Passion for Nice Food

I like to eat. Tonight I happened to find a great fusion restaurant in Auchenflower. The name is Hanabi, and you can find it at 28 Grimes St, Auchenflower. I tried the Blue Soft Shell Crab, which was very well presented and delicious. The Apple Custard Rolls and Double Choc Beano with Mochi has the best choc topping on it. Other recommended items: Sushi Seafood Garden, Salamon Island, Seared Miso Scallops, and Fireworks Salad with Eel. I think it's worth going there with friends (or a special someone), because the atmosphere and presentation is very interesting. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something special for dinner.

Feasting in Malaysia

Just had a good breakfast today at Kedai Kopi Tong Fung, a coffee shop at Inanam. The most recommended menu is fish soup noodle #1, fried sepang fish with soy sauce, and oyster omelette. We had other things as well, and the bill came up to RM$30 per head. Using chicken rice as a benchmark, the same dish would cost around AU$70 per person in Melbourne. But in real terms, it only costs us around AU$10. I'm sure I've had more expensive dishes before, but my personal record (that I paid for) was around AU$80-90 per person for entree and main course lunch beside Brisbane River with a best friend.

Weekend Market

I arrived at Kamphaeng Phet MRT station at 3pm, and I couldn't believe my eyes! Chatuchak market is huge, probably the largest market that I've ever been to. Victoria market fades in comparison. I can't stress enough how big this place is - you'd be better off doing a quick search on google.

What I found interesting:
Puppies of exotic breeds for 1400 baht each. A little boy around 4 years old playing traditional musical instrument. Another boy playing musical instrument like bass guitar, but only 3 strings. A teenager playing rock music through a speaker, and pretending to play an electric guitar made of styrofoam. A young girl dancing like Britney Spears. A guy juggling soccer ball in all sorts of positions (raising funds to go to Europe for a competition). Hello kitty ice cream stall (the ice cream girls were wearing hello kitty ears). A guy dressed up as a high school girl, thick white make up, and singing weird songs. Lots of offensive/aggresive T-shirts. Plants and pots, and matching decorations. Beautiful celebrity selling clothes and collecting donations for AIDS victims (the patrons were more interested in taking her pictures than buying from her). Lots of jewelleries, antiques, local delicacies, clothes, home decor, books, toys, mobile phone pouch and accesories, car accesories, Thai ornaments, silk clothes, and many more that I can't explain with words or simply/intentionally forgot (I'm exhausting my vocabulary now).

I've tried feasting at Fuji Restaurant and Zen, so tonight I concluded my Japanese feastathon with buffet at Kuroda. We had countless rounds of fresh salmon sashimi, and I know that many of you are jealous already by now, so I'll just finish by saying that my friends couldn't finish their desserts.

More Singapore

This is the day that that Lord has made :) I'll be glad and rejoice in it.

Started with chee kuay omelette for breakfast. Fasting for lunch, preparing myself for Thailand. More fruitful business discussions. Yeah, I'm tired now. Don't feel like elaborating.

Dinner: HALLELUYAH!! Met up with Celeste and Swee Lin at Newton Circus (but it's not a circus). I walked around, and I noticed that the stalls offer similar products. Boring. I heard that it's renovated, and not as good as it used to be. I ordered sambal stingray, but it never came. No revenge for Steve Irwin. No, I'm not supposed to revenge, but love Steve's enemy. I love stingray :D~

We had satay, mutton soup, crayfish, oyster omelette, and HUGE serving of ice kachang and durian chendol. Beautifully complimented with sugar cane drink.

My burden for Singapore is that there's too many distractions that draws people away from God. People are so busy chasing career and entertainment that they forget about the One who provided the blessings. And people forgot about others, especially those who are less fortunate.

Even in church.

I visited Shawn and Christine at their new apartment, and I had a good time of fellowship and sharing with them. This couple is very precious in my life. Shawn, thank you for your prayer and affirmation. God Bless.

No pretty food pictures today, I'm so tired, and I have to get ready for a morning flight. Oyasuminasai~~~

Singapore Sling

Last night I arrived safe and sound in the Land of Merlion! So much has changed, and I'd better not write any political statements here, otherwise I may get banned from entering this country. I graduated from St Joseph's Institution in 1994, and Catholic Junior College in 1996, before moving on to Brisbane. And I still visit this country a few times per year.

Before coming to Singapore, I had a desire to take photos of every single food that I eat. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Before I realise it, the food is already teleported into my bottomless pit. I had Nasi Lemak and Curry Puffs (potatoes and rendang) for brekky. Then I went for a casual business meeting, and ventured into Northpoint Shopping Centre at Yio Chu Kang for Teppanyaki with my ex - church friend, Zeslyn. This unit leader at City Harvest is due to get married on 30th September, so those who intend to get invited, please voice out your interest as soon as possible.


At the spur of the moment, she sold me out to Jean Yip, and transformed my hairstyle. I think they literally used a mini lawnmower, cos now my hair looks like grass. Spiky and short. At least it's still black. As a consolation (just kidding, actually I look better, not so 'uncle' anymore), she treated me to Kue Lopis with palm sugar dip from Cold Storage, and silken barley drink from Ya Kun toast. I thought I had a fruitful day already, but someone else proved me wrong. The best was yet to come!

I had the chance to meet up with sister Rae Hong. She happened to be in Singapore, and we had such a great dinner that I forgot to take a picture of it. Curious? Go to Food Republic at Wisma, and get Fried Prawn Noodles from Thye Hong. The oyster omelette is irresistable too. We had supper at Breeks@Taka , and I ordered brownies with cheese topping. Remember to ask for mild cheese, cos the original one is yucky with brownies. Too strong! We had such a good time sharing Gospel and Gossips, but we had to call it a night. A good night.

Cooking Class

This morning we had our fourth Cooking Class, organised by the Pastoral Department of Hope Christian Church Melbourne. I had the privilege to wake up early to buy the ingredients from Preston Market. There were too many distractions there; lots of delicious breakfast (and hot chocolate), chinese groceries, and fresh produce at bargain prices. Not to mention the meat & seafood section. That's Major YUMMM!!! I can talk for hours on this...

Anyway, we started pretty much on time today, and our Master Chef, Ms Sorada Kaiyarach (M), prepared breakfast for us. Nothing special, just pork floss + chilli soy bean paste on toasted soy & linseed sandwich. Double portion. How's that for breakfast? :D Suddenly, I realised that she finished her preparations as well! Feeding 3 hungry guys and getting ready for the cooking club - that's what I call skill.

All of us had a chance to learn how to prepare the ingredients, such as the professional way of cutting spring onions. I'm so proud of TOTO, he's a young boy on a short holiday in Melbourne, and he took the opportunity to learn how to cook korean dish. I can see him growing into a challenger of Iron Chef in the future. Just look at the way he chopped the spring onions!

We had Bulgogi and Kimchi Soup on the menu. We got the butcher at the market to slice the meat into thin slices, and the kimchi was already refrigerated when we came. For safety reasons, kids were not allowed near the stove. I simply couldn't wait for M to finish cooking.. And it's so delicious, the meat was just nice, and the kimchi soup was... oh, so AWESOME! How can I describe it? Feels like heaven on earth! Well, not quite. The rice cake could be better. Make sure you buy a better brand.

There's no substitute for experiencing this first hand. Book your calendar, the next cooking class is in 2 months' time. We had a great time of fellowship and playing Uno, Uno Stacko and Go (Five in a row). Don't worry, everybody is welcome! Even if you are just after the food (like myself). Please RSVP to me so that we have enough food for everybody.