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Everything you need to know about retort food, shelf-stable food, travel food and emergency preparation. Written by the team that cooks and retorts food every day in Wangsa Melawati, Kuala Lumpur. Pick a topic below.
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Your shelf-stable food questions.One place.
Travel
Halal food abroad, packing tips and what you can bring on a flight. 15 guides →
Shelf-stable food
Home stock, travel food and emergency supplies. 10 guides →
Packed lunches
8 guides →
Camping and hiking
7 guides →
Food businesses and retort machines
6 guides →
Confinement
6 guides →
Hajj and umrah
6 guides →
Boarding school
6 guides →
Hampers and gifts
6 guides →
Retort food
5 guides →
Living alone
5 guides →
Fishing trips
5 guides →
Emergencies and floods
5 guides →
Studying abroad
4 guides →
Suhoor and Ramadan
4 guides →
University students
3 guides →
MakanHubb library
A little reading.Clearer choices.
Practical guides on retort food, travel food and food stock in Malaysia. Newest first.
Fishing trips
Pond Fishing in Malaysia: How It Works, Etiquette and What to Bring
How fishing ponds in Malaysia usually work, pond etiquette, basic gear and bait, and food that suits a long session.
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Living alone
Kitchen Essentials for Your First Rented Home: A Checklist
A kitchen essentials checklist for your first rented home: basic tools, starter stock, RM estimates and small kitchen storage.
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Retort food
Preservative Free Food: Facts, Rules and How It Lasts
What preservatives are, how Malaysia regulates them, and how preservative free food stays safe and lasts.
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Fishing trips
Fishing Licence Malaysia: eRekreasi, Boats and No-Fishing Zones
What we could confirm about recreational fishing licences, boat permission, marine parks and freshwater rules in Malaysia.
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Living alone
Late Night Food Ideas: Lighter Choices and Stock to Keep
Lighter late night food ideas, guidance on eating before bed and easy stock to keep at home.
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Living alone
Monthly Food Budget for Singles in Malaysia: How to Plan It
How to plan a monthly food budget as a single person in Malaysia, with official references, an RM example and a stock…
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Retort food
How to Heat Retort Food: 5 Easy and Safe Ways
Five ways to heat retort food, when each one works best, and the safety checks before and after you open the pack.
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Fishing trips
Fishing Bait Guide: Types, Target Fish and Storage Tips
The common fishing bait in Malaysia, the fish each one attracts, how to store bait and what food to pack for long…
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Retort food
Retort Pouch: What It Is, How It Works and Its Limits
What a retort pouch is, the layers inside it, how it works, and when it beats a can or frozen food.
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Food businesses and retort machines
Sauce Supplier Malaysia: What Cafes, Hotels and Caterers Should Check
A checklist for choosing a sauce supplier for cafes, hotels, restaurants and caterers, including retort sauces and own-recipe retort service.
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Camping and hiking
Beach Picnic in Malaysia: Checklist, Food and Sun Safety
A beach picnic checklist for Malaysia, with food that copes with heat, sun safety and cleaning up.
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Shelf-stable food
Unexpected Guests: What to Serve in 15 Minutes
A 15-minute plan for unexpected guests, the pantry stock to keep, and tips for serving food neatly.
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Shelf-stable food
Thai Laksa Recipe: Home Style Ingredients, Steps and Tips
A home-style Thai laksa recipe with a tom yum style spice paste and coconut milk, plus tips, variations and a quick option.
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Packed lunches
Picky Eater Kids: Parent Tips and Menu Ideas
General steps for parents of picky eater kids, with mild menu and lunchbox ideas.
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Travel
Road Trip Food: What to Pack for a Balik Kampung Drive
What road trip food to pack for a long drive, food safety limits in a hot car, and small items people forget.
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Shelf-stable food
Laksa Johor Recipe: Home Style Ingredients, Steps and Tips
A home-style laksa Johor recipe with fish gravy and spaghetti, plus tips, variations and a quick option for busy days.
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Shelf-stable food
Easy Meals for Newlyweds: A First Kitchen Guide for Two
A first kitchen guide for new couples: basic equipment, pantry, a weekly menu, sharing chores and budget tips.
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Shelf-stable food
Instant Noodle Alternatives: Quick Options for Late Nights
Why people look for instant noodle alternatives, the common concerns, and late night options that are just as fast.
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Food businesses and retort machines
Home Food Business Ideas: 6 Practical Options and What to Check First
Six home food business ideas, how to choose a product, what to check before you sell, and how to market it.
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Emergencies and floods
First Aid Kit Checklist: What to Keep in a Home First Aid Kit
A general list of what to keep in a home first aid kit, how to store it and what to add for…
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Food businesses and retort machines
Frozen Food Business: A Starter Guide to Products, Equipment and the Cold Chain
How to start a frozen food business: popular products, equipment, food safety, delivery, and when retort suits better.
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Emergencies and floods
Flood Donation: How to Give Through Proper Channels and What Victims Need
A guide to donating to Malaysian flood victims through coordinated channels, with a list of items that actually help.
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Hampers and gifts
Hari Raya Cookie Hamper: Kuih Ideas, Sizes and Packing
How to pick kuih, choose a size and send a Hari Raya cookie hamper without broken jars.
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Shelf-stable food
Frozen vs Retort Food: Which Is More Practical at Home?
A fair comparison of frozen and retort food on safety, space, power supply and storage.
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Food businesses and retort machines
Food Label Malaysia: What to Include, a Sample Layout and Common Mistakes
What a food label in Malaysia must show, a sample layout for a jar of sambal, and the common mistakes to avoid.
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Hampers and gifts
Deepavali Hamper: Ideas, Etiquette and Packing Tips
Deepavali hamper ideas, gift etiquette and how to pack a neat basket.
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Packed lunches
Simple Lunchbox Ideas for School: Quick Options for Busy Mornings
Lunchbox ideas you can put together in minutes using the Malaysian Healthy Plate, leftovers and a little weekend prep.
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Emergencies and floods
Flood Relief Centre (PPS): How to Find One, Register and What to Bring
A guide to Malaysian flood relief centres: finding an open PPS, registering with JKM and what to pack.
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Hampers and gifts
Baby Hamper Malaysia: What to Include and How to Send It
Baby hamper ideas for new babies and their parents, from everyday essentials to ready meals.
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Food businesses and retort machines
Food Business Licence Malaysia: How to Apply, Documents and Requirements
The steps to apply for a food business licence from your local council, the documents councils usually ask for, food handler training…
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Shelf-stable food
Convenience Food in Malaysia: Health Concerns and Quick Options
What convenience food means in Malaysia, the common health concerns with sources, and where retort dishes fit.
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Packed lunches
Afternoon School Lunchbox: Menu Ideas and Food Safety Tips
Lunchbox ideas for afternoon session pupils, KAFA classes and after school activities, plus how to keep food at a safe temperature.
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Emergencies and floods
Flood Preparedness: What to Do Before, During and After a Flood
Flood preparedness steps for Malaysian families, from the start of the rainy season until the water goes down.
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Packed lunches
Easy Lunchbox Recipes for School: 7 Mild Home Style Dishes
Seven short, mild home style lunchbox recipes you can prepare the night before.
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Shelf-stable food
Canned Food vs Retort Pouch: Which Should You Stock?
A fair comparison of canned food and retort pouches on shelf life, safety, weight and storage.
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Studying abroad
Study Abroad Packing List: What Malaysian Students Should Bring
A study abroad packing list for Malaysian students: documents, money, medicine, clothes, electronics and food import rules.
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Packed lunches
Offshore Packing List: What to Bring for Your First Hitch
An offshore packing list covering certificates, PPE, helicopter baggage limits and food for travel days.
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Suhoor and Ramadan
Healthy Suhoor: How to Build a Balanced Plate for Ramadan
How to build a healthy suhoor with the suku-suku separuh plate, sample balanced meals and foods to cut down on.
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Studying abroad
Bringing Food to the UK: GOV.UK Rules for Malaysian Students
Official GOV.UK rules on bringing food to the UK from Malaysia: the meat and milk ban, fish limits, rice and fines.
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Boarding school
Boarding School Food Menu: How It Is Planned, a Sample Week and What Parents Can Add
How a boarding school food menu is planned in Malaysia, a sample week, and what parents can safely add.
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Hampers and gifts
Corporate Hamper Malaysia: Planning, Contents and Gift Policies
How to plan corporate hampers for clients, partners and staff in Malaysia, including gift policy checks and logistics.
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Suhoor and Ramadan
Suhoor Meal Plan: A Sample 30-Day Ramadan Menu That Is Easy to Follow
A sample 30-day suhoor meal plan with rotating dishes, a weekly shopping list and ready-cooked stock for busy days.
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Packed lunches
Packed Lunch for Work: Menu Ideas, Meal Prep and Money-Saving Tips
Menu ideas for a packed lunch for work, how to meal prep for the week and how to keep your lunch safe…
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Studying abroad
Bringing Food to New Zealand: MPI Rules for Malaysian Students
Official MPI rules on bringing food to New Zealand: declaring, fines, retorted meat products, fish and prawns.
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Boarding school
Preparing for Boarding School: A Guide for Parents and Children
A guide to preparing for boarding school for parents and children, from documents and items to life skills and registration day.
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University students
Student Meal Ideas: Cheap No-Cook Food for Hostel Life
Cheap, no-cook student meal ideas for university hostels, with budget tips, food safety advice and a stock list for your wardrobe.
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Fishing trips
Deep Sea Fishing in Malaysia: Trip Types, Gear and Preparation
A guide to deep sea fishing in Malaysia for your first trip: trip types, choosing a boat, gear, safety and food.
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University students
University Packing List for Guys and Girls
A tick-off university packing list with items for guys and girls, appliance rules and a prep timeline before registration.
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Fishing trips
Sea Fishing Checklist: Everything to Pack Before You Head Out
A complete sea fishing checklist: gear, safety items, food, rules and weather to check before a trip.
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Boarding school
Hostel Packing List for Girls: Complete Guide (Plus a Short List for Boys)
A hostel packing list for girls, from tudung and telekung to sanitary pads, with a short list for boys.
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Packed lunches
Monthly School Lunchbox Plan: A Sample 4-Week Schedule
A sample four-week school lunchbox plan, how to shop for a month and how to cook ahead for calmer mornings.
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Hampers and gifts
Food Hamper Ideas: What to Put Inside for Every Occasion
Food hamper ideas for hospital visits, new homes, birthdays and festivals, plus how to pick food that keeps.
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Suhoor and Ramadan
Quick Suhoor Meals: Ready in 5 to 10 Minutes for Busy Mornings
Quick suhoor meals ready in minutes, a night prep routine and a kitchen stock list for Ramadan.
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University students
University Hostel Essentials: Complete List for New Students
University hostel essentials by category, appliance rules at residential colleges and no-cook food stock ideas.
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Studying abroad
Bringing Food to Australia: Official Rules for Malaysian Students
Official DAFF rules on bringing food to Australia: rice, meat, fish, prawn products and how to declare, for Malaysian students.
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Boarding school
How to Organise a Hostel Locker So It Stays Neat
A step by step guide to organising a hostel locker, from clothes and books to food and toiletries, so it stays neat…
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Boarding school
Boarding School Packing List: Complete Guide for SBP, MRSM and Religious Schools
A boarding school packing list sorted by group, the items hostels often ban, and when ready meals make sense.
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Living alone
Food for Living Alone: A Monthly Stock List and How to Store It
A monthly stock list of food for living alone, how to store it in a rented room and a sample weekly menu.
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Packed lunches
School Lunchbox Ideas: Easy, Healthy Lunches That Stay Fresh
Balanced school lunchbox ideas, a sample week and how to keep a packed lunch safe until recess.
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Living alone
Cooking for One: Easy Recipes, Basic Tools and Money-Saving Tips
A practical guide to cooking for one: basic tools, simple recipes, safe food storage and ready meals as a backup.
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Hampers and gifts
Hari Raya Hamper: What to Put Inside, How to Pack and Send It
How to plan a Hari Raya hamper for family, clients and staff, from theme and contents to delivery.
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Suhoor and Ramadan
Suhoor Ideas: Simple, Filling and Balanced Meals for Ramadan
Simple, filling suhoor ideas, a sample weekly menu, safe food storage tips and ready-cooked options for busy mornings.
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Boarding school
Hostel Food Ideas for Boarding School Students: What to Pack and How to Store It
Hostel food ideas that follow school rules, with dry snacks, safe storage tips and food for weekend outings and balik bermalam.
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Confinement
Confinement Dishes: Fish, Chicken, Egg and Vegetable Ideas for New Mums
Confinement dish ideas using fish, chicken, eggs and vegetables, with simple cooking methods and dishes families often avoid.
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Confinement
Food After Confinement: What to Eat After the First 30 Days
A guide to food after confinement: bringing back variety step by step, the KKM balanced plate and when to ask your doctor.
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Confinement
Confinement Menu: A Sample Daily Menu for New Mums
A sample 3-day confinement menu, the basics of planning your own and tips for preparing meals for a mother in confinement.
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Confinement
How Long Is Confinement? The 44-Day Tradition and Medical Advice
How long is confinement in Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions, plus the recovery period and postnatal checks in medical guidance.
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Confinement
Confinement Food: A Guide for New Mums and Their Families
A guide to confinement food: the nutrients new mothers need, common traditions, foods often avoided and when to see a doctor.
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Confinement
Food After C-Section: What to Eat During Caesarean Recovery
A guide to food after c-section based on medical advice, traditional confinement practices and tips to make meals easier at home.
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Hajj and umrah
Hajj Preparation: Practical Steps from Offer Letter to Departure
Practical hajj preparation steps: Tabung Haji process, health screening, vaccines, fitness, documents and food.
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Hajj and umrah
Umrah Packing List: Complete Checklist for Men and Women
An umrah packing list grouped by category, with separate lists for men and women and tips for packing your bags.
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Hajj and umrah
Umrah Preparation: A Complete Guide from Agency to Departure Day
A practical umrah preparation guide for Malaysian pilgrims, from choosing a licensed agency to departure day.
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Hajj and umrah
Umrah Vaccine: What Is Required, What Is Recommended and When to Get It
Required and recommended vaccines for umrah pilgrims from Malaysia, based on current official sources.
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Hajj and umrah
How Many Days for Umrah? Typical Package Lengths and How to Choose
Typical umrah package lengths, the Makkah and Madinah split, and what makes a trip longer or shorter.
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Hajj and umrah
Bringing Food to Saudi Arabia: What Is Allowed and Safer Back-up Food
What SFDA and Tabung Haji say if you bring food to Saudi Arabia, and the meat-free back-up food that is safer for…
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Camping and hiking
Hiking Trails in Selangor: 9 Trails by District and Permit Guide
Selangor hiking trails from Bukit Broga to Gunung Nuang, with how to apply for a SEFOREST permit, safety tips and light food…
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Camping and hiking
10 Camping Sites in Selangor: Riverside and Glamping Spots
Ten camping sites in Selangor by area, how to choose one, riverside safety, forest reserve permits and ready-to-eat food for the trip.
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Camping and hiking
Camping Site in Johor: 10 Beach, River and Forest Spots
Camping sites in Johor grouped by area, from Mersing beaches to Gunung Pulai and the national parks, with season tips and food…
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Camping and hiking
Camping Food Ideas: Easy 2 Day 1 Night Menu Without a Fridge
A sample 2 day 1 night camping menu, no-cook and easy-cook ideas, snacks, food safety in hot weather and ready-to-eat options.
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Camping and hiking
Camping Site in Perak: 10 Spots to Pitch Your Tent by Area
Camping sites in Perak grouped by area, from Gopeng and Tapah to Royal Belum, with river safety tips and food ideas.
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Camping and hiking
Camping Checklist: Full Gear List and Packing Tips
A grouped camping checklist, extra items by type of site, a packing method and ready-to-eat food ideas for camping in Malaysia.
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Travel
Places to Visit in Thailand: Bangkok, Hat Yai, Betong, Krabi and Phuket
Places to visit in Thailand grouped by area, from Bangkok and Hat Yai to Betong, Krabi and Phuket, with tips on halal…
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Travel
Places to Visit in Korea: Seoul, Nami Island, Busan and Jeju
Places to visit in Korea grouped by city, from the palaces and Itaewon in Seoul to Nami Island, Busan and Jeju, with…
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Travel
Best Places to Visit by Month: 10 Picks for Every Month for Malaysians
A list of the best places to visit by month for Malaysians, with 10 picks for every month from January to December…
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Travel
Places to Visit in Japan: Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka and Hokkaido
Places to visit in Japan grouped by city, from Tokyo and Mount Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Hokkaido, with tips on…
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Travel
Places to Visit in Indonesia: Bandung, Bali, Padang, Medan and More
A guide to places to visit in Indonesia, from Bandung and Yogyakarta to Padang, Medan, Batam, Bali and Lombok, with food and…
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Travel
Places to Visit in Vietnam: Hanoi, Sapa, Da Lat and Phu Quoc
Ten places to visit in Vietnam from north to south, including Sapa and Da Lat, with halal food tips and what food…
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Travel
Halal Food in Hong Kong: Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and What to Bring
Where to find halal food in Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai, halal dim sum, ingredients to avoid and the rules for…
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Travel
Halal Food in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang
Where to find halal food in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, Vietnamese words to recognise and food you can…
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Travel
Halal Food in Thailand: Bangkok, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket
Where to find halal food in Bangkok, Hat Yai, Krabi and Phuket, the Thai halal logo, useful Thai words and food you…
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Travel
Halal Food in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and What to Bring
Where to find halal food in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, ingredients to avoid, convenience store labels and food you can bring.
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Shelf-stable food
Ready to Eat Food: Types and How to Choose a Good One
Types of ready to eat food, how to choose a good one and what to check on the label before you buy.
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Shelf-stable food
Long Lasting Food: List, Shelf Life and How to Store It
Types of long lasting food, how long each can be kept, and how to arrange stock for home, travel and emergencies.
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Travel
Bringing Food on a Plane: Cabin and Customs Rules
What you can bring in your cabin bag and checked baggage, the 100ml liquid rule and destination customs rules.
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Travel
Travel Packing Tips: Checklist and How to Pack Food
A packing checklist, ways to fit more in your bag, and how to pack food from home for your holiday.
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Retort food
Retort Food Shelf Life: How Long It Lasts and Signs of Spoilage
The shelf life of retort food, how to read the dates on the pack, how to store it and the signs a…
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Travel
Halal Food in Korea: Where to Find It and What to Bring
Where to find halal food in Korea, Muslim-friendly restaurant categories, Korean words on labels and what you can bring.
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Travel
Travel Food: What to Bring and How to Pack It
Food that suits each type of trip, the rules for bringing food abroad, and how to pack it.
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Emergencies and floods
Flood Emergency Kit: Complete Checklist for Families
A flood emergency kit checklist for families: documents, water, food, medicine, equipment and special needs.
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Food businesses and retort machines
Retort Machine: Types, Cost Factors and Options for Entrepreneurs
How a retort machine works, the main types, cost factors, and when it makes more sense to use a retort service first.
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Retort food
Retort Food: What It Is, How It Is Made and Why It Lasts
What retort food is, how it is produced, why it is safe and what to check before you buy.
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101 guides
Want to try retort food?
Ready-to-eat pasta, laksa and Malay dishes. No fridge needed, lasts 1 to 2 years.
