Nuffnang

Thursday, September 28, 2017

[JB] Drift In Austin (Mount Austin)

There are many play zones in Johor Bahru worth visiting and it is nice to bring the children over for short breaks and have some fun.

Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park at Mount Austin is a one stop station with Water & Adventure Park, Skating Rink, Drift and Jump Street all under one roof. We brought the kids to the theme park early last year and have been to the ice skating rink multiple times. Finally they get to try out drifting during the June holidays.

The drift zone is not very big but there are enough twists and turns for drivers to try drifting in the drift carts. If you can practice and control well enough, you can drive and drift in various directions!


Staff briefing the children on safety guidelines and things to note before they start their 'engine'.

The children are driving safely for their first trial. No big surprises and drift for a start. This is definitely much safer compared to the real Go-kart experience at Permas Jaya.

Great company levels up the fun experience!

Even though there are occasional bumps but that is the fun of the ride!

Gladys driving steadily unlike the one she had at the Go-Kart. 


Usual price for 1 Drift ride per person is RM28 for 10 minutes of play. Sometimes during festive season or school holidays, they may offer special rates or have a package deal with the other play zones in Austin Heights Water And Adventure Park. Look out on their Facebook page for promotional deals.

Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park
Address: Jalan Mutiara Emas 8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100, Johor Bahru, Malaysia 
GPS: 1.5600691,103.7749108
Visit Date: June 2017

Want to find out more where you can have more FUN in Johor/Johor Bahru?
Check out our blog post collection on

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Kluang Rail Coffee - [JB]

We drove down to Kluang Railway Station during the June holidays - not to take a train but to try out the traditional toast, soft boil egg and coffee at Kluang Rail Coffee. There are a few outlets in Kluang but we visited the original shop which has a history of about 70 years.


Its pretty crowded on a Sunday morning but we were patient to secure our seats. No fancy decor but it is the nostalgic and rustic look that appeals to me.

There is even a poem which describes Kluang Rail Coffee perfectly!

Menu on the board with price clearly indicated.

We ordered nasi lemak, noodle, soft boiled egg, toast, buns and coffee and tea. Nasi lemak and noodles are pre-packed and wrapped in small serving. 


Their buns and toasts tasted just like the usual ones served in local kopitiam. Personally I prefer the breakfast served at Kin Wah.


Despite the lack of uniqueness in its flavour/taste, Kluang Rail Coffee offers a variety of food on its menu. What also set Kluang Rail Coffee apart from other coffeeshops is the view of the railway tracks and offering its travelers a hearty meal before they continue their journey.


Even if we are not hoping onto the train, it feels good just to take a stroll, admiring the old tracks with the aroma of the coffee and toast lingering in the air. Somehow, our pace slowed down and we can take a step back and enjoy the simplicity of life over a humble breakfast.


Kluang Rail Coffee
Address: Stesen Keretapi 86000 Kluang, Johor
GPS: 2.033543,103.317584
Last visited: 11 June 2017

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

[JB] Where to Eat in Johor Bahru

We have been travelling frequently to Johor Bahru over the last 6 years and have been exploring many eateries, cafe and restaurants. There are many good eats in JB and its time to compile a list for those who are looking out for good food places. Do share with us if you wish to recommend your favourite makan place.

Note: Some eateries may have stop operating since the time we post. 


Bakery
Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory (协裕面包西果厂) - Famous for its Banana Cake!
Salahuddin Bakery - traditional bakery selling assorted puffs

Bak Kut Teh
Hwa Mei Bak Kut Teh (华美肉骨茶)
Kiang Kee Bak Kut Teh (强记肉骨茶) - Kota Tinggi
Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh Restoran (顺顺兴肉骨茶)
Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh (顺发肉骨茶) - Taman Permas Jaya
- Shoon Huat Bak Kut Teh (顺发肉骨茶) - Taman Sentosa
Shi Wah Restoran (古来世华肉骨茶)

BBQ Meat
烤妖 Botak BBQ (MOVED)


Kobo Barbecue (烤霸工坊) (CLOSED)
October Japanese Cuisine  (CLOSED)


Cafe
Chaiwalla & Co - Container Cafe - Unique Cafe in a Black Container.
- FANPEKKA Cafe - Family friendly, next to FANPEKKA Theme Park
- Flowers in the Window
- Purple & Red Restaurants (紫红冰饮室) - Cool drinks in plastic bags
- Cheotnun Korean Dessert Cafe (CLOSED)

Chinese Food
Restoran Pou Wok (补锅佬菜馆) - KL Hokkien Mee, Sambal Kampong Chicken, Fried Bittergourd Salted Egg
- Goody Soup Restaurant (好汤头) - Claypot dishes


Coffeeshop
Ah Ma Teochew Kuih (阿嬷潮州糕) - Homemade Teochew Kuih, buns, porridge, coffee
Bestcook Restoran (好美食咖啡餐室) - Selling cakes, kueh, noodles, nasi lemak. Nice variety of food within the coffeeshop.
Hwa Mui Coffee Shop (华美茶餐) - Coffee, Hainanese Chicken Chop
Kin Wah Restoran (锦华咖啡店) - Nasi Padang, Breakfast toast and half-boiled eggs, Coffee, Fruit Rojak
- Kluang Rail Coffee - Coffee, Breakfast toast by the railway tracks
- Roast & Coffee: Retro Garden - Nanyang Cuisine, toast, local delights

Curry Fish Head
Curry Fish Head @ Kam Long Restaurant Johor Bahru (阿福街金龙阿仔咖哩鱼头)

Curry Noodles
Fat Mom Restoran (肥妈)

Dessert
Creamery Boutique Ice Creams (Mount Austin) (CLOSED)
- Hotcakes (舒馥芮松饼) (CLOSED)
La Gourmet Desserts (乜都撈) (CLOSED)
Rollney Malaysia - Chimney Cake & Soft Serve
U Dessert (Sutera Utama Branch) (CLOSED)

Dim Sum
D'Shanghai (大上海) - KSL outlet
- Dim Sum Signature (点心皇) - Kulai outlet (CLOSED)
Gui Yuan Restoran (桂苑港式點心茶樓) - Nice Dim Sum
Kai Xuan Chinese Restaurant (凯旋) - Halal Dim-sum
TaSiXi Restoran (大四喜香港点心小厨) - Impian Emas outlet
Yoong Lei Restorn (古来云来包点) 

Drinks
Bali Coconut - KSL City Mall (CLOSED)

Fast Food
A&W - Paradigm Mall

Food Court
- Cedar Point Food Court (食得福美食中心)
- Restoran Rong Shu Xia (榕树下粿条仔) - Pelangi
268 (果条仔) (CLOSED)

Laksa
D'Laksa (No Pork, No Lard Penang Laksa)

Mixed Vegetable Stall
Chau Zhong Restoran (潮宗菜饭专卖店) - Teochew stall (Dimsum, Assorted mixed vegetable rice
Good Taste Food House (美丰味菜饭之家) - Near KSL City. Curry mee, Mixed vegetable rice, Satay

Nasi Uduk
Nasi Uduk (兰花饭) with Ayam Rendang (CLOSED)

Noodles (Kway Teow, Mee Pok, Wanton, Prawn)
Ah Hua Kueh Teow Restoran (亚华粿條汤)
- Fortune Pot (福鼎记) - Wanton Noodles
- Kedai Kopi Xuu Yau (品苑云吞面)
Kuang Fei Tangkak Beef (东甲牛腩面)
Restoran Kiang (十五楼阿坚面簿)
Restoran Lima Ratus (何明记 云吞面) - Red Rice Wine Mee Suah
- Restoran Uncle Koh (許记云吞面)
San Ming Penang Prawn Mee (三民槟城福建虾面) - Inside Heng Heng Food Centre
Triple K Cafe
Xiao Lee Kway Teow (小李粿条) 

Organic Food
Zenxin Organic Park Chef Garden Restaurant

Paper Baked Chicken
Teck Seng (德星茶餐室)

Roti Prata
Bukit Chagar Roti Canai
MD. Salleh Restoran - Roti Prata

Roast Meat
Tong Tong Cross Way Bay Hong Kong Roast Meat (糖糖尖沙咀港式臘)
- Yoo Kee XO Restaurant (有记XO烧腊之家)

Seafood
Star Chef (星名廚)

Western
Chef Recipe
IT Roo Cafe Restoran - Signature Dish - Fried Chicken Chop with Mushroom Sauce


Sunday, September 24, 2017

Compass One Mid-Autumn Celebration + Pomelo Arts & Crafts Workshop and Contest

Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the many traditional festivals that we enjoyed celebrating the most. Not only was it (15th day of the lunar eight month) our Wedding Anniversary, it is also a time for families to gather, carry lanterns and have mooncakes.


This year, I am delighted that Compass One is holding its First-ever Mid-Autumn celebration (18 September - 4 October 2017) which is so near to our home. Apart from the showcase of more than 20 mooncakes brands, during the two-week event, Compass One will be collecting donations for its beneficiary, the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped.

Get ready to be spoilt for choice with the divine selections of classic and modern mooncake creations at the Mid-Autumn Fair!


The St. Regis Singapore's Yan Ting showcased its new Reduced Sugar Green Apple Paste with Macadamia Nut Snow Skin Moocake. Made with less sugar, this series of mooncakes is great for those who are watching their sugar and calories intake.


Hubby and I personally preferred the reduced sugar mooncakes as we don't fancy those that are too sweet and overpowering our taste buds.

Apart from The St.Regis Singapore, Fu Chong is another brand that is exclusively available at Compass One. For fruity lovers, this might be your pick as it showcase its series of fruit snow skin mooncakes made with fresh soursop, cempedak and mango. Other flavours include durian, sweet potato and red bean.


There's even a sequence recommendation on how you can best enjoy your mooncakes from Fu Chong.

Alternatively, indulge in Ya Kun's mini snowskin mooncakes which includes its classic favourites - Ya Kun Signature Kaya with Melon Seeds (my personal favourite), Yuan Yang with Earl Grey Truffle, and the all new Belgian Chocolate with Raspberry Truffle and Lavender White Lotus Paste with Lychee Truffle.

 How about some Jelly mooncakes for a change?  


Look out for other popular brands including Gin Thye, Chyn Chyn, Kele, 香港美心 and more. Other than mooncakes, you will get to browse a multitude of delicious snacks, beverages, vegetarian products and condiments.

Pomelo Arts & Crafts Workshop & Contest

Children are not left out of the activities happening as well. Its time to get creative! Spend a minimum of S$30# in a single same-day receipt and the first 80 children of the day, aged 4 to 12, can participate in a fun pomelo arts & crafts workshop over the weekend (23-24 September, 30 September - 1 October).

#Excluding receipts from Mid-Autumn Fair. For redemption, please head to Atrium, Level 2

Materials and pomelo are provided 

There are cute stickers, ribbons and markers for children to work on their pomelo craft. 

Gladys is a lover for manga drawings and she drew a cute manga character on the pomelo with an additional touch . :) I think its kawaii! Parents don't forget to take pictures of your children's creative creation and stand a chance to win!

Upload to Win: Turn your pomelo into creative masterpiece and upload a selfie on Compass One Facebook page with #ATasteofTradition and #CompassOneSG, and stand a chance to win S$50 Compass One vouchers. Twenty winners will be selected and the list will be announced on 10 October 2017.

Shoppers with a minimum spend of $100 or $388 also get a chance to redeem a Japanese Koi Fish gift or Mooncake Cushion (first come first serve and while stocks last).


Compass One Shopping Mall
Address: 1 Sengkang Square, Singapore 545078
Hashtag: #compassonesg

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Taiwan 8D7N Free & Easy Tour - Sinkansen (新干线火车餐厅)

Taiwan is a beautiful country. Apart from exploring its stunning scenery, we also checked out their themed restaurants (主题餐厅). We are really thankful that our guide brought us to Sinkansen (新干线火车餐厅) for lunch last November. As I was drafting my super delayed post, I found out that it has stopped operations since April 2017. It was a pity as we really enjoyed our meal which tasted like home and its surrounding greenery and quiet serenity.

Let's take a look around at Sinkansen.

Cute banner at the entrance

Sinkansen started when the owner's father who is a big fan and lover for trains bought 4 discarded train cabins back. Many laughed and teased at his acts back then. With much determination and hard work, the family transformed the train cabins into a restaurant and homestay. After more than a decade, it is sad to see this unique restaurant going into history.

A resting area where the seats and tables are taken from the train.


The children had fun pumping water (not something that you can find in Singapore)


Outside view of the restaurant and homestay. 

Interior view of the train restaurant. 
"沿着新幹線,走向历史深处“
简单,朴素和浓浓的人情味

We embarked on a journey to Taiwan and felt like we are taking on another ride into Sinkasen's history. 

Sinkansen's Menu

We ordered set meals which comes with dessert and drink.

Our set meal was served in traditional tingkat containers and each layer looks surprisingly appetizing. Base layer was rice, followed by a tray of mixed vegetables and sausage with egg, a container of meat(varies depending on meal choice) and also a container of soup.

Take a closer look at the mixed vegetables and you can tell its fresh and I already feel like home. :)

Gladys picked the fish set and it looks delicious too


My chicken set meal. 

Our dessert of the day. Forgot to ask what this is but it is sweet and refreshing.

Each set meal is about TWD320-340 inclusive of one dessert and drink which is about SGD15. Serving was good and we were very full after our meal. 


Will truly miss this place and hope that there will be opportunities to see it back in operation once more. 


Check out our Taiwan 8D7N itinerary.

新干线火车餐厅 - CLOSED 
(Stop operations since April 2017)