Monaco Dining Restaurant Set Lunch @ Southkey Johor Bahru

Monaco Dining Restaurant at Southkey has a set lunch worth a try. Prices start at RM38++ for two courses.

13 Units Hong Kong Cafe in Danga Utama Johor Bahru 十三幺港式茶記

You know... sometimes I get bored with Nanyang kopi and toast breakfasts. Other times I am bored with the ubiquitous cookie cutter Arabica coffee and cake cafés. So, I am glad buddies brought me to 13 Units, a Hong Kong cha chaan teng style cafe.

Red Crown Crane @ Yellow Sea Wetland Sanctuary near Yancheng 丹顶鹤黄海湿地

During our memorable seven days, six cities tour of Jiangsu China, we visited Yancheng 盐城 (literally Salt City, more on that in a future post).

Suqian Night Market Where Partying Never Ends 宿迁夜市 • 寻味宿迁不夜天

Suqian 宿迁 is a third tier city located at the northwest of Jiangsu province near to the border with Shandong province. It is considered the midpoint of north and south China. Suqian city has a population of 5 million in 2024.

Uncle Peter Hokkien Mee • Most Talked About HKM in Singapore • Some Say the Best

There's so much talk about Uncle Peter Hokkien Mee, I just got to come and try it for myself. It's third time lucky before I managed get a taste of it - last visit, Uncle Peter was on sick leave. Another time, kaki kaki gathered here but I couldn't make it.

Oldest Known Curry Laksa Recipes • 160 Years Old From Dutch East Indies (Indonesia)

Meta AI images of curry laksa from the East Indies Cookbook 1866

These three curry laksa recipes are found in Oost-Indisch Kookboek (East Indies Cookbook) which was published in Dutch in 1866 in the city of Semarang, Java.

Laksa in Dutch East Indies Cookbook • Oost-Indisch Kookboek Published 1866

Meta AI image of curry laksa based on description in Oost-Indisch Kookboek published 1866.

Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee @ Whampoa 新加坡炒福建虾面

After trying the famous fried Hokkien mee by Bao Er in Balestier Plaza, buddy suggested swinging over to Singapore Fried Hokkien Mee around the corner in Whampoa market.

The queue was long and constant at 5pm.

Edmond Halal Chicken Rice @ Tanglin Halt Food Centre

After our heavy nasi campur brunch, buddy Mark suggested swinging by Tanglin Halt for Edmond Chicken Rice.

Truth be told, we were not jumping at the idea despite Mark's enthusiasm.

Already, we struggled to finish the nasi campur dishes even though everything was so delicious.

Beautiful Murals • Amazing Street Art of Kuching Sarawak

Grilled cuttlefish hawker at Kai Joo Street in Kuching by Leonard Siaw. 

I came to Kuching looking for food adventures (which we found plenty 😁🙏 ), and I also discovered Kuching's amazing street art.

Lan Roti Canai @ Restoran Lido Johor Jaya Dedap 18 丽都咖啡餐室

I must have passed by here many or least a few times before. Restoran Lido, the old school type of Malayan kopitiam where all communities come to relak one corner.

Pin Wan Wan Mini Bowl @ KSL City Mall Johor Bahru 拼碗碗 小碗菜

I was in the good hands of JB makan kaki kaki. After our third coffee 😂 they brought me to KSL City Mall for lunch at Pin Wan Wan Mini Bowl.

History of Bergedil • Fried Potato Patty Loved throughout Maritime Southeast Asia

Every time I have mee rebus, mee soto, nasi lemak, nasi ambeng, etc., I'll throw in a bergedil, whenever it is available.

Bao Er Cafe @ Balestier Plaza • Most Talked About Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee & Kaya Toast of the Year

Bao Er Cafe must be the most talked about Hokkien fried prawn mee and butter kaya toast place in Singapore for the last one year.

Shima's Kitchen Homestyle Malay Delight Nasi Campur @ Holland Drive Hawker Centre

Had always wanted to try Shima's Kitchen Malay nasi campur stall at Holland Drive Hawker Centre. It always has a long queue, especially during lunch time. 

Jin Duo Duo Ice Pork in Mount Austin Johor Bahru 金多多冰镇咕咾肉

I was in the good hands of buddy KK but was a little sceptical when the staff served us a tub with ku lou yok (sweet and sour pork) buried in a mound of ice 🙄

I mean I had this famous gimmicky dish at least two times before but I still couldn't get what is the point of ku lou yok in ice. 

Hock Heng Fish Soup @ Upper Boon Keng Hawker Centre Residents' Favourite 福興鱼汤

Suddenly stranded at Upper Boon Heng Hawker Centre today, I quickly scouted for lunch before the office crowd descended 😬 Hock Heng fish soup had the longest queue of residents, so yeah... I quickly got in line. 

Suqian Hometown of Emperor Xiang Yu 宿迁项王故里

Warrior emperor Xiang Yu 项羽 is one of the most enigmatic, fascinating personalities in Chinese history. I often wondered what to make of him and was excited that we were going to visit Suqian, Xiang Yu's hometown 项王故里 during our 7 day visit of Jiangsu.

Xiang Yu's life is the subject of operas, TV serials and movies. 

In Jiangsu Must Eat Nanjing Salted Duck 南京盐水鸭

When you are in China's Jiangsu province, especially in its capital city Nanjing, you will see pale looking ducks hanging in restaurant windows on every street (okay... but only a slight exaggeration 🤭). 

Toddy Coconut Wine @ Nesa Relax Cafe in Kangkar Pulai Johor

Today, we found a new place in Johor to drink toddy - at Nesa Relax Cafe in Kangkar Pulai.

So far in Johor, our regular toddy place is in downtown JB. 

Jin Ling Xiao Cheng Town Takes You Back 2000 Years to the Six Dynasties Era 金陵小镇

After dinner at Confucius Temple in Nanjing, we drove to Jin Ling Town nearby at Niu Shou Mountain. The beauty of Jin Ling Town was stunning - we could see its glowing lights from a distance as our bus approached the attraction. 

Note: We were here on a starless night. The photos are straight out of the handphone camera unedited. 

Huong Pho @ Food Haven Steps from Kallang MRT Station • Amazing Sardine Banh Mi & More

Thanks to buddy Mark, I now have another good place for affordable, authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Singapore 🙏

Raffles Hotel Courtyard Regional Hawker Showcase Jul to Oct 2024 • Pork Martabak & More

Went to try the trending pork martabak at Raffles Courtyard yesterday evening. 

Hai Yuan Hainanese Coffee Shop White Bee Hoon in Skudai • 100 Year Old Local Hangout 海源

Buddy Ellone has been raving about Hai Yuan 海源 coffee shop in Skudai which made me really curious to try it. Finally made it here today.

Taizhou Morning Tea Breakfast & Skin Wrap Water Culture 泰州早茶 早上皮包水

When you come to Jiangsu, you will hear locals tell you to enjoy your visit by 早上皮包水, 下午水包皮 Skin wrap water in the morning, water wrap skin in the evening 🤔 

eh?!

via GIPHY

Jiangsu 7 Days 6 Cities Itinerary • Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Taizhou, Suqian, Yancheng, Huaian 2024

I just came back from an amazing seven days, six cities tour of Jiangsu province in eastern China. We enjoyed so much kindness from people, history, culture, and great food, that it will take me a few months to write up everything in this blog.

For now, here is a brief summary and itinerary of those wonderful, whirlwind seven days. Follow me for detailed articles on Jiangsu food and places in the future.