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Showing posts with label Taman Mount Austin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Taman Mount Austin. Show all posts

Johor Tim Sum at Yoong Lei 古来云来点心 in Mount Austin, Johor Bahru

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

古来云来点心 is one of those famous food names in Johor that has numerous branches registered under various similar English names. There are at least 8 shops under the 古来云来点心 brand. (The Sze Hwa 世华 and Soon Huat 顺发 bak kut teh group of shops run along the same idea.)

I have not eaten at any 古来云来点心 outlet before as the idea that these dim sum are made in a central kitchen far away and the shops are merely "heat and serve" points doesn't appeal to me. But, I did notice that the 古来云来点心 shops usually have a good crowd inside. I mentioned many times when we pass a 古来云来点心 shop that I shall give it a try, and I finally did today.

This 古来云来点心 shop in Mount Austin is headed by a couple - an expressionless man and woman with a few rather cheerful and quick Chinese speaking Indonesian and Thai workers.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The dim sum are neatly laid out in bamboo trays and waiting for orders.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The selected bamboo trays of dim sum are steamed using this large steamer at the front of the shop.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Once properly warmed up, the bamboo trays are served to the waiting customers. It's pretty straightforward - pick, heat and serve.

There were just two of us and these were what we sampled.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

I like the inviting look of 云来's big bao 大包. The big bao is nicely shaped and the pattern is bold.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Inside, the tender minced pork filling with egg and chopped onions was sweet and savoury. The white bun was bouncy and nicely sweet.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The big bao had pretty generous meaty fillings.



I especially like 云来's char siew bao.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The meaty char siew filling was moist and tasty. Plenty of juicy good char siew inside. 

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

I like 云来's braised fried chicken feet. The flesh which was deep fried, braised and then steamed, had good mouth feel as the skin and fat were wrinkly soft. The watery braising sauce is sweet and savoury.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Looking around and seeing that most tables had at least one of this, we added this glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf. Starchy glutinous rice with salted eggs and pieces of well marinated chicken - everything infused with the nice aroma of the dried lotus leaf.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The bitter gourd with fish paste - the bitter gourd was fresh and crunchy. The fish paste had some fish flavour but it was otherwise mostly some unknown bouncy filling.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Added a dab of the bottled garlic chili sauce to the bitter gourd with fish cake.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

I love chili peppers and so will always order a tray of these at dim sum shops. The chili peppers were fresh and crunchy, but the fish paste filling was the same as that in the bitter gourd which I found a little boring.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The century egg porridge with bits of minced pork was quite tasty though the gruel was not as dense and thick as I liked.

This sampling was good enough for me to want to come back with a bigger group of makan kakis to try more dim sum at a 古来云来点心 outlet or better still at 云来's homebase at Yon Lai in Kulai.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Restaurant name: Yoong Lei Dim Sum 古来云来点心
Address: Jalan Mutiara Emas 9/3, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/3xllr
GPS: 1.54558,103.789156
Hours: 6:30am to 4:00pm (Closed on Weds)
Non Halal

Date visited: 19 Nov 2013
Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

古来云来点心 is one of those famous food names in Johor that has numerous branches registered under various similar English names. There are at least 8 shops under the 古来云来点心 brand. (The Sze Hwa 世华 and Soon Huat 顺发 bak kut teh group of shops run along the same idea.)

I have not eaten at any 古来云来点心 outlet before as the idea that these dim sum are made in a central kitchen far away and the shops are merely "heat and serve" points doesn't appeal to me. But, I did notice that the 古来云来点心 shops usually have a good crowd inside. I mentioned many times when we pass a 古来云来点心 shop that I shall give it a try, and I finally did today.

This 古来云来点心 shop in Mount Austin is headed by a couple - an expressionless man and woman with a few rather cheerful and quick Chinese speaking Indonesian and Thai workers.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The dim sum are neatly laid out in bamboo trays and waiting for orders.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The selected bamboo trays of dim sum are steamed using this large steamer at the front of the shop.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Once properly warmed up, the bamboo trays are served to the waiting customers. It's pretty straightforward - pick, heat and serve.

There were just two of us and these were what we sampled.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

I like the inviting look of 云来's big bao 大包. The big bao is nicely shaped and the pattern is bold.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Inside, the tender minced pork filling with egg and chopped onions was sweet and savoury. The white bun was bouncy and nicely sweet.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The big bao had pretty generous meaty fillings.



I especially like 云来's char siew bao.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The meaty char siew filling was moist and tasty. Plenty of juicy good char siew inside. 

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

I like 云来's braised fried chicken feet. The flesh which was deep fried, braised and then steamed, had good mouth feel as the skin and fat were wrinkly soft. The watery braising sauce is sweet and savoury.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Looking around and seeing that most tables had at least one of this, we added this glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf. Starchy glutinous rice with salted eggs and pieces of well marinated chicken - everything infused with the nice aroma of the dried lotus leaf.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The bitter gourd with fish paste - the bitter gourd was fresh and crunchy. The fish paste had some fish flavour but it was otherwise mostly some unknown bouncy filling.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Added a dab of the bottled garlic chili sauce to the bitter gourd with fish cake.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

I love chili peppers and so will always order a tray of these at dim sum shops. The chili peppers were fresh and crunchy, but the fish paste filling was the same as that in the bitter gourd which I found a little boring.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

The century egg porridge with bits of minced pork was quite tasty though the gruel was not as dense and thick as I liked.

This sampling was good enough for me to want to come back with a bigger group of makan kakis to try more dim sum at a 古来云来点心 outlet or better still at 云来's homebase at Yon Lai in Kulai.

Johor-Tim-Sum-Yoong-Lei-古来云来点心-Mount-Austin-Johor-Bahru

Restaurant name: Yoong Lei Dim Sum 古来云来点心
Address: Jalan Mutiara Emas 9/3, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/3xllr
GPS: 1.54558,103.789156
Hours: 6:30am to 4:00pm (Closed on Weds)
Non Halal

Date visited: 19 Nov 2013
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea in Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea shop in Taman Mount Austin is the brain child of four foodie friends. The four friends made many food trips around the region and stumbled upon an old lady in Taiwan who makes sorbet and ice cream the traditional way, by hand.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-and-Tea

Fascinated by the old Taiwanese lady's art and captivated by the taste of her traditional sorbets and ice cream, the four friends asked the old lady to teach them her art. These fabulous four managed to spend a month learning the art of hand making sorbet and ice cream at this old lady's home.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Back in Johor Bahru, they experimented with fusing this traditional hand made Taiwanese sorbet and ice cream with local Malaysian ingredients, and now offer their unique creations in their own Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea shop.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Elaine, one of the four partners, invited me to try out Moshi Moshi's dessert and tea creations. When at Moshi Moshi, I can feel the passion that Elaine and her partners have for their dessert and tea creations. They are still experimenting with new creations and spoke excitedly about their work.

Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's desserts consist of a hand made sorbet bottom layer laid with toppings of hand made ice cream, grass jelly, red beans, fruits, "pearls" or other ingredients. They remind me of modern day ais (ice) kacang. 

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Ice-Cream-Sorbet

This large mural on the wall at Moshi Moshi proudly states that everything at the Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea shop is hand made using only natural and fresh ingredients with no preservatives added.

These were the sorbets and ice creams that we tried at Moshi Moshi.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's "Coconut Ice Cream with Sorbet" (RM8.90) which I enjoyed very much as I like all things coconut :) 

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

I like Moshi Moshi's "Taro Sorbet" (RM8.90) served with peanut ice cream which has a peanutty flavour and interesting bits of nuts. This dessert comes with two yam balls.

Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's "Mango Sorbet" (RM8.90) is an interesting blend of sweet and slightly tangy which I think appeals especially to ladies.

Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Johor

My half eaten "Macha Sorbet" (RM8.90). I like the fragrance of macha and so enjoyed this very much. As we ate, we gradually mixed all the ingredients like sesame ice cream, grass jelly, red beans, black "pearls" and macha sorbet together and got another blended taste which I enjoyed very much.

Elaine graciously gave me permission to see the process of making Moshi Moshi's signature sorbet and ice cream desserts.

Sorbet-Johor-Bahru

Sorbet-Johor-Bahru

When an order is received, the hand made sorbet is scraped from the tub and transferred to the large serving cup. This is Moshi Moshi's coconut sorbet.

Ice-Cream-Johor-Bahru

Scooping the hand made Moshi Moshi ice cream. This is Moshi Moshi's peanut ice cream.

Moshi-Moshi-Bubble-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Johor-Bubble-Tea

Moshi-Moshi-Johor-Bahru-Dessert-Tea

Next, the "pearls" are added. These "pearls" are imported from Taiwan. I like the bite of these gummy, chewy "pearls" and hunt for them in my bowl :P

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

The grass jelly is carefully laid into the cup.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

The "Coconut Sorbet" fully assembled and ready for serving.

Moshi Moshi also offers a wide range of teas, all of which are brewed from tea leaves (never from instant tea powders).

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Elaine first let us try Moshi Moshi's "Fresh Tomato Ice Blended Tea" (RM6.90). This tea is made with fresh baby tomatoes.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's "Lemon Ai-yu 2Q" (RM6.90) a sour tea which is a favourite, especially among the ladies.

Bubble-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Ice-Cream-Johor-Bahru

Elaine was eager to let us try Moshi Moshi's "Macha with Red Bean Ice Cream" (RM5.90). I like this drink very much as the flavour and fragrance of the macha blend very well with the taste of the red bean ice cream.

Herbal-Tea-Johor-Bahru

After so many dessert and tea tastings, Elaine suggested I drink Moshi Moshi's herbal tea as it would help me in digestion.

I like Moshi Moshi for their uniquely Johor creations and look forward to more flavours in the future. Moshi Moshi is a great place to chill out with friends and enjoy nice desserts and teas together.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Ice-Cream-Sorbet-Johor

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor

Restaurant name: Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea
Address: 19, Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/19, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/qIHvc
GPS: 1.551693,103.785181
Hours: 11:30am to 11:30pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 26 Mar 2013, 29 Mar 2013, 21 May 2013, 14 Jun 2013
Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea shop in Taman Mount Austin is the brain child of four foodie friends. The four friends made many food trips around the region and stumbled upon an old lady in Taiwan who makes sorbet and ice cream the traditional way, by hand.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-and-Tea

Fascinated by the old Taiwanese lady's art and captivated by the taste of her traditional sorbets and ice cream, the four friends asked the old lady to teach them her art. These fabulous four managed to spend a month learning the art of hand making sorbet and ice cream at this old lady's home.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Back in Johor Bahru, they experimented with fusing this traditional hand made Taiwanese sorbet and ice cream with local Malaysian ingredients, and now offer their unique creations in their own Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea shop.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Elaine, one of the four partners, invited me to try out Moshi Moshi's dessert and tea creations. When at Moshi Moshi, I can feel the passion that Elaine and her partners have for their dessert and tea creations. They are still experimenting with new creations and spoke excitedly about their work.

Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's desserts consist of a hand made sorbet bottom layer laid with toppings of hand made ice cream, grass jelly, red beans, fruits, "pearls" or other ingredients. They remind me of modern day ais (ice) kacang. 

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Ice-Cream-Sorbet

This large mural on the wall at Moshi Moshi proudly states that everything at the Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea shop is hand made using only natural and fresh ingredients with no preservatives added.

These were the sorbets and ice creams that we tried at Moshi Moshi.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's "Coconut Ice Cream with Sorbet" (RM8.90) which I enjoyed very much as I like all things coconut :) 

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

I like Moshi Moshi's "Taro Sorbet" (RM8.90) served with peanut ice cream which has a peanutty flavour and interesting bits of nuts. This dessert comes with two yam balls.

Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's "Mango Sorbet" (RM8.90) is an interesting blend of sweet and slightly tangy which I think appeals especially to ladies.

Sorbet-Ice-Cream-Johor

My half eaten "Macha Sorbet" (RM8.90). I like the fragrance of macha and so enjoyed this very much. As we ate, we gradually mixed all the ingredients like sesame ice cream, grass jelly, red beans, black "pearls" and macha sorbet together and got another blended taste which I enjoyed very much.

Elaine graciously gave me permission to see the process of making Moshi Moshi's signature sorbet and ice cream desserts.

Sorbet-Johor-Bahru

Sorbet-Johor-Bahru

When an order is received, the hand made sorbet is scraped from the tub and transferred to the large serving cup. This is Moshi Moshi's coconut sorbet.

Ice-Cream-Johor-Bahru

Scooping the hand made Moshi Moshi ice cream. This is Moshi Moshi's peanut ice cream.

Moshi-Moshi-Bubble-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Johor-Bubble-Tea

Moshi-Moshi-Johor-Bahru-Dessert-Tea

Next, the "pearls" are added. These "pearls" are imported from Taiwan. I like the bite of these gummy, chewy "pearls" and hunt for them in my bowl :P

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

The grass jelly is carefully laid into the cup.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

The "Coconut Sorbet" fully assembled and ready for serving.

Moshi Moshi also offers a wide range of teas, all of which are brewed from tea leaves (never from instant tea powders).

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Elaine first let us try Moshi Moshi's "Fresh Tomato Ice Blended Tea" (RM6.90). This tea is made with fresh baby tomatoes.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi Moshi's "Lemon Ai-yu 2Q" (RM6.90) a sour tea which is a favourite, especially among the ladies.

Bubble-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Ice-Cream-Johor-Bahru

Elaine was eager to let us try Moshi Moshi's "Macha with Red Bean Ice Cream" (RM5.90). I like this drink very much as the flavour and fragrance of the macha blend very well with the taste of the red bean ice cream.

Herbal-Tea-Johor-Bahru

After so many dessert and tea tastings, Elaine suggested I drink Moshi Moshi's herbal tea as it would help me in digestion.

I like Moshi Moshi for their uniquely Johor creations and look forward to more flavours in the future. Moshi Moshi is a great place to chill out with friends and enjoy nice desserts and teas together.

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor-Bahru

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Ice-Cream-Sorbet-Johor

Moshi-Moshi-Dessert-Tea-Johor

Restaurant name: Moshi Moshi Dessert and Tea
Address: 19, Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/19, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/qIHvc
GPS: 1.551693,103.785181
Hours: 11:30am to 11:30pm
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Date visited: 26 Mar 2013, 29 Mar 2013, 21 May 2013, 14 Jun 2013
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh 这里有肉骨茶 in Taman Mount Austin (near Jusco Tebrau), Johor Bahru (This Restaurant has Closed.)

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor
 
Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh 这里有肉骨茶 opened (near Jusco Tebrau) about a month ago and there was already quite a buzz about it on foodie chats online. Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh is a new kid on the block and its style of BKT was different from what people are familiar with in Johor Bahru. With so much talk and different opinions about it, we decided to make a trip to find things out for ourselves.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

When we entered the double storey shop, the first thing that struck us was the contemporary, well appointed decor, unlike the familiar kopitiam or bare bones shoplot stalls.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Everything in the restaurant was spic and spank, and the ordering system too uses the latest wireless technology and mobile devices. Still, the atmosphere was cosy and relaxed. The staff in cheery yellow tops greeted every customer in an earnest and cheerful way as they arrive and as they leave.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The bak kut teh was in the soupy Teochew style but it tastes different from the popular old names in JB. It is not surprising then that Johoreans are split between those who welcome this new flavour and others who prefer the old familiar taste.  The soup here was thicker than the usual Teochew style BKT and there was very little of the savoury sweetness that JB Teochew BKT is famous for. The taste of herbs was present with a very subtle hint of "kam" flavour - the kind of taste that we get from dried Mandarin orange peel. The "kam" taste lingered in the mouth for a while after eating. Initially, I was was not wowed as I expected the usual savoury sweet taste, but as the meal went on, I found the taste pleasant though different. My companion adjusted to the new taste faster than me and actually enjoyed it more.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The meat was the firmer kind similar to other popular places that serve Teochew style BKT. You have to try it and decide for yourself if you like it or not. Looking at the steady stream of customers around, it appeared that JBrians are slowly accepting this new taste. 

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The BKT are cooked in small batches throughout the day to ensure that customers are served only freshly cooked meat.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The mixed claypot of braised items like pork, tendons and intestines. We also had a claypot of braised trotters.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The braised items were less controversial as they were quite similar to the familiar local tastes. The braised meat was the tender type (not soft) with the bouncy firm feel. Personally, I liked my braised pork very soft, like tung po rou style.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Flavour wise, the braised items were a blend of sweetness and savouriness. The braising sauce was also heavier than the other usual BKT shops.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

I love tendons and this savoury braised tendon was nicely tender and gummy chewy.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Try this small intestines stuffed with.... more small intestines :)) It has a firm, bouncy texture and a slightly bitter flavour which blended well with the sweet and savoury braising sauce. 

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Braised chicken claws are a must have for me at BKT shops. The braised chicken claws here were competent, and just nice in terms of tenderness and saltiness. (Average braised chicken claws tend to be overly salty but not at Sini Ada BKT.) At my next visit, I shall ask the staff for more braising sauce with my chicken feet as I like my chicken feet to be soaking wet in savoury sauce.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Simple greens stir fried with garlic and soy sauce. Nicely executed, we cleaned up this dish.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

This preserved vegetable was sweet and crunchy.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

These chunky tau pok did an excellent job of sponging up the braising sauce.

Pricing for reference (small claypot size - the size we had):

Bak kut teh - RM15
Pork ribs only - RM20
Pig tail in bak kut teh soup - RM18
Braised pork belly - RM18
Braised pork trotter - RM12
Braised mixed meat (includes intestines) - RM22

Price wise, Sini Ada BKT is at a slight premium over basic shoplot stall or kopitiam prices. For people who prefer their eating places to be very clean and to have a nicer, more comfortable ambiance, the premium may be worth paying.

Based on what I read in foodie online chats and my own chat with David, the manager here, Sini Ada BKT has been adjusting their servings and arrangements following customer feedback. David said that they have changed some of the serving containers and utensils to enhance efficiency.

In other aspects, David said Sini Ada BKT decided to persist. For example, Sini Ada BKT does not use any synthetic flavourings like MSG, relying solely on boiling stock bones to extract flavours.

If I am in the Mount Austin area, I will drop by Sini Ada BKT again to try their pig's tail in herbal BKT soup which I missed today. If you haven't tried Sini Ada BKT, you may want to check it out for its style of BKT and its ambiance. See for yourself, if you like this.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Restaurant name: Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh 这里有肉骨茶
Address: G01, Jalan Mutiara Emas 9/3, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru (near Jusco Tebrau)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/xEscn
GPS: 1.545108,103.789504
Hours: 7:00am to 9:00pm (Closed on alternate Monday)
Non Halal

Date visited: 25 Jan 2013
Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor
 
Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh 这里有肉骨茶 opened (near Jusco Tebrau) about a month ago and there was already quite a buzz about it on foodie chats online. Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh is a new kid on the block and its style of BKT was different from what people are familiar with in Johor Bahru. With so much talk and different opinions about it, we decided to make a trip to find things out for ourselves.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

When we entered the double storey shop, the first thing that struck us was the contemporary, well appointed decor, unlike the familiar kopitiam or bare bones shoplot stalls.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Everything in the restaurant was spic and spank, and the ordering system too uses the latest wireless technology and mobile devices. Still, the atmosphere was cosy and relaxed. The staff in cheery yellow tops greeted every customer in an earnest and cheerful way as they arrive and as they leave.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The bak kut teh was in the soupy Teochew style but it tastes different from the popular old names in JB. It is not surprising then that Johoreans are split between those who welcome this new flavour and others who prefer the old familiar taste.  The soup here was thicker than the usual Teochew style BKT and there was very little of the savoury sweetness that JB Teochew BKT is famous for. The taste of herbs was present with a very subtle hint of "kam" flavour - the kind of taste that we get from dried Mandarin orange peel. The "kam" taste lingered in the mouth for a while after eating. Initially, I was was not wowed as I expected the usual savoury sweet taste, but as the meal went on, I found the taste pleasant though different. My companion adjusted to the new taste faster than me and actually enjoyed it more.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The meat was the firmer kind similar to other popular places that serve Teochew style BKT. You have to try it and decide for yourself if you like it or not. Looking at the steady stream of customers around, it appeared that JBrians are slowly accepting this new taste. 

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The BKT are cooked in small batches throughout the day to ensure that customers are served only freshly cooked meat.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The mixed claypot of braised items like pork, tendons and intestines. We also had a claypot of braised trotters.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

The braised items were less controversial as they were quite similar to the familiar local tastes. The braised meat was the tender type (not soft) with the bouncy firm feel. Personally, I liked my braised pork very soft, like tung po rou style.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Flavour wise, the braised items were a blend of sweetness and savouriness. The braising sauce was also heavier than the other usual BKT shops.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

I love tendons and this savoury braised tendon was nicely tender and gummy chewy.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Try this small intestines stuffed with.... more small intestines :)) It has a firm, bouncy texture and a slightly bitter flavour which blended well with the sweet and savoury braising sauce. 

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Braised chicken claws are a must have for me at BKT shops. The braised chicken claws here were competent, and just nice in terms of tenderness and saltiness. (Average braised chicken claws tend to be overly salty but not at Sini Ada BKT.) At my next visit, I shall ask the staff for more braising sauce with my chicken feet as I like my chicken feet to be soaking wet in savoury sauce.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Simple greens stir fried with garlic and soy sauce. Nicely executed, we cleaned up this dish.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

This preserved vegetable was sweet and crunchy.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

These chunky tau pok did an excellent job of sponging up the braising sauce.

Pricing for reference (small claypot size - the size we had):

Bak kut teh - RM15
Pork ribs only - RM20
Pig tail in bak kut teh soup - RM18
Braised pork belly - RM18
Braised pork trotter - RM12
Braised mixed meat (includes intestines) - RM22

Price wise, Sini Ada BKT is at a slight premium over basic shoplot stall or kopitiam prices. For people who prefer their eating places to be very clean and to have a nicer, more comfortable ambiance, the premium may be worth paying.

Based on what I read in foodie online chats and my own chat with David, the manager here, Sini Ada BKT has been adjusting their servings and arrangements following customer feedback. David said that they have changed some of the serving containers and utensils to enhance efficiency.

In other aspects, David said Sini Ada BKT decided to persist. For example, Sini Ada BKT does not use any synthetic flavourings like MSG, relying solely on boiling stock bones to extract flavours.

If I am in the Mount Austin area, I will drop by Sini Ada BKT again to try their pig's tail in herbal BKT soup which I missed today. If you haven't tried Sini Ada BKT, you may want to check it out for its style of BKT and its ambiance. See for yourself, if you like this.

Bak-Kut-Teh-Johor

Restaurant name: Sini Ada Bak Kut Teh 这里有肉骨茶
Address: G01, Jalan Mutiara Emas 9/3, Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru (near Jusco Tebrau)
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/xEscn
GPS: 1.545108,103.789504
Hours: 7:00am to 9:00pm (Closed on alternate Monday)
Non Halal

Date visited: 25 Jan 2013
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