Johor Mooncakes - Famous Shanghai Mooncakes and Traditional Chinese Cakes @ Yuen Fatt 源發餅家 in Kluang

Mooncake festival 中秋节 is around the corner and Johor Kaki is on the hunt for the best mooncakes in Johor :) Yuen Fatt 源發餅家 in Kluang was introduced to me by Euggin Lim from WGOIJB. Thanks, Euggin!

Today, I went on the 100km journey from Johor Bahru to Kluang in search of Yuen Fatt, one of Johor's most famous mooncakes.

Yuen Fatt's signature Shanghai styled mooncakes are unique in the way it looked and also in taste. Some say these mooncakes look like a mouse, a fox, a fish or even a rugby ball. I say, Yuen Fatt's mooncakes just look irresistibly cute, and seemed to be inviting me to sink my teeth into it.

Yuen Fatt was the first bakery to introduce the Shanghai style of mooncakes in Malaysia twenty years ago. Yuen Fatt's Shanghai mooncakes had been a hot favourite ever since. People come from all over Malaysia and from Singapore to buy Yuen Fatt's famous Shanghai mooncakes.

Everything is made in house at Yuen Fatt in the adjacent shoplot using traditional methods and no preservatives. So, Yuen Fatt's mooncakes are best eaten within 3-4 days. This is never a problem as Yuen Fatt mooncakes are so delicious, they are all eaten very quickly.

Each Yuen Fatt mooncake is individually and lovingly handcrafted.

Applying egg wash before sending the Shanghai mooncakes to the oven.

Freshly baked Yuen Fatt Shanghai mooncakes on the cooling rack. The holes on the mooncake indicate the number of salted egg yolks inside - one hole means single yoke, two holes double yolk, and three holes means no yolk. Don't ask me why ;P

Do Yuen Fatt Shanghai mooncakes taste as good at they look?

Lotus seed filling with one egg yolk RM7.40 each. 

Yuen Fatt's Shanghai Mooncakes are delicious. The buttery crust started to crumble slightly even when I was just picking up the mooncake and it collapsed in my mouth without much effort on my part. In other words, Yuen Fatt's Shanghai mooncake "melts on your mouth" as they say in that commonly used/ abused phrase.

Pandan flavoured filling, no egg yolk  RM6.40 each

The fillings which come in many flavours such as lotus seed, red beans and pandan are well balanced in delicate sweetness, saltiness and aroma. The not-overly-sweet fillings are smooth yet not too greasy.

So are Yuen Fatt's Shanghai mooncakes worth the 200km return trip from Johor Bahru/ Singapore? Definitely yes, for me. I'll be getting my mooncake festival supplies here at Yuen Fatt, this year :) My friends will be in for a pleasant surprise from a unique looking yet delicious tasting mooncake.

While at Yuen Fatt, try out also their other traditional mooncakes and Chinese pastries. Yuen Fatt makes a comprehensive range of mooncakes and Chinese pastries in many flavours.

Restaurant name: Yuen Fatt Biskut 源發餅家
Address: 39, Jalan Hj Manap Nordin, Kluang Baru, Kluang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rO7MW
GPS: 2.042037,103.333379
Hours: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Sundays 9:00am to 1:00pm)
No pork, no lard

Date visited: 3 Aug 2012

Mooncake festival 中秋节 is around the corner and Johor Kaki is on the hunt for the best mooncakes in Johor :) Yuen Fatt 源發餅家 in Kluang was introduced to me by Euggin Lim from WGOIJB. Thanks, Euggin!

Today, I went on the 100km journey from Johor Bahru to Kluang in search of Yuen Fatt, one of Johor's most famous mooncakes.

Yuen Fatt's signature Shanghai styled mooncakes are unique in the way it looked and also in taste. Some say these mooncakes look like a mouse, a fox, a fish or even a rugby ball. I say, Yuen Fatt's mooncakes just look irresistibly cute, and seemed to be inviting me to sink my teeth into it.

Yuen Fatt was the first bakery to introduce the Shanghai style of mooncakes in Malaysia twenty years ago. Yuen Fatt's Shanghai mooncakes had been a hot favourite ever since. People come from all over Malaysia and from Singapore to buy Yuen Fatt's famous Shanghai mooncakes.

Everything is made in house at Yuen Fatt in the adjacent shoplot using traditional methods and no preservatives. So, Yuen Fatt's mooncakes are best eaten within 3-4 days. This is never a problem as Yuen Fatt mooncakes are so delicious, they are all eaten very quickly.

Each Yuen Fatt mooncake is individually and lovingly handcrafted.

Applying egg wash before sending the Shanghai mooncakes to the oven.

Freshly baked Yuen Fatt Shanghai mooncakes on the cooling rack. The holes on the mooncake indicate the number of salted egg yolks inside - one hole means single yoke, two holes double yolk, and three holes means no yolk. Don't ask me why ;P

Do Yuen Fatt Shanghai mooncakes taste as good at they look?

Lotus seed filling with one egg yolk RM7.40 each. 

Yuen Fatt's Shanghai Mooncakes are delicious. The buttery crust started to crumble slightly even when I was just picking up the mooncake and it collapsed in my mouth without much effort on my part. In other words, Yuen Fatt's Shanghai mooncake "melts on your mouth" as they say in that commonly used/ abused phrase.

Pandan flavoured filling, no egg yolk  RM6.40 each

The fillings which come in many flavours such as lotus seed, red beans and pandan are well balanced in delicate sweetness, saltiness and aroma. The not-overly-sweet fillings are smooth yet not too greasy.

So are Yuen Fatt's Shanghai mooncakes worth the 200km return trip from Johor Bahru/ Singapore? Definitely yes, for me. I'll be getting my mooncake festival supplies here at Yuen Fatt, this year :) My friends will be in for a pleasant surprise from a unique looking yet delicious tasting mooncake.

While at Yuen Fatt, try out also their other traditional mooncakes and Chinese pastries. Yuen Fatt makes a comprehensive range of mooncakes and Chinese pastries in many flavours.

Restaurant name: Yuen Fatt Biskut 源發餅家
Address: 39, Jalan Hj Manap Nordin, Kluang Baru, Kluang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rO7MW
GPS: 2.042037,103.333379
Hours: 9:00am to 8:00pm (Sundays 9:00am to 1:00pm)
No pork, no lard

Date visited: 3 Aug 2012

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Pinterest Favorites

This past week, I found such fun and creative ideas on Pinterest.  I also found recipes that make my stomach grumble for trans fats.

In no particular order, I wanted to share my current Pinterest favorites.

From Etsy, Santas giftshop, personalized hand sanitzers for teachers.

From Sweet Bee Buzzings, pillows made out of old sport jerseys.  Amazing idea!

Pink Parsley has me salivating for this Cookie Dough Fudge.

Averie Cooks has me dying to try these Homemade Thin Mints.  I'll be waiting for Girl Scout cookies no more!

On that note, my stomach is hungry and I'm off to pick up my daughter from Gymnastics.  I hope everyone has a splendid Thursday!  Almost the weekend!

Don't forget to check out my Swiffer Wet Jet review and click the link to buy great P&G products with 10% off and free shipping on $25 or more! 

This past week, I found such fun and creative ideas on Pinterest.  I also found recipes that make my stomach grumble for trans fats.

In no particular order, I wanted to share my current Pinterest favorites.

From Etsy, Santas giftshop, personalized hand sanitzers for teachers.

From Sweet Bee Buzzings, pillows made out of old sport jerseys.  Amazing idea!

Pink Parsley has me salivating for this Cookie Dough Fudge.

Averie Cooks has me dying to try these Homemade Thin Mints.  I'll be waiting for Girl Scout cookies no more!

On that note, my stomach is hungry and I'm off to pick up my daughter from Gymnastics.  I hope everyone has a splendid Thursday!  Almost the weekend!

Don't forget to check out my Swiffer Wet Jet review and click the link to buy great P&G products with 10% off and free shipping on $25 or more! 

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Lobsters at Straits View Seafood Restaurant 海景轩海鲜酒家 in Sungai Rengit, Pengerang, Johor, Malaysia

The lobster sculpture in the town square makes it clear what Sungai Rengit is about.

I was in Johor's Lobster Town, Sungai Rengit, Pengerang at lunch time today. Here in Sungai Rengit, I had "little choice" but to indulge myself in the local speciality - which is lobster, of course.

I counted at least 8 major seafood restaurants in little Sungai Rengit town itself. Since I recently tried the benchmark lobster at Jade Garden, I decided to indulge in a little risk taking by trying another restaurant instead.

I picked the newly opened Straits View 海景轩海鲜酒家 which is located at the junction of Jalan Besar and Jalan Pasar (the only two main streets in Sungai Rengit town, Pengarang).

This was the handsome 400 gram fellow, who (unfortunately for him) caught my eye.

Lobster pricing is seasonal. Current pricing at Straits View is RM120/kg for medium sized and RM160/kg for large sized.

MR lobster was dispatched with a quick sharp blow.

I asked for MR lobster to be prepared with "superior broth" 上湯. The lobsters can be done in other ways like fried with butter, black pepper, chili, or steamed.

The lobster in fragrant superior broth right off the hot wok.

Straits View's lobster was beautifully done. The succulent flesh came off the shell easily in a neat single piece.

 

Look at the inviting plump, juicy lobster flesh layered with a golden creamy gravy. The lobster flesh was naturally sweet, tender, yet firm and slightly bouncy.

I thoroughly enjoyed my lobster at Straits View Seafood.

Besides lobster, Straits View also has fish, prawns and crabs as well as egg, vegetable and pork dishes on its menu. The boss also told me that Straits View may be adding crocodile meat on its menu in the future.

See also my second visit to Straits View where I tried out their other signature dishes.

  

 

Restaurant name: Straits View Seafood Restaurant 海景轩海鲜酒家

Address: 84, Jalan Besar, SungaiRengit, Pengerang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/XojAs
GPS: 1.350667,104.220868
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Non Halal

Date visited: 2 Aug 2012

The lobster sculpture in the town square makes it clear what Sungai Rengit is about.

I was in Johor's Lobster Town, Sungai Rengit, Pengerang at lunch time today. Here in Sungai Rengit, I had "little choice" but to indulge myself in the local speciality - which is lobster, of course.

I counted at least 8 major seafood restaurants in little Sungai Rengit town itself. Since I recently tried the benchmark lobster at Jade Garden, I decided to indulge in a little risk taking by trying another restaurant instead.

I picked the newly opened Straits View 海景轩海鲜酒家 which is located at the junction of Jalan Besar and Jalan Pasar (the only two main streets in Sungai Rengit town, Pengarang).

This was the handsome 400 gram fellow, who (unfortunately for him) caught my eye.

Lobster pricing is seasonal. Current pricing at Straits View is RM120/kg for medium sized and RM160/kg for large sized.

MR lobster was dispatched with a quick sharp blow.

I asked for MR lobster to be prepared with "superior broth" 上湯. The lobsters can be done in other ways like fried with butter, black pepper, chili, or steamed.

The lobster in fragrant superior broth right off the hot wok.

Straits View's lobster was beautifully done. The succulent flesh came off the shell easily in a neat single piece.

 

Look at the inviting plump, juicy lobster flesh layered with a golden creamy gravy. The lobster flesh was naturally sweet, tender, yet firm and slightly bouncy.

I thoroughly enjoyed my lobster at Straits View Seafood.

Besides lobster, Straits View also has fish, prawns and crabs as well as egg, vegetable and pork dishes on its menu. The boss also told me that Straits View may be adding crocodile meat on its menu in the future.

See also my second visit to Straits View where I tried out their other signature dishes.

  

 

Restaurant name: Straits View Seafood Restaurant 海景轩海鲜酒家

Address: 84, Jalan Besar, SungaiRengit, Pengerang, Johor
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/XojAs
GPS: 1.350667,104.220868
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Non Halal

Date visited: 2 Aug 2012

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Famous No Name Wanton Mee in Kampung Pandan, Johor Bahru

Besides the famous Poh Kee wanton mee, there is another popular wanton mee stall in the same row of stalls in Kampung Pandan.

This one has no name and is run by a mother and daughter team.

Though this stall have no name, it is very popular among locals - just look at the crowd here. There was no free table except for that table baking under the scorching sun; even then, all the chairs were gone.

For a change, I ordered a mee pok instead of the usual wanton noodles. The noodles were softer than their brand name neighbour's but still al dente. The savoury sauce was slightly tangy and wet, reminding me of the Pontian style of wanton noodles.

Both stalls (Poh Kee and no name stall) and their different styles of wanton noodles have their respective fans and many eat at both stalls.

Seen from this angle, the wanton looked like a juicy cicada.

The wantons at no name stall were soft, smooth and fragrant.

I also ordered fried tofu and fried tofu skin.

Not very photogenic but yummy!

The fried tofu was good and the fried tofu skin was even better. Despite soaking in the soup, the fried tofu skin was still crunchy.

Their neighbour, Poh Kee also offers fried tofu skin. I guess fried tofu skin could be the distinctive signature of Kampung Pandan wanton noodle stalls.

The small mountain of chilies gives us an idea of the volume of customer traffic at this no name stall.

The gentleman who shared the table with us was clearly a fan of this no name stall. He convinced us that we have to came back for this stall's popular curry mee.

Restaurant name: No name wanton mee
Address: Jalan Loo Hong Joon. Once you enter the side
street from Tebrau Highway, the stall is about 500
metres inside. As you enter, you will see old shop
houses/ coffee shops on both sides. Pass the MCA branch
on the right and the small row of food stalls is on your
left.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/KgeP
GPS: 1.525996,103.767483
Hours: 6:00am to 1:00pm (closed on Tuesday)

Date visited: 26 Jul 2012

Besides the famous Poh Kee wanton mee, there is another popular wanton mee stall in the same row of stalls in Kampung Pandan.

This one has no name and is run by a mother and daughter team.

Though this stall have no name, it is very popular among locals - just look at the crowd here. There was no free table except for that table baking under the scorching sun; even then, all the chairs were gone.

For a change, I ordered a mee pok instead of the usual wanton noodles. The noodles were softer than their brand name neighbour's but still al dente. The savoury sauce was slightly tangy and wet, reminding me of the Pontian style of wanton noodles.

Both stalls (Poh Kee and no name stall) and their different styles of wanton noodles have their respective fans and many eat at both stalls.

Seen from this angle, the wanton looked like a juicy cicada.

The wantons at no name stall were soft, smooth and fragrant.

I also ordered fried tofu and fried tofu skin.

Not very photogenic but yummy!

The fried tofu was good and the fried tofu skin was even better. Despite soaking in the soup, the fried tofu skin was still crunchy.

Their neighbour, Poh Kee also offers fried tofu skin. I guess fried tofu skin could be the distinctive signature of Kampung Pandan wanton noodle stalls.

The small mountain of chilies gives us an idea of the volume of customer traffic at this no name stall.

The gentleman who shared the table with us was clearly a fan of this no name stall. He convinced us that we have to came back for this stall's popular curry mee.

Restaurant name: No name wanton mee
Address: Jalan Loo Hong Joon. Once you enter the side
street from Tebrau Highway, the stall is about 500
metres inside. As you enter, you will see old shop
houses/ coffee shops on both sides. Pass the MCA branch
on the right and the small row of food stalls is on your
left.
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/KgeP
GPS: 1.525996,103.767483
Hours: 6:00am to 1:00pm (closed on Tuesday)

Date visited: 26 Jul 2012

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Ramadhan Bazaar by Bus to Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru

This is my third Ramadhan bazaar visit this year, and this time, I took public bus (SMRT 950 and 170) from Woodlands Bus Interchange to Larkin Bus Station.

I boarded bus 950 at Woodlands Bus Interchange. After clearing Singapore and Malaysia immigration, I boarded bus 170 at the JB CIQ. Bus 170 will take us to Larkin bus station which is a 10-15 minutes ride. Larkin stadium is another 10-15 minutes walk from Larkin bus station. Ask for directions when you are at Larkin bus station. To return to Singapore, just back track and take the buses in reverse order.

Like the Ramadhan bazaars at Plaza Angsana and Pandan that I have visited, the bazaar at Larkin also has plenty of interesting food on offer.

Let's just take a sampling of what we can find at Larkin Stadium Ramadhan bazaar.

This delicious looking dish is known as Roti Pita Kebab.

Mobile barbecue fish ball satay on the back of a Honda cub. Something that I've not seen before.

The fish balls are homemade in Kelantan and delivered by bus everyday to Larkin bus station. That's a very neat arrangement!

These are Sata, a traditional dish from the eastern state of Terengganu, consisting of spiced fish meat wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over charcoal. (Thanks to Laura Benjamin for the information.)

Nasi kukus originally from Kelantan is getting very popular in Johor. Frying chicken for the nasi kukus.

Customers pick the piece of fried chicken that they want to go with their nasi kukus.

Roti John. Another popular staple, there are several Roti John stands here.

There was a long queue waiting for this lady's fried kway teow and she told me that she had been to my johorkaki blog, YAY!

Grilling kebabs.

Ayam percik.

Barbecue chicken.

Spring rolls.

Flipping the dough for the murtabak. There are 3, if not 4, murtabak stalls here.

Grilled fish covered under a thick blanket of fiery sambal chili. 

Sup kambing or mutton soup. We can choose the parts that we want to go with the soup.

Frying keropok lekor or fish cake.

Location: Larkin Stadium (officially known as Stadium Tan Sri Dato' Hj Hassan Yunos)
Address: Junction of Jalan Dato Jaafar and Jalan Sentosa
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/PoUDV
GPS: 1.495955,103.751047
Halal

This is my third Ramadhan bazaar visit this year, and this time, I took public bus (SMRT 950 and 170) from Woodlands Bus Interchange to Larkin Bus Station.

I boarded bus 950 at Woodlands Bus Interchange. After clearing Singapore and Malaysia immigration, I boarded bus 170 at the JB CIQ. Bus 170 will take us to Larkin bus station which is a 10-15 minutes ride. Larkin stadium is another 10-15 minutes walk from Larkin bus station. Ask for directions when you are at Larkin bus station. To return to Singapore, just back track and take the buses in reverse order.

Like the Ramadhan bazaars at Plaza Angsana and Pandan that I have visited, the bazaar at Larkin also has plenty of interesting food on offer.

Let's just take a sampling of what we can find at Larkin Stadium Ramadhan bazaar.

This delicious looking dish is known as Roti Pita Kebab.

Mobile barbecue fish ball satay on the back of a Honda cub. Something that I've not seen before.

The fish balls are homemade in Kelantan and delivered by bus everyday to Larkin bus station. That's a very neat arrangement!

These are Sata, a traditional dish from the eastern state of Terengganu, consisting of spiced fish meat wrapped in banana leaves and grilled over charcoal. (Thanks to Laura Benjamin for the information.)

Nasi kukus originally from Kelantan is getting very popular in Johor. Frying chicken for the nasi kukus.

Customers pick the piece of fried chicken that they want to go with their nasi kukus.

Roti John. Another popular staple, there are several Roti John stands here.

There was a long queue waiting for this lady's fried kway teow and she told me that she had been to my johorkaki blog, YAY!

Grilling kebabs.

Ayam percik.

Barbecue chicken.

Spring rolls.

Flipping the dough for the murtabak. There are 3, if not 4, murtabak stalls here.

Grilled fish covered under a thick blanket of fiery sambal chili. 

Sup kambing or mutton soup. We can choose the parts that we want to go with the soup.

Frying keropok lekor or fish cake.

Location: Larkin Stadium (officially known as Stadium Tan Sri Dato' Hj Hassan Yunos)
Address: Junction of Jalan Dato Jaafar and Jalan Sentosa
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/PoUDV
GPS: 1.495955,103.751047
Halal

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