Modak Fried or Steamed · Lord Ganesha's Favourite Sweet

The modak, either fried or steamed, is the favourite sweet of the Hindu deity, Lord Ganesha.

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

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.

Long Life Bad Radkersburg TDS 2724 Mineral Water Good for Bones & Heart

Today's mineral water is Long Life Bad Radkersburg from Austria.

VCH Vichy Catalan Natural Sparkling Mineral Water TDS 2900 from Spain

Starting my day with a 500ml bottle of Vichy Catalan mineral water. 

Gopeng Glamping Park · How to Enjoy Nature for People who Hate Camping

First time go glamping 😁

You know, going camping isn't a natural thing for me.

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.

Surprising Origin of Sushi

✍ 25 Jan 2025. Sushi (along with ramen, etc) is one of the most globally recognisable food icons of Japan. 

So, it may come as a surprise to some that sushi which is today so much associated with the freshest ingredients originated from a millennium old fermented fish dish which did not even originate in Japan. 

What is Hor Ka Sai Kopi? Origin of Tiger Bite Lion 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 😁

Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck · Orchard Road Singapore

Kaki kaki jio-ed (invited) me to Imperial Treasures Super Peking Duck at Paragon Shopping Centre level 5.

Restaurant name: Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck

Address: 290 Orchard Road, #05 - 42 / 45, Singapore 238859 (inside Paragon Shopping Centre)

Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Orchard or Somerset station

Tel: 6732 7838

Hours: 11:30 am - 2:45 pm | 6pm - 10 pm

San Shu Gong Private Dining @ 135 Geylang · Teochew Cuisine

Aunty Judy invited me for dinner at San Shu Gong Private Dining. It's a nice evening of good Teochew cuisine and great company.

Restaurant name: San Shu Gong Private Dining 三叔公私房菜

Address: 135 Geylang Road, #01-01, Singapore 389226

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Kallang station

Tel: 6741 0344

Hours: 12:00 noon - 2:30 pm | 6pm - 11 pm

Who Were the Cholas? Did they Leave Legacies beyond Stone Monuments?

The Chola dynasty lasted 1,500 years from 300 BC to 1279 - making it the longest lasting dynasty in history.

During this time, the Cholas achieved a lot, not only in India but also in Southeast Asia, all the way to China's doorstep.

The Cholas left some majestic monuments which remind us of their golden age but little else remains (or so it seems). I suggest that the Cholas also left edible monuments i.e. their cuisine throughout Southeast Asia. These edible artefacts could provide another window of insights into the Cholas which stone monuments didn't.

Golden Mile Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken & Wantons with Tobiko! 香港豉油鸡

Buddy Marcus enthused about a relatively new Hong Kong soya sauce chicken and wanton noodle stall at Golden Mile Food Centre.

Stall name: 香港豉油鸡 Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken

Address: 505 Beach Road, unit #B1-56, Golden Mile Food Centre, Singapore 199583 (near to the ATM machines)

Nearest MRT: Five minute walk from Lavender station 

Hours: 10am - 6pm

Origin of Kuih Karas · Keukarah · Kue Sarang Semut & Sri Lankan Aasmi · Legacy of Ancient Indian Traders

During my recent trip to Kedah, I tried kuih karas, the northern Malaysian state's food icon. Kuih karas is a tiny fan shaped biscuit, fried till golden brown. It is brittlely crispy, wiry, crunchy and tastes mainly sweet. 

The snack is mainly found in Kedah though it has spread all over the Malaysia through the centuries. Mainly known as kuih karas in Malaysia, it is also called kuih sarang semut (ant nest cake) and kuih jala (net cake).

SEORAE Korean BBQ Singapore · Good Value · Tasty Food · Great Locations

When Ben jio-ed (invited) me to catch up at Seorae at Northpoint City in Yishun, I was looking forward to the meet up as I have not seen buddy for some time. As for the venue, truth be told, I am usually not overly eager to go to no chef, own self cook places like BBQs (and steamboats), especially if they are expensive. I mean, pay so much, still got to cook ourselves meh.... ?

But, Seorae turned out to be a pleasant experience which I don't mind going back to.

Restaurant name: Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ (Northpoint City)

Address: 930 Yishun Ave 2, B1-37 Northpoint City (North Wing, Singapore 769098

Nearest MRT: At Yishun station

Tel: 83803200

Hours: 11:30am - 10pm

MASwings Twin Otter Miri - Bario - Miri MH3436 MH3437 ● Pleasant Flights

When I was told that getting to Bario in Sarawak required a flight in a small plane, I didn't jump for joy 😂

Pekan Rabu Soul of Alor Setar ● Historic Wednesday Market that Opens Everyday

Coming to Alor Setar, a stop at Pekan Rabu or literally the Wednesday Market is a must. I lost count of the number of times I've been here. Pekan Rabu has a sort of sentiment heart tugging pull as it is the heart soul of the city. I said soul because heart may connote location while soul refers to spirit which is closer to what I mean to say.

Pekan Rabu Alor Setar

Address: Kompleks Pekan Rabu, Jalan Tunku Ibrahim, 05000 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia

Tel: +604 733 5929

Hours: 10am - 8pm daily

Lao Yang Cafe 老楊 Kopi 店 ● Pig Friend Dog Buddy Curry Rice 猪朋狗友咖喱饭 ● Miri Sarawak

We needed to catch some quick breakfast before getting on our flight from Miri to Singapore.

Restaurant name: Lao Yang Cafe 老楊 Kopi 店 

Address: Jalan Krokop 2, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

Tel: +6014 991 9817

Hours: 6am - 2pm

Sing Chiong Restaurant Bekenu ● Famous Live Wild Soon Hock (Tutu Fish) & River Prawns 勲漳茶餐室

The little town of Bekenu between Miri and Niah has Sing Chiong Restaurant which is well known for their live wild Soon Hock fish and giant river prawn dishes.

Restaurant name: Sing Chiong Restaurant

Address:  Lot 214, 215 Bekenu Bazaar, Sibuti, Sarawak, Malaysia

Tel: +608 571 9196

Hours: 7am - 4pm (Weds off)

Nancy Harriss Homestay Bario Sarawak ● Twin Pioneer Aircraft Wreck & Milky Way

We spent two wonderful nights at Nancy Harris Homestay / Guesthouse (not enough 😬). We love the food, activities, facilities, environment, and people here. This is a good base for your extraordinary (literally speaking) holiday in Bario, Sarawak.