Best Original Wonton Noodles

HANDMADE "WANTON" GOODNESS

Affable Uncle Koh (in red) Greets Customers Regularly 

It is not a post erratum when I use the word wanton instead of the usual wonton for the traditional dumpling noodles, because that is how good the noodles and wontons are at Uncle Koh's - it's better than you know what!

We have been regulars at this shop for as long as we remember first discovering it years back.  Housed in a non-descript row of shophouses along the back streets of Tun Aminah, it is easy to miss this gem of a find when you are not consciously seeking it out.

We stumbled upon it when we were lost once looking for a morning bite in the area.  It was fortuitously serendipitous when we settled on Uncle Koh's and we have never looked back since.  Uncle Koh and I are now fast friends - and he speaks perfect English - which makes me look forward to my visit there even more to catch up with him.

I can see many locals also return to his eatery because of his traditional unflappable hospitality which is fast disappearing in our world of hustle and bustle.  That aside, no one could come close to his traditional dish of wonton mee, especially when paired with the condiments of home-made beancurd and bittergoud stuffed with fragrant minced meat.  The stuffed complements are something I usually stay away from because they are generally nasty tasting in my opinion.  But the ones at Uncle Koh's are not factory churned-outs and you could taste the homemade goodness in every bite.  So every time we are there, my partner and I will always order one each of the beancurd and bittergoud (photo below) for ourselves to go with the delectably homespun no-coloring and no-preservatives wonton noodles.



Most Fragrant & Tasty Homemade Beancurd & Bittergoud Stuffing



Perhaps this stall is not for the generations X or Y who probably has no memory of how the traditional wonton noodles were once prepared.  The younger generation is probably more familiar with the wonton noodles of today doused in ketchup or black sweet sauce.

It is certainly not how I remembered the dish to be served when I first docked in Singapore decades ago.  I remembered either dried egg noodles from Hong Kong or fresh spun ones were then blanched in hot water and served in a sauce/oil that was both light and fragrant.

And that is exactly how good old Uncle Koh does it himself and has taught his staff to do the same (see video below) if he is not manning the stall.  On a lucky day, you may even see the miester himself flipping the blanched noodles sky high before they flop pricisely back into his strainer - a trick nobody does anymore in our streetfood scene of young hawkers.



Our Usual MR17 / S$6 Breafkast Spread At Uncle Koh's

As I mentioned, if Uncle Koh is not moiling around his shop, he would be milling with the customers, taking orders or just simply catching up with the regulars.  And that is what I miss most in today's street food scene - the good-old-days hospitality and casual banter between customers and hawkers.

Nowadays, everybody is either too busy on the phone or adopt an eat-and-go attitude so much so that the kampung atmosphere of camaraderie is a rarity.  I am glad I still find the kampung spirit palpable here at Uncle Koh's.  It is surely a place to bring your age-old parents or elderly relatives who may be yearning for a piece of yesteryears' great tasting traditional wonton mee.



No Coloring No Preservatives Handmade Noodles

On Uncle Koh's business card, it states that all his ingredients and flour-based products bear no coloring nor preservatives - from noodles, wonton skin, dumpling skin to even pepper and soya sauce.  The veggies are freshly blanched and crunchy, and the char siew is lean - just how I prefer.  Now where today can we find traditional street food with such wholesome ingredients?

Dollops Of "Wanton" Goodness





UNCLE KOH WONTON NOODLES

No 106 Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Ungku

Tun Aminah, Skudai, Johor.

Tel: +6012 727 2509

Uncle Koh opens from 7am until food sells out in the early afternoon

Singapore Malaysia Railway In Backyard

FMSR RAILWAY SLEEPER WOOD RESURRECTED

The photos below are from Wikipedia when I researched for this post on the railway sleeper wood strips which I had bought from BL Blooming nursery in Johor Bahru recently. 


Federated Malay States Railway At Tanjong Pagar Singapore


I could not resist buying the huge chunks of history after the owner of the nursery told me they were taken from the now defunct Federated Malay States Railway which plied Johor and Singapore since decades ago.  Before the Johor-Singapore Causeway across the Straits of Johor was built, the railway in Singapore was limited to routes on the island only.  The construction of the causeway began in 1919, and it was opened to goods trains on 17 September 1923 and to passenger trains on 1 October 1923. Previously, passengers and goods were transferred at Woodlands to a ferry to Johor Bahru and the connecting train on the peninsula.. Tanjong Pagar railway station was completed on 3 May 1932 and officially opened by Sir Cecil Clementi. It was in operation for around 79 years before it ceased operations on 1 July 2011 to be reserved as the Singapore Railway Museum.  Thanks to Wikipedia I learned of some pieces of history which I had now in my backyard.



You Can See The Strips Of Sleeper Wood Above 

Another very interesting nugget involves my favorite current King of Malaysia, Sultan of Johor.  I bet many do not know that the last train out of Tanjong Pagar was driven by Sultan Ibrahim Ismail of Johor, whose grandfather, Ismail of Johor, had opened the causeway between Singapore and Malaya in 1923. The Sultan had to learn how to drive a train before he was able to perform this task, receiving training from Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), the main railway operator in Malaysia. Two drivers accompanied him to ensure the safe sending of the last train out of Singapore back to Malaysia for good.  What a grand and meaningful  send off involving the sporting and gregarious Sultan. 

You can surmise why I could not resist buying 6 pieces of the railway sleeper woods when I saw them.  At MR120 per piece, I say they were a bargain for the rich history they represent of Malaya-Singapura past and present association, which is inextricably linked no matter how people try to view Johor and Singapore as separate entities.  In fact, I dreamed recently of a merger between Singapore and Johor!

Anyways, I digressed.  Finally this week I was able to put two pieces of history into good use in my house.  Our patio was in need of an informal bar counter. So I thought why not use two odd railway sleeper wood and combined them using steel rod and bolt them together to form a unique rustic bar counter?  You can see below how I bought a huge drill bit (for just MR50) and bore through the sleeper wood so that I can bolt them together to form the counter top.

In the video below, you see how easy it was to pass the steel rod through the holes I had created (but ensure the holes are aligned properly) before being bolted together.  Each wood is so heavy that I did not even have to use any wood nail or epoxy adhesive to stabilize them on the concrete base which I had created economically using hollow concrete bricks.  Voila, we have a nice conversation piece rich in history right in our house!

For those who prefer the railway sleeper wood without the ironmongery on it, the nurseries do have them for sale as well.  For me, I had intentionally asked BL Blooming nursery to find pieces with the ironmongery for the added authenticity.  When the wood and ironmongery have been properly prepared, I will coat them with clear varnish and  anti-rust respectively to withstand the inclement weather patterns. 

Johor Bahru Best Kaya Cake & Fried Rice

YOU WANT CHILLED OR BAKED KAYA CAKE?

My Afternoon Tea Made Perfect By Kaya Cakes

If I am not wrong, long time ago it was Bangawan Solo in Singapore that offered a chilled kaya cake which made me fall in love with kaya (coconut jam) in the first place.  And then over the years, I believe they stopped making it, and if I chanced to stumble upon one of these chilled kaya cake during my strolls in Singapore, the gelée coconut topping and filling in the center would be either too gooey or gelatinous for my liking.  And while we are talking about Singapore, what's with the over-priced cakes?  I am not talking about those uber-priced ones at PS Cafe and the likes, I am talking about a piece of banana cake for S$2 at BreadTalk?  Sorry I quite like banana cakes, but when I was last at BreadTalk, I could not bear to part with my S$2 / MMR6 when I know my humbly priced but mega delicious kaya cake is waiting for me in Johor Bahru.

Cake Delight Opens From Breakfast To Afternoon Tea

So imagine my absolute delight when I found Cake Delight in Johor Bahru!  The bakery I found a few years back is a mom and pop traditional business at a corner shophouse cum cafe (sort of).  Cake Delight satisfies not only my kaya cake fix, but offers a delectable spread of pastries and desserts for the sweet-toothed members of my family.  

However, I would always call before heading off to the bakery as my current favorite - baked kaya cake is quite the crowd darling and sells out pretty fast as soon as it is out of the oven. What keeps me coming back for more is the FRESHNESS!  They baked the cake every day, and so when you take a bite into the cake, you still could taste the moist kaya within the not-overly-sweet pandan flour.  So the texture is one of soft moist and yet dense - instead of what you get at more expensive cakery whose kaya cake mostly come dry and overly sweetened.

You can see from the photo below, last two slices were left on the shelf when we were there recently to pick up our pre-ordered whole square kaya cake for guests at home. And not only do the taste and size of the cake slice hark back to the ones we used to be able to buy in Singapore cakeshops of yesteryears, the MR1.60 / S$0.60 price tag certainly is nostalgic too for those who remember the good old days in Singapore some twenty odd years ago.

Cake Delight's also bakes fresh each day my daughters' favorite tea snacks - from coconut tarts, chocolate muffins, traditional egg tarts (again at MR1.50 / S$0.55 what's there not to indulge?), to a host of Chinese cookies, snacks and desserts (see photo below) which are getting more scarce through the years.  

Cake Delight Bakery is at 6 Jalan Layang 16, Taman Perling
Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Tel: +607 241 1360

GPS Coordinates: 1.4731181, 103.6779316

FRIED RICE PARADISE 

My next absolute favorite supper treat in Johor Bahru has to be the piping hot kampung fried rice from TT Kopitiam at Tun Aminah precinct.  At first glance you will think this humble small plate of comfort food seems bland and unsophisticated.  But after your first spoonful, I can bet you will be telling everyone around the table that you would want the plate to yourself so "please go order more plates for yourselves!"  - okay at least that was what happened at our table when we first chanced upon TT and its very friendly lady owners who run the tiny corner stall until around 9pm.

What is so special about this simple dish you ask?The long beans in the fried rice are served super crunchy - and the freshness of the crunch with the just-out-of-wok fried rice make every spoonful that much more delectable.  The Chinese waxed sausages (yes, a cholesterol buster...but you only live once!) are cut into small cubes and then fried slightly crispy which add so much taste and bite from this traditional ingredient of humble origin.  My partner would literally chow down each spoonful of the fried rice with a fresh cut red chilli slice dipped in soy sauce - a religiously executed regiment I find amusing.   But rust me, you would not want to give this fried to perfection simple dish a miss should you be at Tun Aminah vicinity.

I Say Fried Rice, My Partner Says Cha Kway Teow

The ever-vivacious TT sisters also churn out delicious Fried Kway Teow.  Though I love my TT Fried Rice, its Fried Kway Teow is no less scrumptious - especially if fresh cockles and crunchy fat bean sprouts are your thing.  The texture of the kway teow in Johor Bahru I find, is some what chewier than its cousin in Singapore. My kids find this more tencile TT version of Char Kway Teow suited to their palettes.

TT Fried Rice & Stuff is located at the corner coffee shop opposite Restoran Wah Cai at 86 Jalan Pahlawan 2, Taman Tun Aminah, Skudai, Malaysia.

Tel: +6019 750 5616

Happy Makan and Jalan in JB!

Cheap Apartment Stays In Johor Bahru

GREAT VALUE AT D'INSPIRE RESIDENCE

Sandwiched Between Aeon Bukit Indah, Sutera Mall, Danga Bay & Legoland - Perfect!

I know of many relatives and friends who live in Singapore make day trips into Malaysia, Johor Bahru for their Rest & Relax days.  They would come bright and early in the mornings and then by early evenings, they would be making a beeline either at the vehicle crossings into Singapore, or at the respective CW bus stations whose buses ply several parts of JB to pick up day trippers back into Singapore.

But why rush back to Singapore when you had already taken the trouble to get to JB, especially after those horrendous customs queues? Why not spend the night and make it a full two-day trip? I guess the logical answer is that most want to save on the hotel rates, which have been steadily rising with the advent of day-trip-in-Johor-Bahru concept taking root in value-seeking Singapore residents.

If my supposition is correct, then why not stay at a cheaper serviced apartment instead of spending on pricier hotels at Puteri Harbor or Danga Bay locales?  There is a proliferation of serviced apartments or condo hotels in Johor Bahru and day trippers are now spoit for choice should they choose to stay the night.  One such serviced apartment I always bring my friends or relatives to stay is D'Inspire Residence by KSL Resorts.  Not only do I trust the quality of the developer, the location is fantastic as it truly sits at the heart of Johor Bahru action.

Kids Will Go Buck Wild Over The Huge Pool

D’Inspire Residence is located in the prime district of Nusajaya and is close proximity to the shopping belt at Nusajaya and surrounded by major tourist attractions, and eateries.  At the rate my partner drives (zippy!) you can be Aeon Jusco in 5 minutes, Sutera Mall in 10 minutes, the new Downtown Puteri Harbor area in just 15 minutes and the old Downtown Danga Bay area in under 20 minutes!

They offer daily rates like a Condotel, as well as short stay packages if you (like me) would love to experience how life is spent in relaxing Johor Bahru. 

• 2-3 Minutes Drive to Nusa Bestari Giant / Tesco Hypermarket
• 10 Minutes Drive to Legoland Malaysia Themepark
• 20 Minutes Drive to Johor Premium Outlet

Be Inspired By D'Inspire Family Suite

It also has a huge 4 Bedroom fully furnished apartment built from 1238 square feet and comprises a master bedroom with 1-king size bed with attached bathroom, second and third bedroom with 1 queen-size bed and the fourth bedroom with 1 single-size bed. Great for families, leisure and business travelers who may have brought their family members along to soak in all JB has to offert.  If that is not good reason enough to stay at D'Inspire, check out its amenities:

• Fitness Station
• Pool
• Wading Pool/Child Pool
• Children Playground
• Jogging Track
• Sauna Room
• Lockers / Shower Facilities at Poolside
• Golf Simulator (charges apply)
• Multipurpose Hall
• Coach/Bus Parking Area
• BBQ Pit (charges apply)
• Complimentary WiFi is available at The Lobby Reception Area

Do give Johor Bahru a chance the next time you plan your trip here.  By staying a night or two, you would be able to explore more of the night markets, late night eats and not forgeting the glorious brunches at Taman Pelangi.

Call the number in the photo below for their promotional rate! Daily rates start from MR238 and if you stay beyond 14 days in a stretch, it starts from just MR150 a day.  Monthly rates can be negotiable if you are staying mid to long term.  Happy Jalan Jalan!

D'Inspire Serviced Residence by KSL Resort

Taman Nusa Bestari
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel:  +607 288 2999   +607 570 1333

Brunch In Bangkok

ASOKE & SUKHUMVIT BRUNCHES

Fresh Beer Pancake With Real Fruits

"Mai Mee Liao Ka!" or "No More Breakfast Already" uttered in Thai language by pretty hotel cafe hostesses is what I dread to hear the most whenever we stay at a local hotel - when our mini condo in Bangkok is occupied.  We are not really early birds, and especially not so when we are travelling - resulting in us missing our breakfast at the hotel more often than not. I know most Singaporean and Malaysian tourists religiously wake up for their breakfast buffet, but sadly not us. 

This is because during the day, we pack in so many activities from scouring for car parts, accessories and home decor items to dress up our village home, to following the girls in their power shopping spree and beauty treatments - that by night, we are exhausted to the nth degree.  You see, as parents-on-a-budget, we have always delayed our girls' expenditure on clothes and skin care - especially when they are raring to buy them at mall prices in Singapore and Malaysia.  So we  tell them that they can always buy in Bangkok on our next trip, which we make almost 5 times a year.  And so once the girls descend on Bangkok, it is an all-hell-break-loose scenario when it comes to shopping, and we have no excuse to stop them.

So that explains why we sleep in even later in Bangkok, which indubitably presents another problem - " NO BREAKFAST KA!" or " No More Liao Ka!"  Arrrrgh..... and breakfast is sacrosanct in our house, so over the years, just like we found our top 3 go-to brunch cafes in Johor Bahru, we have also found their Bangkok equivalent which I will share here:


Waffle To Chu On

Chu's Cafe

This brunch hangout has to be by far one of our top favorite hangout cafes.  I had in a separate post mentioned about our penchant for the Asoke & Sukhumvit precinct in Bangkok in part due to it having the Sky Train and Underground trains interchange.  Well Chu Cafe is the other part of the reason why we stay around there because their brunch never fails to nourish my tired soul and keeps me going for the rest of the day - just with a great cuppa and fresh bread, along with menu items that fit every member of the family's fancy.

Bangkokians & Tourists Go Back To Chu Frequently 

Poached Eggs On Smoked Salmon...Marshy Coffee...Heaven!

The staff there are sprightly which helps add to Chu's salient point in attracting repeat visits from tourists like me and Bangkokians who work around Sukhumvit Asoke vicinity.  The prices are comparable to the other 2 cafes featured below, and certainly lower than the pricey ones which we tried at Siam Paragon.

In fact, for a family of four, our bill usually averages out to be about B400 give or take per person at these three cafes.

Al Fresco Brunch With Family & Friends

Chez Charlie "French" Cafe

Our girls call Chez Charlie the "French Cafe" probably it reminded them of the little street cafes when we visited France.  We discovered this cafe when we stayed at Sacha's Uno several trips ago, and had since make it a must visit brunch destination each time we are in Bangkok's Asoke or Sukhumvit vicinity.

As soon as you enter, the aroma of fresh baked bread and pastry whets your ready appetite.  I have never tasted croissant so crusty on the outside and yet fluffy within.  Being freshly baked just before serving is probably the main reason why, but it is also the very fresh fragrant taste that keeps me returning.


You Will Not Find Bread/Croissant Fresher Than At Chez

Savory Crepes Galore

For those into savory crepes like my partner, they would be spoilt for choice at the myriad fillings in this creperies and bistro.  Bon Apetit!

Black Box

The Black Box Cafe & Bar is situated just by the Ploenchit BTS train station on the side of Mahatun Plaza.  You cannot miss its all black facade besides another Thai porcelain boutique.  The cafe had a loft for those who prefer to dine in a more private environs.

We prefer the chatter of the Thai office executives and the hustle and bustle of activities on the ground floor kitchen and bar.

Brunching With The Well Heeled Office Crowd

Brunchy Meal With Crunchy Salads

The servings are just right for an individual's consumption, so we always treat ourselves to complements like its fruity pancakes.  The bonus for us is the generous side salad each plate comes with, as when you are travelling we tend to forget to eat our greens.

Poached To Perfection

As in the other cafes here, the staff are all conversant in English and friendly enough to make us feel so much at home that we usually stick around after brunch for drinks...until the sun is less blazing before we head out on the streets of Bangkok again.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Black Box Cafe & Bar

888/8-9 Ploenchit Road, Pathumwan District, Bangkok, 10330, THAILAND
Next To: Mahatun Plaza Building
BTS Station: Ploenchit Exit 2 & 4

Chu Chocolate Bar & Cafe

 2nd Floor Exchange Tower (Asoke Intersection), Bangkok, Thailand 10110

A Bridge Across From: Terminal 21 or S Sukhumvit Suite

BTS Station: Asoke

MRT Station: Sukhumvit

Chez Charlie Creperies & Bistro

19-19/1-3 Sukhumvit Soi 19 (Wattana), Bangkok, Thailand 10110

Front Of: The Key Hotel

BTS Station: Asoke

MRT Station: Sukhumvit

Brunch Out In JB

BRUNCHING ROOT & BRANCH @ TAMAN PELANGI


Faking a European Brunch in Our Little Dempsey Hill - Precious!

One of the few things that make us miss relocating from Singapore is the copious number of brunch options on the weekends in the city state.  When we first moved to Malaysia, I must say our weekend brunches were mostly composed of home-made pancakes, scrambled eggs and cereals.  Then we started getting adventurous and ventured out for a taste of local breakfast delights - before long we were tucking in for brunch on the likes of roti prata, wonton noodles and nasi lemak. 

We chanced upon the Pelangi area several years back - and now this is the only area we go when we feel like going root and branch for a great drawn-out brunch.  It is our little Dempsey Hill if you will - not quite as lush and posh as the Singaporean go-to for laid back weekend brunches, but certainly a piece of that in good old Johor Bahru.  The best thing is that the entire family loves it and we do not have to vote on it when it comes to "Little Dempsey" in JB. 

After plying our  “Little Dempsey” for the past years, we find that we almost always ended up at the following three brunch cafes when we go in seek of late morning grub, and we have never spent over MR120 or S$40+ for four of us on each seating of brunch!

Lavender - "Luxe" Flagship



L.Patisserie Mouth Watering Treats

We have been fans of Lavender from years back when we used to visit their café-restaurant at Molek and Bukit Indah.  It has always kept up its quality of food and bakes.  Its owner also strives to be always ahead of the F&B competition in terms of menu offering and store concept.  You can imagine my family's absolute joy when she opened her flagship store at Pelangi last year.

Take A Break at L.Cafe or L.Bistro

L.Table Presents A Lofty Dining Experience

So last year on our wedding anniversary, we celebrated an anniversary brunch there with the kids on a Sunday – spending a lazy afternoon just lounging at its cozy L.Table, then saunter down to its opulent L.Patisserie which boasts a wide selection and almost French-cafe-esque presentation of breads, pastries and desserts that would wow even a non-sweet tooth person.  If you do not wish to brunch, you can just get your coffee and bakery items and enjoy them outback at L.Cafe section.  

Or fancy a chill out? Then hangout at L.Bistro.  The entire place is so huge that my partner and I could relax and read upstairs at L.Table while the kids run down to choose their favorite bakery items, chow them down at their own table at L.Cafe, surf on their cellphones - all in the comfort of the bakery-cafe-restaurant without disturbing our couple time.  Life cannot be more perfect than this!

Foodie Wedding - Haute Cafe 

Our Usual Favorite European Breakfast

At Foodie Wedding - owner Gucci Wong - presents great food in what my daughter calls a Fashionista setting, replete with wedding photos and wedding gowns on mannequins.  This should come as no surprise as Wong is a photographer by profession who now turns to his other passion - FOOD.  When you first enter the cafe, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee immediately accosts you and immediately puts you in the mood for its delectable brunch spread. The plates come in pretty big servings, so you may want to share if you eat like a bird.  Even though the serving portions are huge, we will always end our brunch with drinks to go with their delicious maple berries waffle and warm lava chocolate desserts. What is a brunch if there's no sweet endings?

Poppy Seed Bagels, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Rocket Salad, YUM!

And the good news is that they serve breakfast all day or at least until items sold out!



Three Lattes & One Smoothie For The Family

Chef's Table - Breakfast Beneath Crystals

Brunch & Dine With Chandeliers

Along the same street as Foodie Wedding cafe (and just across from Lavender "Luxe") sits the Chef's Table restaurant in a non-descript building.  In fact the entire stretch of Taman Perling is lined by old bungalows and shophouses that have seen better days.  In recent years, enterprising business owners are starting to take over the buildings and renovating them into trendy hangouts.  Chef's Table from the exterior may be spartan, but when you enter the premises, you will be taken by its eclectic mix of Baroque decor and Scandinavian wood furnishings.  The chandeliers and the moulin-rouge-esque ambience surely aim to transport you far away from the hot and balmy Johor Bahru.

At Chef's Table, we will order different items on the menu (as their portions are generous), just so that our family of four could have sample bites of various dishes.  Their delectable french toast comes with myriad fruit bits coated with caramel syrup and whipped cream - which is why this scrumptious menu item is my daughters' top pick even until today.

Daughter's Big Breakfast For Tiny Tummy

Perfectly Poached Egg Over Sausage & Roasted Fungi

You can see the breakfast plate above is a healthy serving of brunch delights that will surely keep your tummy satisfied until early dinner time.  And just look at the variety of menu items below and you would understand why we come back time and again for brunch.  If you forget yourself amidst the epicurean ecstasy at Chef's Table - you just may think the presentation of your platter is from a Venetian cafe or some snooty eatery in Le Gai Paris?

Gourmet Menu - What's There Not To Like

TOP FAVORITE BRUNCH CAFES IN OUR LITTLE DEMPSEY HILL IN JB

Lavender Luxe

 68, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor.  Tel:  +607 335 9966

       

Foodie Wedding

43, Jalan Serampang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor.  Tel: +607 333 3223

Chef's Table 

 33, Jalan Serampang Taman Sri Tebrau 80050 Johor Bahru District.  Tel: +607 331 8162



Drug Mule In Malaysia

DRUGS ARE CHEAPER IN JOHOR BAHRU

Anjung Medini Where Amber Pharmacy Is

Ever since relocating to Johor Bahru, friends and relatives In Singapore and back home in Europe have taken me for a drug mule - asking me every now and then to buy certain drugs which they can only get with a doctor's prescription or if they pay at a much higher price in their respective countries..

A friend's elderly parent had to take a prescribed drug from the Singapore government hospital doctor to increase the body's bone density. For a month's supply of that drug (I cannot remember the specific name), I was told it cost approximately S$160 from the pharmacy in Singapore.  I visited the Amber pharmacy at Mydin Anjung - a local chain of supermarket in upmarket Nusajaya which envelops bungalow parks like East Ledang and Leisure Farm developments, the same drug cost just MR260 which is about less than S$90.  

I also became the pharmacy's Compounding Service  harbinger - for I am always announcing to all visitors I host how great the idea of compounding is, which to me is like custom drug instead of generic over the counter drugs.  Compounding is hard to find in Malaysian or Thai pharmacies  - and even in developed countries like Singapore.  What the service does is it compounds the vitamins and minerals you need - based on the symptoms you have related to the pharmacist - who in turn prescribe the nutients for your condition - and compound them into a capsule for your easy intake.  My partner is experiencing middle age (okay I did not just say that for she will have a cow!) hair fall and thinning, so the pharmacy had compounded Vitamins D and B Complex and minerals Zinc and Iron (there may be more vitamins and minerals compounded  - please visit a pharmacist to be sure). And for a month's supply it only cost her MR50.  I believe Singaporeans and Malaysians spend much more going for hair and scalp treatments per session?


Dr Ko Clinic

Then there is Dr Ko's clinic which we visit for our daughter's teenage acne.  I remember for our elder daughter, we used to visit a dermatologist in Singapore who prescribed the same
course of Aacnotin/Isotretinoin variant anti-biotic medication for her  acne condition. Every month we had to spend about S$150 for the pills and consultation.  With our second daughter, we visit Dr Ko's Clinic in Malaysia who charges us just MR180 or S$63 (we do buy the pills in Thailand too when we visit - and the price is only S$45 including doctor consultation). 

ItsMdz.blogspot.com Dr Ko Patient Image

But please be wary that these oral tablets must be taken only under the supervision of a dermatologist, who will adjust dosage month by month. It  has been advised that the oral tablets increase photosensitivity, with tendency of skin phototoxicity and photoallergy due to exposure to outdoor conditions, especially heat and sunlight.  This happens when the drug itself gets dispersed throughout her body and ends up near the skin surface, where it absorbs UVA light and causes cellular damage - also called phototoxic event - which happens within hours of initial sunlight exposure.  The UV light alters the chemical drug structure and her body immune system sees the new compound as an intruder and reacts to it as in an autoimmune attack on the body - resulting in itchy and painful rash.  Herdoctor has advised against exposure to extreme outdoor weather, including sunlight exposure.

Dr Ko's Clinic does a host of other aesthetic treatments - of which my partner is rather excited to share details - so looks like I may have to feature her favorite beauty procedures soon.  Or I just should ask her to guest blog them!

USEFUL INFORMATION

Amber Pharmacy

Lot 33, Anjung Neighbourhood Centre No.5 Persiaran Ledang Heights

Email:  info@amber-pharmacy.com

Dr Ko Clinic

101, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru
T: +607 338 1878
GPS Coordinate: 1.48480997,103.77531818
Closed on Sunday