Puteri Ayu - Pandan Sponge Cake with Shredded Coconut

Nonya kueh is one of my flavour dessert, just give me any type of nonya kueh and I just simply love it. Most of the nonya kueh have a important key ingredients it can't neglect out, that is..... Coconut. Coconut milk or shredded coconut is the most critical parts for kueh making or pairing. And my top love are shredded coconut cook with red sugar and coconut milk with yam. Yum!

I bought this mould at only $1 for 14 mould. This mould is simply cheap and good. The kueh can be remove off easily from the mould but of course I did apply a layer of oil on the mould before I places the shredded coconut and batter inside.

I replace the coconut milk with fresh milk as I didn't have coconut milk on hand and I wanted something healthy too. By the way I think is better stick to coconut milk because the sponge cake is not so fragrant but it taste spongy and the shredded coconut is too salty. I would recommend to reduce the salt and maybe just a pinch of salt will do instead of  ¼ tsp salt as stated. Enjoy the last Sunday of the year folks.

*Recipe source: http://nasilemaklover.blogspot.sg/2012/06/puteri-ayu-steamed-mini-pandan-sponge.html?utm_source=BP_recent

(A) Batter Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 100g caster sugar
• 150g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ovalette / cake emulsier
• 120ml coconut milk (blend 4 pcs pandan leaves with coconut milk)
• 1/2tsp salt
• A drop of pandan green food colouring (optional)

(B) Topping Ingredients:

• 60g fresh shredded coconut
• 1/4tsp salt (Reduce if you don't want too salty taste)
• 1 tsp corn flour

Method:
1. Mix the (B) ingredients together and keep aside.
2. Brush the mold with some cooking oil, fill bottom of the mold with shredded coconut.
3. Stack 2 mold together and press till shredded coconut is firmed.
4. Sift flour and baking powder.
5. Beat sugar, eggs and ovalette until fluffy.
6. Add coconut milk and mix well.
7. Slowly add in flour and mix till well combine, add in colouring.
8. Fill the sponge cake mold with batter till full.
9. Prepare steamer, when water boil put in the mini sponge cake, steam for 10 -15mins.
10. When cake turned slightly cool, remove the cake from the mold.

Plain White Roll - 香草微波面包

I'm a bread lover but not a bread maker. My last few attempt keep me distance away from making bread because kneading the dough really make me weary. But in future I will make more bread, thanks to my hand mixer dough hook.

Life really can't live without some electronic stuff. Using the hand mixer to knead the dough is really an ideal idea. It help to save my time and most importantly it help to lighten my hand from aching. It only take me about 15 to 20 min to knead the dough with the hand mixer and if I using my hand to knead, it take me about 45 to 60 min. (-_-")

Opps, the shape of the bread is quite out of standard and not unit. It's alright as long as the bread taste good. And it really taste great, this is the kind of bread I wish I would able to make it and I did it. =D
Thanks to those awesome blogger who share the recipe.

Anyway I realise that there are 3 different method of making bread. The 3 different method are 直接發酵法 (straight dough method), 中種發酵法 (sponge dough method) and 湯種法。I have no idea what is the english name for 湯種法. You may google for more information about the 3 method that I have listed. 

For this bread, is using the 中種發酵法 (sponge dough method) and it yield a soft and fluffy bread. My last few attempt is using 直接發酵法 (straight dough method), which give me a hard and tough texture. I still left with 湯種法 which I haven't try before, soon soon I will give it a try. ;)

Weee!! I'm really thrilled the moment when I saw the soft layer and layer from the side when I pull one of the bun from the whole roll. This is the result I dream of and the bread taste so soft. Yummy and the bread still stay soft the next day. 

*Recipe source: http://siewhwei80.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/blog-post_22.html
*I halve the recipe portion and using 孟老师 method.

中種發酵法 - (Sponge dough method)

(A) Sponge dough Ingredients:

• 201gm bread flour
• 4gm yeast
• 16gm milk powder
• 50gm egg (one egg)
• 73ml fresh milk

(B) Main dough ingredients:

• 67gm bread flour
• 40gm brown sugar
• 4gm salt
• 27ml fresh milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 30gm butter

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients (A) together and form into a dough (do not need to knead). Cover with a cling wrap or damp cloth and leave to proof for 90 min.
2. After 90 min, mix all the ingredients (A) and (B) except the butter together and knead the dough until it is not so sticky. Put the piece of butter into the dough and continue to knead until the dough is smooth, look shiny and can stretch into a thin sheet without breaking into hole.
3. Cover the dough with a cling wrap or damp cloth and leave to proof for another 50 min.
4. After 50 min, divide the dough into each 40gm. Shape it into balls and cover the dough with a cling wrap or damp cloth, leave to rest for 10 min.
5. After 10 min, roll out dough into long rectangle shape and roll it back like swiss roll shape.
6. Place the individual dough into baking tray.
7. Cover the dough with a cling wrap or damp cloth and leave to proof for 30 min.
8. Preheat oven at 170°C. Brush milk or egg wash on the bread surface and bake for 12-15 mins or till golden brown.

Black Sasame Marble Cake

This is my first attempt on black sesame marble cake. The actual recipe is chocolate marble cake but I want to try something different. I use the same black sesame paste for the flavour instead of powder, can be found in my previous post here.

Disappointed on the marble effect, despite that this is my third attempt on making marble cake yet I still can't get the beautiful swirl pattern that I wanted. I guess the problem either the dark batter portion is too much nor I over swirl the batter when they will combine in the tin.

The cake is wonderfully moist, and it brings out the black sesame aromatic fragrant. But a mistake that I didn't realise that the top part is undercooked. I start eating from the bottom part of the cake and find it pretty awesome than slowly to the top parts texture taste quite wet and soggy. I did check if the cake is cook or not, I insert the tooth pick in and it come out clean but I didn't tap the top to check.

I knew why, initially I afraid the cake might turn brown quickly so I placed the rack at the lowest rack instead at the medium rack. Anyway it is too late when I realise it because is impossible to re-bake after the cake has already cool off.

So I used the knife and cut off the uncooked area and slice into small cubes for easy consume. I find this is a good way offering people the dessert, instead of one whole slice, one cubes pop into the mouth just nice and no crumb will be laying around.

Ingredient:

• 170gm Unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 170gm castor sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 60ml milk
• 160gm cake flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 20gm black sesame paste (put lesser if you do not want the strong taste)

Method:

1. Preheat oven at 160°C with a wire rack in the middle. Line an rectangle or circle cake tin with parchment, butter and flour. Sift flour and baking powder in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Cream butter, sugar and salt in the bowl with a electric hand mixer till light and fluffy.
3. Beat all the egg in another bowl. Add in the egg a little at a time into step 2 (divide into 5 to 6 times) and continue using the electric hand mixer and beat. *Make sure is mix well before you add in another portion of egg into the batter.
4. After all the egg have been added and mix well, pour in the milk and vanilla extract and mix well again.
5. Add in the the flour and baking powder gradually until just incorporated.
6. Scoop out ¼ of the batter in a separate bowl. Add in the black sesame paste over it and fold to mix well. Pour batters into tin, alternating between the two mixtures. Start with the yellow batter follow by the black sesame batter and repeat the step. Rap pan on counter several times to eliminate air bubbles. With a long skewer or chopstick, swirl around the batter to create the marble effect.
7. Bake for 40-55 minutes or until a tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Tap the top of the cake, make sure is not wet and will slightly bound back after tapping on it.
8. Cool on wire rack completely before serving. Cake keeps at room temperature up to 3 days and can be frozen up to 3 month.

Black Sesame Chiffon Cake

 

 

In the older days, pandan chiffon cake are more habitual and common seen in bakery shop. But these days in order to attract people attention and be out of the ordinary, hawker start to introduce different interesting and special flavour such as strawberry, banana, chocolate, Oreo etc. Patron are so fortune to spoil with different choices nowadays.

 

 

Every morning, I will spread different jam flavour on the bread for breakfast. I will constantly look for new kind of jam or spread in the supermarket if I finish the current one on hand and I saw this black sesame spread on the shelf in NTUC. So I bought one and try, I pretty like it, you can taste the strong sesame aroma.

 

Instead of the usual pandan chiffon cake, I decided to make a sesame chiffon cake since I have the sasame paste (spread) on hands. I went to phoon huat and bought the mini chiffon cake tin to make this on the weekend. I do have a 21cm chiffon cake tin but I wanted to try a mini size. It is more convenient and I do not need to cut into pieces, one mini chiffon cake equal one serving.

 

The result is supreme to me, the cake texture is soft and fluffy, with the hint of sesame taste. The only disappointed thing is the shape, when I took out from the tin, somehow the chiffon didn't come out in a nice shape and some of the corner chip off and left with some holes.

 

Anyway luckily this time my chiffon didn't fall off from the tin because I make sure the egg white is beat into stiff peak (but do not over beat too). How to know whether is in the stiff peak? You turn it over the bowl upside down without the egg white falling off to the ground.

 

My parent said the chiffon cake is not sweet enough but to me is just nice. For the recipe, I get 4 mini chiffon cake.  

 

*Recipe source: Okashi sweet treats made with love. This book can be found in Kinokuniya.



Kueh Bingka Ambon aka Honeycomb Cake

Ambon is one of my flavour nonya kueh. I ate the first ambon is bought at redhill market, there is a stall selling nonya kueh and this stall sell the best ambon I have even eat. So far I still haven't found a better ambon can fight this stall. I like the chewy texture and the fragrant it bring out once you bite and chew on it. I can't stop having once, at least 3 for me. It come in a small rounded shape. Yum!

I decided to try out myself too, I went research and found this recipe with video guide that is really a good help for me who are inexperience.

It has the chewy texture but still lack of some aroma taste that I want. Although the top is slightly burn but it does not have the burn bitter taste at all. My friend like it, she said quite delicious but I still not satisfy with the taste. Maybe I will modify the recipe if I will to bake again.

*Recipe source:

http://kitchentigress.blogspot.sg/2012/09/kuih-bingka-ambon-video.html

Ingredients:

• 85 g sago or tapioca starch
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp instant yeast
• 145 g eggs
• 170 ml freshly squeezed coconut milk, undiluted
• 85 g sugar
• 20 g young, light green pandan leaves 

Method:

1. Mix tapioca starch, salt and dry yeast together. Add in the eggs and whisk till smooth. Set aside.
2. In a small pot, stir the coconut milk and sugar together over medium heat till slightly hotter but not boiling. *pot is too hot to hold but not too hot to touch.
3. Stir the batter and slowly pour in the coconut milk into batter while continue stirring. *So that egg will not be cooked.
4. Wash the pandan leaves and cut into small pieces. Pound the pandan leaves finely or blended and strain to yield 1 tsp pandan juice. Discard the pulp and add the juice into batter and mix.
5. Set the batter at a warm place, covered with a clean towel or wrap with cling-wrap till batter is full of small bubbles about 2½-3 hours.
6. Gently whisk the starch in the bottom of bowl till just evenly mixed in.
7. Preheat oven to 160°C with only bottom heat turned on. Line the cake pan with parchment paper.
8. Pour the batter into cake pan. Bake in the bottom of the oven till batter doesn't jiggle when shake, bake about 35 minutes.
9. After 35 minutes, increase oven temperature to 180°C. Turn on the oven top heat and move the pan to middle of the oven.
10. Continue baking till golden brown, another 15 minutes or lesser. *Have a good check, make sure not to over bake the surface.  
11. Remove the pan from the oven. Unmould by lifting parchment paper. Leave the kueh on a wire rack till cold. Cut into pieces and serve.
    

Chocolate Macadamia Scones

 

Scone or Stone? The first time when I saw scones in a bakery shop and I pronounce as stone, but luckily my friend correct me is scone not stone. *embarrassed*

In high tea buffet, scone is one for the limelight item serve in a 3-tier stand. I have never try scone before until recently I bought one from four leaves bakery shop and have a taste. Hmm I find the taste is somehow dry, crumbly, not so flavorful and it will be better to serve with some whipped cream or jam. Is this what a scone suppose to be?

Anyway I bought a "Home Baking" book from popular and it come with a demo VCD for guide. The origin of the book is from Korean and the copy I bought is translated into mandarin chinese word from Taiwan. This is really a great book, is all about baking!

I used one of the recipe from the book and replace another ingredient to macadamia instead of chocolate chips. I still have remaining macadamia nuts to clear and no chocolate chips in my pantry.

 

I not sure is this how the texture suppose to be? Like what I mention earlier, dry and crumbly but with flavorful of cocoa aroma and chunky of macadamia nuts. I not sure if you will like this recipe, but I hope I can do a better one or I should have to try more confectioner scone and note down how is a good scone suppose to taste like.

 

Ingredient:

• 230gm plain flour
• 20gm cocoa powder
• 6gm baking powder
• 30gm sugar
• 50gm cold unsalted butter (Cut into small cubes)
• 1 egg yolk
• 110ml milk
• 2gm salt
• 80gm chocolate chips (I replace with macadamia nuts)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C.
2. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and sugar) together in a large bowl.
3. Using your finger and mix well with the cold butter and dry ingredients together.
4. In another bowl, combine the egg yolk, milk and salt together and mix well.
5. Using a spatula, mix step 4 and step 3 together until incorporated and add in the chocolate chips.
6. Wrap the dough with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
7. Use a cookies cutter and shape out the dough to 2 or 3cm in height.
8. Bake the scone for 25 minutes and leave to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Full House Cafe

I always pass by this cute little cafe many times during my bus trip to home but I have never notice it until I saw a promotion on a coupon website offering their set meal. The name of the restaurant did attract my attention and with the picture shown on the website would draw me to visit someday. And I did, I bought the set meal voucher and visit the cafe on a weekday afternoon with my friend.

Upon arrived at the ground floor, there are no server or attendant around so we hesitant a while and I move forward to open the door. Than one of the staff came out and told us the restaurant is located at level 2.

The first impress is wOw, the decoration is kind of special, it seem like I just stepped into someone house. There are sofa, bed, wardrobe, dressing table etc and even a small garden with fake bird inside and outside the cage.

I didn't feel like a odd person who using camera keep snapping away with those ornament because there are a few people doing that too. =p 

Luckily that day is not crowded at all plus the weather is raining heavily, it does make people stay away and be a couch potato.



Aglio Olio Spaghetti

 

Al-Funghi Spaghetti

 

Food wise, nothing to be amaze and crave about. My friend said the taste is like eating maggi noodle. lOl.. Both of the dish have lots of garlic and I'm lucky one as mine still have mushroom to pair with. My friend order only have lots of garlic, a few pieces dry tomatoes and spaghetti. I think I can cook a better one, even anybody can cook a better one too.

 

I don't think I will re-visit this cafe but is worth to visit for snapping picture away if you are a photogenic person. ;)

Fullhouse Cafe
9 Bras Basah Road#01-04 & #02-02/3
Singapore 189559 
Rendezvous Gallery 

Operating Hours:
Mondays to Sundays: 1130hrs to 1500hrs & 1730hrs to 2130hrs

 



Chocolate Chip with Oats Cookies

I have a very bad habit, I like to buy and buy baking ingredient and left it in the fridge and cabinet after using once or twice. Recently I realise that my oven and ingredient have been ignored, so I do a checking on the expiry date of the product than knew that I cannot keep any longer, the ingredient is going to said goodbye soon.

So of course not to waste, I look for recipe that can fully utilise my soon expiry ingredient. I found this awesome recipe from Happyhomebaking. I think this is the best oats cookies I have even make. It doesn't taste awful at all, as many people cannot accept oats due to the tasteless and dry texture. Chocolate play a very important role for this recipe, the combination of the chocolate with oats make the cookies taste sweet but not overly sweet and pair with the chunky of walnuts, perfect!

 

This is a must try recipe and I will keep this "must" re-bake again in my list. Thanks to happyhomebaking for sharing shall a awesome recipe. ^^

 

*Recipe source:

http://happyhomebaking.blogspot.sg/2010/05/can-you-bake-me-some-cookies.html

 

Ingredient:

·         90g butter, softened at room temperature

·         25g caster sugar

·         25g brown sugar

·         1 egg (weights about 60g with shell), lightly beaten

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·         ¼ teaspoon salt

·         100g plain flour

·         100g oatmeal or roll oats

·         50g walnuts, chopped

·         60g mini chocolate chips

 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 190°C. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
2. With a manual whisk, cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture turns pale and fluffy.
3. Dribble in the egg gradually. Mix well after each addition. Add in salt and vanilla extract, mix to incorporate into the batter.
4. Sift the flour over the batter, fold in with a spatula.
5. Add oatmeal, walnuts and mini chocolate chips. Mix well with the spatula.
6. Drop tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough onto the prepared baking tray. Leave some space between the cookies to allow for spreading.
7. Bake for 8~10 mins or until golden. If necessary, rotate the baking tray halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in air-tight containers.

 

PS Cafe

My friend had told me before she wanted to learn about cosmetic make-up. As always I will browse those online coupon website and happen by coincidence I saw one coupon offering basic make up lesson at $17, so I check with my friend if she interested and we can go together and learn more about make up technique.

And of course, she thrilled and wanted to go for the course. The course is located at International Plaza and after the lesson I decided to have our lunch at Ann Siang Hill. I didn't plan in advance which restaurant to visit.

Upon arrived, we walk around the area and see than decide. There are plenty choice of restaurant to go for and after 15 minutes of strolling, I choose to go PS Cafe.

This small little operation menu is place directly outside the main door wall and be aware that this outlet can admit adults and teenagers only. Families with children are not allow in this outlet only. Hmm is that cool or weird? ^.^"

See how sinful yummylicious the dessert is. The most attract my attention is the Double Chocolate Blackout w Ice Cream (at the left corner), see how tall is the cake, omg super sinful but I like.

 

 

 

Breakfast Sandwich (S$19)

I order a Breakfast Sandwich, there are fried egg with tomato, bacon and melted gruyere on toasted croissant & rocket salad. The sandwich taste pretty good but not really that overwhelming. I like the rocket salad more, it has the sour and sweet combination taste.

 

Strawberry Pancakes (S$23)

 

My friend order the strawberry pancakes and we share our meal together. Honestly, I would said McDonald makes better pancakes than PS. The pancakes is dry and tasteless, not fluffy at all. It's better to dip with the strawberry sauce given to finish it. Ohh and there are maple syrup but is just so little, I try not to pour too much as my friend want the syrup too. Overall we are not really that impress with the food but I truly like the almosphere and decoration.

PS Cafe @ A.S.H Park
45 Ann Siang Road, #02-02
Singapore 069719
Entrance via Ann Siang Hill Park

Operating Hours:
BRUNCH HOURS
SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
9.30A.M - 4.00P.M

LUNCH HOURS 
MON to FRI 12.00P.M - 4.00P.M

TEA HOURS

MON to FRI 3.30P.M - 6.00P.M
SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
4.00P.M - 6.00P.M

DINNER HOURS

EVERYDAY inc. PUBLIC HOLIDAY EVE

6.30P.M - 12.00A.M

BAR & DESSERT HOURS

MON to THU & SUN
5.00P.M - 12.30A.M
Last bar orders 11.30P.M
FRI, SAT & PUBLIC HOLIDAY EVE
5.00P.M - 2.00A.M

Tel: 6222 3143
 

Bangkok Trip - 18 to 22 Oct 2012

Bangkok Airport

My first trip to Bangkok that was 7 year ago (Year 2005). That was travelling with my family member. 7 year later I decided to visit the most populous and enjoyable city again as I saw the promotion on those coupon website. I'm lucky that one of my friend also interested to travel with me.

It is really a good steal but the weird timing given for the flight has already wasted half of the day. Our departure from Singapore to Bangkok is 1335hr and Bangkok to Singapore is 1145hrs. Although the journey of the flight is only 2 hours but by the time we reach there is close to evening and on the last day we need to leave the hotel by 8am.

So we decide to extend the stay for 5 days 4 nights. We took Cathay Pacific flight. This is my first time took a non-budget airline. Indeed there is a different, the space is a little bit more spacious, free magazine for individual, tv program to choose and watch and meal are included. I truly enjoy travelling with CP ^.^

Tall boss chair

We choose Baiyoke Boutique Hotel. We stay at level 09-27 and the room cleanliness should be improve. There are baby cockroach in the bathroom and dressing table. Lots of ants busy moving around on the shelf and dressing table as well. This is my first time seen such a filthy hotel room.

Other than that, I like the staff service. They are rather polite and helpful, there is always a smile on their face and most of the time they will open the door when you enter the hotel.

Our stay is just right beside the Bangkok's tallest hotel (Baiyoke Sky Hotel) and out of the street there are plenty of rows and rows of shops selling clothes, pants, shirts, dress and accessory etc. Similar like Bugis Street and walking straight down will be able to see the Platinum Fashion Mall.

View of the restaurant @ level 82

 

International Buffet (690 baht)

We had our first day dinner at Baiyoke Sky Hotel and we choose the international buffet at level 82. You can get to view the roof top scenery for free if you choose to dine at the restaurant if not there is a fee to enter the roof top to view the scenery.

Open-air roof top view

 

This will spin around, not very slow nor fast speed and get to see the awesome scenery. Actually we didn't know there is a open-air roof top. When I was walking around at level 83 and I saw people walking up the stair so I'm curious and follow and found this gem place.

Over-head bridges to cross over to platinum fashion mall

The traffic there seem to jam everyday from morning to evening, especially the town area.

Let's have a hug "P & S"

Breakfast - Sunny flower egg

 

My package included free daily breakfast. Breakfast located at level 10, the place and decoration look elegant. There are beautiful sofa and balcony to see the morning view. Train station just right beside the hotel but have no idea which station is this.

 

We have a complimentary half day tour to the temple and jewellery factory. I still remember my tour guide name Jimmy, so far he is the best tour guide I have ever met. He's a very polite, patience and cheerful tour guide. He would consistency remind as to be careful of pickpocket and don't get cheated by the road side store seller who trying to make up steep price and con the tourist.

 

Joint Stick and Flower (20 baht)

On the way to Thao Maha Brahma Temple. Get the joint stick and flower inside the temple instead of buying from the road side. Jimmy told us recently there are tourism get con by the road side seller, selling in a demand price. That's horrible.

四面佛

After done the praying, I saw some of the local people bought the cute little bird and release them from the small cage.

Next stop, we went to the Traimit Witthayararam Temple. The Sukhotthai Traimit Golden Buddha is made of pure gold. Jimmy told us, he as a Thai is really proud of having the Golden Buddha in his country.

Golden Buddha

Temple Ceiling (Beautiful, I like the ceiling)

 

 

Temple Exterior

After visiting the temple, our last stop visit is jewellery factory and I'm not interested at all. There are lots and lots of tourist people, including us. They lead us to a small theater room and play video about how jewelley is made from stretch to exquisite products. After the video, they will lead us to a shown room where all the workers live demo show how jewellery are form. I just curious does the worker feel awkward and stress if the tourist people keep eyeing them while they are working on such a tedious task. Hmm...

After visiting the demo show, the final destination is to the jewellery shop but I skip away and resting in the lounge room while waiting for my friend. After that we told Jimmy to arrange and send us back to the hotel (btw is the driver send us back). 

By the time we reach hotel is already close to 1.30pm. So we had our lunch at McDonald because I want to try their Samurai Pork Burger. Yes, pork because I have never try McDonald pork burger before. I'm so thrilled when I saw that in the menu board. Without hesitation, immediately I knew what I want to order. In fact the taste is not that scrumptious but I'm still happy who finally get to try it.

Samurai Pork Burger Set Meal (127 Baht)

I requested for sweet and sour sauce but was given the plum sauce, actually the taste are similar though. Btw there is a charges for the plum sauce at 5 or 10 baht (can't remember the exact price). For the ketchup and chilly sauce is FOC and there are two type of ketchup for choices.

After filling up our tummy, we took a cab to Terminal 21 Shopping Mall. This shopping mall just turn one-year-old, it was opened in last year October. The mall is huge and in every level has a different concept, such as Caribbean, Rome, Tokyo, etc. It is fun to visit every level especially the toilet.

Caribbean @ LG Floor

 





 Caribbean theme - Toilet
 

Caribbean theme - Toilet

 

Caribbean theme - Toilet

 

I saw one of my flavour bread shop, Yamazaki group one of the franchise shop. My flavour Mochi Mochi sesame bread can be found at there too! The size is triple than the one we saw in S'pore and it only cost 15 baht if I didn't remember wrongly.

 Some of the dessert shop found @ LG Floor

 

Sumo & 招财猫 @ 1st Floor Tokyo

 

2nd Floor - London

  

2nd Floor - London

 

2nd Floor - London

 

3rd Floor - Istanbul

 

Our legs and hands started to protest after walking almost half of the day. So in order to comfort our body and soul, we visit the massage service at Urban Retreat.

Urban Retreat @ Asoke Branch

 

Urban Retreat @ Asoke Branch

 

Urban Retreat is located just opposite of terminal 21 mall. We are so lucky there are slot for us because we did not make any appointment for the massage on a friday close to evening. I choose the head and shoulder massage and my friend choose the thai massage.

I find the service is really good, the massage therapist will ask you is the strength enough or is it pain and you can always see the smile on their face. I'm really impress how the service of Thai has change, it remind me of Taiwan. Our body feel so relax and shiok after the massage and we agree to come back again on sunday for two hours massage. ^^

Tom Yum Soup (80 Baht) and Fried Rice (55 Baht)

We went to MBK after the massage and had our dinner at the food court. Both the dish is kind of disappointed. The soup is mild spicy, not sour enough and somehow has a kind of very rich taste. Only lots of prawn and fishcake in the soup, no sotong or real fish meat given. As for the fried rice is too wet and there are only prawns. Thumb down.

Papaya Salad

My friend bought the papaya salad and we are suppose to share but when I just try a few stalk of the papaya, I immediately throw out from my mouth. I don't know how to discribe the taste, the sauce just not my liking. At first I didn't saw the raw crab but after my friend toss the salad and I was shock to see a whole RAW crab. I nearly fainted (joking) and I didn't want to try a second portion at all. My friend manage to finish 3/4 portion but not the crab. *give a big clap for her*

BTS - Asoke Station

The next morning we went to Jatujak market (Chatuchak Market). We leave our hotel around 7.30am and reach there about 8.30am by taxi and there are quite a few shop already started their business.

The place is really huge, there are plenty of stuff to be spoil such as clothing & accessories, furniture decoration stuff, cooking utensil, bakeware & cookware (one of my flavour!), handicrafts & ceramics, plants and even pets. How I wish I can buy more of the bakeware item back but the weight is a problem for me and mostly the one that I eye are make of glass.

 Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak Market

Chatuchak Market

 

 

  Chatuchak Market

This store is crowded with patron, seem like the food must be yummy but I didn't try any from this store.
 

Coconut Ice-Cream (20 Baht)

 

There are lots of ingredient given such as glutinous rice, jelly, peanut, real coconut fresh, one scoop of coconut ice cream and coconut juice. This really help to cool down at such a hot weather day.
 

My friend order a bowl of fish ball noodle soup (40 baht) and papaya salad (50 baht). I order the chicken and pork stick (10 baht each) and pad thai noodle (70 baht).

Both the chicken and pork stick are well marinade and big chunky of meat are given but I vote for the pork stick because the meat is more tender. This is the best pad thai noodle I had eaten on the past 5 days in thailand. In S'pore I can find more scrumptious pad thai noodle, that's why I have a higher expectation to find a good ptn in thailand.

After shopping and makan at Chatuchak, our next target is to Amphawa Floating Market (ตลาดน้ำอัมพวา). This is a night market and they open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I went to the web and research to check if there is any BTS, train or bus to reach but I wouldn't find any and mostly the people suggest to take a taxi to there because the journey is pretty far away from the city.

I did check with Jimmy, approximately how much it cost to take the taxi to amphawa and back to hotel (2-way flow) and he told me about 2500 baht. Okay, so on the day when I had my buffet at Baiyoke Sky Hotel, I saw one tour agency at a corner with table and brochure so I approach and check the price, she offer 3500 baht. Of course I didn't want and on the way back to my hotel, I saw my hotel has the same tour agency at a corner with table and brochure, again I ask, he use a calculator and press 2000 baht and than I press 1800 baht to him. At that moment he didn't refuse and yet staring at the calculator for a few minutes and I keep pester him to negotiate the price and in the end he AGREE at 1800 BAHT. I was so thrilled because so far this is the cheapest I had found. Immediately we agree too and make the payment to him.

Is still consider expensive to me because there are only me and my friend to share the taxi fare, if there are more people the share will be lesser. The mini van can accommodate 10 people including the driver and there are only 3 of us during that journey to Amphawa. Isn't a waste. Anyway the journey take about 2.5hr to there due to the traffic jam.

There is something precious note I would like to share with everyone. Continue from the amphawa journey. So that day we board the mini van to the amphawa and after 2 hours we saw a big banner written something like welcome to the floating market and I thought that finally we reached the place but is not at all. Upon arrived, there is a friendly guy approach us and ask do you want to visit the toilet first. On the way to the toilet, my friend ask me where is the floating market how come there are nothing at all. Ya truth I only saw road, car, forest and no floating market. So after the toilet break, that guy offer us a seat and telling us the package of the boat from here to the floating market and blah blah blah. Straight away I ask him, how much is per person. Guess what!? 2000 baht per person! This is terrible and horrible, this vampire trying to sucks tourist money. I got a shock at that moment, I said to him so expensive and he trying to cover the negative side of it and telling us the grandmother story and I told him I want to speak to my driver and he said go ahead. So I walk back and look for my driver and told him this is to expensive, no way I will take the boat ride, can u drive me directly to the floating market. That guy trying to bluff me and said there are no ways to reach there by car, you must take our boat to reach the floating market. I said no, I read up on the web there are people reach there without any boat riding at all. Again, he said no, the information you got is incorrect. I told him don't you trying to bluff me and than immediately he change the story. He said, it will be difficult for your driver to wait for you over there because parking are not allow at amphawa but here is different, if you take our boat ride your driver can park the car over here and wait for your return. A full of crap, he's trying to cover the lied.

That guy did not give up and ask me how much u can offer, so I was thinking a while and said 500 baht and his face turn exaggerated with a no, not possible. We keep negotiate the price but he refuse to offer at 500 baht and keep pester me to take the boat ride. I just refuse and telling him very firmly that I'm only able to afford at 500 baht if not I will not take the boat ride.

*Luckily I met a good driver, he did not pursue me to take the boat ride and keep a smiling face and said it's alright. Let's get back to the van.

So we return back to the van and he refuse to leave and keep pester me again and again, I got so angry and told him please I don't want to waste your time (actually is my time but I don't want to offend him) and let us go. Than he said okay I offer the price at 700 baht and again I refuse and told me I will only give at 500 baht, no more than that and I turn my face around and do not want to talk to him anymore. He started to piss off too and he knew I not going to give in and finally he give up and close the door. FINALLY! So my driver drive us directly to the amphawa floating market, it can be reach without any boat ride at all. So people please be careful with all this con man, don't give in so easily and I glad that I even save up my 500 baht.

After alight the place, my driver gave us his name card and told us to give him a call after we are done. So we walk around the places, taking photo and buy street food. While walking to the end, I saw one boat service store, I was curious how much is the ride, I ask the man is this boat going to see the firefly and he said yes so I ask how much. Guess........... only 60 baht per person for 1hr.

The actual ride took about 1hr 45min. The boat rider really generous to spend the time longer for us to see the firefly, he will slow down the ride and let us enjoy viewing the firefly while some other boat rider speed super fast and gone with a blink. This is super worth it, my first time see real firefly in a natural environment and is pretty close to us. I really thanks GOD that I didn't took the vampire sucker boat.

Upon arrived at Amphawa

 

Amphawa Floating Market

 

Those are the speeding boat that we took and watch the firefly. You can see those small boats stationary at the side of the river bank selling their cook food.

 

Amphawa Floating Market

 

Amphawa Floating Market
 

Post-Card Shop

 

We past by a post card shop and my friend bought one and mail over to herself. So cute of her, I didn't join in and I feel so regretted now why I didn't buy one of the post card too and mail over to Singapore too. Maybe next year if I change upon this place again.

 

Plenty of post card to choose

 

Different kind of stamp chop provided

Photo Frames

Local Lottery

  

(20 Baht)

No idea what is the name of this purple snacks, it come with two shape. One in circle is more chewy and soft, de other is in rectangular shape is more crispy and taste nicer.

Bamboo white and purple Glutinous Rice

I was walking and looking around and I saw this stall full of bamboo on the table, out of my curiosity I walk forward and have a clearer look. Oh is a glutinous rice, stuff in a bamboo stick, that is interesting so I bought one and try. It doesn't have much taste, is just a glutinous rice.

Corn, Pandan and Coconut (25 Baht)

Same I have no idea what is the name of this snack. It come with 3 different flavour, Corn, Pandan & Coconut. This snack surely make you full after munch down 3. The seller warn me the snack is hot and it's truth, even after 5 to 10 minute it still piping hot. This snack is chewy, super chewy and a bit of sweeten add to it. Overall taste good, I like this snack.

Some of the street food we saw but didn't try, if there are more people to travel together than I might be able to try a little here and there. =p

On the boat, heading to see the firefly. I didn't manage to take the photo of the firefly because it is too dark and it can't be capture by camera, it can only capture by your eyes to see and feel it on the spot. What a wonderful experience.

Porkball Noodle Soup

After the boat ride, we decided to share a bowl of noodle since we didn't have a proper meal yet as we keep munching snack. The mini porkball are super bouncy and I have never taste such a bouncy meatball before. The soup give a clear and refreshing taste and noodle are soft and silky. Good choice, I forgot to note down the price but I remember is really damn cheap.

Next morning our plan is shopping and massage so we shop and walk around near our hotel area for morning breakfast.



There are bees surrounding this pushcarts drink store, maybe of the sweet honey that attract the bees. The old granny not afraid of the bees at all. I didn't dare to stand near, afraid the bees might stung me. Hahaha!
 

 Bake Banana

 

 

Mixed Rice (40 Baht)

My friend order this bowl of mixed rice with bamboo shoot and preserved vegetable (梅菜). Both of the dish are extremely spicy. I only took 2 stick of the bamboo shoot and my palate is like burning hot. Even my friend can take spicy food also agree and both of us didn't finish at all.
 

   Hotdog Waffle (20 Baht)

This ordinary hotdog waffle is so tasty. Crispy batter with succulent hotdog. Yummy! Did you notice the waffle has a web shape? The seller make an effort to style the food with a attractive presentation. Good job!
 

Central World Shopping Mall
 

Enoki Pork Roll (80 Baht)

 

 

Japanese Green Tea (27 Baht)

 

 

Saba Steak Set (250 Baht) & Salmon Teriyaki Set (220 Baht)

We had our dinner at Fuji Japanese restaurant before we proceed for the massage again. It can be easily locate at Terminal 21 at level 4F. Enoki pork roll, pork is tender and coated with a layer of crispy bread crumbs. I order the Salmon set, I can taste the freshness of the fish and it goes well with the marinate sauce.

Enjoyable days pass really fast, it's the last day of the trip at Bangkok. We decided to skip the free breakfast in the hotel and enjoy local breakfast for the last day.
 

Mixed Pork Noodle Soup

 

I'm so happy to saw pig blood but actually is chicken blood, anyway I cannot different shape the taste. Hee.. I like the texture of the blood, it doesn't have much taste nor strong-smelling (腥味). The soup taste similar to the bak kut teh (肉骨茶).
 

Fried Bread Stick - 油條

 

Mini 油條 (you tiao) that I have never seen before. Usually the one I saw is in big long shape. This is the best you tiao, crispy on the outside and yet the dough is so soft in the inner. Must dip the you tiao into the pork soup and eat together equal best combination. I miss the you tiao now, right now. =(

 

That's the end of the trip at Bangkok. Planning to be back next year, maybe with my parent and my sister. I told my mum of the places I went and she got tempted, asking me to plan and go together on next year. I miss Bangkok, see you next year. =D