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!
The Cicada Market – A Place You’ll Enjoy Even When You Hate Shopping…
But that’s just me. I’m a big grump when it comes to shopping. However I do love taking a stroll through any of Thailand’s famous night markets like Bangkok’s Talad Liab Duan. And certainly around Hua Hin’s Cicada Market. Which technically isn’t a night market. But who am I to disagree.
Now there really isn’t that much to do in Hua Hin (in my most humble opinion). So checking out Cicada Market at night is most likely on your to do list. It’s a highly recommended must visit in Hua Hin by travelers on tripadvisor.com.
My wife and I always make it our mission to visit Cicada Market every time we stay several nights in Hua Hin. Because it truly is a lovely market to stroll around even when you don’t plan on buying anything.
The best thing I enjoy about Cicada Market is eating all the street food I can get my grubby hands on.
When the weather is cool in Hua Hin, Cicada Market is a pleasure to walk around at night…
Cicada Market’s Location and Hours
This popular Thai night market by the sea is just south of Hua Hin’s city center. About 4.11 kilometers from the city’s equally famous Hua Hin Night Market.
There are many budget, mid and high end hotels in Hua Hin. I’ve stayed in many of them. If you’ve never visited Hua Hin before and this is will be your first visit, be sure to book a hotel near Hua Hin’s beach because it’s a lot more affordable then you’d think.
Here are some hotels I reviewed near Cicada Market:
The Escape Hotel (3 stars)- This hotel offers guests complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the market.
Ibis Hua Hin (2 stars and pet friendly) – 5 minute walk to Cicada Market.
Amari Hua Hin (4 stars)- 2 minute walk to Cicada Market.
Cicada Market’s operating days/hours are from Friday to Sunday, from 4pm to 11pm (cicadamarket.com).
Please note on Sunday the market closes 1 hour earlier at 10pm. Hua Hin Night Market closes at 1am.
The fact that they’re not open past midnight to me hardly qualifies it as a night market. Because it’s not. Everyone has been calling Cicada Market a night market.
Even Cicada Market organizers don’t refer to themselves as a night market.
Though I have to admit, the market looks beautiful at night with all the cool incandescent lights placed through out the market. It’s a real shame they can’t stay open longer.
There is also a small amphitheater where plays and even stand up comics can be enjoyed. I haven’t purchased a ticket to catch a show inside so I can’t provide too much information on that.
Cicada Night Market in Hua Hin is a must to visit while you’re in the area. It is open Friday thru Sunday from 4pm to 11pm…
What to Buy in Cicada Market
You’re going to see a common theme while strolling around. And that theme is art. Cicada Market is the kind of place where local Thai artists gather. Whether they be amateurs or professionals they come to showcase and perhaps make a bit of cash selling their art creations.
All kinds of modern art paintings are sold from contemporary to modern. Art lovers will certainly appreciate Cicada Market even more.
In the center of Cicada Market are a few small buildings that double as art exhibitions showcasing local art talent.
I came across this artists creating glass-blown art at Cicada Market…
You’ll also find handmade arts and crafts. Many are run by young enterprising Thai entrepreneurs. Need a bedazzled iPhone case? You’ll find it there. T-Shirts with unique graphic designs? You bet, you’ll see it there.
Amongst the arts and crafts is a family I came across making glass-blown figurines of animals. They can create a lot of animals with glass like giraffes, elephants, tigers and even all types of fish, right on site.
This guy is a master craftsman of glass figurines. His son is learning the art too…
And you can watch the process from start to finish. And it involves a blow torch. In my opinion nothing else is more entertaining then watching a guy wielding a blow torch to work at night. The glass figurines they create are also very affordable and a wonderful souvenir to take home.
Cicada Market is a haven for Thai artists in Hua Hin…
A caricature souvenir of yourself. Check. Many artists are available to paint a caricature of you starting at 300THB, depending on the size of the portrait. That’s a reasonable price. Plus you’ll be helping to feed a starving artist. Speaking about food…
The Food at the Cicada Market
When is it never about food?
Any self respecting market anywhere in the world has got to have an area where people can sit back and enjoy a meal.
I know there are people not keen on eating Thai food because they’re worried about consuming spicy foods. And we all know children are fickle eaters when they don’t recognize a food.
Cicada Market has a smorgasbord of international food selection. Don’t be surprised if you see Italian pizzas and pasta stalls selling next to a stall with American BBQ pork ribs and steaks. Even sushi is available. Halal food is also well represented.
There is a food court with an impressive array of Thai food to recognizable Western foods…
Cicada Market has quite a vast assortment of offerings. And because you’re in Hua Hin seafood is the specialty.
But I would skip the seafood inside Cicada Market because even though I know it’s fresh it’ll be more expensive. I know of a really good seafood restaurant right across from Cicada Market that I highly recommend. I’ll write a post on that restaurant really soon.
But if you find the seafood prices reasonable for your budget then go ahead and enjoy your seafood feast. Giant grilled prawns are available and sold by the kilo. A cook grills the prawns over a bed of hot coals while you wait and enjoy a nice frosty beer.
Lots of grab and go food are sold. But there is a big area with tables and chairs to sit down and enjoy your meals…
I haven’t really tried all the food in Cicada Market because I already have a couple of favorites nearby. But it’s a good place to grab desserts as there is a decent variety.
During peak hours, about 7pm to 9pm Cicada Market’s food seating area is filled to capacity so finding a seat could be difficult.
But with a bit of patience and perseverance you’ll eventually get a table. Plus standing over a seated table while glaring at the current occupants that have finished eating usually helps.
Western style food is hugely popular in Hua Hin and most certainly at Cicada Market…
The Atmosphere
Cicada Market is a fun place to just chill out. The atmosphere is non rushed and less crowded as other major bazaars and markets in Thailand, for example Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok.
And because the beach is nearby you get this nice ocean breeze during the evening.
This kid is quite amazing with what he can do with empty bottles of beer…
In a way it’s one of the biggest attractions in Hua Hin. Which is why many hotels in Hua Hin with shuttle services offer rides to Cicada Market. And spending an evening wandering around there is a perfect way to end a night in Hua Hin.
Like I always say, Cicada Market has a great chilled vibe. It’s a great place for locals to hang out too. Even for local folks in Hua Hin there’s not much to do except coming to these places.
Many festivals take place on the grounds particularly during seasonal holidays like Songkran Thai New Years and especially Western New Years Eve for the big countdown.
Don’t Forget to Check Out Tamarind Market Too – It’s Right Next to Cicada Night
Tamarind Market opened right next to Cicada Market. It’s a totally separate and new to the “night” market scene in Hua Hin. It’s so called because of the location of the market is surrounded by tamarind trees.
However, because both are super close together I think most would think it’s Cicada Market the same. One big difference though is that there’s more local Thai food sold inside Tamarind Market.
Tamarind Market also opens a day extra and an hour earlier: Thursday – Sunday 5pm to 11pm
Cicada and Tamarind Market are both easily the best areas to spend 2 or 3 hours in Hua Hin.
Tamarind Night Market offers Hua Hin visitors more food variety and plenty of seating to eat…
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.
Twice a year I make a trip to Malaysia’s capital city Kuala Lumpur, usually staying for a week. I don’t go there for business. And I don’t go there for leisure. I just go to KL to eat.
Kuala Lumpur is a easy 2 hours flight from Bangkok, Thailand. With another 30 minutes worth of travel time on the fast train from KLCC2 international airport. Tack on another 10 minutes on the KL Monorail and I’m in the heart of a culinary bliss just in time when my hunger pangs set in.
Chilli Pan Mee at Restaurant Kin Kin: Ground Floor, No. 40, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman 1, Off Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Chow Kit, 51200
Kuala Lumpur is a haven for top Eurasian and Southeast Asian cuisine. Their roots harken back to the days when Malays, Indians and the Chinese began coexisting when the city began booming on the tin trade.
In KL there’s no such a thing as fusion food. There’s ethnic Chinese, Indian and then there’s Malay. And although one culture may have influence over the other the locals look to their cuisine as one and uniquely their own. As a result there’s nothing but pure magic.
Kl has an eclectic variety of food in each and every neighborhood of KL, especially in Bukit Bintang…
But if you’re looking for genuine authentic Maly, Indian and Chinese food you won’t be disappointed.
Roti paratha, chicken curry and hot ginger tea with milk. I ate this every morning and never got sick of it…
Kuala Lumpur is the original melting pot even before my hometown New York City even heard of the phrase melting pot.
Sadly, it’s not all good news on this most recent trip to KL. Two of my favorite cafés shuttered their doors. Coffea Coffee’s Pavilion Mall location and Espresso Labs Plaza Low Yat branch were out of business. Probably due to the huge rent and Starbucks.
Starbucks branches in KL are the worst and I’ve been to more than a few branches.
With a little bit of googling I found out this branch of Jamaica Blue Coffee at Low Yat Plaza…
Luckily I found Jamaica Blue also located in Plaza Low Yat. So I still have a place to drink some fine coffee and suck up Wi-Fi internet juice for hours.
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is conveniently right across from my lunch place! Can’t get any better than that…
Watching Bukit Bintang Change Before My Eyes
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City or the Piccadilly Circus of London. There are huge LED screens and billboards displaying advertisements. Though Bukit Bintang is not as huge or even as gaudy believe you me it’ll probably get there in a few years.
Aside from enjoying my daily meals like a gleeful school kid every year in KL I can’t help but notice that buildings are getting taller and taller as construction projects all over the city begin to take shape.
A future residential building with no doubt spaces for commercial spaces…
Same spot as the photo above, but taken the year before…
I usually stay at hotels around Bukit Bintang, which is the main tourists hub of KL. Like most tourists centers around major cities you’ll find lots of restaurants, shopping centers and of course hotels. Plus nearby train stations as well for convenience.
The recently renamed Air Asia Bukit Bintang station…
As of writing Bukit Bintang only has the KL Monorail station which starts at KL Sentral, winding its way through the edge of Little India, Chinatown and onwards to Chow Kit with a stop at Air Asia Bukit Bintang station.
Jalan Bukit Bintang Intersection..
Today there is major construction underway for a brand new MRT subway line complete with station stops in Bukit Bintang.
The completion of Bukit Bintang’s subway line could be years from now…
I’ve only used the city’s subway lines once or twice in all the years I’ve been visiting KL. When the subway trains are up and running it’ll be a great way for me to explore more of Malaysia and find more good eats.
Every year I travel around I begin to see remarkable similarities between my home town of New York and many other major cities around the world. If a city is not expanding, it’s rebuilding and renovating. It’s as if a city is actually alive, not only to thrive but to survive.
The heart of Bukit Bintang’s tourists district…
In a way Kuala Lumpur to me is trying to reinvent itself as many ASEAN members are doing the same. And the city has come a long way from the days when it was just a tin mining town with people from neighboring countries flooding in for the hope of a better life and opportunities.
With a Short Trip to One of My Most Favorite Spots in the World… Arashiyama!
King crabs are a popular delicacy in Osaka…
After staying a week in Kuala Lumpur and then back to Bangkok, a good buddy of mine I knew from my government contract days asked if I wanted to head over to Osaka for sushi. Why not?
Osaka has a special place in my heart. After living in Osaka for 3 months my fondness for the city by the bay grew with everyday I spent living there. I enjoyed mingling with the friendly and hospitable people the most. Working and staying in Japan for me was a real privilege. And a relief from my official duties back in the days.
But before the big sushi dinner I had to make a stop at one of the most magical places on this earth, Arashiyama!
How to Go to Arashiyama from Osaka
At Osaka Station take the JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line 新快速towards Yasu to Kyoto Station
At Kyoto Station take the JR San-In Line 各停towards Sonobe and stop at Saga-Arashiyama Station
At Saga-Arashiyama take the train to Arashiyama Station
Even in early September you can start to see the leaves getting ready to turn to its Autumn colors…
But there is another place I enjoy and you will too just an 1 hour and 40 minutes away called Arashiyama, which is a district of Kyoto City. The train fare from Osaka to Arashiyama cost ¥970.
The best way to get around Arashiyama is by bicycle. And there are a few places near the train station where you can rent a bicycle for ¥800 a day.
But there’s one area where you can’t really bike all the way up to. And that’s Mount Arashiyama! And you can only get up there the old fashioned way.
After walking up Mount Arashiyama I got hungry. It’s a pretty steep climb up a lot of man made steps. But when you get up there the view is so well worth it!
After spending an hour enjoying the splendid view of Kyoto, it was time to get back down and get on that train heading back to Osaka and chow down on some of the best sushi this side of Japan.
Osaka, Day or Night?
Osaka at night is magical. The day was warm but the evening got cooler. Which is why I decided on a day trip in Arashiyama before meeting my friends for that special sushi dinner.
We went to the same old sushi restaurant we’ve always been to when we had long days of intense planning and meetings. Can’t believe it’s still open after all these years!
I forget how many pieces of sushi I’ve downed and how many sake I’ve guzzled but it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.
The Izumi Hotel – Just One of Many Two Star Budget Hotels in KL
I’ve come across the Izumi Hotel name quite a few times while searching for budget 2 star hotels in the Bukit Bintang neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur.
So this time I decided to book a room at the Izumi for a couple of nights so I could do this review.
Bukit Bintang has tons of budget hotels and guest houses. But the Izumi is in a pretty good location. Just a short 5 to 10 minute walk from Air-Asia Bukit Bintang KL Monorail station.
And there are so many shopping centers, restaurants and nightlife to enjoy also within walking distance near Izumi Hotel.
The Izumi hotel is not far from Air Asia Bukit Bintang KL Monorail station…
Bukit Bintang’s famous Jalan Alor food street is about a 10 minute walk and you’ll also find many bars and pubs as the area is quite popular mostly with tourists.
I always tell fellow travelers that Bukit Bintang is a good choice for budget hotels and the Izumi Hotel is a perfect example.
Two Stars But Nothing More
The Izumi Hotel is a 2 star rated hotel at most. On some hotel booking websites I see it rated as 3 star hotel. Not sure where that extra star came from but whatever.
There is nothing wrong with 2 star hotels in my opinion as long as they’re clean and comfortable.
I stayed in a standard no window room. Having no windows is not as bad you might think…
As in the case of Izumi Hotel I like it because it’s clean, comfortable and modern. And the hotel is relatively new because the Izumi Hotel was built in 2014.
Like many other budget hotels in KL, showers have no curtains or partitions…
That said, you’re always going to find minor faults at any budget hotel in KL. In the instance of Izumi there were small reddish brown stains on bed linen. Some of the bathroom fixtures looked as if it needed some screw tightening.
Pretty much every budget hotel I’ve ever stayed in KL have some sort of room maintenance issue and stains on bed sheets. It just comes with the territory I suppose.
Take a look at my reviews for Sky Hotel Bukit Bintang and Hotel Capitol that are all in the vicinity of Izumi Hotel. All have the same particular faults but not a big deal really.
Izumi Hotel is right behind Jalan Alor, a very popular night market known for food…
Location, Location, Location
I can easily recommend Izumi Hotel to anyone visiting Bukit Bintang. It’s at a great location near KL monorail stations. Plenty of food option from Indian, Malaysian and Arab. Lots of shopping centers if that’s what you’re into.
What I do like is a good massage and there are plenty of massage shops near the Izumi Hotel.
Nothing like a nice foot massage after dinner…
And I paid about $40USD including taxes for the night. No breakfast. But the free Wi-Fi worked pretty well and the air con kept me chilly. And the bed was comfortable as long as I stayed away from the side with the stains.
Overall I can easily recommend the Izumi Hotel as one of the better budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
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