Ramadan Bazaar at Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor

Many readers suggested that I must go to the Ramadan bazaar at Taman Universiti, and so there I was yesterday. The bazaar at Jalan Kemuliaan 4 was huge! I estimated that there must be nearly 100 stalls at this bazaar. 



The stall holders were very warm and friendly. There was much spontaneous laughter. A few stall holders and even passers-by offered me food for tasting like a guest at their home. The bazaar was packed but parking was easy and plentiful. There were even MPJBT (city council) officers helping to guide and marshal traffic :) I really enjoyed myself at this Ramadan bazaar.

Come with me for a quick tour of Taman Universiti's Ramadan bazaar.



I love ayam golek stalls :) I will always walk around and zero in on the ayam golek stand. I just love the sight of poles of succulent chicken, rotating over a large charcoal pit. The ayam golek stall is easy to spot - just look out for the biggest cloud of greasy white smoke bellowing from the stall.




Kacang pool is an Egyptian dish that has caught on in Johor. The thick chunky buttered bread is eaten with a thick gravy made with minced beef and broad beans topped with a soft cooked sunny side up.



There are several Ikan Bakar stalls - a popular spicy choice for breaking fast.



Catfish! I am a big fan of catfish :) Nicely seared outside, while inside, the sweet white meat is tender and juicy.



Roti Jala or net bread eaten with curry.



Makcik packing fragrant Nasi Kerabu, a Terengganu speciality of rice with herbs.





This Ramadan bazaar has the most number of roti canai and murtabak masters together in one place that I have seen so far - see how big they spread that dough.



Sup kambing stall.



BBQ chicken.



Ayam Percik, a Kelantanese favourite.





Satay :))



Roti John, the favourite food of many - found only in Malaysia and Singapore.



There is even chicken mandi here - Arabian style grilled chicken rice. 



This nasi biryani looks great :)



Siham (cockles)!



Kupang or mussels.



There are lots more that you have to come down to see for yourself :)

I love Ramadan bazaars because everyone is so happy here and people from every community and all walks of life enjoy food together. It is also a convenient, one-stop place to enjoy many traditional local food made and served hot at very reasonable prices. Most of the stalls are ready to serve at 5:00pm.

There are many places to experience Ramadan bazaars in Johor Bahru:

1. Bandar Baru Uda
2. Bukit Indah (AEON Jusco)
3. Kampung Melayu
4. Pandan (S'mart, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rWX0O, GPS: 1.533739,103.783121)
5. Seri Alam
6. Stadium Larkin
7. Taman Perling (Perling Mall)
8. Taman Universiti (Jalan Kemuliaan 4, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uuWjl GPS: 1.529897,103.620249)
9. Taman Dahlia
10. Taman Johor
11. Taman Suria (near Giant)
12. Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (near Caltex petrol station)
13. Taman Rinting (Jalan Sena)
14. Taman Sri Pulai
15. Tampoi (Plaza Angsana)

We wish our Muslim readers Selamat Berpuasa.

Many readers suggested that I must go to the Ramadan bazaar at Taman Universiti, and so there I was yesterday. The bazaar at Jalan Kemuliaan 4 was huge! I estimated that there must be nearly 100 stalls at this bazaar. 



The stall holders were very warm and friendly. There was much spontaneous laughter. A few stall holders and even passers-by offered me food for tasting like a guest at their home. The bazaar was packed but parking was easy and plentiful. There were even MPJBT (city council) officers helping to guide and marshal traffic :) I really enjoyed myself at this Ramadan bazaar.

Come with me for a quick tour of Taman Universiti's Ramadan bazaar.



I love ayam golek stalls :) I will always walk around and zero in on the ayam golek stand. I just love the sight of poles of succulent chicken, rotating over a large charcoal pit. The ayam golek stall is easy to spot - just look out for the biggest cloud of greasy white smoke bellowing from the stall.




Kacang pool is an Egyptian dish that has caught on in Johor. The thick chunky buttered bread is eaten with a thick gravy made with minced beef and broad beans topped with a soft cooked sunny side up.



There are several Ikan Bakar stalls - a popular spicy choice for breaking fast.



Catfish! I am a big fan of catfish :) Nicely seared outside, while inside, the sweet white meat is tender and juicy.



Roti Jala or net bread eaten with curry.



Makcik packing fragrant Nasi Kerabu, a Terengganu speciality of rice with herbs.





This Ramadan bazaar has the most number of roti canai and murtabak masters together in one place that I have seen so far - see how big they spread that dough.



Sup kambing stall.



BBQ chicken.



Ayam Percik, a Kelantanese favourite.





Satay :))



Roti John, the favourite food of many - found only in Malaysia and Singapore.



There is even chicken mandi here - Arabian style grilled chicken rice. 



This nasi biryani looks great :)



Siham (cockles)!



Kupang or mussels.



There are lots more that you have to come down to see for yourself :)

I love Ramadan bazaars because everyone is so happy here and people from every community and all walks of life enjoy food together. It is also a convenient, one-stop place to enjoy many traditional local food made and served hot at very reasonable prices. Most of the stalls are ready to serve at 5:00pm.

There are many places to experience Ramadan bazaars in Johor Bahru:

1. Bandar Baru Uda
2. Bukit Indah (AEON Jusco)
3. Kampung Melayu
4. Pandan (S'mart, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/rWX0O, GPS: 1.533739,103.783121)
5. Seri Alam
6. Stadium Larkin
7. Taman Perling (Perling Mall)
8. Taman Universiti (Jalan Kemuliaan 4, Map: http://goo.gl/maps/uuWjl GPS: 1.529897,103.620249)
9. Taman Dahlia
10. Taman Johor
11. Taman Suria (near Giant)
12. Taman Ungku Tun Aminah (near Caltex petrol station)
13. Taman Rinting (Jalan Sena)
14. Taman Sri Pulai
15. Tampoi (Plaza Angsana)

We wish our Muslim readers Selamat Berpuasa.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Lamb Mandi at Restoran Parsia in Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor

I am a big fan of lamb. I especially love lamb that has rich smokey gamey flavours, tender bite and smooth mouth feel.

Couple the moist flavourful lamb with a bed of fragrant fluffy yet non starchy saffron perfumed Basmati rice and eating it with tangy, refreshing herbs and juices - this is a lovely meal that takes me to food paradise like a magic carpet from Arabia.

Fortunately, in Johor Bahru, we don't have to pay a King's ransom to enjoy a wondrous meal like this. In Restoran Parsia, we can have it for under RM20 with a drink thrown in :)

In case you are wondering - this is no short cut, mass produced meal but an authentic Iranian classic. Lamb mandi or grilled lamb prepared the tedious traditional way with a large old style tandoor - the only one there is in Johor Bahru. Come to think of it, I haven't seen anything like this tandoor anywhere else in Malaysia or Singapore :P



Amin, a hands on boss, personally putting the final touches in preparing the Iranian lamb mandi using the large tandoor.





The fluffy, airy, non starchy, non greasy, saffron perfumed Basmati rice is also made with this large tandoor for that authentic, almost sensual aroma.

Was it worth all that trouble just to cook rice? Well, this picture speaks for itself :)

Amin the boss, and Jahangir the Chief Chef of Restoran Parsia

 

Amin who hails from the Shiraz district of Iran, set up Restoran Parsia to serve authentic Iranian comfort food for the Iranian community here in Johor Bahru. For example, Restoran Parsia serves Dizi which is the iconic Iranian everyday staple. As a large part of the Iranian community in JB are students at UTM (Universiti Technlogi Malaysia), Amin prices Restoran Parsia's food with their budget in mind.
 

Restoran Parsia is tucked away in Taman Universiti, and it's interior decor is simple and basic but the Iranian and Arabian food served here is delicious. The portions are large and satisfying, and reasonably priced.

Restoran Parsia is a place we return to regularly for our Iranian and Arabian food craving fix. 

Restaurant name: Parsia Restaurant (Iranian and Arabian cuisine)
Address: 63-01, 64-01, Jalan Pendidikan 4, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dwA8d
GPS: 1.545076,103.629237
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Halal

Dates visited: 16 Dec 2012, 16 May 2013

I am a big fan of lamb. I especially love lamb that has rich smokey gamey flavours, tender bite and smooth mouth feel.

Couple the moist flavourful lamb with a bed of fragrant fluffy yet non starchy saffron perfumed Basmati rice and eating it with tangy, refreshing herbs and juices - this is a lovely meal that takes me to food paradise like a magic carpet from Arabia.

Fortunately, in Johor Bahru, we don't have to pay a King's ransom to enjoy a wondrous meal like this. In Restoran Parsia, we can have it for under RM20 with a drink thrown in :)

In case you are wondering - this is no short cut, mass produced meal but an authentic Iranian classic. Lamb mandi or grilled lamb prepared the tedious traditional way with a large old style tandoor - the only one there is in Johor Bahru. Come to think of it, I haven't seen anything like this tandoor anywhere else in Malaysia or Singapore :P



Amin, a hands on boss, personally putting the final touches in preparing the Iranian lamb mandi using the large tandoor.





The fluffy, airy, non starchy, non greasy, saffron perfumed Basmati rice is also made with this large tandoor for that authentic, almost sensual aroma.

Was it worth all that trouble just to cook rice? Well, this picture speaks for itself :)

Amin the boss, and Jahangir the Chief Chef of Restoran Parsia

 

Amin who hails from the Shiraz district of Iran, set up Restoran Parsia to serve authentic Iranian comfort food for the Iranian community here in Johor Bahru. For example, Restoran Parsia serves Dizi which is the iconic Iranian everyday staple. As a large part of the Iranian community in JB are students at UTM (Universiti Technlogi Malaysia), Amin prices Restoran Parsia's food with their budget in mind.
 

Restoran Parsia is tucked away in Taman Universiti, and it's interior decor is simple and basic but the Iranian and Arabian food served here is delicious. The portions are large and satisfying, and reasonably priced.

Restoran Parsia is a place we return to regularly for our Iranian and Arabian food craving fix. 

Restaurant name: Parsia Restaurant (Iranian and Arabian cuisine)
Address: 63-01, 64-01, Jalan Pendidikan 4, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dwA8d
GPS: 1.545076,103.629237
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Halal

Dates visited: 16 Dec 2012, 16 May 2013

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Dizi - A Traditional Iranian Dish at Parsia Restaurant in Taman Universiti, Johor Bahru

One of the greatest joys of food hunting for Johor Kaki blog is to stumble upon unique dishes that I would have otherwise never have a chance to try. Today, I want to share with you, Dizi - a unique traditional Iranian staple available at Parsia Restaurant in Taman Universiti in Skudai, Johor.

Dizi also known as Ābgusht (Persian: آبگوشت‎) which literally means "water meat", is a traditional Persian/ Mesopotamian mutton stew eaten with flat bread (naan). Dizi is served at Parsia Restaurant at RM12.

Amin, the boss of Parsia Restaurant, told me that this dish is commonly called Dizi, which means "stone" because it is traditionally made and served in crocks made of hollowed out rocks.



Nowadays, Dizi is served in much simpler aluminium pot, and pestle and mortar set.



Dizi stew is made with mutton, chickpeas, kidney beans, onions, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, turmeric, and spices. The streaky meat and vegetable ingredients are cooked together for hours until it becomes an oily stew.



Amin showed me how Dizi is enjoyed. Amin demonstrated how the broth is strained from the meat and vegetables. The broth is drained into the aluminium saucer using the cap as the strainer. 


 
Dizi is then eaten by dunking pieces of the freshly baked flat bread in the rich sweet and savoury broth.

 

The tender meat and vegetable solids are then mashed in the small aluminium container using the aluminium pestle. The meat and vegetable are pressed into a paste.



The meat and vegetable paste is spread on a piece of Iranian flat bread before eating. I found Dizi a delicious and interesting dish.



The freshly baked flat bread at Parsia Restaurant is one the best that I have tasted so far.



The flat bread is freshly made right there at the restaurant.



The flat bread is baked using a clay oven or tandoor.



Dizi is a delicious traditional high calorie, high cholesterol staple to provide the needed energy for the heavy physical activity in the Iranian crop fields.

Give it a try. It's delicious and a fascinating Iranian dish.



Restaurant name: Parsia Restaurant
Address: 63-01, 64-01, Jalan Pendidikan 4, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dwA8d
GPS: 1.545076,103.629237
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Halal

Dates visited: 16 Dec 2012, 16 May 2013

One of the greatest joys of food hunting for Johor Kaki blog is to stumble upon unique dishes that I would have otherwise never have a chance to try. Today, I want to share with you, Dizi - a unique traditional Iranian staple available at Parsia Restaurant in Taman Universiti in Skudai, Johor.

Dizi also known as Ābgusht (Persian: آبگوشت‎) which literally means "water meat", is a traditional Persian/ Mesopotamian mutton stew eaten with flat bread (naan). Dizi is served at Parsia Restaurant at RM12.

Amin, the boss of Parsia Restaurant, told me that this dish is commonly called Dizi, which means "stone" because it is traditionally made and served in crocks made of hollowed out rocks.



Nowadays, Dizi is served in much simpler aluminium pot, and pestle and mortar set.



Dizi stew is made with mutton, chickpeas, kidney beans, onions, garlic, potatoes, tomatoes, turmeric, and spices. The streaky meat and vegetable ingredients are cooked together for hours until it becomes an oily stew.



Amin showed me how Dizi is enjoyed. Amin demonstrated how the broth is strained from the meat and vegetables. The broth is drained into the aluminium saucer using the cap as the strainer. 


 
Dizi is then eaten by dunking pieces of the freshly baked flat bread in the rich sweet and savoury broth.

 

The tender meat and vegetable solids are then mashed in the small aluminium container using the aluminium pestle. The meat and vegetable are pressed into a paste.



The meat and vegetable paste is spread on a piece of Iranian flat bread before eating. I found Dizi a delicious and interesting dish.



The freshly baked flat bread at Parsia Restaurant is one the best that I have tasted so far.



The flat bread is freshly made right there at the restaurant.



The flat bread is baked using a clay oven or tandoor.



Dizi is a delicious traditional high calorie, high cholesterol staple to provide the needed energy for the heavy physical activity in the Iranian crop fields.

Give it a try. It's delicious and a fascinating Iranian dish.



Restaurant name: Parsia Restaurant
Address: 63-01, 64-01, Jalan Pendidikan 4, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dwA8d
GPS: 1.545076,103.629237
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Halal

Dates visited: 16 Dec 2012, 16 May 2013

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Chicken Mandi at Parsia Restaurant (Arab and Iranian) at Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor

Chicken Mandi (RM18) at Parsia Restaurant in Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor

I love the Chicken Mandi at Parsia Restaurant. The grilled chicken is fragrant with the skin outside slightly crispy and the flesh inside still moist. The chicken is served on a bed of aromatic Basmati rice and eaten with savoury yogurt and tangy vegetable dips. I enjoyed the chicken mandi so much that I asked the boss, Amin, how this delicious dish is made.

Amin graciously invited me to return one early morning to watch how Parsia Restaurant's chicken mandi is made. The process is fascinating - just watching how the chicken mandi is made makes my mouth water.



Work starts at 10am with Chef Jahangir preparing the charcoal and the grill in Parsia Restaurant's large traditional Arabian oven. This special oven is the only one that I have seen in Johor, so far.



When the charcoal is red hot, Chef Jahangir puts the pieces of marinaded chicken into the oven to grill.



After grilling in the oven for about 20 minutes, Jahangir transfers the pieces of grilled chicken to large trays partially filled with sauce. Jahangir then sprinkles the grilled chicken with ground spices and herbs.



The chicken grilled golden brown coated with a thin layer of special herbs and spices, ready for baking.



The trays of chicken are wrapped in foil and put back into the oven for baking.



Chef Jahangir pushes the heavy 200 Kg iron cover over the oven.

 

The chicken is left to bake in the oven for 45 minutes.



The freshly baked chicken mandi is ready! Amin is a very hands on boss. Here, the friendly boss is explaining to me the process of making Parsia Restaurant's chicken mandi.



Amin showing off the freshly baked Chicken Mandi, one of the most popular dishes at Parsia Restaurant.



After all that complicated and tedious process, this is the delicious chicken mandi served at the table for RM18. Personally, I feel it is good value.



Besides the chicken mandi, Parsia Restaurant cooks many other dishes using their large charcoal oven. Here, a worker is cooking Parsia Restaurant's Basmati rice.



Parsia Restaurant serves several other delicious dishes such as their popular Iranian Lamb Mandi, kebabs, stews and other Arab and Iranian classics in a simple and clean environment.

Amin and I spoke about the Arab and Iranian favourite goat's head dishes - I am looking forward to coming back to Parsia Restaurant for that :))



Restaurant name: Parsia Restaurant
Address: 63-01, 64-01, Jalan Pendidikan 4, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dwA8d
GPS: 1.545076,103.629237
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 18 Dec 2012, 16 May 2013

Chicken Mandi (RM18) at Parsia Restaurant in Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor

I love the Chicken Mandi at Parsia Restaurant. The grilled chicken is fragrant with the skin outside slightly crispy and the flesh inside still moist. The chicken is served on a bed of aromatic Basmati rice and eaten with savoury yogurt and tangy vegetable dips. I enjoyed the chicken mandi so much that I asked the boss, Amin, how this delicious dish is made.

Amin graciously invited me to return one early morning to watch how Parsia Restaurant's chicken mandi is made. The process is fascinating - just watching how the chicken mandi is made makes my mouth water.



Work starts at 10am with Chef Jahangir preparing the charcoal and the grill in Parsia Restaurant's large traditional Arabian oven. This special oven is the only one that I have seen in Johor, so far.



When the charcoal is red hot, Chef Jahangir puts the pieces of marinaded chicken into the oven to grill.



After grilling in the oven for about 20 minutes, Jahangir transfers the pieces of grilled chicken to large trays partially filled with sauce. Jahangir then sprinkles the grilled chicken with ground spices and herbs.



The chicken grilled golden brown coated with a thin layer of special herbs and spices, ready for baking.



The trays of chicken are wrapped in foil and put back into the oven for baking.



Chef Jahangir pushes the heavy 200 Kg iron cover over the oven.

 

The chicken is left to bake in the oven for 45 minutes.



The freshly baked chicken mandi is ready! Amin is a very hands on boss. Here, the friendly boss is explaining to me the process of making Parsia Restaurant's chicken mandi.



Amin showing off the freshly baked Chicken Mandi, one of the most popular dishes at Parsia Restaurant.



After all that complicated and tedious process, this is the delicious chicken mandi served at the table for RM18. Personally, I feel it is good value.



Besides the chicken mandi, Parsia Restaurant cooks many other dishes using their large charcoal oven. Here, a worker is cooking Parsia Restaurant's Basmati rice.



Parsia Restaurant serves several other delicious dishes such as their popular Iranian Lamb Mandi, kebabs, stews and other Arab and Iranian classics in a simple and clean environment.

Amin and I spoke about the Arab and Iranian favourite goat's head dishes - I am looking forward to coming back to Parsia Restaurant for that :))



Restaurant name: Parsia Restaurant
Address: 63-01, 64-01, Jalan Pendidikan 4, Taman Universiti, Skudai, Johor Bahru
Map: http://goo.gl/maps/dwA8d
GPS: 1.545076,103.629237
Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Halal

Date visited: 18 Dec 2012, 16 May 2013

reade more... Résuméabuiyad