By Grace, Trus (Malaysia, Johor Bahru) (Closed)

*Closed*

Osmanthus Charcoal Earl Grey Soft Serve RM18.90

By Grace, Trus is a soft serve cafe located along Jalan Trus, 15 minutes away from the causeway. In fact, it is located less than 1 minute walk from the famous Hiap Joo Bakery and Biscuit Factory 协裕面包西果厂.

We visited the cafe at 12 noon sharp when it just opened and was the their first customers.

Menu

They specialise in serving only charcoal earl grey soft serve.

Osmanthus Charcoal Earl Grey Soft Serve RM18.90

We were told that their signature is the Osmanthus Charcoal Earl Grey Soft Serve RM18.90. It was one the most interesting and contrasting dessert I had. The unique ingredients includes wolfberries, muffin, charcoal early grey soft serve ice cream, osmanthus, rice crispies pop and osmanthus jelly and foam. It was quite an innovative dessert. But I would just prefer the plain charcoal early grey soft serve. 

By Grace, Trus (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

9, Jalan Trus

80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Tel: +60 17 740 1733

Opening Hours: Daily 12 pm to 10 pm

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Smoothie House 永康街思慕昔 (Taiwan, Taipei)

Super Fruits Mix Mango Snowflake Ice and Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Sorbet

Smoothie House 永康街思慕昔 also located at Yong Kang Street is located directly opposite Fried Scallion Pancakes 天津葱油饼.

As its name suggest, it serves shaved ice. It occupies two storey building which is air-conditioned. Although the seating capacity is limited at level 1, there are lots of space at level two.

Menu

Menu

They offered few selection of items; just four shaved ice and five smoothie items. Their menu is catered to tourist, as it comes with English, Chinese, Japanese and even Korean language on it.We wanted to order the Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Panna Cotta. However, the item was not available. In the end, we ordered the Super Fruits Mix Mango Snowflake Ice and Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Sorbet.

 Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Sorbet 180 TWD (S$7.80)

Super Mango Snowflake Ice with Sorbet 180 TWD (S$7.80) consisted of shaved ice with mango syrup, mango chunks and a scoop of mango sorbet.

Super Fruits Mix Mango Snowflake Ice 190 TWD (S$8.30)

Super Fruits Mix Mango Snowflake Ice 190 TWD (S$8.30) consisted of shaved ice with mango syrup, kiwi and strawberries chunks and a scoop of mango sorbet.

The portion was huge. Although there was five of us, we had difficulty finishing these 2 shaved ice. The fruits were fresh. Taste wise, they added a tad too much syrup and it was too sweet.  Though this was not too bad, personally I prefer the shaved ice that I had in South Korea.

Smoothie House 永康街思慕昔 (Taiwan, Taipei)

No. 15, Yongkang St, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
台北市大安區永康街15號
Tel: 886 2 2341 8555
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 11pm
Website 

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Dazzling Cafe Sky 蜜糖土司專賣店 (Taiwan, Taichung)

Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70) 

Dazzling Cafe is a popular cafe chain in Taiwan known for their Shibuya Honey Toast. Did you know the Dazzling Group first started out as a clothing and jewelry boutique called Dazzling Fashion before embarking on the Food and Beverage journey.

We went to Dazzling Cafe Sky in Taichung which is located in Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store.

We visited on a weekday afternoon at around 2.30pm. We were surprised to learn that the cafe was fully booked (all the air conditioned seats). Yes, at 2.30pm! Ridiculous right? It is a weekday, don't people need to work!

This whole area (indoor) was booked. Even the empty tables..as they were reserved by customers for the sitting at 3pm. We understand that those dining indoors had a 90-minute time limit., even then it was still fully booked. That is how popular Dazzling Cafe is!

The only place left is alfresco dining outside. But that means dining under the sun. These groups of customers were like us, they did not make any reservations.

After weighing our options, we decided to dine under the sun as this cafe was so popular and back then there was no plans to open the cafe in Singapore. It was quite warm but we still went for it =D

This is the menu.

Part of the drinks menu.

Soup, salad and appetizer menu.

The honey toast and waffle menu.

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) (cold) 160 TWD (S$7)

Each person was required to order a drink regardless of how much food is ordered. We ordered the Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) (cold) TWD (S$7).

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) 160 TWD (S$7)

Each individual cup was filled with sliced fruits (apple, orange, grape and strawberry) and ice.

Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea (Pot) 160 TWD (S$7)

We all loved the Fresh Tropical Fruit Tea. It was light and refreshing. It kept us cooled and sane despite having to sit under the sun.

Dazzling Cocoa (35% Cocoa) 140 TWD (S$6.10)

This is the Dazzling Cocoa (35% Cocoa) 140 TWD (S$6.10). I had expected it to be better, but it was just too thin for my liking.

Truffle French Fries 210 TWD (S$9.10)

The Truffle French Fries 210 TWD (S$9.10) was delicious. The fries were straight cut (thick fries). They were hot, crisp and  full of truffle aroma. We all loved this dish and polished it off quickly.

Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70) 

Although we were here mainly for the dessert; Shibuya Honey Toast, we decided to also try their Vanilla Ice Cream Waffle 200 TWD (S$8.70). The ice cream was served at the side. The shape of the waffle was unique and it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60)

Now this is the what we really came for, all the way from Singapore! Tada~ Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60). The two pictures did this no justice. It taste way better than it looks. We were very weary that the ice cream was melting very quickly in the heat hence the hastily taken photos.

Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast 290 TWD (S$12.60)

The Hazelnut Chocolate Honey Toast consisted of thick honey toast, vanilla ice cream and hazelnut sauce. The bread was perfectly flavored and toast. If you thought that the exterior was delicious, wait till you get to the interior. The toast cubes in the interior had hazelnut bits in them. And when you pop one into your mouth, the hazelnut flavour just seems to explodes out. The taste is totally out of the world. It made the trip worth it especially sunning ourselves outside and sweating for a good one hour for this. This is a must try! 

You have got to visit Dazzling Cafe in Taiwan! One of our member in this group has tried the outlet in Singapore and was disappointed. It was different from what she had in Taiwan. 

Dazzling Cafe Sky 蜜糖土司專賣店 (Taiwan, Taichung)
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi 台中新光三越  
Tai Zhong Gang Rd. Sec.2, No.111 3F 台中港路二段111號3樓 
Tel: 04 2251 8036
Opening Hours: Sun to Thur 11am - 930pm
                           Fri & Sat 11am - 10pm
Website

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Coconut Milk Agar Agar Recipe - Using Agar Agar Strips

Coconut Milk Agar Agar Jelly

Most of us have probably eaten Agar Agar before. Agar Agar is a translucent gelatinous (jelly-like) substance, obtained from algae. In Singapore (also Asia), it is commonly made into a dessert cuisine. Agar Agar comes in several forms; strips or powder form. 

Agar Agar jelly is fairly easy to make so long as you have measured the ingredients and mix them correctly. 

In the past, before the agar agar powder became more popular, agar agar jelly was made using agar agar strips. These agar agar strips are washed and dried before being packed into packages. Using agar agar strips require more time and effort. Today, most people would use agar agar powder as it is easier, simpler and quicker to make the agar agar using powder form.

Agar Agar Strips

My family uses this particular brand of agar agar strip. I had a hard time looking for this particular brand. When searching around for it, several stall owners said they have the powder form and asked if I would like to buy powder form instead. Two persons even told me in Chinese that using the agar agar strips was so troublesome and that they thought only the older generation uses agar agar strips (-_-").

Agar Agar Strips

Note that the packaging indicates the amount of water to add.

Coconut Milk Agar Agar Jelly (note photo was taken on another occasion, hence difference in colour)

I particularly like our own homemade chilled Coconut Milk Agar Agar Jelly which I have been enjoying since young.  The addition of the coconut milk resulted in a two layers. The coconut milk will be at the top layer. This provides an additional dimension (layer) to the taste. This is a very addictive dessert. It is taste best when it is chilled and is a welcome relief in this period of warm weather. The recipe is appended below. Have fun!

Ingredients required:

1) 1 package of agar agar strips (32.5 grams)
2) 4 to 6 Pandan leaves
3) 1.7 litres of water
4) 320 grams of sugar, to taste
5) Red food colouring (optional), to preference
6) 500 ml of Coconut milk

Steps:
1) Soak the agar agar strips in a pot of water for 30 minutes to soften the strips. After that remove the strips from the water and squeeze the excess water out.
2) While soaking the agar agar strips, wash the pandan leaves and fold them.
3) Place the agar agar strips into a pot filled with 1.7 litres of water.
4) Add the pandan leaves into the pot
5) Heat up the pot and bring it to a boil. Stir and ensure that the agar agar strips have melted completed.
6) Once all the agar agar strips have melted, removed the pandan leaves
7) Add in the sugar and ensure that all the sugar has melted. Taste the mixture and ensure that the sweetness level is to preference. More sugar can be added if its still not sweet enough.
7) At this point the heat should be lowered and the mixture should no longer be boiling.
8) Add in the red food colouring and stir the mixture to ensure that the coloring is properly mixed.
9) Add in the coconut milk slowly. After all the coconut milk has been added, give it a quick stir (i.e. stir it just once - 1 round) and off the heat.
10) Pour the mixture into the molds and allow it to set.
11) After the mixture has cooled, keep the agar agar in the fridge.
12) Chill them until ready to be served.

Tips:
1) Different brands of agar agar strips have different quantity and the amount of water will differ.
2) The taste of the sweetness changes after the mixture is cooled and chilled.
3) After coconut milk has been added, do not over stir or boil the mixture vigorously. Else, the agar agar would not have two layers.
4) This agar agar jelly tastes best when it is served chilled.
5) If you  agar agar jelly turns out to be too firm (hard) or soft, you will need to twig the water and agar agar strips ratio.

The below pictures show some of the cooking process:

Step 4

Step 5

Step 5

Step 8

Step 9

Step 9

Step 10

Ah Balling Peanut Soup 花生汤圆 (Golden Mile Food Centre)

4 Glutinous Rice Balls for $1.70

If you are a fan of glutinous rice balls and peanut soup, you would probably have heard of Ah Balling Peanut Soup 花生汤圆. 

Whenever I visit Golden Mile Food Centre, I would drop by Ah Balling Peanut Soup for dessert. After all, this was the place where I was first introduced to this stall. Recently, I heard that there are Ah Balling Peanut Soup outlets in Chinatown, Bedok 85, Nex and Ghim Moh. Not sure how true, but it is (would be) great if there are other outlets elsewhere too!

This stall sells glutinous rice balls (tang yuan) with different savoury fillings (i.e. peanut, sesame, red bean, yam and green tea). They rice balls are served in either peanut or ginger soup. My personal favourite soup is the peanut soup! It is tasty and not overly sweet. The peanuts are cooked for so long till they are soft and all the flavour in it have been extracted! 

Peanut

Sesame

As for the rice ball, my favourite are the peanut and sesame versions. Each of rice balls are of similar size and are chewy. Be careful as the fillings would ooze out. The peanut and sesame fillings would provide a crunchy bite giving it a good contrast to the soft rice balls. Yummy!

Red bean

Yam

As for the yam and red bean, the fillings are soft and there is no contrast in texture. I do not fancy these two flavours.

I have been here so many times for this dessert that I already lost count of the number of times I have been here. Hard to get sick of such dessert. Try this, don't give this a miss! 

Ah Balling Peanut Soup 花生汤圆 (Golden Mile Food Centre)
#01-75 Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
Singapore 199583
Tel: +65 9760 5710

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O'sulloc Tea House 오설록, Okrumong 옥루몽 (South Korea, Seoul)

Green Tea Ice Flakes 녹차빙수 14,000 KRW (S$17.50)

If you have been to Jeju Island, you have probably heard of O’sulloc 오설록 which specialises in green tea. O’sulloc 오설록 with its cafe, museum and tea plantation is a popular tourist attraction. It is so popular that it has several tea houses / cafes in Seoul at Myeongdong, Insadong, Apgujeong and Daehangno.

We visited the O´sulloc Tea House 오설록 티하우스 at Myeongdong. It is located next to McDonald's! The place was huge, occupying two floors.

Menu

Menu

The menu..

Besides selling beverages (tea) and desserts such as ice cream, tiramisu and ice flakes (aka bingsu), they also sold tea bags which tourist can buy back home as gifts for their love ones.

ps: You can find some of these tea bags at a cheaper price in the supermarkets in Seoul such as E-mart 이마트. In fact we bought S$400 worth of things in E-mart including Happy Call Pan and Neoflam Pot. =)

Although there were several empty table and chairs at level one, we decided to explore level two. Level two was quieter and had even more seating capacity. There were magazines at the side for browsing and comfortable sofas. The downside of sitting at level two was that we still had to go level one to collect our orders when the drink and desserts were ready.

Green Tea Ice Cream 녹차아이스크림, Jeju Orchid Green Tea (Hot) 제주난꽃그린티, Green Tea Cheese Tiramisu 그린티치즈티라미수

During the first visit, we ordered the Green Tea Ice Cream 녹차아이스크림, Jeju Orchid Green Tea (Hot) 제주난꽃그린티 and Green Tea Cheese Tiramisu 그린티치즈티라미수. Needless to say, everything we ordered consisted of green tea flavour.

Green Tea Ice Cream 녹차아이스크림 6,00 KRW (S$7.5)

The Green Tea Ice Cream 녹차아이스크림 6,00 KRW (S$7.5) was served with green tea (matcha) powder sprinkled on top. The ice cream was not overly sweet and the green tea flavour was distinct, but not overwhelming. Quite pricey considering that it consisted of just one scoop of ice cream.

Green Tea Cheese Tiramisu 그린티치즈티라미수 5,000 KRW (S$6.25)

We also ordered a Green Tea Cheese Tiramisu 그린티치즈티라미수 5,000 KRW (S$6.25) for sharing. The Green Tea Cheese Tiramisu consisted of mostly sweet mascarpone cheese while the top layer was generously filled with bitter green tea powder.

Jeju Orchid Green Tea (Hot) 제주난꽃그린티 5,800 KRW (S$7.25)

Jeju Orchid Green Tea (Hot) 제주난꽃그린티 5,800 KRW (S$7.25)

The Jeju Orchid Green Tea (Hot) 제주난꽃그린티 5,800 KRW (S$7.25) comes with a cover and the tea bag is attached underneath the cover. Its a good idea as it keeps the drink warm and when you feel that the flavour has been extracted, you can take the tea bag out and leave it on the cover prevent it from being dirty. You are then able to "reuse" and "refill" as many times as you wish with the self-serviced hot water provided.

Green Tea Ice Flakes 녹차빙수 14,000 KRW (S$17.50)

We made a second trip to this shop for their Bingsu aka shaved ice.

Green Tea Ice Flakes 녹차빙수 14,000 KRW (S$17.50)

The Green Tea Ice Flakes 녹차빙수 14,000 KRW (S$17.50) was huge! Green tea ice flakes, green tea ice cream with red bean puree. This is best shared between a group of people. In terms of bingsu standard, I find this average. The shaved ice was a little too hard. The best bingsu is the one from Okrumong 옥루몽 (I shall talk about this towards the end of the post).

Do note that the drinks and desserts at O'sulloc Tea House 오설록 티하우스 are pretty pricey. But I guess its okay to indulge and pamper ourselves once in a while =D.

Now back to Okrumong 옥루몽. My Korean friends bought us to this dessert place called Okrumong 옥루몽 which is located in Dongdaemun Design Plaza 동대문디자인플라자 at Basement level 2, Store 11.

Red Bean Bingsu 가마솥 전통팥빙수 and Black Sesame Bingsu

They ordered Red Bean Bingsu 가마솥 전통팥빙수 and Black Sesame Bingsu for sharing. The shaved ice were just so incredibly soft and snowy! In addition, in terms of taste it was not overly sweet! This is a must try! The address of this at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Basement level 2, Store 11), Eujiro 7-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. I understand that they have several branches in Seoul. 

O'sulloc Tea House 오설록 티하우스 (South Korea, Seoul)

12, Myeongdong 7-gil
Jung-gu, Seoul 
서울특별시 중구 명동7길 12 (명동1가)

Tel: +82 2 774 5460

Opening Hours: Sun to Thur 9am -1030pm
                          Fri to Sat 9am - 11pm
Website

Directions:  From Myeongdong Station (subway line 4) Exit 6, turn left onto Myeongdong 8-gil road. Go straight about 400m, until you see O´sulloc Tea House on the right.

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