Overseas

“The most beautiful egg tart”, was how we remembered it. And that was 2 years ago when we visited Shanghai and was introduced to this beauty by my then-Shanghai-living, now-journalist friend.

So when we had the chance to transit in Shanghai this time, I thought, hey why not take the chance to relive and revisit these great places again.

It did not disappoint - a flakey yet buttery crust with a soft eggy middle, just slightly sweet. The next time you’re in Shanghai and had one xiao long baos too many, why not try this egg tart too?

Located at a slightly hidden corner in JB City Square Mall, you know'll you've found it when you see the queue outside this restaurant.

We queued for about 20min before we were seated, but once we're in, the side dishes (Kim Chi, pickled raddish, seaweed soup) were served quickly. Another 10min while the food cooked on the pan right in front of us. The serving was quite generous, and an interesting meal overall.

Breakfast at the base camp of Mt. Rinjani (2700m) under the warm hospitality of Guide Aduk and team from Rinjani Trekking Club.

With the cold mountain wind blowing, we were pleasantly surprised with this warm bowl of soto ayam prepared kindly by Aduk and his team. Thick soup with the fragrance of coconut milk, full of vegetables, and even chicken and egg, it's truly a wondeful experience enjoying soto ayam among the mountains.

It is in places like these when food truly fills more than your stomach.

Lunch on the mountains with Guide Aduk from Rinjani Trekking Club.

It's no easy feat to get this meal. Since there's no cooking facilities or transport available on the mountains, the local porters had to carry everything required to prepare this meal, including the ingredients, utensils, even a gas stove (!), in baskets which they carried over their backs while trekking across the savanna and up the slopes with us. Perhaps its the amount of effort required to prepare the meal, or that we really worked up a good appetite, this simple meal of fresh nasi campur rarely tastes as good.

Freshly fried keropok, toufu, tempeh, and chicken, with a delicious mix of sweet & savoury stir fried potatoes, carrots, cabbage, vegs, and egg. Thank you Aduk and team, for the food and assistance, for sure you will be missed.

Rich melt-in-your-mouth cookies, perfect for sharing, perfect souvenirs.