Sunday, August 12, 2012

Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) Malaysia

Driving into Malaysia was something we have not done for a while. Taking advantage of the National Day break on 9 Aug 12 (Thurs), we drove in on 10 Aug with family for a quick retail therapy!

Equipped with our newly purchased GPS - Garmin NU2565, we ventured in early morning! Note: JPO opening hours are from 10am to 10pm daily.

We don't know whether we could trust the new GPS so we brought along paper maps! And of course, also relying on the trustworthy googlemaps at times on our IPhone! So kiasu!

The route to JPO from Singapore to Johor was straightforward, so much so that we casted those paper maps soon into Malaysia we drove! From Tuas checkpoint, it was probably a jiffy 20-30 mins depending on how fast you drive. We took about 25 mins at speed of 100-110km/hr. The speed limit on Malaysia expressway is indicated to be 110km/hr.

At the Tuas checkpoint, be prepared to pay Toll of $3.20 leaving Singapore, using our Cashcard.

After reaching the Malaysian checkpoint, you have to pay Toll again! So get ready your Touch & Go card this time! If you dont have one, you can purchase it when you reach the Tolls. Top up at least Ringgit 40 to pay both Tolls to and fro. One way will cost about total Ringgit 10.70 for both tolls driving in from Singapore to JPO (first toll costs Ringgit 3.20 and second costs Ringgit 7.50). Dont worry if you dont have enough money in your card. You can top up with cash once you reach the Tolls.

From Tuas, follow E3 highway all the way. The first stretch right after you pass the checkpoints, you can see signs of fork & spoon indicating restaurants and toilets. You can drive up and stop before you carry on if you really do need some food or toilet break!! Our gut instincts tell us to drive on with no stops till you reach your destination!! (So we wont find any chance to re-enact those horror theft/kidnapping stories we hear about driving in Malaysia!!) Off we sped without stopping..

Along the expressway, you will see huge vast empty land and many plots of palm trees! Hardly get to see in congested Singapore! Those terrace houses and resort developments on sale in Singapore (eg Leisure farmway, East Ledang, Setia Gardens, Nusajaya, Indraputra areas) can also be sighted along the way!! Most of those areas look like they are in developmental stage. We think it may take a while for it to be fully developed!

The first signboard we saw on JPO indicate we should take exit E304! So all the way, it's a pretty easy route on E3 highway. After the second toll, we drove on about another 10-15 mins and we hit the E304 exit. Driving a while more, we hit exit E302A to exit to JPO and we could see JPO on our left!! Driving into the vast land lined with oil palm trees and into the big carpark, there was a security guardpost at the entrance. Daily one-time carpark charges of Ringgit 3.00 is chargeable. Reasonable.

So began our foot into JPO! We headed to the Information office first for maps and to check out on discounts! The staff said that discounts of 25%-65% are given daily at all shops and we have to check out the stores individually to find out! Ok!

We decided to settle lunch first since it's close to 1130am when we reached. We choose Kampachi Japanese Restaurant famous for Japanese cuisine in Malaysia! Mum and me ordered the Gindara Teriyaki Set at Ringgit 55 (~S$22). Ted had Salmon Teriyaki set at Ringgit 40 (~S$16). Dad and bro shared Gindara Tara Chiri Nabe for 2 pax at Ringgit 70 (~S$28). Total our bill came up to Ringgit 287 (~S$115) for 5 adults! Thought it was reasonable for a first class Japanese restaurant in Malaysia! However, I thought the meal was not so up to my expectations.. The Gindara and salmon teriyaki sets were tasty but somehow lacks something in my opinion! Maybe its the rice or? There werent goma seeds on top of it, just plain japanese rice. The Gindara fish slices were thick and fresh but I found the pickles that came with it a little bland. The set came served with chawanmushi and a salmon side-dish, miso soup, pickles and fresh fruits. Miso soup tastes a little salty to me but the fruit slices (watermelon, honey dew and peaches) were fresh and sweet!

The nabe was a big pot for 2 pax and soup tastes great! The salmon teriyaki was tasty like the Gindara. It's overall a good meal though!

Finally shopping!! No photos to show here on my shopping spree!! Started from High Street to Low Street... No time to lose.. 2-3 hours proved not to be enough for us! There were sales in almost every store! Could be due to Hari Raya coming soon in next week! Puma shop, Levis outlet were good deals! Addidas, Nike, Gap outlet, Fossil, DKNY, Brooks Brothers outlet, CK, polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Armani...

We visited the Tokyo Gotemba Premium Outlets before. The place looks similar but somehow the shopping here at JPO seems lacking!! There weren't any Kate Spade or Jil Sanders or United Colours of Bennetton here! Found many shops we have locally instead eg Raoul, Charles & Keith, Pedro outlet, G2000, city chain, shanghai Tang etc. The Malaysian stores like Padini, Vincci shoes, Royal Selangor etc can also be found.

We sighted many fellow Singaporeans, japanese, chinese and french tourists on this shopping spree too! The crowd was not packed that Friday! Lucky us!! And I did manage to haul back some bargains back! Happy me!! But there wasn't enough time to visit all stores.. The Coach outlet gave me a further 10% discount card on top of those 30-50% discounts but i had no time to use!! What a pity!

Our verdict: The place is ok for a great spree away from home for a thrill! Dont expect cheap prices cos this is a premium outlet! But there are real bargains in their local stores!! We maybe back again another day.. Check it out yourself!

Johor Premium Outlets is at Jalan Premium Outlets, Indahpura, 81000 Kulaijaya, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia Tel: +607 661 8889 Http://premiumoutlets.com.my


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Marina Bay Sands Singapore


Beautiful Marina Bay Sands Hotel seen from the Esplanade to share with everyone! We are also now busy rehearsing for our upcoming National Day Parade on 9 August! It will be a blast on our National Day again!! Looking forward to our celebrations and fireworks that day!!

We are Singapore, Singaporean!!

Chocolate Origin


Found a delicious treat at Changi Village! Warm chocolate oozing Lava Cake for $5!! Filled with delicious dark brown chocolate and served with cold vanilla ice-cream beneath. A real treat!!


Chocolate Origins sells chocolate truffle cakes at different sizes but also serves this delicious delight! If you like chocolate, don't miss it!! Chocolate Origins is at Blk 4 Changi Village Road #01-2084 Singapore 500004 Tel: 6542 2939

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Tiong Bahru Bakery


Found a nice fresh Parisian cafe in a corner of Tiong Bahru, Eng Hoon Street. Nestled within the idyllic Tiong Bahru estate, this new kid in town is currently the most sought after. This place used to house the egg distributor but now the space is taken over by Tiong Bahru Bakery. The bakery is opened recently on 4 May 12, by a French baker, Gontran Cherrier. 4th generation baker. People have claimed that they serve the best buns in town now. Stepping inside the bakery, the place is packed to the brim! The decor is clean Parisienne in flavor and the bread looks delicious!!

The loaves cost about $9. Flavours are like fig and fennel etc. It's one giant loaf! I had a quick takeaway - croissant, plain Vienna and broiches! ($2.50-$3.00) They weren't cheap though but tastes good!

The rest were bought for others so I have no chance to try! They look yummy though! Do drop by and tell me what you think ...

Tiong Bahru Bakery is at 56, Eng Hoon Street #01-70, Singapore 160056 Tel: 6220 3430.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

联合本记砂煲饭 Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice

Found it! Great hot claypot rice!! If you are craving for some hot traditional charcoal cooked claypot, this stall will not disappoint! Expect to wait at least half an hour for they cook on the spot and queue is long. Prices start from $8/10/$12 onwards.

The chicken in the claypot was fresh and tender. A generous serving too! They also gave lots of choi-sum vegetables in the claypot which are usually stinge by other stalls. The rice is nicely cooked by the hot charcoal flames and you could also eat the burnt rice scraps off the claypot, if you know what i mean. Deliciously hot!! Add the black soya sauce and oil, the great claypot rice is here! One thing: If the chilli sauce that came with the claypot could be better, it would be perfect! See our dinner..

Lian He Ben Ji Claypot Rice is at Blk 335, Smith Street, #02-198/199 Chinatown Complex, Singapore. Tel: 6227 2470

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Saveur

This is a great place for fine French dining at kopitiam prices!! What a great find! This new-kid-on-the-block was just set up here along the quaint shophouses at Purvis Street ! (Aka Hainanese street) about 3 weeks ago by two Shatec graduates and already it's a long long queue for a seat!! Expect to wait for about 30-45mins before you get to step in.. And now no reservations are accepted at the restaurant.

We spent about S$50 for 2 person for appetizer, soup, main course and dessert. Pretty reasonable. The appetizer we had was pan fried foie gras (35g) with lentils and pickled onion for $7.90. The goose liver simply melts in your mouth! Cleverly fried on the outside yet remain soft inside.. Simply awesome !

The soup of the day was butternut squash soup with Parmesan and roasted pumpkin seed @ $4.90. One word - Uniquely-Delicious !

The best one was the confit of duck with orange segments and saute shittake mushrooms, which costs $8.90. Smooth and tender! Understand the duck are cooked for 16 hours and that explains its soft tenderness! The mash potatoes are full of buttery flavor and the taste blends so well with the orange slices. Saveur really lives up to their name for fine French dining at reasonable price !

Top it off with a dessert - pistachio panna cotta ($6.90)!! C'est magnifique!

This place is definitely not to be missed. Do try to be there early else you will expect a long wait ! Saveur is at 5 Purvis Street, #01-04 Singapore. Tel: 6333 3121

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

南华昌 (阿秋) Nam Hwa Chong (Ah Chew) Fish Head Steamboat

This restaurant located opposite the Textile Centre, Jalan Sultan serves good fish head steamboat. This is the traditional charcoal-boiled fish head steamboat. The wall boasts of their accolades and they have been in business since 1927. Their steamboat is served with fresh sliced Garoupa fish, lots of cabbages, tang-o vegetables, seaweed, dried fish and fried yam. This one is the traditional teochew style fish soup that relies on the freshness of the fish. The soup tastes of charcoal boiled, is sweet even without the Chinese herbs like danggui which are common in some steamboat fish soup. Real natural goodness.

I also patronize Whampoa Keng fish head steamboat which is also very famous locally. (See June 2009 blogpost) Both costs about the same; $35 for Nam Hwa Chong and $30 for Whampoa Keng (but need to add $6 for serving of tang-o vegetable). By comparison, my verdict is the fish slice is big and fresher at Nam Hwa Chong while the soup is tastier at Whampoa Keng! Guess we can't have best of both world! See my delicious dinner below! Do also note that the shop serves delectable Tze-Char dishes (such as oyster omelette, fried pork chop etc) at reasonable prices to supplement your meal too!

Nam Hwa Chong (Ah Chew) Fish-head Steamboat Corner is at 814/816 North Bridge Road, Singapore 198779 Tel: 62979319 (opens daily).

Friday, June 8, 2012

瑞春点心 Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant

Are you looking to reminisce the good old dim sum days of Chinatown such as Nam Tong or Xin Dong Nam? I finally found one in Singapore!! And it's actually been here since 1962 but it slipped me till today...

Swee Choon is located along the busy street of Jalan Besar, just opposite the Jalan Berseh hawker centre. You really can't miss it! This restaurant opens to serve the crowd from evening round the clock till the next morning (6pm-10am Monday to Saturday, and from 6pm-12pm on Sunday and public holiday) so you know now where to go if you crave for midnight dim sum!! The restaurant occupies 3 shops and in one of them, lots of pictures of celebrities visiting the restaurant decorate their walls. And mind you their tables even extend into the back alley!

Their dim sum reminds you of those we used to eat during the 1960s and 70s. Even their ambience and decor. They serve a great variety of steam and fried dim sum. Also they have shanghai delicacies. We tried their dim sum and the verdict is excellent!! A-star grade for this little inconspicuous restaurant!!

See what we had:
Siew Mai (烧卖) @ $1.60, steam chicken with egg (鸡汁) @ $2.50, beancurd prawn roll (鲜虾付皮卷) @ $2.80, lo-mai kai (糯米鸡) @ $2.20, steamed salted egg yolk custard bun (奶黄流沙包) @ $3.30, chives roll @ $4.00, yam fritter (芋角) @ $ 2.00, fried tofu, etc etc ...

Prices are reasonable and food is really delectable!! Swee Choon Tim
Sum Restaurant is at 185, 187, 189, 191 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208882 Tel: 6225 7788 http://www.sweechoon.com

Monday, June 4, 2012

吃在台北 Eat at Taipei

Found a new enjoyable past-time this June school holidays! Am now enjoying a lazy afternoon watching ice skaters go by while inside this Taiwanese cafe at the newly opened shopping centre, Jcube at Jurong East. Feel a sense of freedom and happiness watching all the skaters wheezz past ..

And here I am enjoying my yummy Taiwanese blended milk tea ($2.50) and crispy chicken chop ($7.50).. Delicious ! Definitely a thumbs up for the great experience and good food!!

Eat at Taipei is at Jcube Entertainment Centre, 2 Jurong East Central 1, #03-03/18, Singapore 609731 Tel: 66843032