Is it Safe to Eat Puffer Fish in China?

During my first trip to Shanghai and Zhejiang province over two decades ago, one thing that struck me was the popularity of puffer fish. I saw them swimming in restaurant fish tanks and ate a couple of times when it was served during meals.

It was delicious. 

Jinshan Temple of Zhenjiang in Jiangsu • History & Legends 镇江金山风景区

Jinshan Temple is located on one of the "京口三山 Three Mountains of Jingkou", at the northwest of Zhenjiang city in China's Jiangsu province.

Dona Bakehouse Cafe @ Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Bahru

Second makan stop today was Dona Bakehouse which was right next door to Hiap Joo banana cake and across Jalan Tan Hiok Nee from Kin Hua coffee shop.

Pasar Kia Chwee Kueh @ Kin Hua Kopitiam 巴剎仔潮州水粿

First stop across the Causeway today, Kin Wah coffee shop at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee for a quick caffeine fix. 

She bought a pack of six pieces of chwee kueh. My first reaction was, "Alamak, it's all carbs. This is our first stop. We cannot afford to squander tummy space like this leh.... 🤔 ".

I was also not excited that the chwee kueh was packed in throwaway plastic box.

At-Sunrice Academy WellSpent Sunday Luxe • Spanish Tapas Sunday with Chef Martinez & Chef Argany

Attended a very interesting and delicious Spanish Tapas Sunday with Chef Martinez & Chef Argany. The session was part of the WellSpent Sunday Luxe Series organised by the Spanish Embassy in Singapore and hosted @ At-Sunrice Academy (conveniently at Tai Seng MRT).

Happy Crab Geylang 蟹开心

You know, to me eating river prawn is a lot about the creamy head butter. Eating crab is the same. It's all about that terribly sinful 蟹膏 or tomalley and roe.

Kwong Satay Geylang • Hainanese Pork Belly Skewers 光五花肉沙爹

If you love satay, do check out Kwong Satay in Geylang. They make their own satay in their own production facility in Bukit Batok but everything is in their own style - satay, ketupat (rice cake) and all else. Kwong supply raw satay wholesale and retail, and serves it at their own satay stall in Lor 27A Geylang. 

GIANT Kitchen Indian Restaurant & Caterers in Nusa Bestari

Long ago, I recommended GIANT Caterers' restaurant when it was co-located with their catering kitchen in Plentong, Pasir Gudang. Now, GIANT has two full fledged restaurants, one in Tampoi and another in Nusa Bestari. 

Delicious food at good prices, that hasn't changed since I first tried GIANT in 2013 (more than 10 years ago 😮 ).

In case you are wondering, GIANT Caterers is totally unrelated to GIANT Supermarket.

Kam's Roast Express @ Ion Food Opera Orchard Road Singapore 甘牌燒味

Passed Kam's Roast at Food Opera food court in Ion Orchard. Always wanted to try Kam's Roast in Hong Kong but haven't got a chance to go there in the last two decades 🥹

La La Clam Soup Noodle @ Original Lai Foong Coffee Shop near KL Chinatown 丽丰啦啦米粉

The famous la la bee hoon at Lai Foong coffee shop near KL Chinatown was a social media sensation a few years ago. I finally tried it today after the hype long subsided - I generally don't rush in but wait for the dust to settle 😅 In the meantime, the humble la la noodle stall got listed in KL's Michelin guide and spawned a couple of full size restaurants.

Xijindu Ferry Ancient Street Night Tour, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu • 1000 Metres Walk, 2000 Years History 夜游镇江西津渡古街

After our sumptuous, scrumptious Huaiyang cuisine dinner at Zhenjiang Restaurant, we took a leisurely walk at the historic Xijindu Ancient Street 西津渡古街.

It's a fascinating short 1,000 metres walk but we experienced an amazing 2,000 years of China's long history.

Dan Ji Dumpling @ Pudu, Kuala Lumpur • Simple, Humble, Well Loved Local Favourite 丹记水饺面 • 半山芭

We were on our way to another food stall, finding our way in the sweltering heat and traffic grime of gritty Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

Hing Kee Bukuteh Kepong @ Metro Prima MRT Station, Kuala Lumpur 兴记肉骨茶甲洞大街 (总行)

Our Grab driver hailed from Kepong and shared that he is a fan of Hing Kee Bukuteh there. Kepong used to be one of my old haunts too over two decades ago, long before the days of blogs. We had good bak kut teh back then in Kepong too, so I was curious to check out our driver's suggestion. I also wanted to see how is Kepong today.

Mon Chinese Muslim Beef Roti @ Bukit Bintang • Chicken Version is Nice too

Heard a lot about Mon Chinese Beef Roti at Bukit Bintang before my KL trip, so swung by for a try.

History of Yang Zhou Fried Rice • World's Most Famous Chinese Rice Dish 扬州炒饭的历史

Frying rice in China goes at least as far back as the Sui dynasty (581 - 618). Most cities in the rice culture (southern) region of China have their own version of fried rice dish - China is a fried rice paradise, literally. 

How did Yangzhou fried rice become China's and the world's most famous fried rice dish? 

Yue Jiang Chun Restaurant • Huaiyang Cuisine near Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang 镇江 • 悦江春 • 淮扬菜

Day 2 in Zhenjiang city in Jiangsu, China. After visiting the vinegar culture museum of China and Jinshan Temple, I was looking forward to the Huaiyang cuisine lunch at Yue Jiang Chun 悦江春 at the foot of Jinshan. 

Last night's sumptuous dinner and lots of walking whetted my appetite 🤭

Zhenjiang Wok Cover Noodle 镇江锅盖面

When you come to the historic city of Zhenjiang in Jiangsu (15 minutes by high speed rail from Nanjing), you will see the humble wok cover noodle 锅盖面 served everywhere in street side stalls, small eateries, restaurants, and also hotels. It is a staple and unique food icon of Zhenjiang. 

锅盖面 is pronounced "ku keh mie" in Zhenjiang dialect.

Zhenjiang Restaurant @ Xijindu Ancient Street 镇江菜馆 (西津渡店)

The moment we arrived at Nanjing Airport, we were whisked by chartered bus to Zhenjiang. Our flight departure from Singapore was delayed around 2 hours and immigration & customs clearance at Nanjing took around an hour.