Restoran Hua Mui JB

It has been 8 years since my last visit to Restoran Hua Mui and stepping back here reminds me of how much things can change over the years. Time really flies, so we should always treasure every moment we have. 

We dropped by for breakfast, and as usual, Hua Mui remains a popular breakfast spot. Even on a regular weekday morning, there was already a queue, a familiar sight that speaks volumes about its continued popularity.

Restoran Hui Mui Since 1946

The place had a laid-back atmosphere, and we picked a cosy corner beside the rusty, rustic window frame. While flipping through the menu, I couldn't help but notice how well-used and seasoned it looked. Its worn-out appearance added a touch of nostalgia, almost as if it had witnessed countless meals and stories over the years. Little details like these made the dining experience feel even more memorable.

Hua Mui's Menu

While waiting for our breakfast to be served, we ordered a cold glass of Lemon Barley and a traditional small cup of hot Hainanese coffee to perk up the day. The refreshing barley drink offered a cooling contrast to the warm, aromatic coffee. A simple pairing that made our breakfast stop at Restoran Hua Mui even more enjoyable.

Lemon Barley & Hainan Coffee (Small & Hot) - RM3.90

A simple breakfast for an ordinary day, yet one that never fails to bring comfort. The Hainan Toast Single Butter Kaya is a timeless classic, featuring soft white bread with a generous spread of kaya and a slice of butter. There is something special about its traditional taste, making it a delightful choice to start the day. Sometimes, the simplest things are the ones that taste the best.

Hainan Toast Single Butter Kaya - RM 3.20

The Mee Siam with Fried Chicken Diced was a satisfying breakfast choice! The plate came with a generous serving of vermicelli, crispy golden fried chicken pieces, a sunny-side-up egg, cucumber slices and sambal on the side. The combination made for a hearty and enjoyable meal. A comforting plate of local flavours that certainly left me satisfied!

Mee Siam with Fried Chicken Diced - RM 12.90

The Cockles Char Kway Teow came blanketed beneath a generously fried egg, giving it a rather rustic appearance. Beneath that egg lay the familiar wok-fried char kway teow, a staple dish that many of us Asians know and love. 

Cockles Char Kway Teow (Beef) - RM 17.90

Tossed with cockles, tau gay and beef, the noodles carried that savoury wok-fried flavour, complemented by a touch of sweetness from the sauce. A comforting plate of local goodness that was packed with flavour!

CKT under the Egg

It was lovely to revisit Restoran Hua Mui after 8 years and enjoy its familiar Hainanese breakfast favourites. From the classic kaya toast and traditional coffee to the Mee Siam with Fried Chicken Diced and Cockles Char Kway Teow, the meal brought a comforting taste of tradition. Some things may change over the years, but good food and fond memories are always worth cherishing.

Restoran Hua Mui JB
Location: 131, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

YARA Coffeehouse

YARA is an all-day café in Bukit Timah serving familiar Singaporean favourites in a relaxed and contemporary setting. From charcoal-grilled kaya toast and build-your-own Nasi Lemak to the rich and flavourful Claypot Braised Tiger Prawn Hokkien Mee, the menu brings together comforting local delights for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With its inviting setting and a selection of local favourites, YARA is a spot worth checking out for a satisfying meal throughout the day.

Yara

The interior of YARA was generally spacious, with communal tables and simple wooden furnishings that created a warm, garden-inspired atmosphere. The cemented flooring and greenery added a contemporary touch, making it a comfortable setting for enjoying a meal.

Interior of YARA

Starting off with the Pork Floss Fries, served with condensed milk mayo, chilli padi and curry leaves. The fries were generously topped with fluffy pork floss, while the fragrant curry leaves and a hint of chilli padi added extra aroma and flavour. Paired with the creamy, sweet-savoury condensed milk mayo, this was an addictive appetiser that kept us reaching for more!

Pork Floss Fries - $11.80

The Breaded Muar Otah with Coconut Mayo was another lovely dish to kick off our meal. It was my first time trying otah in a breaded form, and I was curious to see how it would turn out. The crispy golden coating added a delightful crunch to the fragrant otah, while the coconut mayo provided a creamy touch that complemented the flavours nicely. A rather interesting twist on the familiar local favourite!

Breaded Muar Otah - $10.80

The Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah came with freshly squeezed coconut milk-infused basmati rice, an egg, sambal, ikan bilis, peanuts, sliced cucumber and spiced fried chicken. The rice was fluffy and fragrant, with a lovely coconut aroma. The ayam goreng berempah was equally enticing, with its aromatic spices adding plenty of flavour to the chicken. Together with the traditional nasi lemak accompaniments, it made for a satisfying local favourite.

Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah - $9.80

We took quite some time taking pictures. Unforuntately, the Claypot Braised Tiger Prawn Hokkien Mee had already soaked up much of the broth and dried up by the time we got around to enjoying it. Nonetheless, the dish featured a prawn-infused tonkotsu-style pork broth, tiger prawns, squid, lard and local chives.

Claypot Braised Tiger Prawn Hokkien Mee - $15.80 / $23.80

It was a combination of seafood and rich pork flavours, although I would have loved to enjoy it while the broth was still at its best.

Close-up of braised Hokkien Mee

The Braised Lala Bee Hoon definitely had its own distinctive style. The rice vermicelli was soaked in clam stock, bringing out the natural savouriness of the lala. The addition of lemongrass, kaffir lime, chilli and sambal belacan gave the dish a fragrant and tangy profile with a hint of spice. It was an interesting twist on the familiar local bee hoon dish, offering a combination of seafood flavours with aromatic Thai-inspired touches.

Braised Lala Bee Hoon - $13.80

The Tapioca Cake was a sweet ending to our meal. I'm not usually a kueh lover, but this one certainly struck a chord with my taste buds. With its beautifully caramelised golden-brown surface and soft, chewy texture, it offered a delightful sweetness that made it surprisingly enjoyable. Definitely a dessert that left a good impression on me!

Kueh Bingka Ubi - $5.80

Overall, YARA offers a refreshing take on familiar Singaporean favourites in a relaxed and contemporary setting. From its distinctive local dishes to the surprisingly enjoyable tapioca cake, it was a satisfying meal with a few interesting twists. A spot worth checking out if you're around Bukit Tima 

YARA Coffeehouse
Location: 26 Evans Rd, Singapore 259367
Website

SōngHè x Apiary

Checking out the latest collaboration between Apiary and SōngHè Rice! Available from 19 September to 7 November 2026. Let's head inside and take a closer look at what this collaboration has to offer!

Apiary

Before heading into Apiary for their latest collaboration with SōngHè Rice, this little sign caught my attention! 

A good reminder to enjoy our happy moments, savour every bite and create beautiful memories together. After all, life is about counting the memories, not the calories! 

Count the Memories, Not the Calories

Taking a look into the freezer, we spotted three interesting flavours from the Apiary x SōngHè Rice collaboration! The lineup includes SōngHè Rice Berry & Sour Cherries, SōngHè Toasted Rice, and SōngHè Onigiri (Rice) & Cream Cookie. Each flavour brings a creative twist to the ice cream experience, incorporating rice-inspired elements into these frozen treats. With such unique combinations, it was exciting to see how traditional rice flavours are reimagined into something sweet and refreshing.

Flavours with SōngHè Rice

The decorations at Apiary are thoughtfully styled to complement the SōngHè Rice collaboration. From jars filled with different varieties of rice to the traditional field hat and stalks of rice paddy, the display brings a touch of the rice fields into the ice creamery. These little details add a rustic charm to the space while highlighting the inspiration behind the (R)ice Cream Collection. It is a lovely way to showcase the connection between rice and this unique ice cream collaboration.

Decorations in Job

To make the experience even more exciting, visitors can participate in a giveaway featuring three simple steps!

1. First, snap a photo with your SōngHè × Apiary ice cream. 
2. Next, share it on your Instagram Story, tagging @sonhe.rice and @apiary.sg. 
3. Finally, follow both Instagram accounts to complete the steps. 

By taking part, you stand a chance to win a gift hamper worth $88. It's a fun way to capture your ice cream moments, share them with friends and perhaps bring home a little extra treat!

Let's Participate

The Brown Butter Waffle was a delight, especially with its airy and fluffy texture that I really enjoyed. It had a lovely crispness on the outside while remaining soft and light on the inside. Paired with the scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of golden syrup, every bite was a delicious combination of buttery sweetness and refreshing creaminess.

Brown Butter Waffle with Toasted Fragrant Rice Ice Cream 

The SōngHè Rice Berry & Sour Cherries brings together the nutty notes of Rice Berry with the tangy pop of sour cherries, complemented by a little chewiness from the glutinous rice. Another interesting creation is the Onigiri (Rice) & Cream Cookie, featuring toasted rice ice cream sandwiched between buttery cookies. It is a creative twist on a familiar snack, combining the fragrant rice flavours with the richness of ice cream and the buttery goodness of cookies.

Onigiri R(ice) Cream Cookie & Rice Berry with Sour Cherries

Here's a little something extra to look forward to during the collaboration! With every purchase of a SōngHè × Apiary pint, you will receive a FREE Creami-giri Bag Charm worth $10.90. 

FREE Creami-giri Bag Charm

The adorable rice ball-shaped charm makes a cute little keepsake to bring home after enjoying your ice cream treats. Don't forget to check out this special giveaway with your purchase while the collaboration is available!

FREE Creami-giri Bag Charm

The Onigiri Ice Cream Cookie features creamy toasted rice ice cream sandwiched between two buttery black sesame cookies. The ice cream is smooth and creamy, while the cookies add a delightful buttery crunch with a subtle nutty aroma from the black sesame. A lovely combination of contrasting textures and flavours in every bite!

Onigiri Ice Cream Cookie

Overall, the Apiary x SōngHè Rice collaboration was a delightful experience, bringing a creative rice-inspired twist to the world of ice cream. From the unique (R)ice Cream flavours to the airy and fluffy Brown Butter Waffle, there was plenty to enjoy. I particularly loved the light and fluffy texture of the waffle, which paired beautifully with the ice cream. The charming decorations and adorable Creami-giri Bag Charm giveaway also added a little extra fun to the visit. If you are curious about these innovative rice-inspired treats, do drop by Apiary and check them out! This limited-time collaboration runs from 19 September to 7 November 2026, so be sure to visit before it ends.

SongHe x Apiary
Location: 84 Neil Road, Singapore 088844

The Hainan Story Chapter Two

Our dinner visit to The Hainan Story at Jewel Changi Airport brought us back to some familiar Hainanese favourites. The moment we stepped in, the spacious dining area and colourful storefront caught our attention. Known for its selection of Hainanese delights, we were looking forward to tucking into a comforting spread of local favourites. With so many dishes to choose from, it was time to settle down and enjoy our dinner!

The Hainan Story @ Jewel Changi Airport

The Thick Bee Hoon Laksa came with a generous combination of ingredients, including boiled egg, prawns, pork slices and crispy-looking Soya Ring roll. The thick bee hoon was immersed in a rich, creamy laksa gravy that looked flavourful and inviting. With a mix of seafood, meat and other toppings in every bowl, this was a comforting local favourite to savour.

Thick Bee Hoon Laksa - $15.80

Served on faux newspaper-style waxed paper, this Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice with Sunny Side Up & Hainanese Stewed Vegetable has been one of my staple orders ever since I got to know The Hainan Story. The chicken drumstick was incredibly tender, with meat that practically fell off the bone. Paired with the luscious, flavourful curry sauce, a sunny side up egg and a serving of Hainanese stewed vegetables, this was a comforting and satisfying meal that I would happily order again.

Curry Chicken Drumstick Rice with Sunny Side Up & Hainanese Stewed Vegetable

The Half Roasted and Steamed Chicken from Wee Nam Kee is a lovely combination of two chicken styles on one plate. I enjoyed having both the tender poached chicken and the roasted version, paired with fragrant chicken-infused rice, cucumber slices and their house-made sauces. It is a comforting, familiar Hainanese chicken rice meal that brings a taste of Singapore's food heritage to the table.

Half Roasted and Steamed Mix Chicken

The Hainanese Three Treasures certainly caught my attention! It looks pretty interesting, and I was curious to see how these three flavours would come together in one treat.

Hainanese Three Treasures

This Chicken Cutlet with 8-Inch Pork Sausage was a stomach-filling meal, definitely suited for bigger eaters. The crispy chicken cutlet and juicy pork sausage were accompanied by a generous spread of sides, including coleslaw, mashed potatoes, baked beans and fries. With a good balance of protein and carbohydrates, this hearty platter made for a satisfying meal.

Chicken Cutlet with 8 inch Pork Sausage -$19.80

The Monster Kongzilla really WOW-ed us with its impressive size! This extra-long hot dog was generously topped with sauces and served alongside fries and coleslaw. Definitely a hearty treat for those who enjoy a substantial snack.

The Monster Kongzilla

To show just how massive the Monster Kongzilla is, all of us placed our palms around it for comparison!  This extra-long hot dog was seriously impressive in size, and it was quite a sight to see how it stretched across the plate. Definitely a fun one to share with friends!

Let's Compare our palms

The Signature Hainanese Curry Fish Head arrived in a generous serving of rich, aromatic curry gravy, accompanied by fish pieces, vegetables and tofu. Topped with fresh coriander, the dish looked hearty and inviting.

Signature Hainanese Curry Fish Head - $28

The curry was the highlight, coating the ingredients with its luscious gravy and making it a comforting dish to enjoy with a bowl of rice.

Hainanese Curry Fish Head Close-Up

Packed with wok hei, this Signature Fried Kway Teow was a true taste of local Asian comfort food. The flat rice noodles were tossed with beansprouts, cockles and fishcakes, bringing together a mix of textures and flavours. Topped with two prawns, it made for a satisfying plate of fried kway teow with that unmistakable wok-fried aroma.

Signature Fried Kway Teow - $11.90

All in all, our dinner at The Hainan Story at Jewel was a satisfying one, with a spread of Hainanese favourites and hearty dishes to enjoy. From the comforting chicken rice and laksa to the interesting Monster Kongzilla and Hainanese Three Treasures, there was plenty to keep us occupied at the table. It was a nice place to gather with friends over familiar local flavours, and I would certainly keep it in mind whenever I'm craving a taste of Hainanese comfort food.

The Hainan Story Chapter Two
Location:  Jewel Changi, 78 Airport Blvd., #B2-201/202, Singapore 819666
Website

老黄的店 LaoWang's Steamboat

It’s always a joy when a friend makes an impromptu call and asks you to hop into their car for a day trip to JB. No elaborate planning, just a spontaneous getaway, good company and a new place to explore.

This time, our destination was Laowang’s Steamboat 老黄的店, a new find recommended by my friend for a seafood feast served over the steamer. The concept immediately brought back memories of Captain K Seafood, which went viral some years back.

Located at Mount Austin, the restaurant has a rather distinctive storefront with its large Laowang’s Steamboat sign and traditional Chinese touches. There is also plenty of outdoor seating along the side, making it quite easy to spot when you arrive.

We were here mainly for the seafood steamboat, so we were naturally curious to see what this place had to offer. With a table filled with fresh seafood cooked over the steaming broth, it was definitely a different kind of JB food adventure for us.

Laowang's Steamboat

The interior certainly carries a dramatic old-school charm. The sturdy wooden tables and long benches give the dining space a nostalgic feel, almost like one of those old roadside rest stops we used to see in period dramas.

Faux paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, adding to the vintage atmosphere, while the exposed concrete screed walls and flooring give the space a raw, rustic touch. Paired with the traditional wooden furniture, the whole setting feels like a modern restaurant designed with a throwback to the olden days in mind.

Rustic old-school interior

Before settling in for the steamboat, we took a walk over to their live seafood corner, where we could pick the seafood we wanted to have cooked in our steamboat. With tanks filled with fresh seafood, it was quite fun choosing what would eventually make its way onto our table. And guess what we picked?

Pick Your Own Live Seafood for the Steamboat

Nothing beats freshly steamed prawns! These were incredibly fresh, with that natural sweetness and juicy, firm texture that you get from properly steamed prawns. No need for fancy sauces either, as the freshness really speaks for itself. Simple, fresh and absolutely satisfying!

Freshly steamed prawns served at Laowang’s Steamboat in JB

We had Lala on the steamer too and these were a great addition to the seafood spread. Once steamed, the shells opened up to reveal plump, tender meat with a naturally sweet and briny flavour. Best enjoyed while they were still hot, especially with a little dip on the side.

Steamed Lala

Lastly, we had the crabs, which were steamed right under the glass dome. The portion was just right for us to share, making it a nice addition to the seafood spread without being overly heavy. Steamed simply, the crab had a naturally sweet taste and was best enjoyed while hot.

Fresh crab steaming under a glass dome

Finally, they were cooked and ready to be enjoyed! The crabs came out beautifully orange with the shells still holding onto that tempting aroma from the steamer. Time to get our hands in, crack open those shells and savour the sweet, juicy crab meat. 

Cooked Crabs

Good stuff doesn’t end here yet! Once all the seafood has been steamed, the juices and flavours from the seafood drip down into the pot below, where they are mixed into the porridge.

The result was surprisingly delicious. The porridge had a naturally umami, sweet and savoury flavour, soaking up all those wonderful seafood juices. It was a simple yet satisfying way to end our meal, and definitely a bowl worth saving room for.

Seafood Porridge with Natural Seafood Juices

Besides the good selection of sauces that we could help ourselves to at the side station, we also ordered a drink to pair with our seafood feast. We went for the 枸杞子冰茶, a refreshing goji berry iced tea that was light and cooling. It made a nice accompaniment to the steaming hot seafood, especially between bites.

Goji Berry Iced Tea 枸杞子冰茶 

Besides the good selection of sauces that we could help ourselves to at the side station, we also ordered a drink to pair with our seafood feast. We went for the 枸杞子冰茶, a refreshing goji berry iced tea that was light and cooling. It made a nice accompaniment to the steaming hot seafood, especially between bites.

Menu

Besides the steamboat, there are also plenty of other choices on the menu if you are looking for something different. They have Chinese-style dishes, skewers, snacks and other cooked dishes, so there is something for those who may not be in the mood for steamboat.

The menu also includes a selection of drinks, including Chinese tea, bottled drinks and their house-special drinks. So, even if seafood steamboat isn’t your only plan, there are still quite a few options to explore here.

Menu

A spontaneous JB trip that turned into a satisfying seafood feast! From fresh live seafood to the delicious seafood porridge, Laowang’s Steamboat was a fun find worth exploring with friends.

LaoWang's Steamboat
Location: Austin crest, 72, Jln Jaya Putra 7/8, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Hai Zhen Fang 海珍坊

There is something special about gathering around a table with good friends and a spread of dishes to share. So, back into the heartlands we went, this time for a seafood feast at Hai Zhen Fang.

Hai Zhen Fang

Before stepping inside, this eye-catching banner at Hai Zhen Fang already gives you a glimpse of what’s on the menu. With tempting seafood dishes featured, you might just want to keep these recommendations in mind when placing your order.

Banner 

Even though the shophouse doesn’t look particularly large from the outside, I was quite impressed by what Hai Zhen Fang had on their menu. For a neighbourhood eatery, the seafood selection looked surprisingly enticing and definitely gave us plenty to consider for our order.

Hai Zhen Fang Menu

It was more than our usual Rojak order, with the crispy baby squid adding an extra level of crunch on top of the generous peanut shavings. The combination of textures made every bite more interesting, while the sweet sauce had a good level of sweetness that complemented the savoury and crunchy toppings without being overly sweet.

Baby Squid Rojak 鲜果苏东仔Rojak

The dark, glossy appearance might not look immediately tempting, but these Iberico Pork Ribs with Homemade Sauce were quite the surprise. The ribs were sweet, tender and coated in a rich, sticky sauce that gave them plenty of flavour. Once you start picking at them, they are hard to resist and definitely one of the dishes I would recommend adding to the table.

Iberico Pork Ribs with Home Made Sauce 京都黑猪排 - $15.90

Bacon Wrapped Sotong Balls definitely caught my attention as hey looked almost like little donuts! The combination of tender sotong wrapped in bacon was surprisingly good, with a nice savoury richness in every bite. A fun and different dish to try if you’re looking beyond the usual seafood choices.

Bacon Wrapped Sotong Ball 鲜烟肉苏东丸 - $10.90

A refreshing pause halfway through the meal! We had the Signature Green Island Slushie to wash down the fried dishes before moving on to the mains. Cool, icy and refreshing, it was a nice little break before the next round of dishes arrived.

Signature Green Island Slushie 招牌绿岛冰沙

A nice alternative to the Signature Green Island Slushie is the Green Lime & Sour Plum Slushie. If you prefer your drinks with a more refreshing sour kick, this one brings that tangy lime and sour plum combination to the table especially welcomed after all those fried dishes.

Green Lime & Sour Plum Slushie 酸甜话梅冰沙 - $4.50

The Signature Seafood Treasure White Bee Hoon was packed with seafood flavours, with the silky bee hoon soaking up that delicious seafood broth. The combination of Lala, crab meat and prawns brought a lovely natural sweetness to the dish, while the crispy fried pork lard added an extra savoury crunch. Definitely one of those comforting dishes that’s best enjoyed while hot!

Signature Seafood Treasure White Bee Hoon 招牌海珍百米粉 - $29.80

The Golden Pumpkin Broth Platter is one to consider if you are dining as a group. You can order the portion according to your number of pax, with a comforting sweet-savoury pumpkin broth filled with goodies like fried fish, abalone and prawns. The seafood adds plenty of flavour to the broth, making this a hearty dish to share around the table.

Golden Pumpkin Broth Platter 金瓜霸鲜海珍汤 - From $29.80 (2-3 pax)

What a generous piece of Braised Shark’s Fin! Served warm in a rich, savoury broth, the sizeable portion made this feel like a rather indulgent dish to have at the table. The shark’s fin was tender and silky, making it a comforting addition to our seafood feast.

Hai Zhen Braised Shark's Fin 红烧鲍翅 - $19.80

Overall, it was a good seafood meal that felt a little different from the more mainstream options you usually find around the neighbourhood. I’m glad we ventured into the heartlands and got to taste what Hai Zhen Fang had to offer. With its interesting selection of seafood dishes and comforting flavours, it was certainly a meal worth gathering around the table for.

Hai Zhen Fang Seafood 海珍坊
Location: 212 Hougang St 21, #01-341, Singapore 530212