In this digital age and era, many of us head over to food blogs to look for food recommendations whenever we start asking each other the million-dollar question, "what do you want to eat?" Hazel Diary, is definitely one of the places I'll head to look for great food recommendations and genuine reviews.
We are delighted to have Hazel Lam with us today and if you travel to Johor Bahru frequently, you will be glad to know that she will be sharing some of her favourite food from JB with us today in this interview.
1. Tell us more about yourself.
I love to travel and explore new places. Whenever I have time over the weekends, I will meet up with friends for food hunting around Singapore or Johor Bahru. Otherwise, I will just book tickets for a short getaway. It may sound crazy but I really enjoy the spontaneity which makes my life more colourful.
2. What made you start food blogging?
My first job was at a chain of Japanese restaurant which required me to visit the various outlets to monitor the quality of the food and services. Thus, I started taking photos of their food and posted them on my personal blog. Since then, it has become a habit and I take photos of food whenever I'm out for my meals. That’s how I start posting more about food on my social media platforms.
3. We know that you frequent Johor Bahru pretty often. For our readers who also head to JB for short trips, can you share with us some of your favourite food from JB?
Here are my 5 favourite local food that I will visit often whenever I am back to Johor Bahru.
- 1. Kiang Kee Bak Kut Teh 强记肉骨茶
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Batu 8, Jalan Mawai
Kota Tinggi
Johor, Malaysia
Unlike the peppery version in Singapore, Malaysia’s bak kut teh is known for their herbal broth. This place served delicious bak kut teh herbal broth. What makes the place so nostalgia is that it is still located at the roadside with an attap roof even after so many years of business. It has been featured in various media including Singapore and Taiwan.
Read More: http://blog.myfatpocket.com/hazeldiary/2015/10/kiang-kee-bak-kut-teh-kota-tinggi-johor/
- 2. Kah Kah Loke
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130, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3
Taman Sutera Utama
81300 Skudai, Johor
Malaysia
I used to hate bitter gourd but ever since my parents introduced this place to me, I fell in love with their bitter gourd soup and the bitter gourd with salted egg dish. Their signature deep-fried pork is definitely worth a try too.
- 3. Uncle Pou Wok
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105, Jalan Mutiara Emas 10/19
Taman Mount Austin,
Johor, Malaysia
This zi char restaurant is well-known for its Kampong Chicken and KL Hokkien Mee. Their Hokkien mee is cooked with pork lard and you can taste the wok-hei, which is the mark of any great zi char restaurant. Yes, it is sinful but definitely yummy.
Read more: http://blog.myfatpocket.com/hazeldiary/2016/04/jb-uncle-pou-wok-not-your-typical-uncle-restaurant/
- 4. Yap Fong Noodles
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Jalan Besar
81900 Kota Tinggi,
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Yap Fong Noodles has grown from a small roadside stall to a nice little eatery with a shop front now. Their noodles are handmade and it comes with sliced char siew and minced pork.
Read more: http://blog.myfatpocket.com/hazeldiary/2016/03/jb-eats-yap-fong-noodle-house-kota-tinggi/
- 5. Roti Canai Bukit Chagar
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Jalan Tengku Azizah
Bukit Chagar
80300 Johor Bahru
(Located just opposite Bukit Chagar Condominium)
Fans of roti canai rejoice. The roti canai served here has a crispy outer layer and a soft and airy inner core. It is much thicker than the usual roti canai, and what's more, it only cost RM1!
Read More: http://blog.myfatpocket.com/hazeldiary/2016/03/roti-canai-bukit-chagar-a-short-walk-from-jb-custom/
4. Any exciting cafes in JB that café-hoppers should know about?
Apart from the café along Jalan Trus, you can hop over to Taman Sutera or Mount Austin for café varieties. You can check out my Mount Austin Café listing for reference.
http://blog.myfatpocket.com/hazeldiary/2015/11/jb-cafe-hopping-in-mount-austin-johor-bahru/
Follow Hazel on Instagram at @hazeldiary_, and find out more about her food adventures on her blog Hazel Diary.