NKIKICHUA: Malaysia

Food Hunt (Non-cafe) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

After coming up with a list of cafe hopping in Johor Bahru (JB), I have decided to build on my list for non-cafe food hunt. Well, you got to have some savoury comfort food among the brunch menus right. Let's hop right to it :)

Accessible by Car

Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh 顺发肉骨茶 is one of the more popular bak kut teh in JB. Bak kut teh in Malaysia lean towards to herbal side, unlike Singapore’s peppery soup. At Shoon Huat, they are known for cooking using claypot over the charcoal fire. It was said that the outlet in Taman Sentosa was one of the pioneer stores when they first started. Don’t worry, it is still run by the family now.

We had the Signature Bak Ku Teh | RM22 - two-person portion and it comes in a pot filled with pork ribs, enoki mushroom, pork liver and tau kee (tofu skin). The other must order is the Sesame Oil Chicken | RM15 – big, the aroma of the bubbling sauce when it arrives at your table. The satisfaction you get when you drizzle the sauce over your white rice hmm… The other sides includes Dough Fritter (you tiao) | RM1.50 and Lettuce | RM6.

P.S. If you are using grab, do not put the full address as it may bring you to street 11 instead of 1. Therefore, I suggest checking the map below and put the nearest landmark.

Address: No. 11, Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa Johor Bahru 80150 (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 8:30am-9:00pm

TKK Seafood Restaurant is recommended by fellow foodie for its reasonable seafood pricing and tastewise is quite good too. It seems to me that this place is only accessible by car and it’s quite a distance from the city area. The restaurant overlooks the Straits of Johor and Singapore, by the seaside and it gets quite chilly in the night. Those afraid of cats beware that there might be one or two running around the compound.

Our seafood dinner includes a 1.2kg Salted Egg Yolk Crab | RM192 (RM16 per 100g), Vegetable | RM10, Cereal Sotong/Squid | RM15, La La Bee Hoon | RM15 - it’s my first time trying la la bee hoon and it’s so amazingly good! According to my friend, its Malaysia style and Singapore don’t have it (boo!). The whole meal including drinks tallies up to about RM241 for 4 pax. It’s a steal!

Address: Lot 684, Telok Jawa, Masai, 81750 Johor Bahru (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 12:00pm-12:00am

We made our way to San Low Seafood Restaurant 三楼海鲜园 for their signature chao da (burnt) bee hoon, San Low Fried Bee Hoon | RM13. I haven’t had any chao da bee hoon so I didn’t know what to expect of it. In fact, it isn’t even burnt, it simply tasted like ordinary fried bee hoon in my opinion (not in a bad way). The other side dishes we ordered were Ginger and Onion Pork | RM20, Hot-plate Beancurd | RM12 (not in frame) and Stir Fry Asparagus | RM20. I can’t exactly say it was done the way we expected it to, maybe this is the Malaysian-styled dishes.

This location was easier to find via grab as compared to Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh.

Address: Jalan Biru (off Jalan Merah), Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru 80400 or Jalan Merah 1, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru 80400 (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 4:30pm-1:00am

Tuesday, September 19, 2017
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Cafe Hopping in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

AsianCuisine

..Updated as of 5 Sept 2017..

Cafe hopping trend in our neighbourhood country, Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia has been going on for a while now. In fact, I don’t enter JB as often but during those trips, I was led by some of my trusty foodie friends and we were driven exploring places. That said, I am also in the mood to clear some back logs, so why not start with the very recent trip last week. Without further ado, let’s head off to our first stop! Psst! I have also started on a food hunt for non-cafe food. So in case you are in need of some comfort food during the day.

Accessible by Foot

Chaiwalla & Co. Container Café is easily accessible by foot or car. I have always passed by it but today we absolutely need a cup to beat the heat! So here’s the original Thai Milk Tea | RM 9.8, with the option of less sweet. Though we got to choose the sweetness, the less sweet turned out pretty sweet though! Also, the pearls were not ready when we reached hence we have it without the pearls. All in all, it’s still a good thirst quencher with a hint of Thai flavour to its tea.

Address: Lot 2180, Tan Hiok Nee Street, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Thu: 12:00pm-12:00am

Fri-Sat: 12:00pm-1:00am

Sun: 12:00pm-12:00am

Sangkaya is an established creamery brand in Malaysia by Malaysian, located not too far off from Chaiwalla. It’s so known among the locals as well as tourists, we queued for it in Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur, on a push cart. Now back to JB, we were attracted to ice cream, once due to the scorching weather. We came just in time as they had just opened its door at 11am. As we have a few food places to go, we limited ourselves to one for sharing and we ordered the Signature Coconut Ice Cream | RM 9.9. The 4 scoops of coconut ice cream is served in a coconut husk and comes with 3 toppings (we choose 2). Later we found out that we can mix and match the flavours among Coocnut, Matcha, Thai Milk Tea and Teh Tarik. Oh wells original coconut never fails too!

Address: 14, Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 11:00am-11:00pm

Faculty of Caffeine (FOC) is no stranger to Singaporeans, for it’s stone throw away café location from JB's custom. This is my first visit after their revamped place and menu. Previously they were serving mainly all-day breakfast dishes, now they came up with fusion dishes such as Signature Tendon Unagi | RM 28.9 – a twist from the usual Japanese mixed tempura on a bowl of rice. It comes in Chicken and Vegetarian versions too.

Next, Fried Chicken Maze Ramen | RM 19.9 - a fusion of Western and Asian bowl includes tossing the spicy minced chicken, sweet leaf, spring onion, seaweed and ramen together in FOC special sauce and accompanied with 63C sous vide egg and fried chicken. To be honest, it kind of tasted like Wanton Mee (Halal version maybe?)

Address: 106, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 9:00am-6:00pm

Shakespeare Milkshakes is a rather new kid on the block which features their specialty milkshakes, waffles, soft serve ice cream and coffee. Starting with the best-seller, Kinder Bueno Shakes, Berries Sparkles – watch out for the popping candy, and Avocado Power – more espresso would be good | RM 16.0.

I would like to recommend the Croffle in Turkey Ham | RM 8, if you need something comforting and savoury to go with the milkshakes. It’s packed with cheese, and is offered in two more variants – Tuna and Beef Pastrami. If you don’t already know, a croffle is a croissant in a form of waffle. In this case, it’s still a croissant that is compressed in a waffle maker.

Address: 9, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon, Tue & Thu: 1:00pm-11:00pm

Fri-Sun: 1:00pm-12:00am.

Closed on Wednesdays

Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory is a traditional brand needs no explanatory to many, as they have been around since 1919. One of the reason why everyone wants a piece of their bakes are because they are baked in hole-in-the-wall oven like using wood fire. It’s a pity there isn’t much bakery that uses such traditional baking method.

If you are there, you have to get the freshly baked Banana Cake (Small - 5 pieces) | RM 4.8, (Big - 10 pieces) | RM 9.6. Although it may seems like a regular banana cake, the ones from Hiap Joo’s are fluffier and more aromatic than the ones you can get in your hood. Moreover, they are sold like hotcakes, literally while stocks last! There is often a queue outside during noon but don’t worry, the turnover rate is quite fast.

Address: 13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sat: 7.30 am-5.30pm

Closed on Sundays

We have about an hour to kill before our train ride back to Singapore, hence we headed to JB City Square Mall for a walk. Chanced upon Tokyo Secret (originated from Hong Kong) and best of all, there is not queue! We got a box of 6 Japanese Hanjyuku Cheese Tart (Half Baked Cheese Tart) in less than 10-minutes, Matcha Tart | RM 8.9 and Cheese Tart | RM 7.9. We were surprised to find red bean and mocha inside the Matcha Tart! That’s it, matcha over cheese tart for me.

Address: Level 4, Johor Bahru City Square Mall, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Lot MS-03, 80000 Johor Bahru (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 10:00am-10:00pm

Accessible by Car

Softsrve Ice Cream and Dessert Bar has made its way to JB! Their moto is to create unusual soft ice cream flavours and experience. Presenting to you the Sunflower | RM 12, it consists of oolongcha softserve, caramelised sunflower seeds and dried pineapple flower atop. The subtle oolongcha taste makes is refreshing with an added crunch from the sunflower seeds. Besides oolongcha flavour, chocolate is available too. Softsrve also offers Kakigori and parfait series.

Address: #L1-03, Blok A, Academic Suite, Jalan Austin Heights, Taman Mount Austin,81100 Johor Bahru, Johor (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 12:00pm till Sold Out (for soft launch period)

Our friend drove us to this pretty looking Palladium Café, situated beside Eco Spring Show Village. The café has limited indoor dining and a spacious outdoor seating, overlooking the view of English-looking properties. For a moment, it doesn’t feel like I’m in JB.

The menu for food selection is pretty minimal, having only 3 mains and we narrowed down to Roasted Chicken Leg | RM 23.9 served in mushroom sauce. The Peach Latte was sold out and I went with Hot Organic Matcha Latte | RM 10.9.I cannot comprehend why the food took almost 30-minutes to arrive even when there’s no crowd. Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the café is pleasant.

Address: Eco Spring Show Village, 81100 Johor Bahru (Map)

Opening Hours:

Mon-Sun: 11:30am-9:00pm

Wednesday, January 04, 2017
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Wanderlust : Malaysia, Ipoh

Ipoh

Food for thought :)

Just beginning of the month, I've got an invitation to join my bestie's family to Ipoh. Knowing I haven't been there before and I could keep my bestie accompany, sounds like a plan haa! Their main purpose to Ipoh were to visit their relatives so I'll compile the 3D2N into one long post :)

Day 1

The mode of transport was the coach, though it's a long journey but it's two to three times cheaper than flights. We reached early in the morning around 6am, blessed to have their relatives picked us up and off to have breakfast at one of their relative's stall, Ma Jie Curry 妈姐咖喱 which is located in Restoran Yee Lock. The curry noodles are different from Singapore's. Everything is done from scratch, from the shallots to bbq pork also known as char siew 叉烧 and even the curry.

Tradition cooking of curry noodles.

It comes in your choice of Soup, Curry (noodles fully immersed in curry) and Dry Curry (a bit of curry on top of your noodles).

Ipoh beansprouts are shorter and crunchier too! RM 3.00

Ipoh coffee. Too bad I'm not a coffee person.

Homemade bbq and grilled pork. 叉烧 and 烤肉

Yumms!! Curry noodles at RM 4.30. Mine was the normal curry.

The man behind Ma Jie Curry :)

Behind the scene of Ma Jie Curry

FYI, they start selling early in the morning around 6am and will close once it's sold out. Give them a call to check, +6016-508 0689.

***
Ma Jie Curry 妈姐咖喱 (Located in Restoran Yee Lock)

Anderson road,
31650 Ipoh, Perak
***

As usual, parents will think we are still hungry and ordered Yong Tau Foo 酿豆腐 (an assortment of pre-cooked ingredients mostly made from a soya bean curd base and vegetables) for us to try.

Homemade fishballs, etc. The stall is also located in Restoran Yee Lock.

While we let the elders chats, we were brought around for sightseeing yay!

Fresh coconut drink. Oh no he don't pass you the coconut husk, he will scrap the "meat" out and pour the drink together in one drinking bag.

Surroundings of shop houses in Ipoh

Mon Kee Confectionary, RM 1.60 each.

It looked so yummy, but too full to have anymore food in my stomach.

Hop on for sightseeing :) I couldn't remember what are the buildings below heehees forgetful me =X

Mountains are everywhere here in Ipoh.

After chilling for awhile, they are setting off for lunch!! Geez I'm still feeling full from breakfast. As my beastie's relatives always says, "Come Ipoh must eat, must try everything!" and "Eat now, go back Singapore then exercise" LOL funny folks!!

Lunch at Woolley :D

Prawn noodles

The legendary Ipoh Rojak (a traditional fruit and vegetable salad dish commonly found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The term "Rojak" is Malay for mixture)

I fell in love with the first bite~~

Yes must try everything LOL.

I'm not a fan of Char Kway Teow (stir-fried rice cake strips) even in Singapore, but after being convinced by the people there saying it's different, I tried a bit and hey it's not that bad haahaas.

For dessert, we are having Won Tou Lang, not sure what is it but it's like mixed fruits with lemon on shaved ice and jelly at the bottom. A very cooling dessert!

In Singapore we have Rochor Bean Curd, in Ipoh they have Funny Mountain Soya Bean Curd!!!

It's like a drive by where you can order and eat in your car. Once you are done, just signal them and they will come to your car to collect it from you then drive off. Interesting!! We are lucky the queue isn't very long that day.

When it's hot, it's so gooooooooood! It's so soft too!!

Before you know it, it's dinner time already. We went to a place where almost every shop sells Ipoh’s famous Beansprouts Chicken. Everywhere was crowded as we left house a tad bit later around 8pm and we settled at Lou Wong Restaurant as we can be seated immediately. They said this shop quite famous but there's even a nicer one but it's always full-housed.

Chicken seems a bit too dry but the beansprouts tasted yummy.

More beansprouts again! Nomnoms.

I just have to emphasize on their super long chopsticks haahaas.

Day 2

Breakfast at a nearby coffee shop.

Banana with peanut pancake. So crispy! RM 1.90

Curry Chee Cheong Fan 猪肠粉 (steamed rice roll)

Hakka Noodles or Mee Hakka as they call it 客家面 (egg noodles with minced pork and gravy). Usually goes with a bowl of Yong Tau Foo, in this case it's just meatballs and fishballs.

Time for shopping for goodies! First stop to Yee Hup and some warehouse factory, where I bought my mom's favourite Home Café's white coffee and pastries 香饼.

Such old and torn down houses still exist in Ipoh. Blessed am I that I have a proper roof and house to live in.

Don't you think this out of no where fruit shop isn't making any money, think again! Though it's very competitive in this area, there's a lot of fruits stall but this shop is making lots of money!

My sources told me that the house you see on the left, it belongs to the fruit shop's family. WOW!

Such a big watermelon!!

How can one not capture the beautiful scene~

A manmade temple beside the mountain

Lunch at Restoran Hin Loong for chicken rice as majority wasn't satisfied with the chicken last night haahaas!

This is what I called a soft steamed chicken :)

Now you see it,

now you don't haahaas!!

Beautiful blue sky *loves*

Not only Hollywood has it lols.

Back at Woolley for the awesome rojak!!

And off to Dinner at Restoran Kok Thai. Hmmdapp!

There'll always be room for dessert :P we waited till midnight lols.

This is da bomb! So colourful :D

Ipoh's Lok Lok

We tired for tasting. It tasted quite normal though~

Day 3
We wanted to have dim sum 点心 (a style of Cantonese food prepared as small bite-sized or individual portions of food traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates). Usually people will go in the early morning, as me and my bestie are not a morning person, we got them to bring it home for us.

Dim sum at home :) for the lazy bums who can't wake up on time.

We went to some shopping malls, shop for clothes and baking goods. We even went for thai massage. *thumbs up* Before you know it, we are eating again haa!

Temupra prawn with cheese

Something unqiue that Singapore doesn't have. Stuffed fried egg.

There's 20% discount if you go around 3pm to 5pm.

Kacang putin!!

Pass down from generations

They have up to 3 different sizes of packaging, RM 1.00, RM 2.00 and RM 5.00. Free tasting too!

Early dinner as we have a coach to catch.

A bit of everything from the coffee shop

My last bite of Ipoh's rojak!

I have to emphasize how blessed we are being driven around for good food and sightseeing. They spent their weekends and some took leave just so they can take turns to accompany us around Ipoh, thus I do not have address of the places I've been to. Awesome hospitality and houses for us to stay in. Stressed-free getaway I must say :) Thanks to bestie's relatives!

Sunday, August 25, 2013
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