Jonker Bird House (永安燕子生态馆) - Bird's Nest Soup and a Heritage Visit @ Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock [Melaka]

June 2, 2013, 8:37 am

≫ Next: Taiwanese Sausage - Pan Fried Style @ Jonker Street [Malacca]

≪ Previous: Fried Kuih Lobak 蘿蔔糕 [Carrot Cake 菜頭粿 as Singaporeans know] - Jonker Street Food @ Melaka [Malaysia]

From the English name (Jonker Bird House), i was under the impression that this would likely be a boring exhibition showcasing native birds from Malaysia! And frankly, what can a house offer as compared to an outdoor bird park?!

The bird in this case refers to the swiftlets adored by most Chinese over the world although the great interest lies more with their precious by-product; the solidified saliva.

Offering an educational tour touching on the history, harvesting and processing of bird's nest, this attraction also allows visitors to buy 100% genuine bird's nest and even the opportunity to have bird's nest delicacies in the vicinity!

First, let's walk through the dark corridor where the house was partially cut out to create a separate area for swiftlets to nest. As many are aware, the strong demand for bird's nest has resulted in the construction of many bird houses in Malaysia that often look like abandoned buildings.

Wikipedia told me that bird's nest soup has been around for 400 years. According to legend, the well known voyager from the Ming Dynasty, Cheng He, and his hungry crew chanced upon bird's nests in the caves while stuck on an island around this region and decided to cook them. Why they chose to think them as food baffles me but the point is that they eventually presented bird's nest to the mighty emperor.

Look at this! Who in the right mind would think them as edible?! This pyramid container gave a great representation of the bird's nests collected from the natural caves.

These belonged to swiftlets who resided in the bird houses i mentioned before.

As you can see, they contained less impurities and this has to do with the environment. A purpose built house has better control in sanitation, collection and even deterring wild animals from entering. Conditions that are simply more difficult to implement in a natural environment like caves.

Ever wonder what is the most basic method used to 'persuade' swiftlets into those bird houses to make their nests? Food? Monetary benefits? Blackmails? Nay, you just need a device to amplify the swiftlets' unique chirp.

Distribution of swiftlets! There are over 30 species in the world and only the nests from 2 are edible. They are the Edible-nest Swiftlet (also known as White-nest Swiftlet) and the Black-nest Swiftlet.

Unprocessed bird's nests don't usually appear as a perfect cup shape and include foreign matters like feathers from the swiftlets. That's when the processing workshop steps in!

Over in this small workshop, well-trained ladies were meticulously picking out the impurities from the soaked bird's nests and their aim was to make those nests 99.9% clean.

Six steps from unprocessed to the finished product - slice and cut, grind, clean feather, brush and wash, moulding and shape forming.

I remember a news article a few years ago which reported that a high number of bird's nest factories were using bleach as an agent to whiten bird's nest; hence enhancing their aesthetic properties to sell for a higher value! Such an unscrupulous method was of course not used here.

The beautiful heritage house we were in has a history of over four hundred years and it's hard to imagine that just a few years ago, it was abandoned with swiftlets occupying the premise.

Time to have bird's nest delicacies! I am not going to bore you with the word for word copying of nutritional benefits of consuming bird's nest. If you wish to know, click the above picture.

Our order - a bowl of bird's nest cost us a promotional rate of RM 50 (original RM 100). Honestly, i wasn't expecting much after the disappointing episode at Halle Herbal Tea.

And boy was i shocked to see this! The bowl of soup was just brimming with processed swiftlets' spit and the only thing i didn't like to see was raisin toppings (not that i dislike; just that i have never had raisins in bird's nest).

It was pure bird's nest which means it was cooked with no flavouring. You have to take your pick from the two bottles above; white for rock sugar and red for red date syrup.

Rich and fulfilling! We heard from the guide that each bowl contained a generous serving of 4.5 to 5 grams of bird's nest; this was certainly an incredible deal over the pathetic one we had at Halle.

On its own, the mango pudding was already very nice (not too sweet). However, the addition of flavourless bird's nest failed to enhance the RM 30 dessert. Well, we were paying for the bird's nest, not the mango pudding.

Within the same area was a retail outlet where visitors can have their pick of the different grades of bird's nest. Mom, if she came with us, would have enjoyed herself very much at this point!

Further to the use of bleach in the processing of bird's nests, there are also many cases of fake bird's nests in the market. I have pasted three pictures here; only two are real with one of a high quality. The fake one had added pork skin to reduce the bird's nest content. So you want to make a guess?

In addition to learning bird's nest in general, another big advantage to visit Jonker Bird House was the chance to immense ourselves in the surrounding of the historically rich building. [The fragments of pottery in the photograph was found during the renovation]

We were brought to the top floor to check out the tiles which had maintained the same orange outlook for over three hundred years! I thought i heard the guide claimed that they were the same tiles from that era but as usual, i am skeptical.

Despite the hot weather, it was spectacular to see the mix of old and new developments in this UNESCO world heritage site. In the past, this stretch of land where terraces now stand was actually the sea!

Two doors away was a seemingly abandoned building. Anyway interested to buy and spruce it up as one of many boutique hotels in Malacca?

Anyway, coming back to the house itself; it's located in the posh residential area where rich peranakans stayed and was first recorded as being owned by a Mr Seet Kee Ann.

Ownership was changed two more times before it was eventually bought over Mr Chen Joon Onn who converted the building, delicately restoring the original design, to the Jonker Bird House we know today.

First level and another entrance from the back of the building. Though there was no direct connection, you can also find a retail shop selling cocoa specialty products under the brand Hoko.

As a remembrance that the building used to be flooded with sea water at times, the owner decided to dedicate a section of the building to be on stilts in a pool of water. If you ask me, i have nagging feeling that this has to do with Feng Shui.

More to the building!

This shell stone (with its rough surface) was widely used in the construction of buildings during the period before the British took over Melaka from the Dutch.

The above was the reconstruction of door and windows from the middle of the 19th century using original materials that were said to be very durable.

A unique square-shaped ancient well (it was a must to have a well in every building back in those days) that has now been converted into a touristy item - the wishing well.

Last part of our journey - a replica of a cave where bird nests are traditionally found.

Reminded me of those caves in China albeit of a much smaller scale! The purpose of this was to show visitors that it's extremely hard (not to mention dangerous too) to harvest bird nests in the caves and this explains why bird's nests from caves command a much higher value.

=====

Location

No 77, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock

[previously known as Hereen Street]

Map

As above.

[building highlighted in blue]

Website

http://www.jonkerbirdhouse.com

Admission Fee

RM 10 per person

[Admission fee will be waived if you order bird's nest delicacies like we did before entering and i would strongly recommend you do so. The Gang of Four only topped up RM 40 to have a satisfying bowl of bird's nest and a serving of mango pudding]

Additional Information

Jonker Bird House was also known as Swiftlets Ecology and Discovery Centre.

By the way, there was an actual bird house with the entire premises solely reserved for the swiftlets. You can find it directly opposite the front entrance of Jonker Bird House!

↧

Taiwanese Sausage - Pan Fried Style @ Jonker Street [Malacca]

June 3, 2013, 6:40 am

≫ Next: Another Lion Tomb @ Lim Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

≪ Previous: Jonker Bird House (永安燕子生态馆) - Bird's Nest Soup and a Heritage Visit @ Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock [Melaka]

There was a period of time when i was super obsessed with grilled Taiwanese sausages and would intentionally buy one or two sticks every time i walked past a pasar malam.

Those were the good old times when i don't gain weight as easily as now!

In usual circumstances, my mind would not have given this stall another look but this was different; the Taiwanese sausages were pan fried in a griddle filled with oil and boy do i love the piquant aroma!

Furthermore, instead of having it plain, you can also choose to season your Taiwanese sausage with twelve various types of sauces or powder. I belong to the old school of thought; definitely plain for me.

Was it good? Good would be an understatement; it was sinfully oily, came with a nice crunch and complemented by a flavour that was way better than what i can get at the night markets in Singapore nowadays.

=====

Location

Only at Jonker Street in Malacca, Malaysia!

Price

RM 2.00 a stick.

↧

Another Lion Tomb @ Lim Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

June 4, 2013, 7:01 am

≫ Next: Chinese Candied Fruits (冰糖葫蘆) @ Jonker Street [Malacca]

≪ Previous: Taiwanese Sausage - Pan Fried Style @ Jonker Street [Malacca]

So that vague, fuzzy memory at the back of my mind was right after all - there is indeed another tombstone in the realistic shape of a lion in Singapore's only official burial grounds for the dead!

Compared to the crying lion i mentioned here, this king of the beasts has an expression that was somber yet grand and dignified; rightful traits for a grieving lion.

In typical Chinese customs, the placement of a cub is generally reserved for the lioness and its use for a male lion (i am assuming this is male since it bears no resemblance to the legendary depiction of a Chinese lion) should be considered very rare!

Two Chinese verses flanked the main plaque. A search on the web drew insignificant results on the verses and translating them made more sense in this case.

鳳飛七洋白虎曜 were translated as:

Phoenix flew over the seven oceans, dazzling the white tiger

獅吼九洲青龍震 were translated as:

Tiger roared throughout the nine provinces, shocking the green dragon

Rather than Feng Shui, the verses seemed to portray a legacy dotted by many impressive achievements made by the deceased.

p.s. i did an online search on the name of the deceased as well and failed to get any answers.

=====

Location

Block 18 of Lim Chu Kang Cemetery

[officially, the cemetery is known as Choa Chu Kang cemetery but locals always prefer to use Lim Chu Kang cemetery as the former usually refer to a town of the same name]

↧

Chinese Candied Fruits (冰糖葫蘆) @ Jonker Street [Malacca]

June 5, 2013, 7:12 am

≫ Next: Poison Ivy Bistro @ Bollywood Veggies [Kranji Heritage Trail]

≪ Previous: Another Lion Tomb @ Lim Chu Kang Chinese Cemetery

Jonker Street in Melaka had many food stalls but as in the case of hawker centres in Singapore; a limited stomach capacity and too many choices would eventually lead to automatic strategising.

My strategy is easy; make your order only when there is a queue or crowd surrounding the stall or it has media write up plastered all over the place. More often than not, there is an 80% chance that the food would turn out decent.

The remaining 20% is unfortunate (even though many can argue it as part and parcel of the pareto principle) and i had the bad luck to encounter one such supposedly popular stall recently in Malacca. Seriously, how bad can candied fruits be?

Nothing was wrong with the quality of the strawberries i had. The question should be posted to the sugared syrup that was supposed to solidify the fruits, resulting in a hard saccharine coating similar in flavour to malt candy!

Effort, feeble in my opinion, was made to harden up the syrup by covering the stick of candied fruits in a box of ice for a few seconds. Best thing was when it started dripping syrup the moment i took the stick from the lady. =_=

I can bear with the stickiness that wrapped around my fingers and i can disregard a more liquefied syrup that would have deviated from what a candied fruit traditionally is.

BUT, i just cannot stand the taste of the syrup; the sweetness was surprisingly complicated, as if there was an artificiality to it!

Not exactly the best thought to have with all the food scare going on at the moment with the pearls in bubble tea.

=====

Location

Along Jonker Street

Price

RM 2.50 for a stick of candied strawberries.

↧

Poison Ivy Bistro @ Bollywood Veggies [Kranji Heritage Trail]

June 7, 2013, 8:30 am

≫ Next: Jonker Street (马六甲雞場街文化訪) & its Famous Night Market (Pasar Malam)! @ Melaka [Jalan Hang Jebat], Malaysia

≪ Previous: Chinese Candied Fruits (冰糖葫蘆) @ Jonker Street [Malacca]

Poison - defined as "a substance that, when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism, causes death or injury, esp. one that kills by rapid action".

Therefore, it would seem absolutely justifiable to have people getting a bit rattled to dine in a bistro that directly associated itself with poison.

Things are however not that extreme in Poison Ivy.

Marketing itself as a place that serves healthy food with no MSG and minimal salt using ingredients that are likely to be freshly harvested from the farm it owns in the same vicinity, the only poison it has would only be given upon your request to add more salt to "poison" your own blood pressure!

Despite the limited choices on the printed menu, I could not pinpoint exactly what the bistro has to offer as far as cuisine is concerned since it can range from fried eggs with jam and toast to curry, nasi lemak and even fish and chips.

That's not even counting special dishes (pineapple fish, jackfruit lemak etc) at the menu board which heavily depend on what is available and harvested from the farm.

Bolly Banana Curry

When i set eyes on the words "banana curry", i knew i had to place an order! Aside from being a novel dish, i am a super banana lover, helped no less by my zodiac sign as the mischievous monkey.

Alas, i was disappointed with this pure vegetarian curry.

There was absolutely NO taste of bananas and if not for their obvious cross-sectional pattern, i would have sworn they were sliced potatoes! And Cavin is no admirer of potatoes.

Warriors Chicken Curry

Warriors chicken? I can only assume the unfortunate fowl was either a kampong chicken or one that gained victory in a gladiator-like competitor involving the same species!

Curry wise, it lacked the deciding "spice" punch although the flavour was way richer than the pathetic banana one i had and i wasn't hesitant in devouring the pieces of tender, succulent chicken!

Bollywood 3 in 1 Desserts

Touted as having no preservatives and no additives, these three types of desserts would be less of a worry to health conscious consumers who enjoy a sweet treat every now and then.

I like the moist banana bread which was heavily charged with the delicious aroma of banana, unlike its curry sibling.

Kueh Bingka was a tad too rich in coconut whereas the weirdly named Kueh Kosui (kosui is saliva in Mandarin) was the best of the lot; lightly sweetened with a soft texture that surprisingly didn't get caught in between my problematic molars!

=====

Location

100 Neo Tiew Road

Price

Bolly Banana Curry - S$8.00

Warriors Chicken Curry - S$8.00

Bollywood 3 in 1 - S$7.50

Plain Rice - S$1.00 a serving

[No GST. No Service Charge].

Opening Hours
Wednesday to Sunday - 9am to 6.30pm
Monday to Tuesday - Closed unless it falls on PH

Printed Menu

As above.

Website
http://bollywoodveggies.com/aboutthebistro.html

Additional Information

Please click here for my official entry on "Bollywood Veggies".

Take time to read the many notices pasted all over the place and you would find yourself laughing at their sarcastic content.

For my Muslim friends, Poison Ivy was strict in maintaining that no pork products are to be allowed within their bistro. There wasn't a Halal certification which i attributed to the sale of alcohol.

Outdoor seating is available for diners who would like to be closer to the rural surroundings so common in Singapore thirty years ago.

Beware of the irritating flies! There were so many of them; Alex blamed me for not bringing the ultimate fly eliminator. My G-Shock! Want to know more of its capabilities? Click here!

Lastly, Poison Ivy closes at 6.30pm so don't travel all the way there for dinner!

↧

Jonker Street (马六甲雞場街文化訪) & its Famous Night Market (Pasar Malam)! @ Melaka [Jalan Hang Jebat], Malaysia

June 8, 2013, 6:52 am

≫ Next: PC Show 2013 - Another Techie Pasar Malam!

≪ Previous: Poison Ivy Bistro @ Bollywood Veggies [Kranji Heritage Trail]

Many blogs have covered Jonker Street extensively and i guess this popular Malaccan attraction would require no further introduction from me.

So, let's make life a little less stressful for me; by having it as a pictorial post!

As with every road, there's a beginning and there's an end. This would make the start of jonker street for which you would see a precariously mounted ship modelled after the treasure ship that Zheng He, the legendary eunuch who commandeered seven maritime expeditions six centuries ago, sailed in.

Official name of Jonker Street is Jalan Hang Jebat although the latter is rarely used by most commoners.

Some basic information; the night market is open from Friday to Sunday and during these busy nights; the street would be closed to motor vehicles. Please be careful with your belongings as my friend's sister was a victim of a pickpocket syndicate from Vietnam.

Befitting its area as a Peranakan district, you can find many vendors selling loads of Nyonya goodies including Nyonya dumplings; which were famed for their perfect combination of savouriness and sweetness!

A mix of random items for sale. Notice that classic typewriter? It was painful to use that for typing; you have to hit hard enough and there's no such thing called "undo".

Funny egg ice cream; despite the warm humid Malaccan night, i didn't feel an urge to buy any. Guess i would give the joke (since they are supposed to be funny) a try in September!

Ladies slippers - not that i am interested but at least it gives viewers like yourself a good sense of what are available in the night market.

Colourful nyonya kueh! Ms Tan could not resist the temptation and bought a few for us to try out. Hm... The taste of coconut was a tad too overwhelming. Oh well, this is only one of possibly hundreds of food stalls in Malacca selling traditional nyonya kueh!

Childhood favourites - malt sugar and ting ting candy! As these are high in sugar and commonly found in Singapore, we decided to save our stomach for other stuff.

Necklaces with their cute glittering pendants. I didn't check out the pricing although i am aware that in Shenzhen or Zhuhai (China), you can get one for less than S$2!

Souvenir magnets - i should have gotten one of those modelled after nyonya baju kebaya! This incident brings to mind what a friend told me; when you are so busy taking pictures, it's quite common to overlook the details. How true!

Leather key chains in the shape of dogs, cats, monkeys, pigs and doe-eyed sheep.

Clay earrings in the shape of flowers! I do have a ear stud and i doubt any of you would like to see me wearing these flamboyant earrings and strutting down the street.

I am amazed these products took so long to make their entry to this region as i was made aware of their existence six years ago in Yunnan, China.

Each porcelain (i think) fortune cat has a Chinese character. String them up to make up your name or a short blessing and give it to friends as meaningful gift.

Soft wire sculptures - they looked really cool.

Photographs of old Malacca which would likely attract more attention from my dad who uses such pictures to decorate his travel albums.

It was a Saturday and boy was it crowded! Having said that, the human traffic was pretty smooth and i didn't remember having to stop because of bottleneck crowding.

Kids' toys that require no batteries and cost merely RM 5.00 each!

Pouches - this kind of things should be cheaper in Bangkok, especially if you buy in bulk. Speaking of which, i have not been to the capital of Thailand for so long!!!! I used to target a yearly visit! :(

The Gang of Four had its first meal of chicken rice balls at Restoran Formosa. Click here for the review.

Nyonya curry powder. Thank god mom doesn't understand English; if she does, she would trawl through my blog and stopped every now and then to complain why i didn't get her this and why i didn't get her that.

Real flower accessories - good concept yet visually, i am not so sure that it would be a great success.

I think this should be the famous bite size durian balls. No craving that day so we gave it a miss.

Another street view of the night market.

Grateful that the weatherman didn't bring rain in both days i was at Malacca. I can imagine the chaos as sheltered areas were severely limited.

Flower teas that cost a fraction of what you pay for in Singapore! As i am typing this line, i am also sipping a glass of hot lemongrass bought from the same booth in the photograph.

Chinese herbal tea for those who need a drink to clear the heatiness that was a result of eating too much sinful food in Malacca!

Funny t-shirts - creativity needs further exploration here as the designs were way too dated. The Great Kon has had that exact same shirt on the KFC joke for a few years already!

Pan fried Taiwanese sausages! Click here to read more.

I thought they looked pretty. Sadly, they would not be suitable for both my sisters who are already in their thirties. By the way, the younger one is single and i am actively soliciting applications.

Waffle hotdog - yawnz... boring.

Many Caucasians would think these are chopsticks used for eating! Truth is, they are hair accessories for long haired ladies and used in replacement of hair bands.

Glow in the dark accessories which i found to be a bit too eerie looking.

Potato twisters! Even though i generally dislike potatoes, this is one unhealthy variant i don't mind digging in.

Cute sized clogs decorating the key holders.

Once again, i regretted not buying any of these magnetic cum clipped mini clogs! Ex colleagues from NUS Political Science office should vividly remember the amount of magnets i removed from my cubicle when i left!

Hello kitty plushies - Jovyn's favourite cartoon character has now been replaced with another cat; the robotic feline from the future. Doraemon!

Classic night lights that would be a comforting sight for those constantly awakened by terrible nightmares.

The pub stretch that runs perpendicular from Jonker Street. Look closer to the left side where you can find the renowned Geographer Cafe.

Retailing in local foodstuffs, Gu Pong is one of a few located along the same street. The most famous one has to be the San Shu Gong situated right at the start of Jonker Street!

You would never catch me wearing these hideous wooden clogs. Unless i am donning the Japanese kimono for men!

Lack of rubbish bins in the night market has contributed to blatant disposal of rubbish by visitors. It was frustrating for individuals like me who dislike littering!

Oh~~~ the fragrance of carrot cake that unfortunately didn't translate into a great tasting supper. Check out my review at http://cavinteo.blogspot.sg/2013/06/fried-kuih-lobak-carrot-cake-as.html.

Chicken bowls - so named because of the unique rooster imprint. If you have been following my postings on Malacca, you would have realised that the use of the chicken design in food establishments is pretty widespread.

Dim sum at 10pm!? Not when the Gang of Four had eaten so much! A good example for "the mouth was willing yet the stomach wasn't".

Candied fruits - i was so disappointed with my order. Please click here for the post.

A side street that led to even more food with tempting aromas!

Temporary archway that was likely built for the Chinese new year celebration early this year.

So tempting, so tempting. So full, so full. I wasn't kidding; these were the exact conversations i was having with myself in my head! I tried and yet i managed to gain almost three kilograms after the trip.

3-D cards - who actually give cards out nowadays?! I am too lazy to do that although i have to admit it does feel nice to see a handwritten card in my post box.

Inflatable bottles - they are convenient, light and use very little space. Problem is. they are difficult to clean and in the long run, would eventually be detrimental to our health.

Once you see this stage, it means you are reaching almost to the end of Jonker street. Notice the three footballers? I never know who is who since i am no big fan of football. However, i recognise Park Ji-Sung because of running man!

As with most places, the last stretch towards the end is also the less crowded. Okay, time to walk back.

Real wooden red clogs! Don't assume no one will buy them. My mom, for one, would love to get her feet in them if we are not living in a public apartment.

I shall make a point to dine here the next time i am at Malacca; it's a great spot for people watching!

Do walk into these permanent fixtures as they could offer something different from the street vendors. In addition, they are mostly air-conditioned.

At night, we have a high tendency to disregard the surroundings that act as a backdrop to the atmosphere. A day visit would show a lot more and you may have to wait a while longer for my entry.

Wah! Plastic masks that were the rage in my days!

Earrings again. Look closer and you might be able to see a number of spider-inspired earrings that are so nice! Imagine walking in a shopping mall where girls started screaming you have a spider on your ear!

Name-carving - this seems to be very common in most Chinatowns around the world. For those who are unaware, Jonker Street is also known as the heart of Chinatown in Malacca.

They can be found in Singapore too. An attractive lamp with two big disadvantages; its ability to trap dust particles and the subsequent difficulties in getting rid of them!

With the prevalent use of electronic devices like mobile phones as alarms, i am not sure how many of us still continue to use these mechanical alarm clocks at home.

Some vendors preferred to lay their wares on the floor, running the risks of exposing themselves as in the case of this man. haha

Pet clothing and accessories - in the past, i would still spend some time at the stall. Now that Rubee has passed away, it would simply be a moment of reminiscence of the good old times.

What do you call these? Cardboard figurines? Interestingly, you cannot buy them off the rack and have to "build" them yourself. Ya lah, do-it-yourself kind of things.

Eye-catching key chains and sign boards.

We went back on the second night which was a Sunday. Compared to the previous day, the overall crowd was significantly reduced.

Like Singapore, Taiwanese street food has also made its entrance in Malaysia even though i thought these are common pancakes sold in Mr Bean outlets.

A number of regrets have been listed in this post, yet the biggest regret i have is not eating the smelly tofu from this shop located near the entrance of Jonker Street!! Sad sad sad.

Given that it was our last night, we stayed at the pasar malam until very late to complete our purchases! Frankly, we could have been one of the last few groups.

I could even take a no-head, no-people shot of the traditionally Chinese designed building housing the Hokkien clan association in Melaka.

For those who have never seen Jonker Street at night without much people.

After more than 70 photographs (a record for this blog), i am finally concluding this post. Have a good night!

↧

PC Show 2013 - Another Techie Pasar Malam!

June 10, 2013, 8:45 am

≫ Next: Melaka Chicken Rice Balls - The Really Famous One @ Kedai Kopi Chung Wah (中華茶室海南雞飯粒)

≪ Previous: Jonker Street (马六甲雞場街文化訪) & its Famous Night Market (Pasar Malam)! @ Melaka [Jalan Hang Jebat], Malaysia

Over the years, it's becoming obvious that the quarterly tech fair in its various naming abbreviated formats (PC Show, IT Show, Comex and Sitex) has become a magnet for bargain hunters.

I am no exception when it comes to getting the best deal and to be totally honest, i would hold back from buying any IT product until the tech fair season.

The above should sufficiently explain why i was at PC Show 2013 yesterday.

Although it was held at Singapore Expo this time, a farfetched location compared to the usual Suntec City in downtown Singapore, the crowd continued to be strong! Wait, wait, wait; the above picture was taken before i even entered the humongous Singapore Expo.

This (as in above) was the actual scene within the PC Show itself.

Researching the products you want is key to securing the best deal and i would strongly suggest hardwarezone.com as a starting point. It has a dedicated section for the tech shows and would include brochures from majority of the vendors!

Having said that, there could be additional promotions at the tech show, especially on the last day. That's when you would see many handmade placards branded with more freebies or further reduction in prices!

More often than not, you would get really attractive rates for laptops, desktops, digital cameras and printers. Unlike professional IT shows in other countries, it's rare to hear announcement of new launches, inventions or innovative products here in Singapore.

You would, however, see booth selling magazines subscriptions and many banks mobilising their roadshow teams to market credit cards and credit facilities.

Even household products can be found here! How epic is that!? And i remember seeing these products for sale in the marketplace near my house!

Did i also mention that the mobile and internet operators would offer unbeatable bundles during this time?! At this moment, people are signing up for fibre broadband which would offer unmatched online speed!

To be fair, this booth caught my attention with its sale of spy cameras and even mini spy camera detector! The latter would be most helpful for those promiscuous individuals or couples who could not do "it" at home because "family members are around".

One thing that tech shows always generate; litter!

After typing for so long, i have not gotten into the topic of what i want to buy for myself in PC Show 2013. Purchasing a laptop would be out of the question since i have always been a "desktop" person.

A spanking new DSLR to replace my Nikon D5000 would be desirable but surprise surprise, the tech fair organised by Audio House the week before was selling it at a better price with an extra 70-300mm lens thrown in! Bloody!

Hint: the above.

Yes, i needed a new hard disk for my photographs and i figured it would be a good time to have some sort of back-up for my precious data! Western Digital is strongly preferred!

As for my new DSLR (aiming for a Nikon D7100), guess i have to wait for the next show; Comex 2013 from 05 to 08 September at Singapore Expo Hall 5 and 6.

Until then, adios!

↧

Melaka Chicken Rice Balls - The Really Famous One @ Kedai Kopi Chung Wah (中華茶室海南雞飯粒)

June 11, 2013, 7:37 am

≫ Next: The Dutch Graveyard - Older but So Tiny! @ Malacca [Malaysia]

≪ Previous: PC Show 2013 - Another Techie Pasar Malam!

The above photograph was so misleading. Just the day before (on a typical Sunday), i can count a queue that was easily over twenty persons long!

Whatever, this was listed in this website as one of the top 3 favourite chicken rice balls in Malacca and given the emphasis that the Gang of Food places on food, it's a definite for us to try this out.

Chilli sauce - often touted as indispensable by many chicken rice lovers, you should be able to gauge its obvious potency by the outlook. I am not that particular, so no further comment on the chilli.

I am repeating this; no, chicken rice balls ARE NOT TO MY LIKING and i totally detest the concept of having unfulfilling lumps of mushy rice that tasted too salty.

The steamed chicken was comparatively better although i have to add that in spite of the smooth tenderness of the meat, it had yet to reach the standard of, just to quote an example, Tian Tian chicken rice in Singapore.

What put us off eventually was once again the high level of sodium! It surprised me that the Malaysian palate has such a high threshold for salt in their diet.

=====

Location

Jalan Hang Jebat

[Start of Jonker Street]

Price

RM40 for everything

Barley drink was RM 1.10 per cup

Additional Information

Chung Wah coffee shop is located directly opposite the famous specialty shop;

San Shu Gong.

↧

The Dutch Graveyard - Older but So Tiny! @ Malacca [Malaysia]

June 12, 2013, 7:22 am

≫ Next: Flaming Baked Alaska - A Different Dessert for Chinese Weddings @ Fairmont Singapore (费尔蒙特酒店)

≪ Previous: Melaka Chicken Rice Balls - The Really Famous One @ Kedai Kopi Chung Wah (中華茶室海南雞飯粒)

The original intention was to explore what was said to be the largest Chinese cemetery outside of China but as expected, the Gang of Four spent too much time on food!!!

I had to make do with the Dutch graveyard located in the epicentre of Melaka's main area of attractions, where Jonker Street and the historical Stadthuys are located.

Excitement kind of died down when i saw this; it might have a history spanning over three centuries yet the graveyard was only as big as four five-room flats in Singapore!

Yes yes yes, there was generally no conformity in design and shape for the graves and tombs; usually an attractive reason for me to visit the cemeteries. However, having everything painted in white was a visual boredom.

Just to show you a few tombs to prove my point.

Now's the time to give you some dry history of this graveyard. It was first started in 1670 and the last burial was in 1838 when Singapore was merely founded by Sir Stamford Raffles for less than two decades.

As many Southeast Asia history students are aware, Malacca was first colonised by the Portuguese in 1511 followed by the Dutch in 1624 and finally by the British in 1795 (cessation from the Dutch was officially confirmed at the signing of the Anglo Dutch treaty in 1824). The 38 occupants of the cemetery were therefore a mix of both Dutch and British nationalities.

Despite the emphasis of Dutch in the name of this graveyard, the majority of the deceased (33 in total) were British and they were buried between 1818 and 1838.

The oldest grave obviously had to be Dutch and belonged to a Ms Anna Raynierse Van Schoon-Hoven who passed away in 28 November 1670 at the tender age of only 27 years old.

There was a hole in between two graves and i was so tempted to check it out! The presence of the others meant i had to rein in my curiousity which was not a bad option in a foreign country.

With apartments in such close proximity, i doubt there would be much paranormal activity.

Nonetheless, this half dead tree might evoke some imagination at night - imagine hearing someone crying pitifully in the middle of the night and seeing a shadow half hidden by the tree trunk....

Anyway, you can read some of the information off this display panel erected by the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia.

What's more enlightening was this map that clearly showed the number of graves and names of the corresponding 'residents', if available.

=====

Location

As above [near to the famous Stadthuys]

Additional Information

Worth the walk? Only if you are history or cemetery freak.

↧

Flaming Baked Alaska - A Different Dessert for Chinese Weddings @ Fairmont Singapore (费尔蒙特酒店)

June 13, 2013, 7:44 am

≫ Next: Restoran Anak Nyonya (小娘惹) - Traditional Peranakan Cuisine@ Jonker Street, Malacca [Malaysia]

≪ Previous: The Dutch Graveyard - Older but So Tiny! @ Malacca [Malaysia]

People of my age are usually married and i have been through so many Chinese weddings; i can give a pretty good guess what auspicious dishes would be served on the round table.

It is a 'fattening' affair loaded with food and drinks and i often avoid taking my weight after the banquet! To give non-Chinese a general idea, the number of courses in a typical Chinese wedding commonly hovers between 8 and 10 with 8 symbolising prosperity, 9 representing forever and 10 signifying perfectness.

The fact that they are frequently held at night speaks of even greater unease for a person who tries to cut down on heavy meals after 7pm! Whatever the case, my topic today is on a dessert i had in a Chinese wedding held at Fairmont hotel recently.

Instead of all time favourites like yam paste, honeydew sago and red bean soup, guests were bewildered to find a cake placed on their tables.

This was no normal cake; known as baked alaska, it is "a dessert made of ice cream placed in a pie dish lined with slices of sponge cake or Christmas pudding and topped with meringue" [taken from wikipedia].

We had one with a slight variance - it was first drenched with rum and then lit with fire! The blue jumping flames were delightful to watch even though at the same time, my table mates were worried to see the meringue getting more and more burnt!

There's actually a term for this variant; Bombe Alaska.

*does sound like i am committing an act of terrorism*

↧

Restoran Anak Nyonya (小娘惹) - Traditional Peranakan Cuisine@ Jonker Street, Malacca [Malaysia]

June 15, 2013, 8:49 am

≫ Next: Jonker Street (马六甲雞場街文化訪) in the Daytime @ Melaka [Jalan Hang Jebat], Malaysia

≪ Previous: Flaming Baked Alaska - A Different Dessert for Chinese Weddings @ Fairmont Singapore (费尔蒙特酒店)

Many Singaporeans, including the Gang of Four, are familiar with the term "The Little Nyonya" (小娘惹), which was an immensely popular television serial in Singapore.

That was actually the main reason why we decided to have lunch at Restoran Anak Nyonya (which is translated as the little nyonya restaurant). I know. =_=||| right? Haha.

It could have been a bad decision but the sight of media articles about this place did help to reassure us that our worries could be unfounded.

Before i start with my review, i would like to notify all my readers that even though i love Peranakan desserts and their kuehs, i am not a fan of their main dishes. Why? Hm... let's just said it is personal preference.

Pineapple Juice

A refreshing respite from the bloody hot weather! Doubt it was freshly blended as the flavour was exactly the same as those that came from canned pineapples.

Cincaluk Egg

I had this a few times in Singapore and never like it. This was the worst of the lot so far; in addition to failing for the lack in cincaluk (fermented shrimps) taste, it was also overloaded with salt!

Assam Fish

Chilli lovers would fall for the sour spiciness in the gravy yet i thought the consistency of the gravy could be a tad thicker which would have enabled the flavour to stay a bit longer in the mouth.

Chap Chye

When i first tried this a few years back, i could not help comparing it to the marvelicious stir fried cabbage with luncheon meat that my mom is renowned for. There is no doubt i still prefer her version.

Fried Chicken Wings

Thinking that the marination would be uniquely different, we requested for two sets (the restaurant's minimum order). By the way, one set is equivalent to one whole wing. Why they use set instead of wing is a question that is beyond my rational comprehension.

First thought; normal. Second thought: at least it is crispy. The third thought was something like "Eeeeee, the bone was black" which would have been an exaggeration on my part since i don't really care.

Chicken Pong Teh

In its original form, it should be Babi Pong Teh and uses pork instead of chicken.

Peculiarly, i prefer this chicken version; a sweet aftertaste kind of sealed its fate and it has that magical touch of a home-cooked stew. The Great Kon thought otherwise and opined (gosh, work related words) that his mom can cook a much better one!

I would have to wait for that chance to try Auntie Kon's Ayam Pong Teh!

=====

Location

88 Jalan Tokong

[near the end of Jonker Street]

Map

As above.

Website

http://anaknyonya.blogspot.sg

Price

Pineapple Juice - RM 12 a jug

Cincaluk Egg - RM 7 (Small)

Assam Fish - RM 18 (Small)

Chap Chye - RM 9 (Small)

Fried Chicken Wings - RM 5 (a set)

Chicken Pong Teh - RM 10 (Small)

Menu

As above.

↧

Jonker Street (马六甲雞場街文化訪) in the Daytime @ Melaka [Jalan Hang Jebat], Malaysia

June 17, 2013, 6:37 am

≫ Next: Not Your Usual Trishaws - Colourful with Flashing LED Lights @ Melaka [Malaysia]

≪ Previous: Restoran Anak Nyonya (小娘惹) - Traditional Peranakan Cuisine@ Jonker Street, Malacca [Malaysia]

When a street becomes too famous for its nightlife, it's quite hard to picture how it would look like when the sun is up and blankets everything with its natural light.

To answer the question, make it a point to revisit in the daytime! That's what the Gang of Four did with Petaling Street in Malacca recently.

Start of Jonker Street - still remember the dangerously placed ship? The tall red building houses the most reputable brand that hails from Malacca; San Shu Gong (三叔公).

三叔公, directly translated as the third grand uncle, sells a wide range of local delicacies (i especially enjoyed the yam biscuits) that would make ideal gifts for family, friends and colleagues back in Singapore!

It was barely 11am but the street continued to draw in the crowds! Oh, please be careful of the motor vehicles as the street is reserved solely for pedestrians only from 6pm to 12 midnight on Fridays to Sundays.

Even though Jonker Street is often touted as a touristy district, the truth is you can still find such classic Peranakan facade maintained in many buildings.

What lies within, however, could be something more commercial in nature. I feel that residential to commercial conversion is inevitable in the long run at historical sites since emotional attachments weaken over time and it's extremely tempting when a commercial entity offers a damn good price for the property.

Jonker Street is also well known for its concentration of antique shops.

My butter fingers were legendary in my family when i was a kid and i was often requested from time to time to stay away from "breakable" items. Hence, antique shops are a simple "no-go".

Jalan Hang Jebat, being a long road, has a number of streets running across it. The first one would be Jalan Hang Kasturi which i termed as the artsy place.

There was the Calanthe Art Cafe, which was voted number four out of a hundred and ninety nine restaurants in Malacca (as taken from TripAdvisor)! Shall talk about this in detail in the next few days.

You can also find quaint little shops hawking handmade products. Do make sure your feet don't smell before you remove your shoes to enter the premise.

Awesome Chinese paper cuttings on walls!

This would be a perfect backdrop for couples taking wedding photographs!

Do your phototaking in the morning as a booth selling thirst quenching winter melon soup would be set up after twelve noon! I took a quick peek since the door was slightly ajar and it appeared to be a residential building.

Formosa Chicken Rice Balls, where i had my first plate of chicken rice balls in recent times, was located at the intersection of Jalan Hang Jebat and Jalan Hang Kasturi.

Continuing our journey on the main street - i am a visual person and blatant display of vibrant colours, regardless of their intended subjects, do attract my attention!

Coaches travelling down the narrow street are common affairs; so don't get carried over thinking the drivers would look out for you. You play an equally important role in road safety as well.

Hokkien Huay Kuan (Hokkien Clan Association) - besides the pair of fearsome looking door gods, this building was designed using traditional architecture typical of a Chinese temple.

An unusual shop that provided electro-plating and repair work for antique silvers. There was nothing upmarket about the family owned business and i love it simply for its old charm.

You can still find makeshift stalls selling night market stuff but in the daytime, they were the minority. Seriously, i doubt many sane tourists would go through the offerings under the hot sun!

Taiwan hamburger at only RM 3 - this shall be on my to-eat list in my upcoming trip to Malacca!

Clogs again; this time in other shades of blue and purple! As i was typing this, i am talking to my mom. She was indeed keen to have a pair although it was a definite that my neighbour a level below would be extremely displeased with the constant 'clock, clock, clock".

Handmade bead shoes for that nyonya persona in you! There was another shop we chanced upon that retails extremely exquisite bead shoes. Gonna keep it a secret for now! :P

Traffic was heavy for such a narrow road. Once again, please be safe; look out for motor vehicles before you cross the road!

This park is quite popular with tourists and i remember seeing this muscular statue (said to be the father of bodybuilders in Malaysia) in other blogs while i was searching for things to do in Melaka.

A really fantastic map illustrating Jalan Hang Jebat and its surroundings.

Yet again an antique shop; albeit not as cluttered as i expected most antique shops to be.

The end point of Jonker Street - i have a great fondness for exploring streets and there are clearly many enchanting old streets i did not cover in my trip!

Oh well; a valid excuse for me to plan for another visit!

↧

Not Your Usual Trishaws - Colourful with Flashing LED Lights @ Melaka [Malaysia]

June 18, 2013, 7:18 am

≫ Next: The Haze Situation in Singapore @ 19 June 2013

≪ Previous: Jonker Street (马六甲雞場街文化訪) in the Daytime @ Melaka [Jalan Hang Jebat], Malaysia

As the taxi entered the historical center of Malacca on the way towards our hotel, the Gang of Four's attention was immediately drawn to the sights of flashing LED lights coming from a group of trishaws!

I am unsure how people would take to this radical transformation of an otherwise pretty plain looking trishaw but i am certain it adds elements of colourful cheekiness that stand contrasted to boring history.

Not one of them has the same design and choosing a suitable one would heavily depend on one's taste and preference. For example, you would never catch me sitting in the trishaw decked out in artificial flowers of various shades of pink and an LED outline that was flashing neon pink!

In the daytime, these trishaws continued to create interest among tourists with their flashy displays. If not for the lack of time, the Gang was in fact keen to ride on them for the experience.

Where could you find them? Surroundings of the Stadthuys! Renting a trishaw could be expensive and it's common to hear of ridiculous rates even in sanitised Singapore!

For your benefit, you may wish to note that renting a trishaw for an hour in Malacca would cost RM 40.00 (approximately S$17). Yes, i believe you can haggle for a lower price. :)

↧

The Haze Situation in Singapore @ 19 June 2013

June 19, 2013, 8:12 am

≫ Next: Jovyn (the Fat-Cheeked Toddler) is TWO!!

≪ Previous: Not Your Usual Trishaws - Colourful with Flashing LED Lights @ Melaka [Malaysia]

Like everyone else on social media, let's talk about the haze that has blanketed Singapore recently; creating a romantic ambience that could have bloody improved the birth rate in Singapore!

Except that no one could possibly miss the unpleasant acridness that lingers in the air.

It is an annual occurrence and despite efforts by our government (and the Malaysian government) to persuade Indonesia to do something about the rampant illegal burning to clear farmland and forests, the haze continues to visit us with the situation being awfully bad this year.

Over the span of three hours, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) rose from merely eighty (moderate range) to a hundred seventy, placing the whole of Singapore smacked in the unhealthy zone.

Just when i thought things would improve in the evening, the scene overlooking Lower Seletar reservoir said otherwise. The average PSI was in fact lower at 144 but from what i understand, Northern Singapore has perpetually topped the PSI chart across regions.

At 9pm today, the pollutant level reached its highest point ever at 290 since PSI was computed and recorded back in the 1990s; effectively placing Singapore only ten points shy of reaching the hazardous level!

Weirdly, it didn't appear that bad outside my apartment.

It makes me wonder how accurate the readings are.

=_=

On a side note, although Singapore is said to be the most unhappy country in the whole world, fellow Singapore residents have been trying their best to make humour out of this haze problem.

[Latest Update of PSI]

10pm, 19 June 2013

Officially 321!

Welcome to the Hazardous Level!

↧

Jovyn (the Fat-Cheeked Toddler) is TWO!!

June 21, 2013, 11:47 pm

≫ Next: S99 Seafood - A Truly Sandy Butter Crab @ Chong Pang [Yishun]

≪ Previous: The Haze Situation in Singapore @ 19 June 2013

I bet many people are tired of the numerous postings on haze; whether on blogs, popular social media platforms like Facebook or mainstream media. Hence, let me break the cycle by talking about a joyous occasion.

Jovyn's second birthday!

The celebration was a small family affair this year and we were glad we didn't organise a huge party given the health advisories issued by the ministry of health in view of the current hazardous haze condition.

Just a brief summary of Jovyn's 'development' in the past one year. Her signature cheeks continue to draw attention from strangers albeit to a lesser extent; she topped the scale recently at 12.4 kilograms; she is attending day-care and thanks to my pampering mom, she has turned into a spoilt toddler!

You are right; that makes two young brats within the family! Nonetheless, i have to admit they are the biggest joy we could ever wish for although on a related note, i doubt i would want to have kids in the future.

A dog would do.

↧

S99 Seafood - A Truly Sandy Butter Crab @ Chong Pang [Yishun]

June 22, 2013, 11:55 pm

≫ Next: Calanthe Art Cafe where You can Try Coffee from All of Malaysia's 13 States @ Jalan Hang Kasturi [Near Jonker Street], Melaka

≪ Previous: Jovyn (the Fat-Cheeked Toddler) is TWO!!

A promise was made to my mom a few YEARS ago to bring her to a reputable seafood place for dinner but it was delayed until last week because i took it for granted that it was just a 10-minute stroll from home!

The lucky star was shining on me. The stall (which is a more appropriate term) had actually moved house and i was totally unaware about this until my mom happened to hear it from her friend. The communicative power of aunties can never be underestimated!

Anyway, it has been a while since i last posted an entry on Singapore food. Do sit back and enjoy the pictures! For those who are reading this late at night, don't blame me for activating your "craving" button.

Sambal Kang Kong

参巴蕹菜

One word would be sufficient to describe this; perfect! It had just the right amount of spiciness that tingled my taste buds without resulting in them being numbed to any other taste. Most importantly, how could i even resist those humongous pieces of crispy pork lard partially hidden in the green vegetables?!?!

Si Chuan Fish Head

四川魚頭

Featured on national television as one of the must-haves when you go to S99, the tender fish head was described as having a powerful infusion of chilli that was hot yet tastefully addictive.

The fish meat was tender alright although i would attribute it to freshness rather than the absolute skill of the chef. The dish was surrounded with a crazily spicy aroma when served and you could see from the eyes of my mom and Joyce that they were expecting something extraordinary from the chilli.

It was nothing amazing. Even i, a pretty weak chilli eater, found the spiciness to be too mild for my liking.

Hakka Beancurd

客家豆腐

I always find it hard to have a beancurd dish that has smooth, great tasting homemade beancurd perfectly complemented with an equally tasty sauce. It's often one way or the other. The above was the rare exception!

Beancurd Roll

豆腐卷

This came strongly recommended by the waitress and did not disappoint despite my initial skepticism. The first surprise was when i saw the crispy outlook that was a far cry from the usual!

As i sank my teeth into the rectangular shaped roll, the second surprise set in; the interior paste was generously filled with prawns, rendering it much more delicious than other similar deep fried items. Note; this is not your conventional beancurd roll dish and lack that special flavour bestowed upon beancurd skin. Not that i am complaining.

Crab with Bee Hoon

螃蟹米粉

Definitely not your typical crab beehoon served in a round claypot and filled up with milky white broth, this also came endorsed by the waitress even though in this case, we were sorely disappointed.

It could have performed much better separately. The bee hoon didn't manage to absorb the crab essence which would have made a big jump in differentiating itself from normal tze char bee hoon.

Golden Sand Butter Crab

金沙奶油螃蟹

As far as golden sand crab is concerned, this should be classified as the epitome for the sandy like texture that could have been mistaken for real sand sourced from the nearby Sembawang beach!

Crab was a bit small and contributed to meat that was too dry. Nothing beats having a big, juicy crab claw for true satisfaction.

Sandiness and size of crab aside, it was the sweet buttery flavour that got the whole family hooked! After we were done with the pathetic crustacean, it was simply whacking the yummy sand with plain white rice!

=====

Location

Block 101, Yishun Avenue 5,

#01-101 (Yummy 101 Coffeeshop)

Price

Sambal Kang Kong - S$6

Si Chuan Fish Head - S$21

Hakka Beancurd - S$9

Beancurd Roll - S$10

Crab with Bee Hoon - S$36

Golden Sand Butter Crab - S$36

Menu

As above.

↧

Calanthe Art Cafe where You can Try Coffee from All of Malaysia's 13 States @ Jalan Hang Kasturi [Near Jonker Street], Melaka

June 25, 2013, 7:34 am

≫ Next: Jovyn - Her Reluctance to Attend Playgroup!

≪ Previous: S99 Seafood - A Truly Sandy Butter Crab @ Chong Pang [Yishun]

The rage in Singapore food scene nowadays is cafes and you can find them in many shapes, various forms offering a wide array of desserts, finger food and fusion cuisine.

Such adoration is not just limited to the little red dot; as true blue Singaporeans, the Gang of Four does seek out nice cafes overseas where we can further add on to the relaxation of being away from the bustle of Singapore life.

One such cafe we visited in Malacca was Calanthe Art Cafe. Ranked number four out of a hundred and ninety nine restaurants in Malacca on Tripadvisor.com, the name itself evoked images of decorative art pieces that would not be easily understood by commoners like me.

By the grace of god, the surrounding was not as artsy fartsy as expected. Instead, i was so reminded of the 1980s when i was still a little boy living in one of the last few villages on mainland Singapore.

The retro wooden sofa set was signature of that period and i still remember that every few months, my parents would make it a point to wash the coverings and sun the sponge cushions.

Television then was bulky and required effort from more than one person to haul it from one place to another! Known as CRT (cathode ray tube) television, the one above doesn't even come with remote control; changing the channels meant rotating a dial button (usually e biggest one beside the screen).

To me, i thought the entire concept brings forward a great sense of character and nostalgia to the cafe. I could be biased as i am a person who enjoys history and it feels good to reminisce my childhood days.

Given the ranking on tripadvisor, the place was strangely quiet on a Saturday night. I am not sure if it was the late timing that we arrived or that the cafe appeared to be too hot and stuffy, especially the area behind the main counter where more seats were available.

Surprise, surprise! I am not going to talk about the food in this cafe as my stomach was heavily stuffed by the time i stepped into Calanthe. What i could manage at that point of time was only a cup of coffee.

From the outside of the cafe, the sign stating "Malaysia 13 States' Coffees" was much more noticeable than the actual signboard indicating "Calanthe Cafe"; hence implying the priority and importance of the coffees.

My cup of coffee. With thirteen choices, it's hard to reach a decision! Eventually, i reverted back to what i have always loved and i strongly believed most Singaporeans would choose the same as i did.

White coffee from the state of Perak - i can't say it was fantastic even though personally, i preferred it over 'Old Town' for its reduced sugar, nicer fragrance and a more delicate smoothness.

Wish to try all 13 states' coffees and yet worry that your stomach would be unable to take all the caffeine? Get one of the above boxes and slowly savour them, one at a time, in the comfort of your own home!

Those who are not interested in Asian coffee may be pleased to know that there are special "ang moh" coffee too.

=====

Location

11, Jalan Hang Kasturi

Website

http://www.letseat.at/calanthe

Opening Hours

Refer to website

↧

Jovyn - Her Reluctance to Attend Playgroup!

June 26, 2013, 8:07 am

≫ Next: Funny Toilet Message for the Men @ Malacca

≪ Previous: Calanthe Art Cafe where You can Try Coffee from All of Malaysia's 13 States @ Jalan Hang Kasturi [Near Jonker Street], Melaka

Just like any child, the time would eventually come for them to attend school where they would begin the lifetime journey to gain necessary knowledge and learn essential social skill together with strangers.

Jovyn, the little brat, is no exception.

Initiating the newbies to a fixed schedule away from family members and home is always difficult and Jovyn, being especially close to her grandmother (my mother), is terribly resistant when it is time for her to attend the merely two-hour playgroup.

As i did not see Jovyn in action, it's hard for me to visualise the actual situation! I was unfortunate to fall sick on Tuesday and i figured that since i am on the way to get some healthy fish porridge, i might as well accompany both of them to school.

Everything appeared fine, at least in the beginning.

Until it suddenly dawned on Jovyn's two years brain the she was indeed going to school!! That's when the tantrums started; screaming "no, no, no" with tears streaming down her fatty cheeks!

She has also mastered the incredible art of the resistant koala; holding tightly to my poor mom!

That's not all - she has also taken to vomiting over my mom whenever she knows that crying is getting her nowhere! Gross.... obviously not an experience i would like to go through.

So for those who still think she is angelic, think again.

The family is looking forward to the terrifying threes.

*a big big sigh*

↧

Funny Toilet Message for the Men @ Malacca

June 27, 2013, 8:26 am

≫ Next: Eng's Noodle House - Char Siew Wanton Mee & Signature Super Hot Chilli [榮高叉燒雲吞麵] @ 287 Tanjong Katong Road

≪ Previous: Jovyn - Her Reluctance to Attend Playgroup!

For ladies who have never stepped into the men's room and yet wonder where the stink is coming from; i can tell you the answer straight away.

The failure by most men in aiming correctly when using the urinals!

Knowing negative reinforcement would not work (cutting the problematic tool off is not an option in the legal sense) , i have noted that it has become increasingly popular for operators to install humorous quotes to drive their message.

Our aim is to make our toilet clean.

Your 'AIM' is our main concern.

Simple and to the point.

*like*

↧

Eng's Noodle House - Char Siew Wanton Mee & Signature Super Hot Chilli [榮高叉燒雲吞麵] @ 287 Tanjong Katong Road

June 29, 2013, 8:54 am

≫ Next: Minced Meat Fishball Noodle - 發記肉脞魚圓面 @ Kovan Hawker Centre

≪ Previous: Funny Toilet Message for the Men @ Malacca

Having digested so many servings of wanton noodles from hawker stalls all over Singapore, i thought i have seen them all and eaten them all. By right, there should not be any more palatal surprise.

Once again, it's never good to be too conceited, especially when it comes to food where recipe improvement is a continuous effort that never seems to end! And with this statement, let's direct the post today to Eng's Noodle House along the often congested Tanjong Katong road.

Avid readers of the Straits Times might find the name familiar; the death of its founder, Mr Ng Ba Eng, was actually reported in the news recently. The fact that it was newsworthy implied so much on the popularity and status of the man and his wanton noodles.

Not to forget; his super hot chilli sauce! I was given prior warnings by the Kon-Tan couple and damn were they right!

The sauce might have deceived many poor innocent diners with its orange, mayonnaise like colour; a small drop on my tongue elicited an unbearable spicy sensation that was immediately followed by the dilation of sweat pores on my head!

Always get ready your cold drinks before you attempt to take the chilli. Note - the advice is for weak chilli takers like myself as I am fully aware that there are many insane chilli lovers in Singapore.

Fried Wantan

Let's start with the food now. Served fresh from the frying wok, these delightful pieces of dumplings were a joy to have, particularly with mayonnaise!

Boiled Wanton

It's not the first time i have mentioned that i prefer the chunkier shui jiao (水饺) over the much tinier wanton dumpling. However, i have to admit these boiled wantons were too delicious to ignore; the minced pork had a very addictive flavour and the meat proportion was also higher, resulting in a more satisfying bite.

Boiled Vegetables

Fresh, green, crunchy and somewhat healthy - this is as far as i can describe for something that i generally have not much interest in.

Wantan Mee

The main star didn't disappoint! In my honest opinion, i thought this could have given the expensive wanton noodles (Kok Kee) from Lavender Food Square a run for their money. I had them plain without chilli or tomato sauce and thought there were hints of the same exceptional essence also used by Kok Kee.

There was a key bias that would skew the rating, at least for my case. The free flow pork lards and mind you, they were not of poor, factory made quality!

It made perfect sense to sprinkle loads of pork lard on to the al dente noodles! Such action should never be seen by my father who would switch on his nagging button to torment us on the merits of healthy eating. I should also add that in comparison to Kok Kee, the char siew was way better in terms of smokiness, flavour and chao-ta-ness!