Tony Johor Kaki Travels for Food · Heritage · Culture · History

Adventurous Culinary Traveler's Blog with 65 million+ reads 📧 johorkaki@gmail.com

Favourite Sweets of Ganesha · History of Modak, Onde Onde, Klepon, Kangidan, Kanom Nab, Num Kom


Ganesha the elephant-headed god is one of the most recognisable deities in the Hindu pantheon. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, god of wisdom and intelligence, and the god of fortune. Ganesha worshippers seek his blessings before any major endeavour. 

Ganesha worship is believed to have started in the first century AD in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, north India. It spread far and wide around around the world not only in Hindu communities but among Buddhists as well.

East Treasure Woodlands Review 東寶

Went to East Treasure in Woodlands for a simple meal in a comfortable environment.

Restaurant name: East Treasure Chinese Restaurant 東寶 Woods Square


Address: 6 Woodlands Square, #01-07 Woods Square, Singapore 737737


Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Woodlands station


Tel: 6908 5650


Hours: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm | 5:30pm - 10:15 pm

Swee Choon Experience is More than Dim Sum @ Jalan Besar Singapore

Buddy Soo Nan jio-ed me for dim sum at Swee Choon at Jalan Besar.

Restaurant name: Swee Choon Tim Sum


Address: 183 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882


Nearest MRT: Jalan Besar station


Tel: 6225 7788


Hours: 7am - 4am (Thurs off)

Langkasuka Kingdom History & Menu 100 AD - 1400 AD


2000 years ago, sailors and traders from South India know that they have crossed the Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea when they saw the peaks of Gunung Jerai mountain in Kedah.

They found the local people here friendly, the land had the goods they came looking for and the locals desired the things the Indians brought. So they began trading.

834 Eating House · Hidden Zi Char in Woodlands


834 Eating House in Woodlands is a neighbourhood zi char shop that has been enjoying the loyal support of residents since the 1990s. The kitchen is manned by the same Malaysian crew all these years.

Stall name: 834 Eating House


Address: 834 Woodlands Street 83, #01-89, Singapore 730834


Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Woodlands station


Tel: 9147 4425


Hours: 11am - 2pm | 5pm - 11pm

Indian Heritage Centre Johor Bahru is Open

You will be happy to know that Johor Bahru has a new destination, especially if you have an interest in history and Indian culture.

I am interested in South Indian cuisine as the root of Southeast Asian cuisine, so this new centre is a good additional resource for me.

Yay.

Indian Heritage Centre (இந்திய பாரம்பரிய மையம் / Pusat Warisan India)


Address: Jalan Ungku Puan, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia


Hours: 8am - 5pm

Solan De Cabra Spanish Blue Bottle · TDS 252 Staple Mineral Water

Solan De Cabras is a still mineral water with low mineral content of TDS 252 mg/l (Total Dissolved Solids).

It's an odourless, flavourless, low mineral, clear still water sought after for its health benefits for centuries.

Bario Pineapple 🍍 Manna of the Sarawak Kelabit Highlands


They say there are two things you must try in Bario, one is their rice and the second is their pineapple 🍍

Their rice is really amazing, especially wrapped in daun isip leaf, the traditional nuba laya way.

The next must try is Bario pineapple.

Nuba Laya · Kelabit Traditional Rice Cake with Bario Rice

Nuba_Laya_Kelabit_Bario_Rice

They say go to Sarawak must eat, if not at least buy home some Bario rice. I was excited about it and tried it a few times.

But truth be told, I couldn't get the proportions of Bario rice and water right when cooking it at home with an electric rice cooker 😬

So, I was not sure what the fuss about Bario rice is, until I tried nuba laya, that is.

Nuba laya was Bario rice epiphany for me.

Farmstay Relau, Bandar Baharu, Kedah · Ideal for Families & Groups

I stayed two wonderful and restful nights at the beautiful Farmstay Relau in Bandar Baharu in Kedah.

Farmstay Relau


Address: 34950 Serdang, Kedah, Malaysia


Tel: +6012 458 0853

Miri Sarawak Fried Kway Teow · Traditional Unique Old School 传统独特古早味美里炒粿条

After a few trips to Miri Sarawak, I realised that fried kway teow is the preferred staple of most Mirians.

Idli is from China? Riddle of Achaya's Kedli 发糕

Idli is a culinary icon and staple, especially in south India. It is a white fluffy rice cake with three defining elements - it is made of rice, fermented and cooked by steaming.

Funazushi · Southeast Asian Roots of Sushi


I encountered pekasam in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia and was fascinated by the dish which in Malaysia is mainly confined to the northern Peninsula states of Perlis and Kedah i.e. the rice belt.

What is Hor Ka Sai Kopi? Origin of Tiger Bite Lion Coffee 虎咬狮 · 好架勢

Hor_Ka_Sai_Coffee_虎咬狮_好架勢

Ellone introduced me to hor ka sai coffee at her Ah Song Hakka Mee outlet in Impian Emas, Johor Bahru.

It's a blend of Nanyang kopi (sock brewed Robusta coffee with condensed milk) with Milo (chocolate flavoured malt powder).

94 Toa Payoh Big Cockle Laksa · Yi Hao Coffee Shop

Toa Payoh block 94 laksa is the latest laksa darling in Singapore social media now.

Stall name: Toa Payoh 94 Laksa


Address: 94 Lor 4 Toa Payoh, #01-30, Singapore 310094 (stall inside Yi Hao coffee shop)


Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Braddell station


Hours: 7am - 2pm

Best Moments in Sarawak · Miri · Bario · Mulu Itinerary · Much More to Discover

Sarawak is becoming one of my favourite travel destinations because there is so much more to discover. I've been to Miri a few times since a decade ago, but everytime I return, it delights me with new discoveries 😁