MY GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE JUST NEVER ENDS

  1ST DECEMBER 2023   ~ When Mr. Ridwan Wahid announced that he would be driving to Johor Bahru in a few hours' time, that meant there would be more gastronomic adventure that was about to take place. I actually had two sessions of similar adventure in the morning and afternoon, one with a friend of the UPM TESL Class of 1993 and another one with an ex-student, but I was ready for more.

Mr. Ridwan was already familiar with some of the eating places in town so I just had to meet him and his family members at the Murtabak Kampung Melayu place [a.k.a Murtabak Azo] at about 7:00 p.m. After the appetizer, someone was still hungry for [rice]. Therefore, we then adjourned to another restaurant, L.C. Catering for the real dinner.

After dinner, I had to remind them not to get a heavy breakfast the next morning as the gastronomic adventure would be continued for lunch.

  2ND DECEMBER 2023   ~ I had promised them to take them to Asam Pedas Sri Pantai at Kampung Sungai Melayu during our last meeting in Shah Alam/Subang. So here we were, as early as 11:00 a.m. in order to avoid the crowd during lunch hour.

An ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti was also there with his family members, and it was kind of him to come over to our table with his baby girl to say "hi".

I was happy that my guests enjoyed the recommended food at this place. We had already decided of the next eating place to visit when they are back in town - most probably next year.

MONDAY WAS MEET YOUR FANS DAY

 

   12th SEPTEMBER 2023   

REUNION #1

The first reunion took place by the roadside, at Jalan Beringin, Melodies Garden. As I was walking out of my car, someone stopped his car and greeted me from afar. And to my surprise, it was an old classmate/schoolmate of SMK Sultan Ismail, Mr. Sen Yan Ping. The last time we met was like 39 years ago when we were still in Form 3. It was this one moment that I shall treasure for many years to come.

By the way, there is some sort of a plan to organize a reunion with the classmates of SMK Sultan Ismail soon, and hope it would be materialized.

REUNION #2

As I was standing outside a shop in Giant Taman Suria Mall, someone approached me and asked whether I was Cikgu Zainal. He was an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti whom, according to him, I taught marching/foot drill 17 years ago. Good news that Mr. Muhammad Afiq, and I got his name right even after the long years of not seeing each other, is now working at the mall and is soon going to stay somewhere there which near to my place so there could be possibility for me to get to see him again for coffee sessions.

REUNION #3

I was with friends in LC Catering for dinner. As we were seated, I could see the female singer of the busking group on stage was smiling towards me. I, however, was not sure whether she was smiling to me so I looked around just to make sure. When her friend mentioned my name through the microphone, then only I could confirm she is an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti. Thanks to Miss Marianah Rahman for the unexpected reunion. By the way, she has a beautiful voice accompanied by awesome  the band that played good music.

Three impromptu reunion sessions in one day which should be a record for me and that should make me extremely happy. 😀

DINNER AND BREAKFAST WITH A VISITOR - PART ONE

   24th MAY 2023    ~ A dear friend from Labuan decided to come over to Johor Bahru after finishing his course in Port Dickson. Mr. Zaman Abd Kadir had been my driver/guide/travel companion when I for my Labuan and Kota Kinabalu/Kundasang trip, so it was my turn to play tourist guide this time.

Mr. Zaman arrived at Larkin Sentral at about 7:00 p.m. from Melaka Sentral, much earlier than expected. After performing the Maghrib prayer at the mosque at the bus terminal, I took him for dinner at my favourite Ayam Penyet restaurant: L.C. Catering.

That should serve as the introductory session of the gastronomic adventure for a first time visitor to Johor Bahru. Unfortunately, I don't really know too many places to take my friends for meals, and I just take them to eating spots that I am familiar with.

As for breakfast the next morning, I managed to get the permission from the Principal to go out for a short while to accompany Mr. Zaman. The buffet breakfast was taken at the hotel Mr. Zaman was staying, Hallmark Regency Hotel, which was near the school actually. Initially the breakfast package was not included in the hotel booking but an ex-student who was a receptionist there was kind to give us a breakfast treat for the first night stay at the hotel.

That was how my first task as a tourist guide in my hometown was completed. And that was just the beginning.

MEETING AN OLD FRIEND OF UPM FOR DINNER

An old friend of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia was in town for work related thing. We were neighbours at Fourth Residential College for a few years. The last time we met was in March 2015.

When Mr. Samad Yahya contacted me, I quickly asked him out for dinner. I gave him a few options and he chose Nasi Ayam Penyek so it was easier for me to find an eating venue. It so happened we went to this very same restaurant, LC Catering, five years ago.

It was only a very short meeting but I was glad we could see each other again. Hopefully Tuan ACP Samad Yahya would have more work to do in Johor Bahru some other time in the future.

WHEN AN EX-CLASSMATE WAS IN TOWN AGAIN

16th SEPTEMBER 2020 ~ Mr. Shamsul Akmal Shamsuddin, my ex-Budiman classmate of SMS Muar, was in town again. It is always a pleasure to meet up with an old friend once in a while and I am glad that Mr. Shamsul always asks me out every time he in Johor Bahru.

I chose to take him to LC Catering for dinner, my favourite place for Nasi Ayam Penyet. Too bad, my knowledge of good eating places is quite limited and when it comes to choosing good a restaurant for a friend who comes visiting, I might have not many options. So it has always to be the common spots that I am familiar with.

The place was full and we managed to get a table for two, right in front of the band performing live. Thank god, the sound was not too loud and the singing and music were actually entertaining, just perfect for our dinner.

I was given the cuttings of dragon fruit plants, all the way from Kuala Pilah. I am so looking forward to my next project at home after this. And I might post that in my blog too.

Thanks Mr. Shamsul Akmal for the time and company. I am sure there will be more gathering for two in the future.

OF THE REGULAR NASI AYAM PENYET AND A HIPSTER CAFE'S COFFEE

When Puan Wan Aisyah Wan Haris, a friend of UPM TESL class of 1993, announced that she was in town in the morning, a dinner date was quickly set. She was here just for one night because of a work-related matter. Hence, the gastronomic adventure continued.

I just took her to try "Nasi Ayam Penyet" [translate: smashed-chicken rice] at an eating place I am familiar with i.e. L.C. Katering.

spot the camouflaged cat

a live band

It was still early so we adjourned for coffee at a hipster cafe in Kampung Melayu called JBorn Cafe. I wanted to have real coffee but this place focused more on western food instead. I had a feeling that the coffee I had was a premixed 3-in-1 instant coffee powder. It was my first time there even though I had passed by in front of the cafe all the time. There is always a first time and at least now I know what I should go there for.

seriously?

We even tried its salsa nachos as we wanted something light to go with the coffee. It was nachos with grated cheese and tomato cubes so it was a bit sourish. Guess it was not that light but today would be a cheat day. Yesterday was also a cheat day for me. *sigh*

the cafe won an award

There was a large crowd when we were there and this should be an indicator whether an eating place is highly rated or not.

Anyway, I hope that my friend had enjoyed the dinner and coffee after that. It is always an honour to entertain old friends who are here in town. Thank your for the time and company and will see you when I see you later.

MY HOMETOWN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE: THE BEST NASI AYAM PENYET IN TOWN

8th MAY 2018 ~ If someone asks me, where to get the best nasi ayam penyet [translate: squashed chicken rice] in Johor Bahru, I will not hesitate to recommend LC Catering. The chicken is crispy outside and juicy inside. You can always see the place is full of people which should be a good indication for food hunters.

There was even a life band that evening. I must have been there past the usual dinner time before this, hence not seeing any band performing.

The crispy fried catfish dish is also good here. Must come back and eat that later.

NASI AYAM PENYET BEFORE A RUNNING EVENT (FOR MY FRIENDS)

20th JANUARY 2017 ~ An old friend from college was in town (again) with her friends for another running event, and they came all the way from KL. [Just to run?] Puan Maslinda Mohd. Dahalan was my ex-coursemate from UPM TESL group. It was my pleasure to meet and take them to my favourite "nasi ayam penyet" [translate: smashed chicken rice] restaurant - LC Catering, for dinner.

It was just a short rendezvous but I was glad we managed to meet up. I guess I will be seeing her again with her running friends when they sign up for other event held in JB.