Good Old School JJ Liang Kway Teow Kia in Johor Jaya 阿亮果条仔

When I first started blogging in 2012, I went all over Johor Bahru in search of kway teow kia 果条仔 - the uniquely JB dish is found everywhere here. You know how it is..., maybe because KTK is so common in JB, I soon took it for granted. I have not eaten KTK for a couple of years already.

Laksa Johor at Selera Johor at Plaza Larkin

Whenever I am asked to name foods that represent Johor, I always include Laksa Johor in my list. Yet, a good laksa Johor is very hard to find at hawker stalls in JB. I am glad that today, I tasted a good one at Selera Johor at Plaza Larkin.

ASIAN PIES by Evonne & Sarah. Best Asian Cuisine Book in Singapore 2016

I was happy for my friends, passionate home bakers Evonne and Sarah, when they published their book Asian Pies last year. Asian Pies have been selling like hot cakes pies. 

It even won double honours at the Oscars of cookbook awards 👏👏👏  At the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, Asian Pies clinched: 

🏆 Top 3 for Best Asian Cuisine Book 2016 award
🏆 Best Asian Cuisine Book in Singapore 2016 award.

Star of Kluang Food. STAR Restaurant. Best Restaurants in Kluang Series 居銮之星 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Updated 3 Oct 2019. Kluang is not exactly the natural break for the drive between KL and JB - the little town is 20km from the North South Expressway exit. But, we did just that today because I had this sudden craving for the Crispy Fried Duck from STAR Restaurant in Kluang.

Chew Lam Chee Cheong Fun and Cantonese Desserts in Kluang 招南.香港猪肠粉 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am so glad that Sarah brought us to Chew Lam Hong Kong Che Chong Fan stall at Kluang's popular Mengkibol River Hawker Centre.

Actually, this was my second time at Chew Lam Hong Kong Che Chong Fan.

Kluang Cendol Kader ● Century Old ● Simply Perfect ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Updated 4 Aug 2019. Many readers from Kluang have told me that I must try the cendol stall at Jalan Dato Kaptain Ahmad. Now, after trying it myself, I will tell anyone going to Kluang that they must not leave town without trying Kluang Cendol Kadir. It's 4-Stars in my books 😋

Taiwanese Beef Noodles & Braised Pork Rice @ Taiphoon Formosa Cuisine. Sutera JB

Anyone who has been to Taiwan knows that braised pork rice (lu rou fan 滷肉饭) and beef noodles (niu rou mian 牛肉麵) are found everywhere on the island. They're staple and comfort food like chicken rice in Singapore and nasi lemak in Malaysia. 

Quite a few people told me that they must have lu rou fan every day when they visit Taiwan. Funny thing is, for all the times that I have been to Taiwan, I have never tasted their lu rou fan and niu rou mian before - always enticed away to try the more trendy stuff 😂

Cambodian Food in Singapore at 51 F & B in Geylang

Thanks to buddy YJ, I got my first taste of Cambodian cuisine - and, it was in Singapore. I have never been to Cambodia before. As far as I know, 51 F & B Cambodian Deluxe in Geylang is the only eatery in Singapore serving Cambodian food (cooked by a Cambodian).

Sichuan Food in JB at Restaurant Culture 渝香食府 CLOSED

CLOSED JK reader Willy contacted me and enthused about the authentic Sichuan cuisine at one of his favourite JB restaurants - Restaurant Culture 渝香食府 in Bukit Indah. So, we met up there for lunch today 😄

Ayam Penyet @ Santeral Coffee Shop Johor Bahru 中央餐室

This is a simple ayam penyet stall in Santeral coffee shop in the heart of old Johor Bahru, just beside City Square Mall. There could be more tasty ayam penyet in JB, but I like the experience here in this old, low profile kopitiam.

Eagle Wings Loft Cafe at King Albert Park Singapore

Met up with buddy Patrick and Lisa at the newly opened Eagle Wings Loft Cafe at King Albert Park in Bukit Timah, Singapore.

The old (demolished) King Albert Park, of course, is in the place memories of many Singaporeans with it's McDonald's and Cold Storage. Today, the spanking new building looked nothing like the old one and the persona of the place hasn't formed yet as tenants are just beginning to move in.

Eagle Wing Loft Cafe is one of the first to open for business in the new incarnation of King Albert Park.

Mad About Sucre. Singapore Foodie Favourite ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's been almost exactly a year since I was last at Mad About Sucre - I like this quaint little place (near Singapore's Chinatown) a lot - everything about it. So, when Pearl jio (Singlish for invited) us for lunch at Mad About Sucre, I agreed before my next heart beat.

Singfa.ting Traditional Taiwan Ice Desserts in Taichung 幸發亭蜜豆冰本舖

When you are in Taichung (Taiwan), do drop by Xin Fa Ting Honey Bean Shaved Ice 幸發亭蜜豆冰本舖 to rest your heels and enjoy traditional Taiwanese ice desserts at one of Taiwan's oldest ice dessert brands. 幸發亭蜜豆冰本舖 founded in 1938 is a family run business, now in the third generation.

Banh Mi at Kaiyi's Kitchen at Golden Mile Food Centre Singapore

Kaiyi's Kitchen, a Vietnamese hawker stall in Golden Mile Hawker Centre in Singapore serves a nice Banh Mi, the Vietnamese staple (available only on Fridays at the moment).

Ah Her Bak Kut Teh. A Klang People's Favourite 阿火肉骨茶

Ask any Klangite to name the best bak kut teh in town, and the name Ah Her 阿火肉骨茶 will come up frequently.

I found my Hong Kong Wanton Mee First Love at Noodle Place Orchard Gateway 华苑面粥小厨云吞面世家

In the 1980s, my favourite place for Hong Kong style wanton mee in Singapore was at the little food street of sorts at the basement of The Centrepoint in Orchard Road, roughly where Mak's Noodle is located today. It was the definitive HK wanton mee in Singapore for me. I only knew it as the "HK wanton mee in Centrepoint" and don't know the actual name of the restaurant. I didn't pay great attention to such things as shop names before I started blogging 😂

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh @ Northpoint in Yishun 松发肉骨茶

Song Fa Bak Kut Teh is the biggest name in Singapore BKT (if you go by the number of outlets the brand has). Started as a humble push cart stall in 1969, Song Fa has eight outlets now, with the latest in Northpoint, Yishun.

Mom's not Cooking? Take the Family to Kitchen Stories in Johor Jaya Rosmerah

One of the things I treasure about my blogging (which is simply sharing the food and places I come across in daily living), is the new friends that I make. Occasionally, I even join their families for dinner like this evening with Lynette's family at Kitchen Stories in Johor Jaya (Ros Merah).

The Bird Southern Table & Bar at MBS - Atas Fried Chicken & Waffles. Is it any Good?

I was invited to try out the "Prix Fixe Menu" set meal at The Bird Southern Table & Bar in Singapore's Marina Bay Sands last night.

Hua Kee 和记 at Pasir Panjang. A Seafood Plus Stall

Last evening, I had dinner with buddy Ong at Hua Kee 和记 at Pasir Panjang hawker centre in Singapore.

Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh Branch at Jalan Sutera 顺发肉骨茶

Dropped by the Soon Huat Bak Kut Teh outlet at Taman Sentosa for a quick lunch (the one along Jalan Sutera near the Ah Koong fish ball outlet).

Of the 20 Soon Huat BKT outlets, which one(s) do you like?

People & Places Cafe. Johor's Newest Check-in Hotspot

Popped by People & Places Cafe just now - because it's Johor Bahru's newest check-in hotspot 😄

Cedar Point. Top Curry Fish Head in Johor JB that you don't have to Queue for 世紀咖哩魚頭 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✱

Today is my lucky day. I stumbled upon the curry fish head stall which I had wanted to try for a long time but somehow didn't have a chance, until today. And, I wasn't even looking for it in particular today. So happy 😄

High Five! 5 Top Restaurants to Try in Taipei

Taipei is a global megapolis offering diverse dining experiences from international to ultra local, from exclusive fine dining to gritty street food. No visitor to Taipei should leave without experiencing the night markets. After checking out the night markets, here are five recommended Taipei restaurants to sample the wide range of culinary experiences the city can offer.

These five restaurants were chosen for their delicious food, interesting stories, and their long history intertwined with the story of Taipei/ Taiwan. Needless to say, these 5 are just a minute sampling of numerous fine restaurants in Taipei.

Getting a Taste of Penang Food at Taste of Georgetown near Sutera Mall

Buddies Ong and Ben tipped me off to Taste of Georgetown, a little eatery near Sutera Mall in JB serving Penang style street food. (My inbox is flooded with good food suggestions 😋 Keep them coming 👍 I appreciate it 😄 )

Why Visit the Johor Chinese Old Temple in JB? 柔佛古廟

In the heart of old Johor Bahru town, there is a small Chinese temple known to locals simply as the 柔佛古廟 or Johor Chinese Old Temple.

Johor Ancient Temple 柔佛古廟

Address: Lot 653, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (10 minutes walk from JB CIQ)

Tel: +607 213 4098

Hours: 7am - 5pm daily

Fine Dining in Johor JB. SPROUT

This was my third visit to SPROUT since the fine restaurant opened in JB in 2015. They just launched a new menu and Chef Mui invited me for a tasting.

Best Wanton Mee in Johor List. Wei Seng Wan Tan Mee 唯昇雲吞麵

When I blogged about Tow Kee of Seremban which to me is the benchmark of Hakka mee in Malaysia, buddy Yvonne alerted me to Wei Seng Wan Tan Mee in Taman Melodies. It's her Hakka hubby's favourite in JB, Yvonne said.

Hakka Mee at its Most Basic & Best. Tow Kee in Seremban 滔记客家面

On my way back to JB or Singapore from KL, I usually have my breakfast in Seremban town (instead of KL), to escape the KL morning crawl.

江豐肉骨茶 Permas Jaya - A Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh Sister Shop

Went for a light lunch at 江豐肉骨茶 bak kut teh just beside Renaissance Hotel in the Permas Jaya commercial hub. 江豐肉骨茶 is a little under the social media radar though it has its own loyal following.

Yong Peng People's Favourite Dim Sum at Choon Seng Kopitiam 春成茶餐室

Chef Wayne tipped me off to a popular dim sum stall in Yong Peng with their top selling lo mai gai 糯米鸡.

The Original Kin Kin Chili Pan Mee in Chow Kit, KL 建記辣椒板麵 Best Chili Ban Mian Ever

I have been keen to try the original Kin Kin Chili Pan Mee in KL since I tried their franchise outlet in Singapore back in 2014 when it's opening caused quite a stir in the food crazed island. 

Kin Kin now have several branches in KL - I am always curious about the original founder stall of successful brands. Moreover, it was Mr. Tan Kok Hong of Kin Kin who created this dish in 1985. I finally made it to Kin Kin today while exploring the area between Pasar Seni and Bukit Bintang for street food.

Fei Fei Crab. Began with Kam Heong but is more than a One Dish Wonder 肥肥蟹海鲜饭店

Went for lunch at the famous Fei Fei Crab in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.

Four Eyes (Sei Ngan Chai) Bak Kut Teh in Klang 四眼仔肉骨茶 • One of my Favourites in Town

With at least a thousand bak kut teh shops and stalls, little Klang city is the BKT capital of the world. When I asked readers for help for recommendations from among literally 1000s of shops, the name Four Eyes Bah Kut Teh came up often.

The Hottest Nasi Biryani in Malaysia Now is Bamboo Biryani in Klang

Since Bamboo Biryani was featured in the Malay Mail newspaper in May 2017, the shop which opened only in Feb this year was the rage from Klang to KL. The hype just kept growing as social media jumped on the bandwagon. It's the hottest nasi biryani in Malaysia now.

Old Froggie Lau Kup Poh. Yong Peng People's Favourite Noodles

Yong Peng is one of my favourite stops for the drive from JB to KL as it is slightly over one third way between the two cities. Buddy John told me about the popular noodle shop known to locals as Lau Kup Poh or Old Froggie.

Flying Wanton Mee @ Seapark Petaling Jaya KL. Epitome of Street Food 飞天云吞面

We were looking for a parking lot in this dark car park in Section 21, Seapark in Petaling Jaya when buddy Ah Boy said excitedly, "I saw it. Flying wanton mee. He really threw it". Once we were done what we came here for, I suggested we check out the flying wanton stall too. Everyone agreed immediately 😄

Restoran Double Joy 新雙喜 - One of Petaling Jaya's Best Kept Foodie Secrets

Thanks to buddy Chef Wayne, he showed me Restoran Double Joy 新雙喜, his family's long time favourite zhi char (tai chao in KL speak) restaurant in Section 3 of Petaling Jaya near Kuala Lumpur.