If you’ve read my day trip to Suwon post you’ll know I have a soft spot for quick getaways from popular city destinations. In this instance my wife and I was searching for a day trip from Osaka which we were based for this recent visit to Japan’s Kansai region.
Except this post it’ll be a lot shorter. Which is why I titled this post “A Short Day Trip to Wakayama City in Japan” and here’s the reason why.
Because in early December, the sun goes down around 4pm in southern Japan. With dusk rolling in so early it’s not too easy to take those spiffy and awesome super helpful photos you typically see on my travel posts.
But Seriously…
Wakayama City is the capital of Wakayama prefecture. There are about 350,000 inhabitants, so yeah it’s going to be a quiet place. It’s a coastal city with the Kino River running across central Wakayama. I read there’s a nice little seaside town on the coast but will have to visit that the next time around.
On this visit I was south of the Kino River because I only had enough time to visit Wakayama Castle. What can I say I’ve got a thing for castles because I used to play Dungeons and Dragons a lot when I was younger.
I arrived into JR Wakayama station around 1:30pm. I had planned to take my wife to a special ramen restaurant in the city.
The sky was overcast already and looked a bit gloomy. This was a bit of foreshadowing as you’ll see why later.
My wife and I were determined to seek out a popular ramen restaurant I read about on this CNN article. She’s an absolute Japanese ramen fanatic. And I’m out to earn some serious brownie points to impress her. It’s one of the why reasons you should visit Wakayama City if you truly love to search out popular ramen restaurants in Japan.
The Build Up
Ide Shoten is what I’m talking about. Apparently Ide Shoten became a super popular ramen joint after getting showcased on Japanese TV show. Check out the video below.
Looks amazing right!? I mean look at that those delish ramen noodles. And the big portions. Look at the juicy succulent sliced pork!
I’d earn myself enough brownie points from my wife to screw up for a entire whole year!
The “Bone Headed” Traveler
That should be the title of my blog. Did you know Ide Shoten closes on Thursdays? You might’ve noticed when you took a look at that CNN article. But I didn’t. And guess what day I showed up?
On a f***in’ Thursday!
But it’s alright my wife was cool about it. It’s not like it’s the last time we’ll ever visit Japan. And it’s certainly not the last time I’ll ever make stupid mistakes. Ide Shoten, I’ll be back.
“Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #103: If you want to impress your better half with a nice restaurant be damned sure it’s open the day you plan to go”
Sarashina Honten – A Gem of a Find in Wakayama
Sarashina Honten is located about a 10 minute walk from the main entrance of JR Wakayama Station on Keyaki Odori Street…
We were getting hungry and after 30 minutes but what seems like an eternity of indecision and wandering around looking for a decent restaurant near JR Wakayama station we stumbled upon Sarashina Honten.
Now I can’t pinpoint exactly what Sarashina means. So if any of you fine readers out there that can tell me what it means I’d greatly appreciate it. But I found that “honten” 本店 means main restaurant.
Fake plastic food displays are truly unique to Japan…
There’s no other info on this restaurant save for what I found during a google map area search. It’s one of those utility Japanese restaurants with plastic fake food (Shokuhin Sampuru/食品サンプル) displayed outside of the window. But there’s no order ticketing machines where you’d put money in and punch out a ticket with your order on it.
Every self respecting eatery in Japan will have these uniquely Japanese styled displays…
The restaurant from the outside looked old and worn. Even the fake food samples looked faded and discolored. And no ticket menu vending machines in sight, my instincts told me one thing. Sarashina Honten is an old styled Japanese restaurant with old style charm. And my instincts were correct. Because to me, all the above are good signs.
Going in we were greeted and seated by a very nice lady. She could tell we were not locals. Being a small city this is definitely the kind of restaurant where you’d see regular faces frequently the same hours during the same days.
She gave us our menus in between servicing a few other tables of what looked like the late lunch crowd. Of course there are no English menus but there are picture menus and those were helpful enough. And if needed you can always lead the waitress outside and point to the display of fake foods outside.
While waiting for our lunch I could see into the open kitchen and saw what is most likely a family run operation. There were a couple of older aunties chopping and slicing ingredients. An older gentlemen on the opposite side frying something delicious. And a younger gentleman stirring some pots and plating orders.
These are the types of restaurants I love and get excited about. If I lived in Wakayama I would be one of those familiar faces that showed up the same hour during the same days.
Isn’t that the biggest pork tonkatsu you’ve ever seen?…
My wife picked out Oyakodon (chicken and egg bowl) 親子丼 for 600¥ from the menu. I ordered the 900¥ Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) 豚カツ which came with a bowl of rice, miso soup and a small dish of pickled vegetables.
My wife’s food came first and I got my tonkatsu a few minutes later. My eyes nearly popped out when I saw the size of it. This tonkatsu could feed two but no way was I going to share. Good thing all the walking made me work up an appetite.
“Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #219: In Japan, photos on food menus may look larger than they appear.”
The actual pork was flattened so the meat was really tender. And the brown sauce on top was tangy and heaven. The rice, the miso soup, the faced sized tonkatsu for 900¥ and the friendly hard working family. I simply fell in love with this restaurant.
If you’re reading this I highly recommend having a meal at Sarashina Honten. But I have to add, like many restaurants in Japan that smoking is allowed in Sarashina Honten. Just wanted to put that out there.
Cross this river on Keyaki Odori Street and your halfway between JR Wakayama Station and Wakayama Castle…
After saying good bye to our friendly waitress and the entire family in the kitchen my wife and I headed off in search of Wakayama Castle. It was about 2:30pm and with the overcast clouds there wasn’t much light and we were worried a little about rain.
How to Get to Wakayama Castle from JR Wakayama Station
This is the main entrance of JR Wakayama Station. The bus stop is outside of the main entrance…
On Foot – The good old fashioned way of walking from JR Wakayama Station to Wakayama Castle is a short 1.6km leisure walk. We did the walk to Wakayama Castle from the train station after stopping over to have lunch at Sarashina Honten.
On Bus – Like any other city in Japan, Wakayama has a good public bus system. You’ll find a bus stop right in front of the main entrance of JR Wakayama Station. The adult bus fare is 230¥. You can get coin change in the bus but best to carry exact change. The bus ride takes 5 minutes and stops right in front of the castle.
Wakayama Castle -This was taken outside of the castle grounds. There will be an incline to get up…
I’ve read reviews about Wakayama Castle elsewhere and some comments says it’s too small and perhaps not worth the trip. That it’s not that impressive or breath taking as Himeji Castle or Osaka Castle and so on.
To me that’s like saying every car is the same cause it’s got an engine and because it gets you from point A to point B.
Every castle has it’s own personality, it’s own spirit and perhaps even a soul. Even if Wakayama Castle was completely rebuilt in the 1950’s after being destroyed in WWII the grounds itself are historic.
Inside Wakayama Castel keep…
Here’s What’s Unique About Wakayama Castle
Entrance fee is 410¥ for adults and 200¥ for elementary and middle school students. Cheaper than Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle.
There’s a Ninja near the ticket booth. Really there is. You can ask to take photos with him but I couldn’t at the time as he was busy with another tour group.
There’s no huge tour groups! I mean there are visitors here and there but it’s not the same quantity as Osaka and Himeji. It’s like having an entire medieval Japanese castle to yourself.
Outside the castle grounds is a small zoo with free entrance. It’s not a large zoo but hey, it’s free!
Okay, you got me. Maybe I’m stretching this a bit. Just go to Wakayama Castle. I think you’ll like it. There’s a nice little garden with a pond in the back that’s super popular during cherry blossom season. Inside the castle grounds are 600 cherry trees and from late March to early April they all bloom. I’ll mark my calendar for that next year.
The castle is a museum so of course it’s going to have medieval armor and weapons on display. There’s also info about the city as well and how it grew and prospered through time. But, it’s all in Japanese.
And a few things worth mentioning. A lot of the museum displays and information are only in Japanese. After checking around I found out there are no guided tours. I guess because it’s a smaller castle there was no need to fund guided castle and grounds tours for visitors.
You get a 360 degree view of Wakayama City on top of the castle…
One thing I missed out on in Wakayama Castle is a bridge that connects two key areas. This bridge is special because it has wooden walls to conceal the lords and ladies as they moved around. I’ve seen photos of it after doing some research for this post.
A sign board map of Wakayama Castle near the entrance…
I missed it because it was getting dark already around 4pm. So the next time, I’ll be sure to arrive at the castle earlier.
I’ve always said I’m a piss poor planner. But I really don’t mind missing out on points of interest. Because it gives me an excuse to go back. And that’s really the part of the reason why I don’t pre-plan my trips. I can tell you I get lost a lot. Even for me that’s fun.
Because there are lots of reasons why you should visit Wakayama City so I’ll definitely go back and discover more reasons to.
The Best Eats in Kuala Lumpur Are Served on Plastic Bowls and Metal Trays…
Being based in Bangkok, Thailand with so many countries and cities I can choose to visit frequently, here are some reasons why I chose Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia as the place I go time and time again.
Many murals located all around KL…
Because Kuala Lumpur always has a special place in my heart. The history, the culture and the food combined together creating one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.
Where else in the world can a guy like me with a big appetite get authentic Chinese, Indian, Arabic and of course Malay cuisine in one location. And sure, inevitably foods will get crossed and the result is simply magic.
I haven’t been to the country of India yet. I haven’t even really had the chance to explore China yet either. Coming to Malaysia gives me a taste of both. The best of both worlds.
A good photographer friend and I came across this wedding at an Hindu temple…
Chinese, Malays and Indians generally get along living together and praying together not far off from each other. And it all began in the 1800’s when the tin mining industry boomed and hordes of workers were needed to work the mines and then some for sustaining the booming population.
It is common to find Hindu Temples within short walking distance to Chinese Temples. Where ever there are devout worshippers their are hungry stomachs.
This Chinese temple is just right across the street from a Hindu temple near Jalan Petaling Street…
The Food – It’s What Pulls Me Back To Kuala Lumpur Every Year
I know this is going to sound really crazy. Okay maybe not. If you ask me why I travel to KL every year multiple times my answer is for the food.
It’s that simple. When I tell the local Malays that I love their food their eyes light up. Because they know first hand what I’m talking about. Like a secret hand shake into a secret club. They too share the sentiment, that the food of Malaysia is a national treasure.
Delicious options at a Nasi Kandar style restaurant in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur…
But there’s one particular food that I enjoy. And one style of restaurants that I enjoy very much serving what I love. And that’s Nasi Kandar.
Intro to Nasi Kandar
This style of restaurant has its origins from South India which is why you will find a heavy Indian influence which is what I like and enjoy so much. Curries are what I love so much! More about Nasi Kandar below.
These types of eateries remind me of the local pizzerias back in the old days of New York City. It’s where you go to grab some quick bites and chill with friends.
Nasi Kandars are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The young, the old and everyone aged between can be seen sitting around, having their meals and conversing with friends. Smoking in Nasi Kandars is allowed but because there are no windows and plenty of oscillating fans I’ve never been inundated with second hand cancer smoke.
Now if you want me to put a finger on what I like to eat the most at my favorite Nasi Kandar joint I’ll let you know. It’s something that I can’t get enough of and something I eat every single morning and dream about every night before I go to bed in KL.
Roti Canai and Chicken Curry
My breakfast in KL, every morning. The quintessential roti canai (2 pieces) with a bit of curry chicken and hot teh halia (hot ginger tea with milk)…
I pride myself to be a simple man with simple tastes with a huge appetite.
Some times I stay in KL up to a full week. For my entire stay for breakfast I eat roti canai, curry chicken and hot ginger tea with milk. Even the waiter recognizes me. As soon as I park my ass on a chair all I have to say is “the usual please” and a nod from the waiter is the confirmation I needed to know that in a few minutes something yummy is coming to fill my tummy.
Roti is a simple unleavened flat bread and popular for breakfast choice for the locals that typically eat it with lentil curry called dahl.
What’s the secret ingredient in Roti? It’s the copious amounts of ghee, an Indian clarified butter and lots of it is used to make roti. And I prefer my order of roti canai with delicious curry chicken.
The combination is amazing. The roti when freshly made is so soft, fluffy and chewy at the same time. The ghee is the real key. Chicken for some protein and curry spice combined with the warm roti is a dream combination.
Been eating at this restaurant in Bukit Bintang since the first day I visited KL ages ago…
You can find roti canai and curry chicken all over Malaysia but I always go to Restoran Arraaziq located in the heart of Bukit Bintang for breakfast.
The Basics of Nasi Kandar Restaurants in Malaysia
Nasi Kandars are all over KL open 24 hours serving food and tea to the hungry masses…
Nasi Kandars are the greasy spoon dives where you’ll find construction and office workers eating together at any time of the day since they open 24 hours.
Rice dishes at Nasi Kandars cost about 10RM to 15RM depending on how much foods on your plate. Rotis with some curry chicken and a tea beverage will set you back about 10RM.
I’m going to safely assume that Nasi Kandars are cheaper as you head further out of KL central.
So as you can see, if you want cheap but oh so good eats go to a Nasi Kandar. The portions are generous and the price is very affordable. Like I mentioned already these restaurants are built for the working class.
Nasi means rice and Kandar means balance. Back in the days street hawkers used poles balanced on their shoulders with buckets of rice on one end and on the other end an assortment of meats and curry sauces. They served the local population of the time that helped build the city if not Malaysia.
Rice biryani with fried chicken, sautéed vegetables and some curry sauce…
Dining at a Nasi Kandar might be intimidating at first. But down to its basic core it is simply a fast food restaurant. There might not be menu boards with prices but most of the restaurants I’ve been to have menus with English.
Cleanliness could be a concern while dining at these greasy spoons. Most of the foods are cooked ahead of time and not heated throughout the day. Because of the Malaysian weather food won’t get too cold and stays room temp for most of the day.
However, most Nasi Kandar restaurants have microwaves. I’ve eaten at a lot of Nasi Kandar restaurants all around the KL area and I’ve never been sick once.
Nasi Kandar restaurants are great for fast foods 24 hours a day…
Never seen rodents or roaches at a Nasi Kandar. Oddly enough not even flies. I’m in KL mostly around August, November and February. I’m sure there are pests like most major cities around the world have but perhaps these restaurants are really good at keeping them at bay.
But if cleanliness is really your concern you can head over to Pavillion Mall’s food court in the basement level. Look for Food Republic. Food will cost more but it’s a clean place to enjoy this type of food.
I’ve never been sick eating at a Nasi Kandar but if you’re worried about the squirts, then try the food court at Pavillion Mall for a safer setting…
Ordering and Paying for Your Food at a Nasi Kandar
In essence when it comes to dining at Nasi Kandar, if you’re going for the rice dishes you either order it at counter where you pick what you want and a server scoops it up for you.
Or you scoop up your own food typically starting with the rice first. Confused? I thought so. But it’s not complicated. See the photo below.
If you see an open area like this at a Nasi Kandar this means self service…
If it’s an open area like the photo pictured above then you can go and scoop up your own portions. It’s all self serve. Notice the microwave on the top left corner. Make use of it if you’re scared of getting sick and squirting out from both ends, while huddling on the floor in the fetus position of your hotel room.
There are waiters who will gladly assist in case you don’t know what’s what. But usually, it’s chicken, beef, mutton and fish on the bottom shelves. There’s no pork as these restaurants have Muslim roots. The servers will also help you chop up fried chicken for easy eating.
Vegetables are all on the top shelf. Just in case some strict vegetarian will complain that the meats are fouling the veggies. You all know who you are.
At Arraaziq rice dishes is not self service but they usually give a lot on a plate…
Once you get the hang of self serve you’ll be fine like you’re at a buffet. How much to scoop? That’s up to you but I can honestly tell you be generous to yourself because from what I see the locals seem to pile stuff on their plates like there’s no tomorrow.
It goes with out saying don’t be a jack ass and fill your plate with so much food you can’t finish. And it’s obvious the waiters will charge more per plate if they see you piling up a storm of food on your plate.
Once you sit down with your plate of food a server will ask if you want anything to drink. Sodas, teas, water, smoothies you name it they’ve got it. Once your drink is brought to you a waiter usually writes down the price of your food on a receipt and tucks it under your drink cup or plate.
Now there’s more foods served in Nasi Kandars then simply rice, curries and roti. They also have a mix of Malay and Chinese foods also that are cooked to order so you can order it from their menus.
Most Nasi Kandar restaurants give out hand written checks. Some give out magnetized cards with the amount you owe. This is a bill for buttered naan, tandoori chicken and hot ginger tea with milk…
You can eat with your hands like the locals mainly do. Or you can eat with the forks and spoons provided on the table. For the rice dishes and also the roti canai I use fork and spoons. If you want to go native, all Nasi Kandars have wash basins to clean your hands.
Nasi Kandars are also great restaurants to indulge in naan and tandoori chicken. They serve buttered, garlic, cheese and of course plain naan. And the tandoori chickens are heated right up to order.
Chewy buttered naan with tandoori style chicken…
Okay so I could be considered one sick individual. Just like I eat roti canai with chicken curry every morning I eat buttered naan with tandoori chicken just about every night. And don’t forget the hot ginger tea with milk to wash it all down. Can you blame me? It’s so good. But so bad for my waistline.
The cost, 11.80RM for all 3 items or about $3US bucks. Here’s another dirty little secret. Although the portions are quite generous, if one night I am particularly hungry I’ll head to another Nasi Kandar just a short distance from this one and order another set of naan and tandoori chicken.
Just take your bill up to the cash register to pay, it’s as simple as that. No need to tip the servers…
So, pretty much all Nasi Kandar serve the same stuff but for myself some very good naan and tandoori chicken can be found at Restoran Mohamed Nazar Curry House in Bukit Bintang.
The Other Options…
And there are so many. I just touched on the tip of the iceberg on Malaysia’s food culture. But to keep this post short I recommend trying out Chilli Pan Mee which I wrote about here.
If you’re short on time and you don’t want to run around like a headless chicken in search of some good eats in Kuala Lumpur than might I suggest heading over to the Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang.
The Lot 10 Malls Hutong Food Court is a must visit for all the best KL has to offer in one clean eating area…
I’ve eaten in some fancy restaurants in my life time. And I can tell you if I played the “Last Meal Game” I wouldn’t say it would be had at a fine wine and dine restaurant with expensive porcelain plates and silver ware.
I would choose to have my last meal where the food is served on cheap plastic bowls and large prison issued aluminum trays.
Eating at a Nasi Kandar – To Sum it All Up
Nasi Kandar meny prices range from very cheap to cheap. Rice dishes cost about 10RM with a meat and vegetable side. The most I spend is about 15RM and I’m a big eater.
Because this is Malaysia English is spoken. Not all wait staff can speak it but some one working inside will be able to communicate with you.
For Nasi (rice dishes) go choose your own selection. Find an empty chair and sit.
Forks, spoons and tissue are provided especially when they know you’re a tourist.
A waiter will come for drink order. Once drink is delivered to you a total will be written down and handed to you. If it’s a magnetic card your total is stored in the card. Don’t lose the hand written bill or the card.
To pay, go straight for the cashier, you’ll usually see a sign or simply a cash register. It’s typically cash only.
There’s no need to tip at Nasi Kandar restaurants. Unless you really really want to.
I came across my first ever bowl of Chilli Pan Mee when I went on a “Shutter Therapy” with Robin Wong. That was a few years ago. Since then I have made it a mission to get myself a nice bowl of traditional Malaysian Chilli Pan Mee in Kuala Lumpur whenever I’m there.
Chilli Pan Mee is a real working persons meal. It’s got carbs and protein all in a bowl. The eggless flour noodles are thick, yummy and filling. It’s got crunch from fried anchovies. Some extra savory tastes from the fried shallots and seasoned minced beef.
And depending on which restaurant you go or which area you’re in; Chilli Pan Mee is one of the cheapest meals in Kuala Lumpur.
This bowl of homemade spice is what makes Chilli Pan Mee so special…
But the real kicker on any proper Chilli Pan Mee is the nice poached egg. Wait, I take it back. The real kicker is actually the homemade chilli!
For me this kind of chilli is spicy, but not fiery spicy. You can add 3 or 4 heaping tablespoons and you’ll get that enjoyable heat. But it won’t burn your mouth to the point your eyes start watering and your nose becomes super runny.
You mix everything up with your chopsticks and spoon together and enjoy!
There are many Chilli Pan Mee restaurants all over KL. And my friend Robin showed me a restaurant located in Chow Kit called Restoran Kin Kin.
Restoran Kin Kin is a dive restaurant that is popular with local Malays…
Restoran Kin Kin in Chow Kit
Address: 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
There are plenty of famous Chilli Pan Mee restaurants all over KL. Restoran Kin Kin in Kuala Lumpur’s Chow Kit neighborhood is one of them. And this was actually the first restaurant I ever had my first bowl.
Afterwards I’ve tried several other places on my own. Many places came close to Restoran Kin Kin’s style. But it could never replace it.
Restoran Kin Kin is also very easy to find. You can get there by taking the KL Monorail to Medan Tuanku Station. The immediate area surrounding the restaurant may look run down to some but it’s quite safe.
A cook preparing a sheet of dough ready to be sliced into noodles…
I don’t think there is a menu but the staff inside can speak English and I know the owner inside can speak Cantonese and most likely Mandarin too.
But they know if you step foot inside you’re looking for Chilli Pan Mee. The real question is how many bowls you want to order.
And if you have a healthy appetite like me it’ll be more than one!
You can’t just have one bowl…
To me the portions are not too big. But one bowl is enough for a snack I suppose. So if you really want a full on meal I guess you have to order two bowls. Like most customers do. Every time I’m there when I look around Restoran Kin Kin customers usually have extra bowls on their tables.
Besides, a bowl of Restoran Kin Kin’s Chilli Pan Mee only cost 8RM. That’s $1.80USD a bowl. Also a small bowl of spinach egg drop soup is included.
And a Much Anticipated Visit to Suwon’s Fried Chicken Street (수원 통닭거리)
After my first ever Suwon day trip from Seoul last year I was so excited to go back as soon as I could. As much as I enjoyed exploring Suwon’s Hwaseong Palace (화성행궁) and its magnificent fortress, I missed out on a place I should’ve visited the first time. And that is Suwon’s Fried Chicken Street!
This year I had a chance to visit South Korea earlier than usual. And also my wife tagged along with me. It’ll be her first ever trip in South Korea. So I had to make it special.
With her in hand we headed back to Suwon for another day trip from Seoul. But will we be feasting on some of the best fried chicken this side of South Korea?
(Chi-maek) Chicken and Beer is a popular combination in Seoul. I got this from a restaurant in Myeongdong.
A Little Background on Korea’s Fried Chicken
First off in South Korea; fried chicken, which is usually enjoyed with a frosty mug of Korean draft beer is not unique to Suwon. Particularly in some of Seoul’s neighborhoods. If you randomly threw a rock in Myeongdong or Namdameun, chances are you’d hit a chicken and beer restaurant or “chi-maek” (치맥).
The fried chicken and beer combination is not just unique and famous in Suwon. What is unique however is that Suwon has a street dedicated to chi-maek restaurants with hordes of loyal local customers often waiting on queues to feast at their favorite local joint.
Now I have no clue about which chicken and beer restaurant is the best one in Suwon. So I googled and came across several travel blogs like this blog and on a few South Korean travel information websites. I quickly browsed through the info and found a lot of recommendations for the best fried chicken restaurants in Suwon.
It was only 5pm at Jin Mi Chicken and the restaurant was fairly busy…
As much as I respect other bloggers’ opinions I also like to do my own culinary explorations. There’s no secret to how I find good restaurants in unfamiliar territory.
I peek into a restaurant and if I see no local customers, I leave. If I peek inside and see a fair amount of locals I proceed. It’s as simple as that. It has always worked. Well most of the time…
Jin Mi Chicken Restaurant in Suwon
According to several travel bloggers, Jin Mi is the place to be for the best of Suwon’s fried chicken…
With a little detective work I deduced that that Jin Mi Chicken first opened back in 1981. Or rather I just read it from the store front sign. Anyways, it seems like many of the most popular fried chicken shops in Suwon all have a long history in the business of providing fried chicken to the hungry masses.
And what’s supposed to be unique in Suwon is the restaurants fry their birds outside where onlookers can smack their lips while waiting on queue.
Seasoned (sticky spicy sweet sauce) and unseasoned are the choices…
I did not see such a thing happening. But then again we were visiting in late November. And the temps was a chilly low 50°F (10°C) degrees with wind. Not ideal for frying chickens I tell you. So no surprise to see them frying chickens in a kitchen. But I can imagine the spectacle and fanfare of cooking outdoors.
The Verdict
Does Jin Mi Chicken serve some really good lip smacking fried birds? I dug in first on the unseasoned fried chicken to check out the coating. For my own personal taste, the coating is too thick. And it needed some seasoning like salt. Okay, granted a small plate of salt and pepper is provided and meant for dipping solves the problem.
A little bit closer look and you’ll see a neck and gizzards…
We also ordered a half plate of seasoned chicken which was supposed to be a spicy sweet sauce. It was sweet but it certainly wasn’t spicy. Good news is the chicken wasn’t dry. Overall, it’s not bad fried chicken. We still managed to scarf down the two plates. It’s just not what I had expected is all.
Final Thoughts
You’ll also see that the chicken bits are all chopped up. Not all pieces are recognizable like you’d see at Kentucky Fried Chicken. There will even be a chicken neck in there. Even a handful of fried chicken gizzards is thrown in for extra protein.
No one speaks English inside. However there is this big menu board on the back wall with clear and simple prices.
One fried chicken restaurant down and many more to try the next time I’m back in Suwon for another day trip…
We didn’t have any beer because it was early evening and the meal came out to 15,000KRW or $13US dollars. A 500cc of Korean draft beer cost 3,000KRW or $2.50USD.
So I tried Jin Mi Chicken, one of the city’s most well known fried chicken joints. Sad to say I’m not crazy about their fried Chicken.
But there are many more fried chicken restaurants in Suwon to try out of course and I will certainly be back again to check them out!
I often travel to Singapore because it’s not far away from Thailand. But like what most people say, Singapore ain’t such a big place.
And as much as I hate to say, not much to do for a middle aged traveler like me. There’s Universal Studios Singapore. But even then most average S’poreans will tell you that their Universal Studios is not a place to really brag about.
Bugis Junction Shopping District
So what’s there to do if you’re in Singapore a few days? Go mall hopping and shopping. Whenever I’m in Singapore I stay at an area called Bugis Junction in downtown Singapore. Because it’s mainly a tourist district there are a lot of restaurants, shops and of course hotels.
I personally enjoy staying at the BIG Hotel and it’s really close to Bugis Junction, less than a five minute walk.
Bugis Junction is the heart of downtown Singapore…
For any first timers visiting Singapore I really recommend searching out a hotel near Bugis Junction. Not just for the hotels mind you. But also because it’s where you can find Bugis Hawker Center for some serious good eats.
Bugis Hawker Center can be found on New Bugis Street…
To the uninitiated Bugis Hawker Center looks like a run down community center where folks with nothing to do hang out and eat. Sure it doesn’t look fancy but it’s a food court with some of the finest good grub in Singapore so don’t let the ambiance fool you.
Plenty of local Singaporean snacks are also available if you don’t want a full on meal…
Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant
Of course I have a favorite restaurant to recommend in Bugis Junction. It’s called Fatty’s Restaurant. With the word “Fatty” in the restaurant’s name you know the food has got to be good. And it is. My wife and I eat there every year we visit Singapore together.
Singapore Chow Mei Fun 星洲炒米 in the front. I was so hungry I didn’t realize I took a photo with my finger near the lens…
Though we order a lot of food our one favorite is the Singapore Chow Mei Fun 星洲炒米. It’s my favorite dish growing up in New York and I would order it at Chinese restaurants in my neighborhood.
Singapore Chow Mei Fun is a popular rice noodle dish with a hodgepodge of seafood, poultry and vegetables plus a hint of curry. All the ingredients are cooked in high heat which imbues an essence that only a super hot wok could produce.
Even though there’s not a whole lot for me to do in Singapore besides eating, I still enjoy traveling there. Singapore has a lot of history which I enjoy so much. And without a doubt one of the most beautiful modern country I have ever visit in Southeast Asia.
A popular temple dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy Kwan Yin near Bugis Junction…
Exploring Singapore is easy with it’s public transportation system. And traveling around on a metered taxi is so surprisingly affordable in a country known to be on the expensive side.
499THB Buffet at Yok Talay & BBQ House Including Beer…
If you love fresh seafood buffets you grill on your own and a taste of Thailand’s famous Moo Kata styled dining and unlimited beer you’ll love this little restaurant I’m going to introduce near Huay Kwang, a mostly residential area in Bangkok not far from the tourist center of Sukhumvit.
Did I mention unlimited beer is included?…
But there’s a catch. There’s a 1 hour 30 minute time limit to eat all that you can. Which really is plenty of time. Plus the restaurant is not in the city center of Bangkok. But not very far away from it either. And part of the fun (and the experience of traveling) is finding the places not too many tourists go to, especially when it comes to finding some good eats.
Yok Talay & BBQ House Buffet station…
Yok Talay & BBQ House
Address: ซอยประชาอุทิศ 8 (Soi Pracha Uthit Soi 8), Huay Kwang, Bangkok
Phone Number: 085-190-1989 and 083-891-6777
Huay Kwang is like the second Chinatown district in Bangkok. Many Chinese businesses have sprung up in the area by enterprising mainland Chinese.
Every taxi driver knows of this area so you should not have a problem getting to Huay Kwang. But traffic can get really bad there, or pretty much everywhere in the city. So if you’re not staying at a hotel in Huay Kwang it’s best to get there via Bangkok’s MRT subway train system which I will explain more about below.
It’s not a fancy restaurant and there is no A/C because it’s an outdoor restaurant. Yok Talay & BBQ House is tucked between a local pub and a future condominium building site down a narrow winding road in a mostly residential part of Bangkok.
Best Way to Get to Yok Talay & BBQ House
Take the MRT subway train and get off on Huai Kwang MRT station. Get out from Exit #1 and head to Pracharatbamphen Road and catch a taxi. Without traffic it should take about 3 to 5 minutes and the taxi fare should cost about 40THB to 50THB.
But if you find Yok Talay you will be rewarded with a decent selection of fresh seafood you grill on your own on over hot coals.
Moo Kata is a popular dining style in Bangkok…
And for Moo Kata fans you might be disappointed as there isn’t as much selection. There is a larger moo kata restaurant I wrote about years ago on a post here. However, I have to say that Yok Talay and BBQ House has better quality seafood choices and a hell of a lot easier to find.
You must try their pork skewers! It’s well marinated and when grilled just right it’s very juicy, tender and tasty.
And there is a small selection of dipping sauces where you can mix and match garlic, chili, BBQ sauce to your liking. They also have a good seafood green chili dipping sauce that went very well with the grilled prawns.
I live in walking distance to Yok Talay & BBQ House so I eat there about twice a month. Sometimes my wife and I eat there more especially between the months of January and February when the temperature is cooler.
It’s not a large restaurant but there are plenty of picnic style tables spread out which is great, especially when the temperature is hot. And of all the times I’ve been there it’s not really packed with people, which is also a good thing. Especially for those who are prone to sweating like yours truly.
If you just want the buffet and no beer the price drops down to 399THB…
As I mentioned, diners have a time limit which is 1 hour and 30 minutes to stuff their faces. If you have some kids and want to eat at Yok Talay and BBQ House here’s how much the charge:
Kids under 120cm eat free. Kids over 120cm pay 199THB.
Kids over 120cm height pay 199THB. For all you bad parents beer is not included.
Bangkok is a city with many dining options. And I think today many of the locals are beginning to eat a lot more which is why I’m starting to call Bangkok the city of buffets.
Yok Talay and BBQ House is certainly not one of a kind. Even as of writing my wife just found out through a friend that there’s a similar style restaurant not far from where we live that charge 300THB including beer.
And you can bet once I check that place out I’ll have another seafood and BBQ buffet post coming up soon!
