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

Adventurous Culinary Traveler's Blog with 66 million+ reads 📧 johorkaki@gmail.com

Sarawak Laksa @ Prince Gourmet 112 Bishan • Return of Red Hornbill 太子之味

太子之味 Prince Gourmet | 112 Bishan Street 12, Singapore 570112 (stall inside TK Coffee House) 🚆 10 minutes walk from Bishan station 🕙 9am - 7pm (Tues off)
I came slightly late to blogging and social media, and so missed out on some of the past legends - such as Red Hornbill stall in Bedok. Red Hornbill had many fans who think they serve the best Sarawak dishes in Singapore (before they closed). So, I have some regrets about not eating at Red Hornbill before 🥺

Malacca Bunga Raya Popiah Choon Hing • Praise the Lard! 马六甲春兴猪油渣薄饼

Bunga Raya Popiah 春兴猪油渣薄饼 | 124, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kampung Jawa, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia ☎ +6010 786 9878 🕑 10:30am - 7pm
I've been told many times to eat the famous popiah (Chinese hand roll) in Malacca. I have it as a mental note but never really sought it out.

Sakari Sushi @ Tanjong Pagar Singapore • Art of Sushi by Itamae Paul Goh

Sakari Sushi | 1 Tras Link, #01-05, Singapore 078867 ☎ 9777 1791 🕚 11:30 am - 2:30 pm | 6pm - 10 pm (Sat no lunch, Sun off)
We wanted to come visit one of buddy's favourite sushi joints in Tanjong Pagar and finally found an evening when everyone could make it.

Malacca Longkang Back Lane Siham Cockles Tong Bee • It's All About the Secret Sauce 東美档

Tong Bee's Stall Shell Food 東美档 | 143, Jalan Bunga Raya, Kampung Jawa, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia 🕚 6pm - 11pm (Weds off)
Malacca's Tong Bee longkang back lane cockles stall has been here since the 1950s. It's in the third generation now and is an obligatory check-in spot on most Malacca foodie tourist itineraries.

Yaw Hau Fok Dim Sum @ Malim Malacca 有口福点心茶楼

Yaw Hau Fok Dim Sum 有口福点心茶楼 | Jalan Suria 2, Taman Malim Jaya, 75250 Melaka, Malaysia   ☎ +6012 628 6980 🕚 6:30am - 12:30pm (Tues off)
I asked Malacca kaki SH to take me to places locals go to for breakfast. And, so here we are, Yaw Hau Fok Dim Sum 有口福点心茶楼 in Malim less than 10km from Jonker Street. 

Mei Nan Chicken Rice Ball @ Taman ASEAN, Malim, Malacca 美南鸡饭马六甲

Mei Nan 美南鸡饭 | Taman ASEAN, 257 Jalan Taman ASEAN, Malacca ☎ +6017 660 0548 🕙 7am - 2pm (Mon & Tues off)
I am always fascinated by the chicken rice ball dish.

Guizhou Fish Mint Root • Love it or Hate it 贵州折耳根 • 鱼腥草


Before going to Guizhou, I heard about the notorious fish mint root, considered a delicacy in the southwestern Chinese province. The Chinese call it 折耳根 folded ear root or 鱼腥草 fishy weed. 

Xijiang Qianhu 1000 Homes Miao Village in Guizhou 中国西江千户苗寨

Saving the best for the last, we came to Xijiang Miao Village 西江苗寨 on the day before we flew back to Singapore after our 7-day Guizhou tour. 

Al Hayfa Arabic Restaurant Taman Universiti


✍️ 6 Dec 2024. Went to prowl Taman Universiti today - retracing my footsteps as here was one of the first places I explored after starting Johor Kaki blog in 2012.

There weren't new buildings but many of the shops / restaurants had changed hands. 

Balé Social Leisure Farm Christmas Lunch & Dinner 25 & 26 Dec 2024

Balé Social | 1, Jalan Polo, Leisure Farm Resort, 81560 Gelang Patah, Johor ☎ +6019 715 9100 🕖 12noon - 10pm (off on Mon & Tue, close at 9pm on Weds & Thur)
Balé Social @ Leisure Farm Resort in Gelang Patah is hosting 3-course lunch / dinner on 25 & 26 Dec 2024. 

There, your Christmas and Boxing Day lunch / dinner plans fixed for you 😁 🤭

Pork Soup Noodle @ Restoran Song 1314 Coffee Shop in Blok 34 Tun Aminah Skudai 古楼猪肉粉

古楼猪肉粉 Gulou Kueh Tiaw Soup | Pangsapuri, Blok 34, Jalan Pendekar 1, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah 🕗 7:30am - 9am or till sold out (Monday off)
This 古楼猪肉粉 pork soup noodle in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah has been raging in JB foodie social media for a while. Came twice all the way from Singapore but left without getting to eat as they sold out before 9am! 😖

Huang Guo Shu Waterfall Biggest in China & One of Asia's Largest 黄果树瀑布


Huanguoshu Waterfall near Anshun city of Guizhou province, is the biggest waterfall in China and among the top in the world. 

Qingyan Ancient Town in Guiyang, Guizhou • Town of Stones 青岩古镇

We were returning to Guiyang city after a 7-day tour of China's beautiful Guizhou province. Before arriving at Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou, we called at Qingyan Ancient Town at the southern edge of the city.

Amazing Beauty of Guizhou 7 Day Itinerary • 10000 Peaks, Waterfalls, Great Food & Beautiful Culture • Photographer & Foodie Paradise

China's Guizhou province is not really hot on the tourist map, including tourists from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia (but it ought to be). My first time in Guizhou, I went there with little to no knowledge about the province. 

Curry & Kimchi Lounge at Puteri Cove Quayside • Indian-Korean Fusion & Good Bar in Johor Bahru 🥂

Curry & Kimchi Lounge | LG2-28, Residensi Teluk Puteri, Jalan Tanjung, Puteri Harbour, 79000 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia ☏ +6019 778 1987 🕗 3pm - 12 midnight (Mon off)
When I first heard that a Korean-Indian fusion restaurant called Curry & Kimchi Lounge opened in Johor Bahru, my first thought was "can meh?".

Takayama Omakase at OUE Downtown Gallery, Shenton Way Singapore

Takayama | 6A Shenton Way, #01-09/10 OUE Downtown 1, Singapore 068815 🚆 10 minutes walk from Tanjong Pagar station ☎ 9168 2639 🕙 12 noon - 2:30 pm | 7pm - 10:30 pm (Sun & Mon off)
Friends from Thailand visit, we welcome them at Takayama Omakase at OUE Downtown at Shenton Way. 

Khlong Hae HALAL Floating Market in Hatyai Thailand


I had always wanted to visit a floating market since I began to have the opportunity to travel. But, it was always near miss opportunities, until this year at Khlong Hae Floating Market in Hatyai when I am 64 years old and retired 😂

Fujian Hakka Tulou Yunshuiyao Day Trip from Xiamen 南靖福建土楼云水谣旅游区


While we were in Xiamen, we took the opportunity to take a day trip that took us to Fujian Tulou Yunshuiyao 福建土楼云水谣旅游区 in 南靖 Nanjing County west of Zhangzhou (which is west of Xiamen). 

(🎗️This Nanjing County is not the same as Nanjing City in Jiangsu province.) 

GO Unique @ Raffles City • Creative Twists Make Favourite Comfort Dishes Better 有间不一样

GO Unique | 252 North Bridge Rd, B1-12 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 🚆 City Hall station ☎ 6935 8323 🕚 11am - 9:30pm (close at 10pm on Fri & Sat)
Raffles City is chocked full of interesting, and constantly refreshed mid-range pricing restaurant concepts - it's a destination for adventurous and curious foodies who want to experience new ideas. GO Unique recently opened in Raffles City, so we went to try them (as we have tried and like GO Noodle House in Malaysia and Singapore before). 

Eat First 食之为鲜 @ 287 Geylang • Continuing the Legacy of Sek Wai Sin Eating House Est'd 1968 食为先大饭店

Eat First 食之为鲜 | 287 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389336 ☏ 6443 8434 🕑 11:45 am - 2:30 pm | 5:45pm - 9:30 pm (Mon & Tues off)
Came here at the end of a long busy day, just wanting to have a homely meal and chill a little with buddies in Geylang. 

South Gate Niunan Beef Brisket & Stewed Pork Shop in Haikou Hainan 博爱南129牛腩店 • 钟记南门牛腩店

South Gate Niunan Shop 钟记南门牛腩店 | China, Hai Nan Sheng, Hai Kou Shi, Mei Lan Qu, 博爱南路129号 邮政编码: 570102 ☎ +86 898 3666 4008 🕗 24/7
I requested our obliging Hainan hosts to take us to places locals eat in Haikou, especially where tourists normally won't go 😬

Zao Po Cu Vinegar Hotpot • Must Try in Puqian, Haikou, Hainan 渔家人铺前糟粕醋火锅第一家

Wenchang Hainan is well known to foreigners for their chicken rice, Jia Ji duck, Dong Shan lamb, and He Le crab. Actually, Wenchang has a few other local specialties such as qing pu liang, and bao luo fen noodle. Recently, another dish, zao po cu 糟粕醋 hotpot has been in the limelight and has emerged as another must try dish in Hainan.

Hainan Lao Ba Cha • Old Dad Tea & Coffee Culture 海南老爸茶

Lao ba cha 老爸茶 or literally old dad tea is not a type of tea at all - instead, it is a culture and lifestyle of leisurely enjoying food and drink, as well as the institutions (coffee / tea shops that facilitate Hainan's LBC culture).

Famous Lian Huan Oyster Omelette Pancake at Zhongshan Street in Xiamen 莲欢海蛎煎

莲欢海蛎煎 Lian Huan Oyster Omelette | Zhongshanlu Street, 中山路商圈 Siming District, Xiamen, Fujian, China ☎ +86 592 203 5236 🕗 8am - 10pm
In Xiamen, you will find 海蛎煎 or "fried oyster" stalls everywhere. Most restaurants also have 海蛎煎 the iconic dish on their menu.

Oyster Omelette & Recovery of Taiwan from VOC Dutch East Indies Company in 1662 by Koxinga 鄭成功 • 國姓爺

The Ming dynasty of China (1368 - 1644) fell to the Manchurian Qing dynasty from the north while European seapowers were lodged at China's doorstep. The Portuguese at Macau, the Spanish at Luzon (Philippines) and the Dutch occupied Formosa (today's Taiwan) since 1624.

Kampua Mee Noodle in Zhangzhou, Fujian 原北京路松树干拌面店漳州市

We arrived in Zhangzhou 漳州, the city adjacent west of Xiamen in a cab feeling famished. We were lucky to stumble upon 原北京路松树干拌面店 (literally Original Beijing Road Pine Tree Dry Mix Noodle Shop) within 5 minutes. 

Ginger Duck Must Try Food Icon in Xiamen 姜母鸭厦门特产


During travels, I like to walk and explore the little nooks in the city's old quarters on foot. The old city cores are usually not very big and are eminently walkable. (I am one of those who consider 5km walking "very near" 😄 Don't be like Tony 🤭 )

Sha Cha Mian Satay Noodle of Xiamen 厦门必吃沙茶面


When you come to Xiamen city in Fujian province, you are bound to encounter a noodle dish with a fiery red spicy looking soup known as sha cha mian. It is delicious and unique to Xiamen, so it is definitely worth a try before you leave Xiamen.

Hainan Qing Pu Liang Cooling Dessert & the Lost Nan Yue Kingdom • History of Ching Bo Leung 清補涼历史 • 趙佗神汤

When you are in China's humid tropical Hainan island, you will see a ubiquitous watery sweet dessert known as qing pu liang 清補涼 which literally means cleansing, nourishing, and cooling.

La Pona Nasi Lemak @ Orchard Plaza • Night Owl Fried Chicken Wings, Runny Fried Eggs & Fragrant Rice since 1986

La Pona Snack Bar (Nasi Lemak) | 150 Orchard Road, #04-53 Orchard Plaza, Singapore 238841 🚆 10 minutes walk from Somerset station ☎ 8866 0453 🕛 10:30pm - 4am (Sun pm - Mon am off)
Buddy has been telling us about his favourite nasi lemak joint, La Pona in Orchard Plaza for the longest time.

Zhang Ji Shang Hai La Mian Xiao Long Bao in Alexandra Village Hawker Centre 张记上海拉面小笼包

Zhang Ji Shanghai La Mian Xiao Long Bao | Stall #01-56, Alexandra Village Food Centre, Singapore ☎ 9880 6276 🕚 10am - 8pm (Mon & Tues off)
Been wanting to try Chang Ji's Shanghai dishes for a long time and finally made it yesterday. We had xiao long bao, guo tie, and zha jiang mian, and they were all nice.

Imperial Paragon Cuisine • Mind Blowing Crab Fried Rice in Johor Bahru 百麗皇朝 蟹肉炒饭

Imperial Paragon Cuisine | Level 1, Grand Paragon Hotel, 18, Jalan Harimau, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru ☎ +607 338 3588 🕚 11:30 am - 3 pm | 5:30pm - 10 pm | No Pork No Lard

From now on, I will eat fried rice at Imperial Paragon Cuisine.

Enigmatic White Temple of Chiang Rai Thailand • Art to Set You Free


✍15 Oct 2024. Chiang Rai's White Temple, known in Thai as Wat Rong Khun วัดร่องขุ่น​ is one of the northern Thailand province's most visited attractions. 

618 Sim Carrot Cake Yishun Chai Tow Kway • Prawns Take the Cake

618 Sim Carrot Cake | 618 Yishun Ring Road, Singapore 760618 🚆 10 minutes walk from Khatib station 🕙 6:30am - 1pm (Tues off)
Buddy has been raving about 618 Sim fried carrot cake in Yishun. As our tastebuds are somewhat similar, I went down to Yishun to give it a try. 

Frog Tuk Tuk of Trang • Ride Back to 1960s in Vintage Daihatsu Midget

Tuk tuks are found throughout Thailand - these tiny open sided three wheelers are holding their own despite the ubiquitous comfortable air conditioned taxis. 

Tuk tuks are not even cheaper - they do not run on meters and so can actually be more expensive than a modern taxi ride.

Manchego from Isle Grocer @ The Cheese Shop • EatSpainDrinkSpainSG


Visited the Isle Grocer popup at The Cheese Shop at UE Square yesterday. It was a good opportunity for me to taste and learn the finer points about Spanish cheese from Yu Lin and Jose, owners of Isle Grocer.

Koh Ngai Camping Seafood in Trang เกาะไหงแคมป์ปิ้งซีฟู้ด

When we arrived at Koh Ngai Camping Seafood in Trang, it was already dark and it was raining ☔ The restaurant was located along Nang Noi river but we couldn't sit riverside because of the rain. We were full and tired from a whole day of tastings and travelling since dawn.

Wasn't looking forward to the lot of dishes we needed to plough through at Koh Ngai but at the end of the dinner, we all agreed that the food was nice and Koh Ngai Camping Seafood was a good restaurant. We started a bit gloomy but left in high spirits and happy 😄

Lod Chong Singapore in Trang • Thai Style Cendol @ กล้วยทอดจีผัน Jee Phan Fried Bananas


Khun Pook brought us to her favourite lod chong Singapore place in Trang City 🙏

Rolled Ice Cream @ Che Kitchen by 车老板 Toa Payoh • A Rare Artisanal Street Food Treat

Rolled Ice Cream @ Che Kitchen by 车老板 Toa Payoh | 1008A Toa Payoh N, Singapore 318998 ☎ 6513 9032 🕚 10am - 11pm
After our sumptuous lunch of zhi char type dishes at Che Kitchen by 车老板, we were served a round of cheerful, colourful ice cream.

Kuantan Alor Akar Beggar Chicken Seafood Restaurant • Must Try Zhi Cha in Kuantan 关丹乞丐鸡海鲜饭店

关丹乞丐鸡海鲜饭店 Alor Akar Seafood Restaurant | Lot 7695 & 7696, Jalan Kubang Buaya, Taman Mariana, 25300 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia ☎ +609 568 0720 🕕 4pm - 11:30pm (Mon off)

Speak to anyone about what to eat in Kuantan and chances are they will mention beggar chicken. What they mean is Alor Akar Seafood Restaurant which has beggar chicken as their signature dish.