Cheap and Good Zi Char (煮炒) in Singapore

Zi Char (煮炒) is a popular dinning option in Singapore. Zi Char (煮炒) is a food stall where one can order a variety of dishes. Some of the Zi Char have its specialty. Some are well-known for seafood, some are well-known for steam fish etc. If you google online, there will be lots of Zi Char recommendations in Singapore.

Zi Char is definitely Mr Teddy and mine favorite dinning option. We dine at Zi Char store at least twice a week and most of the time we will visit the same few one. So what makes us go back to the same Zi char stores? Most importantly, the food must be good. And of course, it would be nice if it is cheap!

We have been to many Zi Char stores and this are the few which we are greatly impress by the quality of the food and the price we are paying. We usually pay less than $30 a meal at this Zi Char stores.

1. Two Chefs Eating Place
Address: 116 Commonwealth Crescent #01-129, 140116

We have been visiting Two Chefs Eating Place for at least once a week for the past few months. We would usually order  their famous butter poke ribs, the vegetable cook with eggs, salted egg and century egg and and Yang Zhou bee hoon. It only cost less than $30 a meal for  person. 

Japanese Food Craving

Just like a lot of Singaporean, we will go around Singapore to find nice food. The places which we go varies, depending on occasion.

As it was Mr Teddy's birthday, we had something better last Saturday. Wanted to had Teppei at Orchid Hotel. However, it was fully book till September! Must try out Teppei soon!

We had Hakumai instead. Hakumai is situated at International Plaza, #01-50A.

Hakumai is definitely one of the better Japanese restaurant we had tried till date. And in term of pricing, it is manageable. The set menu range from $26 - $40. It is very reasonable given the quality of the food. 

Our total damage was $210 for 2 pax. And half the damage was due to the 720ml of Sake that we ordered. Otherwise, our spending would have been $100+ for 2 set of bento, 1 yellow tail sushi and 1 sweet prawn sashimi. The sashimi was awesome. it is so sweet and fresh. Mr Teddy love it to the max. 

I ordered a Sukiyaki Gozen. It consist of a Sukiyaki soup with vegetable, raw beef (cooked it in the sukiyaki soup when it boils), truffle sauce chawanmishi, salmon sashimi, rice and fruit. The sukiyaki gozen is marvelous. 

Firstly, the salmon sashimi was awesome. It was thick and sweet. A lot of Japanese restaurant bento set will have the salmon sashimi. But till date, no one can beat this. It was generous and thick.

Second, the truffle sauce chawanmushi is unique. Chawanmushi is a very common dish in Japanese cuisine. However, this is my first time tasting chawanmushi with truffle sauce. The top layer is actually the truffle sauce and the bottom is the chawanmushi. It tasted unique and well-balance.   

Lastly, the beef is so tender and sweet. Cook the beef in the sukiyaki soup and deep the beef into the egg before eating. Oh my good, it is heaven. It is sweet and tender. Awesome. A must try dishes.

5 Best Roasted Goose Restaurants in Hong Kong

Roasted goose, Hong Kong famous delicacy. It is a must eat food should anyone visit Hong Kong. Personally, I feel that goose tasted like duck. However, goose is way much bigger in size. The meat can be very tender and juicy as well if it is done right.

1. Yue Kee Restaurant

Address: Sham Hong Rd, Hong Kong

Hours: 11AM–11:30PM

2. Joy Hing Roasted Meat (再興燒臘)

Address: Chong Hing Building, 265-267 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Hours: 10AM–10:30PM

3. Yung Kee Restaurant (鏞記酒家)

Address: Hong Kong, Central, Wellington St, 32-40號, Yung Kee Building, Hong Kong

Hours: 11AM–11:30PM

4. Kam’s Roast Goose (甘牌燒鵝)

Address: Po Wah Commercial Centre, 226 Hennessy Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Hours: 11.30AM - 9.30PM

5. Yat Lok Barbecue Restaurant

Address: G/F, Block A, Po Wah Building, 5 Tai Ming Lane,, Tai Po, Hong Kong

6 Must Try Seafood Restaurants in Phuket

Phuket is renowned for its fresh seafood. Phuket has a the wide range of restaurants serving fish and the myriad choices of style, design and environment in which to enjoy a seafood meal.

Below are the top 6 seafood restaurants in Phuket which we highly recommended and you must give try it a try.

1. Rawai Seafood Market (Our All Time Favorite)
Address: 22/9 4233 Rawai, Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand

You can buy the fresh seafood and get any of the restaurants there to cook for it. The cooking fee is inexpensive. Our all time favorite.

2. Sea Hag restaurant
Address: 78/5 Soi Mor Watthana Taweenwong Rd Patong Beach Phuket タイ83150, Thailand

Sea Hag Restaurant armed with an arsenal of huge tiger prawns and an extensive Aussie wine list. It is a lively, yummy place to be.

3. Kan Eang

Address: 44/1 Moo 5, Viset Road, Muang, Muang, ภูเก็ต 83130, Thailand

Kan Eang has great views along the Chalong Bay, with a slew of crustaceans for you to choose from.

4. Lotus Restaurant

Address: 31/13 Banyantree Beachfront (Bang Tao Beach) Moo. 4 Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Thailand, Thailand

5. Bang Pae Seafood
Address: PA Khlok, Thalang, Phuket, Thailand

6. Pak Nam Seafood Restaurant

Address: 52/220 Rasadanusorn road, Tumbon Rasada, Amphor Muang, Phuket

Krabi Seafood at a Glance (Highly Recommended)

It is easy to find seafood restaurant in Krabi.  There are many restaurants in the areas of Saladan and Ao Nang with the ubiquitous snapper and jumbo prawns (usually from a farm) laid out on ice. However, if you are a seafood addicts, dedicated fish restaurants that have both a wide range of produce and a turnover high enough to guarantee prime freshness, are few and far between. There are few but does not mean Krabi does not have.

Below are some of our recommendation. All of them offer live seafood, essential for shellfish and crabs.

1. Laem Sak Seafood
Address: Ao Luek District, Krabi, Thailand

Laem Sak has access to one of the region’s best fishing ports. The local catches huge oysters, the southern Thai speciality of mud crabs as well as glistening squid and wonderfully tender soft-shelled crabs. All fish can be simply steamed or grilled, or else served Thai-style in a spicy salad or curry.

2. Thara Kitchen

Address: 82 Moo 5 nopparat thara road, Thailand

Thara Kitchen has good selection of seafood with a particularly large range of local shellfish. It can be cooked Thai style, stir-fried with basil and chilli, or in a salad.. 

3. Wang Sai Seafood

Address: Mueang Krabi District, Krabi, Thailand

 Wang Sai Seafood is located directly on the beach. Tanks at the entrance to the restaurant are filled with four or five varieties of fish, as well as crabs and clams. You are able to choose the live seafood for your dinner.

4. Tha Sai Seafood

Address: Thap Put District, Phang-nga, Thailand

Tha Sai Seafood is located in Phang Nga province (just over the border with Krabi), It is a charming riverside restaurant. All tables overlook the wide, mangrove-lined waterway and the hill of Phang Nga. The seafood is excellent whereby it comes in a good variety of dishes, such as the southern Thai curry kaeng som; some spicy salads; and delicous stir-fried crab claws.

7 Must Eat Food in Osaka

One of the main reason why Mr Teddy and I love Japan other than the hospitality is because of the food. For food lover like us, Japan will never disappoint us. There are so much of variety to choose. And most importantly it taste awesome.

Below are our recommendation

1. Sashimu Sushi

Sushi is so commonly found in any parts of Japan. Coming to Japan, definitely must eat the sashimi sushi. It is so fresh and sweet. It can be found everywhere. But personally, we will recommend Daiki Suisan. It is located at Dotonbori and it can be easily found.

Daiki Suisan:

Address: Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 中央区道頓堀１丁目７−２４

2. Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a popular Osaka dish. It is a pancake containing a variety of ingredients like green onion, pork belly, octopus, squid, shrimp, vegetables, cheese etc. 

Okonomiyaki Kiji:

Address: Japan, 〒531-6001 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 北区大淀中１丁目１－９０

3. Takoyaki

Takoyaki is also what we will usually called Octopus Balls. It is a famous and popular snack in Osaka.

Creo-Ru Dotonbori:

Address: Japan, 〒542-0071 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, 中央区道頓堀1-6-4

4. Kobe Beef

For all beef lover, kobe beef is a must try dishes in Japan. It is awesome. You will never get enough of it. It is more expensive than any of the dishes but it definitely worth every single cent. You will not regret. It is tender and juicy. 

Tsurugyu:

Address: 3 Chome-5-14 Kawarayamachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0066, Japan

5. Fugu

Fugu is Japanese word for pufferfish. It is more common in Japan. Can hardly be found in Singapore. 

Zuboraya:

Address: 1 Chome-4-16 Ebisuhonmachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0013, Japan

6. Tako Tamago

It is a popular street food. A glazed baby octopus. It is inexpensive and delicious.

Kuromon market:

Address: Japan, 〒542-0073 Osaka Prefecture, Osaka, Chuo Ward, Nipponbashi, 2 Chome−4−1

7. Japanese Rock Melon

Mr Teddy loves the rock melon in Japan. It can be found in majority of the market. It is so sweet. Mr Teddy loves it so much that he bought one back to Singapore for his family.

Penang Street Food at a Glance

Mr Teddy and I are a person who love street food. Every country has their own delicacy. And street food is the best to have a taste of the local delicacy. The shop may not be air-conditioner or comfortable cushion chair like any restaurant, but the food is definitely yummy.

In Penang, there are a lot of hawker food. It is inexpensive and delicious.

Below are my personal recommendation of street food.

1. Penang Laska (Pasar Air Itam Laksa)
Jalan Pasar Road, 11500 Air Itam
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 8pm

Penang Laska is a local delicacy of Penang. It taste different from our Singapore Laska. Penang Laska is spicy and a little sour. Personally I love to drink the soup the most.

2. Penang Char Kway Teow (Lorong Selamat Char Kway Teow at Kafe Heng Huat)

Kafe Heng Huat at 108 Lorong Selamat

Opening Hours: 11am – 6pm

It is a must eat Char Kway Teow whenever I am at Penang. I love it so much that I can have two plate at one serving.

3. Prawn Noodles (Ah Soon Kor Har Mee)

168, Jalan Macalister

Opening Hours: 6:30am – 1pm

The soup is the most awesome. The soup is thick and rich.

4. Wantan Mee (Lebuh Chulia)

Lebuh Chulia street

Opening Hours: 7:30pm – 11:30pm

Walk along Lebuh Chulia street and you will be able to find the Wantan Mee.

5. Curry Noodles (Sister’s Curry Noodles)

Jalan Paya Terubong, Air Itam

Opening Hours: 8am – 1pm

The curry noodles is different from the Singapore style. It has less coconut milk. However, it still taste delicious. Must give it a try.

6. Penang Rojak (Hock Seng Rojak King)

Macallum Street (in front of Kedai Kopi Sin Hong Leong)

Opening Hours: 11am – 5pm

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10 Best Food in Malacca

Just like a lot of Singaporean, we will go for good food. The definition of good food is not how expensive the food cost but the quality. It has to be delicious of course. And we will not mind to travel all the way out just to have a taste of it.

Malacca is one of the popular place in Malaysia where Singaporean go over the weekend. It allows us to have a short getaway and also to eat.

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Below are the top 10 food in Malacca which I will highly recommend:

1. Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball

468, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

• Located at Joker Street. It is not difficult to find as it it located near the entrance of Joker Street.
• The chicken is tender and the rice ball is tasty. 

2. Jonker 88 Chendol

Jalan Hang Jebat and Jalan Laksamana, Melaka, Malaysia

• My favorite dessert. A must eat dessert whenever I am at Malacca.
• The coconut is fresh and thick. It is awesome.  
• There are also other flavor such as Durian
• The store also sell other food such as Nyonya Laska, Asam Laska, Chicken noodle etc.

3. Nyonya Makko Restaurant

123, Jl. Merdeka, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia

• The restaurant offer the Nyonya dishes
• It is best to come with a few friends so that you can order a variety of dishes and share.
• I reckon to try beef rendang, sotong chili garam and ayam pok teh

4. Restoran Capitol Satay

41, Lorong Bukit Cina, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia

• They have a good spread of items (prawn, meat, meat balls, squid, veg, fish etc.)
• All you need to do is to choose the item and dip it into the satay sauce. Let it boil to cook your food. 
• Do come early as the queue is really long. Average waiting time is about 45 minutes.

5. Nancy's Kitchen

13, Jalan KL 3/8, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka, 

• Located in Jonker street.
• Selling local local food such as Noynya Laska, Chendol, Popiad, sambal sotong petai etc.

6. Baba Charlie Lee

72, Lorong Tengkera Pantai 2c, Kampung Tengkera Pantai Dua, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

• A cake shop selling the a wide variety of nyonya kuei, cakes and biscuit

7. Tengkera Duck Noodle Restaurant

Jalan Kota Laksamana 1/2, Taman Kota Laksamana, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

• A store which sells the local Malacca style duck noodle
• Offer dry or soup duck noodle
• It taste different from the Singapore style. Personally, I would prefer the Malacca style.

8. Putu Piring Tengkera

252, Jalan Tengkera, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

• Unlike normal cafe or restaurant, this is a store which does not have any seats. Usually people will buy the snack and go.
• It is fluffy. Eat it while it hot. It is yummy.

9. Restoran Rong Mao (Dim Sum)

32, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia

• This is a Chinese stall which sells Dim Sum
• It is famous for breakfast or high tea
• Do get there early else you will need to queue for quite some time.

10. Klebang Coconut Shake

Klebang, 5, Melaka, Malaysia

• The coconut shake is fresh and cooling for the hot weather
• May top up shake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream as well

Memorable Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - Part 2 (Food)

There is never lack of food choices in Kota Kinabalu. There are a good variety of food available in Kota Kinabalu such as European, Western, Italian, Malay and Chinese food etc. Be it where ever you are from, I am sure you will be able to find something for yourself.

As I am not too sure what is nice, I approach the hotel staff for recommendation. They are really helpful. They will assist you with the direction as well.





Some of the my recommendations are:

1. Chilli Vanilla (European)
Address: 35, Jalan Haji Saman, Kota Kinabalu 88000, Malaysia

It is a small and cosy little cafe. The price of the food is relatively cheap. The pasta is what I like most. It is creamy and yummy.

2. Little Italy (Itaian)
Address: Jalan Haji Saman, 88813 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Average price is able SGD $11-$20. I would recommend their pizza.

3. Various Seafood Restaurants (Chinese)

To me seafood is a must eat in Kota Kinabalu. There are lots of seafood restaurants available along the coastal. Majority of them sell fresh seafood. You can choose from their tank and when ordering. Seafood lover like me simply cannot resist it. Pricing of the seafood is reasonable I would say. In comparative to Singapore, it is definitely much cheaper.

• Welcome Seafood Restaurants (GF, G-15 - G-18 , Asia City , Jalan Coastal , Kota Kinabalu , 88000 Kota Kinabalu , Sabah, 88000, Malaysia)
• Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant (No. 9-12, Sedco Square, Kampung Air, 88300, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia)
• Port View Seafood Village (Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Anjung Samudera, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia)
• He Jia Fo Seafood Restaurant (Ground & 1st Floor, Lot 2 & 3, Jalan Tuaran, Sunny Garden, 88800 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia)