Tag: food

The Top 7 Places to Eat in Rome

From pastas to pizzas to delectable desserts, here are the top 7 places to eat in Rome.

1) Trattoria Dell’OMO

This family-owned trattoria is located very conveniently near Termini Station. I almost walked past it at night as I couldn’t see the sign and it seemed pretty quiet outside. But surprisingly, there were a lot of diners inside. The pasta was delicious and the cheese complemented the tomato sauce. While I was there, I saw a lot of locals eating this leafy vegetable dish called cicoria and I decided to give it a try. At first I thought it was something closely related to spinach but I found out that it is actually dandelion greens. The taste was quite unique, a little bitter but not unpleasant. I also loved the atmosphere of the place. They made the effort to go around asking people if they were happy with their meals. This place is a restaurant you must visit for traditional roman food.

Hours:      12:30 pm – 03:00 pm, 07:30 pm – 10:45 pm, closed on Sundays

Website:    http://www.trattoriadellomoroma.com

Address:    Via Vicenza, 18, 00185 Roma RM, Italy


2) Ba’ Ghetto

While looking for Jewish-Romanian food, I stumbled across Ba’ Ghetto.

As I wanted to try as many dishes as possible, I opted for their tasting menu. After some consideration, I went with the first option – Antico Ghetto as I knew I wanted to try the artichokes.

The appetizer – fried zucchini and anchovies pie, was really unique. It was mushy and seasoned well. The artichoke was crispy on the outside with a soft center – it was rather tasty. The pasta was not too soft nor too hard, it was cooked really well. And lastly, the dessert was a great end to all the dishes before. Overall, I was really satisfied with everything. Not only were the portions satisfactory, they tasted really good!

Hours:        11:00 am – 11:00 pm, Fridays 11:00 am – 03:00 pm, Saturday 07:00 pm – 11:30 pm

Website:    https://www.baghetto.com/en/

Address:    Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 2/A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

3) La Renella Forno Antico Trastevere

After reading rave reviews about La Renella Forno Antico Trastevere, I finally visited it. I was spoiled for choices, everything looked so delicious. The pizza I loved the most was the one with the parma ham and the most unique pizza to me was the one with the zucchini flowers. Pizzas were sold according to weight and it was really affordable for large portions. Besides the pizzas, I tried a Cannoli. It was decadent and really rich. If you are looking for the best pizzas in Rome, look no further, you have to come here!

Hours: 07:00 am – 12:00 am, Fridays and Saturdays 07:00 am – 03:00 am

Website: https://larenella.com/en/

Address: Via del Moro, 15, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

4) Supplizio

Supplì is a quintessential part of Roman street food. In its most basic form, it is a fried ball of rice with tomato sauce and mozzarella. Where better to try this than to try it at a place aptly named Supplizio. I decided to try the classic version of the Supplì and I liked it very much. The outside is crispy while the insides were soft and well seasoned. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants to try Supplì.

Hours:        11:30 am – 16:00 pm and 16:30 pm – 22:00 pm, closed on Sundays

Website:    https://www.supplizioroma.it/en

Address:    Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 143 – 00186 – Rome

5) Pasticceria Regoli

After seeing multiple pictures of the fluffy humongous whipped cream filled Maritozzos, I was convinced that I had to try it.  What I really liked about it was that it wasn’t too sweet, making it possible to eat one whole Maritozzo in one sitting. I even ate another pastry that was filled with whipped cream right after the Maritozzo. However, two was my limit.

Hours:        06:30 am – 08:20 pm, closed on Tuesdays

Website:    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pasticceria-Regoli-dal-1916/218792384850472

Address:    Via dello Statuto, 60, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

6) Pompi Tiramisù

While searching for the best food in Rome, Pompi Tiramisu was mentioned quite a few times. And I’m glad I decided to give it a try. While they had a variety of flavors to choose from, I decided to go with the traditional tiramisu. The texture was creamy and the flavors were bold, I thoroughly enjoyed eating it.

Hours: 11:00 am – 09:30 pm

Website: https://barpompi.it/

Address: Via della Croce, 82, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

7) Giolitti

While there are many places that sell Gelato in Rome, Giolitti is a place you have to visit. The queue started outside the store but it moved quickly. However, once you reach the part where you get to choose your flavors, the orderly line disappears as everyone is crowding around the display to get their orders heard. It was all worth it as the Gelato was so creamy and delicious – definitely the best Gelato I’ve ever had.

Hours:        07:00 am – 01:00 pm

Website:    http://www.giolitti.it/en/

Address:    Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

These were the places I thought served the most delicious food in Rome. Let me know in the comments whether you have tried any of the food listed above and if you liked them!

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People and Places – Industrial Chic Cafe @ Taman Mount Austin Johor

People and Places is a cafe tucked away in the industrial area of Taman Mount Austin. When you are about to reach this cafe, don’t be deceived by the industrial buildings and think that you have come to the wrong place – just follow the signs and you will get there.

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It is also a cafe once visited by the legendary Jay Chou. So fans of Jay Chou, if you want to step where he has stepped, visit this cafe. 

When we went in the afternoon around 1 plus, we had to wait just a short moment before we could get seated.

Dishes are priced reasonably and there’s good variety.

The first dish we ordered was the Englishman’s Breakfast at 29 RM. We also added an additional side of smoked salmon at 7 RM. Each component of this dish was done well: the hash-browns were crispy and salty, the sausage and mushrooms were juicy, the beef bacon was not too fatty, the brioche and scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, the tomatoes were grilled nicely, the smoked salmon was flavorful and the baked beans sauce added a little extra flavor to the dish. The only thing I wished they had that could make this dish even more successful is having more sauce. I would have liked maybe the option of having ketchup or chili sauce or perhaps even more baked beans sauce.  

The second dish we ordered was the Mushroom Risotto at 28 RM. The rice was soft and creamy and the mushrooms with the addition of truffle oil added an earthy taste to the dish. However, overall I just feel that the dish could have been more developed. I would think the use of wild mushrooms, truffle oil and Parmesan cheese would elevate the dish but somehow the taste was a little flat to me. It was neither good nor bad.

We also ordered a watermelon mojito. While there is no alcohol in the drink, it was very refreshing.

Overall, I love the ambiance of People and Places. It gave a very young, modern and chic vibe – a good place for networking. The food was affordable and it was not too bad. I would definitely come back again to try their other dishes!

Hours: 10:00 am – 06:00 pm

Website: https://www.facebook.com/peopleandplacescafe/

Address: 6, Jalan Kencana Emas 2/3, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau 3, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

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Quality Western Food by Common Grill @ Hougang

Common Grill by Collins serves quality western food at relatively affordable prices. Situated at a coffee shop in Hougang, the stall even has its own cordoned off area just for the stall which makes you feel like you are eating at a restaurant.

The menu is beautifully put together and the information is compiled nicely so it’s easy to order. Step 1 – Protein, Step 2 – Carb, Step 3 – Sides and Step 4 – Sauce. 

We ordered the Garlic Bread at $3.50 as our extra side. The taste of the buttery garlic was strong and the french baguette was toasted nicely.

As usual, I always liked to try different things all at once. Thus I settled for the Mixed Grill at $15 which consisted of a sausage, chicken and pork. The sausage did not taste anything out of the ordinary. The pork was tender and juicy even though I thought it looked a little dry. Lastly, the chicken was grilled nicely and was rather flavorful.

My carb was sweet potato fries. They were heavenly! The outer coating was a little crispy, the insides were soft and the seasoning was on point. Very yummy!

My sides were eggplant and sunny side egg. The eggplant was oily and flavorful and the sunny side egg was a sunny side egg. Haha.

Lastly, I chose Italian herb as my sauce. It was ok but I wished I could have tried more of them.

Our second main was the Angus Sirloin at $15 . We requested for the cook to be medium. The beef was very tender and juicy even though it was more well done then what we would usually go for which was medium rare. The seasoning of the beef was also done perfectly where it was not overpowering.

The carb was spaghetti aglio olio. The seasoning was abundant but not too excessive where it was too salty or too spicy. It was good!

The sides were a sunny side Egg and a 62 °c Egg. Basically, it is a poached egg but cooked at that exact temperature. Just for interest, I did a quick google search on poached eggs and it seems like the number 63 popped up the most. The texture was pretty good, the white was soft and gooey and the yolk was runny.

The sauce chosen was the same as the above.

Overall, I liked the food at Common Grill – restaurant quality at an affordable price. Out of the two mains, I preferred the Angus Sirloin, my favorite carb was the Sweet Potato Fries and the best side for me was the eggplant. If you eat there, tell me your favorite dish in the comments section below!

Hours: 11am – 9:30pm

Website: www.collins.sg

Address: BLK 21 HOUGANG ST 51, #01-51 HOUGANG GREEN SHOPPING MALL, S(538719)

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10 Unique things to do in Bangkok Thailand

1) Visit the Abandoned Airplane Graveyard

When will you ever have a chance to explore an abandoned Boeing airplane ever in your life? Well now you get to have your chance. It is not a place where you have to secretly crawl through a fence or climb over one. It is as simple as giving 200B to the family who lives at the grounds. While 200B may seem like too much for a place that is supposedly abandoned, perhaps you can treat it as a donation to the family.

Address: 13.764812 100.652406, Khwaeng Hua Mak, Khet Bang Kapi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10240, Thailand

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2) Walk around Khlong Toey Market

If you want to get off the tourist path and experience real local life, visit Khlong Toey Market. Immerse yourself in the sights and smells and enjoy every moment of it. Besides selling the usual produce, you can also find eels, turtles, ant eggs, water bugs, silkworms and snails.

Hours: 6 am – 2pm

Address: 1 Kasem Rat Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khet Khlong Toei, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10110, Thailand

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3) Eat insects at Insects in the Backyard

If you are afraid to eat insects, maybe this restaurant will change your mind. Insects in the Backyard transforms your everyday insects such as ants, silkworms, bamboo worms and crickets into fine dining dishes. Every dish is carefully thought out and incorporates the insects in a tasteful way. Not only did they look creepily nice, they tasted great as well. Do not let the idea of insects scare you away from trying them.

Hours: 2pm-11pm , closed on wednesdays

Address:  Chang Chui Market – 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd, Khwaeng Bang Phlat, Khet Bang Phlat, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700

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4) See animals at the animal section of Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak market is known for being one of the world’s largest weekend markets. It is easy to get lost in rows and rows of stalls. But, if you manage to make your way to the animal section, you will be rewarded with interesting sights. Snakes, rodents, dogs, cats, tortoises, beavers, lizards, rabbits – you can find almost any animal that they think are capable of being pets.

Hours: Weekends 9 am – 6 pm

Address: Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd, Khwaeng Lat Yao, Khet Chatuchak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand

5) Try to get in Sathorn Unique Tower

I have always liked going to abandoned places and after watching the show “The Promise”, I really wanted to see the tower. I read online that you could bribe the security guards to go inside but recently however, this practice has stopped. Also, some said that you could try jumping from a nearby building to get in but, I didn’t have the guts to do it. So if you are daring enough to take the plunge, you might be able to get in. If not, you’ll just be like me – admiring from the outside.

Address: 266/14-15, Soi Siam Square 3, Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, 10330, Thailand

6) Take a picture at the Abandoned Train Cemetery

Follow the tracks moving north from Bang Sue Station and you will reach the cemetery. To get there, you will have to cross the train tracks and that is an adventure by itself. Make sure to look out for trains coming from either direction and make your way quickly over. Also, climb over the fence if you want to take a closer look but be careful of anyone patrolling the area.

Address:104/35 Soi Liap Thang Rotfai, Bang Sue, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10900, Thailand

7) Eat Goong Ten at Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin

Goong Ten literally translates to “dancing shrimps”. The name is aptly given as the shrimps will move in your mouth because you will be eating them alive. You will be scared at first but the shrimps die pretty quickly after they are taken out of the water – so don’t worry too much about them moving around too much.

Hours: 5pm – 1am , closed on mon and tue

Address: ถนน ศรีนครินทร์ Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand

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8) Feed the catfishes in the Chao Phraya River

I really don’t know how many catfishes there are in the Chao Phraya River but I think they might have an overpopulation problem. It is easy to purchase fish food at the piers and you should be able to feed them anywhere along the river.

9) Eat Wattana Panich the “oldest” soup in Bangkok

This stall is about 60 years old and they have retained their soup in the wok every single night instead of throwing it away. While this may sound strange and maybe unhygienic, it is believed by the Chinese that the longer a wok has not be washed, the tastier and more flavorful the dish will be. We have tasted their beef soup and it tastes delicious.

Hours: 9 am to 9 pm (Closed on the last Monday of every month)

Address: 336-338 Soi Ekkamai 18, Sukumvith 63 Rd, Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana, Bangkok 10110

10) Visit the Slums

Khlong Toey Slums

Bang Sue Slums

Khlong Toey is one of the largest slums in the city. On the way to the train cemetery, we also discovered slum-liked settlements near Bang Sue train station,

Many of the people live illegally in these squatter settlements and most don’t own the homes they live in. In the 1950s, cheap labor was in demand and many people relocated to the capital. A rental system was established where the people moving in could settle on land at a low cost. However in the 1970s, landowners favored building condominiums and new developments and ceased to provide low housing costs. They also stopped collecting rent and without a payment system, these illegal squatter settlements continued to grow.

These people live in tin-roofed homes over polluted and stagnant water. The areas have also become more and more populated with houses being crammed right next to each other.

Do visit the slums to experience how some people can still be living in such conditions despite being in a modern and developed city like Bangkok.

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Top 9 things to do in Khao Yai Thailand

Khao Yai is often dubbed as the Switzerland of Thailand. Reasons being the cooler weather and picturesque surroundings. Here are the top 10 things to do in Khao Yai.

1) Khao Yai National Park

Go trekking in the jungles of Khao Yai national park and have an adventure you will never forget. Meet wildlife such as deer, woodlouse, leeches, monkeys and even wild elephants if you are really really lucky. Also, visit Haew Suwat Waterfall, the largest waterfall in the park. This waterfall was used in a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie “The Beach”.

Address: Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok 26000, Thailand

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2) Ban Mai Chay Nam Restaurant

This is one unique restaurant you will never forget. Besides being a restaurant, it is also a museum that has a collection of antiques, old chinaware, creepy looking dolls, old toys, figurines, statues, arcade machines etc. You can also have a go at playing the pinball machine and air hockey. Besides that, they serve delicious food. So many things to see and so many things to do!

Hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Address: 21, Mittaphap Road, Tambon Pak Chong, Amphoe Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30130, Thailand

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3) Mawmuek Cafe

If you love cats, you will absolutely love this place. For a small token such as buying a drink or a souvenir, you are allowed entry into the cafe. Besides playing with them, you can also purchase wet cat food to feed them. You will definitely have a great time here!

Hours: Tues – Fri 10:30am – 6pm, Sat – Sun 9:30am – 7pm, closed on Mon

Address: 146/1 ม .4 Palio Khaoyai ถนน ธนะรัชต์ Tambon Mu Si, Amphoe Pak Chong, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

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4) Primo Piazza

Primo Piazza combines stunning elegant Italian architecture with the beautiful backdrop of the mountains of Khao Yai. Get a chance to interact with the sheep and alpacas in this cozy farm by feeding them pandan leaves. While the alpacas are not allowed to roam freely perhaps due to their temperament, the sheep are able to do so. Besides visiting the animals, have a great time using the architecture to take beautiful photos.

Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Address: 861 Moo 6, Thanarat Road Tambol Nong Nam Daeng Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130

5) GranMonte Vineyard and Winery

We booked a tour with GrandMonte Vineyard and it was really fun and educational. Perhaps we went in the month with the highest rainfall thus we were the only participants for the tour and we were pretty happy about it. Our guide spoke English very well and she went though the different types of wine produced and the processes they have to undertake. While wine making isn’t something that is uncommon, what makes this place so special is that they found a way to make wine in a country that does not have a climate that is thought of as being suitable for making wine. Do visit them to learn how they did it.

Address: 52 MOO 9, Payayen, Pansuk-Kudkla Street, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30320, Thailand

6) Midwinter Green

Midwinter Green is a restaurant that looks like a magical castle. You will definitely feel like a prince or princess your own fairy tale once you step foot into the restaurant. Not only is the decor absolutely stunning, the food served was really scrumptious. Get really to be swept away by this amazing restaurant.

Hours: 10 am – 10 pm

Address: 10 88/88 Soi Ban Sai Thong Mu 24 Soi 2, Nong Nam Daeng, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

7) Wat Bu Pai

We initially did not plan to go here. But, on out way to Mister Mushroom, we passed by this temple and we were so impressed by the statue that we decided to stop and it was a great decision to do so. Coming here gave us a glimpse of local life. It was not a touristy destination and we did not see any other tourists. Besides visiting the beautiful temple, we walked through a local market that was right next to it. They had various amulets and trinkets, food, produce, clothes and even a blown up bouncy castle. If you want to visit a destination that is off the beaten path, make a trip here.

Address: 105 moo 5 Tambon Wang Nam Khiao, Amphoe Wang Nam Khiao, Chang Wat Nakhon Ratchasima 30370, Thailand

8)Mister Mushroom

Mister Mushroom is a hidden shopping paradise in Khao Yai. There are just so many mushroom related products that you can easily spend an hour deciding what to buy back. They have spreads, snacks, tea, moisturizers and even ice cream – all made from mushrooms. Even though they do not advertise any tours, if you are interested to see how the mushrooms are grown, just ask the staff if they are available to give you a tour of the farm when you are there.

Hours: 8 am – 5 pm

Address: 155 Moo 2, Sukklao, Tambon Tha Samakkee, Wang Nam Khieo, Nakhon Ratchasima 30370

9) The Chocolate Factory

The Chocolate Factory is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Not only can you buy chocolate products and eat chocolate cakes, you can even dine in their restaurant which serves an array of western and Thai cuisine.

Hours: Mondays – Thurs 9:30 am – 9 pm, Fri – Sun 9:30 am – 10 pm

Address: Pak Chong, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30130, Thailand

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Abang Gemuk serves yummy western food at Ang Mo Kio

Image credit: Abang Gemuk

Abang Gemuk opened on the 1st of October and when we visited it just 2 weeks after the opening, the coffee shop was packed with people waiting for their food! 

So many choices to choose from and at such an affordable price! After thinking for a long time we settled on trying Gemuk Grill which seems to be their signature dish and Black Pepper Chicken Chop. We had originally wanted to get the Half Chicken but unfortunately they did not have it that day.

We were told that the waiting time was 1.5 hours and it did come as a shock as we did see many tables waiting for their food but We didn’t know it would be this long. But since we were already there, we decided to wait.

Because we expected a 1.5 hours wait, it was an exciting moment when the food arrived within 45 mins.

Both dishes were pretty similar with the sauce and side dishes being the same. The only difference was that the Gemuk Grill had lamb and beef on top of the chicken. The sauce was thick and savory and the lamb and beef were tender to eat. But my favorite was the chicken! The skin was charred to perfection and we loved how the slight bitterness of the skin goes well with the sauce.

The sides were generous in portion. The fries were fried and seasoned well, the coleslaw was tasty and the bun was soft and fluffy.

Overall, the experience was a positive one. Yes the wait time was quite long but I’m sure this is just due to the store being relatively new, the food more than makes up for that. We would definitely visit again!

Hours: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm, closed on mondays

Website: https://www.facebook.com/abanggemukbyfattybombom/

Address: 446 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #01-1653 Singapore 560446

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Warakuya Japanese Restaurant: Delicious sashimi in Johor Bahru

Located just 5 mins across the Singapore-Malaysia border lies this hidden gem. On a typical weekday, there would be a queue outside this restaurant. While you wait, you can get yourself a free drink outside, a massage in a massage chair or just browsing through their menu deciding on what you want to order later. Unfortunately, there is no queue system here. While people outside kind of know who came first, the restaurant staff does not. They would randomly come out and ask anyone who is nearer to the door how many seats they needed. Thus if you are there and there is a queue, make sure to let a staff know that you are waiting and hopefully they will give u a seat. 

The decor is really elegant and creates a good atmosphere for eating.

Trying their sashimi is a must! Everything is super fresh and leaves a clean taste in your mouth. Be sure to go there early as sometimes they run out of certain types of sashimi.

Besides their sashimi, they serve other types of delicious food. Be sure to try their mentaiko pizza, unagi don, makis and crepes!

The mentaiko pizza had a crispy thin crust with a generous serving of mentaiko sauce. The unagi was extremely delicious, the use of miso paste in the don complemented the dish well. The maki was fried well which contributed to a crispy skin. The crispy skin and the soft rice went well together. Lastly, the soft shell crab crepe was yummy as well. The crepe was light and fluffy and the soft shell crab was fried perfectly.

At the end of the meal, they would serve a complimentary dessert pudding. I’ve tried yam flavored, coffee flavored and chocolate flavored puddings. Who knows what you might get, how exciting!

All in all, this restaurant serves good quality food at reasonable prices. Even though the lack of a queue system is a drawback, you will not regret trying their food!

Hours: 12pm – 11pm

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Warakuya-Japanese-Restaurant-Johor-Bahru-201231549891803/

Address: 43, Jalan Kuning 2, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

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Top 10 things to do in Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru

Image Credit: paradigmmall

Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, the largest regional mall in Johor Bahru, has been open for almost a year now and it has never stopped providing avenues for entertainment. It is located at the heart of the Skudai district just about 15.5km from woodlands checkpoint. There are over 500 outlets in the mall and here are the top 10 things you can do in Paradigm Mall.

1) Watch a movie at Golden Screen Cinemas Lot 01&02, Level 7

With 16 halls and a seating capacity of 2107, it is the largest cinema in Johor Bahru. It also is the first cinema to provide 4DX. 4DX employs the use of motion enabled chairs which create strong vibrations and sensations as well as environmental controls for simulation of weather conditions such as lighting, rain, fog and even strong scents.

Don’t miss out on this unique experience at Golden Screen Cinemas!

2) Rock climbing at Camp 5 Lot 08, Level 7

We had never thought about learning rock climbing till we came to paradigm mall; we would always pass by the place on the way to the cinema. However, one day, I just decided hey why don’t we try rock climbing? A quick search on the internet brought me to their website and I found out that in order to rock climb, we had to have at least a certificate in basic wall climbing – we went for the course. At first I was really really scared of falling down but the instructor was very patient and after a while I started to get used to the feeling of being high up. Now that we are more confident, we try to go rock climbing every alternate week!

Visit their website for more info.

https://camp5.com/paradigm-about.php

3) Ice Skating at Blue Ice Skating Rink Lot 30, Level 3

This was only our second time trying the ice skate and the last time we tried ice skating was probably almost 10 years ago. Entry into the ring is 25 Rm, you will need to have a pair of socks and gloves as well, if u don’t, it will be 5 Rm each. Rental of lockers is 2 Rm.

When I first stepped into the ice ring, it was really slippery and I gave up almost instantly. You see the blue seal that we’re holding on? I got it after a mere few seconds. It was really expensive though at 30 Rm per hour, but it helped me tremendously. At first, I thought the seal was just for children, but adults are welcome to use it as well. With the seal, I was able to experience what it was like to be on the ice and it later gave me more confidence to move around without it!

At 25 Rm for unlimited hours, it is a real bargain. I hope you will try it too!

https://www.facebook.com/blueiceskatingrink/

4) Fast Food!

1) Wendys

Lot 45C&45D, Level 4

My favorite fast food restaurant has always been MacDonalds but after trying Wendys, it has changed. The burger was absolutely delicious, extremely juicy and cheesy. The fries were salty and not too oily and the root beer float was really yummy. I am definitely going to eat Wendys again!

2) Liang Sandwich Bar

Lot K13D, Level G

If you are a Singaporean like me, you would know that this Jay Chou-endorsed food chain sells their Taiwanese pancakes between Sgd 2:50-5-50 at VivoCity. But if you head over to Malaysia, the pancakes only cost Rm 3:90 – 9:90.

The pancakes taste like flakier roti pratas and are extremely delicious. I’ve tried a few flavours and so far everything is great. The seasoning is on point and the amount of filling to pancake ratio is perfect.

With the pancakes being a lot more affordable at paradigm mall, you can eat not just one but even three or more pancakes!

5) Restaurants

1) Awa Mee Bar Lot 23A & 25, Level 4

While we’ve been to paradigm mall quite a few times and have always walked past this restaurant, we only decided to try it recently. And boy did we regret not trying it earlier. The noodles were springy and chewy and it tasted so sinful like we were eating instant noodles. The fried enoki mushrooms provided the extra texture that complimented the dish well. Also, with every bowl of noodles, a bowl of soup comes with it. You can choose different soup bases such as seafood or pork and you can either choose either a preset option or add more ingredients into it. You’ve got to try it when you’re there!

2) Kurotomon Hakata Ramen

Lot 33A, Level 4

Second on the list is Kurotomon Hakata Ramen. The broth was thick and salty. The charred pork meat was really fatty and super delicious. And lastly the noodles were cooked perfectly. I really loved the ramen here!

6) Arcade

Main Planet – Lot 09 &10, Level 7, Fun Scape – Lot 63 & 63A, Level 4

There are quite a number of mini arcades there where you can engage with a claw machine, play virtual simulation games and your usual arcade games. I personally like to try my luck at playing the claw machines. Prices for tokens are quite reasonable starting at 10 Rm for 11 tokens. With the claw machines, I know that if you target the toys that are smaller, the chances of you getting them are way higher. And I’m proud to say that on one of my lucky days, I managed to catch 3 of them with just 11 tokens.

7) Shop till you drop at New Market

This shop sells almost everything you need at very affordable prices. You can find whatever you will need in a kitchen, bags, wallets, clothes, gadgets, toys, makeup, jewelry, ornamental pieces, household decorative items etc. You can spend an hour easily just shopping at this shop alone.

8) Get a Massage

Thai Odyssey – Lot 62, Level 3, Rest N Go – At various places

Pamper yourself to either a massage from a human or a chair!

9) Get your groceries Lot 29, Level G

The village Grocer is a relatively big supermarket where you can find almost everything. While prices are not exactly on the cheap side, it makes it up for quality and selection.

10) Shop at familiar shops

If you’re worried that you can’t find shops that you can find in Singapore. Don’t worry, they have plenty. A few notable ones are Harvey Norman, Typo, Watsons, Guardian, Nichii, Toys R Us, Popular, H&M, City Chain, Osim etc.

So here it is, the top 10 things to do in Paradigm Mall. You can easily spend a day here and can even revisit the mall without ever getting bored of it!

Hours: 10am – 10pm

Website: http://www.paradigmmall.com.my/jb/default.aspx

Address: Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru

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Dancing Shrimps “Goong Ten” in Bangkok

I always had a penchant for trying weird foods and on my wish list was Goong ten. Goong ten (กุ้งเต้น) is a Thai dish that literally translates to dancing shrimps.

Although Goong Ten is a street dish that is normally sold by hawkers, it proved to be very difficult to find in Bangkok! And interestingly enough, instead of finding it on the streets, I found it sold at a stall in Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin.

It was interesting to find a group of youngsters selling Goong Ten together, I always had the idea that it would be sold by the older generations.

Look at all the shrimps swimming around. I felt a little bad at that time for the shrimps, they were going to be eaten alive – by me!

If I were a shrimp, I wouldn’t be very happy right now! I’m going to guess from this video what the recipe is and what the ingredients are but if you would like a proper recipe for Goong Ten, please search the internet.

Here it goes!

1) Scoop the shrimp out of the tank and place it into a mixing bowl.

2) Add lime

3) Add fish sauce

4) Add chilli flakes

5) Add peanuts

6) Add salt and pepper

7) Add cilantro, mint leaves and red onions

8) Mix well

Now for the taste test! Eating the shrimps was really hard at first, they kept jumping around and some actually jumped out of the bowl. I was really scared to eat them as I thought their hard shells would poke my mouth. I wanted to get through the first bite fast, so that involved chewing quickly and killing the prawns fast. Surprisingly, the prawns were very soft and easy to chew and they did not jump inside my mouth. The sauce was sour and spicy and eating the prawns with the cilantro and mint leaves was really refreshing. After the first bite, subsequent bites became really easy, the prawns were also losing their vigor and only the strongest were still alive. This was a unique experience and I would definitely try it again. I urge you to try it too!

If you are having a hard time searching for Goong Ten, head over to Rod Fai Night Market Srinakarin.

Hours: 5pm – 1am , closed on mon and tue

Address: ถนน ศรีนครินทร์ Khwaeng Nong Bon, Khet Prawet, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250, Thailand

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Tuesday pasar malam at Taman Pelangi Johor

Only on Tuesdays, get your fix of shopping at a pop up local market in Johor Bahru. The words ‘pasar malam’ which literally means night market, sells an array of things such as vegetables, fruits, meat, snacks, street food, mobile accessories, household related products and clothes.

Fresh vegetables.

Yummy pastries, cakes and bread.

Fresh seafood; they were almost sold out by the time we were there.

Affordable socks!

There’s even a store that sells pet fishes – I wonder how difficult it must be to transport the fishes back and forth!

Street food such as popiah and fried chicken.

And, if you’re still hungry, there’s even a hawker center right at the end of the lane.

Chicken claypot rice – the seasoning was on point with it being not too sweet and salty, the chicken was tender and the Chinese sausages were very delicious.

Rojak – the cucumbers, pineapples, turnip and kang kong were fresh, the you tiao (fried dough fritters) and tau kwa (tofu) was crispy, and I loved the peanut to sauce to other ingredients ratio.

Chicken and lamb satay with ketupat – I absolutely loved the satays. It was grilled to perfection. The char on the satay tasted great. The lamb satay was exceptional as the fats literally melted in my mouth. This is a must try if you visit!

If you’re hungry and you also feel like shopping, come by this pasar malam at Taman Pelangi, you will be spoiled for choices!

Hours: Tuesdays 4pm – 10pm

Address: Jalan perang Johor Bahru 80400

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