tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282512882024-03-14T13:04:19.974+08:00HitoMizationHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.comBlogger1048125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-66114892063863673162020-05-26T21:00:00.001+08:002020-05-26T21:03:17.772+08:00Perth Travelogue (15-21 Dec 2016): Perth Eats (Must Try, Try Lah, Maybe Not)A sense of nostalgia flowed through me as I was discussing where to have ramen in Japan with a friend of mine. Few months back, I decided to stop blogging but here I am again trying to document whatever memories I have left.<br />
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During my trip to Perth in 2016, I have tried the following places, which I have categorised them into "Must Try", "Try Lah" and "Maybe Not". Some of the places have since closed permanently, or moved to new locations.<br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></u></b> <b><u><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">Perth Must Try</span></u></b><br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Corica Pastries</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Apple strudel</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5 </li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Almost in heaven. Puff pastry was light and airy, almost flaked upon slightest touch. Apple sauce was not too sweet, so was the custard cream. Plus point, the cream was as fluffy as cloud. Bought my apple strudel first thing in the morning, when it was fresh out of oven. Had 2 slices right there and then in the car - best decision ever. Had another slice after chilled in fridge on the same day, but not the same as the one I had in the morning. So, my advice, do not wait.</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD22</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>106 Aberdeen St, Perth WA 6000, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours:</b> 8am-3pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-12pm (Sat), closed on Sun</li>
</ul>
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<li><b>Place: </b>Sweetlips</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Fish and chips, prawns</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>By far the best fish and chips in Perth. Yes, better than Amberjacks'. Fresh and flaky, it was tender soft inside and crunchy outside. We ordered a set of fish and chips, and another without chips to balance out the chips portion. Plus point: Sweetlips is located right next to the beach. You can take a stroll before dinner and enjoy the sunset and sea breeze. Love its summer holiday vibe.</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD28.30 for 2 pax</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>Unit 8/47 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>11.30am-7.30pm (Mon-Thurs), 11am-8pm (Fri-Sun)</li>
</ul>
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<li><b>Place: </b>The Merrywell </li>
<li><b>Order: </b>The Merrywell Angus Burger (cheddar, bacon, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, pickles, secret sauce and fries)</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Housed in Crown Casino, I came all the way here just for burgers, and not for the gambling (correction: not dressed for casino). The Merrywell Angus Burger was the first thing on the menu, so that was what I went for. All burgers served pink and juicy, exactly how I like mine. I appreciated the touch of finely sliced/chopped up coleslaw with dressing, so you get to have all the different ingredients and flavours in a bite. Bun was fluffy and toasted (yes, always toast your bun). Fries were skin-on and crude cut, just like those rustic fries. Everything was done to perfection. </li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD26</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>Crown Casino, Great Eastern Hwy, Burswood WA 6100, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>11-12am (Mon-Thurs), 7-3am (Fri-Sat), 7-12am (Sun)</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Short Order Burger Co - BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Short Order Burger Co</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>BBQ Bacon Cheese Burger - Premium grass fed beef pattie (cooked to medium rare perfection) with smoked mozzarella, American cheddar, caramelised onion, pickles, maple candied bacon, whole egg mayo, Short Order BBQ sauce, to go with lightly toasted brioche </li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>4/5 </li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Housed in The Mantle, Short Order Burger Co serves their burgers from a makeshift container, with free seating in The Mantle. Portion was small but their burger was on point. I particularly loved the touch of candied bacon.</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD14</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>1 James St, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours:</b> 6-10pm (Thurs, Fri), 12-10pm (Sat), 2-9pm (Sun), closed on Mon-Wed </li>
</ul>
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<li><b>Place: </b>Little Creatures Brewery</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Apple strudel, almond crumb, vanilla curd; ice cream sandwich, chocolate, caramel</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Next to harbour, you can literallenjoy the evening breeze while having local pale ale. If you are not a big fan of beer, fear not, for their desserts were to die for! Their apple strudel was so crumbly that it just disintegrated in your mouth, leaving you with the warmth from the apple sauce and crunchiness of the puff pastry skin. Their ice cream sandwich, on the hand, was solid enough to not lose its shape but creamy when it melted.</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD14 each</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>40 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia <b><span style="color: red;">(temporarily closed for brewing)</span></b></li>
<li><b>Operating Hours:</b> 10am-11pm (Sun-Thurs), 10am-midnight (Fri-Sat)</li>
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<li><b>Place: </b>Sandalford Estate</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Chorizo pizza with piquillo peppers, pickled gundilles, red onions; prosciutto pizza with buffalo mozzarella and basil</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Who would have thought they have such lovely pizzas here in vineyard? Me for one. Base was fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Probably made with wood oven. I particularly loved their prosciutto pizza. More mozzarella please!</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD25 each</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>3210 West Swan Rd, Caversham WA 6055, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>Not available - should be opened whenever the vineyard is open</li>
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<li><b>Place: </b>Toastface Grillah</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Pear and cheese toastie, iced latte</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>4/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Tucked in a quiet laneway, it was unassuming. Pop culture references, street arts, and obscure food pairings are what they have got to offer. I ordered an unusual pairing of pear and cheese toastie, which I personally find it would be better if the pear was more caramelised or ripe. I loved how toasted the bread were and how generous they were with the fillings. Downside, it was really hot and stuffy to dine in.</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD13.50 for both toastie and coffee</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>Grand Theatre Lane (it seems like they have now moved to 143 Barrack St, which looks spacious), Perth WA 6000, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>7am-3pm (Mon-Sat), closed on Sun</li>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Perth Try Lah</span></u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Tran - Bun Thit Nuong</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Mama Tran</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Bun Thit Nuong</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Totally unexpected gem - tender grilled pork, good portion of vegetables, pork and noodles, and sweet and sour flavour that makes you want more, just like those I had in Hanoi!</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD13</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>6/36-40 Milligan St, Perth WA 6000, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>8.30am-7.30pm (Mon-Fri), closed on Sat-Sun </li>
</ul>
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<li><b>Place: </b>Lucky Chan's Laundry and Noodle Bars</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Spinach and cream cheese wanton, Chan's dragon breath ramen (spicy miso tomato, char-sui pork, kimchi, chili noodles (very spicy))</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>5/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Situated in a multi-story building with open rooftop dining concept at the highest floor, Lucky Chan's houses a bar on the first floor, with tables for diners across all the floors. A chill place to hang with a bunch of friends. Despite being here during summer, Perth's evening was rather chilly, which was a reprieve after a whole day of dry hot weather. Not only their interior is interesting, their food is too. Our entree, spinach and cream cheese wanton, was a beautiful mess of gooey hot fillings with crispy wanton skin. I find their Chan's dragon breath ramen was not "very spicy" as they claimed but interesting play of flavour - spicy and sour mainly from different sources i.e. kimchi, tomato soup, and sweet and savoury from char-sui pork. </li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD12 for wanton, AUD16 for ramen</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>311 William St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>5.30-9pm (Mon-Thurs), 5.30-9.30pm (Fri-Sat), closed on Sun</li>
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<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Sprolo</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Pulled beef burger, latte</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>4/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Caffeine here was good. One thing you surely won't miss in Perth is a good cup of coffee. Burger or toastie, I could not tell for sure. It seems they only serve toasties now. This "toastie" of mine could use more charring and pulled beef.</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD29.70 for 2 pax</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>128 Canning Hwy, South Perth WA 6151, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>7am-4pm (Mon-Sat), 8am-2pm (Sun)</li>
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<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Typika Artisan Roasters</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Eggs on toast (two free-ranged eggs, cooked as ordered, poached, scrambled or fried, served on top of two slices of toast, ciabatta, cape seed or gluten free), and mocha</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>4/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>The smell of roasted beans perpetrated every corner of Typika. It was a pleasant smell to wake up to. Coffee here was more punchy. Good for a weekday pick-me-up or weekend brunch plan with friends. They do serve something heavier for those who like a proper meal. You can shop for some fresh roasted coffee beans to bring home with you too!</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD13.90 for eggs on toast, AUD4.70 for mocha</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>331 Stirling Hwy, Claremont WA 6010, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>6.30am-3.30pm (Mon-Sun)</li>
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<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Alfred's Kitchen</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Alfred's Special (Hamburger with egg, cheese, bacon and gerkin spread), soup</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>3/5 </li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>One of the oldest diner in Perth, serving humble burger-come-club sandwich. For the price, you get a loaded sandwich, which was simple and down-to-earth. Interesting dining concept where you get to dine in a train. However you need to order and pick up at the counter. Soup was disappointing - more flour than soup. </li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD14.50</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>98 James St (at Bank St), Guildford WA 6055, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours:</b><b> </b>5pm-midnight (Mon-Fri), 5pm-2am (Sat), 12pm-midnight (Sun)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Perth Maybe Not</u></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4zjF2Ud8kk/XsvNQziZ84I/AAAAAAAAM1E/i583qJTPki0rsekHstju3XWMbabiaPs2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0954%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_4zjF2Ud8kk/XsvNQziZ84I/AAAAAAAAM1E/i583qJTPki0rsekHstju3XWMbabiaPs2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/DSC_0954%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amberjack - Fish and Chips</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Amberjack</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Fish and Chips - should be the catch of the day</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>3/5</li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Fish was decent but came in small portion. Generous fries portion. No dipping sauce was provided, so had to get them in tiny containers which was barely sufficient for a quarter of the fries. </li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD45.50 for 3 sets</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>28/94 Marine Parade (John St), Cottesloe WA 6011, Australia</li>
<li><b>Operating Hours: </b>11am-8pm (Mon-Thurs), 11am-8.15pm (Fri-Sun)</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ko5yLzV8x3A/Xs0M8wPh1kI/AAAAAAAAM4c/5mSKcIKPFroYwo8YZipXsSnBLrzqsktHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ko5yLzV8x3A/Xs0M8wPh1kI/AAAAAAAAM4c/5mSKcIKPFroYwo8YZipXsSnBLrzqsktHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_0615.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tra Vinh - Pho with Beef Slices and Beef Balls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Place: </b>Tra Vinh</li>
<li><b>Order: </b>Pho with beef slices and beef balls</li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>3/5 </li>
<li><b>Verdict: </b>Tender beef slices and decent soup, though the noodles were rather soggy, and beef balls did not taste or look appetising. Also, where was my fish sauce and sweet and sour dipping sauce?</li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD15.50</li>
<li><b>Location: </b>301 William St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia <b><span style="color: red;">(permanently closed)</span></b></li>
<li><b>Operating Hours:</b><b> </b>N/A</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xn9ux6Mw__Q/Xsu_elRaOdI/AAAAAAAAM0U/b0oyRrDDdKoO5F-S5Ff2S93sC6JuwmfmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Moana%2BCoffee.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xn9ux6Mw__Q/Xsu_elRaOdI/AAAAAAAAM0U/b0oyRrDDdKoO5F-S5Ff2S93sC6JuwmfmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Moana%2BCoffee.png" width="640" /></a><br />
<ul>
<li><b style="font-weight: bold;">Place: </b>Moana Coffee </li>
<li><b style="font-weight: bold;">Order: </b>Sweet potato mash toast with caramelised onions, feta cheese (left and bottom right), marmite toast with avocado (top right) </li>
<li><b>Rating: </b>3/5 </li>
<li><b style="font-weight: bold;">Verdict: </b>Sweet and savory, this sweet potato mash toast was delightful, though the toast was nothing to shout about. Marmite was not really my thing - too salty to my liking, perhaps need more avocado to balance it out. </li>
<li><b>Spend: </b>AUD23.80 (toast + coffee) </li>
<li><b>Location: </b>618 Hay St (at Barrack St), Perth WA 6000, Australia<b style="font-weight: bold;"> <span style="color: red;">(permanently closed)</span></b> </li>
<li><b style="font-weight: bold;">Operating Hours:</b><b> </b>N/A</li>
</ul>
HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Perth WA, Australia-31.9505269 115.8604572-32.8119469 114.5695637 -31.0891069 117.1513507tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-70223129416829225312019-05-12T17:34:00.002+08:002019-05-12T17:34:39.611+08:00Hong Kong Travelogue: All for Roast Goose Rice (18-20 Oct 2016)<b>18 Oct 2016: </b>So the Typhoon landed in Hong Kong (well, duh...since we were stuck at Lantau Island)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy Morning</td></tr>
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The next few days in Hong Kong was wet and rainy, of which the best place to be is cuddling underneath blanket while sipping a cup of hot tea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Goose Rice @ Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>That being said, tummies need to be filled. What best time than now to try out roast goose from nearby Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳? I must say Sham Tseng Chan Kei 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳 did not disappoint - roast goose was tender and flavorful, though rice was a little dry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egg and Ham Sandwich @ Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳</td></tr>
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We ordered egg and ham sandwich at the side for snacking too. Just look at that fluffy scrambled eggs and golden crusty bread.<br />
<br />
Total damage for 3 pax = HKD 192<br />
<br />
After our late brunch, we ordered some take-aways from Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥 and shopped for chocolates and snacks at Best Mart 360, before retreating to One SilverSea for the rest of the day.<br />
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<b>19 Oct 2016:</b> It was a rainy morning. Despite the drizzles, it did not stop the adventurous me to head out to Wanchai for some food hunting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polo Bun (HKD 9) @ Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳</td></tr>
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My first stop was Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳 for some Polo Bun, aka pineapple bun. By the time I located Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳, trays of freshly baked buns were shuffled to the cooling rack. Warm and fluffy, each bite was a combination of crusty top, oozing butter and pineapple jam. This sure beats <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2019/02/tim-ho-wan-kam-wah-lan-fong-yuen.html">Kam Wah Cafe's</a>!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egg Tart (HKD 8) @ Honolulu Coffee Shop <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">檀島咖啡餅店</span></td></tr>
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As I was locating two other roast goose restaurants in Wanchai, I came across <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2013/07/food-hunting-Central-Mong-Kok.html">Honolulu Coffee Shop <br />
檀島咖啡餅店</a> and couldn't help myself but grabbed an egg tart on the go - it did not disappoint. Compared to Tai Cheong's, Honolulu had actually kept up its quality over time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Goose Rice @ Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝 </td></tr>
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Within 150m walk from Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀島咖啡餅店, I found Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝, the one-Michelin starred restaurant in 2015-2018. It was packed to the brim and there was a short queue right at its store front. Good thing was the wait was not too long. Ignoring the slightly charred skin, their roast goose was moist and flavourful. While the focus was not on the rice, I believe some sauce would surely help to elevate the overall enjoyment.<br />
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Total damage = HKD104 (one dine-in and one take-away)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Goose Rice (HKD47) @ Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店</td></tr>
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At this point, I barely had any tummy space for more roast goose rice but my quest for roast goose rice did not end here. Up next was a smaller establishment called Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店, which is another 150m away from Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝. I would say Joy Hing's roast goose was comparable to Kam's, better still with a cheaper price tag! That probably explained why the diners in Joy Hing's was mostly locals.<br />
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With two packed roast goose rice in hand, I made my way back to One SilverSea and spend my evening chilling and packing luggages.<br />
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<b>20 Oct 2016:</b> Alas, today was our last day in Hong Kong. We had almost checked off all the must-try in Hong Kong, save for some classic curry fish balls.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curry Fish Balls (HKD 3) @ Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食</td></tr>
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When we came across Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食, we knew that we must at least order some! Though it was not as bouncy and spicy as Malaysians are used to, it was.definitely worth a try.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ren Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆</td></tr>
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As for me, I wanted to have another bowl of tau fu fa before we left to airport. So we made our way to Ren Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠 in Mong Kok.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tau Fu Fa in Red Glutinous Rice @ Ren Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠/td></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye Hong Kong!</td></tr>
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Alright, it was time to go now. Goodbye Hong Kong! Till we meet again...<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/44825529711/in/album-72157701317883874/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1673"></a><br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>In summary,</b><br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Ambiance</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳- 3/5</li>
<li>Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳 - 3/5</li>
<li>Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀島咖啡餅店 - 4/5</li>
<li>Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝 - 4/5</li>
<li>Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店 - 2/5</li>
<li>Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食 - 2/5</li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠 - 2/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Price</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳- 3/5</li>
<li>Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳 - 3/5</li>
<li>Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀島咖啡餅店 - 3/5</li>
<li>Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝 - 2/5</li>
<li>Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店 - 3/5</li>
<li>Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食 - 3/5</li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠 - 2/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Food</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳- 3/5</li>
<li>Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳 - 5/5</li>
<li>Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀島咖啡餅店 - 5/5</li>
<li>Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝 - 4/5</li>
<li>Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店 - 4/5</li>
<li>Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食 - 2/5</li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠 - 1/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Verdict</b></li>
<ul>
<li>Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳- Unexpected find. They serve plum sauce at the side, so it was a little unusual.</li>
<li>Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳 - Nothing beats fresh out-of-oven pineapple bun!</li>
<li>Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀島咖啡餅店 - Grab it and you won't regret it</li>
<li>Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝 - Slightly upscale dining with air conditioning and solid seating</li>
<li>Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店 - Cramped restaurant with make-shift tables and chairs. Locals seemed to love it here.</li>
<li>Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食 - Good place to get some snacks while you walk around </li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠 - Never again</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Sham Tseng Chan Kei Roast Goose 深井陳記燒鵝茶餐廳<br />
427-427A Reclamation Street, Mong Kok<br />
Operation Hours: 7am - 11.30pm<br />
Tel: +852 23813636<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Kam Fung Restaurant 金鳳茶餐廳<br />
G/F, Spring Garden Mansion, 41 Spring Garden Lane, Wan Chai<br />
Operation Hours: 6.45am - 7pm<br />
Tel: +852 25720526<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Honolulu Coffee Shop 檀島咖啡餅店<br />
G/F and Mezz Floor, 176-178 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai<br />
Operation Hours: 6.30am - 11.30pm<br />
Tel: +852 25751823<br />
Credit Card: Cash, Octopus<br />
<br />
Kam's Roast Goose 甘牌燒鵝<br />
G/F, Po Wah Commercial Center, 226 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai<br />
Operation Hours: 11.30am - 9.30pm<br />
Tel: +852 54087740 or +852 25201110<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Joy Hing Roast Goose 再興燒臘飯店<br />
Block C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai<br />
Operation Hours: 9.30am - 10pm (Mon - Sat, closed on Sun and public holidays)<br />
Tel: +852 25196639<br />
Credit Card: Cash, Alipay<br />
<br />
Long Jin Mei Shi 龍津美食<br />
32 Mong Kok Road, Mong Kok<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和荳品廠<br />
28 Mong Kok Rd,, Mong Kok<br />
Operation Hours: 24hours<br />
Tel: +852 23959867<br />
Credit Card: Cash onlyHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hong Kong22.3193039 114.1693611000000621.8493704 113.52391410000006 22.7892374 114.81480810000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-34165518790171853592019-03-31T22:58:00.000+08:002019-03-31T23:01:58.368+08:00Hong Kong Travelogue: Stuck at Lantau Island (17 Oct 2016)I thought that weekends would be bad timing to go to Lantau Island but I was wrong. Monday was equally packed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queuing for Tickets @ Ngong Ping 360 Ticketing Office at Tung Chung</td></tr>
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I did not recall how long I was in the queue. It was probably past an hour when we got this close to the ticket counters.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystal Cable Car Time</td></tr>
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By the time you hit the counter, you would not care much except to get on the next cable car. Of course that usually means an upgrade, which in our case, return tickets for crystal cable car i.e. cable car with glass bottom, for HKD555 for 3 pax.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Cable Car @ Ngong Ping</td></tr>
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All these cable cars simply could not fulfill all the anxious crowd back in the ticketing counters fast enough...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairway up the Lantau Island</td></tr>
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Along the 5.7 km ropeway, we came across these stairways climbing the mountain and occasionally a gang or two trekking along in their sports attires.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Aunt being playful @ Ngong Ping Village</td></tr>
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Our 25-min cable car ride came to an end at Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal on Lantau Island. Upon exit, you will find yourself in a cultural themed Ngong Ping Village, where you can shop, dine and keep yourself entertained.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Buddha @ Lantau Island</td></tr>
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My objective, however, was to pay visit to the Big Buddha (aka Tian Tan Buddha).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Buddha @ Lantau Island</td></tr>
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The Big Buddha is the second largest outdoor bronze seated buddha, sitting atop peak of Mount Muk Yue. Located ~10 min walk from Ngong Ping Village, you will find yourself at the foot of 268-step staircases leading up to the 3-storey pedestal for 360 degree view of Lantau Island and South China Sea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Offering of the Six Devas @ The Big Buddha</td></tr>
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Once you reached the 3-storey pedestal, you will find 6 bronze statues known as The Offering of the Six Devas surrounding the Buddha.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moo Moo Encounter @ Lantau Island</td></tr>
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By the time I was ready to leave the Big Buddha, Typhoon weather alert came in, beckoning the crowd to wrap up before the storm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wisdom Path @ Lantau Island</td></tr>
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I wasted no time and headed straight to the Wisdom Path, which was ~10 min away from the Big Buddha. On these wooden columns are the inscriptions of complete verses of the Heart Sutra written. It was a shame that time was not at my side, else I could easily immerse myself in this seemingly endless path (no pun intended!).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excerpt I came to know from The Monkey King @ Wisdom Path</td></tr>
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By the time I came down from Wisdom Path to Po Lin Monastery, drizzles came. I did not get my chance to visit the Po Lin Monastery before we made our way back to the Ngong Ping Cable Car Terminal.<br />
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Lo and behold! The cable car ride was stopped due to the bad weather, so hundreds of us ended up waiting in queue for hours for the alternate transport i.e. buses to bring us back to Tung Chung. The exhaustion, the humidity, the restless of the crowd - on hindsight, we should have just stayed at home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Har Gao @ Tim Ho Wan, Olympian City 2</td></tr>
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To placate our weary souls, we stopped by Tim Ho Wan at Olympian City 2 to have some warm delicious dim sum in a comfortable setting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf @ Tim Ho Wan</td></tr>
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I wasn't sure if it was the hunger talking but Tim Ho Wan sure lived up to our standard. Now, time to have a good shower, stretch my legs and have a good night sleep! Given another chance, I would have spent another day or two at Lantau Island, probably some trekking and exploring fishing village nearby.HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Lantau Island, Hong Kong22.2664984 113.9417510000000722.0313934 113.61902750000007 22.5016034 114.26447450000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-82430484330328712162019-03-03T20:07:00.000+08:002019-05-12T16:36:16.716+08:00Hong Kong Travelogue: Yee Shun vs Australian Dairy, Mak Man Kee, Yat Lok, Yan Wo Dou & Man Fai (15-16 Oct 2016)Day broke earlier in Hong Kong. By 5am, the sky was brightly lit. Say bye bye to sleeping in on a Saturday morning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning View from One Silversea</td></tr>
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Since cousin was not working on a Saturday, she brought us to Golden Sands Restaurant at Tai Kok Shui for a typical Hong Kong breakfast. A typical Hong Kong breakfast is one of the things that you must do when you are in Hong Kong but in any case, steer clear from macaroni. I repeat, steer clear from macaroni!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signature Double-Skinned Steamed Milk (HKD32) @ Yee Shun Dairy Company 港澳義順牛奶公司</td></tr>
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After breakfast, I took a train to Fitness First Platinum at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Shui, to squeeze in one-hour fat burning Body Attack class with my complimentary overseas access. Two hours later, here I was at Yee Shun Dairy Company 港澳義順牛奶公司 for some piping hot Signature Double-Skinned Steamed Milk. Compared to Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司's hot steamed milk, I found myself liking Yee Shun's more as it was more subtle in sweetness and lighter in texture.<br />
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Total damage for 1 pax = HKD32<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司 and Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家</td></tr>
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Mom and aunt departed later from One SilverSea to meet me for early dinner at Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 and dessert at Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司. Despite the sense of frustration and lost, I must commend my mom and aunt for navigating the trains in Hong Kong on their own.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumpling Wan Tan Mee (HKD32) @ Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家</td></tr>
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3 years ago, I ordered my first bowl of dumpling wan tan mee here at <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2013/07/food-hunting-Central-Mong-Kok.html">Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家</a> and fell in love with the springy noodle in clear soup and crunchy and fresh dumplings. 3 years later, I ordered the same thing again and they did not disappoint.<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD98<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed Milks @ Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司</td></tr>
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For dessert, we walked a few shops away from Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 to Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司. The steamed milk in <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2013/11/eat-snack-play-mong-kok.html">Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司</a> was as sweet and intense as I remembered 3 years ago. Good thing was we had more pax to share, so we ordered two different steamed milk for varieties.<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD67<br />
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Our night ended pretty early with us heading back to One SilverSea to chill and rest after our dinner and dessert at Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 and Australian Dairy Company 澳洲牛奶公司.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Store Front @ Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅</td></tr>
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As Sunday comes, it was time for us to head out and hunt for more Hong Kong delicacies. This time round, we were going to Central for some roast goose.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Gooses @ Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅</td></tr>
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I don't know about you. The first time I tried Yung Kee Roast Goose, I was disappointed with its quality and price point, so I had strike out Yung Kee Roast Goose.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Goose Noodle @ Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅</td></tr>
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Mom and aunt, the two big noodles fans, opted for roast goose noodle at Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅. I must say while the goose fat did make the soup tasted much nicer, the thick rice noodles did do its part in making slurping it all the more delightful. Little did I know at that point of time that Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅 was Michelin 1 Starred Restaurant in 2015-2018!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Goose Rice @ Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅</td></tr>
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I, on the other hand, did it the old school way (I think). Unlike Yung Kee's, Yat Lok's roast goose was tender, juicy and bursting with flavours. Just look at that sliver of fat underneath the charred skin - one word, heavenly! Another thing I appreciated much was the fact that Yat Lok served their rice drizzled with sauces.<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD169<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti @ Central</td></tr>
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After our hearty brunch, we went around exploring Central. While I sure did not recall seeing any grafitti 3 years back, Central was now covered with graffiti across all the walls you could possibly spot. Not a bad sight at all!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fashion" Alley @ Central</td></tr>
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For those who explored Central on foot before, you must share the same sense of exhaustion after going up and down the slopes and staircases that did not seem to end. To ease our exhaustion, we stopped by Tai Cheong Bakery to grab a few egg tarts. I must say the quality was no longer the same as what I had 3 years ago.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan Fried Tofu with Fish Meat (HKD16) @ Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店</td></tr>
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After all the walk, we hopped onto a train to Causeway Bay and started our pre-lunch snacking at Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店. While it was not out of the world, this pan fried tofu with fish meat was quite a delight.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tau Fu Fa in Black Sesame and Tau Fu Fa in Ginger Sugar (HKD16 each) @ Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店</td></tr>
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Their tau fu fa on the other hand was lovely! Fragrant and silky smooth, I simply could not resist, especially not when it came with my favorite black sesame dessert.<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD48<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/30953705828/in/album-72157701317883874/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1754"><img alt="IMG_1754" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1917/30953705828_fc81a37605_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Store Front @ Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went around Causeway Bay on foot, exploring the area without specific destination in mind. Not long after, we decided to make a pit stop at Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王, which I came across in my research, though not enlisted in my to-do list.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Soup Noodles with Seafood Balls @ Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王</td></tr>
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While I would not particularly hunt for a bowl of clear soup noodles with seafood balls, it was decent and hearty. Don't get me wrong, I am still not a fan of processed seafood balls, but these were better than the factory made (duh!).<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD120<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tramming @ Hong Kong Island</td></tr>
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On the way back, we managed to get on the free tram ride across Hong Kong Island, which you could just hope on and off as and when you like. It was quite an experience to be able to see the city from an elevated view - best of all, it was free!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese Baked Fried Rice @ Mongkok Cooked Food Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Stir Fry with Rice @ Mongkok Cooked Food Market</td></tr>
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We had so much venturing for the day that by dinner time, we unanimously agreed to settle at the nearby Mongkok Cooked Food Market. It was a huge mistake. The fried rice was horrible and the "cheese" tasted like bland milk powder. The stir fry was equally disappointing and I believe I can cook than this.</div>
<br />
In summary,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Yee Shun Dairy 港澳義順牛奶公司 - 3/5</li>
<li>Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 - 3/5</li>
<li>Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司 - 3/5</li>
<li>Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅 - 3/5</li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店 - 3/5</li>
<li>Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王 - 3/5</li>
<li>Mongkok Cooked Food Market - 1/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Yee Shun Dairy 港澳義順牛奶公司 - 3/5</li>
<li>Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 - 4/5</li>
<li>Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司 - 3/5</li>
<li>Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅 - 4/5</li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店 - 5/5</li>
<li>Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王 - 4/5</li>
<li>Mongkok Cooked Food Market - 3/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Yee Shun Dairy 港澳義順牛奶公司 - 5/5</li>
<li>Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 - 4/5</li>
<li>Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司 - 3/5</li>
<li>Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅 - 5/5</li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店 - 5/5</li>
<li>Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王 - 4/5</li>
<li>Mongkok Cooked Food Market - 1/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Yee Shun Dairy 港澳義順牛奶公司 - If you are not a fan of coying sweet stuff, here is where you should go for some steamed milk</li>
<li>Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家 - Here for a good bowl of springy noodles and dumplings</li>
<li>Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司 - Good selections of food and snacks, I still prefer Yee Shun's steamed milk over Australian Dairy Milk Company's</li>
<li>Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅 - Hands down the best (and affordable) roast goose I have tried in Hong Kong </li>
<li>Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店 - Must try their tau fu fa, though they could really use a little more sweetness </li>
<li>Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王 - Fairly good meal option for those who love seafood balls noodle</li>
<li>Mongkok Cooked Food Market - Horrible, never want to step foot into this place ever again!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
My personal attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Central - Walking across Central is akin to walking through the passage of time where both past and present intertwined, which I personally find it intriguing but tiring (just look at them stairs and slopes!). Also, take the chance to get on free tram rides whenever you are on the island</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Yee Shun Dairy 港澳義順牛奶公司<br />
63 Pilkem St, Kowloon City, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: 8am - 12am<br />
Tel: +852 2730 2799<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Mak Man Kee 麦文记面家<br />
G/F, 51 Parkes St, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: 12.00pm - 12.30am<br />
Tel: +852 2736 5561<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Australian Dairy Milk Company 澳洲牛奶公司<br />
G/F, 47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan<br />
Operation Hours: 7.30am - 11.00pm (closed on Thurs and public holidays)<br />
Tel: +852 2730 1356<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Yat Lok Roast Goose 一乐烧鹅 (Michelin 1 Starred Restaurant (2015-18))<br />
G/F, 34-38 Stanley Street, Central<br />
Operation Hours: 10am - 9pm (Mon - Sat, closed on Weds), 10.00am - 5.30pm (Sun and public holidays)<br />
Tel: +852 2524 3882<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Yan Wo Dou Bun Chong 人和豆品专门店<br />
55 Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 11pm<br />
Tel: +852 2808 4738<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Man Fai Noodles 文辉墨鱼丸大王<br />
22-24 Jardine's Bazaar,, Causeway Bay<br />
Operation Hours: 8am - 2am<br />
Tel: +852 2890 1278<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Mongkok Cooked Food Market<br />
2/F, Mong Kok Complex, 555-557 Shanghai St, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: 9am - 11pm<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: Cash onlyHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hong Kong22.396428 114.1094970000000321.9264945 113.46405000000003 22.8663615 114.75494400000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-57433282148661107382019-02-19T23:30:00.001+08:002019-05-12T16:34:44.521+08:00Hong Kong Travelogue: Hello Tim Ho Wan, Kam Wah & Lan Fong Yuen (13-14 Oct 2016)7 Jun 2013 marked my first time in the land of Hong Kong, also my first time travelling out of Malaysia. Fast forward 3 years 4 months and 6 days, here I was, ready to get on a flight to visit this familiar land once again. This time, I was accompanied by mom and aunt, mainly to visit my cousin in Hong Kong. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Boarding @ KLIA 2</td></tr>
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After our flight landed in Hong Kong at 1pm, we took a bus to Citygate Outlet for a quick window shopping and lunch at Golden Shanghai Cuisine. Apart from the terrible service at Golden Shanghai Cuisine, I couldn't recall what we ate.<br />
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Our first order of business at Tung Chung Station was to grab Octopus cards. Each Octopus card came loaded with HKD100 credit and HKD50 refundable deposit. Armed with our Octopus cards, we took a train from Tung Chung Station to Olympic Station to meet up with my nephew before shuttling to One SilverSea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from One SilverSea</td></tr>
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Look at the splendid view towards the open sea! I wouldn't mind spending the day sitting at the balcony with a bottle of wine (or two)...<br />
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Connectivity in One SilverSea was considerably good - you can either take a 5-min walk or take a shuttle to Olympian City malls nearby for groceries/train station. Another 10-min walk away you will find yourself at Langham Place, where we had our dinner with my cousin at the Jasmine Garden restaurant.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 @ Argyle Street</td></tr>
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Nothing felt better than a night of restful sleep. Our first order of the day was to try out a nearby porridge shop, Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品, which my nephew personally vouched for.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Porridge (HKD19) @ Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 </td></tr>
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Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 has a good variety of porridge - fish porridge, pork porridge, beef porridge; with or without century eggs; pork blood or beef blood. For the unadventurous me, I had a bowl of fish porridge. Served tongue scorching hot, thinly sliced fish was cooked the moment it bathed in the flavourful and silky smooth porridge base. I loved it.<br />
<br />
We also ordered some cheong fun aka rice roll with char siew (HKD16) and savory bak chang (HKD16) to share. One thing for sure, I would not recommend the rice roll.<br />
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Total damage for 4 pax = HKD142<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring Morning Market</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After our breakfast, we went exploring the nearby morning market, checking out the fresh produce and dried goods, while taking away food or snacks before heading back to One SilverSea to chill.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siew Mai and Steamed Pork Ribs @ Tim Ho Wan 添好運 </td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>By 3pm, we headed out from our cosy place and headed out to <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2013/10/tim-ho-wan-dim-sum.html">Tim Ho Wan 添好運</a> at Sham Shui Po for dim sum lunch. It was not exactly easy to locate as it took us quite awhile and some walks, but being here again brought back fond memories of my first visit 3 years back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crunchy Baked Char Siew Pau @ Tim Ho Wan 添好運 </td></tr>
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The most memorable piece was none other than the signature crunchy baked char siew pau. Time and time again, it did not fail to amaze me with its crumbly skin and savoury filings. It was so good that I could easily finish them all by myself. By far the best Michelin 1-star dim sum I have had in my life!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turnip Cake @ Tim Ho Wan 添好運 </td></tr>
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While the other dim sum here was not mind blowing, they did stand up for themselves in the absence of sweet and savory brown sauce and chili sauce that Malaysians are accustomed to. You might not find your local fried turnip cake here though.<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD102<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mongkok Flower Market</td></tr>
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To burn some calories off, we had a little excursion to Mongkok Flower Market and Yuen Po Street Bird Garden before making our way to Kam Wah Cafe for our afternoon tea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kam Wah Cafe</td></tr>
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Located in the busy Mongkok area, this <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2013/07/food-hunting-Central-Mong-Kok.html">Kam Wah Cafe</a> at Bute Street was filled to the brim. Good thing was the turnover was quick, so we did not have to wait too long for a table for three.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polo Bun and Stocking Milk Tea @ Kam Wah Cafe</td></tr>
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I guess the quick turnover could tell a thing or two. Apart from the smooth slab of butter and the crumbly bun at the top, there was not a hint of pineapple, not to mention it was dry too.<br />
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Total damage for 3 pax = HKD92<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chu Zai Pao 猪仔包 (HKD 17) @ Lan Fong Yuen</td></tr>
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Disappointed by Kam Wah Cafe, we needed some distractions, so we had our fair share of window shopping at the Goldfish Market, Fa Yuen Street Market and Sneaker Street before taking a train from Mong Kok East Station to East Tsim Sha Tsui Station for iSQUARE Mall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Noodle with Chicken Wing @ Lan Fong Yuen</td></tr>
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The last time I visited Lan Fong Yuen at Central, it was just for a milk tea to go. This branch in iSQUARE Mall was probably a new addition, with more comfortable seating in air-conditioned environment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curry Pork Chop Noodle<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Lan Fong Yuen</span></td></tr>
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I couldn't recall what I had but it was outright mediocre and expensive (HKD52/set with coffee/milk tea). The only saving grace was the chu zai pao 猪仔包, which is basically a toasted version of bun without the crumbly top like Kam Wah's, drizzled with condensed milk.<br />
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Total damage for 4 pax = HKD175<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/29888462957/in/album-72157701317883874/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_1705"><img alt="IMG_1705" height="640" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1979/29888462957_2ca0b83541_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladies Market @ Mongkok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfish Market @ Mongkok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We took a bus back to Mongkok after dinner at Lan Fong Yuen. I must say it was an eye opening experience to be in a mini bus kind of transport, traversing the cross roads in the compact land of Hong Kong.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mobile Softee Truck @ Mongkok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While we were at it, let's have a Softee cone to end the night.<br />
<br />
In summary,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 - 2/5</li>
<li>Tim Ho Wan 添好運 - 4/5</li>
<li>Kam Wah Cafe - 4/5</li>
<li>Lan Fong Yuen - 3/5</li>
<li>Mobile Softee truck - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 - 4/5</li>
<li>Tim Ho Wan 添好運 - 4/5</li>
<li>Kam Wah Cafe - 3/5</li>
<li>Lan Fong Yuen - 2/5</li>
<li>Mobile Softee Truck - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 - 3/5</li>
<li>Tim Ho Wan 添好運 - 5/5</li>
<li>Kam Wah Cafe - 2/5</li>
<li>Lan Fong Yuen - 1/5</li>
<li>Mobile Softee Truck - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品 - worth trying if you are up for porridge as breakfasts as it serves mainly locals and gets real pack in the mornings</li>
<li>Tim Ho Wan 添好運 - can't say enough for this affordable and awesome 1-Michelin star dim sum</li>
<li>Kam Wah Cafe - disappointed with the return visit, probably no next time</li>
<li>Lan Fong Yuen - just stay away for your own good</li>
<li>Mobile Softee Truck - must try but wasn't fantastic</li>
</ul>
</ul>
My personal attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Mongkok Flower Market - interesting floras and decorations, definitely worth a visit for flower enthusiasts</li>
<li>Yuen Po Street Bird Garden - if you enjoy a garden filled with chirping birds, this would be the perfect place for you</li>
<li>Goldfish Market, Fa Yuen Street Market, Ladies Market, Sneaker Street - window shop for you? Sure, it does not cost a cent! Otherwise for sneaker heads, Sneaker Street is where you want to be</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Qian Jiang Porridge Shop 钱江粥品<br />
Shop E, 5 Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Tim Ho Wan 添好運 (Michelin 1 Starred Restaurant (2015-18))<br />
9-11 Fuk Wing St, Kowloon, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: 10am - 10pm (Mon - Fri), 9am - 10pm (Sat - Sun)<br />
Tel: +852 2332 2896<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Kam Wah Cafe<br />
G/F, 47 Bute St, HK, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: 6.30am - 11.30pm<br />
Tel: +852 2392 6830<br />
Credit Card: Cash only<br />
<br />
Lan Fong Yuen<br />
Shop 26, LG/F, Woodhouse, 36-44 Nathan Rd, Kowloon City, Hong Kong<br />
Operation Hours: 10.30am - 9.30pm<br />
Tel: +852 2316 2311<br />
Credit Card: Cash onlyHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hong Kong22.396428 114.1094970000000321.9264945 113.46405000000003 22.8663615 114.75494400000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-38590882500859802112018-08-30T22:00:00.000+08:002018-09-16T20:37:44.555+08:00Food Hunting List: JapanBali in Jan 2014, Singapore in Jun 2014, Japan in Oct 2014...<br />
Come to think of it, 2014 had been a year filled with lots of travelling.<br />
<br />
After sharing the #FoodHuntingListSG, it would only be fair that this post to be dedicated for #FoodHuntingListJapan.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/15979007733" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5239"><img alt="IMG_5239" height="427" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8639/15979007733_feec5fc382_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir Fry Pork Don <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">ロース豚丼 for 450yen @</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Yoshinoya </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Stir Fry Pork Don - Yoshinoya</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Stir Fry Pork Don and Suntory Draft Beer</li>
<li>Verdict: Taste wise, the stir fry pork don was good, though I wished I had more gravy to soak up my rice. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/02/tokyo-haneda-international-airport.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/02/tokyo-haneda-international-airport.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/16018879218_ed226c1929_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kobe Wagyu - Wakkoqu あぶり肉工房 和黒 新神戸店 (Shin-Kobe Oriental Avenue)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Kobe Wagyu - Wakkoqu あぶり肉工房 和黒 新神戸店 (Shin-Kobe Oriental Avenue)</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Lunch Wakkoqu Course (Tajima and Sanda Beef from Kobe), Lunch Course (Tajima Beef from Hyogo Prefecture), Lunch Set (Tajima Beef from Hyogo Prefecture)</li>
<li>Verdict: Resistance was non existent, cube after cube of Sanda beef melted in my mouth. Tajima beef, on the other hand, had richness so much more intensified despite its less impressive fat distribution. Personally I liked Tajima beef more.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/03/heading-to-land-of-kobe-beef-okonomiyaki.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/03/heading-to-land-of-kobe-beef-okonomiyaki.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/16214235822_66f9f7927a_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okonomiyaki - Tengu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Okonomiyaki - Tengu</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Scallop Okonomiyaki, Pork Okonomiyaki</li>
<li>Verdict: The scallop okonomiyaki was cooked to nicety: slightly moist but not undercooked. Paired with slightly crusty outer layer, it was a great combination of texture. Though the filling was slightly varied, both okonomiyakis shared the same texture and flavour.</li>
<li>More details <complete id="goog_150984506">@ </complete><a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/03/heading-to-land-of-kobe-beef-okonomiyaki.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/03/heading-to-land-of-kobe-beef-okonomiyaki.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8616/16029236507_50eab8f78e_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitsuke Udon - Usami-Tei Matsubaya </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Kitsuke Udon - Usami-Tei Matsubaya</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Kitsune Udon</li>
<li>Verdict: Every part of this kitsune udon was flawlessly executed, by that I meant, silky smooth chewy udon, flavourful soup base, and sweet soft tofu pockets.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8670/16029250567_6c1b10a429_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takoyaki Octopus Dumpling - Creo-Ru くれおーる 道頓堀店</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Takoyaki Octopus Dumpling - Creo-Ru くれおーる 道頓堀店</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Takoyaki Octopus Dumpling</li>
<li>Verdict: Crispy on the outside, semi molten inside, I could almost feel the diced octopus swimming in my mouth. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/15628930814" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0148"><img alt="DSC_0148" height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/15628930814_03077c5105_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kushikatsu - Daruma Nanba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Kushikatsu - Daruma Nanba</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Fried Chicken Skin, Classic Beef Kushikatsu, Fried Sausage and Karaage </li>
<li>Verdict: All kushikatsu was so marvellously done. Its crispiness was not by chance, but by way of consistency. Daruma's dipping sauce was unusually appetizing. I must say it was the best fried skewer I had so far in my life!</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/16063819858" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0179"><img alt="DSC_0179" height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7517/16063819858_a4d8f8ef0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yakitori - Hottokeya Doutonbori</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<b>Yakitori - Hottokeya Doutonbori</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Grilled Chicken Thigh, Grilled Chicken Skin, Grilled Chicken Thigh with Green Onion, and various Kushikatsu</li>
<li>Verdict: So tender, juicy and flavorful was the yakitori that I must applaud Japanese for their attention to details. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/16576401943" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5385"><img alt="IMG_5385" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8747/16576401943_eb6d02c2e9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MOS Pork Burger - MOS Burger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>MOS Pork Burger - MOS Burger</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: MOS Pork Burger</li>
<li>Verdict: With pork patty, chopped onions, tomato based sauce and tomato, the burger itself was small but decent, though nothing to shout about.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/04/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/16225497946" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0188"><img alt="DSC_0188" height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/16225497946_b472734b24_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Udon with Bean Paste - Nakau なか卯</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Udon with Bean Paste - Nakau なか卯</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Udon with Bean Paste, Niku Don etc</li>
<li>Verdict: I found myself quite fond of the bean paste. Slightly nutty with sour base flavor, it went along well with udon and I ended up drinking the soup till the last drop.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/16576417183" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5457"><img alt="IMG_5457" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8760/16576417183_f171b2b6f9_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sake Soft Serve - 寺子屋本舗 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div>
<b>Sake Soft Serve - 寺子屋本舗 </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Sake Soft Serve and Tofu Soft Serve</li>
<li>Verdict: Sake soft serve had a dense texture, allowing the base flavor of milk to linger and the mild flavour of sake to triumph on. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/16226423906" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0278"><img alt="DSC_0278" height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/16226423906_6ef314f6cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyoto Sushi <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">@ </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Izuju Sushi いづ重</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Kyoto Sushi - Izuju Sushi いづ重 </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Saba Sushi, Inari Sushi and Deluxe Hako Sushi</li>
<li>Verdict: After undergoing the process of curing, the flavour of chub mackerel was no doubt more intense. The saltiness was akin to sea water, which almost felt like the chub mackerel was alive and swimming in the ocean.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/16065140278" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0322"><img alt="DSC_0322" height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/16065140278_e2f5491d7d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yakitori - Katsuya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Yakitori - Katsuya</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Grilled Chicken and Welsh Onion, Fried Gyoza, Fried Pork, Fried Mushroom and Fried Beef </li>
<li>Verdict: Compared to Hottokeya, Katsuya's yakitori was better. Our sticks of chicken and welsh onion were luxuriously glazed and perfectly executed to retain its natural juiciness.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/06/food-hunting-attractions-hopping-Kyoto.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Bean Manju @ Gozasouro's Taiko-manju 御座候</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Red Bean Manju - Gozasouro's Taiko-manju 御座候</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Red Bean Manju and White Manju</li>
<li>Verdict: The outer layer was similar to those of apam balik's but soggier due to the heavy fillings. Mildly sweetened, it was a good choice for non sweet tooth. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/last-day-of-exploring-Osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/last-day-of-exploring-Osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19166704999" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0059"><img alt="DSC_0059" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/327/19166704999_d6f0431033_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chashu Ramen - Kitano Hachi Bantei <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo";">北野八番亭</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Chashu Ramen - Kitano Hachi Bantei 北野八番亭 </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Chashu Ramen and Niku Don</li>
<li>Verdict: Though the broth was not very thick, it had the complexity of flavor, which complemented the ramen very well.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/last-day-of-exploring-Osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/last-day-of-exploring-Osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19352892745" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5564"><img alt="IMG_5564" height="427" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/412/19352892745_9476be86f0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Cheeseburger in Black Bun - McDonald</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Double Cheeseburger in Black Bun - McDonald</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Double Cheeseburger in Black Bun, Sweet Potato McFlurry and Red Bean Pie</li>
<li>Verdict: Similar to Malaysian's but better - black bun was soft, fluffy and not dry at all</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/last-day-of-exploring-Osaka.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/last-day-of-exploring-Osaka.html</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19121388664" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0105"><img alt="DSC_0105" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/327/19121388664_380b342acb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoto - Fujiyama Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Hoto - Fujiyama Cafe</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Hoto and Yoshida udon</li>
<li>Verdict: I liked the chewy texture of wheat noodles. Despite being a savory noodles, it was skewed to the sweeter end. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/one-night-in-fuji.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/one-night-in-fuji.html</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19719901895" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5588"><img alt="IMG_5588" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/390/19719901895_8a3267c121_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanilla with Fujiyama Honey and Blue Rose Soft Serves - Fujiyama Cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> Vanilla with Fujiyama Honey and Blue Rose Soft Serves - Fujiyama Cafe</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Vanilla with Fujiyama Honey Soft Serve and Blue Rose Soft Serve</li>
<li>Verdict: Sharing the same base, both Blue Rose and Vanilla and Fujiyama Honey were close to one another. Both also shared silky smooth texture which was a delight to tongue. It was difficult to choose which I liked more.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/one-night-in-fuji.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/one-night-in-fuji.html</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19098998133" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5637"><img alt="IMG_5637" height="499" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/532/19098998133_3b865dda7f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Dinner - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Hotel New Century Kawaguchiko ホテルニューセンチュリー</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> Japanese Dinner - Hotel New Century Kawaguchiko ホテルニューセンチュリー </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Japanese Dinner with Pork Shabu-Shabu and Beef Sukiyaki</li>
<li>Verdict: Truth be told, I almost felt like we were having Kaiseki. Not only we were overwhelmed by the amount of food served, we were amazed by the quality of food served. Sashimi and sushi were so fresh that it almost felt like the fish just dead seconds ago. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/one-night-in-fuji.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/07/one-night-in-fuji.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/20021841175" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0199"><img alt="DSC_0199" height="427" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/521/20021841175_e1ed93c15b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fusion Ramen - Narumi-Ippudo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>The Fusion Ramen - Narumi Ippudo</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Fusion Ramen</li>
<li>Verdict: I loved the light springy ramen texture, which akin to wantan noodle; I loved the seemingly light yet complexly flavoured soup base.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/09/hello-ShinYokohama-ramen-museum.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/09/hello-ShinYokohama-ramen-museum.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19833844280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0214"><img alt="DSC_0214" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/490/19833844280_9a6b1e060d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muku Zweite Ramen - Muku</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Muku Zweite Ramen - Muku</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Muku Zweite Ramen and Muku Ramen</li>
<li>Verdict: I was intrigued by the prospect of sauerkraut, bacon and spring onions in this German-Japanese homemade noodle soup. It took a moderate stance in terms of boldness, with an added twist in flavor with its sour profile and contrasting texture with its meat selection. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/09/hello-ShinYokohama-ramen-museum.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/09/hello-ShinYokohama-ramen-museum.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19399218224" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0234"><img alt="DSC_0234" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/332/19399218224_acffc4ae3d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Golden Ramen - <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Genkotsu</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>The Golden Ramen - Genkotsu</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: The Golden Ramen</li>
<li>Verdict: It was mild to tongue, yet presented its flavor profile in layers of depth. The noodles was not as springy but went along well with its golden soup base. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/09/hello-ShinYokohama-ramen-museum.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/09/hello-ShinYokohama-ramen-museum.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/21751800605" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0241"><img alt="DSC_0241" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/780/21751800605_2b4b933d61_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tokusei Niboshi Ramen - Nagi Shinjuku Golden-gai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Tokusei Niboshi Ramen - Nagi Shinjuku Golden-gai</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Tokusei Niboshi Ramen</li>
<li>Verdict: Its sardines broth had a very distinctive and bold flavor! At first taste, it was too much to handle but eased as I plowed on. It had a slight bitter end note, which was rather unusual. It used a mix of curly and wide, flat noodles. Akin to dumpling skin, the wide, flat noodles was smooth and slurpy. I thought it was a clever play of textures.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19996439026" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0265"><img alt="DSC_0265" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/19996439026_a1ffc044fe_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed Gyoza - Harajuku Gyozaro <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">原宿餃子樓</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Steamed Gyoza - Harajuku Gyozaro 原宿餃子樓</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Steamed Gyoza and Pan Fried Gyoza</li>
<li>Verdict: Both steamed and pan fried gyozas were equally yummy. While the steamed version boasted silky smooth skin, the pan fried version featured crispy texture on one hand, chewier texture on the other. Filing wise, it was flavourful to even go on its own. Personally I liked the steamed version more.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19401724193" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0280"><img alt="DSC_0280" height="640" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/19401724193_33b617e422_z.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Caramel Crepe and Chocolate Butter Crepe - La Fee Delice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Chocolate Caramel Crepe and Chocolate Butter Crepe - La Fee Delice</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Chocolate Caramel Crepe and Chocolate Butter Crepe </li>
<li>Verdict: The crepe was so thin that it was crusty yet fluffy. Caramel banana crepe came with slightly seared banana, which was of the right species and right ripeness. That dollop of caramel added the necessary complexity and kick to the overall package. I was in bliss!</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/19400075964" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0289"><img alt="DSC_0289" height="425" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3734/19400075964_c8ba693e8f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keema Curry Rice - <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Minoringo 原宿 みのりんご</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Keema Curry Rice - Minoringo 原宿 みのりんご</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Keema Curry Rice</li>
<li>Verdict: Moist and fragrant, I believed the rice at the base was buttered rice, topped with minced beef curry and poached egg. The curry, as expected, was not very spicy like Malaysian's though it did have its own personality. Overall, it was quite good but I felt that the flavour was too consistent and lacking some accentuation.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/hopping-between-Shinjuku-Harajuku.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/21463285054" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0016"><img alt="DSC_0016" height="425" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5828/21463285054_30fde83536_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nizakana - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">新宿割烹 中嶋</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Nizakana - Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima 新宿割烹 中嶋</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Yanagawabe Nabe Lunch Set and Nizakana Lunch Set</li>
<li>Verdict: Simmered in dashi with soy sauce, Nizakana was very flavourful on its own, and went along well with rice and tsukemono. Its flesh was so tender that it changed my perception towards sardines altogether. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/transiting-between-Shinjuku-Tsukiji.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/transiting-between-Shinjuku-Tsukiji.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/21898238198" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0026"><img alt="DSC_0026" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/620/21898238198_533beeb76b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramen - Sushi Zanmai まぐろざんまい</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Ramen - Sushi Zanmai まぐろざんまい </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Ramen, Gyoza and Beer</li>
<li>Verdict: Heavily loaded with shredded cabbage, mushrooms and bean sprouts, it shared similar taste to Chinese ramen, which I personally enjoyed. Let's say it was a welcome deviation from the usual Japanese ramen. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/transiting-between-Shinjuku-Tsukiji.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/10/transiting-between-Shinjuku-Tsukiji.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/22073647712" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5773"><img alt="IMG_5773" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5697/22073647712_036f82889e_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onigiri - <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Onigiri-ya Marutoyo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Onigiri - Onigiri-ya Marutoyo</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Onigiris</li>
<li>Verdict: Though personally I wasn't a fan of onigiri, these onigiri were huge and definitely a go-to option whenever you need a quick and filling bite.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/22096156051" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5776"><img alt="IMG_5776" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5834/22096156051_baf34e81e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese-style Ramen - 上井</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div>
<b>Chinese-style Ramen - 上井</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Ramen</li>
<li>Verdict: For 700yen, I must admit it was super value for money. Despite its clear broth, its flavour was not compromised. It was indeed an enjoyable experience having this random bowl of ramen in the morning autumn chill.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/22100416821" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0077"><img alt="DSC_0077" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5650/22100416821_1596194889_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omakase Set - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Iwasa Sushi </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">岩佐寿し, Tsukiji Fish Market</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Omakase Set - Iwasa Sushi 岩佐寿し, Tsukiji Fish Market</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Omakase Sushi Set and Uni Don</li>
<li>Verdict: I must give it to Iwasa Sushi for their top notch freshness. I could definitely help myself with more of the tuna bellies!</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/22100390631" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_5806"><img alt="IMG_5806" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5782/22100390631_b74442e785_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonkatsu Rice Set - Ootoya, Shibuya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Tonkatsu Rice Set - Ootoya, Shibuya</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Tonkatsu Rice Set and Tonkatsu Soba Set</li>
<li>Verdict: Though their portion was generous, their tonkatsu fell short of expectation as it was parched due to overcooking.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ippudo Karaka Ramen - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "molengo"; font-size: 12.8px;">Ippudo Ramen 一风堂, Ebisu</span></td></tr>
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<b>Ippudo Karaka Ramen - Ippudo Ramen 一风堂, Ebisu</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Ippudo Karaka Ramen, Shiromaru Special Ramen and Gyoza</li>
<li>Verdict: With Shiromaru Classic pork soup as its base, Karaka introduces spicy miso topping, mixed with herbs and spices. It offered the best of both worlds: that complex layers in pork soup and added dimension (spiciness), which I personally enjoyed very much. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/11/hunting-around-tsukiji-shibuya.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonkatsu Set - Yayoiken やよい軒</td></tr>
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<b>Tonkatsu Set -Yayoiken やよい軒</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Tonkatsu Set</li>
<li>Verdict: This tonkatsu set of mine was really worth every bank for buck! Wrapped in the nest of crispy skin was the tender loving pork chop so juicy that I almost cried in tears.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/12/last-day-in-ueno.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/12/last-day-in-ueno.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsukemen - Rokurinsha </td></tr>
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<b>Tsukemen - Rokurinsha</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Tsukemen</li>
<li>Verdict: heir noodles was made broad and thick - it was akin to loh mee but denser - giving it more chewy character. The broth was thick and super flavourful that I found it hard to enjoy.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/12/last-day-in-ueno.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2015/12/last-day-in-ueno.html</a></li>
</ul>
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HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com1Japan36.204824 138.2529249.5491410000000023 96.944327500000014 62.860507 179.5615205tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-81142736252974691072018-08-12T18:14:00.001+08:002018-09-23T17:35:46.904+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: Wandering in Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (2 Feb 2016) Apart from the chilly Winter weather in Hanoi, our lovely 3-course brunch in <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2018/07/French-dining-green-tangerine.html">Green Tangerine</a> had definitely fueled our legs for a 2.4-km walk to Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Hanoi.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Citadel of Thang Long</td></tr>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_Citadel_of_Th%C4%83ng_Long">Imperial Citadel of Thang Long</a>, also known as Hanoi Citadel, was the hub of Vietnamese military power for over 1000 years. Many artefacts and items dating back to between the 6th and 20th centuries were excavated in 2004, including foundations of old palaces, ancient roads, ponds and wells.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtyard in Imperial Citadel of Thang Long</td></tr>
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On top of these discoveries, archaeologists also found bronze coins, ceramics and pottery from China and many places in Asia, all of which demonstrate a close trading relationship in the area. One could spend hours looking at these artifacts in showrooms.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long flight of stairs down to the bunker @ Imperial Citadel of Thang Long</td></tr>
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In the deeper sanctum of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was the D67 military headquarter of North Vietnamese military command (Vietnam People’s Army) under General Giap. Built in 1967, it featured modern architectural style, 60-centimeter wall and good soundproofing system.<br />
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This long flight of stairs would lead you down to the bunker, where tools that comrades in the Politburo and the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff used in the resistance war against the US were displayed. You would find a connecting underground tunnel here for emergency evacuation in case of an attack.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature's beauty at its best @ Imperial Citadel of Thang Long</td></tr>
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In here, there was a sense of tranquility, devoid of hustle and bustle of Hanoi city. For VND 30k, you get to appreciate the history, architecture, art and nature's beauty in Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. If there is only one place you could visit in Hanoi, let it be Imperial Citadel of Thang Long.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag Tower of Hanoi</td></tr>
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500m way from Imperial Citadel of Thang Long was this tall and beautiful looking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Tower_of_Hanoi">Flag Tower of Hanoi</a>, Built in 1812, this tower served as an observation post to the Hanoi Citadel. Unlike many other structures in Hanoi, it was not destroyed during the French invasion (1896-1897), and was continuously used as a military post. Initially part of Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, it is now part of Vietnam Military History Museum.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trung Nguyen @ Hanoi</td></tr>
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By the time we were (not quite) done, the citadel was almost due to close for the day. We had our bun chas (again) at <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.com/2017/08/Pho-Vietnamese-Coffee-Bun-Cha-Water-Puppet.html">Bun Cha Dac Kim</a> and stopped by Trung Nguyen for some Vietnamese egg coffee.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese Hot Egg (Cà phê trứng) @ Trung Nguyen</td></tr>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_coffee">Vietnamese hot egg coffee (cà phê trứng)</a> is traditionally prepared with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk and robusta coffee. That thick layer of white foam was a concoction of egg yolks and sugar, called the egg cream. For those without sweet tooth, this hot egg coffee was cloyingly sweet. I found it both interesting and challenging - how could one drink the coffee without depleting that layer of egg cream that floated above the coffee first?<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND 60k<br />
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Despite the mini stool and tight stall for meals, tanner half and I enjoyed our maiden trip to Hanoi. Street food was awesome - even an unknown stall called Pho Bo nearby Especen hotel delivered a bowl of piping hot flavourful beef pho for VND35k in the wee hours of morning. Our last breakfast in Hanoi couldn't be any better.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND 70k<br />
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<br />
In summary,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - 3/5</li>
<li>Trung Nguyen - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - 3/5</li>
<li>Trung Nguyen - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - 5/5</li>
<li>Trung Nguyen - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - So good that you keep coming back</li>
<li>Trung Nguyen - Maybe not here but would surely try hot egg coffee again</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel: Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and local food. Spacious and comfortable room. It could use a fan for ventilation during winters. Do ask for lower floor rooms if you are not a fan of climbing narrow staircases</li>
<li>Imperial Citadel of Thang Long: Definitely recommended if you have only have time to visit one place</li>
</ul>
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DINING INFO:<br />
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Bun Cha Dac Kim<br />
67 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 7pm<br />
Tel: +84 4 3828 5022<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
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Trung Nguyen<br />
26 Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Thành Phố, Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 6.30am - 10.30pm<br />
Tel: +84 24 3938 6749<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
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Sources: Wikipedia, <a href="http://www.vietnam-guide.com/hanoi/imperial-citadel.htm">Vietnam Guide</a>, <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam/hanoi/attractions/imperial-citadel-of-thang-long/a/poi-sig/1450417/357880">Lonely Planet</a>,HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam21.0277644 105.8341597999999520.968477399999998 105.75347879999995 21.0870514 105.91484079999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-3091894506032013962018-07-01T00:54:00.000+08:002018-09-23T17:35:36.865+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: French Dining by Green Tangerine (2 Feb 2016) After 3 months of hiatus, I am finally back here, trying to complete this post solely dedicated to Green Tangerine.<br />
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If you were to google fine dining in Hanoi, <a href="http://greentangerinehanoi.com/en/">Green Tangerine</a> probably would not fall under your radar but it did on mine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing Fancy @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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If you were to pass by its store front at Hang Be Street, you would probably miss it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Cosiness @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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But little do you know that it houses something bigger that it looks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Mansion @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Like this...<br />
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Truth be told, I was pleasantly surprised at its interior and ambiance - a welcoming change of scene in the bustling city of Hanoi in winter time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter 1: Pasta Salad @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Being a bargain hunter, set lunch menu was definitely the way to go. At VND 345k (now VND 380k), we got ourselves a 3-course lunch (starter, main course and dessert).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter 1: Pasta Salad @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Served in the shape of stuffed candy, the pasta salad was more of an art piece than food.<br />
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The pasta wrap was cooked to a little less al dente to ease the cutting but not too soft to encase the treasure piles. A slice of knife would make chunks of roasted beef, gouda cheese, olives, salad, red pepper, and zucchinis spilling onto the plate.<br />
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Tenderised and caramelised, the filling was balanced on its own but could be quite flat after few bites into it. So help yourself with the mustard sauce on the side for the extra kick.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starter 2: Apple Tatin Tart and Tilapia @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Cooked in oven Vietnamese Kho To way, the Tilapia should be salty and savory, to complement the slices of caramelised apples and a dash of apple sauce.<br />
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While it was an intriguing dish that combined both seafood and fruits, I personally find that it was erred towards the sweeter palate and almost dessert-ish.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes our mains @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Shortly after we were done with our starters, the mains were served.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main 1: Sea Bras Fillet and Vegetable Gratin @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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While this dish was somewhat conventional, the sea bras fillet and vegetable gratin were complemented with saffron and curcuma (turmeric) sauce. Yes, saffron, the most expensive spice.<br />
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I especially loved the crunch on the skin and the tender flesh of sea bras fillet. While perfect on its own, the sauce was definitely the bomb - flavourful, aromatic and orgasmic!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main 2: Duck Fillet and Eggplants @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Conventional aside, our duck fillet and eggplant was another artsy presentation by Green Tangerine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main 2: Duck Fillet and Eggplants @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Doused in thyme, red wine and grape sauce, those slices of duck fillet was delightfully juicy and tender. Those dollops of lime puree above eggplants gave the extra tanginess to the subtle sour profile of eggplant.<br />
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If I were to choose one among the two mains, I would go for duck fillet for its complexity and excitement in flavours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert 1: Spice Pain Perdu @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Now that we had both starters and mains, we had nothing but high expectation for our desserts. As it is for all French dessert, it is small, pretty but awesome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert 1: Spice Pain Perdu @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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Served with small dollop of vanilla ice cream, mango cooked in passion fruit sauce and crumbles, the spice Pain Perdu (also known as French toast, Bombay toast) provided the perfect base to soak up the melting vanilla ice cream. Almost bread pudding like, but not quite.<br />
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I believe the cooking of mango in passion fruit sauce had somehow made the mango sweeter, yet it managed to retain its core identity, which I think it was pretty awesome.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert 2: Mille Feuille @ Green Tangerine</td></tr>
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While the traditional Mille Feuille would usually go with berries and cream, Green Tangerine had decided to render its own Mille Feuille with candied pineapple, lime yoghurt ice cream and pineapple curry sauce.<br />
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I love how it can be crispy, crunchy, creamy, sweet and sour - Green Tangerine surely did not disappoint.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND 946k (along with a bottle of white wine)<br />
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IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance - 5/5</li>
<li>Price - 4/5</li>
<li>Food - 5/5</li>
<li>Verdict - Given another chance, I would surely pay visit to Green Tangerine again! It should be exciting!</li>
</ul>
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DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Green Tangerine<br />
48 Hang Be Street, Hoan Kim District, Hanoi<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 11pm<br />
Tel: (+84) 243.825.1286 - (+84) 243.828.9167<br />
Credit Card: Yes</div>
HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com4Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam21.0277644 105.8341597999999520.968477399999998 105.75347879999995 21.0870514 105.91484079999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-34330115072303005502018-03-25T20:16:00.000+08:002018-09-23T17:35:19.989+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: A Day in Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (1 Feb 2016)After a slow paced day in the city of Hanoi, it was time for us to venture a little further to other parts of Vietnam. 90km south of Hanoi is where Ninh Binh province lies, where we would visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoa_L%C6%B0">Hoa Lu</a>, an ancient capital featuring the royal palace grounds of the Le and Dinh dynasties, and ride a boat down the Ngo Dong River to explore the limestone caves of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tam_C%E1%BB%91c-B%C3%ADch_%C4%90%E1%BB%99ng">Tam Coc</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh Mi Time @ Banh Mi Heo Quay</td></tr>
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But first thing first, it was time for a quick breakfast at this mobile <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A1nh_m%C3%AC">Banh Mi </a>cart not far away from our <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/11/Bun-Rieu-Cha-Ca-La-Vong-Bun-Thang.html">usual porridge stall and Thuc Don @ 52 Ly Quoc Su</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh Mi with Egg and Meat @ Banh Mi Heo Quay (VND 20k)</td></tr>
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Since we are not a fan of pate, we went for the usual suspect, i.e. Banh Mi with egg and meat. Despite the lacklustre look of it, the bread was delightfully soft yet firm enough to cradle the warm scrambled eggs, flavourful marinated pork, juicy tomatoes and cucumber. I fell in love with this simple street fare called Banh Mi.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND 40k<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoa Lu Ancient Capital</td></tr>
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After our simple breakfast, we were picked up by a travel van arranged by our hotel tour guide and embarked on a 2.5-hour road trip south of Hanoi.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital</td></tr>
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Đinh Tiên Hoàng Temple, Lê Đại Hành Temple, Đinh Tiên Hoàng Tomb, Lê Đại Hành Tomb, Nhật Trụ Pagoda, Noi Lam Temple, Bái Đính Temple, Thiên Tôn Cave, Trang An Grottoes, Ban Long Pagoda are some of the monuments housed in this ancient capital of Hoa Lu.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Đinh Tiên Hoàng Temple</td></tr>
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Located at the former main palace of the royal citadel, Đinh Tiên Hoàng Temple is built by local residents in their effort to honor Dinh Bo Linh, the first emperor of Vietnam.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Offering @ Đinh Tiên Hoàng Temple</span></td></tr>
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Born a natural in government and military affairs, Bo Linh was a successful warlord who defeated 12 rival warlords, reunified the country and founded the first imperial dynasty of Vietnam. However, due to lack of succession, the dynasty fell into a turmoil.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Emperor's Carriage @ Đinh Tiên Hoàng Temple</td></tr>
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Lê Hoàn, Bộ Lĩnh's top general, was the one who defeated his rivals and established the Lê Dynasty, Vietnam's second imperial dynasty. While Lê Đại Hành Temple shared great similarities in architecture as Đinh Tiên Hoàng Temple, Lê Đại Hành Temple was dull and grey, devoid of grandeur, colors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffet Lunch @ Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant</td></tr>
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After spending an hour or so in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, we were ferried 10km south to Tam Coc, where we had our buffet lunch in the nearby restaurant called Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant. Compared to our disappointing lunch onboard in <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/12/Vietnam-travelogue-ha-long-bay.html">Ha Long Bay</a>, I must say Duc Tuan did restore my confidence in Vietnamese cuisine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats on Ngo Dong River @ Tam Coc </td></tr>
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Despite the wrong season, sampan boats were swarming around the dock, eager to ferry bus loads of tourists.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs hands to pedal? @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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It took us 15 minutes or so before we were led onto one of these sampan boats, manned mainly by women who pedalled with their feets as arms were too mainstream.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile and let me make some quick buck! @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limestone along Ngo Dong River @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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The ultimate beauty of Tam Coc would be the stark contrast of golden paddy fields among the tall limestone formations along the river.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Limestone along Ngo Dong River @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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Winter was definitely the wrong season to do so. Without the golden paddy fields, what was left was the greens against the greys.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Goat @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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If you are lucky enough, you might spot a mountain goat or two scaling the treacherous slope.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pagodas and The Dragon @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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You might also spot a pagoda or two standing tall and high above these limestone formations. Then it strike you, "Someone lives up there?"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into the Abyss @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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The sampan boat passed by village after village and stretch after stretch of what was left of the golden paddy fields. The deeper we went, the quieter it became. What was left was the soft murmur of lapping water against the base of our sampan boats.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sanctum @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varying Formations @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light after the Dark @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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Soon the 3 caves emerged: Hang Ca Cave (first cave), Hang Hai Cave (second cave) and Hang Ba Cave (third cave). For each cave we went through, the wider the river became, along with a broader expanse of water and varying stone formations.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home We Go! @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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Before we knew, it was time to make a u turn and head back to the dock. The journey back could be a little boring. After all, we had came the same way in.<br />
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Just a note though, once you were back to the dock, these boat women would start asking for tips. While they did try to get some from us, we just ignored them and walked away, leaving an angry woman behind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Way to Bich Dong Pagoda</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Way to Bich Dong Pagoda</td></tr>
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For those who would like to explore the countryside, you could get on a bicycle and pedal 5km to Bich Dong Pagoda.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey Pigs!</td></tr>
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The best part on our cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda was none other than our encounter with these cute little pigs, scrapping for some organic vegetables along the waterlines.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bich Dong Pagoda @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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Before long, Bich Dong Pagoda came into sight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bich Dong Pagoda <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Tam Coc</span></td></tr>
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I must say this pagoda was under better care than some of the temples in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bich Dong Pagoda <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Tam Coc</span></td></tr>
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As a matter of fact, its architectures took on a more elaborated style with its heavily adorned pillars and beams.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello and Goodbye @ Tam Coc</td></tr>
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It was almost 5pm by the time we regrouped with our tour guide. We were so exhausted that we slept throughout our 2.5-hour ride back to Hanoi.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Bo Nam Bo @ 67 Hang Dieu</td></tr>
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By the time we woke up hungry, we were already back in town. So we headed to Bun Bo Nam Bo at Hang Dieu for some Bum Bo Nam Bo, a Southern-Vietnamese rice noodle dish, topped with grilled beef, bean sprouts, lettuce, papaya slivers, fresh herbs, crunchy peanuts and fried onions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Bo Nam Bo @ 67 Hang Dieu (VND 60k)</td></tr>
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I loved the springy soft rice noodles doused in sweet sour sauce. On top of that, I loved the crunchy topping and and fragrant herbs. Every single components played their contrasting parts so well that I simply wouldn't be complaining having to eat it every day.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND 120k<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caffeine for the Night @ Gecko Cafe (VND 30k)</td></tr>
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What would be better to end the long day than a cup of Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk?<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND 60k<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A goose maybe?</td></tr>
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<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Banh Mi Heo Quay - 3/5</li>
<li>Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant - 3/5</li>
<li>Bun Bo Nam Bo - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Banh Mi Heo Quay - 5/5</li>
<li>Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant - Part of the tour (USD 35/pax)</li>
<li>Bun Bo Nam Bo - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Banh Mi Heo Quay - 5/5</li>
<li>Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant - 4/5</li>
<li>Bun Bo Nam Bo - 5/5</li>
<li><br />
</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Banh Mi Heo Quay - Must try cheap eats</li>
<li>Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant - Surprisingly good despite being part of the tour </li>
<li>Bun Bo Nam Bo - Give me another one please!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:</div>
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel: Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and local food. Spacious and comfortable room. It could use a fan for ventilation during winters. Do ask for lower floor rooms if you are not a fan of climbing narrow staircases</li>
<li>Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: Can get boring after so many temples and pagodas. Get a good tour guide who can speak good English, it does help to keep your interest and attention piqued</li>
<li>Tam Coc: Plan your visit around harvesting time. Bring your own camera for photos and do not tip the boat men</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Banh Mi Heo Quay<br />
Somewhere near 52 Ly Quoc Su<br />
Hoan Kiem district, <br />
Hanoi 110214, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: N/A (We were there around 7-8am)<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: No (Cash only)<br />
<br />
Duc Tuan Hotel and Restaurant<br />
Van Lam Village, <br />
Ninh Hai, Hoa Lư, <br />
Ninh Bình, Vietnam <br />
Operation Hours: N/A (We were there for lunch)<br />
Tel: +84 98 484 62 68<br />
Credit Card: N/A<br />
<br />
Bun Bo Nam Bo<br />
67 Hàng Điếu, Cửa Đông, <br />
Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 7.30am - 10.30pm<br />
Tel: +84 24 3923 0701<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br /></div>
HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Ninh Bình Province, Vietnam20.2129969 105.9229900000000319.7360979 105.27754300000002 20.6898959 106.56843700000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-8145914105914643962018-02-15T15:35:00.001+08:002018-09-23T17:35:08.554+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: The Afternoon in Hoa Lo Prison aka Hanoi Hilton (31 Jan 2016)After our tour at Ha Long Bay the day before, we decided to sleep in until 11am, before paying visit to the <a href="https://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/11/Bun-Rieu-Cha-Ca-La-Vong-Bun-Thang.html">porridge stall</a> nearby Especen Hotel. Nothing beats waking up in a winter morning to a bowl of piping hot porridge to warm our empty bellies.<br />
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Our itinerary today was to visit <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%E1%BB%8Fa_L%C3%B2_Prison"><b>Hoa Lo Prison</b></a> aka Hanoi Hilton, a prison used by French colonists for political prisoners, and later for US prisoners during War of Vietnam. Before that, we needed to hunt for Banh Xeo at <b>Quan An Ngon</b>, approximately 900m away from Especen Hotel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese Fried Pancake with Shrimp and Pork @ Quan An Ngon (VND60k)</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Banh Xeo is crispy rice flour crepe made with turmeric and plenty of coconut milk, loaded with shrimp, pork, onions and perhaps sprouts, and served along with a bed of local herbs. Our Banh Xeo at Quan An Ngon matched the description. That paper thin crepe crumbled upon touch. Don't mind the shape no more, drizzle some of that sweet and sour sauce, sprinkle a leaf or two on top of the fillings, and scoop away the savory fillings!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed Rice Pancake with Shrimp and Minced Pork @ Quan An Ngon (VND50k)</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Banh Cuon (aka steamed rice pancake) at Quan An Ngon was similarly loaded with shrimp and minced pork, and topped with a bed of fried onions and meat floss. I personally loved mine with a squeeze of lime juice and a dash of fish sauce that served alongside, which provided the crucial differentiation against the Banh Xeo, though the fillings was similar. If you are a fan of steamed pancake, you would find Banh Cuon here delightful.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = VND206k (don't remember what else we ordered...)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maison Centrale Gatehouse @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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500m walk around the corner brought us to Hoa Lo Prison. The prison was demolished back in 1990s, but the gatehouse remained as a museum for the public to visit. The ticket price to visit Hoa Lo Prison was priced at VND30k/pax.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy Door @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese prisoners held captive for fighting for independence @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese prisoners held captive for fighting for independence @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Upon entering the gatehouse, we first came upon the male prison where about 30 prisoners were held captive. Their feet were restrained, leaving them in constant sitting/sleeping positions.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torture @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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After the common prison, the museum led us to an open air area where murals were hung along the walkway. This mural depicted the torture of prisoners.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting of Hoa Lo Prison @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female prisoners behind bars @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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We then entered into the female prisoners section, where the prisoners were allowed to move freely in the cells. Babies born in the prison remained with their mothers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Guillotine Room @ Hoa Lo Prison</td></tr>
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Then we came into a dark room, featuring all tools and equipments used to torture its prisoners. Being the tallest structure, the Guillotine stood tall and daunting, spelling misery to those heads come below it.<br />
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After the Guillotine Room, the exhibits switched its focus to American prisoners of Vietnam war. Interrogation room, accommodations, leisure room, just to name a few. Its nickname, Hanoi Hilton, was said to be the proof of the quality of its inmate accommodations comparable to a hotel's.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vua Tao Pho</td></tr>
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After spending 2 hours in Hoa Lo Prison, we concluded our visit and headed out to <b>Vua Tao Pho </b>for some Tao Pho De. Tao Pho De is an unique food of Northern Vietnam for hot summer. Tao Pho was sliced into a bowl, topped with flower sugar and ice, and there you have your cool Tao Pho.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tao Pho De @ Vua Tao Pho (VND 20k)</td></tr>
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I know what you are thinking - is it not tau fu fa? Smooth and silky, it was tau fu fa but less sweet. Ours came with milk tea bubbles too!<br />
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Total damage = VND 20k<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nha Hang Mien Luon</td></tr>
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On our way back to hotel, we made a pitstop at <b>Nha Hang Mien Luon</b> for its Mien Luon of course!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Condiments @ Nha Hang Mien Luon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mien Luon @ Nha Hang Mien Luon (VND 50k)</td></tr>
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Mien Luon can be directly translated into noodle eel. Basically it is a glass noodle dish, topped with fried tiny eels, bean sprout and eggs, garnished with fried shallots and fresh cucumber. I liked the texture of glass noodles, contrasting against the crunchy fried eels as you bite into it. It was definitely not as daunting as it may sound. For me, I liked to complement my Mien Luon with some limes and pickled garlic.<br />
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Total damage = VND 50k<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">29 Cau Go</td></tr>
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After catching a few hours rest in the hotel, we headed out again for dinner and walkabout. At <b>29 Cau Go,</b> you can have all the local dishes above. For me, it was definitely more Bun Cha.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/36177658675/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9469"><img alt="IMG_9469" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4315/36177658675_43e09a5221_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Cha @ 29 Cau Go (VND 40k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The best part of Bun Cha was none other than the sizzling grilled pork served in sweet and sour broth. I personally found the broth refreshing and aptly so ,as it also served as the dipping sauce for the rice vermicelli. Portion wise, <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/08/Pho-Vietnamese-Coffee-Bun-Cha-Water-Puppet.html"><b>Bun Cha Dac Kim</b></a>'s had better meat to rice vermicelli ratio along with its VND 60k price tag. Flavour wise, Bun Cha Dac Kim's was definitely more punchy.<br />
<br />
Total damage for 2 pax = VND 80k<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/36138661996/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9474"><img alt="IMG_9474" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4330/36138661996_bd9432f004_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vietnamese Coffee with Yoghurt @ Quan Mon Ngon 24</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We spent the rest of the night exploring different streets in Hanoi, with each street named after the kind of trades the shops specialised in. To name a few, toys in Luong Van Can street; silk, gowns and tailors in Hang Gai street.<br />
<br />
We got ourselves some fried crackers and dried fruits and ended the night with a cup of Vietnamese coffee with yoghurt (VND 35k) and iced Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk (VND 20k) at <b>Quan Mon Ngon 24</b>. The combination of bitter coffee with sweet and thick yoghurt was an unusual delight. Besides its sweetness that could well replace condensed milk, the creaminess of yoghurt did blended well into the concoction.<br />
<br />
Total damage for 2 pax = VND 55k<br />
<br />
Life is good.<br />
<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Quan An Ngon - 5/5</li>
<li>Vua Tao Pho - 4/5</li>
<li>Nha Hang Mien Luon - 4/5</li>
<li>29 Cau Go - 2/5</li>
<li>Quan Mon Ngon 24 - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Quan An Ngon - 3/5</li>
<li>Vua Tao Pho - 3/5</li>
<li>Nha Hang Mien Luon - 5/5</li>
<li>29 Cau Go - 5/5</li>
<li>Quan Mon Ngon 24 - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Quan An Ngon - 5/5</li>
<li>Vua Tao Pho - 4/5</li>
<li>Nha Hang Mien Luon - 4/5</li>
<li>29 Cau Go - 4/5</li>
<li>Quan Mon Ngon 24 - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Quan An Ngon - A starting place for tourists to experience all the local dishes before venturing to street style</li>
<li>Vua Tao Pho - A little twist to the usual tau fu fa I am used to but not a bad thing to try at all</li>
<li>Nha Hang Mien Luon - I liked it, just don't keep thinking about the eels</li>
<li>29 Cau Go - Cheap and good, might not be enough if you order just one</li>
<li>Quan Mon Ngon 24 - A quiet cafe nearby hotel, nothing fancy, just local daily fare</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel: Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and local food. Spacious and comfortable room. It could use a fan for ventilation during winters. Do ask for lower floor rooms if you are not a fan of climbing narrow staircases</li>
<li>Hoa Lo Prison: A sneak peak into the central prison in Hanoi, along with its local and Western history</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Quan An Ngon<br />
18 Phan Bội Châu, Cửa Nam, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 8am - 10pm<br />
Tel: +84 90 212 69 63<br />
Credit Card: Yes<br />
<br />
Vua Tao Pho<br />
192 Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 7.30am - 12am<br />
Tel: +84 93 499 93 33<br />
Credit Card: No (we paid cash)<br />
<br />
Nha Hang Mien Luon<br />
87 Hàng Điếu, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 6.30am - 9.30pm<br />
Tel: +84 24 3826 7943<br />
Credit Card: No (we paid cash)<br />
<br />
29 Cau Go<br />
29 Cầu Gỗ, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: No (we paid cash)<br />
<br />
Quan Mon Ngon 24<br />
24 Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: No (we paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com1Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam21.0277644 105.8341597999999520.968477399999998 105.75347879999995 21.0870514 105.91484079999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-89983310150273693832017-12-14T23:03:00.000+08:002018-09-23T17:34:58.770+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: A Day in Ha Long Bay (30 Jan 2016)Apart from <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/11/Bun-Rieu-Cha-Ca-La-Vong-Bun-Thang.html">food hunting and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex visiting</a>, the remainder of the day before was spent hunting down affordable Ha Long Bay tours in the city. Despite our attempt to compare packages and prices, it was a tough call.<br />
<br />
Out of frustrations and laziness, we booked Ha Long Bay tour with <a href="http://www.especen.vn/">Especen Hotel </a>for USD45/pax. One thing for sure, do not go for the lowest price point, and look closely at the fine details of the packages.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34351477270/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0468"><img alt="DSC_0468" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4167/34351477270_3a7132c357_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lone Boat @ Ha Long Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By 7am, we were awake and prepped for the day. By 7.30am, we were downstairs waiting to devour our USD 3 western breakfast set in Especen Hotel. Toast, baked beans, ham, and sausages, it was simple but lovely. Better still, it came with a big bowl of yoghurt with dragonfruits and watermelon!<br />
<br />
Total damage for 2 pax = USD 6<br />
<br />
The journey from Especen Hotel to the port took about 4-5 hours, mostly due to the delay caused by heavy traffic and throttling speed limit in the city. While the bus we were on was air-conditioned, it did feel a little stuffy with full load of passengers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34351476790/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0471"><img alt="DSC_0471" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4167/34351476790_4c8d43c17f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy Day @ Ha Long Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Within half an hour upon arrival at the wharf of Halong City, we were shuffled onto our cruise boat and began our discovery of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%E1%BA%A1_Long_Bay">Ha Long Bay,</a> one of the world's UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a chilly Autumn afternoon.<br />
<br />
Our English speaking guide, despite his heavy Vietnamese accent, did try fighting against the muffling wind to tell us the stories of the various shapes of stones sitting above the waters of Ha Long Bay. He did not do it for long though as half an hour into the cruise, all passengers retreated to the lower deck to enjoy lunch onboard.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34573746002/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0475"><img alt="DSC_0475" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4155/34573746002_1526d315aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fighting Cock @ Ha Long Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our lunch was akin to Chinese banquet, ranging from cucumber salad, fried potato, steamed shrimp, sauteed squid with onions, fried pork, seafood spring rolls, fried fish with tomato sauce, to stir fried vegetables. All these were served with steamed rice, and ended with fruit dessert.<br />
<br />
Did we enjoy our lunch? Probably not. You could easily find any street food in Hanoi that would taste better than our lunch onboard.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34351476520/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0478"><img alt="DSC_0478" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4185/34351476520_7527fff3ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you see? @ Ha Long Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After lunch, we were ferried to a fishing village where we got to do some kayaking in the waters of Ha Long Bay. Considering it was my first time kayaking, it did help that the water of Ha Long Bay was calm. Even after all the exercise, you would still feel icy cool fresh. Just watch out for Kayak-traffic and your precious non-waterproof belongings.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34351476150/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0488"><img alt="DSC_0488" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4173/34351476150_b4fc7106f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stalactites and Stalagmites</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span>@ </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Thien Cung Cave</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What followed after our kayaking was to visit <a href="https://www.alotrip.com/guide-vietnam-attractions/thien-cung-cave">Thien Cung Cave</a>, which is known to be the largest and most beautiful cave in Ha Long Bay. VND 50k was the entrance ticket price to visit Thien Cung Cave, or any of these destinations (Dao Go Cave, Sung Sot Cave, Ti Top Beach, Me Cung Cave, Soi Sim Island).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34351475470/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0490"><img alt="DSC_0490" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4192/34351475470_4a24b3e514_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light VS Shadow <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Thien Cung Cave</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The climb into Thien Cung Cave was quite an adventure on its own: the entrance was narrow and almost hidden with overgrown vegetations. Upon setting foot into the cave, the expanse of the sanctum stretched as far as and as high as the eyes could see.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34604702101/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0494"><img alt="DSC_0494" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4177/34604702101_1291d6d1e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalactites and Stalagmites @ Thien Cung Cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The journey through Thien Cung Cave took about half an hour. Along the way, our Guide would make a stop at some of the formations and tell us the stories behind it.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34351472700/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0496"><img alt="DSC_0496" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4171/34351472700_baa08ac45a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stalactites and Stalagmites</span> @ Thien Cung Cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With all the tactically placed neon lights in Thien Cung Cave, you would start imagining things. Birds, fish, flowers, humans, you name it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33893664224/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0501"><img alt="DSC_0501" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4162/33893664224_bf6e630414_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalactites and Stalagmites @ Thien Cung Cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While some of it were convincing, some of it were a bit of a stretch, unless you were armed with bucketful of imagination.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33926865873/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0497"><img alt="DSC_0497" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4178/33926865873_20754aef32_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stalactites and Stalagmites @ Thien Cung Cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What was unexpected was the ponds of water with natural gushing stream of water babbles throughout the year towards the end of our journey. It was almost blissful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33893662264/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0503"><img alt="DSC_0503" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4159/33893662264_ff1c9e3499_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking Cruise Boats @ Thien Cung Wharf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33926850883/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0507"><img alt="DSC_0507" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4176/33926850883_fa3ec877b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minimal yet Practical @ Thien Cung Wharf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And that concluded our half an hour journey through Thien Cung Cave. What welcomed us was the tranquil waters, accompanied by colorful cruise boats which patiently waited for its passengers.<br />
<br />
By 4pm, we were ferried back to Halong City and boarded our air-conditioned bus for another 4-hour ride back to Hanoi. Famished we were, we decided to try out a nearby French restaurant named <a href="http://www.le-petit-bruxelles.com/EN/">Le Petit Bruxelles</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33926857493/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0513"><img alt="DSC_0513" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4176/33926857493_096f6993c4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaded Pork with Reblochon Cheese and Mushroom Sauce @ Le Petit Bruxelles (VND 205k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I opted for Breaded Pork with Reblochon Cheese and Mushroom Sauce, the tanner half went for Fresh Sausage of Toulouse with Fried Potatoes and French Green Bean. Truth be told, I was sold by the idea of breaded pork with cheese. And it did not fail me. Not only the pork was juicy fresh, the cheese gave the extra oohmp to the one dimensional taste profile. Don't mind the beans...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34736066165/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0514"><img alt="DSC_0514" height="427" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4190/34736066165_d6e0ecbb8b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Sausage of Toulouse with Fried Potatoes and French Green Beans @ Le Petit Bruxelles (VND 195k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>On the other hand, though Toulouse sausages was a little predictable, it was pretty good. Chewy and flavourful, it went well with crispy fried potatoes, sauteed onions, and green beans. Definitely the kind of homely food you need after a long day.<br />
<br />
Total damage for 2 pax = VND 410k<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel - 3/5</li>
<li>Le Petit Bruxelles - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel - 5/5</li>
<li>Le Petit Bruxelles - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel - 4/5</li>
<li>Le Petit Bruxelles - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel - Healthy and convenient, but it might take awhile to be served.</li>
<li>Le Petit Bruxelles - Homely establishment for comfort food</li>
</ul>
</ul>
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel: Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and local food. Spacious and comfortable room. It could use a fan for ventilation during winters. Do ask for lower floor rooms if you are not a fan of climbing narrow staircases</li>
<li>Ha Long Bay: Best time to visit would be summer where there would be blue sky and emerald water. Winter was a little too cold and lacklustre.</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Especen Hotel<br />
28 Tho Xuong street<br />
Hoan Kiem district, <br />
Hanoi 110214, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 24 hours<br />
Tel: +84 24 3824 4401<br />
Credit Card: No (Cash only)<br />
<br />
Le Petit Bruxelles<br />
25 Lý Quốc Sư, <br />
Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, <br />
Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm<br />
Tel: +84 439381769<br />
Credit Card: Yes<br />
<br /></div>
HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hạ Long Bay, Thành phố Hạ Long, Quảng Ninh Province, Vietnam20.9100512 107.1839023999999720.672619700000002 106.86117889999997 21.1474827 107.50662589999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-66204824759555185132017-11-26T19:33:00.002+08:002018-09-23T17:34:47.518+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: Bun Rieu, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Cha Ca La Vong, Bun Thang - Checked! (29 Jan 2016)It was cold in Hanoi in this month of January. Temperature at night went as low as lower tens celcius. I was shivering in my sweater underneath a layer of thick quilt. Sleep did not come easy but it did help that the room at Especen Hotel was cosy.<br />
<br />
Waking up in the mornings was equally challenging. Leaving the warmth in bed, walking on the icy cold tiles to bathroom, brushing teeth and showering with icy water as the heater gets its warm up, just to name a few.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/35372766263/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9352"><img alt="IMG_9352" height="271" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4304/35372766263_aac43e9c2f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porridge Crowd at Nearby Alley @ Especen Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By 10am, we were ready to explore Hanoi. While we made our way out from Especen Hotel, we saw these locals sitting on the tiny stools, enjoying their bowls of hot porridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Porridge, Yes? (VND 40k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In this chilly morning, a bowl of hot porridge was a welcoming delight. Better still, it came loaded with fried crullers and meat floss! Tanner half and I ordered one to share. In the end, both of us had to fight for the last scoop of this delicious porridge.<br />
<br />
Total Damage = VND 40k<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/35372765853/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9357"><img alt="IMG_9357" height="640" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4291/35372765853_081087bfb1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Local Sweet Snacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the streets of Hanoi, you would see ladies carrying trays of snacks, eyeing for gullible tourists to sell them expensive snacks. Though we were curious, we weren't gullible: 6 pieces of these weren't worth VND 100k.<br />
<br />
Total Damage = VND 50k (Guess we were still gullible after all...)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Rieu @ 11 Hang Bac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Semi-loaded with porridge, we continued our quest to look for Bun Rieu, i.e. noodle soup with tomato and crab, which brought us here at 11 Hang Bac. 2 stools and a shallow table top was the simple setup for diners to enjoy Bun Rieu.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Rieu Cha @ 11 Hang Bac (VND 30k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bun Rieu is a Northern crab and tomato noodle soup with thin round rice noodles. As literal as the name suggested, the tomato soup base was surprisingly light but tangy. Served with a side of fresh local vegetables, chilies and even salt, you may tweak your Bun Rieu as you would like it. I personally loved the original soup base with their rice noodles. Somehow I found the minced crab meat did not quite blend in with the rest.<br />
<br />
Total Damage = VND 30k<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
Situated 2.7km from 11 Hang Bac was Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, which houses Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda. Guarded by military honour guards, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the place where Vietnamese pilgrimage come to pay respect to the Revolutionary Leader, Uncle Ho Chi Minh every morning.<br />
<br />
We had difficulty locating Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda within the complex but for those interested to visit, you would need to pay VND 25k entrance fee each for Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lenin Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we were exploring on foot, we passed by Lenin Park, which is named in commemoration of Lenin on his 110 birthday. This small triangle botanical garden is the green lung of Hanoi, where the locals exercise, stroll and enjoy its beautiful landscape.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train Tracks</td></tr>
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Out of nowhere, train tracks appeared between two blocks of houses, living in harmony with its nearby resident, motorbikes and passerby.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cha Ca La Vong @ Cha Ca Thang Long</td></tr>
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Traversing busy traffic in Hanoi was no small feat, not to mention over 5km distance covered within half a day on foot. Famished we were, we found Cha Ca Thang Long and ordered their famous Cha Ca La Vong, i.e. turmeric grilled fish. The way Cha Ca La Vong was prepared was simple: tossed in all the greens and fishes and let it sizzled.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cha Ca La Vong @ Cha Ca Thang Long</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
La Vong grilled fish is basically grilled hemibagrus (cá Lăng) with dills and oil. For non vegetables eaters, good luck to you! I particularly loved their local greens, especially loved it when it worked only to enhance the overall taste profile of La Vong. Fish meat was unexpected smooth and fresh. I loved the touch of peanuts too.<br />
<br />
Total Damage = VND 320k (for 2 sets of Cha Ca La Vong with beers)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thuan Ly Bun Thang @ 33 Hang Hom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since we splurged on our lunch in Cha Ca Thang Long, we were back to the street fares for dinner. Bun Thang at Thuan Ly Bun Thang for one.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Thang @ Thuan Ly Bun Thang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bun Thang is vermicelli soup with chicken, egg and pork, featuring simple yet nutritious soup base. While I found their vermicelli coarse to my liking, I did like their Thang (soup).<br />
<br />
Total Damage = VND 60k (2 Bun Thangs)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thuc Don @ 52 Ly Quoc Su</td></tr>
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Tanner half needed more substance after his bowl of Bun Thang. We ended up here at Thuc Don 52 Ly Quoc Su to top up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh Goi @ Thuc Don 52 Ly Quoc Su</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Banh Goi aside, I simply couldn't stress enough on my love on local fresh vegetables and their sweet sour dipping sauce. Where have you been all these whiles?<br />
<br />
Total Damage = VND 22k<br />
<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Random Porridge Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Random Street Snacks - N/A</li>
<li>Bun Rieu 11 Hang Bac - 2/5</li>
<li>Cha Ca Thang Long - 4/5</li>
<li>Thuan Ly Bun Thang - 3/5</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - 2/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Random Porridge Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Random Street Snacks - 1/5</li>
<li>Bun Rieu 11 Hang Bac - 4/5</li>
<li>Cha Ca Thang Long - 3/5</li>
<li>Thuan Ly Bun Thang - 4/5</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Random Porridge Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Random Street Snacks - 1/5</li>
<li>Bun Rieu 11 Hang Bac - 4/5</li>
<li>Cha Ca Thang Long - 3/5</li>
<li>Thuan Ly Bun Thang - 4/5</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Random Porridge Stall - Best unexpected find!</li>
<li>Random Street Snacks - Don't get conned please...</li>
<li>Bun Rieu 11 Hang Bac - Try it, you might like it</li>
<li>Cha Ca Thang Long - Simply love the fresh and tender fish meat with local vegetables</li>
<li>Thuan Ly Bun Thang - Homely fare</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - Totally worth the calories snacking on this</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:</div>
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel: Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and local food. Spacious and comfortable room. It could use a fan for ventilation during winters. Do ask for lower floor rooms if you are not a fan of climbing narrow staircases</li>
<li>Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex: For fans of history, architecture and religion, you might just spend half a day here easily</li>
<li>Lenin Park: If you have the time to kill, this would be a refreshing change to the bustling city of Hanoi</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Random Porridge Stall<br />
Ngo Huyen Alley, near Especen Hotel<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: No (Cash only)<br />
<br />
Bun Rieu 11 Hang Bac<br />
11 Hàng Bạc, Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 6am - 6pm<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: N/A (Cash only)<br />
<br />
Cha Ca Thang Long<br />
19 - 21 - 31 Duong Thanh, Hoan Kiem, Cửa Đông, Hanoi, Hà Nội Hoàn Kiếm, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 8am - 10pm<br />
Tel: +84 24 3824 5115<br />
Credit Card: Yes<br />
<br />
Thuan Ly Bun Thang<br />
33 Hàng Hòm, Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: +84 462961827<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su<br />
52 Lý Quốc Sư, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 10pm (based on Foursquare)<br />
Tel: +84 4 3828 5922<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam21.0277644 105.8341597999999520.968477399999998 105.75347879999995 21.0870514 105.91484079999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-76639177557454439022017-10-21T00:20:00.000+08:002018-08-12T20:01:57.348+08:00Food Hunting List: SingaporeBack in June 2014, I embarked on my second solo trip to Singapore. In these 2 days in Singapore, I managed to try some local cuisines, which made up of this #FoodHuntingListSG.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7528/16018507370_cafe6311b9_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Char Kuey Teow - Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Char Kuey Teow - Outram Park Fried Kway Teow Mee</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Char kuey teow</li>
<li>Verdict: To my utter disappointment, it was bland (not spicy, not even salty enough), lack of texture (kuey teow that stuck to each other) and substance (few pieces of fish cakes countable with one hand).</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/16067581197_c852fc5675_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="427" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iced Cham - Old Tea Hut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Iced Cham - Old Tea Hut</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Iced cham</li>
<li>Verdict: Good Cham in business area, hence the business price.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="427" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/16204043941_b3b271a262_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3-Course Set Lunch <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">- Salta Argentine Parrilla + Grocer</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>3-Course Set Lunch - Salta Argentine Parrilla + Grocer</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: 3-course set lunch (Ensalada Caesar, Bife de Chorizo, and Sopa de Frutas)</li>
<li>Verdict: Bife de Chorizo came with 200g charcoal-grilled grass fed striploin, which was lean with easy texture. Flavour was slightly lacking but it went very well with condiments. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html</a> </li>
</ul>
<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee with Butter - 1983 - A Taste of Nanyang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Coffee with Butter - 1983 - A Taste of Nanyang</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Coffee with butter</li>
<li>Verdict: To my disappointment, it was just butter melted in coffee. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="413" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7564/16204044921_e3a3a43fd4_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yong Tau Fu Mee - Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Yong Tau Fu Mee - Koo Kee Yong Tow Foo</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Yong tau fu mee</li>
<li>Verdict: Satisfactory</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7527/16204045281_1d3e040f82_c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="426" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Sui Kao - People's Park Centre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Fried Sui Kao - People's Park Centre</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Fried sui kao and boiled sui kao </li>
<li>Verdict: Too oily to my liking, but it had crusty outer layer with plenty fillings. Pretty good for value. Both were relatively good but my personal preference was fried sui kao.</li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/food-hunting-attractions-day-1.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8662/16180141776_565fda6c4e_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaya Toast with Butter Set - Ya Kun Kaya Toast 亞坤 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Kaya Toast with Butter Set - Ya Kun Kaya Toast 亞坤</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order: Kaya toast with butter set , French toast set</li>
<li>Verdict: Despite the skimpy outlook, the charred surface and porous texture were promising. All I needed was a little pressure and the toast broke apart, oozing with rich kaya jam and melty butter slices. French toast, on the other hand, was rather disappointing. </li>
<li>More details @ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/ya-kun-kaya-toast-arab-street-haji-lane-indobox.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/ya-kun-kaya-toast-arab-street-haji-lane-indobox.html</a></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/16018577438_83fac7543a_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayam Penyet - IndoBox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>Ayam Penyet - IndoBox</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order:<b> </b>Ayam penyet, ikan penyet</li>
<li>Verdict: Ayam penyet itself was crispy, juicy and well spiced. Ikan penyet, on the other hand, was nothing short of great. Similar to ayam penyet, it was crispy and juicy, albeit the texture was slightly off (mainly due to selection of fish). </li>
<li>More details <complete id="goog_150984497">@ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/ya-kun-kaya-toast-arab-street-haji-lane-indobox.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/01/ya-kun-kaya-toast-arab-street-haji-lane-indobox.html</a></complete></li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7472/16204260301_747d42012c_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat Cheese, Leeks, Scallions, Garlic and Bacon Pizza - Marina Bay Sands and Pizzeria Mozza </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Goat Cheese, Leeks, Scallions, Garlic and Bacon Pizza - Marina Bay Sands and Pizzeria Mozza</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Order; Goat Cheese, Leeks, Scallions, Garlic and Bacon Pizza, Meatballs al Forno, Tricolore with Parmigiano Reggiano and Anchovy Dressing </li>
<li>Verdict: I was totally amazed by the very pizza texture which looked and tasted almost like fried: hollow and airy, yet crispy and soft. While the bacon gave the pizza its savoury end, leeks and scallions gave the pizza its sweeter note, and casually accentuated by the pungent goat cheese. Despite so, there was some flavours missing that could further elevate the excitement of such great pizza.</li>
<li>More details <complete id="goog_150984500">@ <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/02/marina-bay-sands-pizzeria-mozza.html">http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2015/02/marina-bay-sands-pizzeria-mozza.html</a></complete></li>
</ul>
</div>
HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Singapore1.352083 103.819836000000010.8441055 103.174389 1.8600605 104.46528300000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-37632884428018766492017-08-27T20:59:00.003+08:002018-09-23T17:34:01.986+08:00Hanoi Travelogue: Pho, Vietnamese Coffee, Bun Cha, Water Puppet - Checked! (28 Jan 2016)Barely 3 months from Taiwan trip, tanner half and I were bound for Hanoi for a 7D6N vacation. We booked our flight and hotel on AirAsiaGo for RM800/pax 7 months ago in June 2015.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33627882574/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9309"><img alt="IMG_9309" height="312" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/33627882574_43453398dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Room @ Especen Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We chose Especen Hotel (28 Tho Xuong street) due to its proximity to the city centre, spaciousness and decent interior. Airport transfer service was offered at VND350k or USD16 per way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Room <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Especen Hotel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our room looked exactly as listed on AirAsiaGo. Room was clean and prepped, bed was comfortable, shower was piping hot, I was pleased.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Room's Balcony @ Especen Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Located at 4th floor, our room came with an open balcony, with plenty of natural light and fresh air. The only thing I disliked about the room was the long and narrow staircases leading in and out of our room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34085386800/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0437"><img alt="DSC_0437" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4177/34085386800_0f5bd0fcc8_z.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half Done Beef @ Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su (VND45k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Within 250m walking distance from Especen Hotel was <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/ph%E1%BB%9F-10-l%C3%BD-qu%E1%BB%91c-s%C6%B0/4d61ae04196ba0939e662856">Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su</a>, where we had our piping hot Pho! Depending on the cuts, their Pho selection ranged from VND45k to VND100k.<br />
<br />
I loved the intense beefiness and sourness of the soup. The doneness (medium rare) of the thinly sliced beef was perfect. Help yourself with more limes and chillies on the tables.<br />
<br />
Total damage = VND115k<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34470173145/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0445"><img alt="DSC_0445" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4185/34470173145_5306ebb72f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nem Cua Be @ Bun Cha Dac Kim (VND15k each)</td></tr>
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Another 300m walk from Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su brought us to Bun Cha Dac Kim, where we stopped for some Nem Cua Be (spring rolls). Nem Cua Be looked appetising with its golden crackly skin that threatened to fall apart upon touch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34339723661/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0448"><img alt="DSC_0448" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4172/34339723661_939569a00a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipping Nem Cua Be and Local Vegetables @ Bun Cha Dac Kim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So it did and melded into the chunky and juicy fillings in it. Just take a piece of Nem Cua Be, dip it into the bowl of sour sweet concoction that served alongside with big plate of fresh local vegetables.<br />
<br />
Total damage = VND60k (Nem Cua Be x 3 + Hanoi Beer)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34339725781/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9314"><img alt="IMG_9314" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4156/34339725781_8941c07359_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ca Phe Rhum @ Cafe Nhan (VND45k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For dessert, we made another 500m walk from Bun Cha Dac Kim to Cafe Nhan for some Vietnamese coffee. Instead of ordering Ca Phe Trung (hot egg coffee), which was inexistent in the menu, we opted for Ca Phe Rhum (coffee with rum).<br />
<br />
I personally find Vietnamese coffee strong, even on its own. Therefore, combining rum and Vietnamese coffee was something I found unusually kicky. If you are a hardcore coffee and/or alcohol drinker, you might want to give this a try.<br />
<br />
Total damage = VND90k<br />
<br />
Remainder of our afternoon was spent exploring areas surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, where Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre is located. Water puppetry shows were available at 4.10pm, 5.20pm, 6.30pm and 8pm. To avoid disappointment, we grabbed our 8pm water puppetry tickets while we were in the vicinity. Tickets were sold at VND100k per ticket.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34339725321/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9319"><img alt="IMG_9319" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4191/34339725321_720704711e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh Goi @ Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On our way back to Especen Hotel for an afternoon nap, we stumbled across Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su. Banh Goi is akin to fried dumpling filled with minced pork, onions, etc., which was served alongside bowls of sour sweet soup and fresh local vegetables. Crispy and juicy, it was great on its own. Dipping them into the soup accentuated the flavours more.<br />
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Total damage = VND50k (6-7 pieces of Banh Goi)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nha Tho Lon (St Joseph Cathedral) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After 3 hours of nap, we began our hunt for dinner. On the way out, we took an alternate exit intentionally to pass by Nha Tho Lon (St Joseph Cathedral), which is located 75m away from Especen Hotel.<br />
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St Joseph Cathedral is neo-Gothic cathedral, featuring twin bell towers, elaborate altar and fine stained glass windows. Entrance via main gate was not permitted outside Mass times, however you may try to access the cathedral via the Diocese of Hanoi compound, which is located a block away at 40 P Nha Chung.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33627883244/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9330"><img alt="IMG_9330" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4171/33627883244_98725d7761_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Store Front of Bun Cha Dac Kim</td></tr>
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Tanner half was so impressed with Nem Cua Be that we ended up here at Bun Cha Dac Kim again for dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33627880704/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0450"><img alt="DSC_0450" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4163/33627880704_3650e8cc4d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bun Cha @ Bun Cha Dac Kim (VND60k)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bun Cha and Nem Cua Be were priced at VND60k and VND15k respectively. We ordered the Combo 1: Bun Cha va Nem Cua Be (Bun Cha with 2 spring rolls) for VND 90k.<br />
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The Bun Cha came with 4-5 big pieces of grilled pork in soup and a plate of rice noodles. It did not look pretty but sure smelled and tasted lovely! Smoked and charred, the grilled pork had consistent chunkiness with balanced meat-to-fat ratio. Not only it was juicy, it was flavourful.<br />
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Take a bite of grilled pork with rice noodles dipped in soup, you would surely fall in love with Bun Cha.<br />
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Total damage = VND105k (Combo 1 + Hanoi Beer)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33627882324/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9342"><img alt="IMG_9342" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/33627882324_24a2c8f566_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy Lighting @ Hoan Kiem Lake</td></tr>
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By night time, weather became windy and chilly. Silly me packed most summer clothes to Hanoi, having only one warmer jacket to hold the cold for the 750m walk to Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre.<br />
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Plenty of street vendors buzzed around Hoan Kiem Lake at nights, selling all sorts of hot food and local souvenirs. Tanner half and I spent our free time before 8pm puppet show enjoying the lightworks and people watching.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34339726271/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9338"><img alt="IMG_9338" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/34339726271_a52a7fdcea_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Traditional water puppet show featured 14 pieces selected from the repertoire of 400 items of the ancient Vietnamese puppetry. Our 8 pm show was preceded with a folk music composition using traditional musical instruments before showcasing the following:<br />
<ol>
<li>Prelude of clown Tễu</li>
<li>Thang Long festival drumming</li>
<li>Dragon's dance</li>
<li>Buffalo-boy playing the flute</li>
<li>Agricultural work (rice planting, soil ploughing, water scopping)</li>
<li>Catching frogs</li>
<li>Cashing the fox that tries to catch ducks</li>
<li>Fishing</li>
<li>Xa Thương (a melody in the collection of hymns dedicated to the cult of Holy Mothers, a folk belief of the Vietnamese people)</li>
<li>Phoenix's dance</li>
<li>Lê Lợi returning the sword (Lê Lợi was a national hero, leader of the resistance against foreign invasion in the 15th century. Legend has it that he was granted a sword by deities. After his victory over the invaders, Kim Quy (Golden) Tortoise God appeared to claim back the sword as he was boating on a lake in Hanoi. Hence the name of the lake, Hoan Kiem (Returned Sword))</li>
<li>Unicorn's dance</li>
<li>Eight fairies' dance</li>
<li>Four sacred animals' dance (dragon, unicorn, tortoise, phoenix)</li>
</ol>
My personal favourites were #6 and #7.<br />
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For those who are weary about spending VND100k for a ticket, I would say, "Give it a try, it would be the best time you spent in Hanoi", if at all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/34339726481/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9344"><img alt="IMG_9344" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/34339726481_62b9170b6a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nem Em Thuy nearby Nha Tho Lon (St Joseph Cathedral) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After our water puppet show, we made our way back to Especen Hotel. Luck must be on my side for we came across a random shop selling rejected branded goods, where I grabbed myself a heavily discounted Levi's jacket for VND174k.<br />
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We also chanced upon this busy alley nearby Nha Tho Lon (St Joseph Cathedral). Swarmed with local diners on tiny chairs devouring platters of skewers, dining in Hanoi could not be more authentic than this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/33627883584/in/album-72157680726569522/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_9343"><img alt="IMG_9343" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4184/33627883584_9ea652a7a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skewers and Fried Sweet Potatoes @ Nem Em Thuy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite the language barrier, tanner half managed to order some food for us. We had our fried sweet potatoes along with some fish skewers (I think). Imagine piping hot food in cold windy night, these skewers, though not great, was comforting.<br />
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Total damage = VND100k<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - 4/5</li>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - 3/5</li>
<li>Cafe Nhan - 4/5</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - 2/5</li>
<li>Nem Em Thuy - 1/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - 3/5</li>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - 3/5</li>
<li>Cafe Nhan - 2/5</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - 4/5</li>
<li>Nem Em Thuy - 2/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - 5/5</li>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - 5/5</li>
<li>Cafe Nhan - 3/5</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - 4/5</li>
<li>Nem Em Thuy - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su - No Pho in Malaysia can beat that!</li>
<li>Bun Cha Dac Kim - Simply awesome Bun Cha. Where can I find it in KL?</li>
<li>Cafe Nhan - Not a big fan of liquor coffee myself. Give it a try if you are one</li>
<li>Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su - Totally worth the calories snacking on this</li>
<li>Nem Em Thuy - Comfort food in the middle of the chilly night</li>
</ul>
</ul>
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Especen Hotel: Walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake and local food. Spacious and comfortable room. It could use a fan for ventilation during winters. Do ask for lower floor rooms if you are not a fan of climbing narrow staircases</li>
<li>Hoan Kiem Lake: Big and tranquil lake where locals exercise in the mornings. Pretty lightworks in the nights. Good for dating or chilling.</li>
<li>Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre: Water puppet show was fantastic. Do not miss watching one of these water puppet shows!</li>
<li>St Joseph Cathedral: Pay a visit in the cathedral if you can. It looked gothically pretty in the sunsets.</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su<br />
10 Lý Quốc Sư, Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 6am - 2pm, 5.30pm - 10pm <br />
Tel: +84 4 3825 7338<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Bun Cha Dac Kim<br />
67 Duong Thanh Street, Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 7pm<br />
Tel: +84 4 3828 5022<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Cafe Nhan<br />
39D Hàng Hành, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 6am - 11pm<br />
Tel: +84 4 3826 9861<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Thuc Donn 52 Ly Quoc Su<br />
52 Lý Quốc Sư, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 10pm (based on Foursquare)<br />
Tel: +84 4 3828 5922<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Nem Em Thuy<br />
10 Ấu Triệu, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam<br />
Operation Hours: 4pm - 11pm<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Hanoi, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam21.0277644 105.8341597999999520.968477399999998 105.75347879999995 21.0870514 105.91484079999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-516194078132816832017-07-15T22:08:00.000+08:002018-08-12T20:01:56.124+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Homeland Day (15 Nov 2015)Alas, today was the day to head back to reality.<br />
<br />
To start the day on a bad foot, we chose wrong for our last breakfast in Taipei with 水龍王魷魚焿. Not only the restaurant smelled afoul, it was literally empty. Silly us proceeded to order braised pork rice and braised minced pork rice with tofu anyway. The second we tried our first bite, we regretted it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31251206984/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0434"><img alt="DSC_0434" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5614/31251206984_88f11ab2b0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Pork Rice @ 水龍王魷魚焿</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My mom's braised pork rice came with smelly bamboo shoot, overcooked braised pork with bland prospect.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minced Pork with Tofu Rice @ 水龍王魷魚焿</td></tr>
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Mine was a mush of blended pork with barely balance in flavor and a heap of smelly bamboo shoot. Damn I hate bamboo shoot.<br />
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Total damage = TWD 180 (if only I could quantify the damage to my soul...)<br />
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After our disappointing breakfast, we checked out from King Lei-Lei Hotel, lugged our luggages to Ximen Station and made our way to Taipei Main Station. Our initial plan was to grab bus tickets to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport from the ticketing counter in Taipei Main Station but luck wasn't on our side when we saw a winding long queue outside the ticketing counter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy Noodles with Pork Slices @ Homee Kitchen</td></tr>
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A cab driver near the ticketing counter poached us to share a ride with other passengers to airport. Considering we did not have the luxury of time, we obliged at the price of TWD500 for two pax. Within an hour, we arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and settled all the necessary procedures before having our quick lunch at Homee Kitchen in the departure lounge.<br />
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I couldn't be more blessed to have a bowl of decent noodles, despite the airport standard price tag and pitiful amount of meat.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD 410<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meal served on the way to KLIA</td></tr>
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Not long after our lunch, our flight departed. This meal served on the way from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to KLIA marked the end of our "adventurous and eventful" Taiwan trip. <br />
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For the first time in our lives, we experienced <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/01/taiwan-travelogue-long-gone-prestige-MAS.html">overbooking with MAS</a>, taking buses which did not run on consistent schedule in Jiufen, and looking for King Lei-Lei Hotel in rain. Bad experience aside, we did have our fair share of enjoyment in <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/02/taiwan-travelogue-exploring-charm-Jiufen.html">Jiufen</a>, <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/02/taiwan-travelogue-Miaokou-Night-Market.html">Keelung</a>, <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/03/taiwan-travelogue-rock-seeing-yehliu-geopark.html">Yehliu</a>, <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/03/taiwan-travelogue-ximending.html">Ximending</a>, <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/05/Beitou-hot-spring-Shilin-Night-Market.html">Beitou, Shilin</a> etc.<br />
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Will I come back to Taiwan? Probably not Taipei again :)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Taipei, Keelung City, Taiwan25.0329694 121.5654177000000124.5725269 120.91997070000001 25.493411899999998 122.21086470000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-6130931464539124442017-06-14T23:01:00.001+08:002018-08-12T20:01:56.642+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Munching & Shopping Away in Ximending (14 Nov 2015)A week had gone by. 1.5 days was what was left for us to shop away in the city of Taipei.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 @ Ximending</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>To kickstart our shopping day, we decided to splurge a little at <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/%E9%B4%A8%E8%82%89%E6%89%81%E5%9C%9F%E9%B5%9D%E5%B0%88%E8%B3%A3%E5%BA%97/4ba3a801f964a520cc5038e3">Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店</a>, which is located 500m away from King Lei-Lei Hotel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior @ Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店</td></tr>
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Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 was bustling with activities at lunch time. We waited for 5 minutes or so before we were seated.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Duck @ Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店</td></tr>
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The highlight of Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 was none other than this plate of braised duck leg, selling at TWD 300. Despite its expensive price tag, there was no regret. The duck flesh was silky smooth and perfectly balanced in flavours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Tofu @ Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店</td></tr>
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Braised tofu, on the other hand, was less spectacular but considerably better than most.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Tang Hun @ Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店</td></tr>
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My mom opted for a bowl of braised tang hun with wantan and some shredded chicken to go with braised duck.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear Soup Noodle @ Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店</td></tr>
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I opted for the clear soup noodles with pork ball, which was mildly flavoured so as to accentuate the flavour profile of braised duck. Even on its own, this bowl of clear soup noodle was great, especially fitting on rainy day or feeling blue from sickness.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD 460<br />
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After our satisfying breakfast, we went about the day exploring the malls and flea markets around Ximending. There were simply so much to see in this little city of Ximending. Oh, not forgetting the plethora of food here too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Milk Tea (TWD 45) @ COCO 都可茶飲</td></tr>
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Yes, bubble milk tea was one of it. I must say the consistency of Taiwanese milk tea was prevalent - both <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/03/taiwan-travelogue-ximending.html">Ochado's bubble milk tea</a> and <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/coco%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%AF%E8%8C%B6%E9%A3%B2/5173845ce4b0300ca6db4cd0"><span id="goog_1122956890"></span>COCO 都可茶飲<span id="goog_1122956891"></span></a>'s bubble milk tea shared similar taste and texture that if I were blind folded, chances were I couldn't tell the difference!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒 @ Ximending</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>6 hours went by burying our faces shopping the day away. Our tummies growled in retaliation. We headed out to the street, hunting for dinners. Looking at the grand crowd outside <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/%E8%B1%AA%E5%A4%A7%E5%A4%A7%E9%9B%9E%E6%8E%92-hotstar-large-fried-chicken/51700fade4b03d7b4f42ebe8">Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒</a>, we were swayed. After all, this was the first fried chicken we had in Taiwan.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒 (TWD 70) <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Ximending</span></td></tr>
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I joined the queue to order my Shilin Hot-Star large fried chicken 豪大大雞扒. Luckily it was not a long wait to place my order. Few minutes later, a large piece of piping hot fried chicken was handed to me. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, caution must be taken when devouring this chunky piece of fried chicken. Dashes of chili powder on the outside did help with the spicy experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House</td></tr>
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Few doors away from Shilin Hot-Star large fried chicken 豪大大雞扒 was this <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/%E4%BC%91%E9%96%92%E5%B0%8F%E6%A3%A7-bubble-tea-house/4d1dfce1d7b0b1f76e89ff9e">休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House</a>, beckoning us while we were enjoying our fried chicken on a nearby bench.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Milk Tea with Yam Balls (TWD 45) @ 休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House</td></tr>
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We gave in, as expected. What we did not expect was 休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House did offer the option to change the usual bubbles to homemade yam balls. We were delighted, just by the prospect of yam balls. One thing to note was the texture of yam balls was a little too soft to my liking, to the extent it might threaten its very existence in this cup of bubble milk tea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Pancake (TWD 25) @ Random Street Stall in Ximending</td></tr>
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Night scene in Ximending was equally dotted with push cart style vendors selling street foods. We grabbed ourselves some of these street foods on our way back to <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/search?updated-max=2017-04-04T18:06:00%2B08:00&max-results=2">King Lei-Lei Hotel</a>, namely this piece of sweet pancake with black sesame. Compared to Malaysian's pancake, Taiwanese pancake was chewier and sweeter along with the lack of crunchy peanut and corns.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion Biscuits (TWD 30) @ Random Street Stall in Ximending</td></tr>
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We also grabbed a few pieces of onion biscuits to try. These bite-size onion biscuits akin to fried banana balls, except it was loaded with chunks of minced onion.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of Onion Biscuits</td></tr>
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Excuse the oily fingers, I loved the minced onion and the thin layer of flour surrounding it. It was a delightful snack on its own.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extra Spicy Taiwanese Sausage @ Random Street Stall in Ximending</td></tr>
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Apart from onion biscuits, we also grabbed this extra spicy Taiwanese sausage to share. Despite the familiarity to spiciness, this spiciness was not a joke. That aside, the chunky texture and the flavorful profile did make Taiwanese sausage irresistible.<br />
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IN SUMMARY,<br />
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My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 - 4/5</li>
<li>COCO 都可茶飲 - 5/5</li>
<li>Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒 - 4/5</li>
<li>休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Sweet Pancake Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Random Onion Biscuit Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Random Spicy Taiwanese Sausage Stall - 3/5 </li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 - 3/5</li>
<li>COCO 都可茶飲 - 4/5</li>
<li>Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒 - 4/5</li>
<li>休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Sweet Pancake Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Random Onion Biscuit Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Spicy Taiwanese Sausage Stall - 4/5 </li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 - 5/5</li>
<li>COCO 都可茶飲 - 5/5</li>
<li>Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒 - 5/5</li>
<li>休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Sweet Pancake Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Random Onion Biscuit Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Random Spicy Taiwanese Sausage Stall - 4/5 </li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店 - Premium but delicious, try it if you are fan of duck/goose</li>
<li>COCO 都可茶飲 - Not a big fan of bubble but milk tea was great</li>
<li>Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒 - Nailed it on the texture and flavor, I could eat as a meal</li>
<li>休閒小棧 Bubble Tea House - Milk tea with yam balls was interesting. You can opt for other types of homemade balls too!</li>
<li>Random Sweet Pancake Stall - Plain gooey sweet and chewy, I still like Malaysian's style better</li>
<li>Random Onion Biscuit Stall - Oily but delicious snacks on the go</li>
<li>Random Spicy Taiwanese Sausage Stall - Always yes to Taiwanese sausage!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>King Lei-Lei Hotel: Strategic location, spacious room but looked draped and aged</li>
<li>Ximending: Happening place where food and shopping are interchangeable. We did contribute our fair share of consumer spending here too!</li>
</ul>
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DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Ya Rou Bian 鴨肉扁・土鵝專賣店<br />
108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, 中華路一段98之2號<br />
Operation Hours: 10am - 10pm <br />
Tel: +886 2 2371 3918<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
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COCO 都可茶飲<br />
No. 4, Section 2, Wuchang St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108<br />
Operation Hours: 11am - 11pm<br />
Tel: +886 2 2312 3789<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Shilin Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken 豪大大雞扒<br />
108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, 漢中街36號<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Shi-men Ting, Taipei City, Taiwan 10825.0456572 121.5077373000000325.0384642 121.49765230000003 25.0528502 121.51782230000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-15538895158418324292017-05-01T15:36:00.000+08:002018-08-12T20:01:54.336+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Steaming in Beitou Hot Spring & Snacking in Shilin Night Market (13 Nov 2015)Rise and shine! After a day filled with touristy attractions, today should be the day to wind back and enjoy some hot bath and street food.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">天天利美食坊 @ Ximending</td></tr>
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As to where to find some great street food, look no further than 天天利美食坊 in Ximending, which is located 500m away from our hotel, King Lei Lei Hotel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Pork Rice (Small for TWD25) @ 天天利美食坊</td></tr>
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If you are undecided on what to go for, order a bowl of braised pork rice. You just couldn't go wrong with a bowl of braised pork rice. So far, none suck in my case but I do appreciate more minced pork and more braised sauce to go with the rice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Carrot Cake (TWD 50) @ 天天利美食坊</td></tr>
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To go with braised pork rice, we ordered a plate of fried carrot cake. Texture was a telltale of too much flour in the mixture. Flavour was too bland and flat to Malaysian's taste bud.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oyster Pancake (TWD 60) @ 天天利美食坊</td></tr>
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Being a big fan of oyster pancake, my mom insisted on ordering one. Despite my dislike to oysters, the omelette was fluffy and moist. Chilli sauce was spot on too.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD165<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You Tiao and Soy Bean @ Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿</td></tr>
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We were bloated after we were done in 天天利美食坊 but we just had to try this Taiwanese breakfast combo, i.e. soy bean and you tiao. We had ours at Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿, which is located less than 100m from 天天利美食坊. Soy bean was a delight, so was the you tiao. Pancake was unusual though thick and tasteless.<br />
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Total damage = TWD95<br />
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From Ximen Station, we took a train to Taipei Main Station, before switching train to Beitou Station. For convenience, we did another switch of train from Beitou Station to Xinbeitou Station as it is closer to <a href="http://hotspringmuseum.taipei/ct.asp?xItem=50145359&ctNode=44466&mp=11900c">Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memory of Beitou @ Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館</td></tr>
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Built in 1913 under Japanese ruling, it was initially built to be Beitou Public Bathhouse, the biggest bathhouse in East Asia at the time. Occupying more than 2,300 sq m over two floors, the museum is a Japanese-influenced Victorian building, designed by Moriyama Matsunosuke. No entrance fee is charged in this community-ran museum Grade 3 historical monument.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levitation @ Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館</td></tr>
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The first floor features the large bath (6m in width, 9m in length) which was decorated with the remnants of the bathhouse. Surrounding the large bath are arch hallway, lined pillars and the arched stained glass windows built at 6:4 ratio.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon Guitar and 800kg Hokutolite @ Beitou Hot Spring Museum</td></tr>
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Apart from the large bath, the first floor also features some of the museum's collection, such as the moon guitar and 800kg Hokutolite. Among more than 4000 minerals in the world, the only toponym named after a Taiwanese place is Hokutolite, which is produced when the green sulfur hot spring water from Hell Valley passes over lands of the Beitou Creek. It takes about 125-130 years for a single centimeter of Hokulite to crystalize. Imagine the time required to produce this 800kg Hokutolite!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antique Clock @ Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館</td></tr>
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The second floor features a large Tatami lobby where bathhouse guests used to relax after hot bath and a lookout balcony where one could enjoy the scenery surrounding the museum.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thermal Valley 地熱谷 @ Beitou</td></tr>
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From Beitou Hot Spring Museum, a short 500m walk east would bring you to <a href="http://escape2taiwan.com/beitou-thermal-valley-hell-valley-%E5%9C%B0%E7%86%B1%E8%B0%B7/">Thermal Valley 地熱谷</a>, a volcanic crater filled with steaming natural sulfuric hot spring water. The temperatures of the waters could reach up to 100°C (212°F), making them unsuitable for bathing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoldering Hot Steam @ Thermal Valley 地熱谷</td></tr>
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Thermal Valley 地熱谷 is also known as Hell Valley and Jade Springs Valley due to these eerie sulphuric steam that dances with the wind and translucent green waters.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skewers @ Nearby Convenient Store in Beitou</td></tr>
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On the way down from Thermal Valley, we made a pit stop at one of the convenient stores and grabbed some skewers to fill our tummies. Truth be told, these skewers were not bad, though it was a mass produced product with minimal protein content.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese-Inspired Pathway in Beitou</td></tr>
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To commemorate our visit in Beitou, we decided to try their traditional hot spring bath. There were plenty of bathhouses, be it indoor private bath or scenic outdoor bath, at various price tags. We ended up in <a href="http://www.longnice.com.tw/">Takinoyu 瀧乃湯</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takinoyu 瀧乃湯 @ Beitou</td></tr>
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Featuring traditional Japanese architecture and nature-embracing setting, Takinoyu 瀧乃湯 is one of the longest standing bathhouse in Beitou with history dated back to 1900s. Bathing fee was TWD100 per pax, with separate bath for men and women. I was horrified when I was told the water temperature was 42 celcius but there was no turning back.<br />
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Every ripple in the bath would send torrent of heat to your bare skin. You just feel like cursing whenever someone moves in the bath. That aside, the mineral properties in Beitou hot spring is said to be naturally healing. Therefore all female bathers in Takinoyu 瀧乃湯 were mainly locals whom frequent this bathhouse.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD200<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smelly Tofu Shop @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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After we were done with 瀧乃湯 Takinoyu, we took a train from Xinbeitou Station to Beitou Station, before switching to another train to Shilin Station for Shilin Night Market 士林夜市. Our first stop was this smelly tofu shop, for its smelly tofu of course!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smelly Tofu (TWD50) @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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The smelly tofu was not as smelly as I would like it to be, likewise for the plain sour pickles. These aside, it had wonderful contrast in texture.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yam Puff Stall @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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Our second stop was this yam puff stall, which claimed itself to be the famous one from Miaokou Night Market.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yam Puffs (TWD 50) @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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For TWD50, we got ourselves 3 small yam puffs to share. Despite its tough look, who could have thought the inside was filled with soft and fluffy yam fillings?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">QQ Ball Stall and Fried Milk Ball Stall @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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Talking about interesting finds, the awards no doubt went to QQ Ball Stall and Fried Milk Ball Stall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Milk Balls (TWD 20) @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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Damn, these fried milk balls sure looked good. One bite was all you need to devour the semi-molten milk fillings encased in crispy gold skin. Despite a little too sweet to my liking, it was great.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried QQ Balls (TWD 50) @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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Likewise for these sweet potatoes balls, which was equally lovely. Taiwanese sure knows how to fry their balls right!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">碗中圆 @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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Up to this point, we still had not have a proper meal but we dived straight to desserts anyway!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tang Yuan in Black Sesame Dessert (TWD 50) @ 碗中圆</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Being a big fan of black sesame dessert and tang yuan, it was a quick decision to make when we spotted this on the menu. Tang yuan was lovely, so was many glutinous flour based produce in Taiwan. Black sesame dessert, on the other hand, was too diluted to my liking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mee Sua Stall @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>For our main course, we decided to go for some piping hot mee suah.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mee Sua (TWD 40) @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>To be safe, we ordered one to share. This stall was generous with corianders, which I personally found it delightful especially after soaking it in the thick broth. Mee sua was lovely, so was the broth.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raohe's Famous Peppercake Stall @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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If you were in Shilin Night Market 士林夜市, you would surely notice this Raohe's famous peppercake stall, noticeably swarmed with a long queue of customers waiting for their peppercakes. On the way home, the queue was somewhat subsided so we decided to take away some for supper.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppercake in the Making @ Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</td></tr>
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Loaded with minced pork and spring onions, their big peppercake was a wholesome meal on its own. If I remembered correctly, we paid TWD 50 for 3 of these peppercakes.<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>天天利美食坊 - 4/5</li>
<li>Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿 - 4/5</li>
<li>Convenience Store in Beitou - 4/5</li>
<li>Smelly Tofu Shop - 2/5</li>
<li>Yam Puff Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>QQ Ball Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Fried Milk Ball Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>碗中圆 - 4/5<br />
</li>
<li>Mee Sua Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Raohe's Famous Peppercake Stall - 3/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>天天利美食坊 - 4/5</li>
<li>Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿 - 4/5</li>
<li>Convenience Store in Beitou - 4/5</li>
<li>Smelly Tofu Shop - 3/5</li>
<li>Yam Puff Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>QQ Ball Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Fried Milk Ball Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>碗中圆 - 4/5</li>
<li>Mee Sua Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Raohe's Famous Peppercake Stall - 5/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>天天利美食坊 - 4/5</li>
<li>Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿 - 3/5</li>
<li>Convenience Store in Beitou - 3/5</li>
<li>Smelly Tofu Shop - 3/5</li>
<li>Yam Puff Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>QQ Ball Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Fried Milk Ball Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>碗中圆 - 3/5</li>
<li>Mee Sua Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Raohe's Famous Peppercake Stall - 5/5</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>天天利美食坊 - Affordable Taiwanese food under one roof</li>
<li>Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿 - Not the cheapest but worth a try</li>
<li>Convenience Store in Beitou - Snacking on the go makes easier </li>
<li>Smelly Tofu Shop - Could be better but I did not see another smelly tofu stall in Shilin Night Market 士林夜市</li>
<li>Yam Puff Stall - So good that you can almost taste the texture of shredded yam in it</li>
<li>QQ Ball Stall - Lovely crispy hollow balls, so good I could finish all of it on my own</li>
<li>Fried Milk Ball Stall - Pure gimmick but good for sweet tooths</li>
<li>碗中圆 - Can surely give a try when you are tired and in need of some sweets</li>
<li>Mee Sua Stall - Hearty meal on a chilly evening</li>
<li>Raohe's Famous Peppercake Stall - Try it, you will love it</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>King Lei-Lei Hotel - Strategic location, spacious room but looked draped and aged</li>
<li>Beitou Hot Spring Museum 北投溫泉博物館 - Quick overview on the history of Beitou in a brief tour. Why not?</li>
<li>Thermal Valley 地熱谷 - Been there, done that. Just something you have to see when you rae in Beitou</li>
<li>Takinoyu 瀧乃湯 - Not for the faint hearted</li>
<li>Shilin Night Market 士林夜市 - Great varieties and awesome food for hunters like me</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
天天利美食坊<br />
108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, 漢中街32巷1號<br />
Operation Hours: 9.30am - 10.30pm (Tues to Sun)<br />
Tel: +886 2 2375 6299 <br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Yong He Dou Jiang 永和豆漿<br />
108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, 台北市中正區漢口街二段30號<br />
Operation Hours: 5.30am - 2pm<br />
Tel: +886 2 2375 7007<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Shilin Night Market 士林夜市<br />
Lane 101, Wenlin Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111<br />
Operation Hours: 6pm - 12am<br />
Tel: +886 2 2881 5557<br />
Credit Card: CashHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 11225.1151759 121.5150180000000525.0001919 121.35365650000006 25.2301599 121.67637950000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-81957037448885240062017-04-04T18:06:00.001+08:002018-08-12T20:01:57.910+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: A Visit to Huashan 1914 & Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (12 Nov 2015)Our breakfast for the day was simple and did not involve any walking. Literally breakfast in bed but nothing fancy, such as this bowl of instant noodle, which we bought the night before after dinner at <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/03/taiwan-travelogue-ximending.html">Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast in Bed - Instant Noodle</td></tr>
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The noodle texture was thick, chewy and more delightful than the usual instant noodle we have in Malaysia. Soup was normal but hey, it was pork based!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick and Chewy Instant Noodles</td></tr>
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After our breakfast-in-bed, we took a train from Ximen Station to Shandao Temple Station, before continued another 500m on foot to Huashan 1914 Creative Park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huashan 1914 Creative Park</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.huashan1914.com/en/">Huashan 1914 Creative Park</a> is a remodelled early 20th-century wine factory which now houses live music performances, fancy souvenir shops, stylish restaurants, hipster cafes and bars.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior of Wine Factory @ Huashan 1914 Creative Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theatre @ Huashan 1914 Creative Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Fancy Souvenir Shops <complete id="goog_1774842961">@ </complete>Huashan 1914 Creative Park</td></tr>
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While dining in hipster cafe and bars was not in our agenda, we spent our time exploring the souvenir shops. Should you want to grab some souvenirs that aren't too mainstream, visit one of the souvenir shops in Huashan 1914 as they have eclectic local-designed products where one couldn't find elsewhere.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcupines @ One of the Fancy Souvenir Shops</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevated "Tree" House @ Huashan 1914</td></tr>
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The ambiance of whole Huashan 1914 was perfect for photoshoot, be it industrialised shots, creative shots etc. In fact, we came across some photographers taking model shoot during our leisure visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall Chimney of Remodelled Wine Factory @ Huashan 1914</td></tr>
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After an hour or so, we took a train from Shandao Temple Station to Zhongxiao Dunhua Station in hope to squeeze in a lunch session in Solo Pasta but luck wasn't on our side. We ended up in a nearby Hong Kong style cafe named 真好味茶餐廳.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese Baked Rice @ 真好味茶餐廳</td></tr>
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It was an utter disappointment. To begin with, the "cheese" was too powdery, a sign of too much flour in a mixture. Fried rice under the coat of baked cheese was terrible, so much so that an amateur me could do better than 真好味茶餐廳.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Bone Soup</td></tr>
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This free pork bone soup was no better. So diluted it was that it tasted like water with a hint of pork. I barely remembered what my mom ordered.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD290<br />
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Our next stop was <a href="http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/eng/">Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall</a>, which is located about 2km away from 真好味茶餐廳. Initial plan was to take a train from Zhongxiao Dunhua Station to Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station. However, the adventurous us decided to rent 2 YouBikes from a YouBike rental station along Taipei-Keelung main road.<br />
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Payment was relatively straight forward: tap your EasyCard on the card reader, select which bike you are taking, and off you go! For the first 30minute, it was TWD5 per bike.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall</span></td></tr>
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I must say it was an enjoyable experience to take a leisure 1.5km ride along with local cyclists on a chilly autumn weather. After we parked our bikes back to YouBike station opposite Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, we began our touristy visit with Chiang Kai-Shek Chinese garden in the 25-hectares Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Park.<br />
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Filled with various species of plants and flowers, the garden was a welcoming change to the cityscape. At different seasons of the year, one can witness the beauty of plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and osmanthus bloom. Locals were seen spending their leisure afternoon in the garden, strolling and chatting the day away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall</td></tr>
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The giant structure with while walls, blue tiles roofed corridors and pavilions, decorated with Chinese-style latticed windows featuring 26 different motifs, were the definitive characteristics of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Standing tall and proud, it was beautiful.<br />
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We did not visit the interior of Chiang Kai-Shek. Instead, we sat at the Liberty Square, enjoying the cold breeze and admiring the beautiful architecture and weather. If you are interested for a visit, you can arrange for a <a href="http://www.cksmh.gov.tw/eng/index.php?code=list&ids=40">guided tour</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked Duck Spaghetti @ Solo Pasta</td></tr>
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Another 1.5km ride and 400m walk brought us back to <a href="http://www.j-ping.com/solopasta/">Solo Pasta</a>. Since my mom is a big fan of carbonara. and today was her birthday, I made Solo Pasta my choice for celebration. I opted for Spaghetti with Smoked Duck Breast in Balsamic Cream Sauce. That tender slices of duck breast was perfect, so was the balsamic cream sauce that enhanced the diversity of flavour. Even my mom sang praises of it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carbonara @ Solo Pasta</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>As expected, my mom opted for Spaghetti Carbonara with Bacon, Egg, Grated Padano and Pecorino. The ingredient list sounded fantastic but its taste was pale in comparison. Despite being creamy and cheesy, the taste profile was flat and boring. A little dash of vinegar would have helped to spice things up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiramisu @ Solo Pasta</td></tr>
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Since my mom isn't a big fan of tartness, we did not have any wine but little did she know her Tiramisu Mascarpone was infused with Marsala wine! Despite its "magnitude" in size, it was great in flavour. Though I personally prefer stronger liquor, this was more suited to my mom's taste bud.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montebianco @ Solo Pasta</td></tr>
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Limited by the choices of dessert, I went for Montebianco. Mont Blanc chestnut puree topped with whipped cream was an unusual delight, especially the subtle nutty profile of the puree. Again, my mom stamped her approval on Montebianco.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD836<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary Transparent Flooring @ Taipei 101</td></tr>
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Post dinner, I brought the birthday lady to <a href="http://www.taipei-101.com.tw/en/index.aspx">Taipei 101</a>. We walked 750m to Xinyi Anhe Station, rode 1.2km to Taipei 101/World Trade Centre Station and headed up to Taipei 101 for Taipei's night view. The ticket to Taipei 101 Observatory costed TWD500.<br />
<br />
Truth be told, I would have spent the TWD500 for drinks at rooftop bar with a view of Taipei 101. The night view was not spectacular. Moreover, we had to queue in line for half an hour for the ticket, another half an hour or so for our turn to board the fastest lift to Observatory and forced to tour around the jewellery counters. The only consolation was we did check off "Visit Taipei 101 Observatory" in the list of to-do.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31251384584/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="QSRY6369"><img alt="QSRY6369" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/527/31251384584_b767ef9e5a_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signing Off from Hitomi & The Birthday Lady</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>真好味茶餐廳 - 1/5</li>
<li>Solo Pasta - 5/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>真好味茶餐廳 - 1/5</li>
<li>Solo Pasta - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>真好味茶餐廳 - 1/5</li>
<li>Solo Pasta - 5/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>真好味茶餐廳 - It was a mistake</li>
<li>Solo Pasta - They do have some interesting dishes that warrant your visit</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>King Lei-Lei Hotel - Strategic location, spacious room but looked draped and aged</li>
<li>Huashan 1914 Creative Park - Hipster place for the like-minded </li>
<li>Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall - Beautiful architecture that was filled with histories </li>
<li>Taipei 101 Observatory - Save your TWD500 and spend on dinners/drinks overlooking Taipei 101</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
真好味茶餐廳<br />
No. 29, Lane 170, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: +886 2 2752 3909<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Solo Pasta<br />
No. 29-1, Section 1, Anhe Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106<br />
Operation Hours: 11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm (Mon to Thurs); 11.30am to 10pm (Fri to Sun)<br />
Tel: +886 2 2775 3645<br />
Credit Card: YesHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Taipei, Keelung City, Taiwan25.0329694 121.5654177000000124.5725269 120.91997070000001 25.493411899999998 122.21086470000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-24486478628943676542017-03-22T22:24:00.002+08:002018-08-12T20:01:54.933+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Ximending, Here I Come (11 Nov 2015)After two days in <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/02/taiwan-travelogue-Miaokou-Night-Market.html">Keelung,</a> we had pretty much eat all that we can. My mom simply couldn't wait to move on to our next destination. A quick shower, a final shove of luggages, and a simple hotel breakfast ploughed our way to Ximen. From TRA Keelung Station, we took a train to MRT Taipei Main Station, before switching to MRT Ximen Station.<br />
<br />
By the time we arrived at Ximen Station, it was drizzling. My mom and I were lugging our luggage around while looking for <a href="https://www.agoda.com/king-lei-lei-hotel/hotel/taipei-tw.html">King Lei-Lei Hotel</a>, which some of the locals were clueless where it was. To look for King Lei-Lei Hotel in Chinese among the sea of Chinese billboards was the first challenge. To look for a store front (which is inexistent) was another. What we should have looked at was an entrance to lift/reception, a lift to the 5th floor of the building.<br />
<br />
King Lei-Lei Hotel's homely operator was quick to respond upon our arrival and even kind enough to show us a few rooms for us to choose. The room we had was poorly lit (by way of design), the bed was decent, the TV was the ancient 24-inch box, the fridge was barely functioning but toilet was freshly renovated with bathtub.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/32070283695/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0212"><img alt="DSC_0212" height="425" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/496/32070283695_74d8064ef2_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 @ Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the good side, within few hundred metre walking distance, we would immediately find ourselves in the hustle bustle of Ximending. Better still, found the famous <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/%E9%98%BF%E5%AE%97%E9%BA%B5%E7%B7%9A-aychung-flourrice-noodle/4ba22127f964a520cfdd37e3">Ay-Chung mee sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 </a>for lunch!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/32070285155/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0211"><img alt="DSC_0211" height="425" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/510/32070285155_f1abdf5b69_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 @ Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fine threads of noodles swam in the smooth golden concoction hinted a little more vinegar than we used to and maybe a dash of Chinese wine - the moment we passed by, we knew we had to try. This bowl of mee sua was the second best thing we had in Taiwan. The mee sua was so smooth and silky that you could easily slurped it down if it were not of heat. The soup was well balanced so you could go without any condiment if you should choose not to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31695316450/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8545"><img alt="IMG_8545" height="640" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/684/31695316450_271129f275_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Condiments to add @ Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For us, we went on a little with chilli and garlic. Best thing about chilli and hot soup, it accentuated both flavours to the next level which both of us found extra intoxicating.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD65<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31952512281/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8549"><img alt="IMG_8549" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/498/31952512281_6545a62eb8_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble Milk Tea @ Ochado Bubble Tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was not until Day 5 we had a proper bubble milk tea in Taiwan, which we so happened to grab from <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/%E8%8C%B6%E7%A0%94%E7%A4%BE%E8%A5%BF%E9%96%80%E5%BA%97/52ec8c8d498e30da8bbdbd08">Ochado Bubble Tea</a> while walking around looking for more good food. Flavour and texture were similar to Chatime in Malaysia, so we did not loose much back home.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD45<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31251390174/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8551"><img alt="IMG_8551" height="640" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/724/31251390174_60cb21e632_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taiwanese Sausage Stall @ Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Half way through Ximending, my mom pointed to me this Taiwanese sausage stall. Immediately I saw what made her so excited - her favorite Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage 大腸包小腸<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31717355960/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8562"><img alt="IMG_8562" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/497/31717355960_cde0e20309_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage 大腸包小腸</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you read about my previous post about<a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/02/taiwan-travelogue-exploring-charm-Jiufen.html"> big sausage wrap small sausage adventure in Jiufen</a>, you would have understood the happiness of finding your number one Taiwanese delicacies. Personally I still think the mobile truck at Golden Waterfall served the best but this came close second. The only improvement I would have made was the ripeness of the pickles as this was too raw to provide the complex flavour it needed.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD65<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31717356120/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8556"><img alt="IMG_8556" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/582/31717356120_d248b29903_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion Cake 抓葱饼 Stall @ Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Around Ximending area, you would see plenty of these push cart style vendors selling street foods. We ordered an onion cake 抓葱饼 from this stall for takeaway. Half way cooking, polices came ambushing. All these vendors (apparently they did not have proper operating licenses) fled all over the places but the moment polices went to chase others, this stall lady continued her cooking at another corner of the street. That was how our onion cake 抓葱饼 was saved.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31251389854/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8561"><img alt="IMG_8561" height="640" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/717/31251389854_223a49ea35_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion Cake 抓葱饼</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Though named the onion cake 抓葱饼, the only onion part was the leaves used in this dish. The texture of the bread was akin to roti canai in Malaysia but thicker and dense.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD45<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31695282070/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0216"><img alt="DSC_0216" height="425" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/446/31695282070_d4534ba113_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ximen Red House Taipei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Around Ximending, you would surely come across this signature two storey high building laid with red bricks called <a href="http://www.redhouse.taipei/index_en.aspx">Red House Taipei</a>. This front facade you are seeing were based on octagonal structure, which was joined with a cruciform building. Concerts, theatre, creative events could all be found here in Red House Taipei.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31944086422/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8559"><img alt="IMG_8559" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/548/31944086422_7c9df6a661_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline of Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31251389474/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8577"><img alt="IMG_8577" height="426" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/470/31251389474_28c91411ac_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night View at Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31717355910/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8579"><img alt="IMG_8579" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/304/31717355910_602bacc93d_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店 @ Ximending</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Come night time, my mom and I headed out to look for food. Plenty of options were available but nothing strike the fancy of my mom than this Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店. Yes, she loves her ramen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31251389134/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8580"><img alt="IMG_8580" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/591/31251389134_eb0a689cd6_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramen @ Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I barely remembered what I ordered or how it tasted like. All I knew it did not suck big time. I would have gone other places given any chance.<br />
<br />
Total damage for 2 pax = TWD220<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31974662731/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8584"><img alt="IMG_8584" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/574/31974662731_3460df346f_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beihui Papaya Milk 北回木瓜牛奶</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To compensate the lack of my dinner, I ordered one of this unusual <a href="https://foursquare.com/v/%E5%8C%97%E5%9B%9E%E6%9C%A8%E7%93%9C%E7%89%9B%E5%A5%B6/5565bc79498e3e0c2e5c94a8">Beihui papaya milk 北回木瓜牛奶</a> to try. I was skeptical at first but it was really out of the world. Given another chance, I would surely order again!<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD65<br />
<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 - 5/5</li>
<li>Ochado Bubble Milk Tea - 5/5</li>
<li>Taiwanese Sausage Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Onion Cake 抓葱饼 Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店 - 4/5</li>
<li>Beihui papaya milk 北回木瓜牛奶 - 5/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 - 5/5</li>
<li>Ochado Bubble Milk Tea - 3/5</li>
<li>Taiwanese Sausage Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Onion Cake 抓葱饼 Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店 - 2/5</li>
<li>Beihui papaya milk 北回木瓜牛奶 - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 - 5/5</li>
<li>Ochado Bubble Milk Tea - 4/5</li>
<li>Taiwanese Sausage Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Onion Cake 抓葱饼 Stall - 2/5</li>
<li>Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店 - 2/5</li>
<li>Beihui papaya milk 北回木瓜牛奶 - 5/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線 - Best mee sua I had in Taiwan!</li>
<li>Ochado Bubble Milk Tea - Not a big fan of bubble but milk tea was great</li>
<li>Taiwanese Sausage Stall - Could be better but considered one of the better ones</li>
<li>Onion Cake 抓葱饼 Stall - Not too bad for first timer</li>
<li>Xiong Ben Ramen 熊本拉面 - 佐野拉面武昌店 - Definitely not something I would have picked for the price</li>
<li>Beihui papaya milk 北回木瓜牛奶 - So awesome that I wanted to have more!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>King Lei-Lei Hotel: Strategic location, spacious room but looked draped and aged</li>
<li>Ximending: Happening place where food and shopping are interchangeable</li>
<li>Red House Taipei: Signature building that you just couldn't miss</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Ay-Chung Mee Sua 阿宗豬腸麵線<br />
No. 8-1號, Emei St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108<br />
Operation Hours: 9am - 10.30pm (Mon to Thurs), 9am - 11pm (Fri to Sun)<br />
Tel: +886 2 2388 8808<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Ximen Station, No. 32-1, Baoqing Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 1004225.0421738 121.50829269999997-5.8195647000000008 80.199698699999971 55.9039123 162.81688669999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-41376019301356379962017-03-01T22:37:00.000+08:002018-08-12T20:01:55.825+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Rock-Seeing in Yehliu Geopark (10 Nov 2015)Teochew porridge with pickles and peanuts, fried noodles, etc - such was the simple breakfast provided by Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店. My mom was pleased with her hotel breakfast. Though I was not a big fan of hotel breakfast, it did certainly meet my basic requirements.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31225431254/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8480"><img alt="IMG_8480" height="313" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/642/31225431254_0ab3afa5fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Keelung Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our itinerary of the day was mainly to visit Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心, which is about 17km away from Keelung.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31225386354/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0126"><img alt="DSC_0126" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/535/31225386354_eed4269fd9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Keelung from Starbucks</td></tr>
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To go to Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心, you could take bus 790 that ran directly to Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 entrance for TWD30 per pax. The pick up point was Keelung City Visitor's Center 基隆市旅遊服務中心.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31691706180/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0118"><img alt="DSC_0118" height="427" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/358/31691706180_da47ea7514_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taima Star Docking @ Keelung Harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">553 Docking @ Keelung Harbour</td></tr>
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Bus 790 ran on a consistent schedule, so we had half an hour or so to wander around Keelung Harbour before queuing another 15 minutes or so (past its schedule) for it to arrive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Failed Selfie @ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</td></tr>
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The journey from Keelung Harbour to Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 took close to 2 hours but our bus ride was spacious and comfortable. The entrance fee to Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 was TWD80 per pax.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31691704960/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0137"><img alt="DSC_0137" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/429/31691704960_52df2d3b78_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a href="http://www.ylgeopark.org.tw/eng/info/YlIntroduction_en.aspx">Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</a> is famous for its beautiful natural landscape sculpted by centuries of sea erosion. From the entrance of Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 to the end of the cape, the distance is about 1.7km.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carp Rock, Candle Rock, and Ginger Rock (furthest to nearest)</td></tr>
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Sharp-eyed visitors would definitely enjoy Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心. Did you spot the cute carp rock, candle rocks and ginger rocks in this picture?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mushroom Rocks @ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="DSC_0168" height="425" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/781/31256635003_c7590ffca2_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant Rocks @ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/32027835036/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0163"><img alt="DSC_0163" height="425" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/479/32027835036_19b7099770_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Paw Sea-Eroded Pot Hole <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31256635003/in/album-72157678571958705/" title="DSC_0168"></a> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy's Shoe @ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</td></tr>
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The most distinct structure in Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 was no doubt this fairy's shoe. It just seemed too good to be real.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/32027834376/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0164"><img alt="DSC_0164" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/653/32027834376_190f219973_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine Bird Rock <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeycomb Weathering <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31691703690/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0151"><img alt="DSC_0151" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/393/31691703690_1f8bfa4f50_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle-looking Rock <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/32027835386/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0156"><img alt="DSC_0156" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/736/32027835386_5053c8ec06_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Lin Tianzhen <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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Further into Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心, you would come across this statue of Lin Tianzhen, in memory of this local fisherman whom lost his life in his attempt to rescue a student in 1964 in Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31948997081/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0165"><img alt="DSC_0165" height="425" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/766/31948997081_b4a1e04072_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seal Couple <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31256634493/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0179"><img alt="DSC_0179" height="425" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/1/586/31256634493_2c0f48f495_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leopark-like <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31691705590/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0128"><img alt="DSC_0128" height="640" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/446/31691705590_99de0153de_z.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queen's Head II @ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心</td></tr>
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The much revered structure in Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 was none other than the Queen's Head. This Queen's Head II was an exact replica of the original Queen's Head. Better still, it had less crowd.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31225431024/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8507"><img alt="IMG_8507" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/737/31225431024_8e3ccf9530_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Footprint @ Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心<complete id="goog_1168304089" style="font-size: 12.8px;">@</complete></td></tr>
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Before I left, I managed to leave my giant footprint behind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Noodle Shop @ Keelung</td></tr>
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Our journey back to Keelung took us another 2 hours in the same bus we came here with. By the time we reached Keelung, we were famished. So we ended up in this random noodle shop.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loh Mian @ Random Noodle Shop</td></tr>
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Being Malaysian, my mom ordered Loh Mian when she saw it on the signboard. Little do we know this was the unusual variant that we were not familiar with. That aside, my mom, whom is a cincai person when it comes to food, sang her complaint over her bowl of noodles.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Chop Noodle @ Random Noodle Shop</td></tr>
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I, on the other hand, ordered a bowl of noodles, topped with pork chop. Though it was not horrible, it was not out of the world either.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD115<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shi Hua Dong Stall @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>After 5 hours of nap and TV time post lunch, it was time again to explore the remainder of <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2017/02/taiwan-travelogue-Miaokou-Night-Market.html">Miaokou Night Market</a>. Our first stop was this unusual dessert stall selling Shi Hua Dong.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shi Hua Dong @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Firmer, denser and blander than jelly, it was tasteless in the absence of the powdery coat of shaven peanuts and sugar. It did not strike my fancy.<br />
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Total damage = TWD30<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31227524914/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0205"><img alt="DSC_0205" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/458/31227524914_25800c6502_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit Stall @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Our second stop was this Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit Stall, which seems to share the roof of other stall's.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Look at the glorious sweet potato cakes sizzling away on the hotplate. Crispy, smooth and not coying sweet, it was a good bet.<br />
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Total damage = TWD25<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31258705103/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0206"><img alt="DSC_0206" height="425" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/472/31258705103_d8b80b3054_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One Bite Hotdog Stall @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Our third stop was One Bite Hotdog stall. The size did make it easier to share and as all Taiwanese sausages go, it was packed with flavours in one bite.<br />
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Total damage = TWD21<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31258737913/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8535"><img alt="IMG_8535" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/453/31258737913_2974f337e6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 45 Keelung Miaokou Ai Yu Jelly @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Our fourth stop was Stall 45 Keelung Miaokou Ai Yu Jelly Stall for Ai Yu Jelly. Smooth and slurpy, it was also balanced in sweet and sour profile.<br />
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Total damage = TWD30<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31693969120/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8534"><img alt="IMG_8534" height="427" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/295/31693969120_f454c5184c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Roll Stall @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Our final stop was for something savory from this Chicken Roll Stall, namely loh bak and braised pork rice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loh Bak @ Chicken Roll Stall </td></tr>
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Personally I am not a big fan of loh bak but by Malaysian standard, this loh bak was not bad at all. The only complaint I had was this had way too much fat to my liking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Pork Rice @ <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Chicken Roll Stall</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
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Their braised pork rice, on the other hand, had a better fat vs meat ratio. Perhaps the best meal my mom had for the day.<br />
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Total damage = TWD65<br />
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<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 - 3/5</li>
<li>Random Noodle Shop in Keelung - 2/5</li>
<li>Shi Hua Dong Stall - 2/5</li>
<li>Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit Stall - 2/5</li>
<li>One Bite Hotdog Stall - 2/5</li>
<li>Stall 45 Keelung Miaokou Ai Yu Jelly Stall - 2/5</li>
<li>Chicken Roll Stall - 2/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Noodle Shop in Keelung - 2/5</li>
<li>Shi Hua Dong Stall - 2/5</li>
<li>Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>One Bite Hotdog Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Stall 45 Keelung Miaokou Ai Yu Jelly Stall - 3/5</li>
<li>Chicken Roll Stall - 5/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Noodle Shop in Keelung - 1/5</li>
<li>Shi Hua Dong Stall - 1/5</li>
<li>Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>One Bite Hotdog Stall - 5/5</li>
<li>Stall 45 Keelung Miaokou Ai Yu Jelly Stall - 4/5</li>
<li>Chicken Roll Stall - 5/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 - Decent basic Taiwanese breakfast for guests</li>
<li>Random Noodle Shop in Keelung - Won't bother trying again</li>
<li>Shi Hua Dong Stall - Done and dusted, won't order another</li>
<li>Zheng Ji Sweet Potato Biscuit Stall - Oily but so good! Grab one if you see it</li>
<li>One Bite Hotdog Stall - Can't say no to Taiwanese sausages</li>
<li>Stall 45 Keelung Miaokou Ai Yu Jelly Stall - Refreshing dessert </li>
<li>Chicken Roll Stall - Bang for buck!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 - The hotel was definitely beyond its 3-star rating</li>
<li>Keelung Harbour - Good for leisure walk when weather is good</li>
<li>Yehliu Geopark 野柳自然中心 - Beautiful rock formation that one must at least visit once</li>
<li>Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市 - Full galore of food and drinks that a tummy can barely stomach all</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市<br />
Rensan Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200<br />
Operation Hours: 24 hours<br />
Tel: +886 2 2428 7664<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Keelung, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan25.1275997 121.7391814999999725.0700997 121.65850049999997 25.185099700000002 121.81986249999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-16705040523615781182017-02-12T15:12:00.002+08:002018-08-12T20:01:54.412+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Hello Keelung & Miaokou Night Market! (9 Nov 2015)Rise and shine! Our stay in Jiufen had finally came to an end. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Porridge @ Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿</td></tr>
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While I was expecting another round of sandwich, we were delighted to find pork porridge in the menu. This bowl of pork porridge was loaded with braised lean pork, promising only tenderest texture and complexity of flavour. It was simply lovely!<br />
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After our scrumptious breakfast, we checked out from the homestay and lugged our heavy luggage down the hilly terrain to catch a bus (TWD15 each) to TRA Ruifang Station. One thing worth noting was the alley in the bus was too small to allow a rolling luggage to roll comfortably. So, grab your backpack if you can.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom @ TRA Keelung Station</td></tr>
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From TRA Ruifang Station, we took a train to TRA Badu Station, before switching to TRA Keelung Station. Total train fare was TWD30 each. Total travelling time was about 2 hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch Box @ TRA Keelung Station</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>By the time we arrived at TRA Keelung Station, it was time for lunch. We bought a TWD100 lunch box with braised chicken, braised egg, braised beancurd and some vegetables to fill our empty tummies. It was surprisingly flavourful to Malaysian standard. One thing for sure, it could definitely use more sauce for the rice.<br />
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Total damage = TWD100<br />
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Not knowing where Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 was, we dared not risk walking around with our luggages, so we hailed a taxi for less than 1km ride. It costed us TWD100.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 nearby Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店</td></tr>
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We booked a double-bed room with wardrobe, TV, dressing table, pantry and attached bathroom for RM180/night in Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店. Despite 10% cheaper than Jiufen Yuan Yee Hostel 緣憶民宿, Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 had preceded my expectation with its 3-star standard.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Noodle Stall @ Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Dumpling Stall @ Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場</td></tr>
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We spent the rainy afternoon in our comfortable room, watching TV programme and nap for a good two hours before heading down to nearby Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場. According to our taxi driver, there was a food court above the Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 where the locals frequent.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed Sauce Noodle @ Random Noodle Stall</td></tr>
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From the noodle stall above, we ordered a bowl of mixed sauce noodle and a bowl of beef noodle soup. When the noodle was served, it almost felt like a joke: not only the portion was pathetically small, there there was barely any substance in it besides noodles. These aside, it was far from delicious.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef Noodle Soup @ Random Noodle Stall</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>My beef noodle soup was a photocopied joke but more hilarious. Beef noodle soup was literally beef noodle soup (no meat intended). The only solace I tried to find was a decent beef stock but no, it was not great either.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tricolor Dumplings @ Random Dumpling Stall</td></tr>
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To compensate the lack of substance, we thought a bowl of dumplings would do the trick. So we ordered a set of tricolor dumplings from the dumpling stall above. I must say it did look pretty but the skin was too thick to my liking. The fillings was alright, I was sure my mom could do it better.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD240<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random Snacks Shop</td></tr>
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Our disappointment was too great that we seriously needed some retail therapy, so we went into this shop full of candies and snacks to look for potential bring-home-gifts. Everything here was sold by weight, so we grabbed a little of everything we wanted to test.<br />
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As the day turned dark, Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市 came into life. Given the proximity to port, Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市 is the night market where you can get cheap and delicious seafood. The entrance to Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市 is located at the intersection of Aisan and Rensan Roads 愛三仁三路口 and is primarily located at both Rensan and Aisi roads.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 38 Chinese Vermicelli @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市 was the most organised night market I have seen. As you can see in the photo, each stall was properly numbered and labelled with the type of food they sell. One could easily find the recommended food they have been wanting to try.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 38 Chinese Vermicelli <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</span></td></tr>
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Our first try was Chinese vermicelli from Stall 38 (TWD40). Filled to the brim, this bowl of vermicelli was so silky that one could easily slurp it down, if it wasn't for the heat. The clear soup looked seemingly bland but it was strongly seasoned with vinegar and maybe wine. I just loved it.<br />
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Total damage = TWD40<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 25 and 25-1 Ding Bian Cuo 邢记鼎边搓 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Our second try was Ding Bian Cuo from 邢记鼎边搓 (TWD60). Ding Bian Cuo 鼎边搓 is basically a rice noodle soup made with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, dried tiger lilies, dried shrimp, oysters and shredded pork. The handmade noodles are made from rice paste, which is poured on the edges of a heated metal wok and is steamed and “baked” simultaneously. When cooked, the chef will scrap off the rice cake and dunk them into the boiling soup.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 25 and 25-1 Ding Bian Cuo 邢记鼎边搓 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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From the look of it, this Ding Bian Cuo 鼎边搓 seemed to skip some ingredients for all I saw was cabbage, a fish paste, and few pieces of Ding Bian Cuo 鼎边搓. The texture of the rice cake was thick, grainy and bland, which was not compensated by either the soup stock or condiments.<br />
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Total damage = TWD60<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 58 Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Our third try was Chinese sandwich from Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 (TWD55). It is said this stall has been selling nutritious sandwich made of taiwanese sausages, ham, tomatoes, cucumbers and braised eggs in a crispy, deep fried bread for more than 30 years. Seriously, deep fried bread and nutritious?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 58 Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Despite the irony, I just had to try. They sure did not lie about the crispy, deep fried bread. Inside the crispy, deep fried bread, I found oozing mayonnaise (the artificial type), half a cherry tomato, and pieces of sausages. I admit it was a blur but my conclusion was firm: it was technically not nutritious and definitely not healthy.<br />
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Total damage = TWD55<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Our forth try was shaven ice from Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 (TWD45). It is said that one could get peanut flavoured ice here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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My choice of flavour (I think) was passionfruit. The texture of ice was smooth, too smooth to be true. Flavour was evenly distributed and most importantly, it was refreshing.<br />
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Total damage = TWD45<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31219198913/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0116"><img alt="DSC_0116" height="425" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/665/31219198913_cd351e9ee8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 62 and 62-1 Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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Our fifth (also the last try) was Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 (TWD26). Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩, as the name suggests, is famous for peanut coated fluffy balls called ma lao 麻粩.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31911908791/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8471"><img alt="IMG_8471" height="640" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/1/697/31911908791_e1a20d800e_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stall 62 and 62-1 Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 @ Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市</td></tr>
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What you see here was half eaten ma lao 麻粩. Coated with crushed peanuts and sugar, the outer layer encased web of air and nothingness. For the price, I was expecting something more than just empty shell.<br />
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Total damage = TWD26<br />
<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY,<br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - 2/5</li>
<li>Food Court in Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 - 1/5</li>
<li>Stall 38 Chinese Vermicelli - 2/5</li>
<li>Stall 25 and 25-1 Ding Bian Cuo 邢记鼎边搓 - 3/5</li>
<li>Stall 58 Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 - 2/5</li>
<li>Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 - 2/5</li>
<li>Stall 62 and 62-1 Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 - 2/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - 5/5</li>
<li>Food Court in Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 - 1/5</li>
<li>Stall 38 Chinese Vermicelli - 3/5</li>
<li>Stall 25 and 25-1 Ding Bian Cuo 邢记鼎边搓 - 1/5</li>
<li>Stall 58 Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 - 3/5</li>
<li>Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 - 2/5</li>
<li>Stall 62 and 62-1 Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 - 1/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - 5/5</li>
<li>Food Court in Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 - 1/5</li>
<li>Stall 38 Chinese Vermicelli - 4/5</li>
<li>Stall 25 and 25-1 Ding Bian Cuo 邢记鼎边搓 - 1/5</li>
<li>Stall 58 Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 - 3/5</li>
<li>Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 - 3/5</li>
<li>Stall 62 and 62-1 Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 - 2/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - Surprisingly good despite being a hostel providing free breakfast</li>
<li>Food Court in Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 - Save your tummy space and wait for Miaokou Night Market</li>
<li>Stall 38 Chinese Vermicelli - Delicious and cheap</li>
<li>Stall 25 and 25-1 Ding Bian Cuo 邢记鼎边搓 - Tasted pretty much like a failed product</li>
<li>Stall 58 Miao Kou Chinese Sandwich 营养三明治 - Delicious but definitely not healthy</li>
<li>Stall 41 Pao Pao Ice 陳記泡泡冰創始店 - Something refreshing on the go</li>
<li>Stall 62 and 62-1 Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興麻粩 - I wouldn't bother trying, given a second chance</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - Spacious and comfortable, it was a nice place to stay, though it was quite a distance from Jiufen Old Street (which also means more stairs and hill climbing)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Keelung Imperial Hotel 華國商務飯店 - The hotel was definitely beyond its 3-star rating</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Renai Wet Market 仁愛市場 - Locals' go-to place for groceries shopping, so you could get fresh fruits and local snacks for munching</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市 - Full galore of food and drinks that a tummy can barely stomach all</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Miaokou Night Market 基隆廟口夜市<br />
Rensan Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200<br />
Operation Hours: 24 hours<br />
Tel: +886 2 2428 7664<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com3Keelung, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan25.1275997 121.7391814999999725.0700997 121.65850049999997 25.185099700000002 121.81986249999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-2695037425050842232017-02-01T12:49:00.000+08:002018-09-23T17:33:31.460+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Exploring the Charm of Jiufen (8 Nov 2015)Everything will be all good after a good night sleep. By 6.25am, my biological clock automatically woke me up to this beautiful morning view of Jiufen. It was chilly on an autumn morning but it did not deter me from admiring this view at the balcony for minutes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning View of Jiufen @ Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿</td></tr>
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Come to think of it, it was lucky for us to get a taxi driver from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport that could accept credit card payment for the bill came up to be TWD2,000. Luckier still, our taxi driver was kind enough to contact Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 to inform them that we were on the way so we could check in for the night around 10pm. Of course, it required the kind assistance of the manager of Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 too.<br />
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Our double-bed room in <a href="https://www.agoda.com/jiufen-yuan-yee-homestay/hotel/taipei-tw.html">Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿</a> was spacious and well equipped with wardrobe, TV, dressing table and attached bathroom filled with all toiletries we needed. For RM200/night, it was worth the money. The only area which I failed to consider was the steep slopes/staircases leading to and from Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿. That being said, I believe most homestays in Jiufen would have the same topography complications that proved to be less desirable for elder travellers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandwich @ Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿</td></tr>
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Did I mention that complimentary breakfast was provided to all guests? To be honest, I wasn't expecting much. To my surprise, our breakfast was properly buttered toast with sauteed chopped onions, sunnyside up, a piece of meat patty, and cucumbers. It was so delicious that I wanted to have another!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 @ Jinguashi</td></tr>
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Our first destination of the day was none other than <a href="https://www.rtaiwanr.com/jiufen/golden-waterfall">Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布</a>, which is located within 4-5km distance. Since we did not have a driver to chauffeur us around, we took a bus (TWD15 each) from Jiufen Old Street, which we waited for half an hour or so. Not only the bus was way off its scheduled arrival time, the bus driver was impatient and reluctant to assist travellers like us with clarifications. Something worthy to note is the road in Jiufen is very winding and dangerous.<br />
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Golden Waterfall is located near the Gold Ecological Park (黃金博物園區) in Jinguashi. The waterfall derives its name from its golden hued riverbed, which is rich in heavy mineral elements deposits as a result of gold mining activities in older days. The contrasting green surrounding the golden hued riverbed made it a splendid scenery to behold.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenery around Golden Waterfall @ Jinguashi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden River @ Jinguashi</td></tr>
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From the Golden Waterfall, the golden water flowed into the river, before it ended in Ying Yang Sea. It is said the Ying Yang Sea derives its name from the contrasting yellow water against the blue ocean, which is liken to the concept of dual forces, Ying Yang. Due to infrequent bus schedule, we decided not to go to Ying Yang Sea. However, if you do not mind a steep hike up the hill, you would be rewarded with a bird eye view of the nearby Ying Yang Sea.<br />
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If you plan to visit Jinguashi, I would strongly suggest a tour guide or driver to bring you around. There was just too many attractions around that we couldn't go due to steep hill or inconvenient commuting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food Truck @ Golden Waterfall</td></tr>
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Opposite the Golden Waterfall, we spotted this food truck, selling grilled squid, oyster, lamb skewer etc. They had a good selection to satisfy most appetite. Out of curiosity, we ordered the ever famous Taiwan delicacy, Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage 大腸包小腸, and grilled squid.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984113226/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0031"><img alt="DSC_0031" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/503/31984113226_091f504d7a_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sausages and Octopus @ Food Truck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage 大腸包小腸 @ Food Truck</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>What you see here is the Big Sausage "separated with" Small Sausage. In all intents and purposes, the small sausage should sit on top of a bed of pickles and big sausage made of densely packed glutinous rice. To some, it might look obscene but damn, it was insanely good that my mom proudly declared it was the best of Taiwanese cuisine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Squid @ Food Truck</td></tr>
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This Grilled squid was no less impressive. For a non squid lover like myself, it was neither too chewy nor soggy. Sufficiently charred and sauced, this grilled squid was a delight for most seafood lovers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/32022422995/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8404"><img alt="IMG_8404" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/405/32022422995_fa8db843de_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream @ Food Truck</td></tr>
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To end our brunch with sweet note, I ordered an ice cream from the same food truck. Icy and coarse, it was not the right texture I was hoping for. Flavour was somewhat lacking too.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD190<br />
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After our tummies were filled, we grabbed a bus ride back to Jiufen Old Street. Again, the bus we were expecting was late. We ended up waiting for half an hour before the right bus came along.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Exploring </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Jiufen Old Street </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31181830504/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0065"><img alt="DSC_0065" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/611/31181830504_bae90c8272_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
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<a href="https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/jiufen-%E4%B9%9D%E4%BB%BD">Jiufen Old Street</a> is the most prosperous shopping district in Jiufen. Souvenirs, decorations, biscuits, ginger tea, almond powder etc, they had it all at Jiufen Old Street. One would simply be spoilt for choice! For the hungry ones, food and snacks was one thing you would not find lacking in every corner of Jiufen Old Street.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸 @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>One of the famous eats in Jiufen was this Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸 at Lot 23. It is said that tourists come here for their Mixed Balls Soup (TWD45), comprising of cuttlefish 花枝, Fuzhou and traditional fish balls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984110316/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0043"><img alt="DSC_0043" height="640" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/574/31984110316_5961d86e67_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Order @ Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸</td></tr>
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Being touristy, I ordered tofu with century egg (TWD35), mixed ball soup (TWD45), and braised pork rice (TWD30) (clockwise) to share with my mom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984112696/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0045"><img alt="DSC_0045" height="426" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/464/31984112696_08f30438a3_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braised Pork Rice @ Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸</td></tr>
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To be honest, there was nothing to shout about their braised pork rice. Of plain rice and seriously oily pork lard in braised sauce, it lacked the contrasting texture which would be complemented by minced pork. The proportion of pork lard and rice was imbalance, so you would most likely end up with tasteless white rice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984112566/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0047"><img alt="DSC_0047" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/622/31984112566_a36aa550d3_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tofu with Century Egg @ Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸</td></tr>
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Their tofu with century egg was not impressive. Of chilled tofu with oyster sauce and bonita flakes, and century egg, the only thing I enjoyed most was the gooey century eggs. The rest was not worth noting.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = TWD110<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸 @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another famous eats in Jiufen was this famous Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage stall called Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸 at Lot 85. Despite its fame for Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage, I found the complexity of flavour pale in comparison to the one we had at Golden Waterfall.<br />
<br />
Total damage for 2 pax = TWD135<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984111556/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0057"><img alt="DSC_0057" height="425" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/741/31984111556_adda9bac56_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For dessert, taro balls is something that you should not miss in Jiufen. One could either come to Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 at Lot 143 or go to Ah Gan Yi Yu Yuan 阿柑姨芋圆 for their fill of taro balls.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed Taro Balls @ Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had ours at Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓. Their mixed taro balls (TWD45), consisted of taro balls, sweet potato balls and green tea balls in a mildly sweetened concoction, was delightful pieces of chewy goodness. My personal favourite was sweet potato balls for its subtle sweetness.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD45<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984110966/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0070"><img alt="DSC_0070" height="425" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/328/31984110966_d1457e1c87_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓 @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After some taro balls, we came across Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓. The piping hot pink glob of whatever-it-was looked super scrumptious, so my mom decided to give it a try. The chewy pink translucent skin encased chopped mixture of meat with what-I-guessed-to-be pickles and herbs. Its flavour profile was unusual but mild. All in all, I found it to be an acquired taste.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD45<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31984112146/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0049"><img alt="DSC_0049" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/533/31984112146_dd8bd48575_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 was another dessert that you should not miss in Jiufen. The lady in the cap was A-Zhu, busy preparing roll after roll of desserts for her line of customers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31181827984/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0091"><img alt="DSC_0091" height="426" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/556/31181827984_51b0e52c43_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deconstructed Peanut Ice Cream Roll @ A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Somewhere between savoury and sweet, I found it oddly interesting. What you see here was two scoops of ice cream (yam flavour if I remember correctly), sitting on a bed of crushed peanuts and parsley. Yes, parsley was definitely the odd part.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolled Peanut Ice Cream Roll @ A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In its constructed form, the roll was a neat presentation. Their ice cream was inclined towards icy texture, giving a little crunch along with the crushed peanuts.<br />
<br />
Total damage = TWD40<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31905597001/in/album-72157678571958705/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8419"><img alt="IMG_8419" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/1/278/31905597001_238c23d7b5_h.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bittergourd Juice @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>For thirsty travellers, one could use a cup of bittergourd juice (TWD70). Used only the small wrinkly bittergourd, it promised bitterness that few could endure (okay, I was just kidding!). It was surprisingly pleasant to the tongue but yes, it was still bitter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbal Egg @ Jiufen Old Street</td></tr>
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If you must eat, do stay away from herbal eggs (TWD10 each). It was bland and tasteless compared to those in Malaysia. So, do your body a favor by saving the calories intake.<br />
<br />
Food aside, it would be best to spend the calories consumed by walking around Jiufen Old Street to enjoy the breezy evening and to enjoy the splendid night view. Beyond the winding path and steep steps, this mountainous gold mining town does have its charm that keeps people coming back.<br />
<br />
<br />
IN SUMMARY, <br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - 2/5</li>
<li>Food Truck near Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 - 1/5</li>
<li>Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸 - 2/5</li>
<li>Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸 - 3/5</li>
<li>Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 - 2/5</li>
<li>Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓 - 3/5</li>
<li>A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 - 3/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - 5/5</li>
<li>Food Truck near Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 - 5/5</li>
<li>Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸 - 2/5</li>
<li>Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸 - 2/5</li>
<li>Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 - 3/5</li>
<li>Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓 - 3/5</li>
<li>A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - 5/5</li>
<li>Food Truck near Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 - 5/5</li>
<li>Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸 - 2/5</li>
<li>Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸 - 2/5</li>
<li>Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 - 4/5</li>
<li>Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓 - 3/5</li>
<li>A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - Surprisingly good despite being a hostel providing free breakfast</li>
<li>Food Truck near Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 - An unpolished gem, try it when you are there!</li>
<li>Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸 - Overrated</li>
<li>Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸 - Overrated, try the Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage from the food truck near Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 instead</li>
<li>Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 - A delightful dessert indeed</li>
<li>Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓 - Definitely for acquired taste only</li>
<li>A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒 - Odd assemble of dessert that actually tasted good!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
My personal hotel/attractions verdicts for:<br />
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Yuan Yee Homestay 緣憶民宿 - Spacious and comfortable, it was a nice place to stay, though it was quite a distance from Jiufen Old Street (which also means more stairs and hill climbing)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Golden Waterfall 黃金瀑布 - Scenic place to be but nothing could be done besides phototaking and enjoying some local delicacies from the food truck nearby.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Jiufen Old Street - One could imagine how this prosperous mountainous mining town would be with its cobblestone walkway and old fashioned shop lots. Spend some time exploring the web of streets, you would definitely find something interesting along the way.</li>
</ul>
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Zhang Ji's Jiufen Traditional Fish Ball 張記九份傳統魚丸<br />
No. 25, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: +886 2 2496 8469<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Wu Di ‘Flower Lady’ Taiwanese Sausage 無敵香腸<br />
No. 85, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224<br />
Operation Hours: N/A<br />
Tel: N/A<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Lai Ah Po Yu Yuan 賴阿婆芋圓 <br />
No. 143, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224<br />
Operation Hours: 8am - 8pm<br />
Tel: +886 2 2497 5245<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
Ah Ying's Red Meat Ball 阿英紅糟肉圓<br />
No. 114, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224<br />
Operation Hours: 9am - 8pm<br />
Tel: +886 2 2496 9945<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)<br />
<br />
A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll 九份阿珠雪在燒<br />
No. 45, Jishan St, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 224<br />
Operation Hours: 9am - 7pm<br />
Tel: +886 2 2497 5258<br />
Credit Card: N/A (We paid cash)HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0267, Taiwan, 宜蘭縣大同鄉九分山24.6076448 121.5717568-6.2540932 80.2631628 55.4693828 162.8803508tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-12679512655322620812017-01-13T12:00:00.000+08:002018-09-23T17:33:41.045+08:00Taiwan Travelogue: Long Gone Prestige of MAS (7 Nov 2015)When I was a kid, MAS was a prestigious national aviation carrier. Over time, I learned that despite MAS's established presence in Malaysia, the company had struggled to meet its bottomline. Slowly it crept into the limbo of premium airline and low cost airline. <br />
<br />
I believed it was all for good reasons. My last trip to Siem Reap with MAS was pleasant by all accounts. Competitive fares, free baggages, free flow of wines, juices and peanuts made it more desirable than AirAsia. In consideration of the long flight time to and fro Taiwan, I decided to go with MAS.<br />
<br />
On 8 Feb 2015, I made a return flight booking for my mom and I to Taipei for about RM1,000/pax. Flight time 1.35am.<br />
On 6 Oct 2015, to my dismay, MAS had cancelled initial 1.35am flight, and reallocated all passengers to 9.25am flight. <br />
On 7 Nov 2015, my mom and I arrived at KLIA at 7.33am. Few hours went by before we were informed that we were denied of boarding, along with 30 more poor souls, as the 9.25am flight was overbooked. We could either choose for full refund or be placed on a transit flight to Taipei. Having booked all hotels, we took the transit flight. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31982766906/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8353"><img alt="IMG_8353" height="427" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/304/31982766906_ef6d5af3d8_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View @ MAS Domestic Golden Lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As the transit flight to Kota Kinabalu would be 2.05pm, MAS gave us some coupons to dine outside the departure hall before admitting us to MAS Domestic Golden Lounge at 10.30am.<br />
<br />
Being a first time in MAS Domestic Golden Lounge, it was an unexpected experience. Food and beverages were served at all hours so we could fill our tummies whenever we were hungry, though it was not great. Bored we were but at least we had comfortable seats to rest on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31873024592/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8339"><img alt="IMG_8339" height="426" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/518/31873024592_bd3077d68f_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom @ MAS Domestic Golden Lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31982766686/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8342"><img alt="IMG_8342" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/319/31982766686_4dde7884d5_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me @ MAS Domestic Golden Lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the MAS Domestic Golden Lounge we hung around before we boarded our transit flight to Kota Kinabalu at 2.05pm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31873024262/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8354"><img alt="IMG_8354" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/606/31873024262_39e1de5036_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meal served on the way to Kota Kinabalu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meal was provided onboard, though it was no better than what we had in the lounge.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31982767586/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="EPZW6712"><img alt="EPZW6712" height="426" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/756/31982767586_0f8a27a18c_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View @ Kota Kinabalu Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By 5.30pm, we arrived at Kota Kinabalu airport, before boarding our flight to Taipei at 5.40pm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31982766126/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8360"><img alt="IMG_8360" height="426" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/462/31982766126_c0e962d6a4_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meal served on the way to Taipei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, we were heading to our destination. It was a tiring long day to us. We were not hungry when the meal was served but we stuffed ourselves with the salty meal anyway.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/31646575270/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_8384"><img alt="IMG_8384" height="427" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/1/566/31646575270_73f3799034_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
9pm marked the time we arrived at Taipei. By then, buses to Jiufen was no longer available. Contemplating between staying a night in Taipei and taxi to Jiufen, we decided on the latter. We checked into the hostel we booked and took all the time we needed to recuperate from the physical and mental exhaustion.<br />
<br />
No words can explain how distraught I felt. From an airline which I would incline to take for long haul flights, I now have second thought.<br />
<br />
Long gone was the prestige of MAS.HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com3KLIA, 64000 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia2.7546974 101.702455900000022.7467674 101.69237090000001 2.7626274 101.71254090000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-67079136096626854462017-01-01T14:36:00.001+08:002018-09-23T17:32:33.150+08:00Siem Reap Travelogue: Home Run (2 Feb 2015)Alas, the final day in Siem Reap.<br />
<br />
Despite the short 5-day vacation, we had the essence of Siem Reap all covered:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24720714820/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0207"><img alt="DSC_0207" height="425" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/2/1474/24720714820_d8ac2781ff_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angkor Wat - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/10/a-day-in-angkor-archaelogical-park.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">CHECKED</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24385616124/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0218"><img alt="DSC_0218" height="640" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/2/1511/24385616124_ec7e3e38ba_h.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayon - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/10/a-day-in-angkor-archaelogical-park.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">CHECKED</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/22573438524/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_6209"><img alt="IMG_6209" height="640" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5627/22573438524_4510d31753_h.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta Prohm - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/02/Khmer-street-food-Ta-Prohm.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">CHECKED</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="DSC_0015" height="425" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5819/22574178533_313334e8be_h.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amok - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/01/first-day-in-land-of-Khmer-food.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">CHECKED</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cambodian BBQ - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/01/first-day-in-land-of-Khmer-food.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">CHECKED</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24569198279/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0117"><img alt="DSC_0117" height="425" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1452/24569198279_5f8a9eb484_h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cambodian-French fine dining - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/05/cambodia-travelogue-taste-of-cambodian.html" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">CHECKED</a></td></tr>
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All sort of street food - <a href="http://hitomi5.blogspot.my/2016/08/daily-dose-of-khmer-street-food.html">CHECKED</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana Nutella Pancake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Goodies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Cruller</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banh Mi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Noodles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocado Shake</td></tr>
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Scorching heat aside, its long dated history, its majestic structures, its beautiful architecture had made Siem Reap a wonderful place to be for the first time visitor like myself. Our dining experience in Siem Reap had transcended beyond ambience and services - we were literally spoiled for choices for USD1 street food.<br />
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Before we left for airport on our Tuk Tuk, we stopped by <a href="https://bluepumpkin.asia/">The Blue Pumpkin</a> for some icy cold ice cream. For USD2, we got one scoop of Khmer fruit flavour and another scoop of Rum & Raisin. Not only it was smooth and creamy, the two flavours we had was simply no other.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream @ The Blue Pumpkin (USD 2)</td></tr>
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Trust me, it was the best bet on a hot afternoon, especially you need something sweet to cure your heavy hearted soul for home run.HitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com2Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia13.3670968 103.8448134000000213.1198938 103.52208990000003 13.614299800000001 104.16753690000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28251288.post-63441648426611745362016-10-31T12:45:00.001+08:002018-09-23T17:32:23.825+08:00Siem Reap Travelogue: A Day in Angkor Archaelogical Park (1 Feb 2015)After a relaxing day spent exploring Phsar Chas, Central Market, Angkor Night Market, we were ready to roll. This time, we were not going to suffer because we hired ourselves two electric bikes from Green e-Bike for USD10/day! <br />
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In order to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, tanner half and I started our day as early as 6am. The ride to Angkor Wat was surprisingly chilly despite many days of hot afternoon in Siem Reap. Within half an hour, we arrived at Angkor Wat with our tummies growling. Our worry faded almost immediately when we caught sight of mobile vendors, whom were busy cooking up some tasty local delicacies, right opposite Angkor Wat. Our breakfast was two pork baguette at USD1.50 each.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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As the sun slowly crept out from the horizon, every nook and cranny of Angkor Wat came into life. We stood at the main stone causeway leading to the grand Khmer architecture, admiring the grandeur of Khmer architecture while bathing in the warm morning sun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple-Mountain @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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Angkor Wat is the world's largest religious monument, spanning 162.6 hectares, with two distinct Khmer architecture elements, i.e. temple-mountain and galleried temple. On top of this looming temple-mountain is a quincunx of towers, representing the home of the devas in Hindu mythology, i.e. Mount Meru.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls surrounding Temple-Mountain @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to visit Temple-Mountain @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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We patiently waited at the bottom of the temple-mountain, hoping to climb up to the top for a bird eye's view of the surrounding. So full of hope we were that we forgot how steep the staircase leading up the temple-mountain was!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep staircase leading up to Temple-Mountain @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Every step on this wooden staircase was not without risk - the handle was not well secured, the steps creaked with each step. Slowly we went. What greeted us on the top was a replica of the surroundings of temple-mountain, which was nothing much besides the views from the top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panaroma View from Temple-Mountain @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging on to the Handle @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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Given his acrophobia, it was not an easy task for my tanner half to go down this steep staircase. Look at how he hung on to every inch of the handle bar as he headed down!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun-shiny Day @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Scene is Almost Magical Like @ Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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As the sun climbed higher, it showered the outer walls of Angkor Wat with its glorious sunshine. It was as if the tree came into life in the warm embrace of sunshine. The galleried temple was right inside these outer walls, depicting stories of <a href="http://www.tourismcambodia.com/attractions/angkor/angkor-wat.htm">Battle of Kurukshetra, Army of King Soryavaman II, Churning of the Ocean of Milk, etc</a>. The intricacy of carvings was so impressive that one could easily spend hours admiring its beauty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack Time @ Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat</td></tr>
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After 4 hours of "travelling in time" in Angkor Wat, it was time for us to top up with some snacks, at Stall 3 - Angelina Jolie, outside Angkor Wat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir Fry Pork Noodles @ Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat (USD 5)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pork Noodles Soup @ Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat (USD 5)</span></td></tr>
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Despite being priced at a premium, food was lacking in flavour and balance.<br />
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Total Damage for 2 Pax = USD 10<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Juice @ Angkor Wat (USD 1)</td></tr>
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If you are lucky, you will come across locals selling palm juice in cup along the stone causeway. Sweet but tart, I would say it was an acquired taste. Better still, serve it chilled!<br />
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Total Damage = USD 1<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello! @ Bayon</td></tr>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Our next stop was Bayon, part of Angkor Thom, which is located about 4km north from Angkor Wat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ever Familiar Face @ Bayon</td></tr>
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Bayon is another well-known temple in Angkor, with its distinctive feature of these serene smiling stone faces gracing almost every inch of the temple. Some scholars claim that these smiling faces are of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayon">Jayavarman VII</a>'s, while some scholars claim that these faces belong to the bodhisattva of compassion called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayon">Avalokitesvara or Lokesvara</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking Bayon @ Bayon</td></tr>
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As the sun rose higher into the sky, shadows shifted, giving these faces different characters that they once were. It did give me a little chill imagining if I were stuck in Bayon in the middle of night, surrounded by all these faces casted in moonlight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24927761671/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_6283"><img alt="IMG_6283" height="226" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1584/24927761671_1b9e40d712_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panaroma @ Bayon</td></tr>
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Despite its lack of size in comparison to Angkor Wat, Bayon was no less interesting. Moreover, its size promised an easier navigation around the site.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrace of Elephants</td></tr>
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Within Angkor Thom lays many other small temples but what caught my attention are the Terrace of Elephants and Baphuon, which are located a short drive away from Bayon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/25016225325/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0237"><img alt="DSC_0237" height="425" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/2/1670/25016225325_f45a61296b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant, Elephant and More Elephants @ Terrace of Elephants</td></tr>
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Terrace of Elephants is part of the walled city of Angkor Thom, named after the carvings of elephants on its eastern face. It served as the platform for Angkor's king <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace_of_the_Elephants">Jayavarman VII</a> to view his victorious returning army, also a giant viewing stand for public ceremonies and base for kings' grand audience hall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24385619984/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0238"><img alt="DSC_0238" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1475/24385619984_13362e0c8c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baphuon</td></tr>
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Compared to Terrace of Elephants, Baphuon was majestic. It is a 3-tiered temple mountain, with total length of 120m east-west, 100m north-south at its base and 34m tall without the tower.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24922932721/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0240"><img alt="DSC_0240" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1672/24922932721_553ceed401_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing Similarity in Architecture with Angkor Wat @ Baphuon</td></tr>
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You could see the similarity in architecture between Baphuon's and Angkor Wat's. It made me feel like walking in a mini Angkor Wat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24898197862/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0241"><img alt="DSC_0241" height="425" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1484/24898197862_e2f38037c5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collapsed Walkway @ Baphuon </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24648615009/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0245"><img alt="DSC_0245" height="427" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1675/24648615009_5f4c919f2e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the more Preserved Walkway @ Baphuon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24898196852/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0246"><img alt="DSC_0246" height="425" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/2/1447/24898196852_592d0a9d69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Climbing to the Top @ Baphuon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24922930271/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0251"><img alt="DSC_0251" height="425" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1660/24922930271_44340b597c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collapsed Tower @ Baphuon</td></tr>
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What remained of the tower of Baphuon was the frame of entrance/window and a few pillars. The collapse was predictable as the whole complex was built on land filled with sand.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24394223353/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_6292"><img alt="IMG_6292" height="208" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1629/24394223353_1da1c04e3c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panaroma View @ Baphuon</td></tr>
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Somehow Baphuon had this intriguing beauty that surpassed Angkor Wat's. In which aspect? I couldn't pinpoint for certain but it could be its simplicity of structure, yet no less complexity in architecture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/25016220585/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0257"><img alt="DSC_0257" height="425" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1496/25016220585_542f19d1a1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amok @ Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar</td></tr>
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By 3pm, we made our way back to town. We stopped by Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar for our late lunch before retreating back to our hostel for a short respite from the scorching afternoon sun. Tanner half ordered himself amok, to compare against Khmer Kitchen Restaurant's. I must say Nai Khmer's was more palatable to my taste and of course, cheaper too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/25016217995/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC_0259"><img alt="DSC_0259" height="425" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/2/1698/25016217995_c141edbf52_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stir Fry Noodle @ Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar</td></tr>
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I, on the other hand, ordered a typical Asian dish, i.e. stir fry noodle, to try. Similar to other Khmer dishes, it steered towards sweeter end, very different from what Malaysians are used to. Depsite the differences, this Khmer-infuenced stir fry noodle was delicious.<br />
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Total damage for 2 pax = USD5.75<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/24903023942/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_6331"><img alt="IMG_6331" height="640" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1462/24903023942_ec86a45d14_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fried Noodles from Random Mobile Noodle Stall (USD 1)</td></tr>
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On the way back to hotel, we also conveniently ordered a takeaway fried noodles. Similar to Nai Khmer's in terms of taste profile but this was so much better! Just look at the gooey egg yolk!<br />
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Total damage = USD 1<br />
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Our last day in Siem Reap ended with exploring more street food and market visiting, until we were so bloated and tired that we had to retire ourselves for the night.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marcky365/25021060915/in/album-72157660761184047/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_6304"><img alt="IMG_6304" height="640" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/2/1590/25021060915_54d18eab29_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The End</td></tr>
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</div>
<br />
IN SUMMARY, <br />
<br />
My personal dining ranking (5 being the full score) based on following criteria are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Ambiance</li>
<ul>
<li>Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat - 1/5</li>
<li>Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar - 3/5</li>
<li>Random Mobile Noodles Stall - 2/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Price</li>
<ul>
<li>Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat - 1/5</li>
<li>Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar - 5/5</li>
<li>Random Mobile Noodles Stall - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Food</li>
<ul>
<li>Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat - 1/5</li>
<li>Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar - 4/5</li>
<li>Random Mobile Noodles Stall - 4/5</li>
</ul>
<li>Verdict</li>
<ul>
<li>Stall 3 Angelina Jolie, Angkor Wat - Touristy price but poor standard, so save your money and eat in Phsar Chas</li>
<li>Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar - Affordable Khmer food place with plenty of options for one to choose from. Oh, do I mention they serve cheap local draft beer too?</li>
<li>Random Mobile Noodles Stall - Simple food at its best, better still, it comes with egg!</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
My personal attractions verdicts for:<br />
<br />
Angkor Wat - The only UNESCO heritage that you should not missed! It was majestic and full of wonder. I would advise to get a tour guide to give you the background stories behind these beautiful architecture and galleried temple.<br />
<br />
Bayon - The signature smiley face was no doubt the highlight. In fact, the only highlight. Compared to Angkor Wat, Bayon was so small that you could easily explore the whole temple within half an hour.<br />
<br />
Terrace of Elephants, Baphuon - For the love of elephants, you would drop by Terrace of Elephants even though there was not much left besides the platform. Baphuon, on the other hand, was surprisingly huge. I was personally intrigued by the layout of Baphuon. If you fear no heights, please climb the Baphuon.<br />
<br />
<br />
DINING INFO:<br />
<br />
Nai Khmer Restaurant and Bar<br />
Street 9, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia<br />
Operation Hours: N/A (They serve brunch, lunch and dinner)<br />
Tel: +855 63 964 154<br />
Credit Card: NoHitoMi Nghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14469375062159757478noreply@blogger.com0Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia13.3670968 103.8448134000000213.1198963 103.52208990000003 13.6142973 104.16753690000002