Marutamagoya Russian Cafe 📍 Motomachi Hakodate Hokkaido まるたま小屋 ロシア料理店 ☎ +81138763749

When Japan opened to foreign trade in 1859 (after over 220 years of self isolation policy), only three ports were accessible to traders - Nagasaki in the south, Yokohama in central Japan, and Hakodate in the north.

Many Chinese, Russians, and Europeans set up businesses in Hakodate. Foreign traders left their marks which are still visible and felt today.

Jia Xiang Mee Siam📍Redhill #01-35 • Old School Tuckshop Flavours 红山佳香米暹

Kaki kaki's office is just steps from Redhill market & hawker centre. He has been raving about Jia Xiang Mee Siam. Finally made the trip today as I was running an errand nearby.

History of Johor • Primer for Foodies

The history of a country or place is usually told in its buildings, monuments, durable artefacts, documents, legends, stories of its key personalities, etc. In this article, I try to tell the history of Johor with food as the protagonist in the Johor story. I believe that the stories behind dishes add flavour to its taste and our enjoyment.

Hokkaido Soup Curry • GARAKU, Tiger, 高陣 Takajin Review • Origin Theory

Ben suggested Japanese curry when we arrived in Sapporo, Hokkaido - my first reaction was it was alright though I wasn't overly eager. 

Super Rich Chicken Soup Ramen • Menya Tori no Keiji Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi 麺や鳥の鶏次 KYOTO 四条河原町店 ☎ +81757085620

Trying to recommend ramen in Japan is like recommending chicken rice places in Singapore - bad ones are harder to find than good ones.

There are so, so many good ramen places everywhere in Japan, I hesitate to write up and recommend any but this one in Kyoto I really like and would go back again.

But, I have to forewarn you that it is not for everyone as it is very rich and on the sweet savoury side.

It's the feel and flavour profile I like for ramen.

SHUKOU Home Style Dishes📍Near Hakodate JR Station 函館おばんざい 酒肴 (しゅこう) • 函馆家常菜• 下酒菜 ☎ 07052847786

We stayed two nights in Hakodate, Hokkaido. This cluster of more than twenty tiny eateries and bars at 大門横丁 Daimon Alley was just 5 minutes walk from our hotel, which was 5 minutes walk from Hakodate JR train station.

Koyasan Must Eat Sesame Tofu • Kadohama Goma-tofu Honpo 胡麻豆腐 • 角濱ごまとうふ総本舗飲食部 • 高野山 ☎ 0736268700

First time in Koyasan 高野山, one of the three holiest mountains of Buddhism in Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Doris's Devilishly Delicious Curry📍 Greenhouse Dusit Thani Laguna • Hawkers Omakase by Maybank & Makansutra

I have been following Hawkers Omakase by Maybank & Makansutra 2026 with excitement and anticipation - the selected stalls are carefully curated and showcase the best of Singapore hawkers. Many countries still have hawkers but only Singapore has hawkers Omakase.

The next instalment is with Doris's Devilishly Delicious Curry by Justin (launching on 17 Aug and on till 16 Oct).

Kuan's Table Private Dining • Malayalee Kerala Malabar Food in Singapore ✆ Whatsapp 9139 7488

Kuan is a talented and passionate home chef who cooks Chinese, Paranakan, Western (Spanish, Italian, etc), and Indian (Malayalee) too.

Kemuri Warayaki Straw Fire Grill Omakase & Izakaya 📍 Cuppage Plaza Little Japan Orchard Singapore ☎ 9772 4300

Kerumi is a "hidden gem" nestled at level 4 of Cuppage Plaza in the "Little Japan" of Singapore Orchard Road.

Kerumi showcases warayaki or rice straw fire grilling - an ancient high heat cooking technique that is rarely seen today even in Japan. We are so lucky to experience it right here in Singapore.

Candi Bumi Ayu • Links with Kingdom of Singapura

Candi Bumi Ayu is a Hindu temple from the 9th century during the time of the powerful Sri Vijaya empire (7th to 13th century) which, based in Palembang (South Sumatra), controlled both the Malacca and Sunda Straits i.e. all east west access between China and India / Arabia.

Butakin Jiro Style Ramen @ Umeda Osaka 东梅田店 ☎ +81668093238

There's a Butakin Ramen outlet steps from our hotel in Umeda, Osaka. For days, every time we walked past the little restaurant we felt and smelled the porcine aroma blown out into the street. But, I hesitated to try it - there's something about human nature - not valuing or taking for granted what is right in front of us 😬

Origin of Nasi Tumpeng • Telling the History of Indonesia with One Dish

Nasi tumpeng is a unique Indonesian dish with a distinctive presentation - a cone of rice in the middle with a variety of side dishes arranged around its base and served on a round tray. No utensils, nasi tumpeng is best enjoyed by hand.

The dish has deep spiritual roots and significance. In my opinion, it is the most Indonesian dish - not due to its pervasiveness as it is mostly found in Java, but because it has been around for the longest time in Indonesian history. 

(Indonesia's Tourism Ministry in 2014, named nasi tumpeng a national dish along with soto, rendang, satay, nasi goreng, and gado-gado.) 

Rolls Handroll Izakaya Bar Menu & Review • Rolls that Rock @ Mercure ICON Singapore 卷卷吧 ☎ 8056 9595

Rolls Handroll Izakaya.

Cool cosy new place to enjoy sake and other spirits with delicious freshly handcrafted handrolls at Club Street in Singapore's Central Business District.

Mount Meru Abode of Gods to Bukit Seguntang to Bukit Langaran Singapura • Fort Canning Hill

Snow capped Mount Kailash in the Himalayas is the mythical Mount Meru - the centre of the universe, home of the gods in Hinduism (as well as Buddhism, Jainism and Tibetan Bon).

Ayam Gepuk Story 📍 Molek Johor Bahru ☏ +6018 770 7193

Continuing my ayam gepuk journey, this time at Ayam Gepuk Story at Taman Molek. It's located right across Jalan Masai Baru from Johor Jaya Police Station.

Kushikatsu Yaekatsu Fried Skewers📍Shinsekai Osaka 新世界 串かつ 八重勝 ☏ +816 6643 6332

One of my bucket list dishes to try in Osaka was kushikatsu which are deep fried battered meats and vegetables on skinny wooden skewers.

Prevent Gout with Right Foods • Don't Let Flare Ups Ruin Your Trips

I love travelling for food - fitness and good health are vital to enjoy such overseas trips. So far, I had two bouts of gout flare ups during my trips, once in Sarawak and in Japan.

Mr Grumpy by Fiie's Cafe Nasi Ayam Goreng Fried Chicken Rice Marsiling Woodlands Outlet

After running an errand near Marsiling MRT station, I walked around looking for lunch. Spotted this Mr Grumpy by Fiie's Cafe Nasi Ayam Goreng stall.

Fiie's Cafe at Lucky Plaza had extensive viral media coverage a few years ago. I have never had it before and since I am already here 来都来了, I decided to give Fiie's a try.

Brief History of Japan • Primer for Foodies • 5 Minute Read

This is a very condensed history of Japan from prehistory to the Meiji Restoration in the mid-1800s.

My purpose is to put the history of Japanese cuisine I encounter in context, along the timeline of Japanese history. No particular reason, I just enjoy eating and letting the food open windows for me on understanding a place and its people better through their history. Knowing Japanese history is a good foundation for deeper appreciation of Japanese cuisine. I feel food tastes better that way.

Monday Omakase Party @ Singapore Chinatown Food Centre Hawker Stall • Weng Kiang Porridge ☎️ 9850 3529

Among Singapore hawkers, there are some hidden dragons 卧虎藏龙 - chefs with Michelin star restaurant or top international hotel credentials lurking in hawker centres.

Smallest Takoyaki Place in the World • Takoyaki Shioya Octopus Ball Stall in a Closet📍Umeda JR Station ☏ +81663647101

Okay.... this takoyaki place doesn't need another introduction, it has been visited and broadcasted by many influencers.

But, I still want to record my own take on this quaint little stall as I am a takoyaki fan and this stall is a last stand (literally) of Japanese hawker culture / heritage.

Ramen Sou Rekishi wo Kizame Osaka Nipponbashi • Jirorian Cult Noodle ラーメン荘 歴史を刻め 大阪日本橋店 ☎ +81666957576

After spending the day at Tsutenkaku 通天閣, we roamed slightly out of the tourist belt to look for a hyperlocal ramenya (ramen restaurant).

Endō Sushi📍Osaka Central Market Branch ゑんどう寿司 中央市場店 ☎ +81664697108

Was supposed to visit Osaka Municipal Central Market but most of the market was closed when we got there 🙄

No Limits Mugen Ramen Osaka • Extreme Rich Beef Soup & Charsiu 無限ラーメン難波中本店 ☎ +81666848605

After visiting Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market 木津卸売市場, our next check point was Namba Yasaka Jinja 難波八阪神社.

ICHIRAN Umeda Osaka • Guide to Enjoying Fuss Free Top Ramen Chain in Japan ☏ +815018082490

Every ramen fan knows the chain Ichiran but I haven't tried it so far 🫢😝

Grandma Uotoyo Unagi📍Kuromon Market 鮮魚 魚豊 黒門市場 ☎️ +816 6631 4279

Second time lucky to catch the iconic grandma unagi stall at Kuromon Market - two years ago, we missed the chance as she was sold out of eels when we were here.

Tapu Tart · Creative Flavours Traditional Shell📍Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Johor Bahru 塔铺 陈旭年文化街

Stumbled upon 塔铺 Tapu Tart at the side wall beside popular Dona Bakeshop and famous Hiap Joo Bakery (the banana cake lah) along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee in old downtown Johor Bahru.

Ayam Gepuk Top Global Larkin ☎ +6012 252 0875

In the raging ayam gepuk craze now on, Ayam Gepuk Top Global (I went to the Larkin outlet) is one of the most popular among the numerous chains jumping on the bandwagon.

Lion City Chicken Rice & Hotpot 📍9 Townshend Road ☎ 8220 0329

Met up with kaki kaki at newly opened Lion City Chicken Rice & Hotpot at Townshend Road.

Beo Crescent Tu Tu Kueh • Kia Xiang Du Du Nyonya Kueh 佳香嘟嘟娘惹糕 ☎️ 9838 8194

Exploring Beo Crescent Market & Food Centre, we stumbled upon Kia Xiang Du Du Nyonya Kueh 佳香嘟嘟娘惹糕 stall which has tu tu kueh.