Would you eat rabbit head? The Chengdu food icon🐰

This was my first time in Chengdu, China. Even, before I went there, I am told mala rabbit head is an iconic dish to try. So, I was curious to try it, if there was an opportunity.

Six Day Sichuan Tour - Exploring the Land of Mystery, Majesty & Gastronomy

I just got back from a wonderful 6 day trip to China's southwestern Sichuan province (about the same land size as Spain). This is a summary of highlights of our trip where we were mesmerised by amazing natural scenery, awed by the cradle of Chinese civilisation and savoured the flavours of a UNESCO world culinary capital. All destinations were within 180 km or 2 hours from Chengdu city centre and connected by excellent highways and high speed rail. I will follow up with detailed posts on the individual destinations.

Chinatown Noodle Man · Lan Zhou La Mian, Zhajiangmian & Singapore Hokkien Mee📍22 Smith Street ☎ 63271286

Truth be told, I am not really a fan of la mian 拉面 even though I am fascinated by how the noodle master hand pulls a lump of flour dough into long strands of slender noodles. I've eaten la mian in Singapore, Malaysia, North America and many times in China but never liked the limp, lifeless mouth feel of the thick noodles. Today, Singapore Chinatown's Noodle Man changed my mind about Lan Zhou La Mian.

Ipoh People's Favourite Dai Shu Geok Yong Tau Foo (Big Tree Foot) 忠记兵如港口大树脚炸料粉

Every time I go to Ipoh (though I don't go there that often), the local hosts will proudly take us to Dai Shu Geok Yong Tau Foo (忠记兵如港口大树脚炸料粉). Dai Shu Geok in Cantonese means "at the foot of the big tree".

Tahir Roti Canai @ Warung Jalan Lembing in Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Bahru

Uncle Bob has been raving about the roti prata stall at Warung Jalan Lembing in Taman Sri Tebrau. This roti prata stall has also popped up regularly on my social media feeds. I finally made it here today. Yay 😄

Roti Canai / Prata Stall @ Kheng Guan Hiong Kopitiam in Pontian

Buddy John wanted to get his Kheng Guan Hiong Pontian kopi fix. While at the coffee shop, the huge white sheet of roti canai / prata dough caught my eye. Experience tells me that the wider and thinner the roti dough is stretched, the nicer the roti prata will be.

East Treasure Restaurant @ Clark Quay, Singapore River 東寶之東方明珠

Chinese New Year dinner with makan kakis at East Treasure at Clark Quay in Singapore.

Teochew 7 Vegetables Dish on Chinese New Year Renri @ Ah Orh Seafood in Singapore 潮州七样菜 · 七样羹

In traditional Chinese New Year custom, besides the Cantonese lo hei yee sang 撈起魚生, there is the lesser known Teochew 7 Vegetables 潮州七样菜 dish which is growing in popularity.

Ayam Goreng Dapur Kayu. Chicken Deep Fried with Fire Wood in Johor Bahru

Today, we visited Ayam Goreng Dapur Kayu along Jalan Petaling Larkin at Taman Tampoi Industries. It is Malay style deep fried chicken cooked over wood fire.

Lei Cha @ Tu Lou Hakka Restaurant in Johor Jaya 土楼客家菜馆

When I need a detox meal but am unwilling to sacrifice flavour and don't want to feel hungry in Johor Bahru, 擂茶 lei cha always comes to the rescue. Lei cha shops and stalls are everywhere in JB and I can truthfully say that I have not had a really bad one before (the traditional Hakka staple is served with pride). Restoran Hakka Tu Lou 土楼客家菜馆 in Johor Jaya is one of the popular lei cha shops in JB.