JB Food Feast cum Shopping Spree

It has been some time since I've stepped into JB. I had some left over ringgit from my previous trip to KL 6-7 years ago, and was looking for some opportunity to finish spending those. The chance could not come any better when my Malaysian (now Singapore PR) colleague, TT, offered to drive me and a few colleagues around JB to eat and shop. Especially when there is this Malaysian Savings Sale now on. So, a total of 4 of us got together for this specially guided 'tour' into JB - just nice to fit TT's car.

In the morning, by the time we got to the Malaysian Customs, it was already 1030, and the crowd was overwhelming. I did not really expected such a crowd as I thought it was still quite early on a SATURDAY morning. Anyway, we managed to clear the customs and meet TT over at the JB petrol kiosk at the designated time, 11am, and headed off to our first makan destination for lunch - a CHICKEN RICE place at Johor Jaya.

With an empty stomach, we arrived at this coffee shop, whose chicken rice stall is said to be famous for it's chicken sweet black sauce. Actually, the chilli sauce is also very nice, different from those in Singapore. We ordered half a roasted chicken and half a steamed chicken, and devoured it.  Yup, damn good we devoured it man. And in all, the chicken feast cost us RM31. CHEAP!

Next up, ROJAK. Apparently, I have many colleagues who really love rojak. Whenever we go out of the company for lunch, and if there is a rojak stall, we will most likely order a plate to share. I did not know it's such a popular food. Back to JB. The rojak stall that TT brought us to, was very cool. Out of place, it was situated at a side of a small road, leading into some residential terrace places. If I was alone, I would not have even looked at the stall. It was just not-so-Singapore. Ha. But I got to say, the rojak is good. We got biggest portion to share, and it cost us just RM5.00. And the food was like spilling out of the box lor. What is different is that this rojak has chempadek, green mango, water apple minus the tau-pok, as compared to those found in Singapore. Shiok!

To round off lunch, TT brough us to eat 6-TASTE SOUP, or something like cheng teng, for dessert. Actually it really is dessert, but probably has more ingredients - 6 to be exact. Quail's egg, jelly, winter melon, some round round white balls, and  ... Sorry, just bothered eating and did not really notice what's in it. For RM1.60 per bowl, it's worth it. Can probably only get such cheap dessert in school canteens.

After the 1st makan session, we headed JUSCO to do some shopping. The shopping centre is said to be the biggest in JB, and it is BIG. Looks like Vivocity though, but the prices there are maybe half of that of the shops in Vivo. Especially with the sale on. And guess what. We saw power rangers. Cool!!! Haha

Walking around for about 3 hours, we then headed for more food. This time, CHENDOL for tea. Once again, I'm amazed how TT managed to get to know this stall even existed. It just appeared from out of nowhere, just beside some road. Gee. But again, the chendol is cheap and good. Cost RM1.20 per bowl.

We then headed to Danga Bay to take a look at the must-see-for-tourist place, to walk off the food in our tummy before heading for seafood. I must say, Danga Bay is exactly the Downtown East of Singapore, with a pasar malam, games stalls and adventure rides for all. 

SEAFOOD dinner is at some kelong area, where one has to drive on some trails past some forested area. I think only Malaysians know that place man, or those Singaporeans who go there frequently. I think if some taxi driver had driven me there, I might have thought he wanted to... Ha. 

We ordered chilli crabs, calamari,, oat prawns, la-la and sambal kangkong, and we did not have to wait long. Great service man. Just when we were hungry for seafood. Perhaps if there is another time, I must try the other types of seafood. Apparently, it was the best among the few seafood restaurants in that area, and too bad, we have not enough people to order more varities. Haha. Seafood was fresh, but I dun particularly like the calamari and the chilli crab sauce. Overall, the food was ok. And for all that we ordered, the whole meal cost only RM121. Cheap! Maybe comparable to Batam.

Because it was still early, TT brought us to some treetop place, called TREETOP, to chill out - to eat ICE KACANG. Haha. The ambience was damn nice and there was this angklung player who played along karaoke songs - Chinese, English and what have you got. Sometimes, I do think musically-inclined people are damn zai. 

After listening to some Beyond and Grasshoppers' songs, it was time to head home. What a fruitful day. Ok ok, I have the most shopping bags among those who went......

Thank TT for the tour!!!