List of Malaysians restaurants (or close enough) in Switzerland

To say that Switzerland lacks Asian eateries, what more Malaysian, is not quite true anymore. But, certainly one can't compare to London. 

 When I moved here in mid 2006, I learned there had not been any Asian restaurants and takeaways in the area where I work/live (a small city about 27th km of west of Zurich) a couple of years prior to that. Since then there have at least five; could have been six if one didn't close down, and one of them is owned by Vietnamese who immigrated over many years ago and had also been to Malaysia en-route. By coincidence their nasi goreng (fried rice) smells and tastes nearly the same as those found in Malaysia. 

As a guidance to friends and followers who crave for Malaysian or "close-enough" Malaysian or those planning to visit Switzerland, or who are in the midst of their vacation and have had enough of bread and cheese :), here is a list of places you may want to check out: 

My Kitchen (no web site) @ Zurich (HALAL) - Located a few tram stops away from the Zurich main station. Owned by a Malaysian couple and has been operating since around 2008. It is a small setup for takeaway mainly although there are enough relatively comfortable high sitting / standing arrangement and space for at least (I'm guessing) 10-15 people (more outside, in Summer). Address: Stampfenbachstrasse 133, CH-8006 Zurich / Tel: +41 438 100 678 / +41 78 808 1210. They serve good authentic halal Malaysian food and fresh Sushis (the husband was for many many years a Sushi chef). Note: Open only on weekdays between 11.30 AM and 2 PM.

Singapore Restaurant @ Zurich (Web site: http://www.my-chinese.ch/restaurant-singapore-zuerich-altstetten.htm, not certain is this is the official web site) (PARTIALLY HALAL - read further) - Located some tram stops away from the Zurich main station, this restaurant has been operating for a long time, owned by a Singaporean and Malaysian partner. There are two sections to it, on one side is a proper sit-down, full service restaurant and on the other is a self-service, canteen like setup. Food selection of both sides are the same, but cheaper in the latter. You could also sometimes ask for special not on the menu dishes like nasi goreng kampung pedas ;) - ask the chef or owner. It is commonly known that their chicken dishes are halal but not other meat. But again ask the chef or owner when making your order. 

Hot Wok @ Regensdorf (a short drive or train ride from Zurich) (Web site: http://www.hotwok.ch/) (NOT HALAL) - Owned by a Malaysian as told by some friends and advertised as serving Malaysia, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Singapore and Indonesian dishes. I tried some of the food at  a lunch event catered by them and it's pretty good. 

Chillies Restaurant & Takeaway @ Zurich (Web site: http://www.chillies.ch/) (Not known if HALAL) - Located near the Zurich Hardbrücke train station, in a business complex area, it is owned by a Malaysian lady and has been operating since around 2005. 

KL Teppanyaki (Web site: http://www.klteppanyaki.com/) @ Zurich (NOT HALAL) - Located in Zurich centre on a side street along the Bahnhofstrasse. A Malaysian chef was involved in the setting up and design of the restaurant. The moment you step into it you'll catch on-screens videos of Malaysian street hawkers / food and various sort of things Malaysian.  Food served is mainly fusion and one section is dedicated for Japanese kitchen. In the early days (circa 2010), one could also find teh tarik (Malaysian tea with milk) in the menu - not sure if it's still available. 

KL Teppanyaki

My Kitchen

What to see, where to go?

A friend dropped me an email asking for any pointers as to what she should visit in Switzerland when she comes for a vacation in December. I owe her an apology for the late reply - this is it :)

The problem with December is that if it's the kind of winter we got last, then the best thing to do is really to sit in the warmth of your own living room and enjoy some great movies. Unless you enjoy extreme snow and cold, you really don't want to go outside. Anyway if this is the only time you have then there is no choice. Thus, my recommendation.  

1. Upon arrival in Zurich, spend a day or two visiting the city. A number of places around the vicinity should be considered:

• the Top of Zurich or Uetliberg, a small highland near the city when you can view the whole Zurich from up a tower and have great sledging rides. To get there, there is a short train ride from the Zurich main station. 
• the Zurich Lake - you want to consider taking the boat from the main jetty at the end of the Bahnhofstrasse, and stop by at places around the lake. One that is recommended is Rapperswil - a scenic old Swiss town. Nearby, there is a Tierpark (animal park), with touchable domestic animals; goats, donkeys, ponies, chickens, pigs (!) etc. 
• the Zurich old town - located parallel to the Bahnhofstrasse. You can find the sign to get there at the train station
• if you are with big wallet / purse and into shopping, don't forget to visit some the most famous watch and jewelry shops and designer labels along the Bahnhofstrasse. 
• if Bally is a brand you are seeking, check out the factory outlet in Schönewerd. There is a train that goes there, stopping very close to the outlet area. Check www.sbb.ch for the train schedule.  Some discussions can be found here.

2. From Zurich, I think you should head first to the French part of the country towards Geneva. To be honest there is nothing much to see in Geneva. Personally, it's not one of my favourite Swiss cities for various reasons. But, around to the lake there are some beautiful places - again try taking the boat, or combination of boat and train (in case time is a constraint). Close Geneva, there are also some cities worth visiting, Montreux and Lausanne. In the latter, try finding time to check out the Château de Chillon; worth a visit. 

3. On the way to the French part (or on the way back), you may want to consider also visiting the central region where you find the famous Lucerne (or Luzern) and the capital Berne (or Bern). In Lucerne, there are two popular mountain spots - Titlis and Pilatus. If you need to choose one, I suggest the latter. Slightly further down the region you will reach Interlaken where the famous Top of Europe or Jungfraujoch is - a bit expensive though to go up.

4. The best region for me personally is Ticino or the Italian part of the country. Don't ask me why, I just simply love it. Could be the language, could be the people, the landscape .. I don't know. May be the combination of all that. I'm not sure what's the shortest route to it from Geneva - again you may check at www.sbb.ch. There are a few places you should visit - Lugano, Locarno and Bellinzona (there are all close to each other - so perhaps you could use one as the base). There is famous factory outlet called the Foxtown you where you find all the designer labels at cheap to reasonable price. At the end of December there should be some Sales (after Christmas). 

IF YOU WANT TO BE REAL TOURIST, then consider the Glacier Express, only if the weather is good (clear sky and all that). If not, don't bother, not worth the cost. If you do, stay somewhere close to Zermatt; nice place - some pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shreky/sets/72157604230953438/with/2358386651/

That's pretty much what I think should be in the agenda. Enjoy ..:)

Zurich Street Parade

Once a year in August Zurich city hosts one of the most famous street parade in Europe (if not the world), the Zurich Street Parade.

More photos on Flickr page.

Zurich - Our second day in Switzerland (1 July 2006)

Since 1st of July is a public holiday, we decided to take a train up to Zurich. The first thing that struck me when I arrived at the station was the "big fat woman" was still hanging down the ceiling. Apparently it is a famous art work of someone and from my reading somewhere symbolises some god that protects passengers. A very very similar one (or could be exact) can also be found in Luxembourg. And the "fat woman god" is there until today.


Secondly, do you see how much it costs to take a shower in the public toilet at the train station (above)?? CHF 12! which in the currency I'm more used to is equivalent to Malaysian Ringgit 36 which ... can get one 6 big lunches! To pee it only costs you one sixth of that.

But the good news is, to change baby it's free of charge (FOC) and obviously no one will stop you from peeing in the changing room toilet :). If you don't have a baby the only FOC option available is in the train :)