Starry House Cottage 清境觀星園景觀山莊 (Taiwan, Nantou Country)

Complimentary Breakfast

 Starry House Cottage 清境觀星園景觀山莊 is a popular guesthouse (minsu) located in Cing Jing.

 We chose this guesthouse because of the following reasons.

1) It has the best view as it is strategically located at the highest point of Cing Jing

2) Great reviews on the hospitable and and friendly service

3) Complimentary steamboat dinner and breakfast that garnered good reviews

I am not joking when I wrote that it has the best view. Look at the sunset! We had an unblocked view as we were at the highest point. We arrived just in time for sunset. The owners immediately told us to go to the porch to view the sunset, and leave the luggage with them and pay the remaining payment later.

If you thought that this view was great wait till you see the photo on sunrise at the end of this post. 

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

Located so high in Cing Jing, the temperature was so cold, making it perfect for having steamboat dinner. The portion of food was for 4 persons.

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

The food was wrapped up in cling wrap to keep the food fresher till the guests were ready for dinner. Such thoughtful gesture from the owners! As for the meat and soup, they were served only after the guests were ready.

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

The ingredients provided were all very fresh. The only complain I had for the dinner was that there should have been more meat.

Complimentary Steamboat Dinner

This is their homemade chilli dip. Spicy and addictive.

Everyone staying at the guesthouse all woke up early and waited for the sun to rise. This is the photo of the sunrise. Beautiful right?

Complimentary Breakfast (Toast and egg)

After watching the sunrise, everyone went for breakfast which consisted of toast, egg, fruit, salad and coffee or tea. The breakfast was cooked by the owner's wife.

Complimentary Breakfast (salad and fruit)

The breakfast was simple yet delicious especially the toast. However, the portion was too little =(.

Nevertheless, we had a great stay at Starry House Cottage. Highly recommended! 

Starry House Cottage 清境觀星園景觀山莊 (Taiwan, Nantou Country)

台灣南投縣仁愛鄉大同村博望巷96號

No.96.Bowang Ln,Ren'ai Township

546 Nantou  Taiwan

Tel: 049 280 2242
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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Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar)

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10, Kaya Toast $1.20 and Soft Boiled Eggs $1

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar) is located at Lavendar at the back of ICA behind Lavendar MRT station. It is 5 minutes walk away from the famous Tai Wah Minced Pork Noodles (Bak Chor Mee).

When I first stepped into the coffeeshop, it felt as though I had stepped into a time machine and travelled back to the past! 

It is as if time has stood still in this coffeeshop while everything else outside becomes modernise. The white tiles are brown, ceiling fans, no false ceiling, orange coin operated payphone and even abacus! 

This is the 78 year old owner. He is wearing a singlet and old style pyjamas pants which seems out of place in today's context. But this was the way people wore in the past. Most of the customers in the coffeeshop were elderly folks who are reading Chinese newspapers while sipping their coffee. Only the owner's son and I were using smartphones!

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10 and Kaya Toast $1.20

Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You) $1.10 

I have never tried Kopi Gu You (Coffee with Butter) before. Yes, if you are wondering, it is literally coffee with a thin piece of butter floating on top! The butter would then melt and form a layer of grease on top. Give it a good stir before drinking it. 

Surprisingly, I did not hate this! I was initially worry that it would be greasy/oily. It was not! Taste wise it was rich and complex with a salty caramel taste. Moreover at $1.10, this is so affordable. 

 Kaya Toast $1.20

The Kaya Toast $1.20 was quite well executed too!

 Kaya Toast $1.20

 Interestingly, the owner would use the top of a milk can to scrap off the charred parts of the toast. 

Soft Boiled Eggs $1

I was initially worried the Soft Boiled Eggs would be under or overcooked. Hence, when the Soft Boiled Eggs $1 arrived, I was thrilled that it was cooked perfectly! Do note, the eggs are cooked only upon order. Hence, there is a need to wait around 6 to 8 minutes for this.

At the counter, there are many plastic containers filled with local confectionery (snacks). There was also a orange coin operated payphone which was a common sight in the past! Now, with the high mobilephone penetration rate in Singapore, I cannot even find such phones anymore. Do you spot another item from the past?

Abacus

Yes, its the abacus!

I can forsee more trips back to this coffeeshop. My breakfast consisting of Coffee with Butter (Kopi Gu You, Kaya Toast and Soft Boiled Eggs cost just $3.30! This is so affordable. Furthermore, it was delicious, what a bonus!

Heap Seng Leong Coffeeshop (Lavendar) 

Blk 10 North Bridge Road, #01-5109

Opening Hours: Daily 4 am to 8 pm

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The Shibuya Wagon (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Matcha Toast 95,000 VND (S$5.70)

The Shibuya Wagon's bright colour signboard was so eye catching that we saw it on a mini bus while on the way back to our hotel. We did a quick google on this place and found that it was a Japanese restaurant serving Japanese food and desserts (e.g. Shibuya Toast).

The first thought that came to our mind when we read Shibuya Toast was our experience at After You Dessert Café in Bangkok. The thought of being able to try this again was too hard to resist. Hence, we slotted The Shibuya Wagon in for tea. 

When we arrived at 4pm on a weekday, the eatery was empy

With the environment, it did not felt like we have stepped into a Vietnamese restaurant. Even the menu was in English language only. 

Matcha Toast 95,000 VND (S$5.70)

There was a variety of toasts to choose from such as the Original Shibuya Toast, Stick Toffee Toast and Mega Toast. We settled for the Matcha Toast 95,000 VND (S$5.70). The Matcha Toast was served with Matcha ice cream, whipped cream and syrup. 

Matcha Toast 95,000 VND (S$5.70)

Sadly, the Matcha Toast failed to match up to our expectations. The toast was dense and not as soft and fluffy as what I had expected. In addition, the buttery fragrant in the toast was lacking. What a let down.

The Shibuya Wagon (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

258 Lê Thánh Tôn, 

Quận 1 

Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam

Tel: +84 (08) 3827 0770

Opening Hours: Daily 1030am to 10pm
Facebook

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Hua Mui Coffee Shop 华美茶餐室 (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

Hua Mui Coffee Shop 华美茶餐室 is a popular two storey Hainanese coffee shop (aka Kopitiam) located near the causeway. To be exact, it is a 15 minutes walk away from City Square! This coffee shop has been operating since 1946, serving both both Chinese and Western cuisine (do note they have been certified halal). I first read about this place through Johor Kaki Blog and had shortlisted this as a place to try one day. That one day came 2 years later!

When we arrived on a weekday morning, the ground level of the restaurant was full. We headed up to the 2nd level. Do be careful, as the steps are quite steep at the upper half.

The 2nd level had more seating capacity compared to the first. It was well ventilated. It was a pleasant surprised when I found out that my mobile phone was able to detect Singapore's M1 service at the 2nd level! =)

Menu Cover

The menu cover.

Menu

Menu

Menu

The extensive menu which offers a variety of western, rice, noodle, meat, sides, soup, sandwiches, bread, prata, beverages and even desserts.

Condiments

The condiments on every table. There's also the green chilli which was not on this table.

Tea RM1.60 , Coffee RM1.60

I drank the Coffee RM1.60. It was really just so-so. It was thick, but not aromatic and was too sweet for me. Most people patronise Hua Mui for its coffee. Maybe its just me (who do not like the coffee).  

Butter and Kaya Toast RM1.60

The charcoal grilled Butter and Kaya Toast RM1.60 was also just averaged.

Mee Hua Mui RM6

I saw most people ordering the Singapore Style Bee Boon. But coming from Singapore, I refused to ordered this dish and decided to try the Mee Hua Mui (did not see anyone ordering this) instead. It was a stupid decision, I should have followed the crowd.

The Mee Hua Mui RM6 was just average with nothing much to shout about. The gravy was a disappointment as it was flavourful enough and it was not well mixed; some parts were just too gooey with lumps.

Hainanese Chicken Chop RM12

Just when I thought that it was a mistake coming here, the Hainanese Chicken Chop saved the day!

Hainanese Chicken Chop RM12

The Hainanese Chicken Chop RM12 (signature dish) served with green peas, tomatoes, potatoes with light brown mushroom sauce was superbly executed. On the exterior the batter was thin while both the batter and skin was fried till it was so crispy! The interior was amazingly succulent. The light brown mushroom sauce was light yet tasty. The only complain I had was that the sauce was cold.

This coffee shop still uses the traditional way of delivering food to the 2nd level.

To keep the authenticity of the outlet, they have retained the traditional pulley system! As you can see in the above photo, the food for customers at the 2nd level are placed on the tray linked to the pulley system. Then one of the staff at the 2nd level would use the pull system to pull up the tray of food.

The Hainanese Chicken Chop is a must try at Hua Mui Coffee Shop! If I come again, I will also want to try the Singapore Style Bee Hoon. If you have tried it before, do let me know!

Hua Mui Coffee Shop 华美茶餐室 (Malaysia, Johor Bahru)

No 131, Jalan Trus
80000 Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 224 7364
Opening Hours: daily 730am to 930pm

No 50, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4
Tmn Sutera Utama, 81300Skudai, Johor

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