WHEN IN KUANTAN, EAT DINNER LIKE KUANTAN PEOPLE DO

   27TH JANUARY 2026    ~ Before catching the bus back to Johor Bahru at 11:00 p.m. I needed to get dinner first. Eventually I ended up at this one food court with stalls selling variety of food and open air dining area in between two blocks of buildings opposite the hotel called Tangga.

I was one of the early birds who was there finding food for dinner.

I chose to eat Patin Tempoyak - a local dish synonymous with the state of Pahang. It was definitely a brilliant decision as it was real good.

That should conclude my gastronomic adventure in Kuantan for January 2026. I do not know when I will be back again but you never know when opportunity could suddenly knock.

THE BREAKFAST AT PICKERS IN KUANTAN

   27th JANUARY 2026    ~ The last episode of my gastronomic adventure in Kuantan with my TESL [UPM Class of 1993] friends took place in Pickers Cafe. It was actually located opposite the hotel where I was staying.

I was the first to be there to book a place for the big group. The dining area was almost empty as it was a working that for other people in the city.

For one thing, there choices of food for breakfast here were just unlimited, and I had trouble deciding what to eat. I ended up drinking the signature coffee of the cafe and eating Shakshuka, something that I had never tried before.

I had to bid goodbye to my friends as I had to embark on a road trip to Kemaman right after. It had been another fun-filled trip to Kuantan and there was no chance to be hungry at all. We perhaps have to wait for another wedding receptions of friends' children for more gatherings and gastronomic adventures.

DINNER TIME AT A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IN KUANTAN

   26th JANUARY 2026    ~ The second dinner gathering in Kuantan took place at a seafood restaurant called Ana Ikan Bakar Petai. This place must be popular as it was jam packed with people dining in when we arrived at about 8:30 p.m.

We found out there were two restaurants bearing the same name, and the one we went to was located right by the main road.

So we had everything seafood that evening sent to the tables.

coconut water

white rice

otak-otak and sata

butter prawn

fried squid

That was another one huge dinner happening in Kuantan for us the UPM TESL Class of 1993 gang. That was not the final gastronomic adventure though as there was one last one [for me] the next morning for breakfast.

STOPPING BY AT THE NIGHT MARKET IN THE HEART OF KUANTAN CITY

   26th JANUARY 2026    ~ After another heavy dinner in Kuantan, we decided to stop by at one night market located in the heart of the city. To be exact, the place was called "Taman Kerang" if I am not mistaken.

We were there after 10:00 p.m. and there were still stalls operating but with less people walking around. The last time I came here two years ago was to get my food for dinner. [READ HERE]

It was good in a way as I believe the slow walk helped the food in the tummy to be digested before bed time.

My friends sure had things to buy from there but I did not find anything attractive to get from the bazaar.