IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 9

I like the visual contrasts created by the group of women in black burqa and the shiny reflective floor. I am guessing they are group tourists from the Middle East as only guided tourists shop in groups. No?

When I saw the scene from outside, I was thinking “The world is a stage”. The shop front is like a Chinese opera stage. The challenge was keeping perspective distortion under control. I used Photoshop ‘select by colour range’ to isolate the reds.

So, what is a Yubi So?

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 200, f3.51, 1/80 sec.

#ioicitymall #mall #shop #shoppers #yubiso

IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 8

It provides competition to the westernissed and upmarket Nuts Boutique. I was just thinking and I may be wrong. It could be operated by the same people. If you go to Sg Wang or Low Yatt Plaza, the same few people control the kiosks selling mobile phones of various brands. That way, no matter how much you shop around, you still end up buying from the same owners. A clever strategy.

Back in school kacang putih and roasted peanuts were always controlled by an Indian man. He places his wares on a table and offered roll up paper cones to serve the nuts. That wooden table was a classroom or school desk which he will balance on his head when he walks home after work. How time has changed.

Where is IOI City Mall? See MyCen Maps http://www.mycen.my/ioi-city-mall/

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 640, f5.1, 1/100 sec.

#ioicitymall #mall #kacangputih #nuts #kacangputih

IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 7

Still can’t forget eating nervously with then PM Dr M (1981 to 2003) watching over us. He was a regular there and his picture was hanging on the wall as an endorsement or reminder of sorts. Such vivid memories a benevolent dictator evokes.

One of the signature dishes there that captivated me then was Ju Hu Char. Pronounced Jew Hoo Char.

Happy to see Little Penang Kafe at IOI City Mall and am glad they retained the menu offerings even though they have now grown into a giant chain. This dish is like a misnomer as Ju Hu Char means stir fried cuttlefish in Hokkien. There was more stir fried turnip or pang kuan (jicama to hipsters) but it was still tasty. Imagine eating popiah fillings without the skin. The shredded dish is a side order at Little Penang restaurant. It is not a Penang dish you can find easily at hawkers. It is more a home cooked festive dish in Nyonya or Peranakan homes.

Little Penang is good in that it allows the Malays to try normally non halal Penang dishes such as Char Kuey Teow, Lor Bak and Curry Laksa. The halal versions still taste authentic. Kudos to them.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 800, f3.5, 1/60 sec.

Where is IOI City Mall? See MyCen Maps http://www.mycen.my/ioi-city-mall/

#ioicitymall #mall #littlepenang #penangfood #juhuchar #jicama

IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 6

Unlike branded ice cream, the promoters are happy to let you sample the various nuts in trays. Shown here cashew nuts, raw walnuts and raw hazelnuts. Pistachios and macadamias are nearby. There’s also dried berries and fruits. The nuts at the nutty bar are sold by weight. As an indication, the cashews were priced at RM 21 per 100 grams at the time I was there. The shop is named Castania Malaysia.

Where is IOI City Mall? See MyCen Maps http://www.mycen.my/ioi-city-mall/

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 200, f3.5, 1/125 sec.

#ioicitymall #mall #nuts #nutboutique #castania #snacks

IOI City Mall, Putrajaya – Part 5

Not hastily removed to make way for Chinese New Year. Happens in multi-ethnic, multi-religious Malaysia. What looked like an angel clambering down the stairs was an angel sticking out from the tree.

Panasonic Lumix GM-1, ISO 640, f3.5, 1/60 sec.

Where is IOI City Mall? See MyCen Maps http://www.mycen.my/ioi-city-mall/

#ioicitymall #mall #christmas #christmastree #angel