinner experience! We loved it with anything!
Kollo Mee Noodles P100. Dry noodles mixed with authentic spices and herbs and vegetables. We were also served with Mee Goreng and my picture is missing! :( Anyway, Mee Goreng is a flavorful and spicy fried noodle dish that is common in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Laksa Noodles P180.00. Rice stick noodles, laksa paste, and cucumber, prawn chicken, pineapple, sprouts on top. Malaysian is known for its distinct spices and Ghella's Laksa lives to its taste though the spiciness is tolerable. They adapt it to the liking of Filipinos who can't bear a super spicy food. Believe me, Laksa in Malaysia is super spicy, you will not be able to eat it. The noodles was a little different. I remembered tasting it with rice vermicelli noodles or what they called Mihun.
Malaysian drinks served was (left to right) Bandung P60.00, Teh Tarik P50.00 and Soya Cincau P70.00. The Soya was refreshing, a mixture of sugar syrup, soy milk and grass jelly. Bandung was a bit sweet to my taste but it was really unique with its rose cordial syrup. I still love Teh Tarik! It is also good when it's hot.
And last but definitely not the least was the Roti! Roti is one of my favorite snacks from Malaysia. My mom would give me allowance everyday just to buy this when I was still in Malaysia. And its super freaking affordable there! It was so hard to look for something authentic the way I like it but I tasted something similar from My Singapore Food Street at SM Megamall but sadly they are already closed. There are several different kinds of Roti. The one from Ghella's is called Roti Telur which has egg on it. They served it with curry and milk. I've always had the Roti Canai which is one of the simplest roti and also my favorite! The usual dip that I've tasted from Malaysia was curry, dall and herb sauce.
Here was the Roti Telur from Ghella's Kitchen, milk dip on the left and curry on the right. I don't know about you but for me the simplest dishes really makes an appeal. I love the dall sauce but when I tasted that it was also good with milk, hmmm I think I have a new favorite sauce to go with my Roti!
Our dinner was filled with laughter that time as we enjoyed all the dishes in front of us. How I miss Malaysia even more. Ghella's Kitchen also offers Filipino dishes and catering services. Check the numbers posted on the image above.
Expect me to visit again soon! Terima Kasih Ghella's Kitchen!
Ghella's Kitchen
Ground Floor, MEC Building,
2 Pitpitan Street,
San Roque, Marikina City
No comments
Thanks for dropping by my Wonderland! Please share your thoughts below.