While walking around Api-Api Centre, the KK Food Reviews crew stumbled upon Man Tian Xia Kopitiam. It's located towards the end of the Api-Api Centre block, beside the MAA Building.

Now what makes this different as compared to other Bak Kut Teh eateries is that it has an Al-Fresco concept, which is located between the front and the back of the Api-Api Centre.

You don't have to worry so much about the hot weather, as throughout the time we were there, it was actually breezy, thanks to the chillers installed and fans around the place.

We also found out that this Kopitiam is still fairly new, and has only been opened for about a month.

"Man Tian Xia Kopitiam is the first of its kind concept self-service Food Stall" - as stated on their menu.

What is so special about their Bak Kut Teh?

Well, for starters, it's served in the nighttime only on Mondays to Saturdays, but it they also serve it in the daytime on Sundays (yes, unusual for Sabahans). To those of you who have been to West Malaysia (especially in Klang Valley) would know their culture of eating Bak Kut Teh in the mornings there. Now you can give this culture a try as well here at this Kopitiam!

Secondly, their Bak Kut Teh is on the sweet side; not from the sugar though, but from the herbs used in the soup. A contrast from the usual salty Bak Kut Teh we have here in KK, huh?

It took us quite a while to get used to the taste at first, but as we had more and more of the food, it was actually quite tasty! The bowl of Mixed Bak Kut Teh [price: RM7] above is reasonably priced, don't you think?

We also met the Kopitiam owner who recommended us their other dishes, like the Roast Duck, Roast Pork and BBQ Pork. This is one of the most-ordered meals during lunchtime, priced at around RM5.00 to RM6.50.

But the KK Food crew thinks THIS dish below is truly a must-have when you come here:

The Braised "Fa Nam" Pork with Salted Fish [RM6.00]. The taste of the pork really blended well with the salted fish, and it was very tender. It is very, very delicious!

You can also have it as a Set Meal like this for only RM12.00, (which I highly recommend) that includes the Double Boiled Soup and also Vegetables.

So to those of you who loves Bak Kut Teh, or pork in general, this Kopitiam is a definite must-try.

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Man Tian Xia Kopitiam
Block 5, Api-Api Centre
Operation Hours: 11.30am - 2.30pm (Mon - Sat)
8.00am - 2.30pm (Sun & Public Holidays)
6.00pm - 10.00pm (Daily except Sun & Public Holidays)
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* Non-halal post*

I first tried a Filipino dish called Sisig Pampanga late last year while out in a pub in Api-Api Centre, and that was when my curiosity sparked on what kind of Filipino dishes are considered 'their signature dishes'.

I was then told about this great and hugely proportioned dish called the Crispy Pata, and I promised my friends that I will bring some of them and try it with me.

And thus, here we are at Tambayan, a Filipino Restaurant that serves 100% Filipino food (well, that's what their tagline says anyway). It is located at Api-Api Centre, right beside the Perodua showroom.

This is how it looks like from the entrance; decor is like a traditional bamboo house-like, with bamboos seen on the walls, on the table, and on the lamps.

* Useful tip: Try to get a seat near a fan as it tend to be quite stuffy and hot inside!

Without realising, we had ordered pork on all 3 of our dishes! (I highly discourage you all to do so.. order all pork for your dishes! We now feel like we could forgo pork for a week!)

For soup, we had the Nilagang Baboy, which is the pork broth with potatoes and vegetables [price: RM7.00]. This is a yummy soup (though it's a little bit salty for me), with generous amount of pork and veggies inside.

Ratings: 3 out of 5.

We also ordered the Sisig Pampanga, or sizzling diced pork [price RM7.00]. Although this is delicious (and a favourite to some, I know), I'm sorry, but I just can't seem to stand the powerful smell of the liver in it. I would also appreciate it even more if they clean the pork skin properly so that there isn't any pork hair coming out of my food.

Rating: 2 out of 5.

And finally, this is the signature dish, the Crispy Pata, or Crispy Pork Leg [price: RM30.00]. If you just love pork, then you have to try this dish! It's very crunchy (espeically the skin, it's very yummy!), and very meaty. A very generous portion is given, so it's certainly value for money. The only drawback is that if only there's a better sauce to go with this, instead of just the soy sauce and chilli. Take note, you need to have around 4 people to finish this dish, believe me! 3 people if all of you are big eaters!

Rating: 4 out of 5 (3.5 for taste, 0.5 for value of $).

This is a great place to drink with friends while enjoying the crispy pata. Everything is also very reasonably priced. I just hope there wouldn't be anymore hair on my food the next time.

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Tambayan Filipino Restaurant
Ground Floor, Api-Api Centre (beside Perodua Showroom)
Tel: 088 - 241 853
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I'm sure a lot of you have seen or passed The Place before. This Filipino Cafe & Lounge (but serves not only Filipino cuisines, but also Western and Chinese dishes as well!) is located at Api-Api Centre, facing the Marina Court, and is a very well-known place due to its colourful decors! (well, that's how I remember this place; it has always been colourful since the beginning!)

See what I mean?

And to those of you who want a fix of beer in the early morning, then you can definitely get it here at The Place.. they're open practically 24 hours a day!

But at that time, WC and I went there for dinner, so we ordered orange and watermelon juices instead to go with our dinners. (price: RM4.70 each)

These are what we ordered (in clockwise order):

• One of the Filipino dishes: The Chicken Wine Soup [price: RM10]. It's exactly like our (Sabah's) very own lihing soup! But in The Place, they sure put a lot of wine in it! Yum!!

• We wanted to order a veggie dish, so we chose this Chopsuey dish [price: RM8]. It was alright; delicious, and I wouldn't mind ordering it again the next time I come here.

• This is another of Filipino's favourites, called the Bulalu, or Beef Shank Soup [price: RM8]. It's very delicious, and WC totally loved it! So he ended up taking this whole soup, and gave me the chicken wine soup to finish! Which is fine by me! ;)
  

Have you guys eaten here before? What Filipino (or other) dishes would you recommend?

** You've probably noticed the watermark.. yeah well ignore it! This post was meant for those blogs, but I've forgotten to post it, and lazy to change lah.. hah! ;) **