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technologyinfosec · 5 years ago

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A winter treat to relish at Dubai Marina

Tucked away amidst the yachts, food trucks and tourists at the Dubai Marina, Zafran (which translates to saffron in Urdu) hopes to add sweetness and zest to the winter ambience with its 'fiery' food. While for people familiar with Indian cuisine, the flavours at Zafran Indian Bistro may seem normal, it is definitely a must-try for those who've always wanted to explore the Indian side of food, but were sceptical of the fiery flavours this style of cooking entails. However, rest assured, newcomers to Asian cuisine won't be disappointed as the spices at Zafran have been tempered to suit most palates. Located on the promenade of the Dubai Marina Mall, the restaurant overlooks a rather busy food street. With yachts moored alongside the pier, it's really a pleasant sight. Walk into the restaurant and you're greeted with lounge music and the aromatic whiff of Mughlai dishes. With the winter evenings getting breezier and colder and the skies getting clearer, there's nothing better than sitting on the terrace overlooking the marina and enjoying some piping hot and spicy Indian dishes. The food and the ambience here seem to complement each other. As we watch seafaring revelers return in their luxury yachts and tourists stroll along the promenade, some stopping over at the food trucks for a quick bite or to take a selfie, we decide to tuck into our first course - Chaat Platter. The starter comprised an assortment of Indian street food items like Onion Pakora, Samosa, Dhokla, Bhel Puri and Aloo Tikka. Served with a variety chutneys, we devoured it in a jiffy as the chilled breeze blowing across made us feel unusually hungry. Though we liked the platter, we must say that such items are best enjoyed on the roadside. Next up was a platter of grilled kebabs featuring Murgh Malai Tikka, Chicken Tikka, Murgh Pudina and Rampuri Seekh Kebab. Full marks to the Rampuri for being fresh and juicy with its unusual blend of spices. An assortment of gravy-based dishes was next on the list and we chowed on Dum Ka Murgh, Laal Maas, Paneer Makhani and Pindi Chole. Here the Dum Ka Murgh was a unique presentation. The boneless cubes of chicken blended well with the cashewnut, almond and yoghurt gravy, reminded us of the mildly-spiced chicken Afghani in look and taste. Another pick amongst the mains was the delectable Laal Maas. One of the top dishes to originate from the state of Rajasthan, it featured succulent pieces of lamb cooked to perfection in a delicious onion and tomato gravy. The rich 'laal' (red) colour was brought about by the generous use of Kashmiri chillies, which are known to impart flavour and colour and they're not as pungent as other Asian red chillies. The gravy was so delicious that we swiped off the remains with the leftover rotis and parathas. And how could we make a meal of it without taking a bite of the restaurant's famed dish, Chicken Zafran Biryani. This dish is served in an earthen pot and sealed with dough to make it more aromatic, of course every morsel is enriched with saffron and spices. We ended with a dessert platter featuring Malai Kulfi, Rasmalai, Baked Yoghurt and Beetroot Halwa. A special mention has to go to the baked yoghurt. If you happen to be from Kolkata or have been a visitor to the city, you'd surely be familiar with their ubiquitous Mishti Doi and the baked yoghurt gave our taste buds that feeling of Oh! Calcutta. The next time you are around the Marina and craving Indian cuisine, Zafran Indian Bistro is a sure bet to satiate your tastebuds. Read the full article

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anamchohan · 7 years ago

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The Japan Adventure

Hey everybody, upon some of your requests, I decided to do a basic write-up of our trip to Japan which may help you get excited and eventually packing for your own holiday there! I’m keeping this simple and more informative, and a more topical blog of the things I fell in love with there might be in the pipeline for a little later. I’ve organized this blog into: ‘Getting there’, ‘Accommodation’, ‘Food’, and the juicy ‘Itinerary’. I’ve given links right at the bottom.

My husband, my almost 3 year old daughter, and I visited Japan for 12 days and spent them ALL in TOKYO. Our flights were direct, from Dubai to Haneda airport and took about 9.5 hours. A 40 minute high speed train ride got us into the city. The flight back to Dubai was longer at 11.5 hours from Narita airport with a 1.5 hour train ride. So it’s unfeasible to pop in there for a weekend holiday. But anything longer than 5 days, and you should definitely put Japan on your list. Commuting inside Tokyo is a breeze which looks like a storm from the outside. Everything is accessible by trains, which are ever frequent and ever punctual, signed in English and closed from midnight till 5am, so stay out too late and you might be left stranded with nothing to do except kill time at 24 hour gaming arcades, karaoke parlors, tax-free shopping centers, bathing facilities and so on. EL O EL. Two Important commuting tips: Buy a little plastic passcard (named Suica or Pasmo) from one of the train stations, load it up with at least 1500 yen and you can swipe in and out of station gates like a baws like everyone around you. No buying a paper ticket for every journey. The cards can be used for up to 10 years, so save them for your next trip. *Wink* Also, once you’re off the train, keep your google maps handy and use the walking routes on the map app and make sure your gyroscope or the thing in your phone that pinpoints your phone’s exact location on the phone map is not broken by repeatedly being dropped on the floor. Husband’s well protected Android sensed even the turn on the spot he did, while my sleek Apple wasn’t sure if we had to go forward or backward. I blame the broken gyroscope.

Accommodation

Differently from our last trip to Japan which was before daughter was born, this time we decided to book our stay through Airbnb. We needed a studio, as opposed to a hotel room, for basic laundry/washing machine, I mean we were going for 12 days with a kid, and an attached kitchen, because I mean 12 days with a kid! Even if you’re not traveling with a bacha and are going for a longer trip, then there is something homey about waking up whisking up some eggs and tea yourself, and then starting the day’s processions without worrying about what to eat right away. You can simply do the hotel stay too. We booked two different locations for the two weeks there, to mix things up. Each location offered a different street life as we stepped down for the day.

Our first 6 days were in Akihabara, and the next 6 were in Shinjuku, both pretty happening places. When finding a place, look for the distance to the nearest train station. A 5-8 minute walk from station to home is ideal, or even up to 10 minutes, as there is much to take in as you walk down. The list of places to stay in, in order of priority based on my preferences of what truly captures the essence of Tokyo:

Akihabara

Shibuya

Omotesando

Shinjuku

Ueno

Ginza

All the above districts are on the main Yamanote Line, and this green line stops at all the major sights and sounds.

Every street and lane has either a 7/11 or Lawson’s or Family Mart that are open 24 hrs for anything you might need. Even prepacked sushi, which btw was pretty delish. A moment of appreciation for the high-quality milk there, so creamy and rich! Our late nights saw lots of milk and cookies with some anime or weird stage show on TV. Oh yea! Be sure to tune in to some interestingly weird stuff on the local Japanese channels!

A word of caution: Make sure you read Airbnb reviews by other travelers for your particular place and ask the host any questions and read up their terms and conditions before paying. In Japan, Airbnb is big business, and rooms are well maintained and serviced but you may still come across some unsavory surprises since it’s not a hotel stay, but an apartment building. However the great thing about how Airbnb works is that they keep your payment until you as the guest checks out on the last day and confirm everything was as advertised. Similarly, the host is guaranteed payment and won’t risk guests bailing out on them. They charge a small service fees for their troubles.

Food

So after the day’s processions would be coming to a close, the second part of our day would begin: the food hunting! The food joints in Tokyo are predominantly non-halal, which actually means more pork-in-everything worry, rather than more non-halal-chicken worry. Your options are asking for vegetarian food, but for them it just means yes it ALSO has vegetables. You could go to more hippy places and ask for vegan food, but harder on the pocket to do daily. You could also go to purely seafood places, and they’d be pretty much safe but they could include alcohol based soya sauce (aka ‘mirin’ a word they recognize). Your ultimate solution however, is to download the Halal Gourmet and Halal Navi apps on your phone. The apps have a list of values the restaurant could have such as ‘Halal Certified’, Muslim Chef’, ‘Halal Meat’, ‘Vegetarian Meal’, ‘Alcohol Free’, etc. Not all restaurants check all the boxes, for example, the place could simply be a buddhist vegetarian place and hence halal by extension.

Sadly, most of the results that showed up halal were Shawarma hole in the wall/ take-away kind of places, or Indian Pakistani cuisine. Finding LEGIT halal Japanese cuisine like Ramen and Sushi and Shabu Shabu was hard to locate, far and few in between, and strangely quite over priced. I wish we could have had loads more accessible street food type of halal experience, but hey things were way better this time than three years ago and they’re only getting better. I think I am off Shawarmas and Butter Chicken thalis for a while. In their defense, some of the best Afghani Nans I have had were in Tokyo!!! So don’t worry about being left desi khana-less in Japan. In fact, that’ll be the least of your worries!

The 24 hour convenience stores store a variety of rice cakes wrapped in nori (seaweed paper, so good for health), sushi rolls, tuna cakes, some seriously yummy chocolate crepe wraps, and tons of other snacks. HOWEVER. If you are absolutely particular about avoiding non-halal food (as we tried our best to do), then stay away from any and all cup noodles, instant noodles etc. They will most definitely contain pork or other meat broth, even if the flavor is vegetarian. Take some Maggi noodles with you from UAE/Pakistan, it’ll be a familiar lifesaver in the face of a late night grumbly tummy. Also take Snicker bars, because that’s a meal in itself in case you didn’t know. Also some of your favorite chocolate chip cookies, and umm, I took rainbow milk and Lipton tea bags. I was set.

Itinerary

Here comes the fun part! The places to visit and what not to miss. Do tons of research before you leave, and make a list of places to visit FOR SURE. Below are all the places we visited.

Akihabara

This is called the Electric town and has loads to see in terms of anime, manga electronics, video games, arcades, karaoke, etc. Even if you’re not a fan, walking about these blocks is like seeing Time Square on drugs and way more sprawling. In Akihabara, what you must not miss, especially for your shopping needs and even without them, is Yodobashi-Akhiba Camera, a 7 story department store that carries SO MANY PRODUCTS. And a 100 of one kind of that product. It’s a fun place to spend indoors in case of rainy weather, and must visit for buying tax-free cosmetics, skin care, souvenirs, Japanese made knives/blades, Zojirushi (the ultimate must have thermos or mug or lunch box. It will keep shit hot/cold for up to 3 days, tried and tested), camera and photography equipment, Japanese high tech watches, Kimonos, famous character merchandise like Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Star Wars, Disney, Marvel, Minecraft, Mario, like anything you can imagine, would most likely be here and it will be cool. Yodobashi Akhiba also has a floor full of restaurants, here you’ll find Cobara Hetta, a cozy Indian place that serves Halal chicken dishes and vegetarian thalis with proper roti or Afghani nans or cheese or chocolate nans!

Interestingly for us, Halloween was around the corner so we got to see loads of activities around town leading up to 31st October. This part of our trip was easily the highlight of our trip and I highly recommend a Japan visit during this time! I got waking nightmares seeing the horrifying oozing mutated costumes walk right up to me, constructed so professionally and thoroughly. Everything crazy and scary to see in Japan was out on the streets walking alongside us! It was the best time to be in Tokyo! (Take it from someone who has also visited at the tail-end of Cherry Blossom season and then it is just a different kind of country altogether, full of romance and beauty and exquisite Cherry Blossom flowers surrounding you and filling your vision). Similarly, if you’re planning a trip and can afford to be flexible with your days, then Halloween, Christmas, New Year, Cherry Blossom (March-April) and specific summer festivals are the times you’ll see the city in it’s dressed up charming full blown lights and sights form, and it’s just WAY more value added to your regular travels.

Another thing you have to do in Akihabara is visit one of those mega 7 story Sega gaming arcades. Even if you’re not into games, there guaranteed WILL be something quirky and awesome game that you’ll find. You will go in unsuspecting and come out pockets empty of all 100 yen coins and a big smile on your face! Or you’ll find high school kids making world records on the latest arcade games just casually everywhere, and it’s a TREAT to watch them doing that! Must visit.

And just generally go inside the various shops and up the lifts, you’ll find hidden gems EVERYWHERE. There are these crazy well-stocked adult toy shops as well, from where you’ll come out giggling, flushed red, and slightly happy-confused ? :D ? Finally, at the corners of these blocks you’ll find cutesy girls in English maid costumes inviting you to their maid cafes which is a whole bizarre sub-culture you’ll find plenty of literature on!

Harajuku

The must visit district, and within it the Takeshita Street. If there’s nothing else you visit in Tokyo, visit this street for a wild ride and a slice of Tokyo’s crazy! It’s the mecca for cosplayers, and you’re bound to run into whacky, cute, sexy, gothic or royal cosplayers, bringing their A game every weekend. They’re mostly school kids, so catch them before the zombie furries and the emo princes head back home and retire for bed. Pick up some blue hair color and purple eye contacts while here.

Shibuya

Here you’ll find the very very famous Shibuya crossing. It’s a 4-way junction with a 5-way pedestrian crossing and an infinite fun thing to do in the evening when you’re as packed as jam and important questions like why did the chicken not cross the Shibuya Crossing come to your mind! All those 4 lanes have tons of strange and fascinating sights.

We visited KiddyLand to show our daughter, it’s a store filled to the brim with toys stationery bags lunch boxes magnets keychains everything to do with….Hello Kitty! That’s just one floor though, there are 7 floors of goodies and I guarantee it’s not just for kids. Classy Minnie Mouse eyeglasses box anyone? You will for sure buy some beautiful looking junk you won’t really need but you’ll thank me later.

While we’re talking stores, just like Yodobashi-Akhiba mentioned earlier, Tokyu Hands is another awesome store filled with stories and sub-stories of organized Made in Japan products that will fascinate you. I ended up buying a VG-10 blade kitchen knife upon the husband’s fascination and insistence, and I am really looking forward to some serious onion chopping ladies and gentlemen.

One of my most favorite areas to walk around was in Omotesando, another area in Shibuya. Look for the back streets and the hidden inner fashion boulevard, it’s a small tree covered winding lane and makes for such a lovely stroll in the late afternoon with some really chic cafes and stores to just look at. It’s the hub of trends, much more local and homegrown than some of the more upscale parts of town like Ginza.

Hidden Gem: If you’re a fan of Ghibli Studio and Miyazaki films like Spirited Away or Howl’s Moving Castle, or if you just love the idea of a quirky mechanical clock that comes to life, you’ll love the Giant Ghibli Clock in Shiodome (pictured below with some vital travel beanie babies!). It’s a bit of a hunt, but reach 4-5 minutes before the clock strikes especially on the weekends with a little extra show. The whole show only lasts for 3-4 minutes so be on time! Check the website for the schedule.

Ueno

We visited the Ueno Park and within in the Ueno Zoo. So one park, any ONE for sure must be on your travel list, they’re BEAUTIFUL. When in Ueno Park, keep the evening slot free for walking about Ameyoko Shopping Street, where you’ll experience the vibe of the street markets and find fun things to eat like chocolate covered fresh bananas with sprinkles. Yummy! Visit the Yoyogi Park on Saturdays and Sundays to see the city’s artsy teens do impromptu skill practice. We caught some fascinating cultural shows while there. Look up other parks online for more charming foliage and flowers, there are many many gardens around Tokyo. If you’re into animals, you’ll find a great variety at the Ueno Zoo: Panda, tigers, gorillas, elephants, giraffes, zebras, penguins, flamingos, hippopotamus, bats, polar bears. Yea, pretty much everything. The star of the show is the Panda, except when he went he was sleeping with his butt to us :D

If you’re into the coolest science museums, then you cannot BE in a better country. Ueno Science Museum and the Odaiba Science Museum with its planetarium are going to satiate those geeky hungers.

Odaiba

This is a good 30 minute train ride away from central parts of Tokyo, it’s a man-made island with a mix of things to do. For us there were two highlights of the place. First, the Palette Town Ferris Wheel ride, especially in the see-through box so you’re suspended at the top of the wheel with nothing but glass under you! It’s perfect for viewing the city’s famous and outright mesmerizing skyline. Only thing is it’s a little short at 16 minutes.

For more views, the Odaiba observation point gives the best view of the sunset and night lights that follow, across the Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge overlooking the entire skyline of Tokyo. It’s extra windy and chilly here. Second cool thing about the trip out to Odaiba is seeing the towering life size Gundam robot, which puts up a lazer fighting show periodically. Check the schedule.

I think I am done with this not-so-basic-anymore blog! Ask me any questions you may have, I know I know, I have left out a few vital aspects like budget and traveling with a child!

Remember kids! Japan is not your run of the mill holiday destination like the picturesque South Asian countries like Thailand or the historical architecturally rich European countries. And you will still find incredible Edo history and surprisingly beautiful excursions in Japan. Rather, Japan is a place to experience a really well-preserved exotic culture with people who are simply fascinating with their sophistication and politeness, a country that is eons ahead of others in technology and innovation, with food which is exciting, and the whole city is alive with passion of a spectrum of interests.

All them Links:

Must Dos

Gaming arcades like Sega. Linking one of them:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066443-d10094610-Reviews-Club_Sega_Akihabara_1gokan-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Takeshita Street, the cosplayers’ street in Harajuku

https://taiken.co/single/things-to-do-on-takeshita-street-harajuku/

Tokyo Government Observatory Buildings. Yes I didn’t talk about them but they’re free observation sites and must visit.

http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/info/observatory.html

Places We Ate

Traditional Japanese Rice and Curry from Coco Ichibanya - Halal green color branch

https://www.halalgourmet.jp/restaurant/202472

Cobara Hetta, Indian joint with thalis in Yodobashi

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066443-d1678589-Reviews-Cobara_Hetta_Yodobashi_Akibaten-Chiyoda_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka - Such a gem of a find! Run by cute Malay girls in scarves. Serious traditional ramen with a side chicken dumpling to die for! They have long waiting queues!

https://www.halalgourmet.jp/restaurant/344742

Genki Sushi, Shibuya. Conveyor belt sushi, you get 45 minutes to be in and out of the place, it is always packed!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066456-d4234509-Reviews-Genki_Sushi_Shibuya-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Some cool stores

Yodobashi Akhiba

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066457-d3460595-Reviews-or30-Yodobashi_Camera_Shinjuku_Nishiguchi-Shinjuku_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Tokyu Hands, bigger branches at Shibuya

https://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/en/list/

https://matcha-jp.com/en/328

KiddyLand, visit the bigger branches

http://japanlover.me/kawaii/kawaii-travel-guide/kiddyland-toy-paradise-in-harajuku-tokyo/

Uniqlo. All the essential basic wear in great prices and even better quality! We stocked up.

https://tokyocheapo.com/shopping-2/fashion/uniqlo-the-best-things-in-life-are-cheap/

Visit DAISO! Everything is 100 yen :D Find other 100 yen stores too, like Can Do.

Other interesting stores are Loft, Muji and Don Quijote.

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