I was in Singapore the last weekend. Just a short trip over the weekend. Well, for many Malaccans and Johorians, Singapore is such a neighbor – in many households, there are at least 1 family member or relative associated to Singapore. Either work there, study there, or married to there.

In my family of 4, 2 are currently working in Singapore. That’s exactly 50% My gf’s second eldest sister is also working in Singapore. One of my mother side aunties (ah yi) has also settled down in Singapore with family. And the list continues..

OK back to the main topic. So yes, I was in Singapore last weekend. The last visit to Singapore was a New Year trip from 29th Dec 2007 to 1st Jan 2008.

Many people commented that there’s no nice food in Singapore. However, I don’t agree with it. It depends very much on where you are eating. If you are willing to spend some efforts locating the nice food places, it’s not hard to stumble upon drooling delicacies at many food court stalls. However, in order to enjoy your food hunting journey, of course you should avoid multiplying the currency.

Less Than 3 Hours to Reach JB

We took 707 Express from Melaka Sentral to Singapore. 707 Express is by far the fastest Melaka-Singapore express bus, as it offers a real non-stop route (just 1 toilet break, no typical stop at Ayer Hitam or Yong Peng). In 2 hours and 40 minutes, we have already reached a place where Johor Bharu City Square was just like 500m in front of us. However, there was a massive traffic jam which took us quite some time to reach JB custom.

This is Woodlands, the most popular gateway to Singapore. On the right of this picture is the railway. I always hope to capture a picture at this place, with a train passing by at the railway, but never stumble upon such a nice chance hehe.

Lunch at Bukit Batok Central

Had lunch at Bukit Batok Central food court. As shown above are the mini soon kueh (笋糕) and sweet potato cake (木薯糕) from a stall called Yi Jia (一家) Delicacies. The mini soon kueh was sold at SGD3 for 5 pieces and sweet potato cake at SGD1 for 3.

I like the mini soon kueh, which is a very close variation of chai kueh. Even though the skin was slightly thicker than my liking, but the whole piece as overall was in good combination, especially when it is complemented with the chili. The sweet potato cake was in very appealing colour. It tasted ok, but will be better if it was more aromatic. Continue reading ‘Weekend in Singapore’

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Peninsula Trip Part 2 – Introduction
Day 1: Kuala Lipis, Gua Musang
Day 1: Kota Bharu

In the first day, we have traveled from KL to the very northeast of Peninsula Malaysia. The journey began from the heart of Malaysia economic development (Kuala Lumpur), to a state enriched with forestry resources (Pahang), and then hooking at the first Islamic state of Malaysia (Kelantan). The surrounding environment of our route changes from metropolitan city, to misty greenery, picturesque limestone caves, and finally signboards of Jawi letters.

From second day onwards, our plan was to start heading southwards, along the east coast. By 8am, all of us have already waked up from the comfortable beds at Ah Fai’s house. Surrounding us was a green misty scene.

Breakfast at White House Kopitiam

Wow~~! What a big pleasure. We were at the White House for breakfast!

“Ya ya.. I don’t bluff you one.. we had breakfast at White House. Yes again, if you didn’t hear me right; I’m saying White House Kopitiam”

Located at Jalan Sultanah Zainab, White House Kopitiam is found opposite the Padang Merdeka, and beside the State Museum. Owned by a Chinese old man, but this is a Halal dining place. Apparently, this kopitiam is quite “wai sui”, very famous in Kota Bharu. It was full of crowd during our visit on Sunday morning.

White House Kopitiam is known for its toasted breads, half boiled eggs, nasi dagang and nasi lauk. Frankly speaking, the toasted bread at Kuala Lipis Tongkok Hotel is much better than White House Kopitiam. Though satisfying, but the color of kaya spread served at White House Kopitiam, told me that it wasn’t made from authentic kaya recipe. Authentic kaya should be light brown in color; not dark brown, not green, and not yellow.

The half boiled eggs served have passed my benchmark – yolks were really half boiled and egg white was slightly congealed. However, out of 7 sets of half boiled eggs served, there was 1 set with broken yolks. By right, to upkeep the kopitiam’s reputation, they shouldn’t even serve it out, if yolk was broken. True enough, not everyone minds about broken yolk; but people like me who prefer to swallow the yolk in one mouth-full style, really mind about broken yolk. (of course I wasn’t the one to take the set of broken yolks lo :p)

According to Ah Fai, the local Chinese Kelantanese have other better preferred kopitiams. So in other words, we kind of ended up in a more touristic kopitiam la hehe. The bill was on pricey side. If I have to pay KL price in Kota Bharu, isn’t this considered pricey? I know I don’t have to pay KL price when dining in Melaka kopitiam. Continue reading ‘Peninsula Trip Part 2 – Day 2: Kota Bharu’

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Peninsula Trip Part 2 – Introduction

After leaving the schooling life, there are not many reasons to wake up early morning at wee hour anymore; except traveling. I woke up on 17th May at 4.30am to give a few morning calls, took an early cold shower, stuffed some last-minute-recalled items into my bag, put on my new Makan Trip blue jersey and admire myself in front of the mirror for a moment (no no no.. the mirror didn’t break), and finally was fetched by Wai Pei to Jason’s house in Kepong – our meeting point.

Jason and Edwin (both also surname Yap, but not brothers la) have prepared a stack of Gardenia breads for us. Yup, a stack of Gardenia breaks packed in the Gardenia plastic bag.

Jason: “ei! got bread… eat la”
Me: “hm.. it’s ok… you all eat. I took breakfast liao” (but I was thinking in my mind: wah lao eh, white breads only a? never mind la, reached Kuala Lipis only I eat)
Jason: “you think these are plain white breads a? its spreaded with tuna a!”
Me: “hahahaha….. paiseh paiseh.. I thought these are plain white breads, that’s why don’t want to eat haha”

Jason and Edwin: as commented by Micol, next time put a lil bit more efforts in “packaging” hehe. I was conned away by the deceiving appearance of the stack of breads.

At Jason’s house before departure, we have also surprised Wai Pei by giving her a brand new Kata A22Q Focus Q camera bag as birthday present, to house her Canon 450D. At the split second, she just looked too stoned, didn’t know what to respond.

Soon, before the sun brightens up the day, we departed from Jason’s house at 6.43:09am, in 3 cars – Ford Ranger by George, Honda Jazz by Edwin and Perodua Myvi by Blake. Heading to the hilly Karak Highway (which proven to be a tough up-hill journey for Blake’s full-load Myvi), we made our way to the very first food stop – Kuala Lipis.

Kuala Lipis, Pahang

Location: Kuala Lipis town center
Arrival time: 8.59:35am
Impression: The town center assembles the feel of a typical small old town with a few rows of old shop houses constructed before World War II. Like many other towns in Peninsula Malaysia, you will know that you’ve entered Kuala Lipis town center when you crossed a river – Sungai Jelai. It’s the kind of significant feel that says “after this river, it’s a bustling town”.

Kuala Lipis Food Stop 1 – Jalan Silang (横街)

We went to an ascending sheltered lane with small shops on both sides, and a few sets of staircase accompanying the upward lane. Locals refer to this lane as Jalan Silang in Malay or 横街 in Chinese. Majority of the shops along this lane are selling food. At the middle of the lane, is where our targeted food stop found – Chong Ko Hakka Noodle.

The noodles are homemade by themselves, thus creating an absolute competitive edge, not easily replaced by new market entrants. Though served in simple and plain broth, but still tasty with the springy noodles.

Price: RM2.50 (S), RM3.00 (B), RM0.50 (add more fish balls)

We also order a plate of clams served with 2 sunshine eggs and a plate of fried noodles from a food stall neighboring to Chong Ko Hakka Noodle. It was the first time for most (could be all) of us to eat in combination of clams and sunshine eggs; but, it was indeed a very gooooood combination. Continue reading ‘Peninsula Trip Part 2 – Day 1: Kuala Lipis, Gua Musang’