Not the Usual Wanton Mee in Masai Johor Bahru 肆源小炒

You know, it's one of those days when all three eateries I planned to try were all closed for the day. I was getting hungry and running out of time for my other commitments when I found myself in Masai. When I am lost for ideas and tired, I fall back on places that I believe won't fail me. In Masai, my comfort food hideout is 肆源小炒 zhi char stall.

Nasi Padang Sukaramai near City Square Mall Johor Bahru

Nasi Padang Sukaramai inside Senteral coffee shop 中央餐室 just beside City Square mall have been around for decades, yet this family run stall have somehow evaded the social media radar. But, it is popular with downtown office workers who come here for their work day lunch.

Foong Kee Coffee Shop Roasts @ Keong Saik Road 豐記咖啡店 🚫 Closed Effective 15 Jun 2021

Chinatown Complex Food Centre was closed for washing today but we didn't worry for even a second because Singapore Chinatown is overflowing with good food options. Just a short walk took us to Foong Kee Coffee Shop 豐記咖啡店 on Keong Saik Road which is famous for their Cantonese roasts and wanton mee.

Foong Kee will close effective from 15 Jun 2021. The Keong Saik Street icon which have been here for 15 years serve one of the best traditional Cantonese roasts in Chinatown. The coffeeshop has new owners who will run their own business. Foong Kee owner Derrick Wong will take a break and we hope he will return in a new location. 

Nasi Padang near Sultan Mosque · Warong Nasi Pariaman, Singapore

✍️ 19 Sep 2023. Nasi Padang @ Warong Nasi Pariaman is a place I feel confident to showcase Singapore cuisine to overseas guests. It's not the cheapest nasi padang in Singapore, this spread costs $63, but I am happy as my guests and I enjoyed the delicious food.

Restaurant name: Warong Nasi Pariaman

Address: 738 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198706

Nearest MRT: Ten minutes walk from Bugis station

Tel: 6292 5898

Hours: 7:30am - 3pm (Weds off)

Granny Lee Sauce @ BE Here Cafe in Golden Wall Centre Singapore

My friend Daphne contacted me to visit her newly opened cafe at Golden Wall Centre (just a short walk from Rochor MRT station). She wanted me to try her family's Granny Lee sauce.

Food Sketching with Scenic Rangers at Noodle Place @ Orchard Gateway 猎景骑兵

I love to sketch and love to eat (who doesn't?), so I thought combining the two activities would be having the best of both worlds. Today, I watched a prominent Singapore sketching group, Scenic Rangers 猎景骑兵, enjoy both at Noodle Place at Orchard Gateway. (No, I didn't sketch today lah - the thought of sketching, tasting, taking photos, taking notes all at once is still too daunting for me now 😂 )

Lao Zhong Zhong Five Spice @ Tai Thong Crescent 老中中餐室五香酥虾饼

I rarely eat fried ngoh hiang nowadays because of the grease. When I can no longer resist it, I get my ngoh hiang fix at 老中中餐室五香酥虾饼 Lao Zhong Zhong at Tai Thong Crescent in Singapore.

Chef Kang's Noodle House Wanton Mee @ Jackson Square Toa Payoh Lor 3 Singapore

So many of my makan kakis ate and shared about Chef Kang's wanton mee at Jackson Square Cafe, I couldn't wait to check it out myself. (Chef Kang as you know is the chef behind the Singapore One Michelin Star Chef Kang Kitchen.)

Han Kee & Piao Ji. Tale of Two Famous Fish Soup Stalls @ Amoy Hawker Centre

I had long wanted to try the popular fish soup stalls Han Kee and Piao Ji at Amoy Hawker Centre. Didn't get to taste them until today because the queues were always sooo.... looong. Finally got the chance today because I was in the area early to visit the historic Thian Hock Keng temple (Telok Ayer Street).

Urban Sketchers Singapore @ Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh

Today, I joined Urban Sketchers Singapore during their sketching outing (sketchwalk) at the famous Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh restaurant in Tiong Bahru. This time I observed and took pictures only lah. Maybe next time, I may actually pick up the brush and sketch 😄

Taman Tasek Hawker Centre in Johor Bahru Malaysia. Untrendy but Cool

Johor Bahru Malaysia has numerous public hawker centres, each with its own character. Taman Tasek Hawker Centre set under huge leafy trees and surrounded by fruit trees may be among the smallest, yet it is well loved by its immediate community and visitors from out of town Malaysia and Singapore.

Best Johor Bahru Nasi Lemak List. Mughni Saujana Cafe. Warung Sebelah Rumah Menteri Besar

We came here two days in a row - Mughni Saujana Cafe is one of the best places for nasi lemak in JB. Many fans call this Warung Sebelah Rumah Menteri Besar because it is just beside the Chief Minister's Residence.

History of Thian Hock Keng Temple of Heavenly Blessings in Singapore 天福宫

Visiting Thian Hock Keng temple 天福宫 (Tianfu temple in Mandarin) will give you insights into Singapore's early Chinese immigrants, especially the Hokkien people who make up about half the Chinese population on the island. THK is the oldest and most important temple of Singapore Hokkiens (who came from China's Fujian province).

Kungfu Master Mee Hoon Kueh near Larkin Johor Bahru 真功夫手工面粉粿 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Makan buddy John tipped me off about Kungfu Master Mee Hoon Kueh 真功夫手工面粉粿 in Bestari Impian, Taman Dato Onn (near Larkin) in Johor Bahru.

Hung Kitchen 韩小厨. Western Cuisine in Kampung Ungku Mohsin Johor Bahru

You know right, decades ago we used to hang out a lot at restaurant chains like Jacks Place and The Ship for family and budget friendly Western meals. Hung Kitchen 韩小厨 is like a Jacks Place or The Ship but more charming to me as it is set in a kampung (village) 😄 It's probably the only Western food restaurant in a village in Malaysia.

Zaituna Arabic Restaurant in Taman Tasek Johor Bahru

We enjoyed some excellent Arabic dishes at Zaituna restaurant in Taman Tasek in JB.

VOiD Restaurant is Full. of Delights. Avant-garde in Johor

We had a memorable omakase dinner at VOiD Restaurant, the newest and youngest eating place in Johor now.

Set of HBO Asia Series Grisse at Infinite Studios in Batam

During our one night getaway at Turi Beach Resort in Batam, we dropped by at Infinite Studios, 5 minutes away (Turi Beach and Infinite Studios are part of Nongsa Resorts). Infinite Studios provided the location sets for Hollywood blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean, Hitman, Crazy Rich Asians and more - something I didn't know till now.

A One Night Getaway at Batam Turi Beach Resort

We enjoyed a one night getaway at Turi Beach Resort which was awarded “Best Resort in Batam” by the Batam Tourism Office in 2014. Located at the northeastern corner of Batam island, Turi Beach Resort is just a short 30 minute hop across the Straits of Singapore, making it a perfect beach getaway for city folks to relax and recharge.