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

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

Walk From Malaysia To Singapore & Vice Versa

Nearly 300000 People Do It Daily

Human & Vehicle Traffic Throng The Causeway - GoogleImages

I salute the thousands who brave the heat and bureacracy just to make the crossing each day to put food on the table for their family.  Reminds us to count our blessings and not to take life or our loved ones for granted.  Kudos to all of these folks.  As reported by Star Asia News, an average of 295,731 people use the two land crossings between Malaysia and Singapore daily - namely the newer Tuas Second Link and the very old Woodlands Causeway, the latter of which had been a bone of contention between the two countries over the issue of replacing the causeway with a new one or not.

Maddening Vehicle & Human Jam On Woodlands Causeway
TodayOnline

State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said Immigration Department records showed that some 107.9 million people used the Johor Causeway and Second Link last year - that has to one of the busiest in the world, after other heavy cross country customs like Shen Zhen and Hong Kong.  What so shocking is that the nearly 108million is purely human traffic - not in the count are human traffic packed in cars, vans, lorries, buses and on motorcycles.  It is no wonder observers are labelling both crossings as among the busiest in the world, and badly in need of government intervention and policy changes to overcome congestion at both links.

God Bless The Crowd Who Has To Wait For Hours Sometimes - GoogleImages

Among the steps was beefing up the Immigration Department with another 468 personnel by June this year to man the counters in both places, as previously highlighted in my post on the Sultan of Johor, who is the current King of Malaysia, weighing in on this congestion issue.
After the Sultan raised his concerns on the bad jams affecting commuters, Malaysia customs came on the news announcing they are ensuring that all 351 booths are manned, especially during peak hours, a feat achieved after a freeze on leave by immigration personnel.
Apparently the state government hoped to increase the frequency of the train service to Singapore and have additional bus services from Iskandar Puteri to Boon Lay and Jurong East on the island republic. There were also plans to have more direct flights from Senai International Airport so that locals would not need to travel to Singapore to take flights.
It was also suggested that the police could set up a mobile station on the Causeway, and later at the Second Link, to monitor and control the traffic.  Another suggestion was that the Federal Government would allow tourists in tour buses to enter the country without having to bring down their luggage to aid in faster customs clearance.
Let's keep our fingers crossed on the Singapore-Malaysia government retreat next month, during which this congestion issue will be raised in a cross-straits effort find an effective solution.
Meanwhile, Be Patient when you come Jalan Jalan in JB.

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

Gangland Style BKK SG JB

WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO

As a foreigner living in three different foreign countries, I have seen my fair share of cantankerous tourists imposing their recalcitrant ways on the locals - so much so that I feel the urbanite locals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia nowadays are increasingly getting impatient with foreigners - and worse, reciprocating with rudeness too.  The local customs in each of these countries that I have since called home, bear the hallmarks of true hospitality, kindness and warmth, and it disheartens me to see these cultural traits ebbing as the years pass by due to urbanization and internationalization. 

As intruding tourists, we need to adapt as we travel so that we do not bring attention to ourselves, anger the local folks and in turn risk our safety - Read "How I Survive Asia all these years".

THAI ANGER

Respecting The Locals May Be The Best Policy

We have been reading in recent years how in Thailand, some local Thais had taken matters into their own hands when accosted by rude foreigners - be they tourists or expatriates living in their Land of Smiles.  Thailand's age old tourism slogan was indeed a true reflection of the happy Thai people some twenty years ago when I started frequenting Thailand.  When you were there then, one would indubitably be greeted with a Sawadee Ka or Kup from vendors along the streets - and even if you did not end up buying, smiley farewells were de rigueur.  Nowadays, all you get is a cursory glance to see if you are an interested buyer - if not they would just go about their smart phone surfing or texting. 


Click Photo Above To Find Out Why I Avoid Bangkok Taxi

The case of the American expatriate being stabbed to death some years back over his disrespect for his taxi driver and over a mere B51 (S$2 or MR6) taxi fare highlights the stress bestowed upon both locals and foreigners in Thailand as both groups struggle to co-exist and adapt with the country's fast globalization.  This unfortunate societal change has also manifested in Singapore recent years when we see foreigners visiting or living in Singapore getting themselves on the wrong side of the law due to unruly behaviour.

SINGAPOREAN MISBEHAVIOR
Recently a video posted by an irate Malaysian went viral.  The video documented his altercation with a matured Singaporean couple - the latter was filmed being berated for being inconsiderate to park in a handicap lot when they do not have the proper handicap label.  What could have been settled amicably spiralled into a heated argument when the coupled reversed into the Malaysian's motorbike in an effort to drive away.  To make matters even worse, the couple reneged on their promise to donate a sum to charity in lieu of paying damages for the downed bike.  Again, where is the common courtesy which would have circumvented the entire saga if one has observed the right thing to do - especially in a foreign land?  I must say the Malaysian's virtue is commendable, but attitude? Well, they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions!

MALAYSIAN GANGLAND KILLING
Sad news today from Kota Kinabalu when an innocent twin brother was caught in the middle of a gangland style assassination right during the morning rush hour in East Malaysia.  I have always observed that local business owners adopt a very docile and non-confrontational attitude towards doing business in Malaysia.  I have since realized that is because they know bad elements lurk in dark corners of our society, so the more you treat others with respect and integrity, the less trouble is steered your way.  My supposition is that the intended victim - the driver of the car - ran into some business disagreement with the wrong element and was hence  taken out gangland style in broad daylight.  It is very unfortunate another innocent life was taken along during this hineous drive-by killing.

Innocent Twin Killed

Business Owner Killed In His Car While At Traffic Light

So to all tourists in a foreign land - do as the locals do - be respectful and go Jalan Jalan without bringing your high-horse standards of your motherland to others' homeland.  When we steer clear of trouble, trouble tends to steer clear of you.

Johor Sultan On Jam

Johor adds manpower to keep more immigration counters open


Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar (Free Malaysia Today)

I am sure all of you read recently what the Sultan of Johor - the current King of Malaysia crowned last year and who will be King for the next 6 years in accordance to the rotation of the throne among the state Sultans in Malaysia - said about how he is empathetic towards those like us who are increasingly frustrated by the Singapore-Malaysia customs crossing.  The jams used to be only at the Woodlands Causeway, but ever since the influx of Singaporeans living in Johor, and the equalizing of tolls fees with Woodlands, the Tuas 2nd Crossing has experienced horrible jams of between one to three hours of waiting in the scorching sun.

It is therefore with great welcome when news today said the state immigration department is beefing up its numbers at the two land crossings into Singapore so soon after public criticism that the immigration booths are not open especially during peak hours, and just days after the Sultan made his remarks.



King of Johor in a Meeting (Malaysia Chronicle)

  Additional manpower from other parts of the state and the headquarters is being deployed at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complex (CIQ) and Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ complex at the Second Link.

Besides the bigger deployment, leave for almost 1,700 officers at these two locations has been frozen to ensure adequate manpower at the counters.

The CIQ in Johor Baru is currently manned by about 1,200 officers and there are 500 at the Second Link. The customs had previously given the excuse that they were short of manpower and hence less booths were manned.

Johor immigration director Rohaizi Ibrahim said the new measures were taken from early this month.  The good news to everyone's ears - especially those who had to travel back and forth between Singapore and Malaysia for work - is that the customs are opening almost all the counters all the time.

With this latest development, the traffic situation had improved but there were also other factors that contributed to the congestion, which I think the governments in Singapore and Malaysia have to sort out quickly to prevent escalation of the congestion.  The crossings into Singapore are important for Johor's economy and both the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin were also concerned - which probably explains this quick turn of events.

So a big thank you to Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar for urging the customs and relevant departments to keep all the booths open always. It goes to show that the people’s Sultan has heard the mounting complaints from us that many of the booths were not open during peak hours and holidays.

And for the Ruler to say that he felt sorry for the thousands of Malaysians and Singaporeans who were stuck in traffic jams at the Causeway due to congestion, especially during holidays and the festive season - I say what a great compassionate King and how lucky Malaysians are to have a ruler such as Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar! 

Lastly, for those of you out there who had been procrastinating that trip over the two Causeways, we hope to see you here in JB very soon.

Love You Long Time

LOVE FOR BANGKOK - ASOKE SUKUMVIT 

Our No. 1 Boutique Hotel

Many friends and relatives I have spoken to about Thailand Bangkok, indubitably stay at Siam Square or Sala Daeng areas where each locale offers shopping, luxe cafes, street food and night bazaars in their unique ways. 

At Siam Square you will find throngs of Singaporeans and Malaysians plying the shophouse district opposite Siam Center for shopping bargains and local food treats.  The famous Som Tum Nua (to which tourists the world over flock for their famous local-spiced and fried chicken wings) is tucked away at a street corner of Soi 5 Siam Square, near the equally popular Siam Novotel Hotel.  If you chance to visit Siam and would like to savor the Som Tum chicken wings, be sure to go to the original birthplace of the wings.  They have a new branch at the swanky Siam Center opposite its Food Republic food court, but I find sadly they were not able to replicate the deliciousness of the wings you find at its less opulent parent.

My Idea Of "Luxe" On A Budget

 At SalaDaeng area - or my kids would call "the area with a lot of gay things" - you will also find plenty of boutique and luxe hotels alike lining the Silom streets.  Why my kids would label the area "gay" beats me, but we suspect its due a night market experience there where they witnessed lots of phallic-symbol paraphernalia near Patpong and guys-only massage palors lining the main thoroughfare that left an indelible impression on the young minds.  No matter how hard we try to expplain to them that the area is as touristy as the other areas of Bangkok and that those tourist souvenirs were purposely shocking to invoke purchase - SalaDaeng will forever be a "happy" place to the kids (the other being the Sathorn area).. 


Cozy & Conveniently Located At Asok BTS

So it is no surprise that in our last years of back and forth between Thailand and Malaysia/Singapore, we find ourselves staying at the Asoke / Sukumvit area.  We do so whenever our tenant in Bangkok is not travelling and hence would not be able to cede our condo to us for the few days we are in Bangkok (our lease agreement provides for this arrangement, and wherefore the tenant would be duely reimbursed based on a pre-agreed daily rate - part of my 3-Pronged Retirement Living Strategy). 

Money Is No Object - Then Terminal21 Is Your Bet

The reason why the Asoke - Sukumvit area is attractive to us is because my partner and kids absolutely adore Terminal21 shopping over the Singaporean favouraite Siam Paragon and Siam Center.  Sure the latter two are very swanky - but are they not a dime a dozen in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur?  But Terminal21 is different perhaps of its themed shopping and a certain ambience of je ne sais quoi.  As for me, I like the fact that it is near to Little Italy - my Italian cuisine haunt few Singaporeans and Malaysians know existed - which is just at the opposite Terminal 21.  And in the mornings, I have to go for the Cafe Chu breakfast that makes me a very happy travel companion through the day.  And in the evenings, we always have the option of going for a good massage at Urban Retreat near the Asok BTS before retiring. It's these endless selection of body & soul pampering coupled with restaurants, cafes and street hawkers down the street of Soi 23 near Little Italy that make Asoke / Sukumvit one of my favorite area to stay whenever we go back to Bangkok.

Pullman - Stylish & Modern Just steps from Sukumvit MRT

There are plenty of luxury hotels and serendipitous boutique lodging in this area.  Some of the ones we had stayed and liked are:

PRICEY DECADENCE  BY “ASING IN JB” STANDARDS (And 50 Steps To Hotel From Train Stations - By My Partner's Standards)

Grande Centerpoint Terminal 21 (sheltered Train-To-Shopping-To-Hotel for the sun averse)

Pullman Grande Sukumvit (ultra modern luxury experience)

The Continent (near Little Italy and Soi 23 - my favorite)

AFFORDABLE  LUXE  BY “ASING IN JB” STANDARDS (And 50 Steps To Hotel From Train Stations - By My Partner's Standards)

S Sukumvit Suites (walk half a minute to Cafe Chu)

Sacha's Uno (the French Cafe "Chez Charlie" breakfast just opposite the hotel is DIVINE! I will feature another time)

S15 (just beside Asok BTS and Terminal 21)

OR BE EN-CAPSULATE-LATED IN BANGKOK

Take a walk on the wild side, let your hair down, break from tradition, whatever you want to call it, we had a memorable experience staying at a Capsule Hostel in Bangkok.

You can click here to Booking, Agoda or TripAdvisor for their best promotional rates.  Sabai Sabai Kup!

Wet Dream

Some Like It Wet

Life Is Perfect

Despite all my insistence to do marketing for fresh produce at the hypermarkets around my kampung neighborhood this morning, my partner cum breakfast buddy-in-crime proceeded to her favorite wet market near the Skudai Bus Interchange.  I could only raise a weak veto knowing that it was a lost argument since she was firmly at the wheels.  Well I will fight another battle another day.

Salty or Sweet You Tiao

She knew a hungry man is an angry grouch - so the first thing we did was to go for my local kopi and - she knows how to win me over after I had given her the silent treatment - my favorite You Tiao, which is kind of similar to the churritos in the West.  The churritos are dipped in powdered sugar, which I absolutely love with a good cup of black coffee, but the local You Tiao comes in both savory and sweet. 
And I was bribed to be a uncomplaining groceries-carrying partner with a huge serving of the sweet You Tiao.  The crunchy sugared exterior complements the sesame and the fresh fried dough - life is perfect after this.
I always presribe the wise adage "you only live once" when I eat more than my aging body could handle.  So I ensure that my partner  agreed (so that there will be no blame game later when we read our cholesterol levels at home) on sharing a lontong and a nasi lemak - again, sinful but what's life without local Malay cuisine every now and then.

Cholesterol Busting Nasi In The Morning

The stall owner is a chatty Malay Aunty who truly knows good PR goes a long long way.  She would chat up every customer, and making jokes while she loads up the plate of nasi with her best fried kampung chicken (at least in my book) and a host of other staples like tempeh, tofu, etc.

She Keeps Me Coming Back For More

Ode To Old Recipe Longtong

I always savour the longtong here as it reminds me of the first time I tried the dish when I arrived on the shores of Singapore decades ago.  She makes it the way I remembered:  slightly lemak (coconut milky) and with all the trappings like one whole boiled egg, lots of cabbage and long beans, a trigular fried tofu, and of course her famous dollop of chilli ikan bilis (which I opted out this morning due to the heat).  My partner swears by this stall's chilli - in fact I always asked her "Why do you like taking chili with nasi instead of the other way around?"  Her answer is always "You Asing will never understand."  Like they say, whatever floats your boat, but in this case, whatever whets you honey.

The wet market is also her favorite as she refers it to as our Little Tiong Bahru market in Johor Bahru - where you get great food and then do your wet marketing.

The wide array of fresh local produce is enough to keep us coming back here at least once a week, and what's more, just like in Tiong Bahru - you get to squeeze in a little shopping for clothes and home knick knacks - but less than half of prices in glitzy Singapore.

Breakfast Al Fresco!

To go Jalan Jalan at our Little Tiong Bahru, please view map below: