Monday, 6 April 2015

Biya 비야 (South Korea, Seoul)

A instavideo of the food we had at Biya 비야.
Budae jjigae 부대찌개
Biya 비야 is a korean restaurant that specialises in Army Stew (Budae jjigae) 부대찌개.

Budae jjigae when translated, literally means "Army Stew". It was named this way as this dish originated during the Korean War. Back then, the Americans who assisted in the war brought their own food such as spam (canned meat), baked beans, sausages and hot dogs which was not introduced in Korea before. As the Koreans were facing a food shortage, they cooked a spicy stew which consisted of kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste) and mixed the American's surplus food into the stew. This was how the Army Stew / Budae jjigae came about. Today, this dish is popular among the locals and tourist. 
This restaurant is located at Anam. It is 5 minutes walk away from exit 2 of Anam 안암 (subway line 6) station, along the same street as Deungchon Shabu Kalguksu 등촌 샤부 칼국수 and Coffee Bean. Students studying at Korea University would likely have heard of this restaurant as this is the same route where one can get to Korea University's hostel and CJ international house!
Compared to eight years ago, Biya 비야 has opened a new outlet. Which means that they now have two outlets along the same street! I still remember during the good old days, Biya was always full of students as the Army Stew was delicious and cheap.

We visited the new outlet as it was nearer to Anam station. It is easy to spot the outlet with its black and white exterior.
We were the first customers at the restaurant as we went there early (at around 530pm) for dinner. We were there so early as we planned to sleep early and wake up at 3am to proceed to Gwanghwamun Square 광화문광장 where the World Cup Match between Russia and South Korea would be telecast (more about this at the end of the post).
Menu
The menu
Pickles
Hash Browns
Complimentary Pickles and Hash Browns (Tater Tots) with ketchup and honey mustard. Both are refillable.

The Hash Browns were disappointing as they were cold. =( .  In the past, there were served warm and we would polish this off quickly and ask for more. Maybe we were too early, but still that is not an excuse to serve these cold.

Naturally, we ordered the Army Stew (Budae jjigae) 부대찌개 and added Instant Noodle (Ramyeon) 라면 to it.
Army Stew (Budae jjigae) 부대찌개
This is how it would look like when served. Food such as kimchi, spam (canned meat), baked beans, hot dogs, ricecakes, onions, spring onions and cheese are added into the broth. Let it boil and simmer for a while and you are ready to enjoy it! This is not the best and in fact, personally, I feel that the standard has dropped. Its not as good as before. But we just had to go back and visit this place to reminisce the past!

As mentioned earlier, we got up at 3am and proceed to Gwanghwamun Square 광화문광장. The atmosphere there was electrifying. We got there before 4am and the place was already filled to the brim with people! While waiting for the match to start, it was like a concert event. At around 6am, Jaseuk and Haha came over and joined in the pre match 'concert'. I was told that the whole event was already scaled down due to the South Korean Sewol ferry disaster. The scoreline for the match was Russia 1 - South Korea 1.

It was an amazing experience. Some videos and picture below.
Jaseuk's VJ in running man.



Biya 비야 (South Korea, Seoul)
Directions: From Anam Station (subway line 6) Exit 2, turn back and walk down the street. Go straight about 110m, the restaurant is on your right at the small intersection.


View FoodieFC's South Korea Food Map in a larger map

Wednesday, 1 April 2015

Ah Koong Restaurant 亚坤纯正西刀鱼丸 (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

Mee Pok (dry)
Ah Koong Restaurant 亚坤纯正西刀鱼丸 is apparently a famous eatery chain in Malaysia well-known for their fish ball noodles. Ah Koong Restaurant has five branches and a manufacturing factory in Malaysia, of which, three branches are located in Johor Bahru.

On their website, they claim that their fish balls contain no preservatives.
We visited its outlet near Taman Sentosa at Jalan Sutera.
Menu
Menu
Their menu was very well organised. They sell mainly fish ball noodles, yong tau foo, fish soup, porridge, oyster soup, abalone soup and laksa.

When we arrived on a Saturday afternoon, the Ah Koong Restaurant was packed! Fill to the brim, luckily the turnover was fast. There was also a long line of people queuing up for takeaways.
Crispy Fish (cakes)
We ordered their Crispy Fish Cakes RM4.2 per piece. This fish cake is a must try here. Springy and crispy. Delicious!
Crispy Prawn (cakes)
We also ordered the Crispy Prawn Cakes RM 5.50 per piece. This was quite good too. But if I was to choose, the fish cakes fared better.
Tea
My tea.
Mee Pok (dry)
Another must order at Ah Koong Restaurant, the Fish Ball Noodles (Mee Pok dry) RM 6.20. The bowl of mee pok was tossed in a mixture of black sauce with pork lard and topped with spring onions.
Soup
It was served with fish balls, sliced fish cakes, deep fried dumpling, ngoh hiang (five-spice meat roll), seaweed, lettuce. The fish balls were quite good before I knew it, it was all in my stomach! The fish balls were soft and yet not mushy with enough bounciness to provide a good bite.

Simple unpretentious food that is delicious! 

Ah Koong Restaurant 亚坤纯正西刀鱼丸 (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)
No. 266, Jalan Sutera,Taman Sentosa
 80150 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 331 3621
Opening Hours: Daily 630am to 1130pm

View FoodieFC's Malaysia Map in a larger map

Kuala Lumpur Branch 
Ground Floor No.172, Jln Changkat Tambi Dollah
Off Jalan Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2143 3477 
Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 9pm

Subang Jaya Branch 
Ground Floor No.47, Jalan USJ 9/5P, Subang 
Business Center, 47620 UEP Subang Jaya
Tel: 03 8024 1554 
Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 9pm

Skudai, Johor Branch
 No.42 & 44, Jalan Jati 1, Tmn Nusa Bestari Jaya
81300 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 511 2200 
Opening Hours: Daily 830am to 1130pm

Johor Bahru Branch 
City Square Johor Bahru, Lot J2-12, Level2
80000 Johor Bahru
Tel : 07 221 1843

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Krispy Kreme: Free Doughnuts at Suntec City Outlet (1 Apr 2015)

Source: Suntec City
Krispy Kreme: Free Doughnuts at Suntec City Outlet (1 April 2015)

- Valid on 1 April 2015 at Suntec City outlet only
- 6,000 mini-sized Original Glazed® doughnuts
- While stocks last
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