Lok Yeun Chiu Chau, Soy Street

I had such high hopes. 3 years back, every restaurant on this street churned out exceptionally good food.

Today however, many have changed hands and this area where there is a junction is a huge tourist trap, mostly known for Teo Chew cuisine and typhoon shelter style clams . Still I was not dettered and went ahead into this restaurant.

We sat right in the middle of the restaurant, ignored by the surly, unfriendly, worn out staff. 

All the empty seats are soon filled up because there is some kind of happy hour promotion which we cannot make out as it is all in chinese.

We don't know that yet and proceed to happily order because we think that we have found a nice place where locals come to for good food.

As I remembered, the beef noodles on this row were excellent. Wrong !

Either, I do not know how to appreciate Teo Chew food or this is crap.

The soup is clear, the noodles tastes like boric acid, the meat is hard and the fat is capital yuck !

While the meatballs are slightly better and quite tasty , the noodles are certainly no better. Like shitty threads floating in a toilet bowl .

Red bean iced drink is also crappy. Tastes rawish, smells " chow zhang ". Yuck yuck yuck. Not nice at all.

Regret is starting to fill my head at this point .

Milk Tea.

Something I want to forget.

Then, a guy joins our table. This is acceptable. He places an order and soon kicks up a fuss. Apparently he made Happy Hour on time but the staff have listed him as arriving later than that on the bill.

They change his bill for him but not before demonstrating their displeasure by throwing cutlery into the bins in a very loud manner.

I quickly turn to face this greasy,oily cluster of condiments.

This is Mongkok after all. Who knows if you are dining amongst a fraternity of gangsters.

When it comes to our turn to pay the bill and we point out that the server has forgotten one order, the cashier gets cross with us.

Que sera sera. I don't care if I get hacked by some parang wielding Ah Fei Chai, your food sucks. No. I didn't tell her that. What ? You want me to die ?

The place and cuisine I want to avoid at all costs.

Lantau Island

I can't remember exactly when it was that I last came to Hong Kong.

Perhaps 3 years ago. When this skyscraper apartment was not around . So much development has taken place since then.

Feeling overwhelmed. Can't imagine staying in one of these units. Like massive pigeon holes on a series of poles.

We come to a stop at the toll plaza

Most people are drawn to this island because of  Disneyland, Ngong Ping 360, Citygate and  Chek Lap Airport.

But what I like about this quiet beautiful,mostly desolate place is the modern bridges that dot it. This is the first.

Next up

Let's take a closer look

Chek Lap Kok Airport 2012

Terrible service and indignant crew aside, we land in one piece.

View from my window.

I mean I'm still kinda glum over the service metted out by the couldn't care less staff . Even though I should be excited, there's a sort of grey cloud hanging over my head.

Doesn't help that it looks hazy today.

Heading towards the immigration is a breeze. The signs are clear and easy to follow.

Just in case you find walking there impossible, you might want to consider taking an indoor vehicle in return for a fixed fee.

The personnel manning such vehicles are located next to the walking escalators.

We clear the immigration no time. So efficient even though there is a massive crowd.

Upon exiting, most Malaysian affiliated tour companies will require you to come to this waiting point. Very easy to spot.

Just look out for numbered pillars such as these.

We follow the tour guide towards our airport transfer.

In case, you're on your own, you might want to take note of this. Trains to the city are in this direction.

This exit is for bus transfers

So stylish eh ?

Everyone seems to walk with a purpose here, especially men in suits

Finally....

Heading out of the airport, I wonder what purpose these pillars serve .

Cathay Pacific In Flight Meal

Honestly I was prepared for the worst. You know how bad airline food can be at times. Thus I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their in flight meals. Ex Penang mind you.

We had to choose between curry rice or sausage. We took one of each.

This is the chicken curry rice. Rice is soft, moist and fluffy, while the meat was tender and well marinated . Cooked in fragrant, not too hot, very appetising Hong Kong style curry. Looks dry here, but I assure you, that this meal was good.

Loved that they included yogurt for breakfast.

I didn't really like the sausage. A bit too limp for my liking. Kind of resembled a semi scottish breakfast.
The deep maroon coloured, rolled piece of meat is a kind of ham. Very tasty although a little on the dry side .

The egg, on the other hand was something else. A real delight that left you wondering what the secret recipe was.  I think there were bits and pieces of chopped vegies inside.

Delicious.

Such a good meal deserves two thumbs up. Or so you may think, however service wise, there was much left to be desired .

The service on this particular Cathay Pacific flight is nothing compared to MAS. I think MAS spoils us passengers rotten by catering to our every whim and fancy whenever possible . 

Once the crew were done keeping our meals, I think they thought that, that was it. No need to cater to us anymore cos us passengers can be really bothersome.

Many passengers on CX 692 pressed the call button to request for water or other things but the man in charge switched off all the call lights without even bothering to ask if we needed anything.

Shut my eyes although I really needed a glass of water at one point.

Such a damper to the nice meal we had enjoyed earlier.

Hui Lau Shan, Sai Yeong Choi Street South

Hong Kong people seem to have a love for everything mango and where better to start than at Hui Lau Shan.

The mango variety that they use is extremely fragrant. Reminds me of the apple mangoes that we have back home growing in our gardens . But I am sure they do not source it from us. I think they use either Philippines or Thai mangoes for this purpose.

This is one of the more popular outlets . Have seen other branches with bigger seating spaces, yet somehow they don't do so well nor attract or pack in the crowds like this one does.

If  you cannot read chinese, the mock ups right at the entrance would prove to be most helpful .

Get yourself a table first.

It's elbow room in this very cramped, tiny shoplot yet nobody seems to mind.

Go through the menu and see what you would like to try.

Signal to the waiter for assistance once you have a rough indication on what you want.

You will not regret ordering the gorgeous looking dish called Mango Fiesta.

There is a heavenly mango ice cream sitting on top of a bed of spiced caramalised cooked fresh fibrous fruit (either a pear or apple I think), hinged by a wall of chocolate wafer.

In the centre is a creamy cake sandwiched by layers of silky smooth mango slices with texture similar to canned peaches.

While the last combines large balls of sago,with cubed fruit and 2 different types of puree .

Goes so well with each other.

This drink, whatever the combination you choose, is to die for.

Inside are dollops of a melt in your mouth kind of jelly, meant to cool you down during the hot summer months.

Behind this is a plastic container where you can get your spoons. It's on every table

Lastly we ordered this too because we noticed all the locals having one on their table.

Only after ordering did we realise we should have told the waiter that we wanted the one with mango ice cream inside. But no worries, this mango overdose was good too !

Again, it consists of the awesomely fragrant puree and delicious mango cubes but the only difference this time is , it has small sago seeds like what we get in our bubur cha cha.

When you're done, take the order slip to the counter.

All these desserts cost us around RM$50 in total.

Worth every cent.

I heard that they have opened up a shop here in One Utama and Berjaya Times Square, but I haven't tried it yet.

Anyway, it is always best to try at the source so you know what the fuss is all about.

Penang Airport

In case there was a horrible jam, we decided to leave at 5.30 am. Apparently lots of people thought the same too and I was amazed to see it crowded at that hour thronging the Penang airport.

Our tickets from Cathay Pacific. Thank goodness did not have to wait too long as most were jammed up at the Air Asia counters.

Our destination ? Hong Kong !

Hungry but ended up with the shittiest breakfast at Mc Donalds. The muffin top was hard,chewy and so tough and we just gave up and left it aside .

The restaurant is located just next to the most disgusting toilet in Penang airport that looks like a bus station's washroom . Try not to use if possible or you'll end up loosing your appetite.

So we lined up, went through the immigration and then stumbled upon this.

Segregation of the sexes . Such a no brainer unless they really like to indulge in frisking.

There is a delay . Thus ended up with this pic . Notice that I am not using a filter, the effect comes from the spots on the never cleaned window. Gross.

Not long before I come face to face with this screen.

Look at the time. Ok not too bad. 3 over hours is better than 24 hours with a row of crying babies.

Travel Time

The weather is forecasted to be rainy on the first 3 days of our arrival . Averaging between 25 to 30. Hot !

Much as I prefer to come here during CNY, who am I to complain right ?

Been here a total of 4 times yet never once have I found it boring. This one makes it the fifth.

Definitely need an umbrella or two. Light showers expected.

Haven't even packed, yet I can still find time to tap away at the keyboard. Cheesed off with myself and how I prioritise things at times.

Passport. Tickets. Hotel voucher. Money changer.

Taking a break for now.

Village Coffeeshop - World's Deadliest Tomyam

When we heard another patron holler for a Pink Lady today, we followed suit.  This ended up in front of us.

Stirred the leong fun jelly, syrup, evap milk, canned sweetcorn together.

It's basically an icey cold hybrid between air bandung and a rich ice kacang drink.

Super cold,super nice refreshment for a super hot day.

The drink acts as a kind of tongue extinguisher,in case you go ahead and order the world's deadliest Tom yam served here.

Seriously, if cannot stand chillies , this is NOT advisable.

Even if you do, Village's tom yam will give you a reeducation on what HOT really means. 

The spiciness of this dish is on a pyscho scale, meant only for the suicidal.

But I still like to get a little risky and put my life on the line, every now and then.

Cooked with instant noodles, quails eggs, meatballs, mushrooms .

Of course, you can always opt for the plain soupy version with fish meat and other 'safehouse' ingredients.

Not to worry.

Most Penangites will be too busy manouvering around their volcanic bowl of death , and will turn a blind eye to your sheer cowardice.

The deep fried sandpiper is another must order here.

Good if you need to catch your breath.

As eating the Tomyam is like running like the wind away from a man eating tiger, on the edge of a jagged cliff.

Total : no more cheap nowdays. Cost us $34 for 3 bowls of noodles and 4 small sandpipers. Not inclusive of drinks

Location : Weld Quay

Chowtime : Lunch to 10pm

Directions : Turn left from the ferry terminal, go straight.  Towards the end of the clan jetty area, keep a lookout on your left for a green signboard.

Bee Hooi, supper time

It's 10pm and business is still going full swing 

The assam laksa is my favourite.

I think they use a certain amount of sardines here, but I don't mind because they're extremely generous with the vegies such as mint, cucumber,lettuce, bunga kantan and onions.

Yum !

Popiah sold by the same seller has a fantabulously thin membrane for the skin .

Filled to the brim with sweet turnips, chopped omelette, carrots and very tasty filletted small prawns.

Never dunk mine in sauce. The operator obliges.

A bowl of Loh Mee.

Doesn't really need introduction as this stall is already famous.

Hardly draws a huge crowd because the opening hours are reliable, supplies never run out and fans pour in slow and steady from evening till night.

In case you don't fancy such sticky noodles, you can try out the tender Chicken feet that are also sold by the same person.

Something different for a change.

Location : Pulau Tikus

Directions : from Berjaya Midlands hotel, go towards the direction of town. Pass by a church on your left. Look out for a Hong Leong bank on your right. The coffeeshop is on your right

Chowtime : 6pm to 11pm

Sin Lean Heang, Block 360

It's not that easy locating Sin Lean Heang at first try as every block of flat looks almost the same. But it's certainly worth the effort when you finally find it.

We don't come here often as waiting time is excrutiating. But when we do have the time, we always order the Fried Glass Noodles .

This is the best, that you can find up here in the north. Nobody cooks this better than them.

An extravagant dish cooked with fish meat, oysters, sawi, egg white, prawn and pork. Such a lipsmacking experience.

Their most famous dish is the very humble Taukwa with leeks. They have elevated it to another level altogether which nobody can immitate.

You will be rather surprised to discover that the tofu is soft rather than hard, very fragrant, with equally delicious garlicky sauce and the leeks do not have that strong smell associated to stir fried leeks.

Real Ho Liau dish that should never be underestimated.

Oyster Mee or Oh Mee is up next.

Oh my god, I Love this so much I would drink up all the sauce if no one were watching.

This is the average size of the fresh juicy local oysters that goes into every noodle based dish here. Bursting point !

Location :  Gat Lebuh Macallum

Directions : coming out from the ferry terminal , turn left, follow the road till you see a road sign that says Harbour Trade Centre. Turn left at the traffic light immediately after that sign, pass by a D'Orient Mall on your left. When you come to the end of the block, turn right. Continue straight to the end, to the last block of flats. When you see Star City Foodcourt start looking for parking. Best to walk into the flat area.

Chowtime : Lunch till around 4pm

Contact : 04-262 6954