Guo Tie 锅贴 (Pan Fried Dumplings) at Taman Sri Tebrau Hawker Centre, Johor Bahru

I asked Johor Yummy members what to eat at the old Taman Sri Tebrau Hawker Centre and the guo tie 锅贴 (or pan fried dumpling) stall came up a few times. So, I made my way to stall #26 at the dingy old food centre, my interest piqued because this is the only guo tie stall that I have heard of so far in Johor Bahru.

J Maison Café in Kulai, Johor

J Maison is a small café tucked at the back row of shoplots near the upcoming AEON Jusco Mall in Kulai, Johor.



I have tried J Maison's homemade cakes and liked them very much. Shirley, one of J Maison's young partners invited me to also try their café food which they serve for lunch and dinner.


Herbal Chicken Rice RM9.90

We started off with this Herbal Chicken with Steamed Rice. Shirley is quite excited and proud of this herbal chicken dish - it is her mum's recipe.



The herbal chicken leg was very soft. The tender meat slipped off the bone with just a gentle tug.

Shirley asked me how it was. Well, flavour wise, the herbal fragrance is certainly there but I thought the dish was rather unembellished. A little too noncommercial, too homely. Perhaps, it would be more interesting if it was dressed up with something bright and green like coriander leaves?

But then, on second thoughts, maybe that is why this herbal chicken is so appealing. It is straight from mum's kitchen. Honest and simple goodness without any frills :)


J Special Nasi Lemak RM7.90

The nasi lemak was also pretty straightforward. The rice had that lemak fragrance and was not greasy.



The two small pieces of chicken were nicely fried - crispy outside, still moist inside, not greasy.



But, to me it is J Maison's sambal that is the "Special" in the "J Special Nasi Lemak". Shirley's husband, who is Peranakan, personally makes the sambal based on his own recipe. Each batch of sambal took 3 long hours to make. The end result is a tasty blend of mildly spicy, savoury and sweet paste that complemented the coconut flavoured rice well.


Fish and Chips RM12.90

Actually, fish and fries.





Made with 2 large thin slices of Dory fillet. Everything was nicely executed and put in place.



The fish and fries is served with mayonnaise and chili sauce.


Curry Chicken RM8.90

Nice curry chicken with potato. The curry is mild, not too spicy nor too lemak. The well marinated chicken is tender and the curry infused potato is soft and delicious.



The curry chicken can be served with a choice of white rice, bee hoon, yellow noodles or toasted buns.


Tomyam Nasi Goreng RM6.90

I am impressed with J Maison's Thai style fried rice.



I like this Thai style fried rice because the bouncy, tasty rice are in loose separate grains (not lumped together in clumps). The flavours of sweet, savoury, tangy and spicy mixed with aroma from the spices were mild and easy to like. This dish can really get my saliva flowing.



The fried rice comes with a lovely, sunny side up done to perfection.


Musetti Latte RM6.90

When at J Maison, I will want to enjoy their Musetti coffee. Smooth, robust Arabica aroma with a good body.



oh... an update on the very interesting mural at J Maison's al fresco area. The artist hasn't had time to add any more strokes to the painting since our last visit :P It's still very pretty and interesting as it is :)



If you are the Kulai area and you want simple Café fare paired with nice cakes and coffee in a basic, laid back, cosy setting with the comfort of air con, then J Maison Café would be right for you.

Restaurant name: J Maison Café
Address: 122, Jalan Kenanga 29/6, Indahpura, Kulaijaya, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/mBXnN
GPS: 1.643308,103.618068
Hours: Saturdays 11:00am to 1:00am. All other days 11:00am to 11:00pm. Tuesdays off.
Parking: Ample, free street parking
Non Halal

Date visited: 8 Sep 2013

Best Singapore Food: Red Star Restaurant 红星酒家

It has been hard for me to be dispassionate when writing this post. Emotions and nostalgia gets in the way of objectivity when thinking about Sin Leong 冼良 and Red Star 红星 - these are no ordinary eating places. They are part of the story of Singapore and Singaporeans. Also, the dinner - a large gathering with an extensive unfamiliar menu of half forgotten dishes was Makansutra's largest gathering to date. There were so many different fascinating dishes and dimensions at the dinner, so this is an unusually long post. In trying to do it justice, I hope I am not doing it injustice. Read more.

A Curry Laksa Story from Johor • Cathay Laksa

During my foodspotting in Johor Bahru, I have tried many curry laksa stalls from the famous to the obscure. All the curry laksa stalls have their own stories. This is just one of the many stories - the story behind four of the most popular curry laksa stalls in Johor Bahru today.

My curiosity was piqued when I noticed that the laksa of Lee Kee, Tan Kee, Sam Kong and the laksa stall at Siak Hong are very similar.

Best Singapore Food - Mamanda Restaurant

This is my first visit to Mamanda, a Malay fine-dining restaurant in Singapore. Kf Seetoh of Makansutra invited me to join him for a special culinary experience, "Some of the dishes, I have never even heard of...", he said on the phone. It turned out to be one of the most fascinating meals I ever had. Read more.

Johor Best Cakes - Patisserie Love Café and Bakery in Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru

I love chilling out with friends over a nice hot cappa coffee and cool cakes in air con comfort, away from our tropical heat and humidity.

Passionfood Cafe in Taman Pelangi is one of my favourite places in Johor Bahru to enjoy coffee and cakes. So I am happy when Chi Ling (Passionfood's boss) told me that she has opened a Passionfood sister cafe in Bukit Indah known as Patisserie Love. Yesterday, I was at Patisserie Love at Chi Ling's invitation.



I like Patisserie Love/ Passionfood for their thoughtfulness.



The set up at Patisserie Love is simple and nice - it makes me feel relaxed and comfortable the moment I stepped in. Nothing pretentious. Just inviting and easy going.

The cakes are the same as at Passionfood as they are made at the same Passionfood bakery. For Passionfood fans, quality and consistency are assured.

Chi Ling, Tyng and I shared the following cakes.


Green Tea Tiramisu RM8.50


Trio Cheese Cake is RM8.50


Chocolate Oreo Tart  RM7.90


Strawberry Souffle Cheese RM8.90


Strawberry Garden RM8.50



All the cakes were fresh and of just the right sweetness. I complemented them with this smooth bitter sweet latte.

If you haven't tried Passionfood/ Patisserie Love's cakes, now you have two locations to enjoy it :)



So if you are around the Bukit Indah area, swing by for a cosy coffee break at Patisserie Love with Passionfood's famous cakes and coffee.

It's a lovely little oasis.



Restaurant name: Patisserie Love Café and Bakery
Address: 28, Jalan Indah 15/3, Taman Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/YtiR0
GPS: 1.480715,103.657926
Hours: 12:00 noon to 10:00pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 17 Sep 2013

Pontian Wholesale Fish Market Update 2018

I am fascinated with seafood markets and the most accessible one in Johor from Singapore or JB is Pontian Wholesale Fish Market.

Johor Steamboat - Sedapnya Steamboat 好食火涡 in Taman Impian Emas, Skudai, Johor

Ck Pang, the boss of Sedapnya Steamboat  好食火涡 in Taman Impian Emas invited me to visit his restaurant.

I've known Ck as a fellow foodie who is active in Johor foodie social media circles. Ck and his wife, Joyce, are in the clothing retail business and they like to combine their food hunt with their overseas business trips.

Last year, Ck started to help his father-in-law run Sedapnya Steamboat  好食火涡.

Harbour 3 Hong Kong Steamboat 海港火锅 in Batu Pahat, Johor

Hong Kong style steamboat restaurants that emphasise MSG-free soup base and premium ingredients are sprouting up in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.

Andy, the boss of Harbour 3 Hong Kong Steamboat 海港火锅 in Batu Pahat invited me to visit his restaurant.

Fried Durian Puffs in Johor Bahru

Fresh durians are available only when they are in season. So, in between durian seasons what are durian lovers to do? Fortunately for people in JB, there is a delicious alternative - the freshly fried durian puff.

Nasi Lemak Kak Zai (Low Piak) Batu Pahat, Johor

This delicious nasi lemak with teh tarik all for a grand total of RM6.80.

I have to thank reader Hippototomos Miaw who suggested that I should try her favourite nasi lemak stall in Taman Nira, better known as Low Piak to locals in Batu Pahat. There are several warungs around here at Low Piak where many gather for their meals.

Stall name: Warung Zai (Kak Zai) Nasi Lemak

Address: Taman Nira, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia

Tel: +6012 757 0548

Hours: 7:00am - 12:00 noon (Tues off)

Jessica Chong, Certified Sommelier at Gastrolution

Photo Credit: Stephanie Choy

I've been a casual wine drinker for a long, long time but never really knew how to appreciate it correctly. Of course, I picked up some tips here and there from drinking kakis but it just got me more confused.


Photo Credit: Jessica Chong

So, I recently signed up for the introductory Wine Appreciation Workshop conducted in JB by Jessica, who is a Certified Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommelier and a partner at Gastrolution.

Jessica and I are good friends now. I am fascinated by her passion and knowledge about wines.

 

 

Jessica's expertise and international experience is much sought after by hotels, wineries, wine suppliers and related industries. So, I am curious why she left her well paying job at her prime to become a wine appreciation teacher in JB, especially at a time when wine drinking is booming in Asian countries like China.

Over coffee (not wine LOL :) ), I found that Jessica chose this path because she has made it her mission to promote the budding wine culture in Johor Bahru.

Born and bred in Johor Bahru, Jessica has come full circle after a career that has taken her around the world.

It all start quite by accident back in 1999.



Fresh out of SHATEC (Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre), Jessica was working in Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. Two of her customers celebrating clinching a big deal, ordered a bottle French Chateau Margaux 82. At that time, a bottle of Chateau Margaux 82 retails at over SGD5,000. "Three times my salary then!" Jessica exclaimed, still incredulous about that episode. 

The jubilant gentlemen offered Jessica a generous glass of Chateau Margaux 82. One sip of this heaven's nectar got Jessica smitten for life. "How could something tastes so good?" From that moment on, Jessica began her lifelong journey to find out all about wines. That journey that has taken her on adventures in many countries and today, Jessica is back in JB doing what she loves most - to share her passion.

After Four Seasons Singapore, Jessica went into the wine supply business, organising wine events and providing wine consultancy services in Singapore.


Photo Credit: Jessica Chong

During this time, Jessica did a stint in the vineyards of Adelaide, South Australia. Starting with the back breaking work of a grape picker, this first hand, on the ground experience gave Jessica insights into wines that could not be gotten any other way.

Jessica's next stop was Beijing and Shanghai where she stayed for 3 years in wine retail and as a Sommelier before coming back to Singapore wine retail again.

From Singapore, Jessica moved to be the Sommelier at Ritz Carlton's luxurious Al Bustan Palace in Oman.


Photo Credit: Wikipedia

After Oman, Jessica returned as the Chief Sommelier in the newly opened Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur and then the Resident Sommelier at Renoma Café Gallery in KL.



And, now Jessica is back in her hometown JB to make a difference.


Photo Credit: Jessica Chong

Jessica agrees with people who say that there is no wine culture in Johor Bahru yet. Big difference is, she takes it upon herself to change that. Jessica envisions a vibrant wine culture in JB and people whom she has taught thriving in this emerging industry here. 

When I asked Jessica what is in the future, she said she sees herself running her own wine bar to share her passion with wine lovers.


Photo Credit: Jessica Chong

Wine culture is bound to grow in JB. If you like to be at the head of the trend and want to learn from the best, Jessica's coming wine appreciation workshops (in English) are on:

28 Sep 2013 (Saturday, 4:00pm to 7:00pm, RM190 fee with dinner included) at Menu Please restaurant.

If you are interested to attend these wine appreciation workshops by Jessica, send a private message to Jessica's Facebook account.

Note: Johor Kaki has no affiliation with Gastrolution and did not receive any fees for this post (or for that matter, any post in this blog).

Closed: Charcoal Burgers at Johor Bahru City Square Mall Pizza Box

Charcoal burgers fascinate me and so when I realised that my friend Alan's new restaurant, Pizza Box in Johor Bahru City Square serves charcoal burgers, I quickly make a trip there. Alan invited me to try both his pizzas and charcoal burgers.

I tried both Pizza Box's pizzas and charcoal burgers but this post is dedicated to the charcoal burgers. (Another post will be on the pizzas :) )

After trying Pizza Box's charcoal burgers which sells for RM9.90 to RM19.90 nett, I am finding it much harder for me to go back to those giant franchise burger chains :P

Take a look with me at how each one of Pizza Box's "gourmet" burger is individually made, to see why they are different. 



The process starts with grilling the patty and charcoal buns on the griddle. See how thick that minced pork patty is? There are other flavours like chicken, egg and tuna, beef, bacon and salmon.



The chunky pork patty is grilled till it is slightly charred outside. Slices of Cheddar cheese are then laid on top of the sizzling pork patty.



Slices of fresh unions on the griddle. I love those caramelised, charred rings :)



The Cheddar cheese melts on the griddle, flows down and envelopes the sizzling, chunky patty.



Look at that molten cheese lava smothering the pork patty.



The ingredients at Pizza Box are of good quality, like these fresh tomatoes.



A slice of fresh juicy tomato goes on top of the cheese blanketed pork patty.



Raining ketchup from a squeeze bottle onto the burger.



The tower drenched in ketchup.



Spooning in generous dollops of Mozzarella cheese sauce.



Capping the patty, cheese and vege tower with a charcoal sesame bun.



Adding a heap of freshly fried potato fries.



Squeeze in a dash of ketchup.



Voila!! The completed 6-inch Volcano Cheesy Pork Burger at RM19.90 nett. I thought this is really value for money.



Juicy blend of savoury, sweet, tangy flavours in a bouncy slightly sweet charcoal sesame bun. Interesting mix of textures of tender minced meat, crunchy lettuce and onion, pulpy tomato and soft pillow-like bun. Nice!



There was no charcoal taste at all. Actually, the soft and bouncy charcoal bun was so goood, I can just happily eat it on it's own.



Pizza Box's charcoal burgers are definitely worth a try :)

Restaurant name: Pizza Box
Address: City Square Mall (Level 3, Inner City), Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Ex0Mz
GPS: 1.461570,103.763519
Hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm (last order 9:30pm)
Non Halal

Date visited: 4 Sep 2013

Return to Johor Kaki homepage.