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Country Waffle Set (with Two Scoops of Ice Cream) @ Marble Slab Creamery (112 Katong Mall)

May 8, 2013, 8:07 am
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Tagged with a price tag of S$13.80, i am not sure if i would be willing to fork out that much money for a piece of waffle with two scoops of premium ice cream. 

In the past, i am sure it would not be an issue but after going through a 3-month rest where i have to keep my expenses in check, dollar for dollar, cent for cent, i came to the conclusion (like finally) that constant splurging on expensive food is not a viable option for persons not drawing a high salary.  

Anyway, Vanessa secured a damn good deal for the same country waffle set via Qoo10! At only S$6.90, it was heavily discounted at 50% off the listed price! And she bought two just to pamper the boys in the Gang of Four! Awwww so sweet right?

Cool mint on one side and mango alphonso on the other - the mint ice cream was a tad average and didn't wow our senses as much as the minty mint at The Daily Scoop. The same goes for the mango as well; it served its purpose as a cooling agent in the hot weather but on a comparison table, i have had better ones. 

On the other waffle was two scoops of similarly coloured ice cream (well, they fall somewhere near the red right); red velvet cake and cotton candy. Let's begin with the red velvet; a nice hybrid comprising of both chocolate and cheese despite the gaudy red tint. 

Cotton candy was my favourite that day! It was the creamiest with a taste reminding me that i need to stock up on Meiji strawberry milk and maybe because of the name, i felt extremely cheered up as if i have returned to the past as a child; walking in a funfair while holding on to a fluffy stick of pink cotton candy. 

Now to the main star - the waffle. The initial bite was quite good; the dough was not terribly thick like many other ice cream parlours with a light crisp that i personally enjoyed for my waffle. What turned me off was the bitter aftertaste of the batter! 

Thank god for the free wet topping that helped to mask the bitterness; the almighty maple syrup.

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Location
112 East Coast Rd 
#B1-25 [112 Katong Mall]


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Lin Yuan Satay [林园沙爹] @ Bedok 85 [Fengshan Centre 凤山中心] Hawker Centre

May 10, 2013, 8:30 am
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One of the things i was craving for in the few months of unemployment was a plate of charcoal-grilled satay; a luxury i could ill afford when money continued to dwindled in my bank account.

Now that i have gotten my first pay; it is time for a pampering session even though excessive splurging is to be avoided as much as possible! Kwong Satay with its sinful pork belly satay would have been the topmost choice but i figured this Lim Yuan Satay plastered with awards and accolades should be a good substitute.

It was a mixed plate comprising of five sticks of chicken, five sticks of mutton and ten sticks of my favourite pork satay. Let's be frank; i have had better flavoured chicken and mutton satay.

"Lean yet tender, nicely grilled without being exceptionally charred" would be my opinion of the pork satay at Lim Yuan. Sounds good although this was where my gripe began. 

This was way too healthy; i love my pork satay that has at least two segments of fat (that glistened under the sun if possible) and comes with substantial charring. The aforementioned conditions are essential to truly enjoy this local dish!

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Location
85 Bedok North Street 4, Fengshan Centre, 
aka Bedok 85 Hawker Centre

Price
Chicken Satay - S$0.50 a stick
Pork Satay - S$0.50 a stick
Mutton Satay - S$0.60 a stick

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85 Bedok North Fried Oyster Omelette [勿洛北85蚝煎] @ Fengshan Centre

May 11, 2013, 8:30 am
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I am still seeking for the epic fried oyster omelette after suffering a major disappointment at my favourite stall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last year! So far, none was exceptional enough to take the top spot on the pedestal and i thought this one at Bedok 85 hawker centre might just be the one. 

Here it is! Appearance wise, it seemed like there was a substantial amount of eggs (which i like by the way). Weirdly, i am a huge fan of fried oyster omelette yet i don't take the oysters that are mixed into the egg batter. 

To me, what's more valuable is the amount of oyster taste released into the batter. The one at 85 Bedok North had a rich, intense oyster flavour that didn't breach the point of being overly pungent. Sadly, it was overloaded with starch; resulting in an excessive sogginess that the Gang of Four disliked! 

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Location
5 Bedok North Street 4, Fengshan Centre,
aka Bedok 85 Hawker Centre 

Price 
Fried Oyster Omelette - S$3
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May Day Protest 2013 - "For a Better Singapore - Say No to 6.9 Million"

May 13, 2013, 8:23 am
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Thirteen days have passed and my entry on the may day protest "For a Better Singapore - Say No to 6.9 Million" organised by transitioning.org would just be one of many floating around in the virtual world.

Does my opinion matter?

It doesn't because so much has been discussed on traditional mass media and social media with many experts weighing in on the issue. As concerned individuals, what's more important to us is the mature capacity to digest and evaluate all information regardless of whether one is pro or anti government.

Personally, i deemed it necessary to get myself more involved as a citizen of the country. I could be nonchalant about the protest like many of my compatriots but i am aware that if no one gets involved, Singapore would eventually turn into a state where the voice of the citizens would no longer matter.

Let's return to the actual day of the protest; 01 May 2013. A balloon sculpture archway welcomed those entering Hong Lim Park via the Clarke Quay station. Unsuspecting pedestrians or tourists walking past the park would be forgiven for thinking there was a carnival instead of a protest.

Speakers' Corner - the only place in Singapore where you can freely speak on most topics without the need to apply for a permit. Notice the sign on "foreigners not allowed"? There was a funny regulation that a police permit is required if "foreigners are speaking or participating in or organising activities at Speakers’ Corner".

How does one determine who is participating? When a foreigner watches a protest, is he/she participating? Hong Lim park is also not a building and doesn't have barriers preventing people from entering, so how could one even bar anyone from stepping in?

Creative tee shirts for sale! The right one using the flag would not sit well with the authorities; one, disrespect to the national flag and two, its implied bribery reference to the ruling political party.

These attractive red tees with bold messages like "United We Roar, Stand Up for Singapore" etc were unfortunately not for sale; it was set up as a collection point with orders made in advance.

The official polo-shirt was sold at S$10 a piece and judging that some sizes were already out of stock even before the event ended, sales must be damn good!

Another reason why people would mistaken the event for a carnival.

Face painting! For the kids only. I always find it very heart-warming to see children attending such events. A friend questioned if it is appropriate to bring along kids for a political event and i don't see why not when they would be the next generation facing the full blown effects of current policies.

As compared to the event in February, the organiser had made the right move this time by setting up the speakers' stage with its back facing North Canal Road; definitely a more efficient use of space!

Given the negativity shrouding this sequel protest (friends were asking if there would be a police clampdown), i am glad the turnout was not as terrible as predicted. 

The panel of speakers which included prominent figures like Mr M.Ravi and Mr Tan Jee Say. With the exception of one speaker, the rest put forward their speech in a candid manner well received by the audience. 

Popularised by the movie V for Vendetta as a symbol against tyranny, the Guy Fawkes mask was worn by quite a number of participants, including children (you would know if you read the separate placards post for May Day protest).

Love for Singapore, Loyalty to your Homeland - simple terms that are hard to grasp when many citizens tend to associate the country with the political party. Hating the government doesn't mean you have to hate your motherland as well, stupid! 

Frustrating (and sad) indeed when you hear fellow countrymen giving up on the country they had lived practically their whole life and choosing migration. 

Honestly, i don't hate the ruling party. On one hand, they have a done a fantastic job in developing and promoting Singapore in the global arena. 

On the other hand, there are mistakes along the way; the lack of planning, the often dismissive shrug for citizens' feedback and most importantly, a long standing self conviction that no one knows better than them. 

I am afraid for Singapore. 

My roots are here and no matter how much i want to detach myself; this is home and has far too many memories; good and bad. And i believe many in the audience who stood together with me at Hong Lim park had the exact same thought. 

Okay, a light hearted moment here. :) 


Weather was good despite the prediction of showers in the afternoon. The definition of good weather is subjective here in Singapore; no rain is not necessarily preferred if it remains extremely hot and humid.

Photographers would not miss the chance to lug along their huge-ass equipment to test our its prowess! 

To stand throughout the three-hour event was no easy feat and even i was complaining at the end of it. Unlike these ladies here, i didn't come prepared with cardboards!! 

I shall remember the portable chairs next time! 

Sign on the petition - I was expecting a nice little book or a pile of foolscap to sign my name and that's it.  

It took way more effort involving spray cans, thick tip markers and a lengthy white cloth to pen down your thoughts as a citizen! I would share some of the messages at the end of this post.

A well known PAP supporter, and there's nothing wrong with his presence. As i said before, coming to such events doesn't mean you are anti-government; it just means you are willing (i hope) to listen to other people's views.

Mr M Ravi with his fiery speech and befitting his lawyer profession, he didn't fail in working up the crowd. You may read his speech via TR Emeritus here. 

See the crowd here? An unregistered speaker attempted to climb up the stage to say his piece. Quite dramatic with the organiser almost relenting in giving him the platform to say what he wanted.

I managed to squeeze through (that's the advantage of being short) and caught a few snippets of what he said; apparently, he wanted to talk about the poor in Singapore and felt that the event was not giving enough attention on this particular group of citizens.

Placard holders were asked to step onto the stage to show their "hard works" to the audience. You can actually read more about these notices and signs here. 

Students from NTU were conducting a survey on "Social Movements through Social Media". Singaporeans are known to be apathetic and it was no doubt intriguing to the academia to know what has contributed to this increased involvement. 

A friend commented that the "authorities" purposely placed these pots of plants to deter participants of the event from making use of the covered structure. I am not sure how true that is even though i do remember seeing these pots in the February protest as well. 

As promised the cloth petition and there was more than one piece. 

Most were tied to the trees (a bit like laundry in the public if you ask me) but there were only so many trees in Hong Lim Park! 

Eventually, a few pieces were placed on the ground. What will happen to these "petitions"? Would they be sent to the PM office? I have seriously no idea. 

Two messages for your reading pleasure. 

Crowd size at almost 6pm.

I was of the opinion that it was lesser than the 6,000 reported and thought 4,000 was a better estimate. Oh well, you can use the above photograph to count and let me know what you think. 

Nevertheless, i have never regretted attending this may day protest. In fact, it kept me thinking for a few days on the different perspectives brought forth by the speakers. Note: thinking doesn't mean i have to agree.

President hopeful - Mr Tan Jee Say. It's obvious from his speech that he would contest again in the next general or president election. 

Just like the February protest, the event was concluded with the recital of the national pledge and singing of Singapore's national anthem; Majulah Singapura. 

An appropriate ending. 
For those concerned about Singapore's future. 
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Chiew Kee Noodle House Soya Sauce Chicken (钊记油鸡面家) @ Upper Cross Street [Chinatown]

May 14, 2013, 6:58 am
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Just like many locals in Singapore, i love my chicken rice but would always prefer roast chicken over the generally more popular steamed version. 

Reason - the chicken skin. 

Psychologically, my mind tells me that steamed chicken skin is fattier and oilier than that of the roast chicken. Given the similarity in texture and that soya chicken is rarely found in neighbourhood coffee shops, i had never tasted soya chicken in my entire life.

Until a month ago. And who to thank?
The Great Kon of course!

A classic family feud among two siblings in the 1940s (or 50s) eventually resulted in the brother setting up Chiew Kee Noodle House along the same row of shophouses, specializing in the same kind of food; Soya Chicken. 

Dumpling Soup
As usual, i would leave the star till the end and shall talk about the dumpling soup first. 

The soup was as plain as it looked. The same could not be said of the plump dumplings. Filled with Chinese chestnuts, stewed mushrooms and fresh prawns, they were firm and delicious!

Plain Noodles
I was in the mood for noodles although there was a chicken rice option. The first time i had Chiew Kee, it was a takeaway pack of soya chicken noodles and the revelation i had then was unforgettable! 

The freshly cooked noodles (on a plate this time) had a QQ bite even though they were not as flavourful as i first remember. Guess taking away does have the benefit of allowing the noodles to soak in the saccharine sauce, making them extremely flavourful after a long period of time. 

Soya Chicken
We requested for half a chicken and didn't regret our order at all! In fact, the general consensus was that we should have asked for a full chicken! 

The meat was so soft, so tender that you might not even require teeth to chew it! And the chicken skin, soaked in a sweet concoction of soya sauce marination, had a braised flavour that kept encouraging me to have more despite my initial reservation of its appearance! 

I should kick myself for not being more adventurous in food! Think of the number of years i have wasted in not knowing there is such a gem in the local food scene! 

In case you are reading this Mr Kon, i am still not going to try deep fried pork intestines!! 

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Location
32 Upper Cross Street
[Opposite Chinatown Point]

Price
Dumpling Soup - S$5 a bowl
Plain Noodles - S$1 a plate
Half a Chicken - S$12 
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Famous Bedok 85 Bak Chor Mee @ Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian (興記肉脞面) [Fengshan Hawker Centre]

May 15, 2013, 8:14 am
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Let's face the hard truth.

A food trip to Bedok 85 hawker centre is never complete without ordering a hot bowl of minced pork noodles (commonly known as bak chor mee)! Anything less means you have utterly wasted your time.

With the word "authentic" emblazoned on their signboards, it was hard to make a decision on who to order from between the two bak chor mee stalls located next to each other. It would likely result in a long moment of frustrating dilemma for me as my last visit was easily six, seven years ago!

Thankfully, Kon, the food connoisseur, made the speedy decision to order from Xing Ji (興記). 

Did i mention the bak chor mee is not your usual dry form? Served in soup, i can confidently say there is nowhere in Singapore where you can see so many people partaking in soupy bak chor mee under the hot weather. Nowhere except in Bedok 85.

I could not help comparing the noodles with those handmade ones from reputable Japanese ramen restaurants in Singapore; squiggly with a QQ bite and it was an absolute joy to hear those noisy slurps! 

The meatballs were not too bad as well even though i found them to be a bit too strong tasting. Nonetheless, i have always preferred more meat in my soup anyway.

Main draw was of course the delicious soup! Complemented with pieces of pork lard and soft dollops of minced pork (high fat ratio i presume), it was a bowl of mean soup from an entirely different dimension. 

Definitely worth the travel from Yishun to Bedok! 

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Location
85 Bedok North Street 4, Stall 01-07,
Fengshan Centre, aka Bedok 85 Hawker Centre 

Price 
Minced Pork Noodles - S$3

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Reaching the Evil Stage - Terrible Twos

May 16, 2013, 7:33 am
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The brat is reaching her "terrible twos" very soon and from what we can see so far, she is well placed to take up the new position. In fact, we secretly think she is over qualified!! 

To describe her as evil is a bit pushing it but there are way too many naughty Jovyn moments in my memory! At times like that, the only respite for the family is when she is sleeping! 

Who would expect such a cute, peaceful looking creature to behave like a violent devil when she could not get things done her way!? Guess it's time to intensify the training sessions; the same ones i used on Rubee.

My dog. 
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Yong Heng Fried Hokkien Mee [永興炒福建蝦面] - One Word; Remarkable! @ Bedok Central Hawker Centre

May 17, 2013, 6:38 am
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Many a time, i am guilty of not being adventurous in trying out new stalls in hawker centres and would rather prefer to order from stalls i am more familiar with. 

One classic example is the food centre at Bedok Central.

The usual order consisted of the saccharine chicken chop from Kallang Western BBQ and a sinful banana fritter from a stall pretty near the restrooms. Given my age, those two orders (plus a glass of sugarcane from any drink stall) would be sufficient to fill up the stomach. 

Last week was different; the mouth was craving for a plate hokkien mee and i managed to deviate from the norm (not easy since i am a big fan of the chicken chop) by patronising the above stall; Yong Heng Fried Hokkien Mee.

I have had my fair share of food stalls with displays of many accolades and awards that still fail to impress me. Hence, i was only expecting a decent plate of Hokkien Mee to satisfy that damn crave and nothing exceptional. 

Have you noticed the main picture on the signboard? It explicitly mentioned baby squid hokkien mee and showed three nicely placed squids on bed of hokkien mee; a far cry from what i was given! 

With even lower expectation, i was pleasantly shocked by the unrivaled intensity of flavour that literally exploded in my mouth as i took a disgruntled spoonful! Surely those baby squids must have dissolved in the midst of vigorous frying and subsequent long simmering in the wok! 

After trying quite a number of supposedly famous hokkien me, i can confidently confirm that i like my hokkien mee to have a semi-dry consistency; dry enough to taste the heavy flavour yet wet enough to enjoy the rich broth. 

For those who die die must have tiny stripes of pork belly (Xavier, i am looking at you) or crispy pork lard (like myself), you would be pleased to know they were the standard ingredients at Yong Heng.

I am hesitant to bestow the title of the best hokkien me in Singapore to Yong Heng but i have to admit it was definitely the most remarkable in my whole life.  

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Location
Block 207, New Upper Changi Road, 
#01-42, 207 Food Centre 
(next to Bedok Bus Interchange and near to Bedok MRT Station)

Price
S$3.50 a plate
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Cavin is on leave - to Malacca!

May 18, 2013, 7:30 am
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picture taken from http://www.malaysiaapartment.com/melaka_jonkerwalk.html
By the time you read this, i am likely to be walking along the famous Jonker Street in Malacca and savouring all sorts of bite sized delicacies to ensure a healthy waistline expansion when i am back to Singapore. 

Knowing me, an overseas trip is always more than just food. 

picture taken from http://www.malaysiatraveladvisor.com/melaka/top-10-attractions-in-melaka
Taking in the sights is of course important. Able to relax is another key attraction even though that would be more attainable in a beach resort. But if i can afford the time this round, i shall make a trip to Bukit Cina; a historical grave site! 

Stay tuned to this blog! 
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Famosa Chicken Rice Ball (古城雞飯粒) @ Malacca [Jalan Hang Kasturi, Off Jonker Street]

May 20, 2013, 7:18 am
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827 pictures - for a moment, i was at a loss. 

Where should i begin? How should i categorize my entries? What should go in and what should not? Hm.... I guess nothing's better than food to kick start the many postings on Malacca. 

I shall begin with the Gang of Four's first meal in the ancient city of Melaka; Chicken Rice Balls at Restoran Famosa Chicken Rice Ball. Before the hardcore fans start typing their protests in the comment box, i am fully aware this is not the famous one. 

But when the time was coming to nine pm and the restaurant still managed to boast a queue, we figured it would not be bad. Furthermore, we were famished!!

Variety is a must for the Gang's meals and this trip was no exception; half a roasted chicken (that's all they have left), a small portion of char siew (BBQ pork), a small serving of wanton dumpling soup, a small bowl of fishball soup etc.

Fishball Soup
Too normal with a plain broth that failed to revitalize my taste buds. The fishballs tasted homemade and yet didn't have that bouncy feel that is well loved by many fishball lovers. 

Char Siew
Charred appearance including a smoky barbecue flavour similar to bak kwa, this would have made our cut apart from one very important factor; the lack of juicy fats! In addition, i personally found the char siew sauce too sweet. 

Chicken Rice Balls
Again, i would like to confirm that chicken rice balls are not the kind of carbohydrates for me. Yes, they are unique to Malacca although as far as texture is concerned, they can never win a plate of loose chicken rice!

Roasted Chicken
From the outlook, i was gaming to be blown away by the succulent chicken peeping underneath the cover of thin roast chicken skin. 

Sadly, the appearance can only help so much when it comes to food. Taste wise, most pieces were too dry compared to reputable Hainanese chicken rice stalls in Singapore. What's worse was the high salt level of the sauce soaking the poor chicken! 

I am way more impressed with the skin that had an amazing thin (hardly noticeable) layer of fat! Even though i have a great dislike for the balls, wastage of food is strongly discouraged in my family. 

Having the chicken skin actually helped me to finish all the balls on my plate! 

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Location
28-30 Jalan Hang Kasturi
[Corner of Jonker Street]

Website

Price
Fish Ball Soup (S) - RM 8
Char Siew (S) - RM 9
Half a Chicken - RM 18
Chicken Rice Balls - RM 0.30 each

Menu
As above [as usual, prices are subject to change]

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Luo Han Guo Drink with Longans @ Uncle Mok Jonker Walk [along Jonker Street in Melaka]

May 21, 2013, 7:18 am
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An unlikely rush of nostalgia struck me as i strolled past this unassuming drink stall along Jonker Street; dozens of shiny metallic bowls that used to be the standard drinking utensil for the well known Air Mata Kucing at Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur! 

When ask for a frank comparison to the famous Air Mata Kucing, Uncle Mok (the affable boss) was very straightforward in his reply; his version wasn't so sweet with the use of brown sugar! 

At only RM 1.00 a bowl (about S$0.40), i knew this would be one herbal drink i could hardly resist. Besides the wallet friendly price, we mustn't doubt the nutritional benefits of luo han guo (translated as arhat fruit); one of which is longevity! 


Honestly, it tasted more herbal than his competitor a hundred and twenty kilometers away and was definitely not as sweet. What's more important was that it still managed to work its magic by refreshing my parched throat under the hot and humid Malaccan weather. 


Don't play play! Uncle Mok has his own facebook account one okay! For those interested to quench your thirst, look out for his stall near the main permanent stage along Jonker street.
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BlackBall (黑丸嫩仙草) - BlackBall Signature & "Jiu Fen" Taro Ball Crushed Ice @ Star Vista [Singapore]

May 22, 2013, 7:20 am
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The above logo has been appearing on my facebook feeds for quite a while now and being a strong supporter of local desserts; i don't understand the big fuss about having grass jelly in desserts.

A month ago, i thought i would finally find out when i stumbled upon the blackball branch at Star Vista, which was overrun with loads of customers! I failed to secure anything but this incident made me all the more determined to check it out.

Two weeks ago, i had my wish granted!

"Jiu Fen" Taro Ball Crushed Ice
九份芋圓冰
Sadly, this iconic dessert that originated from the old town in Taiwan failed to live up to its name in Singapore. It was somewhat similar to the local cheng tng even though i would have gladly exchanged this for a sensational bowl of cheng tng from Ye Lai Xiang instead.

BlackBall Signature
招牌大黑丸
Said to have four different ways to "enjoy an explosion of flavours" - i could not fathom how hot, cold, warm and icy could be described as such! It would not be long before "lukewarm" wiggles in as one of the new ways to enjoy your food. 

Add your milk before you begin! A price tag of S$4.90 might seem steep but the portion would be sufficient for at least two persons.

Furthermore, the crushed ice was well hidden (for a moment, i was under the impression there was no ice) under a generous blanket of ingredients including red beans, yam balls, sweet potato balls, pearls, yam Q and golden sweet potatoes! 

I was gunning for the pieces of yam and sweet potato and expecting to be surprised by their naturally strong yet sweet flavour. Surprise i was although it was more for the fact that they consisted of too much flour! 

The main draw for BlackBall was the grass jelly. Thankfully, it was actually quite good with an elastic pudding like texture that was also not overly laden with sugar!

My next order at BlackBall would definitely be their grass jelly drinks. For desserts, you would have a much better experience with our local desserts in hawker centres. 

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Location
1 Vista Exchange Green,
#01-14/15, The Star Vista
[look out for this strange building after exiting Buona Vista MRT station]

Website

Price
"Jiu Fen" Taro Ball Crushed Ice - S$4.50
BlackBall Signature - S$4.90

Menu
As above.

Additional Information
Limited seating in the air-conditioned area (i counted only three tables). If you can bear the heat and don't mind the occasional rain, you would have better luck finding seats at the outdoor section. 
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Original Retro 60's Fruit Tea @ Jonker Street [Melaka]

May 24, 2013, 8:09 am
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I am not known to be adventurous with food and drinks but the constant bombardment of push carts selling retro looking bottles along Jonker Street proved to be irresistible when the weather was so bloody hot! 

At 1 bottle for RM 4.00 or 3 for RM 10.00, it was essentially apple tea mixed with either guava, peach, lemon or passion fruit flavouring, served chilled (which was the main determinant for my purchase). 

Satisfied! 

With the exception of Apple+Lemon, the guava and peach flavored apple tea tasted really nice (a strong infusion of tea without being excessively sweet and artificial) and a perfect thirst quencher under the scorching sun!

Okay lah, I admit the packaging helped in creating a positive feedback; it does feel kind of "right" to hold the bottle while strolling down the street where time seemed to have stopped decades ago. 
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金星上人图书馆 - A Cozy Buddhist Library in a Tourist Spot @ Malacca [Jalan Hang Jebat]

May 25, 2013, 8:30 am
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The Chinese characters [金星上人] on the signboard caught our immediate attention while we were searching for a place to indulge in some Malaccan chendol!

Translated roughly as the Noble Man of Venus, the Gang of Four was very curious on what to expect from the shop even though we were notified right at the entrance (via a wooden placard) that it was a library. 

What caught us by surprise were the decor and atmosphere when we stepped in. Decked in traditional Chinese furniture that was probably the rage decades ago, the entire environment was peacefully relaxed and cozy! 

Rules and regulations were in place to ensure correct display of Chinese virtues. Let me share with you a few; no using of your handphone, no eating and drinking, no chatting, speak softly if there's a need to talk, sit in an upright and graceful position and lastly, wear proper attire with at least knee-length skirts and pants.

A darn good place to remember the stiffing Chinese social traditions that are so out of place in modern times!

Nonetheless, members of the Gang did behave themselves and even took to searching the many bookcases for interesting books. For those who thought it would be filled with Chinese literature, we found English books as well. 

Unlike typical book rental shops, this library had numerous artifacts placed at nooks and corners; each appearance added a certain charm and character to the already historically rich shophouse. 

So who was this "Noble Man of Venus"? He was a Buddhist monk who passed away in 1980 and also the founder of the Malaysian Buddhist Association. 

Hence, this totally explained the zen feel that hit us as we entered the library, which was set up in memory of him. Compared to the usual noise and bustle along Jonker street, the existence of this comfortable abode only seeks to remind us to slow down our footsteps. 

And nothing's better than to immense ourselves in the company of Buddhist literature and scriptures. 

p.s. you can find other kinds of non religious books like nature and art etc. 

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Location
Along Jonker Street. I could not remember the exact address but if you enter Jonker Street from Hard Rock Cafe, the memorial library would be on your right. 

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Original Melaka Cendol - Gula Melaka is the key! @ QQ Ice 86 [Jonker Street]

May 26, 2013, 2:02 am
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I mentioned before that a trip to Malacca would be incomplete without digging into a plate of chicken rice balls. What i neglected to add then was that there is a dessert that a visitor also die-die must have in that UNESCO world heritage site.

Cendol (otherwise known as chendol in the Singapore context). For more information, kindly refer to the wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cendol.

The top priority of my long delayed visit to Malacca (it was already nine years since my last visit) was to check out the numerous stalls selling Cendol with the signature gula melaka. According to friends and colleagues, the good ones are all along Jonker street! 

In case you are wondering, the queue that appeared in the previous photograph originated from Jonker 88, a famed eatery selling Peranakan food. Queuing is not something the Gang of Four would do overseas as time is usually far too limited. Hence, the shop we eventually chose was the less crowded QQ Ice 86; Jonker 88 next door neighbour. 

Wanton Noodles
First up was a plate wanton noodles! As a die-hard pork lard fan, i was totally pleased to find sprinklers of them in the noodles and David Sng would be as happy to know that the noodles' kee-taste was almost non-existent here. Having said that, the Great Kon thought otherwise. In his opinion, noodles must have noodles taste! 

Traditional Cendol
What do you look out for in a bowl of traditional chendol - richness of coconut milk, density of gula melaka, flavour of the green worm jellies or even to the extent of comparing the texture of the crushed ice?

Personally, gula melaka matters the most! And it's not just banking on the sweetness of the palm sugar. A perfect gula melaka must be fragrant, of a thick consistency and have a very subtle, barely discernible burnt aftertaste.

I can only say i am totally satisfied with the cendol from QQ Ice 86! Furthermore, I wasn't even hit by the jelak monster!! Truly yummy!

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Location
86, Jalan Hang Jebat

Price
Wanton Noodles (S) - RM 4.00 
Original Cendol - RM 3.00

Menu
As above. 

Additional Information
The long passageway leading to the washrooms could be very eerie at night! Ask someone to accompany you if you feel jittery. 
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Yet Another Original Melaka Cendol (albeit a disappointing one) @ Bibik House 娘惹屋 [End of Jonker Street]

May 27, 2013, 6:38 am
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A colleague told me she had seven bowls of cendol when she was in Melaka a few months ago. I am not as obsessed and only managed two servings in my two days, two nights trip to the heritage town! 

The second time was accidental; we stepped into the shop partly because there were quite a number of customers despite it being located at the end of Jonker street on a terribly hot afternoon and our initial thought was actually on the local food produce stacked nicely on the long row of shelves.

There was nothing we could do about the bloody weather but another bowl of cold dessert would surely help to cool us down! To prevent over-eating, one bowl was deemed to be more than sufficient. 

Humans are weird; when i was younger, i liked my ice kacang without kacang (red beans). Likewise, there are people who enjoy cendol better without cendol (green worm-shaped jellies). Hence, it does make perfect sense to have the cendol separately! 

At first look, I could not help comparing this with QQ Ice 86; the gula melaka in this case barely drenched the ice and in Cavin's makan dictionary, this was definitely not preferable. 

As i was complaining in my head, i caught sight of this pink-topped container placed on every table. Blooody hell, it was GULA MELAKA!! And i am free to put as much as i desire! 

Sadly, the disappointment that came with the first impression continued to the taste of the gula melaka; grainy texture plus an overbearing sweetness that would have invited a round of incessant nagging from my dear father if he was travelling with us. 

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Location
129 Jalan Hang Jebat
[Taking hard rock cafe as the starting point of Jonker Street, Bibik House is towards the end. If my memory serves me right, it would be after this permanent stage that you would not miss]

Price
Original Cendol - RM5.00 
[I seldom comment about price although in this case, i feel i have a moral obligation to do so. For such an unsatisfying bowl of cendol, it was way overpriced considering that i paid only RM3.00 for a much better one at QQ Ice 86]
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Venus Boutique Hotel - A Review @ Malacca / Melaka [Malaysia]

May 28, 2013, 7:14 am
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Malacca, only a three-hour drive from Singapore, has proven to be a popular destination for Singaporeans keen to have a short getaway for two to three days. 

Unlike most Singaporeans who would prefer signing up for a tour package that comes with accommodation, the Gang of Four chose to book a much smaller (and cheaper) hotel via the most convenient mode in contemporary times; online booking. 

Our choice - the purplish Venus Boutique Hotel. 

Converted from shophouses built in recent times, I have learnt to rein in my expectations; having had my fair share of boutique hotels with online pictures that differed vastly from actually seeing the place with your very own eyes. 

Hence, i was pleasantly surprised to find the room clean, comfortable and modernly furnished; almost as nice as the pictures on Agoda.com!  

Do take note that i am a traveller who is not very particular when it comes to overseas accommodation; a room with air-conditioning, television and an attached bathroom is all i need. 

The provision of dressing table, safe, hangars, hot flask etc can only be considered as good-to-have, not must-have. Though I would love to see a bar fridge (this hotel didn't have one for the room), the lack of it prevented me from buying ice cream, chocolate and refrigerated snacks that would otherwise be disastrous for my expanding waistline!

In normal circumstances, such a bathroom would meet my basic standard. Unfortunately, the shower curtain had a stale, musty smell that was a constant nasal irritation whenever i drew it! 

This window view can be quite scary at night; just imagine a lady staring at you while combing her shoulder length black hair.... So did we encounter any strange happening at Venus? No, we didn't. Sorry to disappoint u!

Buffet breakfast was provided together with our booking. Variety was limited and you get your usual toasts, fruits, cereals, coffee, tea, juices, porridge, fried noodles, sausages, eggs etc. 

Decent fare to fill up the stomach. A note of advice; don't eat too much. 

I literally filled up my tummy at 10am on the first morning and before it was even 2pm, the Gang was already into the 5th dining establishment!

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Location
No.18, Jalan PM6, 
Plaza Mahkota, Melaka Raya
[Very near to Mahkota Parade Shopping Centre]

Map
As above

Price
Superior Twin - Around S$60 a night
This is subject to change so do visit Agoda.com to check out the latest prices and promotions.

Additional Information
Free wifi for your room even though most of the times, signal was quite bad . 

You may (i repeat, may) find better connectivity in the two desktops near the lift lobby. 

Bikes were available for renting. Given the busy traffic, especially on weekends, riding a bicycle on the roads could be suicidal! 

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Another Use for Casio G-Shock - Fly Eliminator!

May 30, 2013, 7:05 am
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All of us are aware that a wrist watch helps us to tell the time and in the modern age, this portable device performs multiple functions; stopwatch, timer, alarm, calculator and even covertly as a spy camera. 

I thought i have seen and heard it all until recently; on my return trip from Malacca to Singapore. We were too early for departure so the Gang of Four decided to while the time away in MacDonald's at Melaka Sentral Terminal.

The world famous fast food restaurant was infested with flies and our dear Alex was suddenly reminded of his favourite past time when he was with the Singapore Navy. He only asked to borrow my Casio G-Shock. 

He quietly took his position, aimed at the irritating target and released his hold of the watch strap at the most opportune time. 

A LOUD PIAK!

I was aghast at this act of wanton cruelty (the poor fly was totally smashed) yet very surprised that such a common item could be so easily converted into a killing weapon! 

The crime scene, which might include body parts, can be quite hard to stomach. 

But for the sake of convenience to eliminate the irritating flies that kept landing on your food and drinks, you just have to make do with what you have.
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Original Herbal Jelly (龟苓膏) & Bird's Nest (燕窝) @ Halle Suite House (中国华佗涼茶館) - Malacca

May 31, 2013, 8:30 am
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Sweating under the hot sun while searching for a particular teochew restaurant somewhere near the famous Jonker stretch in Malacca, the Gang of Four unintentionally chanced upon this quaint little shop selling Chinese herbal tea. 

From the menu, it's obvious that the owner was trying to break away from the traditional operation of a typical Chinese herbal shop and market it to the likes of bubble tea or jelly beancurd establishments in Singapore. 

Whatever the case, we needed to buy something in order to justify the use of the facility (that came, fortunately, with a fan). Our order - Original Herbal Jelly X 1 and Bird's Nest with Crystal Sugar for 2 persons. 

Original Herbal Jelly
It came in a bloody plastic container! 

That's not all! The texture was hard; similar to those red jellies found at fruit juice stalls and it didn't taste as bitter with only a very mild herbal flavour. Super fail if you ask us. 

Bird's Nest Soup
For two persons, we were expecting something bigger that this tiny bowl. Nonetheless, we continued to be hopeful that the content would be "heavy".

Hm....... for a moment, i was dumbfounded; RM 38 for what appeared to be plain sugary water!?!?!?!

The next moment, we scooped up a huge chunk of bird's nest! *phew* However, seasoned drinkers would have noticed that the colour was way too transparent. In addition, it lacked the subtle unique aftertaste that i could usually find in bird's nest soup. 

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Overall, it was a disappointing experience but i was personally more affected by the pathetic serving size of the bird's nest soup! It's hardly enough for even one person.

Location
Corner of Jalan Hang Kasturi and Jalan Tukang Besi

Price
Original Herbal Jelly - RM 6
Bird's Nest Soup for 2 - RM 38
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Fried Kuih Lobak 蘿蔔糕 [Carrot Cake 菜頭粿 as Singaporeans know] - Jonker Street Food @ Melaka [Malaysia]

June 1, 2013, 8:35 am
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The thick and delicious waft of black carrot cake triggered an immediate craving when the Gang of Four was leisurely taking in the sights of the busy Jonker street at Malacca!

As veteran gluttons, it didn't take us long for our noses to pinpoint the exact location of the street stall. 

There wasn't a proper queue system but almost all the people you see surrounding the stall in the above photograph were patiently waiting for their carrot cake! 

My heart was beating very fast then; the mouth-watering aroma was already a winner in my heart and if the taste was as fantastic as the aroma, this would have a good chance of replacing my favourite carrot cake in Singapore.

After a wait of ten over minutes, i had my verdict. 

Mediocre! Yes, you read it correctly. The frying was not strong enough (resulting in a lacklustre wok hei) and instead of black sweet sauce that would definitely add to a more acceptable flavour, the plainer (and saltier) soy sauce was the one used. 

I was very, very disappointed. 

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Location
Near Geographer Cafe,
Jonker Street [Jalan Hang Jebat]


Price

RM 3.50 with egg 

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