31 May 2017

Hotel Relax II 旅樂序精品旅館 站前二館 (Taipei)

Where to stay in Taipei?
After taking HSR from Taichung to Taipei, we checked into Hotel Relax II which is located near the Taipei Main Station. Family Mart is just right opposite of the hotel.
How to get there?
Address: No. 15 Sec. 1, Hankou Street, Taipei Main Station, Taipei Taiwan, 10046
Tel: +886 223757555
Hotel Relax website - http://www.hotelrelaxclub.com/en/

From Taipei Main Station/Railway Station, Exit Z6. The exit/entrance of Z6 is a flight of stairs, no escalator. Alternatively, you can take the lift between Exit Z2 and Z4 or Exit M5 and walk towards Guanqian Road.

Nearest MRT Station: Taipei Main Station
Standard Double room (16 sqm)
My mistake for booking the 16 sqm room which it's cramped for us as we got 2 suitcases.
Room is equipped with the necessary amenities like the comb, toothbrush, cotton buds, etc.

The room booking comes with breakfast and you get to choose the breakfast time.
Breakfast served and you can choose from the "All you can eat" area where there are fruits, porridge, sweet potatoes, juices, etc.
The washing and drying service is located on the same level as the lobby. You'd need to purchase the washing powder from the lobby counter. The washing and drying machine requires payment of NT$50 (five NT$10 coins) each. Takes about an hour each for the washing and drying.

24 May 2017

Irodori Sushi 鮨彩割烹 (Taichung)

Irodori Sushi (鮨彩壽司) is located on the 11th floor of Taroko Mall (新時代店). The mall is conveniently located behind Taichung railway station. You can also shop at Carrefour after filling your stomach.
How to get there?
Address: No. 186 Section 4 Fuxing Road, East District, Taichung City 401
Tel: 04-22242378
Taroko Mall website - www.tarokomall.com.tw

Opening hours
Mon to Fri: 11am to 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am to 10pm
We ordered the meal set for 2 persons at NT$1048.
Refreshing dish of fried fish, kelp, onion, cherry tomatoes with a little sour taste (maybe it's vinegar).
Japanese rolled omelette (Tamagoyaki)
Steamed cabbage
Assorted vegetable tempura
Well marinated and tender fried chicken
Lastly, our dessert - matcha and vanilla ice cream.
Where else have I been in Taiwan?

21 May 2017

GreenDot 绿一点 (Star Vista)

"Eat Green, Feel Good! 多吃蔬食,身心舒适!"
Greendot provides healthy meat-free meals by repackaging traditional vegetarian cuisine which encourages more non-vegetarians to go meat-free. Who says vegetarian food is boring?
Choose from salad, noodles or bento
Customise your Bento by selecting the type of rice, one main and two greens.
Beauty brown rice with lion mane mushroom rendang, curry potatoes and brinjal.
Sesame rice with cereal prawn (Konnyaku), curry potatoes and french beans.
Strongly recommend to order the lion mane mushroom rendang. Our favourite main for bento.
Besides the bento, you can order noodles.
Angelica Herbal Noodles
Shiitake Mushroom Laksa Noodles
How to get there?
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, The Star Vista #01-33 Singapore 
Tel: +65 6262 3654
By Car -
  • Along Vista Exchange Green, turn into Rochester Drive towards Star Vista basement carpark entrance.

By Public Transport -
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 11361/11369 (Buona Vista Stn Exit C / Exit D) - Bus No. 74, 91, 92, 95, 191, 196, 198, 200
  • Alight at Bus Stop No. 11191 (Buona Vista Stn) - Bus No. 105, 106, 147, 185

Nearest MRT Station: Buona Vista

Opening hours
Daily from 11am to 10pm (last order at 9pm)

17 May 2017

Feng Chia Night Market 逢甲夜市 (Taichung)

Feng Chia (Fengjia) Night Market is located near Feng Chia University. We went a bit too early at about 5pm and not all the stalls were operating. Nonetheless, we managed to have some good food at Lane 20, Fengjia Road.

How to get there?
Address: No. 440 Fuxing Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407
Opening hours: 5pm to 12 midnight

Buses to nearby bus stops:
  • Fuxing Road - Bus No. 28, 33, 54, 63, 68, 79, 199
  • Fengjia Road - Bus No. 5, 8, 25, 29, 35, 37, 45, 68, 125, 157, 167, 354, 358, 359
Popular glutinous rice and grilled sausage (大肠包小肠) with a few flavours to choose from - original, 3 levels of spiciness, black pepper, wasabi, garlic together with preserved vegetables, cucumber, etc at NT$50.
Papaya milk 木瓜鲜奶!
Special beverages 特调饮料
BABOQ Brown Sugar
黑糖珍珠鲜奶+黑糖QQ
Grilled scallops 干贝烧!
Choose from 8 flavours - sea salt, dried bonito, seaweed, wasabi, indian curry, black pepper, thai sour spicy and lemon with salt & pepper.
I ordered the seaweed flavour which is a bit salty.
Melady Creperie 可麗餅專賣店! Let's have crepe!
Sweet, savory and ice cream crepes
Peanut Chocolate Crepe!
Where else have I been in Taiwan?

14 May 2017

Daorae Korean BBQ Restaurant 다오래 (Bukit Indah)

Daorae Korean BBQ restaurant serves authentic korean dishes in the heart of Bukit Indah, right opposite of AEON shopping mall. Easily accessible by taking buses and ample parking lots for drivers.
Level 2 dining area
 Private room for family gathering
 Banchan (반찬) served and refillable.
Kimchi-Jeongol 김치전골 (Large) RM78
Combination of pork, kimchi, tofu, korean rice cakes and noodles in rich spicy kimchi soup.
Ddeok-Bokki 떡볶이 RM33
Stir-fried Korean rice cakes in hot spice chilli sauce.
Pa-Jeon 파전 RM33
Seafood pancake with spring onions.
If spicy food is not suitable for you, you can always order the ginseng chicken soup. It's delicious too.
Dak Maeun-Tang 닭매운탕 RM60
Chicken, potato and vegetable in spicy chicken broth
BBQ
Bibim-naengmyeon 비빔냉면
Cold spicy noodles
Chilled spicy cold noodles soup with kimichi
Japchae 잡채 RM38
How to get there?
Address: 79, 79A, 81A Jalan Indah 15/2 Taman Bukit Indah 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
Tel: +607 207 5911
Daorae Facebook - www.facebook.com/daoreaJB/
Daorae Blog - http://daoraejb.blogspot.sg/

Opening hours
Daily from 11.30am to 3pm (Lunch) and 5.30pm to 11pm (Dinner)

Read AEON Bukit Indah Shopping Centre post about getting to Bukit Indah from Singapore by bus. If you are taking CW3/CW6 to Bukit Indah, you alight at the bus stop in front of AEON Bukit Indah Shopping Centre. Daorae Korean BBQ Restaurant is right opposite.