Eating spree ~1 day trip to Singapore; 19 July 2012

Left Subang at 6.30am en-route for Singapore. This time, we drove instead of riding as weather has been quite unpredictable lately. We arrived at Ayer Hitam for breakfast at 8.15am. Rocker57 took me to an outlet that sells the best "pao/pau/pow" (chinese dumplings) in Ayer Hitam. The outlet has had press releases & came highly recommended by Rocker57's colleague. Welcome to Tang Chuan Coffee Shop....

Tang Chuan coffee shop

 To locate Tang Chuan, from PLUS highway exit to Ayer Hitam/Kluang/Batu Pahat. After the toll, take a left turn at the traffic light. Go straight, if you pass KFC, then you are on the right track. The shop is located after the first traffic light (second shop on your left). From toll to shop is about 1-2km. If you pass the post office, then you have surpassed the shop and is on your way to Batu Pahat!!!

They only have 1 menu! Big Pao (dumpling), lor-mai kai (steamed glutinous rice cooked with chicken, pork & Chinese sausages) 2-3 types of pao and few assorted dimsum. We ordered the big Pao, a 'choy'/vegy pao and steam pork ribs cooked in bean paste sauce & two cups of black coffee NEAT!

Big Pao on left, vegy pao with red dot & pork ribs in red.

My personal opinion? The big pao was a disappointment. As in the size! It was a tad bigger than normal pao(see picture)...haiz what a bummer!! The pork ribs was a let down. Those served across Malaysia is light brown in color but this was reddish! Taste wise, a 3.5 over 10, bony and not fleshy. Taste wise for the big pao was mediocre, no WOW no WAH...just a hmmmm effect. The vegy pao fillings were chunky and coarse. Taste wise, passable. Coffee OK. For that, we paid under RM7. Will I come back again? NO. Why not you visit and make your own judgement? And then tell me about it?

The Pao when opened

We proceeded from Ayer Hitam to Johor Baru taxi stand, approx 45mins drive. A quick fill of the immigration form, and we were off to Singapore for RM15 cab fare per person. Arrived at Shenton Way, Singapore around 11am. We ate an early lunch just across SGX center, Jewel coffee. We ordered two sandwiches (BLT & Chicken), Americano coffee & fresh orange juice which costed us SGD27-80.

two types of sandwiches, juice & coffee for two persons.

I enjoyed the meal. It was simple, filling & healthy. By the way, the coffee is for the 'addict'. While eating, we observed that the pace in Singapore was ease, unlike KL where people are often seen rushing!!! Girls were swinging their handbags...try doing that in Malaysia & you will be going to the police station shortly to report of snatch thief! One feel safe in S'pore, reported as one of the safest places in the world. We left for M'sia immediately after lunch. Cab fare from Bee San St (Bugis area) to JB taxi stand is SGD10 per head.

We were in JB by 12.30pm, so we decided against staying overnight. We headed to Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) to check out this much publicized shopping 'haven' for premium products at attractive discounted rates. Upon arrival, it started pouring cats & dogs. Firstly, the venue of JPO is isolated with no amenities nearby. We had trouble locating the place & got there by chance just when we were about to give up trying. The place is huge but lack proper shelter, too much of an open space concept. Air-conditioners available only in retail outlets. To get around the whole area, be prepared to get some water 'showers' here & there! 

JPO Directory

The selection of the premium outlets are a handful; with limited choices of things to sell. Prices even at discounted rates are beyond reach even for average income earners. In my opinion, located at the southern part of Malaysia, it can only attract Singaporeans & the rich Indonesians. Local affluent class will not travel all the way down just for some discounts, I think they would rather wait till SALE time :)     Based on my guesstimate, JPO will become a white elephant in 2-3 years if nothing is done to draw more visitors apart from tourists & those I mentioned. More needs to be done to sustain & prolong the business.

As always, we paused for Hi-Tea. What else but ride & eat or drive & eat! Yes! Glutton to the MAX! (You think I don't know what you are thinking? Hehehe...) Guilty as charged! Nice cosy western restaurant named George & Dragon. Hi-Tea comes with a drink, 2 toasts (choice of sandwiches), 2 scones with butter/jam/margarin for RM17++. We ordered a set plus an imported sparkling apple juice. YES! Coffee for the 'addict' - Yes, AGAIN?!?!?! Bill came to RM32. We liked the toasts very much & I relished the imported juice.

Later, we drove into Cheng, Melaka to check out some stuff. A journey we deeply regret as we were caught in the frenzy after office hours traffic jam! We were stuck for almost an hour plus. After a short stay, we headed home via Alor Gajah way, then re-tracked into PLUS highway via Alor Gajah/Tampin exit. We arrived at Taipan, Subang at 9pm. All in all, we have travelled over 700km, visited 3 places & spent about 15 hours on the road! Phew! Dead beat! 

Will we do it again? Why not? We love to eat & we love travelling....what is there not to love when two 'old' love-birds are still very much in love, right? Right ON!!! Check out my next blog on two of the best places to eat and what to pack home from Seremban :)

Until then...stay safe, ride safe and eat well!

Chicken toast & egg & ham toast

Scones & juice