#4 The Johor Old Temple

On my first visit to Johor weeks ago, I had no idea what to expect from this southern state of Peninsular Malaysia. Legoland, Singaporean-packed shopping malls and busy customs were just some of the general ideas I stumbled upon before the trip, and then there's the historically significant Johor Old Temple.

Surrounded by soaring skyscrapers, the Johor Old Temple plays a pivotal role in representing the provenience of the region's five Chinese dialect groups: Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Teochew and Cantonese.

Built during the 19th Century, the Chinese shrine hosts five deities that are worshiped by the dialect group the deity represents respectively. While the architecture has undergone a major renovation as an approach in restoring the temple's former state of glory, most of the priceless relics were retained for their cultural value.

Behind the temple lies a gallery walkway that chronicles the story of the temple, the historical period the temple got through and various religious items and artifacts passed down from the past.

Besides that, the temple also play host to the annual Johor Old Temple Chingay called Parade of Deities. The parade takes place every year in the first lunar month of 20-23rd and has attracted tourists from all over the country to join in for the holy revelry.

The Johor Old Temple
Lot 653, Jalan Trus,
80000 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Takzim.
Opening hours: 7.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. (Daily)
Tel: 07-2762550

#3 S.Wine Cafe

Warning: *Non-Halal post*

Hidden at the secluded corner of B.I.G. Ben's Independent Grocer deli counter, S.Wine cafe is a dining spot deemed hard to locate. Judging from the playful twist on the cafe name, diners who bear voracious appetite towards pork dishes may find this place essential to their to-eat list.

After attending Stef's graduation ceremony, I and the gang decided to brave the thunderstorm (and massive traffic jam as well...) to get to Publika at Solaris Dutamas for lunch. By the time we reached there, everyone was practically famished. Without hesitation, I rather let my hunch be the guide, thus leading us to this non-Halal joint.

Dark and chic, the interior deco maximizes its limited space by cramming up the dining tables and metallic chairs, rendering the whole cafe to look like a marketplace diner. Fortunately, all seven of us were seated on a quiet yet algid table spot.

The wall design even features a nobby collage of quirky quotes and peculiar images (featuring different meaty, roseate pork dishes..) inspired by piglets and pork. Nonetheless, the entire dining environment is redolent with contemporary feel and style.

The menu.

We eventually ordered five dishes with me opting for a burger platter. The items arrived were big-portioned and definitely served more than enough to satiate one's gastronomic desire.

Olio Chorizo Chunks & Broccoli with Blue Cheese. (RM28)

Olio style spaghetti with chorizo, pine nuts, broccoli and chilli flakes, topped with chunks of blue cheese.

Roast Pork Sandwich with Apple Sauce. (RM 28)

Chinese roast pork with apple sauce in ciabatta, served with side salad and four root chips.

Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops. (RM 28)

Grilled lemongrass pork chops topped with a fried egg and doused with light soya sauce, served with steamed white rice and a bowl of salted vegetable duck soup.

A rather salty dish.

Hainanese Pork Chops. (RM 28)

Pork chops drenched in tomato sauce with peas, corn and carrot, topped with coriander, served on a bed of crinkled fries.

Sloppy Piggy Burger with Mexicana Pulled Pork. (RM 28)

Pork burger slopped with Mexicana pulled pork on a brioche burger bun, served with coleslaw and crinkled fries.

While the thick pork patty tasted dry and anything but succulent, the Mexicana pulled pork kind of compensated the snag by pulling off an aromatic taste. Anyways, I couldn't finish the side fries.

What can I say? It's a decent place for a decent porky meal.

S.Wine Cafe
Lot 1A, 83-95, Level UG,
Publika, No. 1 Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas.
50480 Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
Tel: 03-62091716
Business hours:
Monday - Friday: 11.00 a.m - 10.00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday: 9.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.

#2 Humble Beginnings Mille Crepe Cafe @ City Square

Mille crepe, it's one of those kind of food which I just can't have enough of. I'm talking 'bout stacks of flavourful, buttery goodness served on a dessert plate.

Last weekend was great fun, most probably one of my happiest memories with her. The idea of visiting Johor Bahru, the southernmost state of Peninsular Malaysia, was pretty much of a whim. Since it's a capricious excursion, no plan was deviced, no budgetary concern was taken into account, and of course no itinerary was followed. It's just me and my impulsive soul that guided me to you.

Of course, there will always be us and dessert no matter where we go.

Located above at City Square's sixth (and top?) floor is the newly opened Humble Beginnings Mille Crepe Cafe. Humble Beginnings' Mille Crepe has been around for quite some time. The brand was rumored to be the pioneer of all things Mille Crepe in Malaysia (not sure if it's true, oh, that explains the rumor..). We picked this place for tea time out of coincidence strolling around the urban garden outside the brightly lit cafe. Few months ago, I and Keith, a friend of mine, went to the main branch at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar. Sadly, lady luck wasn't on our side since it was closed. So, I feel glad just to try it out here at such foreign territory.

From left: Passion Peach (for her), French Vanilla (for him)

We ordered two slices of Mille Crepe: Passion Peach and French Vanilla (Each slice priced at RM 9.90). Prepared to an adequate degree of sweetness, French Vanilla is a well-made twenty-layered crepe that is soft and easy to cut, yet thick and creamy on the palate. Unlike other Mille Crepes I've tried, the crepe here differs in terms of its texture and mouth-feel quality. It's definitely better tasting than the other 'mainstream' brand(s) out there. Top of my list, and I'm not even sugarcoating it (no pun intended).

Humble Beginnings Mille Crepe Cafe @ City Square
Lot. J6-05, Level 6, City Square,
Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru 80000,
Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia.
Business hours:
Daily: 2.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m.

#1 Urbean Urban Kitchen & Coffee House

Lately, there has been a surge of boutique coffee shops opening around the city. Brewing in the name of fiery passion, these quasi-arthouse coffee chains strive on serving fine espresso drinks and scrumptious desserts amid relaxing atmosphere of Minimalist interior decor and hipster music.

It was a Tuesday, a public holiday. Instead of staying indoor and be a couch potato, I called up my friends and met up with them at the Golden Triangle for an unproductive day of window-shopping, merry-making and gastronomically induced comatose. After all, that's how a well-spent public holiday should be.

When it was tea time, someone suggested 'Starbucks'. I declined, and brought them here to try out the drinks and cake.

Nestled along Avenue K's underground sidewalk (adjacent to the KLCC LRT station), Urbean is an elusively petite spot that will easily left passersby unnoticed. With fashionably hipster music playing, the coffee shop exudes style and simplicity from its quaint, empty seats and menu board, which may be something deemed attractive to coffee aficionados. Oh wait, coffee aficionados are only attracted to the essence inside the cup.

The clipboard menu was interesting.

The affable staffs were more than helpful to attend to us. Our orders included an Iced Latte (with Chocolate at the bottom), Cappuccino, Macchiato and Chocolate Mousse Cake, which was the only food item we ordered upon recommendation by one of the staffs.

From left: Cappuccino, Macchiatto.

As usual, the Iced Latte(RM 10 + RM 2 for the chocolate), being a commonplace essential in every espresso menu, delivered the caffeine kick that I've been longing for quite some time. However, the Macchiato's strong, intense taste was just too much for me. Yeah, even the hardest coffee drinker like my friend Winston couldn't take it - he diluted the drink. Classic.

The staff didn't make the wrong call recommending this to us. The Chocolate Mousse Cake (RM 10) is to die for. With all the soft, creamy chocolate greatness lingering around your palate, one couldn't help but to continuously murder the slice piece by piece.

Urbean Urban Kitchen & Coffee House
C-14 Avenue K, 156, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tel: 03-2181 5781

Business hours:

Daily: 10.00 a.m. - 10.00 p.m.