GOASIAPLUS October 2016

OCTOBER 2016 | ISSUE 5 

WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM 

LESSONS 

laksa 

IN 

Breaking Down The 

Types Of Laksa 

BEHIND 

THE SEAMS 

The Details You 

Should Know When 

Making A Suit 

DIVING INTO THE 

DEEP END OF 

INDONESIA

23 

Behind The 

Seams 

12 

Now 

Boarding 

06 

Editor’s Note 

08 

On The Radar 

11 

Out & About 

14 

FYI: Zika 

21 

Bucket List 

22 

Road Less Taken 

Contents 

16 

Indonesia 

28 

Lessons in Laksa 

27 

The Suitcase 

33 

Craft Beers 

34 

Essential Connections 

4 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM

October sees us 

uncovering the beauty 

of Indonesia. Its 

dazzling waters 

and rare sea life 

make it a diver’s 

paradise. A 

lesser known 

retreat in 

Indonesia, we 

also take a look 

at some coffee 

plantation resorts 

for coffee lovers all 

around. 

If you are feeling hungry, we break down one of 

Malaysia’s favourite dish, Laksa to understand 

why each type is special in their own way. 

While the fashion forward can learn the details 

of making a suit thanks to our interview with 

prominent Malaysian tailor, Ian Chang. 

Lots of love, 

EDITOR’s note 

Share your travel photo 

on Instagram and hashtag 

#goasiaplus. The featured photo 

will take away a FREE travel kit 

worth RM109. 

This is currently open to Malaysian citizens only. 

Submission would be used on GOASIAPLUS 

website for content illustration purposes. 

Aishah Azali 

Editor 

share your travel 

photo & WIN A 

FREE TRAVEL KIT 

WORTH RM109! 

COVER PHOTO BY ADEL SALLEH @AIDIL_SALEH 

EDITORIAL TEAM 

GROUP HEAD & BRANDS 

JOHN SO 

EDITOR 

AISHAH AZALI 

GRAPHIC DESIGNER 

AYUMI SWEED 

CONTRIBUTORS 

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AISHAH@PCOMASIA.COM 

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ZOE GOH 

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WIN TICKETS! 

HOW TO ENTER: 

1. Go to www.goasiaplus.com/starplanet 

2. SHARE the contest page on Facebook with the hashtags #goasiaplus #starplanet. 

3. Tag your friend(s) in your post to stand a chance of winning a ticket for yourself and your friend. 

4. We will choose FIVE lucky winners to win a pair of tickets each! 

CONTEST PERIOD: 1st - 14th OCTOBER 2016 

Hacken Lee & Joey Yung Live In Malaysia 2016 

concert ticket is brought to you in collaboration 

with Star Planet. 

Hacken Lee & Joey Yung 

Live In Malaysia 2016 

Two of Cantopop’s successful artists, Hacken Lee and Joey 

Yung are reuniting once again for a concert centered around 

the theme of love. Catch them as they bring a fresh spin 

on their popular tunes coupled with stunning visuals for an 

entertaining night of sing and dance. 

4 & 5 NOV | Resorts World Genting 

The winners will win tickets for the 4 NOV 2016 

show at 8.30PM. 

JOIN NOW 

ON 

GOASIAPLUS.COM 

WIN! 5 LUCKY READERS WILL STAND A CHANCE TO WIN A PAIR OF HACKEN LEE & 

JOEY YUNG LIVE IN MALAYSIA 2016 (4 NOV) TICKETS. EACH TICKET WORTH RM398! 

Terms & Conditions: You are only allowed to submit one entry per contest (unless stated otherwise). The contest is open to all residents of Malaysia. The 

decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entertained. All winners will be notified by email. Contest period: 1st to 14th October 2016. 

6 · WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM WWW.GOASIAPLUS.COM · 7

On The Radar 

On The Radar 

ON THE RADAR 

Best Brew & BBQ 

Weekend Buffet 

Beer lovers and foodies can head on over to The 

Eatery at Four Points by Sheraton Puchong for their 

special buffet in conjunction with International 

Beer Day. Every Friday and Saturday night, until 29 

October, get the best brew with their dinner buffet 

at RM160nett. Or try their Bed & Brew offer where 

booked guests can drink free flow of beer from 6pm - 

8pm for every night booked. 

SKII Brings Floating Ink Design 

The holiday seasons sees many beauty companies 

bringing out special editions of their popular products 

like SKII that tapped into the beautiful art of floating 

ink design. Their signature Facial Treatment Essence 

gets splashes of red, blue and green on their bottles 

with the traditional Japanese marbling design to give 

that special someone this festive season. 

www.sk-ii.com.my 

www.fourpointspuchong.com 

Jewellery for the Minimalist 

Truffles for the First Anniversary 

The lobster rolls are a go-to staple of Pince & Pints 

since its opening. But for its one-year anniversary, 

it is upping the ante by adding truffles and caviar 

to their popular dish. Taste the delight of fresh 

blanched lobster meat that’s been seared in butter 

and truffle sauce, making for a sinful New England 

dish. The limited edition menu will be served till 30 

October 2016. 

www.pinceandpints.com.my 

AirAsia Premium Red Lounge is Open 

Elevate your airport experience thanks to the newly opened 

AirAsia Premium Red Lounge located at the mezzanine floor 

of klia2. The 24-hour lounge features wireless internet, a 

buffet spread, shower facilities and workstations to name a 

few. It is complementary to Premium Flatbed and Premium 

Flex guests and RM79 for normal passengers. The lounge 

can occupy up to 110 guests at one time and is built to 

accommodate the increase in transit guests per day. 

www.facebook.com/airasia 

Check out our latest events 

& news on goasiaplus.com! 

Enhanced Baggage Policy on Cathay 

Pacific Airways 

Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair announced a 

new baggage policy where passengers, regardless 

of their class of travel will enjoy an additional 10kg 

allowance for check-in baggage. While Marco Polo 

Club Silver, Gold and Diamond members benefit 

from an extra 10kg, 15kg and 20kg respectively. 

Dragonair will increase baggage allowance to 7kg for 

economy and premium economy flyers with business 

class and first class boarders getting 10kg and 15kg 

respectively. 

www.cathaypacific.com 

Dainty gold necklaces with custom insignia of names 

and initials have made Cream by Val’s jewellery a go-to 

accessory for those that want to give something a little 

bit special to their loved ones or even for themselves. 

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Val creates minimalist pieces in 

with materials like rose gold and sterling silver to suit 

anyone from your mother to your best friend. 

www.creambyval.com 


On The Radar 

Out & About 

Across The Pond 

One-Stop Guide for 

Festival Goers 

Festival and concert 

lovers can now travel with 

ease and style thanks 

to the highly-curated 

guide on Giglife Asia. Get 

updates on the latest 

gigs around town with 

recommended packages 

of accommodation and 

dining to make your trip 

planning a smooth process. 

The upcoming eco-friendly 

Wonderfruit Festival in 

Thailand is the latest 

event to collaborate with 

Giglife Asia for special 

accommodation packages 

for all budgets. 

www.giglifeasia.com 

The Love for Lavo 

The latest restaurant in Tropicana, Lavo 

has been attracting a lot of foodies since 

its opening in June. The restaurant lounge 

and wine bar located at Menara Lien Hoe 

serves a delectable fusion menu while 

boasting an extensive wine cellar. The 

sophisticated industrial interior is definitely 

a crowd pleaser where restaurant goers 

can nosh on sandwiches, steaks, and pastas 

set in an inviting ambiance. 

www.facebook.com/lavomalaysia 

OUT & ABOUT 

The hottest & most anticipated events of the month in Malaysia and beyond 

WIN FREE TICKETS 

Daniela Andrade 

Youtube sensation, Daniela Andrade started 

doing covers of popular artist like Radiohead 

and Sia, racking up 300 million views as 

of 2016. Her visual EP Shore has been 

garnering a lot of attention with her songs 

being featured on TV series like Suits and 

Supergirl. Catch her first Malaysian show as 

she swoons you with her melodic pipes. 

19 Oct | Bentley Music Auditorium 

www.ticketpro.com.my 

Check out our latest events 

& news on goasiaplus.com! 

Mayday: Just Rock It! 

World Tour 

The rock band from Taiwan are back from 

a 3 year hiatus, bringing their fan favourite 

hits and upping the ante with sophisticated 

stage productions and stunning visual effects. 

Malaysia will be the last leg of their Just Rock It 

tour so don’t miss out. 

22 Oct | Stadium Merdeka 

www.ticketcharge.com.my 

See more on pg 7 

Hong Kong Wine & 

Dine Festival 

The most extravagant food 

festival of Hong Kong is 

back to bring over 420 wine 

and dine booths featuring 

influential chefs from all 

over the world. Also, for the 

first time, the Michelin Hong 

Kong Guide is opening a 

street section to taste some 

of Hong Kong’s favourite 

street snacks. 

27 - 30 Oct | Central 

Harbourfront, Hong Kong 

www.discoverhongkong.com 

Singapore River 

Festival 

Dream Cruises’ First 

Restaurant at Sea 

Dream Cruises is opening their 

first restaurant at sea helmed by 

internationally-acclaimed Australian 

chef, Mark Best. ‘Bistro’ promises to provide 

guest with an unprecedented sea dining 

concept thanks to Chef Mark’s amalgam of 

Western and Asian-inspired flavours. Bistro’s 

menu will also focus on small producer-sourced 

Australian beef, lamb and fresh seafood. 

www.dreamcruiseline.com 

Hacken Lee & Joey Yung Live In Malaysia 2016 concert ticket is 

brought to you in collaboration with Star Planet. 

Hacken Lee & 

Joey Yung Live In 

Malaysia 2016 

Two of Cantopop’s successful artists, Hacken 

Lee and Joey Yung are reuniting once again for 

a concert centered around the theme of love. 

Catch them as they bring a fresh spin on their 

popular tunes coupled with stunning visuals for 

an entertaining night of sing and dance. 

4 & 5 Nov | Arena of Stars, Genting 

Highlands www.ticketcharge.com.my 

Catch art installations, flea 

markets and glorious food at 

the Singapore River Festival. 

For a culinary experience, 

the Singapore River 

Signatures is given out to 

the best restaurants along 

the river with this year 

seeing newcomers racking 

the awards like Limoncello 

Pizza & Grill and The Mad 

Men Attic Bar. So be ready 

to taste some tantalising 

dishes while you’re there. 

4 -5 Nov | Boat, Clarke 

and Robertson Quay 

www.srf.sg 


Now Boarding 

Now Boarding 

NOW BOARDING 

WITH 

ADRIAN SEET 

From doing to communications in the hotel 

sector to now hosting radio shows and 

moderating conferences, Adrian Seet is 

the jack of all trades when it comes to the 

media industry. Here we get a taste of his 

charming personality as he talks about 

haggling, packing and life behind as well as 

in front of the camera. 

INTERVIEWED BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY ADRIAN SEET 

If you could go on a weekend 

getaway with any celebrity, 

who would it be? 

It’s a toss between CNN’s Anderson 

Cooper- because he’s super intelligent 

and Oprah Winfrey because she has 

great energy and she’ll be a great 

conversationalist… right till we run out 

of dessert, wine and coffee!! 

Best place in Malaysia to go for 

a day trip? 

Oh my hometown Malacca for sure! Big 

enough for one to go in search for great 

Peranakan food, see historical sites and 

shop in Jonker Street, and small enough 

for one to do all that in a day! 

What do people not know about being in 

front of a camera? 

That while it is a skill that you can train for- either 

to present well or successfully anchor a program 

live on air- somehow the camera needs to love 

you too. I see many programs that are anchored 

well but I’m not attracted to watch it till the end 

because I just don’t resonate with the anchor 

person, the ‘X-Factor’ is not there. 

How are your haggling skills during 

shopping excursions abroad? 

I’ll say that I’m brilliant at Chatuchak Market in 

Bangkok. I never pay more than 50 percent of the 

original price for something. So, if a belt is initially 

priced at RM100 I’ll normally end up paying like 

RM35 for it; which I think is what the shopkeepers 

would have eventually sold it for anyway. 

What country you last visited made a lasting 

impression on you? 

It was Geneva in Switzerland! Only until you get there, will 

you then believe the picture postcard perfect sceneries you 

see in travel magazines. The coffee & ice-cream culture is 

amazing, the architecture astounding and it’s really, really 

clean lah! 

What’s the worst thing about long haul flights? 

The waiting time; once you’re at the airport, hours 

ahead of time for check-ins, and before you get on the 

plane. I just want to be at my destination already!! 

“ Oh my hometown 

Malacca for sure! Big 

enough for one to go 

in search for great 

Peranakan food ” 

What kind of a packer are you? 

For a weekend trip, I’m happy to throw 

everything into one bag and run with 

it. BUT, if it’s travel for work (where I 

normally extend my stay for a holiday), 

then I’m painfully meticulous. I plan out 

what I’ll be wearing for all the working 

days and then those to relax in. I’ll also 

make a list of ALL the items that I’m taking 

with me so that at the end of my trip, I’ll 

come back with everything that I initially 

took with me! I told my friends about this 

recently and they think I need therapy!! :) 

What is the best part of 

being behind the mic during 

radio shows? 

The best part is when you know 

that your guests are enjoying 

themselves; they get into a zone 

where they are just having a 

conversation with you. Most 

people (company MD’s and 

CEO’s included) might not be 

necessarily comfortable with 

being interviewed, so I get thrill 

when they say “Huh…that’s it?” 

at the end of a one hour show 

because it sure didn’t feel like it. 

Are you doing any new radio 

shows? 

YES… we are about to embark on 

a travel-type show that gives our 

listeners a chance to explore new 

travel destinations within ASEAN. 

Through this show, we hope to 

give listeners an idea of their 

next dream holiday destination. 

I think we’re going to call it 

‘GOASIAPLUS’!! 

On holiday, it is alright to 

splurge on… 

…. magnificent desserts…yum!!! 


FYI 

FYI 

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ZIKA? 

PROTECT YOUR HOME 

Much like all the advertisements we see to prevent 

dengue, making sure your house is not a breeding 

ground for mosquitos through cleanliness is important. 

Understand that one tablespoon of water can serve as a 

mosquito breeding ground where a female mosquito can 

lay anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs at one time. 

HOW TO KEEP SAFE FROM ZIKA 

ZIKA HAS MADE ITS WAY TO ASIA WITH MALAYSIA ALREADY REPORTED THEIR FIRST CASE 

IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. PRECAUTION IS CRUCIAL, ESPECIALLY FOR TRAVELLERS. HERE ARE 

SOME TIP ON HOW TO KEEP SAFE. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 

ABOUT ZIKA? 

The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti 

mosquito which is the same one that spreads 

dengue. 

Dr. Arman bin Abdul Aziz, Chief Resident Medical 

Officer at Pantai Hospital Cheras explains that 

symptoms of Zika include fever, body ache, joint 

pains, headache and conjunctivitis. 

Zika is tested via blood and urine test during the 

first 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY GETTY 

Once a person is infected, there is no vaccine 

as of yet. Therefore, treatment is mainly to 

alleviate the symptoms like fever and pain with 

medication. 

Once infected, the virus can stay in the body up 

to 7-14 days. 

Dr. Arman adds that Zika in pregnant women 

can lead to the baby having a birth defect called 

microcephaly where the head and the brain is 

undersized. 

Zika can be transmitted through sexual contact 

apart from mosquito bites. 

So if you have stored water in your bathroom, please use 

a cover and make sure your garden or garage does not 

have any nooks and crannies where water can stagnate. 

CLOTHING PROTECTION 

The simple act of wearing long pants and long sleeve 

tops can help prevent mosquito bites. We understand 

the weather in Malaysia does not make this comfortable 

to do every day but for your health’s sake, it should be 

considered. 

On top of that, the United States Environmental 

Protection Agency determined that clothing with 

permethrin, which is an insecticide derived from 

chrysanthemums is an adequate form of protection 

against mosquitos. 

Permethrin products are developed for clothing 

application and even on bed nets. Users just need to buy 

the spray, spray on your clothing and let it dry before 

wearing it. 

MOSQUITO REPELLENT 

There are many mosquito repellents out there, 

from the natural ones using essential oils like 

citronella oil to the chemical ones with active 

ingredients like picaridin or DEET. 

Insect repellent with DEET is considered the 

best as it provides the longest protection 

up to 8-10 hours. There are discussions on 

the internet on the safety of DEET to users 

especially pregnant women. 

A study conducted in 2001 tested the effects of 

DEET on expecting mothers and saw no adverse 

effects on growth and development, deeming 

it safe to use even in later trimesters. Which 

means it is safe for everyone to use though kids 

should use a lower concentration of DEET (30%) 

while adults are recommended to use between 

30%-50%. 

Another chemical ingredient used in insect 

repellents is picaridin which is odourless and 

less sticky solution compared to DEET but 

just as effective. Note that insect repellent is 

best applied after or on top of your moisturiser 

or sunscreen for maximum effectiveness and 

should be reapplied if you spend a lot of time 

outside. 


Indonesia 

INDONESIA’S 

DEEP 

END 

DIVER’S PARADISE IS A NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY KNOWN TO HAVE THE 

MOST DIVERSE MARINE LIFE IN THE WORLD. SWIM WITH A SCHOOL OF 

FISHES, CHASE THE UNDERWATER CRITTERS AND EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE 

MOST COLOURFUL CORAL REEFS YOU WILL EVER SEE, ALL IN INDONESIA. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY GETTY, PETER LANGE & LEMBEH RESORT 

“ 

Its lush 

landscape of 

scattered islands 

is a paradise but 

what lies beneath 

the waves is a 

treasure trove of 

sea life. 

” 


Indonesia 

Indonesia 

Lembeh Straits 

is more for muck 

divers that are 

curious about 

the odd yet 

colourful sea 

creatures 

Raja Ampat 

Sorong, West Papua 

If you want to talk about the Mecca 

of diving spots, the Amazon of 

coral reef and the mother of sea 

biodiversity, chances are any diver 

would say Raja Ampat. Its lush 

landscape of scattered islands is a 

paradise but what lies beneath the 

waves is a treasure trove of sea life. 

Part of the Coral Triangle of Asia 

that stretches from Philippines to 

Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat is 

a big deal when it comes to marine 

life biodiversity like the fact that it 

host 75% of all known coral species 

in the world, 10 times the number 

found in the Caribbean. 

Getting there is quite a trip, 

where travellers need to land in 

Sorong’s Domine Eduard Osok 

airport in West Papua. Non-stop 

international flights to Sorong are 

sparse so a domestic flight from 

Jakarta or Makassar are your better 

options. Then a boat ride ensues 

to the capital of Raja Ampat, Waisai 

located on the island of Waigeo. 

Raja Ampat is a 

big deal when it 

comes to marine 

life biodiversity 

Diving is the main activity in Raja 

Ampat with a slew of hot spots 

framing the beauty on the ocean. 

Yangelo Reef in the northern region 

is home to large schools of fishes 

with the deeper parts being home 

to the wobbegong. 

Manta Ridge is the premiere site 

for spotting manta rays while an 

explosion of colourful corals can 

be seen at Kaleidoscope in the 

southern region. 

Lembeh Straits 

Bitung, North Sulawesi 

The dive sites at Lembeh Straits are more for muck divers 

that are curious about the odd yet colourful creatures of 

the deep end. Rare critters like the mimic octopus, ribbon 

eels, hairy frogfish and a plethora of nudibranch species 

can be found in the waters of Lembeh Straits. 

Nudi Falls represents it names as its black sandy floors 

host a variety of vibrant nudibranch as well as other 

macro wonders like pygmy seahorses and mantis 

shrimps. Night dives are reserved at Jahir where divers 

can witness tiny frogfish and long-horn cowfish. Or swim 

with a school of angelfish and bask in the orange and 

green soft corals at Angel’s Window. 

Fly to Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado 

from places like Jakarta or Bali, then its a 45km drive to 

the main port town Bitung where the mainland diving 

resorts are. Some resorts are located on Lembeh Island 

which is just a 10 minute boat ride from Bitung. 

Underwater photography is known around these parts 

with many resort like the Lembeh Resort Dive Resort & 

Spa have their own full-time underwater photographer to 

shoot and even teach divers on the ways of underwater 

photography. Their dive center is top notch for divers that 

want to discover the diverse sea life of Lembeh Straits 

while staying at the cosy cottages offered by the resort. 


Indonesia 

Bucket List 

GET HIGH ON 

THAT COFFEE 

HOLIDAY 

If you look hard enough, there are resorts built 

among lush coffee plantations. Take the tour, 

taste the product and even get yourself a spa 

experience using coffee grinds. Now these 

resorts give a whole new meaning to ‘waking 

up to the smell of coffee’. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY MESASTILA & 

MUNDUK MODING RESORT 

Sangalaki Island 

Derawan Archipelago, East Kalimantan 

From small critters comes 

bigger sea life at Sangalaki 

Island, a close second to 

Raja Ampat when it comes to 

beauty and diversity. Divers 

swim to see stunning marine 

creatures like barracudas, 

stingrays, giant squids and the 

rare manta alfredi which only 

exists in Derawan. 

It can be said that Sangalaki is 

the manta expressway filled 

with manta rays swimming 

up and down the channels 

especially at the Manta Parada 

dive spot. Take a swim on the 

wild side at Jellyfish Lake at 

the nearby Kakaban Island 

that is the home to four 

species of endemic jellyfish. 

Because they live in a lake 

away from predators like 

barracudas, these creatures 

have lost their ability to sting, 

making it safe for humans to 

go swimming among them. 

The journey to Sangalaki 

Island is the most tedious of 

all dive sites, a whopping 8-9 

hours from Jakarta. Travellers 

need to fly to Sepinggan 

Airport in Balikpapan from 

Jakarta and then take another 

domestic flight to Tanjung 

Redeb. The adventure 

continues via speed boat 

through the Segah River to 

Sangalaki. 

Divers swim to 

see stunning 

marine creatures 

like barracudas, 

stingrays, giant 

squids and the 

rare manta 

alfredi 

SHARE YOUR 

TRAVEL PHOTO 

ON INSTAGRAM 

& GET A FREE TRAVEL KIT 

#goasiaplus 

MesaStila Resort 

Central Java, Indonesia 

Waking up to the smell coffee is relaxing but waking 

up next to a coffee plantation elevates that to 

holistic proportions. MesaStila has a plantation villa 

situated on their gorgeous grounds, a paradise for 

coffee lovers. While you are there, take a tour and 

watch first hand the harvesting process of making 

coffee. After the touring and the drinking, don’t 

forget to top it off with a spa session using their 

very own coffee scrub. 

www.mesahotelsandresorts.com 

Munduk Moding Plantation 

Nature Resort & Spa 

Bali, Indonesia 

Located in the lush hills of Munduk overlooking 

the Java sea, lies a secluded resort set in the 

Munduk Moding plantation. Their ‘sky suites’ are 

equipped with sprawling terraces with breathtaking 

views and designed with natural local furniture 

synonymous with Indonesian decor. Their spa 

pavilion is in the heart of the coffee plantation 

where seasoned therapist treat you to a Balinese 

massage experience. 

www.mundukhotels.com 


Road Less Taken 

Road Less Taken is a collaboration with AirAsiaGo. 

Check out airasiago.com.my for flight & hotel deals! 

Behind The Seams 

ROAD LESS TAKEN: 

HOI AN, VIETNAM 

#LOCALTIPS 

OLD WORLD CHARM DECORATED 

WITH LANTERNS AND EXPLORED 

WITH BICYCLE RIDES, HOI AN IS 

ONE OF VIETNAM’S HISTORIC 

TOWNS WORTH VISITING. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY 

AISHAH AZALI & AIRASIAGO 

HOW TO GET THERE By flight, 

land at Da Nang International airport 

and take a 45-minute drive to Hoi An. 

Bargain for a taxi or take the bus for a 

cheaper alternative. Note that the bus 

has no air conditioning so for bigger 

groups, it’s cheaper to take a van. 

If you are feeling adventurous, take 

the 14-hour train ride from Hanoi. 

There is a stretch after the Hue 

station where the train travels along 

the hillside overlooking the bluest of 

waters. Plus it’s the perfect way to 

enjoy the Vietnamese countryside. 

WHAT TO DO Hoi An is known to 

be one of the best places to go for suit 

tailoring. For less than 100USD, you 

can get a good suit created by their 

tailors in a variety of styles. Give the 

tailor at least 24 hours to create your 

suit with multiple scheduled fittings so 

you get the best results. 

The town center is mostly lit by 

lanterns, giving to its beauty and 

charm, especially at night. You can 

shop these exquisite lanterns to 

bring home in a plethora of shapes 

and colours. 

For fun, purchase some homemade 

paper lanterns from the old ladies 

by the waterfront and release them 

during the boat ride up and down 

the river. Since the town is fully lit by 

lanterns, bask in the constellations at 

night (while on your boat) for a night 

view you will never forget. 

WHERE TO STAY For some rustic 

living, Hoi An Ancient House Village 

Resort and Spa has rooms with 

stunning views of the paddy fields 

and an in-house spa to massage 

away the stress. The resorts even 

offers tours like a visit to the Cham 

Islands. 

The homestays at Hoi An are 

abundant and Rice Flower Homestay 

is one that stays true to Vietnamese 

hospitality. This guesthouse is closer 

to Cua Dai Beach where you can try 

local seafood delicacies. 

When you have booked a 

hotel or homestay at Hoi 

An, ask them for a pickup 

service from the Hoi 

An bus hub as most taxis 

are motorcycle taxis. 

At night, watch some 

cultural performances like 

shadow puppet shows 

and mini opera shows 

along the riverfront. 

The best way to explore 

Hoi An town is by bicycle. 

Some streets especially 

near the riverfront do not 

allow bicycles to pass. 

But there are available 

parking places to store 

your bike for a small fee. 

WHAT TO EAT The 

charming old buildings of Hoi 

An host many restaurants 

with a mix of local and 

international cuisine. Quaint 

cafes serving Vietnamese 

coffee and odd frappuccino 

concoctions scatter the 

streets like Cocobox. For 

local food like Banh Xeo 

(Vietnamese pancake) and 

killer spring rolls, try Ba Le 

Well restaurant near town. 

BEHIND THE SEAMS: 

THE DETAILS OF MAKING A SUIT 

FROM THE FABRIC CHOICE TO THE CUT AND COLOUR, A SUIT SUMS UP A MAN. SO 

BEFORE YOU GO AND GET A TAILOR, AISHAH INTERVIEWED A SAVILE ROW-TRAINED 

TAILOR TO GET THE LOW DOWN ON THE LITTLE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 

BEFORE MAKING A SUIT. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY FADZA ISHAK 




Of course for men who wear their 

suits almost every day, movement and 

durability are key. Ian shows me the 

newest fabric made for that called Exel. 

It is a unique fabric with a natural elastic 

that allows some stretch without using 

Lycra which does not retain its shape 

over time. 

A 

well-tailored suit is 

like a suit of armour 

that literally shows you 

everything you need to 

know about the wearer. That is 

why the first rule of making a suit 

is to find an exceptional tailor that 

knows what is best for your body 

while matching your personal 

taste. 

Your tailor should be your friend. 

Actually, anybody that has a skillset 

that helps and satisfies you should 

be your friend. Your hairdresser, 

the barista at your favourite coffee 

shop, even the uncle that changes 

the soles of your shoes by the 

shoplot corridors. I learned that 

from my grandfather who despite 

living in Malaysia, ordered his suits 

from the same shop on Savile Row. 

It is safe to say, his tailor is his 

friend. Which is one of the lessons 

I learned while interviewing local 

tailor, Ian Chang of Bespoked. He’s 

been making suits for more than 

10 years and had interned under 

the tailoring masters of Savile Row. 

Which is why he brought that regal 

London elegance back when he 

opened Bespoked in 2008, evident 

in his shop’s atmosphere and 

decor. 

FIRST QUESTION TO ASK 

YOURSELF: WHAT IS THE 

OCCASION? 

Try not to enter a tailor and ask 

for a black suit. Be more specific. 

The common three types are 

ceremonial which covers events 

like weddings, black tie functions 

or even the Academy Awards. Then 

there is the suit for work or for 

businessmen. Another type is your 

day suit that allows for more room 

to move. 

From there, it is easier for your 

tailor to literally tailor a suit that 

fits your personality. “When you 

walk into Bespoked, my partner 

and I, first thing we will do is a 

short Q&A because we need to 

understand the customer,” said 

Ian. Whether you are a corporate 

guy or a fashion peacock, once the 

occasion is set, the rest will fall 

into place. 

FAVOURS FOR FABRICS 

Next is a suitable fabric to match. 

The type of material like wool or 

velvet are important but there are 

other things to consider like the 

weight and thread count. For day 

suits, the weight range is between 

260-280 grams with a thread 

count in the ballpark of 110-130. Ian 

explains that anything above the 

thread count of 130 is in the luxury 

range. 

“Above 130, the fabric is soft and 

thin. People who go for a higher 

thread count are the people that 

wear the suit maybe once a month. 

For people that use for everyday 

work, is not suitable to use this 

kind of fabric,” said Ian as he 

showed me the fabric swatches of 

his shop. 

IT’S THE INSIDE THAT MATTERS 

Another part of the suit that is overlooked 

is the lining. Many linings nowadays are 

made from viscose though there are 

some traditionalist that still use silk. 

Ian showed me fabric swatches from a 

place in England called Huddersfield that 

features fabric lining with cheeky designs 

from comic characters to pin up dolls. He 

can even customize to do a half lining for 

wearers that move a lot in their suits and 

fear it might get too hot with a full lining. 

TO FUSE OR NOT TO FUSE? 

Have you ever thought about 

the construction of a suit? How 

it holds it shapes and how the 

fabrics come together? “We 

have two types of workmanship, 

fuse and non-fuse. Fuse is when 

the fabrics on the inside are 

glued together using a machine. 

It’s a faster way to make a suit,” 

said Ian as he showed me the 

innards of an unfinished 

suit. However, if you favour 

craftsmanship, non-fuse is 

when the outside and inside 

fabric are hand-stitched 

together, making a suit that 

retains its structure for years 

to come. Ian explained that the 

non-fuse method will take more 

than a month to complete but it 

will last for a very long time. 



The Suitcase 

THE SUITCASE 

Sweater Weather 

Inching towards the end of the year, a popular staple piece to shield away the shivers is the sweater. 

With the option of dressing it up or taking it casual, the sweater is a versatile piece for the season. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI 

PUT A BUTTON ON IT 

Never overlook the details of a 

button. The buttons available at 

Bespoked are made from cow horn, 

shiny polished gems in a variety of 

shades to compliment your jacket 

sleeve. Then there is the mother 

of pearl and even shell buttons 

that come in hues ranging from 

murky brown to pearly white. The 

ostentatious can go for gold of silver 

plated buttons, many with a sort of 

emblem in the middle. 

Coach pearl 

earrings 

Karen Millen 

turtleneck 

sweater 

A touch of personality apart from 

the lining can be seen on an extra 

lapel pin placed on one side of the 

lapel featuring gold buttons or pins 

with floral design to bring out the 

dandy in you. Ian’s fitted green jacket 

was embellished with a black and 

gold round button, proudly perched 

on his left lapel, adding a sort of 

signature touch to a classic garment. 

Banana 

Republic 

BCBG sweater 

dress 

Chloe round sunglass 

BCBG cropped 

pants 

Loewe tote 

bag 

Sergio Rossi 

leather bootie 

Bespoked Tailoring suits for the traditional businessmen as well as the fashion forward, Ian Chang 

came from humble roots to make his way up to become one of Malaysia’s premier suit makers. He and his 

partner Jerrick Lee make suits with an eye for craftsmanship and the occasional element of surprise, may 

it be a colourful lining or a bold colour on a traditional suit. If it’s your first time making a suit, the men of 

Bespoked will take good care of you. Ground Floor Promenade, One Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya 

www.bespoked.com.my 

Loewe 

Pretty Ballerina 

tassled loafers 




Laksa 

Lessons in 

LAKSA HAS GAINED QUITE A REPUTATION FROM AUSTRALIA TO LONDON AND BEYOND, 

BUT UNFORTUNATELY OUTSIDE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, ‘LAKSA’ IS THE NAME GIVEN TO 

ANY SORT OF NOODLES AND CONDIMENTS IN A CURRY GRAVY. HERE IN MALAYSIA, WE 

ARE A BIT MORE DISCERNING. THIS IS THE QUICK GUIDE TO LAKSA LOVIN’. 

Laksam 

In the northeastern states of Peninsular 

Malaysia, Laksam is the favoured delicacy 

through the fishing hamlets that dot the 

coast. Here, flat-rice noodles are rolled into 

pinwheels, then served with a kuah putih or 

‘white’ sauce. The sauce is often made tangy 

with tamarind slices, while local spices add 

a peppery and spicy kick. The gravy appears 

like a thick, grayish puree of fish, spices and 

coconut milk, but don’t let its appearance 

fool you! Once topped with a mix of ulamraw 

local herbs and vegetables such as 

laksa leaves, long beans and cucumber; 

then served with a lively sambal, the result 

is a true party on the palate. Some people 

even add hard-boiled egg for an additional 

component of richness. 

WRITTEN BY AJA NG · ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADEL SALEH @aidil_saleh 

Laksa leaves 

Long beans 

CONDIMENTS 

Cucumber 

Sambal 

Hard-boiled 

egg 

EAT IT 

Bijan 3, Jalan 

Ceylon, Kuala 

Lumpur 

Open 4.30pm – 11pm, 

daily 




CONDIMENTS 

Julienne cucumber 

Beansprouts 

Fresh mint 

Poached prawns 

Chicken 

Fish balls 

Cockles 

Nyonya Laksa 

Also known as Laksa Lemak you’ll find this dish where you 

can find the original Straits Settlements ie Peranakans, 

which were a result of the Chinese intermarrying with 

the locals in the Malay archipelago between the 

15th and 17th centuries. 

Along the Straits of Malacca from Phuket in Thailand, 

to Penang and Malacca in Malaysia and then Singapore 

down south, the laksa lemak is true to its name – 

‘lemak’ in Malay (when applied to food) usually 

points to a rich coconut milk curry. The 

yellow-red curry is normally fish-based, 

rich, spicy-sweet and redolent of lemongrass 

and turmeric, served over silky 

rice noodles to slurp up. Condiments 

range from crunchy vegetables such 

as julienne cucumber and 

beansprouts, to fresh mint and 

polygonum, poached prawns, 

chicken, fish balls and 

sometimes even cockles. 

Assam Laksa 

CNN declared this dish No.7 in their World’s 50 Best 

Food List, and for good reason too. Punchy, pungent, 

refreshing – this unique creation consists of a spicy-sour 

brown broth made from tamarind, chillies and flaked 

mackerel (no coconut milk is added), poured over plump, 

bouncy rice noodles then dressed with a mélange of fresh 

pineapple, raw onions, mint, chillies and torch ginger. 

The final touch is a dollop of heko or prawn paste for that 

powerful umami kick that will have you salivating and 

sweating at the same time. 

CONDIMENTS 

Fresh pineapple 

Raw onions 

Fresh mint 

Chillies 

Torch ginger 

Heko or prawn 

paste 

READ 

GOASIAPLUS 

ANYWHERE 

WITH OUR 

E-MAG @ 

GOASIAPLUS.COM 

EAT IT 

Straits Food 

Company 

2, Jalan Abdullah, 

Bangsar Utama, 

Kuala Lumpur 

Open 10am-10pm daily 

EAT IT 

Sin Hwa Coffee 

Shop, Jalan 

Burmah, Pulau 

Tikus, Penang 

Open 10am – 4pm, 

Tuesdays - Sundays 



Food Files 

Sarawak Laksa 

Over in Borneo, the Sarawak Laksa comes crowned 

with whole prawns, shredded chicken, omelette strips 

and fresh Chinese celery. The noodles used are a 

thinner rice vermicelli, bathed in a reddish-brown 

gravy that is slightly sourish, yet rich and tempered 

with a light amount of coconut milk. A squeeze of lime 

to lift it, and a thick chilli paste to ground it – those 

are the finishing touches. Some call it a marriage 

between the Nyonya and Assam laksa, but upon tasting 

one would surmise that the Sarawak Laksa definitely 

deserves its own standing in the laksa hall of fame. 

CONDIMENTS 

Lime 

Thick chilli paste 

Prawns 

Omelette strips 

EAT IT 

Aunty Christina’s, Kedai 

Makanan Nam Chun, 2-4, 

Lorong Ara Kiri, Lucky 

Gardens Bangsar, Kuala 

Lumpur 

Open 8am – 3pm daily (closed 

some Wednesdays) 

GETTING CRAFTY WITH 

BEERS 

IN COMMEMORATION WITH OCTOBERFEST, WE TAKE A 

LOOK AT SOME CRAFT BEER JOINTS IN KUALA LUMPUR 

FOR THE ADVENTUROUS BEER DRINKERS. 

WRITTEN BY AISHAH AZALI · PHOTOS BY AISHAH AZALI & PAUS 

Ales & Lagers 

Located inside a 

printing shop, Ales 

& Lager has an 

impressive selection 

of craft beers with 

the most whimsical 

of art work. Bears, 

sailor and even the 

devil are plastered on 

these imported dark 

bottles in eye-catching 

colours and fonts. The 

industrial-designed 

place rotates their 

stock, taking in craft 

beers from the States, 

the UK and even 

Norway. Pick your choice of stouts, IPA, pale ales and lagers 

to satisfy every palate with unique flavours like chocolate, 

coriander and pineapple. While you’re there, take advantage 

of their food promo when you buy their snacks like edamame 

and baby octopus together with their bottled brew. D5-G4-3, 

Publika Shopping Gallery, KL 

MUST VISIT 

BEER FESTIVALS 

The Better Beer 

Festival 2016 

7-8 October 

Publika Shopping 

Gallery, KL 

THE BETTER BEER FESTIVAL 2016 

Taste some of the best craft beers from 

places like Australia, Japan, Belgium and 

Vietnam at Malaysia’s largest craft beer 

festival. Enjoy beer-inspired eats in their 

latest addition called Chowdown to taste 

beer sorbets and porter braised brisket. 

Activities include Meet-The-Brewers 

and a Beer Appreciation Session for 

participants to enjoy more than just a pint. 

A Beer Starter Pack starts at RM70. 

www.eventbrite.com/e/the-better-beerfestival-2016-tickets-26716691343 

PAUS Behind the 

name, PAUS translates 

to ‘whale’ in Malay 

which is reference to 

the term ‘craft beer 

whale’ that means a 

unique trophy beer 

that is exceptional 

in taste and limited 

in release. Variety is 

the strong point of 

PAUS as they serve 

lagers, porter stouts 

and ales from New 

Zealand, Australia and 

the US among other 

countries. Persiaran 

Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr 

Ismail, KL 

Beertopia 

18-19 November 

Central Harbourfront, 

Lung Wo Road, 

Hong Kong 

BEERTOPIA 

Travel and drink 

beer in style at Hong Kong’s largest craft 

beer festival called Beertopia. Taste over 

500 different beers from around the 

world while noshing on comfort food from 

vendors like Boomshack and Jacomax. 

Also back by popular demand, try your 

hand on a game of giant beer pong 

(featuring garbage bins and volleyballs) to 

bring out the frat boy in you. Tickets start 

from HKD285. 

www.beertopiahk.com 


ESSENTIAL 

CONNECTIONS 

KLIA 

Malaysia Airlines 

Tel Within Malaysia: 

1 300 88 3000 

Tel for Missing Luggage 

Office: +603 8776 3733 

www.malaysiaairlines.com 

All Nippon Airways 

Tel: +603 2032 1331 

www.ana.co.jp 

Air China 

Tel: +603 2166 1999 

www.airchina.com.cn 

Air France 

Tel: +603 7724 8181 

Tel for Missing Luggage: 

+603 8776 3733 

www.airfrance.com 

Air India Express 

Tel: +603 2072 6066 

www.airindiaexpress.com 

AIR MAURITIUS 

Tel: +603 21429161 

www.airmauritius.com 

Bangkok Airways 

Tel: +603 2148 0829 

www.bangkokair.com 

Biman Bangladesh Airlines 

Tel: +603 2164 6270 

www.biman–airlines.com 

British Airways 

Tel: +603 7712 4747 

www.britishairways.com 

Cathay Pacific 

Tel: +603 2035 2777 

www.cathaypacific.com 

China Airlines 

Tel: +603 2142 2383 

www.china–airlines.com 

China Southern Airlines 

Tel: +603 2163 9977 

www.csair.com 

Egypt Air 

Tel: +603 2145 6867 

www.egyptair.com 

Emirates 

Tel: +603 6207 4999 

www.emirates.com 

Ethiopian Airlines 

Tel: +603 9212 1819 

www.ethiopianairlines.com 

Etihad Airways 

Tel: +603 2687 2222 

www.etihad.com 

Eva Air 

Tel: +60321622981 

www.evaair.com 

Garuda Indonesia 

Tel: 0 8041 807 804 

www.garuda–indonesia.com 

Iran Air 

Tel: +603 2161 1351 

www.iranair.com 

Iraqi Airways 

Tel: +603 2053 1890 

www.iraqiairways.com.iq 

Japan Airlines 

Tel: 1800 81 5609 

www.my.jal.com 

KLM 

Tel: +603 7712 4555 

www.klm.com 

Korean Air 

Tel: +603 2030 0382 

www.koreanair.com 

Lion Air 

Tel: +603 7841 5333 

www.lionair.co.id 

Mahan Air 

Tel: +603 8778 8781 

www.mahan.aero 

Malindo Air 

Tel: +603 7841 5388 

www.malindoair.com 

Myanmar Airways 

International 

Tel: +603 2142 1199 (Agent) 

www.maiair.com 

Nepal Airlines 

Tel: +603 2698 7933 

www.nepalairlines.com.np 

Oman Air 

Tel: +603 2145 6123 

www.omanair.com 

Pakistan International 

Airlines 

Tel: 1800 80 8216 

www.piac.com.pk 

Qatar Airways 

Tel: +603 2118 6100 

www.qatarairways.com 

Regent Airways 

Tel: +603 2072 8255 

www.flyregent.com 

Royal Brunei Airlines 

Tel: +603 2070 7166 

www.flyroyalbrunei.com 

Saudia 

Tel: +603 2166 7778 

www.sausiairlines.com 

Shaheen Air 

Tel: +603 2181 5786 

www.shaheenair.com 

Silk Air 

Tel: +603 2618 6333 

www.silkair.com 

Singapore Airlines 

Tel: +603 2618 6333 

www.singaporeair.com 

Sri Lankan Airlines 

Tel: +603 2168 3615 

www.srilankan.com 

Thai Airways 

Tel: +603 2034 6888 

www.thaiairways.com 

Turkish Airlines 

Tel: +603 2162 0849 

www.turkishairlines.com 

United Airways 

Tel: +603 2031 4050 

www.uabdl.com 

Vietnam Airlines 

Tel: +603 2031 1666 

www.vietnamairlines.com 

Xiamen Air 

Tel: +603 2166 8222 

www.xiamenair.com 

Vietjet Air 

www.vietjetair.com 

klia2 

Air Asia 

www.airasia.com 

Air Asia X 

www.airasia.com 

Cebu Pacific 

www.cebupacificair.com 

Jetstar Asia Airways 

www.jetstar.com 

TigerAir 

www.tigerair.com 

TERMINALS 

KLIA 

Tel: +603 8776 2000 

klia 2 

Tel: +603 8778 5500 

www.klia.com.my 

Subang Skypark 

Tel: +603 7845 1717 

www.subangskypark.com 

Kuala Lumpur Sentral 

Tel: +603 2786 8080 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K

GOASIAPLUS October 2016

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