Johor Bahru (JB) Day Trip Dec 2011

Last month my partner and I went to Johor Bahru for a day trip just to revel in shopping and the local food. We took the train to Kranji MRT station and then transfer to SBS bus 170 that took us to the Singapore immigration checkpoint at the causeway. After clearing the immigration and custom at Singapore side, you need to queue again for the bus to bring you to Johor Bahru. Some people may get confuse with the queue but taking either SBS bus 160 or 170 from this stage onwards is the same. Just hop on to whichever comes first and it will bring you to Malaysia, Johor Bahru immigration checkpoint.

Curry Chicken Noodle

Chicken Redang with Rice

We have a quick lunch at JB Sentral Mall which is conveniently connected to the JB immigration checkpoint. We had Curry Chicken Noodle and Chicken Redang at one of the basement cafes. After lunch, we walked back to the bus interchange at the JB immigration checkpoint to take bus S1 to the new KLS City Mall. We paid $1.50 ringgit per pax and the bus alight us at the entrance of the mall. Same fee and place to take the bus back to the JB immigration checkpoint.

After shopping and doing pedicure at KLS City Mall, we took a taxi from KLS City Mall to 大马巴杀 to have Zi Char at 文记野味海鲜 (Restoran Mun). Taxi fee is about $8 Ringgit. If you are familiar with JB, actually it is within walking distance from KLS City Mall to 大马巴杀.

Can you guess what are these? You will see it at most of the stalls there. They are called Beggar Chicken.

Beggar Chicken

If you order the Beggar Chicken, the server will crack out the clay with a hammer and chisel. Not sure why the Malaysian called it the Beggar Chicken but it tasted similar to the Herbal Chicken in Singapore.

Black Hokkien Mee

Black Hokkien Mee is probably one of the signature noodle Malaysian dish that every Singaporean would order whenever they visit Malaysia as we hardly find it in Singapore. The Black Hokkien Mee here is pretty sinful as it was fried in a plate full of pork lards.

Sambal Tapioca Leaves

A simple vegetable dish but the Sambal Tapioca Leaves was well done with a good balance of spiciness.

Ceral Crayfish

We just got to order the Creal Crayfish as almost every table was having it. If you have a chance to visit the place, this is a best order dish.

Yum Cha Garden Restaurant @ Serangoon Garden Country Club

Last Saturday my gf and I met up with with Maureen, Charlene and their partners for dinner at Yum Cha Garden Restaurant. I never knew that there is another Yum Cha restaurant at Serangoon Garden Country Club beside the Chinatown branch. Whats important, Yum Cha Garden Restaurant is open to the public.

Sake Tapino 4.5/5

We were here to try the Sake Tapino which comes in 2 sizes at $78 (for 2-4 pax) and $156 (for 6-8 pax). I thought the ingredients will be cooked in a pot of solely Sake Soup but I was wrong. Actually the Sake Tapino uses pork bone soup as it base and a bottle of Sake was poured into it.

We opt for the waitress to prepare the Sake Tapino for us. First serving was Kurobuta Pork in a bowl of strong Sake flavour soup. Second serving the Sake flavour was milder and we had tofu, prawn and cabbage. Lastly, a bowl of udon in soup to wrap up the Sake Tapino feast.

Prawn and Beancurd Skin Pancake 4/5

We actually ordered the 6 pax set menu which comes with the Signature Pomfret Tapino. The restaurant was kind enough for us to swap for the Sake Tapino. Beside the Sake Tapino, the menu came with Prawn and Beancurd Skin Pancake. It is basically prawn paste stuffed in beancurd skin and fried to a golden brown.

Wine Sauce Chicken in Hot Stone 3/5

Next we have the Wine Sauce Chicken served in Hot Stone. This is the only dish we did not finish as the sauce was a bit salty. The chicken meat was also tough and dry.

Black Pepper Crab 4.2/5

Singaporean loves crab and so do I. It has been a while since I have the Black Pepper Crab. Miss the fragrant and punch from the crushed black pepper.

Homemade Tofu with Mushrooms and Vegetables 4.5/5

When I walked into the restaurant, I noticed a lot of people having the Homemade Tofu with Mushrooms and Vegetables. Yum Cha's homemade tofu is really smooth and silky. A best try dish.

Braised Eefu Noodle 4/5

Like a typical wedding dinner, the second last course was a noodle dish. We had Braised Eefu Noodle with mushroom and conpoy.

Mango Sago Pomelo 4.2/5

Actually we were all feeling a bit hot near the end of the dinner probably effect from the Sake soup. The chill and refreshing Mango Sago Pomelo dessert helped to cool down our body temperature.


Yum Cha Garden Restaurant
Serangoon Garden Country Club
22 Kensington Park Road
Singapore 557271
Website: http://www.yumcha.com.sg
Nearest MRT: Lorong Chuan (CC Line), Serangoon (NE Line, CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9am - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Lorong Chuan MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at New Tech Park (Stop ID 66021). Take Bus 73. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to Serangoon Garden Country Club. Journey time about 15mins.

2) Alight at Serangoon MRT station. Take Exit B or E. Walk to bus stop at Serangoon Central (Stop ID 66351). Take Bus 315. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Serangoon Garden Country Club. Journey time about 15mins.