Exploring Medovik, Russian and Uzbek Food at Torte by Linda

I first came across Torte by Linda because of its Medovik (Russian honey cake). If I remember correctly, I might have come across postings of beautiful Medoviks on social media. Instead of thick layers of sponge cake and cream, Medovik is made up of multiple thin honey cake layers held together with frosting.

Eventually, what started as a visit for cake eventually became an opportunity to explore other items on the menu. Over several visits, I found myself trying not only different Medovik flavours but also a selection of Russian and Uzbek dishes that are not commonly found in Kuala Lumpur.

More Than Just a Medovik Cake Shop

While Torte by Linda is best known for its Medovik cakes, the menu extends beyond desserts.

The restaurant serves a variety of Russian and Uzbek dishes, making it possible to enjoy a full meal before moving on to dessert. For those unfamiliar with these cuisines, like me, it offers an accessible introduction without feeling intimidating.

The Savoury Dishes I Tried

Plov (Beef)

One of the dishes I tried was the Plov (Beef). Plov is a traditional Uzbek rice dish. Also known as Uzbek Plov or palov, the version served at Torte by Linda consisted of rice cooked in oil together with beef, julienned carrots, onions, garlic, and cumin powder.

The rice was flavourful without being overly heavy, and the beef was tender and paired well with the rice. It is the type of satisfying meal that works well if you are looking for something filling without being overly rich.

Lamb Dumplings (Kurze)

Next, I tried the Kurze, braided lamb dumplings originating from the Republic of Dagestan in Russia.

At first glance, they may resemble dumplings that many Malaysians are already familiar with, but the flavour profile is quite different. The lamb filling gives them a richer and more distinctive taste.

The dumpling skin has a nice, slightly chewy but soft texture and holds the filling well without becoming overly thick. They were served with sour cream and chilli flakes, which complemented the richness of the lamb nicely.

The Russian Treats That Accompanied My Coffee

Blini

Another item I tried was the Blini. Blini are often described as Russian pancakes, although they are not quite the same as the pancakes many of us grew up eating.

The Blini at Torte by Linda is filled with homemade tvarog (cottage cheese) and served with berries and honey. It was a pleasant snack alongside coffee – simple, comforting and easy to enjoy.

Oreshki

I was also curious enough to try the Oreshki. These are walnut-shaped cookies filled with dulce de leche and chopped walnuts. Their appearance immediately stood out because they look unlike most cookies commonly found in local bakeries. They look really adorable too!

The cookie shells had a pleasant texture while the filling added sweetness without making them overly rich. They are small enough to enjoy in a few bites, making them ideal as an accompaniment to tea or coffee.

The Medovik that I Have Tried at Torte by Linda

Of course, no visit to Torte by Linda would feel complete without Medovik. In fact, over time, I managed to try four different flavours.

Raspberry Pistachio Medovik

This is Raspberry Pistachio Medovik. The slight tartness from the raspberry helped balance the sweetness of the cake, while the pistachio added a subtle nuttiness. The combination worked surprisingly well and gave the cake a lighter overall profile.

Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Medovik

This Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Medovik was probably the most contemporary interpretation of the traditional Medovik. The chocolate added richness while the kunafa element introduced additional texture. It felt like a fusion dessert that combined influences from different regions into a single cake.

Check out my IG reel of this Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Medovik to see what the insides of the cake looked like.

Honeymisu Medovik

The Honeymisu was perhaps the most memorable flavour I tried because I love the traditional tiramisu.

According to the menu description, it combines baked honey cake layers with infused espresso coffee, light mascarpone frosting and cocoa powder.

Those familiar with tiramisu will immediately recognise the inspiration behind the flavour profile. The coffee notes paired well with the honey cake layers, creating a dessert that felt familiar while still remaining distinctly Medovik.

Check out my IG reel of this Honeymisu Medovik to see what the insides of the cake looked like.

Chocolate Honey Medovik

The Chocolate Honey Medovik offered a more straightforward combination of chocolate and honey flavours. Compared to the Raspberry Pistachio and Honeymisu variations, this version leaned more towards richness. It would likely appeal to those who generally prefer chocolate-based desserts.

Would I Return to Torte by Linda?

Absolutely, without a doubt! The restaurant's ambience is soothing and perfect for coffee and dessert, especially for anyone curious about trying Russian and Uzbek food. Torte by Linda offers an approachable place to start. And if you only have room for one dessert, my recommendation would be any of the Medovik cakes.

Address: Lot No B-G-06, Eight Kinrara, Jalan BK 5A/1, Bandar Kinrara, 47180 Puchong.

Check out their social media links via their Linktree.

Note: This is not a paid collaboration or advertorial. All opinions expressed are my own, based on my personal dining experience at Torte by Linda.

The Cost of Staying Well: What Happens Between Healthy and Hospitalised?

Recently, I came across two articles that, at first glance, seemed to have little in common.

The first discussed rising healthcare costs in Malaysia and argued that preventive healthcare is one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term healthcare expenditure.

The second explored perimenopause and menopause, highlighting how many women experience symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, sleep disruption, brain fog and declining confidence, often without realising that hormonal changes may be contributing to these experiences.

One was about healthcare economics, whereas the other was about women's health.

The Growing Cost of Chronic Disease

For more context, Malaysia is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and cancer continue to place pressure on individuals, families, employers, insurers and healthcare providers.

Traditionally, conversations around healthcare costs have focused on hospital bills, insurance premiums and access to treatment.

Increasingly, however, healthcare experts are pointing towards prevention as a more sustainable solution.

The logic seems straightforward.

If fewer people develop chronic diseases, healthcare utilisation may decrease. If diseases are detected earlier, treatment is often simpler, less invasive and less costly than managing advanced-stage conditions.

From both a health and economic perspective, prevention appears to make perfect sense.

At least on paper.

The Prevention Paradox

The more I think about it, the more I wonder whether there is a gap in how we think about healthcare financing.

Many Malaysians are already investing in their health long before they receive a diagnosis.

We pay out of pocket for health screenings, consultations, supplements, fitness programmes, nutrition advice, menopause-related care and other preventive measures aimed at maintaining our wellbeing.

Yet much of the healthcare financing system remains designed around treatment rather than prevention. Support often becomes available only after a condition has been diagnosed or progressed to a stage that requires medical intervention.

This creates an interesting paradox.

We say prevention is important. We acknowledge that early intervention can improve outcomes and potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs.

We recognise that conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even some cancers are influenced by years of accumulated risk factors.

Yet many of the costs associated with prevention continue to be borne primarily by individuals.

The result is a system where staying healthy can sometimes feel like a personal expense, while becoming sick unlocks access to healthcare benefits.

This is not a criticism of insurers, healthcare providers or policymakers. Healthcare financing is complex, and resources are finite.

However, it does raise an important question:

If prevention is truly the goal, how do we better support people during the years before they become patients?

The Missing Middle

This is where I think an important conversation is missing.

We often divide people into two groups: healthy and sick.

But real life is rarely that simple.

Between being healthy and being hospitalised lies a stage that many people will experience at some point in their lives, a period where health may be declining and symptoms may be emerging, yet a diagnosis has not been made.

They may not have a formal diagnosis. They may not require immediate medical intervention. Yet they do not feel 100% well.

They may be experiencing chronic fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, hormonal changes, weight gain, declining fitness, elevated blood sugar, rising cholesterol or persistent stress.

These individuals occupy what I think of as the "missing middle" of healthcare, a space that receives far less attention than it deserves.

They are not seeking treatment for disease, but neither are they simply pursuing wellness. They are trying to prevent a decline in health before it becomes something more serious.

What Perimenopause Can Teach Us About Prevention

Perimenopause provides a useful example.

Many women in their forties and fifties experience significant physical, emotional and cognitive changes.

Sleep becomes disrupted. Energy levels decline. Concentration becomes more difficult. Anxiety may appear for the first time. Confidence may be affected.

At the very stage of life when women are being encouraged to exercise, manage their weight and reduce long-term health risks, they may be facing barriers that make these goals considerably harder to achieve.

The challenge is not a lack of knowledge. The challenge is that life circumstances and biological changes influence behaviour.

This is why prevention cannot be reduced to simple messages such as "exercise more" or "eat better".

Human beings are more complicated than that.

A Question Worth Exploring

As Malaysia grapples with rising healthcare costs, an ageing population and increasing rates of chronic disease, conversations about prevention will become even more important.

Bank Negara Malaysia's recent efforts to improve the sustainability of Medical and Health Insurance/Takaful plans reflect a broader recognition that healthcare financing cannot continue indefinitely without addressing utilisation and long-term health outcomes.

At the same time, healthcare providers continue to advocate for earlier screening, better health literacy and greater preventive care, while conversations around issues such as perimenopause remind us that many health challenges begin long before a formal diagnosis is made.

Yet an important question remains.

If prevention is truly the goal, how do we support people during the years before they become patients?

The more I think about it, the more I realise that the conversation about preventive healthcare may not simply be a healthcare conversation.

It is also a conversation about value.

Today, healthcare systems are exceptionally good at treating illness. Hospitals, specialists, medications and insurance plans are largely designed to respond once a medical condition has been identified.

But the years before a diagnosis are often less visible.

This is the period when individuals begin noticing subtle changes in their health, whether that is rising cholesterol levels, declining fitness, persistent fatigue, poor sleep, hormonal changes or other early warning signs that something may be shifting.

Many choose to take action during this period. They invest in screenings, exercise, nutritional support, health coaching, mental wellbeing and other preventive measures, often at their own expense.

The question is whether we place enough value on these efforts.

If prevention is truly the future of sustainable healthcare, perhaps the challenge is not only how to treat disease more effectively, but also how to recognise and support the work people do to stay well in the first place.

Which brings me back to the question that started this reflection:

What happens between "healthy" and "hospitalised"?

Because that space may hold some of the most important opportunities for improving health outcomes, reducing long-term healthcare costs and rethinking how we approach prevention altogether.

References

Opinion: Preventive healthcare — An effective path to lower healthcare costs

Puberty in reverse: inside the powerful Front & Female conversation on menopause and perimenopause

The Silent NCD Crisis In Malaysia: A Public Health Warning — Assistant Medical Officer

BNM To Strenghten Rules On Medical Insurance As Base MHIT Plan Rolls Out

 

I Didn't Mean to Collect Them, But I Did: The Psychology Behind Skincare Free Gifts

I Didn't Mean to Collect Them But I Did

Let me tell you a story. It started with one. You know, a small "free gift" that came with a skincare purchase. So, here's how I fell into the "dangly things" rabbit hole. 

When I purchased a set of face mist / spray serum from d'Alba during a special sale on Shopee, I managed to get my hands on a few keyring sets, each attached to a mini d'Alba product and something cute dangling from it.

To be honest, initially I didn't think much of it. Until I realised… I now have a total of seven from a few different brands! All slightly different but strangely similar.

At some point, my husband asked, half amused and half confused, "Why do you even need so many of these?" I laughed and said, "So I can write a blog post about them. What else? Hahaha!"

The Rise of the "Dangly Things"

These skincare freebies are usually called keychains, key rings, or charms. But I call them "dangly things". Because that's exactly what they are. Hahaha!

Typically, it's a tiny skincare product such as a serum, hand cream, or sunscreen paired with something decorative, such as a beaded chain, mini mirror, soft leather charm, or something glossy, pastel, or heart-shaped.

This Laneige keyring was part of a special promotion that came with my purchase of the Lip Sleeping Mask. Complete with a lollipop charm, metallic bead chain, mini applicator, and oversized safety pin detail, it feels playful and youthful, very much in line with Laneige's fun and colourful branding.

One of my favourites is this AXIS-Y keyring, which features a mini Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum paired with a pink heart-shaped gua sha charm and matching beaded bracelet. It came as a free gift with my purchase of the Quinoa One-Step Balanced Gel Cleanser and somehow manages to be both practical and adorable at the same time.

This Skintific keyring came with a cushion foundation purchase and includes a mini mirror designed to resemble the brand's cushion compact. Accompanied by a heart-shaped charm and pearl-inspired beaded strap, it feels less like a skincare free gift and more like a handbag accessory.

Perhaps the most unique piece in my collection is this CLIO keyring. Instead of the usual beads and hearts, it features an iridescent fish-shaped charm paired with a braided tassel cord. It was included with my purchase of the Kill Cover Founwear Cushion Foundation and definitely stands out from the rest of the collection.

BANILA CO took a more elegant approach with this crystal-inspired keyring. Featuring clear faceted beads, pearl accents, star charms, and a silver-toned pendant, it feels sophisticated and surprisingly premium for a skincare free gift.

After looking through my collection, don't you agree they're rather adorable? Whether hanging from a bag or a set of keys, they somehow manage to sit there effortlessly looking pretty.

It's Not Just a Free Gift

Increasingly, they show up as exclusive gifts when you shop from certain skincare brands.

If it were just a mini product, it would be functional. But once you add the "dangly thing", it becomes something else entirely.

It becomes something you might actually use, display, or keep.

That small addition shifts the experience from "I received a sample" to "I got something cute". And that emotional shift matters more than we think.

Cute, But Not Random

The more I looked at my collection, the more I noticed a pattern. These aren't just random add-ons.

They tap into something very specific: the rise of mini everything, the culture of bag charms and accessories, and our desire for things that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

It's skincare, but also lifestyle.

It's something you don't just use but also carry.

The Psychology Behind the Collection

Well, I didn't set out to collect them. It started innocently with one, and holy moly now I have seven! Not because I needed seven mini products, but because each one felt slightly different.

And somewhere along the way, without realising it, I had shifted from merely buying skincare (read my Surprisingly Simple Midlife Skincare Routine That Works for Me blog post here) to accumulating variations of the same idea. Now I realise it's not accidental. It's design.

As a marketer, I can't help but look at this through a consumer behaviour lens, and a few things stand out.

1. Low effort, high perceived value

The cost of producing these add-ons is quite likely low. But the perceived value to the customer is high. It feels like you're getting more than what you paid for.

2. Emotional attachment

You're less likely to throw it away because it's not just a product; it's "cute".

3. Portability and habit

A mini product attached to your bag makes it easier to use. It's always there and within reach.

4. Collectibility

Now this is the quiet one. Each version is slightly different, which makes it just interesting enough to get another one. Not because you need it but because you don't mind having it.

What This Says About Us

I believe you'd agree that we don't always buy stuff based on need.

Sometimes, we buy because some products are currently trending, or it feels nice to have, it offers added value, or it fits into our lifestyle, even in a small way.

So sometimes, we may end up with seven "dangly things" without quite planning to, like what happened to me. Hahaha!

In summary, I now realise that these small add-ons aren't just about making a purchase feel better.

They're about making the brand "stay" with you, quite literally, on your bag, in your daily routine, and in your line of sight. I gotta admit it's subtle, clever, and it works.

At the end of the day, I believe skincare brands are doing much more than giving away free gifts. Those cute little keyrings and charms are designed to stay with us on our bags, in our routines, and in our line of sight. It turns out I wasn't just collecting dangly things after all. I was participating in a very well-designed marketing system.

What My Favourite Star Wars Character Says About Me

Note: This post started when I casually mentioned to my AI assistant that my favourite Star Wars character is Rotta the Hutt. What followed was an unexpectedly thoughtful discussion about identity, family legacies, and why a former baby Hutt managed to become one of the most relatable characters in the galaxy. The Star Wars opinions are mine. The psychological unpacking was a team effort. 😄

A few days ago, I had an interesting conversation with my ChatGPT. The discussion started with me asking about Star Wars characters and the types of personalities that tend to like them.

ChatGPT described that fans of Din Djarin might value loyalty and responsibility; fans of Ahsoka might admire independence and integrity; and fans of Obi-Wan might appreciate wisdom and resilience.

Then ChatGPT asked me: So, who's your favourite character? Can you guess what was my answer?

Rotta the Hutt

For those unfamiliar with Star Wars lore, Rotta is the son of Jabba the Hutt. And I meant Rotta the Hutt from the 2026 movie, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.

What I find most interesting about Rotta is that he seems determined not to become his father. For context: Jabba the Hutt is an untouchable, ruthless mob boss in Star Wars.

In The Mandalorian and Grogu movie, the scene (spoiler alert!) that really stayed with me was when he chose to remain behind and help the New Republic. It wasn't a flashy or heroic moment. It was simply a choice to do something different from what people might have expected of a Hutt.

ChatGPT suggested that perhaps the character resonated with me because of my own experiences growing up. Like many people who grew up with challenging family dynamics, part of my identity was shaped by what I wanted to avoid; for example, not wanting to repeat certain behaviours or to make the same mistakes and decisions.

I had never connected those thoughts to a Star Wars character before. Yet when I look at Rotta's story, I can see why it resonates. He inherited a reputation and certain expectations and assumptions about who he would become. Instead, he chose a different path.

What Fictional Characters Reveal About Us

Of course, this is where fiction and real life differ. In real life, change is usually much messier than a character arc. There isn't a single defining moment when we suddenly become a different person.

Instead, we make hundreds of small decisions over many years, e.g., who we spend time with, how we treat people, what values we prioritise, and how we respond when life becomes difficult.

I used to avoid becoming the person I didn't want to become. These days, I think I'm more motivated in becoming the kind of person I respect, i.e., someone who keeps learning and contributes meaningfully through her work.

Perhaps that is why I like Rotta. Not just because he rejected his father's legacy, but because he chose to build his own.

I guess that's why certain characters stay with us. It's not because they are the strongest or the most heroic, but because they reflect questions we have been asking ourselves all along.

For me, Rotta's story is not really about a Hutt choosing a different path.

We are not limited to the stories we inherit. We are also shaped by the choices we make, and sometimes, those choices matter more than where we started.