SINGAPORE 5

SINGAPORE'S 'GREAT' FOOD

Singapore Food – be it local or western food. Either you like it or not!!

Singapore local Chinese dishes have quite a plan taste compared to Malaysian dishes which are “very tasty” adding much salt, sugar, herbs and spice.

 

BAK KUT TEH AT BKT PANJANG MALL

Over the years, I admit that Singapore dishes are improving due to the number of Malaysian working as chef in the island. 'They' might have been the reason of the improvement, yet the dishes are still lacking in tastiness.

FIVE STAR CHICKEN RICE AT BKT TIMAH

The popular dishes here are Fish Soup Noodle, Fish Soup and Rice, Mee Pok, Wantan Noodle, Katong Laksa, Fried Prawn Mee, Chicken or Duck Rice, Bak Kut Teh, Rojak, Chilli Crab and Fried Kuay Teow.

FISH SOUP NOODLE & RICE

KATONG LAKSA

MEE POK (DRIED NOODLES)

PRAWN MEE

ENG'S WANTAN NOODLES

As far as western food is concerned, they have a wider range of food, whereby most are “franchise” food, from popular chain of restaurants. 

LONDON FAT DUCK RESTAURANT

One can have a chance to eat 'all kinds of western food' including Han's, Oberstrasse, Morganfield's, Steakville, Pete's Place and Kodas's Cafe and The Seafood Bar & Beer. 

 HAN'S CAFE AT HILLUM

Apart from western restaurants, there is a high number of Asian Favorites from Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, Hong Kong and India.

SANOOK KITCHEN (JAPANESE) AT WESTMALL

Fast food are plentiful, from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), King Burger, Mac Donald, Pope Eye, Nandos, Pizza Hut, Jinjja Chicken, Chef-in-Box, Vendcafe, Alati Skewers, Chic-a-boo Fried Chicken, Birdfolks, Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels and A&W, among others.

POPEYE AT IMM

For Muslim, there is no shortage of halal food due to the presence of Singaporean Malays, it is no wonder there are many Halal restaurants scattered over the island.

LONDON FAT DUCK RESTAURANT AT SCOTTS SQUARE

According to Senthlui.com website, some of the Best Halal Eateries are – Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak, Puncak, Rasa Istimewa Waterfall, HJ Maimunah and Al-Azhar Eating Restaurant. 

As conclusion, Singapore food is either you love it or not!! 

BENTONG

BENTONG

Bentong is an old time favorite place among Malaysian intending to visit Thailand. It is located near to Gerik, Perak - about 3 hours drive from Ipoh.

I used to go to Bentong in the early 2000s with my family member until it was declared unsafe to do so. 

Betong is an amazing small town hidden in the valley, the town rich of natural resources, multi-cultural and traditional ways of life. Locals earn their living by cultivating rubber plantations and fruits while others offer tourist services.

Betong is a Malay name meaning “bamboo” - it become an icon of the town – the Betong Municipality constructted a reinforced-concrete bamboo replica as a water tank at Suan Sud Siam (Public Park).

Historically, Betong has struggled against obstacles including distinct weather, wars and town establishment. Formerly named as Yarom, it was later althered to Betong to name it after a Tambon name when its administration centre moved from Ban Ha-ngud, Zone 1 to Ban Kampung Masjid, Zone 6, Tambon Betong in 1930.

LARGEST MAIL BOX IN WORLD

At the Betong town centre – one can take photograph with the biggest and tallest mailbox in the world – located on the corner of Sookayang Road, next to the Clock Tower. It is a symbol of Betong which is now renovated as 3.5 times bigger than the old one, in front of and both can be used regularly.

WADBUDAWAD TEMPLE

Wadbudawad Temple is a developing mode temple of Betong with the most beautiful and remarkable architectures and paintings, located on the hill on Ratanakij Road.

PHRA MAHATHAT JEDI PHRA BODDHADHUM PRAKRAD

Another interesting temple worth visiting is the Phra Mahathat Jedi Phra Boddhadhum Prakrad – is the biggest “Jedi of the South”, located in Buddhawad Temple, Ratanakij Road, on the hill.

Phra Buddha Dhammakaya Mongkolpayura Kesanonda Suphaphithan is the biggest Golden Buddha in Thailand which is parts by parts delivered from China by ship, surrounded with trees on Ratanakij Road. 

PIYAMITR TUNNEL SITE

Next, is the Piyamitr Tunnel is used to be a communist battle filed, it is now called a historical tunnel – both sides are surrounded with natural orchids – located at Piyamitra Village – 3-km from natural spa. Here, visitor can wriggle into the tunnel – to view the utensils, bed and kitchen left behind by the communists.

The Central Mosque – there is no evidence can disclse the history of this mosque except a narrated story from old generation that this mosque was built with 6 round log topped with 6 thatch roofs.

Kuan Im Temple – standing with the Sino architecture housing a 7-tier stupa, shrine with statues of Chinese gods and goddess – this temple gain fame from its superb viewpoint of Betong – becoming a tourist attraction.

HOT SPRING

Another interesting place is the Hot Spring, famous for spa in Betong, which is located at Bor-nam-ron (spa) village - 5-km from Betong – is believe that spa sinking is healthy.

I like the food in Betong especially the Betong Chicken – tender steamed chopped chicken flavored with soy sauce. Other popular dishes include - Steamed China Fish with Plums, Kao Yok (pork with taro marinated in herbs), Phak Nam (watercress)Kao Lam (sticky rice in bamboo), Chao Kuay (a Chinese-vegetable black jelly), Chogun orange, vermicelli noodle and traditional coffee.

Recommended 3D2N is sufficient for visitors to explore Betong, and do not missed the massage SPA, here.

SEPTEMBER 1, 1998, 2001, 2004

MU HOTEL'S CONTEMPORARY HI-TEA SHOW

MU HOTEL'S CONTEMPORARY HI-TEA SHOW

 

IPOH: Some 50 guests attended a “Contemporary Hi-Tea Show” featuring cucur udang (prawn fritters) held at the Munch coffee house (MU Hotel), here.

LANNY LEE (FOURTH FROM LEFT) AND THE TEAM FROM MU HOTEL SHOWCASING AN ARRAY OF DELICIOUS FOOD FOR LUNCH, HI-TEA, DINNER

The coffee house showcased an array of dishes comprises of starter, main dishes and dessert, meant for lunch, hi-tea and dinner.

Its Director of Sales Lanny Lee said guests who wish to organise an event for lunch, hi-tea or dinner for a minimum of 35 persons, can do so at the coffee house.

“The management required prior booking of venue needed, and rental will be charged for use of separate function room.

“In addition, the coffee house is also promoting its “cucur udang” which comes with a free glass of coffee or tea tarik, priced at RM9.90 per person,” she said.

CUCUR UDANG (PRAWN FRITTERS)

 

MU Hotel is located at 18, Jalan Chung On Siew, 30250, Ipoh.

For reservation, call: 05-2406888 or sales@muhotel.com

A MALAY FASHION SHOW IN CONJUNCTION WITH HI-TEA

KINTA RIVER FRONT'S MOTHER'S DAY BUFFET CUM RAMADHAN BUFFET

 IPOH: In the month of May, let's celebrate Mother's Day with Love!

Do pamper your mum to a choice of either Buffet Hi-Tea or Buffet Dinner, organised by Kinta River Front Hotel, on May 13.

The hotel's Palong Coffee House is preparing 80 mouth-watering dishes including appertizer, soup, main courses and desserts specially for Mother's Day.

KRF TEAM SHOWCASING A VARIETY OF MOTHER'S DAY CUM RAMADHAN DISHES

For a start, do try out it's range of appetizer – assorted fresh garden salad, kerabu manga, fruit salad (rojak), roasted beef platter, tomato mozzarella drizzled with pesto, spring roll, oriental chicken salad, kerabu sotong and pasembor.

ASSORTED MALAY KUIH

There will also be a wide display of main course dishes comprising of Pineapple fried rice, Spring roll, Nonya Fried Chicken Inchikabin, Deep Fried Dory with Thai dipping, traditional Chicken Pandan, Hong Kong style steamed seabass, Chinese butter prawn with oats and Gartin cheesy broccoli with almond, among others.

PASEMBUR, KERABU MANGA, KERABU SOTONG, ROJAK BUAH

Desserts are plentiful including mixed tropical fruits, cream caramel, cream brulee, tiramisu, kuih muih Melayu, assorted cream puff, ice cream, strawberry cake, mango pudding, bubur pulut hitam, ABC with condiments and chocolate mousse.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, CREAM PUFF AND CREAM BRULEE

In addition, there will be live action stall serving curry puff, goreng pisang, Penang laksa, chicken murtabak with vegetable dhalca and prawn mee.

Guests will also be entertained with games, lucky draw and songs.

The coffee house will also be having a “Ramadhan Buffet Dinner” promotion from May 15 until June 17, from 7pm to 10.30pm.

The Chef's recommendation dishes are – roasted whole lamb, ayam masak halia, daging masak kicap, rendang ayam pedas, Japanese beancurd with Thai sauce, green curry chicken, grill half shell mussels, cucur udang (prawn fritters), stir-fry ginger beef, rojak buah, chilli crab and satay.

The Mother's Day Buffet Hi-Tea is priced at RM45 nett (adult) and RM24 nett (senior citizen/children), while the Buffet Dinner it is priced at RM55 nett (adult) and RM25 (senior citizen/children).

Early birds (purchase between April 25 - May 5), they will get to pay only RM40 nett (adult) for the Buffet Hi-Tea, and RM50 nett (adult) for the Buffet Dinner. 

MOTHER'S DAY CAKE

 

Meanwhile, the “Ramadhan Buffet Dinner” will be priced at RM60 nett (adult) and RM40 entt (senior citizen/children).

Early birds (purchase before May 15), for every 10 paying adults 1 get free.

The hotel is located at Jalan Lim Bo Seng, 30000 Ipoh.

Reservations, call: 05-2458888 ext 8817.

SYEUN HOTEL IPOH RAMADHAN BUFFET IN CLASSIC STYLE

IPOH: Syeun Hotel is delighted to once again host a feast of local classic cuisine speciality for its coming Ramadhan buffet promotion.

It's buffet dinner will be available from May 18 until June 14, starting from 7pm to 10pm.

Syeun Hotel skilled chefs will prepare a spectacular array of must-have buka puasa dishes, with six menus served on daily rotation.

SYEUN HOTEL IPOH TEAM SHOWCASING AN ARRAY OF RAMADHAN CLASSIC CUISINES

 Highlight dishes include authentic Perakian dishes namely Rendang Tok (Beef Rendang) simmered with finest herbs and spices to entice the appetite and served with Bukhari rice, Chicken Curry Kapitan, traditional Peruk Masak Lemak dengan Rebung and Udang Sambal Petai.

There will also be a range of local favourites such as the mouth-watering Laksa Sarang, Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish), Grilled Lamb, Mee Mamak, Sup Ayam Madura (Chicken Soup), Ikan Assam Tempoyak and Kari Ikan Masin Nangka Muda.

Sweet delights such as Malaysia's favourite ice dessert the ABC, an array of local and western desserts, cakes, fresh fruits and salad.

Old time favourite Goreng Goreng stall serving banana, Jemput-Jemput and fritters that will tantalize your taste buds. 

There will be ulam-ulaman Kampung with Sambal Belachan, Budu, Cencalok, Jeruk-Jeruk Malaysia with a selection of Kerabu (Malaysia Salads), crackers, Rojak Buah, Gado-Gado, Sotong kangkung, Bubur Manis, assorted Malay Kuih, jelly, puddings and assorted pastries.

For guest convenience, during Ramadhan promotion period, Syeun Hotel has a designated prayer room and a section set aside for wuduk (abulution).

In celebration of the holy month of Ramadhan, we are giving away our signature for free on May 17 at 5pm, in front of the hotel.

The Ramadhan Buffet is priced at RM48 nett (adult) and RM30 nett (senior citizen/children).

Early bird promotion (reserve before May 11) priced at RM40 nett (adult) and RM21 nett (senior citizen/children).

The hotel is located at 88, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, Greentown, Ipoh.

Reservations, call: 05-2559310/012-5105330.

CREW SKILLS CULINARY SCHOOL OF ASIA

IPOH: Students of Crew Skills Culinary School of Asia joint-hands with the guidance of Chef Joao Melo to prepare a Portuguese Cuisine for its guests, here.

Guest Chef Joao Melo, originated from Portugal, cooked up a sumptuous fine dining dishes comprising of a soup, starter bread, main course and desserts.

The starter dish Prato Incial include Tapenade, Massa Tenra Puff, Chikpeas & Tuna Salad and Grilled Squid & Romesco Sauce.

TAPENADE, MASSA TENRA PUFF, CHIKPEAS & TUNA SALAD AND GRILLED SQUID

 It follows with a vegetable type of soup called Caldo Verde.

CALDO VERDE SOUP

 

For main course or Prato Principal, the crew served Sting Ray Cataplana, and finished with rice pudding & cinnamon dessert.

STING RAY CATAPLANA

   

Its managing director Subramaniyam Pillay said that the Portugal Cuisine was one of the Master Chef Series, organised by the culinary school, aimed to provide a platform for guests to enjoy the dishes from different country.

RICE PUDDING & CINNAMON

 “Currently, we have 150 students pursuing our World Chef Culinary Diploma course which is a two-year programme, to learn how to cook professionally, bakery, dietary and health and safety practices.

“After graduation, the students will received world recognised qualifications namely Culinary Solutions Australia, City & Guilds and World Chef certification.

“They will be taught in a small sized class of 15 students, as well as training by two chefs in practical classes.

CHEF JOAO MELO POSING WITH STUDENTS IN THE KITCHEN SPACE

“One of the advantage - is that the students will be secured with a job before graduation either locally or overseas.

“After obtaining our certificate, the students will also be qualified for a skill migration in Australia or Singapore, where they can get to work in high-class hotels,” he said.

The culinary school is located at No. 9, Lintasan Perajurit 17G, Taman Perdagangan Dan Perindustrian, 31400 Ipoh.

For enquiries, call: 012-5295152 (Mr Bala).

MY PRAWN VILLAGE OF TANJUNG TUALANG

TANJUNG TUALANG: A newly set up restaurant called “Prawn Village Zui Xian Lou” in Tanjung Tualang is one-of-its-kind which offers a variety of prawn dishes, deliciously cooked and beautifully garnished for its customers, here.

PRAWN VILLAGE

Originally, the fresh water prawns or Udang Galah is popular only in Tanjung Tualang area where tourists who come here, are mainly for seafood.

Obviously, “Prawns” dishes top the seafood menu. 

 

STEAMED PRAWNS

The variety of prawn dishes served at the Prawn Village are – Drunken Prawn Soup, Steam Prawn, San Har Lai Mee (Prawn Noodle), Double Sauce Prawn and Fried Prawn with black sauce.

DRUNKEN PRAWN SOUP

In addition, the restaurant also served Steam Catfish (lam kor), Deep Fried Talapia Fish, Poon Choy, Fried Paku Thai Style, Stir Fried Tian Qi, Steam Kampung Chicken, Poot Chai Rice. Foong Mei Chicken Sauce and fried pig's knuckles.

PRAWN NOODLES

Its proprietor Alex Wong said that out of 600 villagers nationwide, Tanjung Tualang was the first village in the state selected by the Federal Government for tourism purposes.

“As such, I expected a growth in the number of tourists coming here, that is one of the reason I started off the Prawn Village in last December.

(FR0M TOP CLOCKWISE) DRUNKEN PRAWN SOUP, PRAWN NOODLE, DOUBLE SAUCE PRAWN, FOONG MEI CHICKEN SAUCE, STIR FRIED TIAN QI AND PIG'S KNUCKLES

“Besides the restaurant, tourists can also take a walk in the recreational area built for educating people about this small town, located nearby.

“At the recreational site, there are mural arts, love garden, a mini tin mining dredge, and miniature prawn structure for photography session.

“For frontage, there are decorative such as a wind mill, Holland mini train and an antique car meant for photo shoot as well,” he said.

RECREATIONAL AREA

The restaurant is located at Lot 21966, Jalan Kampar, 31800, Tanjung Tualang, Perak.

GPS : 4.321569, 101.057462.

For reservation, call: 05-3608126.

(FROM LEFT) ALEX WONG, THOMAS PAN AND HOR KAR WAI

THUMBS UP FOR THE NEW PRAWN VILLAGE

LOOK! LOH FOO CHEE

I AM AN ANGEL

WRITER (LEFT) POSING WITH THE MINIATURE PRAWNS

EAT THAILAND!

EAT THAILAND!

The tag “Amazing Thailand” fits perfectly for this country – one that is rich in history, culture and exotic experiences. Southern Thailand is nevertheless one of my favourite country to travel in South East Asia.

In a year, I travel more than three times to Thailand, as I enjoy “what” the country can offer to me – food, massage, music, liveband and a shopping haven.

Food is definitely “top” in my list which is one of the reasons that attracts me to visit Thailand.

Originated from a Hokkien background, I share a similar taste bud as the Thais, craving for something - hot and spicy, sour, sweet, salty and bitter flavour.

I also find that Thai cuisine is rich in 'vegetables' which reflects a 'healthy' diet, and there are some dishes that are 'medical' in nature due to the presence of herbs.

NAIWAN RESTAURANT

I would like to share a few of my favourite local restaurants in Hatyai and Songkla.

KANENG RESTAURANT

In Hatyai, I never missed the 59 Restaurant and Kaneng Restaurant while in Songkla  I go for Naiwan Restaurant.

NEXT TO SIAM CITY

The recommended dishes are - tom yam soup (red or white), sambal petai, baked crab, milky glass noddle crab, oyster omelet, sweet-sour fish, steam fish Thai style, beancurd Thai style, fishball soup, fried fish with towfoo, fried kucai leaves and sliced mango dipped in sugar.

59 RESTAURANT

Not to be missed is the chicken rice dish which comes with a choice of either steamed or roasted chicken, sliced char siew or siew york (pork) and a bowl of vegetable soup, and it can be found at every corner of Hatyai.

CHICKEN RICE

Strangely, one could also be surprised to find the more unusual food meant for the adventurous foodie. There are the well-known fried chicken wings, baby chicken, pigeon, cockroaches, crabs and roasted cuttlefish sold by traders in central of Hatyai city.

Titbit is another favourite items sold by the locals here mainly soft groundnuts, sliced mango, coconut sweets, almond, and raisins. One can find a wide variety of titbit at the wet market, Samila Beach (Songkla) and Hatyai town centre.

TITBIT

Anyone craving for English breakfast or supper in Hatyai. There are many hotels' coffee house offering western dishes. Popular dishes are - ham, sausage and eggs breakfast, chicken in basket, fried seafood beehoon and salads.

SCRAMBLE EGGS AND BACON

 

 

ENGLISH BREAKFAST

CHICKEN IN A BASKET

Lastly, one must not missed its wide range of desserts - sold by streets hawkers in Hatyai namely tow foo fah, ling chee kang, ice kacang, birdnests and bubur cha cha among others.

LING CHEE KANG

Writing this article made me say “I just can't wait for my next trip to Thailand”.

WRITER (RIGHT) THUMBS UP FOR THAI CUISINE