Restoran Todak (Orang Asli) (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

 Prawns cooked in Indonesian Curry

Restoran Todak (Orang Asli) is a well known kelong seafood restaurant located in Johor Bahru. Although this restaurant is located around 30 minutes drive away from the checkpoint, it is popular among Singaporeans. At the car park which is unmarked, you are likely to see more Singapore registered cars compared to Malaysia vehicles.

Restoran Todak is unique as the whole restaurant located along the coast on kelong stilts.

The restaurant is located directly opposite Singapore's Sembawang Coast and provides a picturesque view. As you can see from the photo above, those cranes in the background are from Sembanwang shipyard.

Although the restaurant has indoor seats, most of the tables and chairs are located outside (without a roof) - alfresco style dining with the sea breeze. We arrived early for dinner as we were aware that the restaurant would be packed and some of the seafood would be sold out if we arrive late.

The live seafood are displayed with the prices indicated. For their crabs, they have different pricing depending on the prices. The cheaper ones typically get sold out before 730 pm. The you will need to wait and see if new stock comes in in the next couple of hours or order a more expensive crab.

We used the big menu (above) and ordered our food based on the recommendation of the type of cooking style for the food.

 Prawns cooked in Indonesian Curry

The Prawns cooked in Indonesian Curry were delicious! The prawns of different sizes were relatively big and very fresh; succulent and sweet tasting meat!

Fried Buns (Man Tou)

We ordered fried buns (man tous) which complemented perfectly with the Indonesian Curry gravy.

 Salted Egg Crab

The Salted Egg Crab was unique. I was expecting this to come with sauce and was surprised when it was a 'dry' dish. Taste wise, there was just a slight hint of salted egg flavour. Initially, we thought that the wrong order was delivered to us as this tasted more like fried garlic crab! I was not too impressed with the taste. But the saving grace was that the crab was so fresh! The meat could be easily extracted from the shell and was so tender.

Japanese Snail (Japanese Escargot 日本螺) Gong Bao 宫保Style

The Japanese Snail (Japanese Escargot 日本螺) was cooked Gong Bao 宫保style. This dish was very well executed. The Japanese snail had a smooth texture and was springy! The Gong Bao style complement the Japanese Snail quite well. If the sauce was slightly more spicy, it would be more ideal!

Egg Omelette (Fu Rong Egg 芙蓉蛋)

Egg Omelette was fluffy and addictive - very well executed.

Butter Crayfish

Had great expectations for the Butter Crayfish. But it disappointed in terms of presentation and taste. I was expecting a more buttery flaovour that would make this addictive.

Lala

The Lala too was just 'meh' disappointing. The Lala were not meaty and plump enough. This is definitely not the best lala; is average.

Sweet Potato Leaves with Belacan

The Sweet Potato Leaves with Belacan was well fried. Cooked and tasted just right. It complemented the plain rice extremely well.

Complimentary Fruits

After each meal, every table would be served with a plate of Complimentary Fruits.

Receipt

The total cost of our meal. Relatively cheap after converting to Singapore dollars considering this meal fed five persons.

This restaurant is definitely worth coming back to. I saw several tables ordering their fish and oysters. The oysters were huge! The downside is the distance from the causeway; you would probably need a vehicle. 

Restoran Todak (Orang Asli) (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

No 1 Kampung Orang Asli, 
Telok Jawa, Masai 
81750 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 386 3696

Opening Hours: Daily 1130am to 1130pm

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Light Meal & Breakfast On Board Emirates Airlines From Singapore To Dubai

This is the start of a series of overseas posts covering airlines food on board Emirates and meals in Europe (France, Switzerland and Italy) and United Arab Emirates (Dubai). These posts are 5 months overdue as it took place in December 2012. In some of the posts, I might side track to mention some of the must visits. Hope it will be informative and useful.

We took the midnight flight from Singapore (Changi Airport) to Dubai (Dubai International Airport) via Emirates Airlines on our way to France; Paris. After which, from Dubai we would then fly to Paris. The Boeing 777 used for the flight from Singapore to Dubai involved a stopover at Colombo; for passengers to alight and new passengers to board. The cleaning and catering crew came on board during the stopover and did their necessary jobs while the rest of the passengers remained on board the plane. There were two meals served on the plane; a Light Meal and Breakfast. 

Light Meal Menu

The Light Meal was served along the journey from Singapore to Colombo. The meal was served at around 2am (SG time)! The meal for the Light Meal is appended above. As per the norm on all most full service airlines, passengers get to choose between two choices for their Main Course. I chose the Snapper Fillets In Oyster Sauce - served with a medley of capsicum and turmeric rice. 

Light Meal - Snapper Fillets In Oyster Sauce

The Snapper Fillets In Oyster Sauce was served with Marinated Prawns With Potato Salad, Bread, Biscuit and Sicilian Cheesecake. The prawns in the Marinated Prawns With Potato Salad were small but fresh. Being a fan of potato, the potato salad was polished off. The Bread on the other hand was as hard as a rock.

The distinct yellow turmeric rice also known as the 'poor man's saffron rice' lacked flavour and fragrance, and was a tad too hard. The snapper fillet was fresh however, the addition of too much oyster sauce made it salty. As for the Sicilian Cheesecake, I barely touched it as I am not a fan of cheesecake.

Breakfast Menu

The Breakfast was served along the journey from Colombo to Dubai. The Breakfast Menu is appended above. Passengers could choose between the Mushroom Omelette or Red and White Kiribarh. Needless to say, I chose the Mushroom Omelette!

Breakfast - Mushroom Omelette

The Mushroom Omelette was served with Hash Brown Potatoes and Baked Beans with Tomato, Orange Juice, Bread, Biscuits, Breakfast Cake and Seasonal Fruits. This time round, the Bread was soft. The Breakfast Cake was similar to a butter cake, however it was a tad too hard, dense and dry. The Mushroom Omelette was average with nothing much to shout about.

Stickers

As we took the flight at such an unearthly hour, I found these stickers (photo appended above) extremely useful. Passengers are able to affix the stickers on the top of their seats to inform the air steward or stewardess certain messages.

For example, if you want to sleep, yet be woke up when the meals are being served. All you need to do is to affix the blue sticker which is 'wake me up for meals' at the top of your seat / headrest. I affixed that so that I could sleep soundly yet not miss my meals =). Nice idea. The last time I took a midnight flight on board SIA, I was woken up by the air stewardess who asked if I want my meal. I had no intention of consuming my meal then as I was sleep deprived. SIA should consider this if it has not implemented such procedures yet. 

Bedok North 85 Fried Oyster 勿洛北85蚝煎 (85 Fengshan Food Centre)

As mentioned in my previous posts, I visited the newly renovated 85 Fengshan Food Centre on a Saturday night at 10pm. While waiting for our Bak Chor Mee from Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian 兴记肉脞面, we ordered the the BBQ Grilled Chicken Wings from Sin Bedok North BBQ Chicken Wings 勿洛北烤鸡翅 and also the Oyster Omelette from Bedok North 85 Fried Oyster 勿洛北85蚝煎.

Bedok North 85 Fried Oyster 勿洛北85蚝煎 occupies two stall unit in the food centre. 

Ordered the Oyster Omelette and was told that it would be served to our table in 10 minutes time. However, after waiting for 20 minutes, there was still no sign of our omelette. I went back and check was told that I would need to wait for another 5 minutes!! 

Oyster Omelette $3

Oyster Omelette $3

The freshly cooked Oyster Omelette was decently executed. It had the right portion of starch and egg mixed together. Fried over (what I suspect) high heat, each piece was crispy on the outside while soft and moist on the inside. Although there were only 4 pieces of oyster, these oysters were fresh, plump and juicy! Moreover, the chilli complements this real well. 

How I wish, there's such a similar hawker centre in the North that serves such food (Soupy Bak Chor Mee, BBQ Chicken Wings and Oyster Omelette).  There would be no need for me to store anymore cup noodles at home. Oh man.. how I envy those living in the East. I can't imagine how happy I would be if I stay at near Bedok 85...

Bedok North 85 Fried Oyster 勿洛北85蚝煎 (85 Fengshan Food Centre)

Blk 85 Bedok North St 4 #01-09/10
85 Fengshan Food Centre

Tel: 81807751

Location

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761 Yishun Seafood - Cze Char (2nd Post)

Another visit to 761 Yishun Seafood. 761 Yishun Seafood is a Cze Char stall located in a coffeeshop at  Blk 761 at Yishun Street 72. The eatery has been operating for a very long time; 26 years!

This post covers a consolidation of the dishes I ate over 3 occasions. 

As usual I visited this Cze Char stall during dinner time on all 3 occasions. Be prepared to wait around 10 to 30 minutes during dinner time as almost half the people at this coffee shop orders from this Cze Char stall.  

Hot Plate Beancurd $8

The Hot Plate Beancurd served sizzling hot was outstanding. Generous amount of prawns and beancurds with eggs at the bottom. The sauce that was drizzled over the dish was robust and flavourful accompanied with a spicy after taste. The spiciness was just nice for us (We requested for it to be less spicy). Furthermore, the sauce complemented perfectly with plain rice. 

Bittergourd Omelette $5

The Bittergourd Omelette also did not disappoint. For just $5, I was surprised that such a big serving of omelette was given. The omelette was well fried; big, fluffy and soft with the ideal thickness (not too thin, not too thick). The slices of bittergourd in it were well sliced at the ideal thickness. It was well cooked, did not hard and had no raw taste in it.

Wish that thy could cut down the amount of oil required for this dish. Surprisingly, the Seafood Omelette that  I had at Chong Kei Hoi Sin Yeh Mei Fan Tim 忠記海鮮魚翅飯店 (Macau) is still one of those which was not oily. Ironic as I would have thought HK/China would have had used more oil in their cooking. (no offence to anyone)

Sweet and Sour Pork $8

The Sweet and Sour Pork was average. 

Ginger Onion Diced Chicken $8

Ginger Onion Diced Chicken $8

Ginger Onion Diced Chicken was average. The different flavours of the ingredients were infused into the chicken. However, it did not sees to appeal much to me.

Prawn Paste Chicken (meat) $8

Prawn Paste Chicken (meat) $8

When ordering Prawn Paste Chicken, customers can choose between the wings or meat. In this case, we chose meat. A decent dish. The prawn paste batter was not bad, just that in some parts, the batter was too thick. Another plus will be that it was not oily and inside, it was juicy and tender.

Prawn Paste Chicken (wings) $8

On another occasion, we ordered the Prawn Paste Chicken in the form of chicken wings. It was so delicious! (Likely to be more biased as its chicken wings haha..) Anyway, I prefer this compared to meat. Crispy on the outside and inside it was piping hot, tender and juicy! Shiok. 

Sambal Kang Kong $6

The Sambal Kang Kong was yummy. It was not overly spicy and the kang kong still retained a nice crunchiness. 

Oyster Sauce Spinach $6

Baby Kai Lan with Oyster Sauce $6

The Spinach and Baby Kai Lan were both executed in the same way; with oyster sauce. Both were well fried and still retained the crunchiness. A simple dish that did not disappoint, if they were to cut down the saltiness by just a bit, it would be perfect.

'Jiu Qi' Soup $4

Shared the 'Jiu Qi' Soup among 3 persons. Anyone care to enlighten me on the meaning of 'Jiu Qi'? Is it a vegetable? Anyway this soup was very tasty and not overly salty. Filled with a wide variety of different ingredients such as vegetable, carrots, button mushrooms, straw mushrooms, squid, prawns, fish slices and egg, this is so value for money. Moreover, there was still more than half the amount of soup left after scooping it in the 3 bowls.

The food here may not be mind blowing, but it was surprisingly good and affordable. Good job!

761 Yishun Seafood - Cze Char (2nd Post)

Blk 761 Yishun Street 72

Location

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Mata Thai (Bishan) 2nd Post

Mata Thai is a Thai restaurant located at Bishan Street 11 near Bishan MRT station. This is my second post on Mata Thai. My first post can be found here. 

Signature Curry Fish Head Promotion

Mata Thai have been constantly having this promotion selling their Curry Fish Head at $10 instead of $18.

Signature Curry Fish Head $10

The Signature Curry Fish Head which every table has. It was served in a claypot, consisting of half a fish head cooked in curry. The fish was fresh and the curry was flavourful and robust. In terms of spiciness, it was just nice and complement perfectly with plain rice. At $10, its quite value for money.

Omelette $6

The omelette was well executed; fluffy, soft and delicious. 

Roasted Chicken $12

Roasted Chicken $12

The Thai Style Roasted Chicken was also well executed. It was crispy on the outside and tasty. The only downside was that it was a tad too dry on the inside. At $12, it was value for money as half a chicken was served. Much better compared to the Pandan Chicken

Thai Style Fried Baby Kai Lan $6

As for the Fried Baby Kai Lan, it was decent. Lightly flavoured and still crunchy.

Overall, an affordable and value for money meal.

Mata Thai (Bishan) 

Blk 508 Bishan Street 11 #01-390

Tel: 9276 2629

Opening Hours: 11am to 1030pm

Location

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Kazokutei 家族亭 (Bugis Junction)

Kazokutei 家族亭 is a restaurant chain that serves Japanese cuisine, specialising in serving Udon. Established in 1947, Today, Kazokutei is one of Osaka's most well-known brands of udon restaurant with more than 200 outlets in Japan. The restaurant chain pride itself in offering delicious and high quality handmade udon. Kazokutei serves 2 type of Udon and 2 types of soup bases; Kokudashi Udon from Eastern Japan with a stronger flavoured soup and Shira Dashi Udon from Western Japan with a sweeter tasting soup. 

Udon Lunch Special

The Udon Lunch Special is only valid from Monday to Friday till 5pm only, excluding eve of public holidays and public holidays.

Kokudashi Udon + Katsu Don Set $10.90

Ordered the Kokudashi Udon and Katsu Don Set from the Udon Lunch Special.

Kokudashi Udon (Kokudashi Udon + Katsu Don Set $10.90)

The handmade Udon from the Kokudashi Udon was thick, firm, springy and chewy with a smooth texture. While the soup was made from Katsuo Bushi (Dried Bonito) for a stronger flavoured soup.

Katsu Don (Kokudashi Udon + Katsu Don Set $10.90)

Katsu Don, a popular Japanese cuisine, is a bowl of rice topped with egg, deep fried pork cutlet, onions, seaweed and condiments. I seldom order this dish and am not an expert in this dish (as in I do not know what to look for in a good bowl of Katsu Don). To me, I like how the egg was cooked, it was cooked just nice and was still soft, not to the extend of runny. In addition, having each mouthful of the rice together with the egg, the sauce and caramelised onion was delectable. On the other hand, the Katsu (deep fried pork cutlet) was just average, sliced too thinly for my liking.

On another occasion..

Omurice Lunch Special

Omurice Lunch Special comes with 1 Free Soft Drink/Soda Drink. It is vonly valid from Monday to Friday till 5pm only, excluding eve of public holidays and public holidays.

Pork Cutlet Omu Rice $11.90

Ordered the Pork Cutlet Omu Rice from the Omurice Lunch Special.

Omu Rice ( Pork Cutlet Omu Rice $11.90)

The egg was cooked just nice, soft and a little runny (not too hard). Underneath the egg was fried rice flavoured with ketchup. It was tasty and not oily.

Pork Cutlet  ( Pork Cutlet Omu Rice $11.90)

The Pork Cutlet was average. The cutlet was crispy but thin and dry.

Fries  ( Pork Cutlet Omu Rice $11.90)

To be frank, the fries were just average. A tad too dry.

 Soup ( Pork Cutlet Omu Rice $11.90)

Flavourful and tasty soup. I was pleasantly surprised that there were a lot of ingredients in the bowl of soup such as mushrooms and onions. The downside was that it was on the salty end.

After having lunch over at Kazokutei on two occasions, I find that the lunch sets here are very reasonably priced for the amount of food. The Kokudashi Udon and Katsu Don Set was delicious. As for the Pork Cutlet Omu Rice, the Omu Rice and the Soup are the ones that will make me want to order this again. Service wise, the serving staff was prompt in refilling the drinks, taking the orders and serving the food. Overall, quite a nice place to come for Japanese cuisine.

Kazokutei 家族亭 (Bugis Junction)
200 Victoria Street
#02-49 Bugis Junction
Tel: 6338 0187
Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 945pm
Website
Location

Other outlets:
Kazokutei 家族亭 (Causeway Point)
1 Woodlands Square
#03-43 Causeway Point
Tel: 6893 6940
Opening Hours: 1130am to 10pm


Kazokutei 家族亭 (Junction 8)
9 Bishan Place
#02-34/35 Juntion 8
Tel: 6259 6698
Opening Hours: Daily 1130am to 945pm


Kazokutei 家族亭 (Plaza Singapura)
68 Orchard Road
#04-01 Tokyo Walker, Plaza Singapura
Tel: 6333 9285
Opening Hours: Daily 1130am to 10pm

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