Fabulous Food on Holiday, or a Food Specific Holiday? Durian Delights

 One of the joys of visiting a new country or revising a country, or just taking any holiday, is trying new food or new ways of serving familiar, favourite food. In Asia in my first week in Singapore I discovered a dessert of durian ice cream. It was the only dessert available at an oriental restaurant. I loved it!

My friend, Vera, in Singapore, told me that this year, 2023, as usual, she took a durian holiday to Malaysia. Half a dozen ladies go together.

 Unfortunately, because of the weather, their trip was too late for the start of the durian season, which was early this year. The group was able to visit only one durian destination instead of the usual five on a four night, five day holiday. 

After the group returned to Singapore, they heard that Malaysia had eneffitted from a second crop.

They went to a durian farm to try the durians.  Not durian shakes or ice cream. Fresh durian.

I don't like fresh durians. To me it is slimy, messy, with an overwhelming pungent smell. 

What I like is durian flavoured desserts, You can often buy inexpensive ice cream or mixed fruit with unidentified cubed vegetables and durian sauce, squeened on top form a bottle or dispenser. 

In previous seasons I have tried the durian lunch at Goodwod park hotel which runs March to August.

Durian has also reached restaurants in the UK.

If you missed out on the durian season, this year, plan for next year.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian

Durian in Malaysia, trip from Singapore

https://www.easybook.com/en-sg/deals/singapore/musang-king-durian-day-tour-eu-holiday-at-tangkak

Durian In London, England, UK

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Durian&find_loc=Londyn

Please share links to your favourite posts.

How to use chopsticks?

Photo by FiveRings in Wikipedia article on chopsticks.
From top to bottom: Plastic chopsticks from Taiwan, porcelain chopsticks from mainland China, bamboo chopsticks from Tibet, palmwood chopsticks from Indonesia (Vietnamese style), stainless flat chopsticks from Korea (plus a matching spoon), a Japanese couple's set (two pairs), Japanese child's chopsticks, and disposable "waribashi" (in wrapper)

Where might you need or want to use chopsticks?  In Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand^[ and to a much lesser extent Philippines. Or in restaurants from those countries.

How to use chopsticks?

Hold a pen as if you are about to write, between your thumb and first (next) finger, resting it on your middle finger. waggle the pen up and down. Easy, isn't it!

Add another pen next to it, balancing on the middle finger.Bring the points of the two pens together.  Waggle the first pen, your imaginary chopstick, by pressing down and up with your first finger (the one next to the thumb. So the point touches the point of the other pen.

If necessary, bring your middle finger further up away from the points, so the two points can meed.
Point the two points downwards onto an imaginary plate, such as a piece of white paper.

Practising
Imagine you are talking to somebody. Keep eating the food whilst listening to what your boss or host or guest is saying. It's like riding a bicycle. If you concentrate on something else, you find it much easier.

Then imagine that a bird or monkey is trying to grab hold of your food. You quickly grab hold of the food. If you are determined to do it, instead of hesitant, it is much easier.

The lower pen is held by the middle and fourth finger. As it moves up and down, you can see that you can grab something.

Get Guidance
If you are in a Chinese or Japanese or Korean restaurant, they will probably offer you a knife and fork. However, take the opportunity to ask for a pair of chopsticks. Practise on your own, or ask somebody to show you, a friend, or a waiter, or even somebody at the next table.

If you don't want to practise or delay eating in a grand restaurant, start in a hawker centre in Singapore (a food court). Chopsticks are widely available. Just ask a stranger at the same long table to show you.

Even if you cannot speak Mandarin and they cannot speak English, you can show them the chopsticks, and frown and shrug and look puzzled and hold your palm out towards your right as a question. They will be amused, show you how, all smiles.

Secret Rehearsal?
If you don't want to reveal to your host or guest that you cannot do it, you could arrive first and have a practise.

Otherwise, just ask your host or guest. They will be delighted to show off their skill and superior knowledge.

If you have children in your group, they are often less shy and like to learn a new skill. Show them what to do, then ask them to demonstrate to your guests.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

Oriental canned drinks in Singapore, Yeo's coconut, mango, and more

I spotted one of my favourite drinks, coconut, in a rack of canned drinks in a machine. I started looking to see what else was available. I thought the record would be handy when I was asked what do you want to drink in a hawker centre (food court). I prefer freshly squeezed juices, or slices of fresh fruit, and to sit down and eat. But there are times when a canned drink is quicker and cheaper.

YEO'S coconut and iced tea lemon.

See my later post on Oishi.

Author, Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Eat Out At National University Hospital

Problem
After a day in A and E, I went back to the ENT department for some checkups, as well as an X-ray. You are in the hospital during lunch hour. Where do you eat?

Hospital Location
National University Hospital is very convenient. It is right next to Kent Ridge MRT station.
The skyscraper building has a food court where the staff and the patients can eat, just like any other shopping mall.

Food Break
Your choice of food is varied. When I was there stalls were offering all kinds of chicken and meat and egg dishes, seafood, Chinese and Asian food, Japanese food, Indian and Malay food, Halal food, vegetarian food, a fruit and fruit juice stall, plus tea and coffee.

Choice Of Food
As usual, my husband and I differed completely on our views of the food. He had shellfish. I'm allergic to it. I had a durian dessert. He won't go near anything durian. (I kept the contents secret until I had finished.

My first thought was to go for my favourite, chicken rice, but I eat that a lot at home, so I opted for a novelty. I wanted masala dosai. However the dosai was unavailable.  Instead I had another Indian bread pancake, with two side dishes, one of which was chickpeas.

I could not try my husband's shellfish.

However, he was happy to try the Indian bread and chickpeas. he said it was good. I thought the bread was dry and so-so.

Durian Dessert
The durian was in generous amounts, but bland. It may not be the right time of year, because the McDonalds McFlurry durian promotion has just ended (October). I must say the McDonald durian was better.

This is all I got in A and E. A bread and jam sandwich and water.

What was good about the place?

Seats and Tables
Seats with backs. Very big and busy yet still no trouble getting a table.

Menus And Healthy Options
The menus showing dishes were marked with coloured ticks showing the healthiest and least healthy options.

Toilets
What was best of all? The toilets have built-in bidets. Turn a knob on the side, and you get a wash. That is much better than the old fashioned hose which sends water all over the floor and seat.

All in all, very good because it kept my escort happy.

Useful Addresses and Websites
National University Hospital
5 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 1199074
tel:(65) 5555

Hospital website
www.nuh.com.sg

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Singapore Singlish - chope - reserving tables

Problem
What is chope? It is on my Kleenex box.

Chope is putting down a pack of tissues or other item to reserve a table or chair when queing at a hawker center (food court).

When I first arrived in Singapore and saw tissues on the table I thought they were left there by the management of the hawker centre for customers to wipe their hands clean!

British people from Europe are familiar with the idea of Germans putting towels on loungers by hotel swimming pools to reserve convenient loungers - or all loungers - which is the source of much indignant or amused comment.

Chope is a Singlish word. Singlish is like pigeon English, using the grammar and vocabulary
of Chinese (Mandarin) or Malay or the local dialects spoken by the Chinese from Southern China.

Author
Angela Lansbury

Durian delight at McDonalds

Durian McFlurry in Singapore.

Problems
1 What can I try that's new but cheap overseas?
2 Where can I get reasonably priced durian?
3 What's durian and when and where can you get it?

Answers
First, what is durian? A large fruit which smells and tastes like a cross between chestnut and banana in ice cream smoothies and cakes, but like strong sulphur or rotten eggs when the whole fruit is fresh. That's why you will see, in high season, signs on the Singapore underground NO DURIANS.

If you wanted a whole durian, which is big and heavy, you would either have to get it delivered by a specialist company, or double or triple wrap it to conceal the smell.

According to the durian delivery firm
low season for durian is January and June
mid-season is other months
high season is September!

Thai Restaurant Ice Cream
I was offered durian ice cream on my first visit to Singapore at a Thai restaurant. It was the only dessert available. They tried to persuade me not to order it, probably because they were afraid i would not like it and would say bad things about their restaurant or waste their food and demand my money back.
However, I like to try new things, so I insisted on trying it. I loved it.

Durian At Juice Bars In Hawker Centres
Afterwards I tried several times to order desserts with durian topping at fruit stalls in hawker centres (food courts). Often I was disappointed. Either the durian was not available - they served dessert without it hoping I wouldn't notice! Or they gave such a tiny spoonful or squeeze that it was gone after the second mouthful.

MacDonald Durian Delight
No such disappointment at McDonalds.

I took the number 76 bus from Yio Chu Kang Interchange (bus station) beside Yio Chu Kang MRT (railway station) on the train line. I got off at building works, probably connected to the new MRT station opening next year (2019).

Here I am in the middle of nowhere, a suburb of Singapore, on my way to  Toastmasters International meeting at a newly opened Community Club. The bus station was heaving with people. But as far as I am concerned I am in a culinary cultural desert, miles from any Michelin restaurant, with nothing but cheap food in hawker centre.

I saw the Durian sign in the street outside. My eyes lit up. I stopped. I took a quick photo.

That's new. That's different. That's local. That's unique. That sounds delicious. Delicious, delicious!

Would I stop to buy and try on my way to a meeting? Yes, even if that made me five minutes late.

Why not leave it until later? Less anti-social than arriving carrying durian ice cream or breathing it.

But the shop might be closed later. I might forget and walk back on the other side of the road. I might get a lift in somebody's car or van to the MRT by-passing the McDonalds - which is what happened.

I am so glad I chose to try the durian McFlurry. So much of it. Delicious.

The concoction came in a beaker like a drink, but was more like a cross between yogurt and squeezy ice cream. It was supplied with a plastic spoon to scoop it out. You would not want to try drinking it and getting it dripping and dropping down your clothes. The creamy part was white, the contrasting durian a yellowy pale green.

My fears were unfounded. The cup was cunningly designed with a protective top which held in the small. The food was not so aromatic that it would disturb anybody else. Nobody commented, 'What's that?'

The price was three dollars, reduced from 4 dollars said the sign. Affordable.

It was so good that on the way home I wanted another. I looked at the station for McDonalds at Ang Mo Kio. No luck.

I am now on the lookout for McDonalds. I shall go onto the website and find my nearest and see if they have a durian promotion. While stocks last. While it's the season.

If you are in Singapore, must try!

This branch of McDonalds is near the new Kebun Baru Community Club. I took bus 76 from the MRT.

USEFUL WEBSITES
www.mcdelivery.com.sg/sg

Author Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

Carrot Cake - Singapore Style

Problem
It's not carrot and it's not cake. What is it?

Answer
The so-called carrot cake I was served in Singapore, is made from radish which is known as white carrot in the Chinese dialect called Teochew. Kway means cake.

You could get served this any time of day, breakfast time, as a side dish, or as a late night snack, at a hawker centre kiosk in a shopping centre or a fine restaurant.

It comes as a block cut into cubes, or a jumble of cubes, with a dark sauce. The sauce is a sweetened soy sauce, possible ingredients being savoury, garlic, or fish sauce, or molasses (dark brown sugar syrup).

You might be offered it or see it on the menu in Singapore, Malaysia, or Taiwan. If you are with people who speak English, they will probably call it carrot cake. If not, look on the menu or sign board for the name Chai tow kway. If you are ever asked if you like Teochew cuisine, you can respond brightly, "I love Chai tow kway!"

How can I remember the name Chai tow kway? I remember the three words visually by the letters. Chai is tea. Tow is the letters for two jumbled up. Kway means cake and sounds like cake k(w)ay (k).
Would you like tea for two? Ok - cake. Chai tow kway. Chai tow kway. Chai tow kway.

Useful Websites
visitsingapore.com
singaporeair.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chai_tow_kway

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker, teacher of English and other languages.

Ginger Tea - Where to try it - and order in Tamil

Problem
What is it?

Answer
Unlike the ginger tea which I make in England, using a Twinings tea bag, which looks like a herb tea, ginger tea from a hawker centre in Singapore looks like a regular brown tea.

The first taste was pleasantly gingery. However, I soon forgot the taste. If you don't like ginger, that would be a good thing.

I do. I drank most of the drink without even noticing.

But that was because I was so engrossed in the conversation.

I had it at the hawker centre across the road, diagonally, from the Braddell Heights Community Centre, near Serangoon MRT (train station), on the circle line, and Nex shopping centre in Singapore.

The stall was Indian. Afterwards, one of our group ordered a big platter of food for our group of six to share. It was mee goreng, fried rice, but with egg and vegetables. Vegetarian but not vegan, so only five of the six of us were able to eat it. I could not see any egg. It came up with onion and ketchchup on the side.

To my surprise I ate some of the onion. I was hungry. I think that with curry or peeppery food you soon fail to notice the ginger flavour or any other flavour in your tea.

My general principle in Singapore is to eat and drink the same as the others. This has several advantages. If I don't like mine, one of them will finish it off. They will be able to explain the contents, the ingredients. They will be able to translate the meaning of the name of the food or drink.

I do not risk ordering something more expensive that everybody else. I can wax enthusiastic about their favourite food. I feel part of the group. I do not feel they are ordering something special for me.

The others ordered for me in Tamil. They spoke Tamil and so did the owners who were serving the food.

They also explained to me why Tamil was chosen out of two possible Indian languages. They claimed that Lee Kuan Yew heard from two groups who wanted their language chosen as the fourth official language, the one for the Indian minortiy. Lee Kuan Yew responded, "The Tamils supported me in my fight for independence, therefore they deserve to be rewarded with their language being chosen."

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.

Sugar Cane Juice and Plum at Newton Hawker Centre

Problem
Where to go after 10 pm near Newton, that doesn't cost the earth (like the Sheraton Towers hotel).

Answer
Newton Hawker Centre. I had previously declined invitations to go there. I didn't need more calories. I didn't want to spend money.

But this time I really wanted to talk. I managed to persuade my companion to walk further and cross at the lights. I have been knocked down by a car in the UK.

The hawker centre is crowded with people.

My new friend offers to pay. I am going to teach him some French. He might teach me some Mandarin in return.

Juice
I opt for fruit juice. I select the cheapest juice. It is $2.50. Cane juice with plum. Sounds good to me. I can't get that at home (in England).

Stool
Despite being perched on round stools with no backs, in the open air, I never noticed any discomfort, perhaps because I am engrossed in the conversation as well as by the drink.

Table
We are at a long table.

Drink
It is a long drink. Cold. With a straw.

It is slightly sweet. At the bottom are two small plums, looking a bit like prunes, shrunk to the size of elongated black cherries. Nothing special about the drink. Good enough. Cheap and convenient.

Singaporean

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer. Photos will be added tomorrow.

How do you eat a Shanghai dumpling at Dim sum or snacks? Advice from Singaporean Chinese

Problem
How do you eat a Shanghai Dumpling?
What is a Shanghai dumpling?

Answers
In Singapore at a hawker centre I was treated to Shanghai dumplings. They are served in what looks like a circular steamer or basket carried to the table with a lid to keep the contents warm.

The dumplings are made of a pasta pinched together at the top. Inside is minced pork in a soup or clear gravy.

If you puncture or pierce the dumpling making a hole the delicious soup will spill onto the table making a mess and you will lose the soup and maybe even the contents if the dumpling disintegrates in mid-air.

It is not just a politeness to lift the dumpling carefully by the top and not pierce it. It is in your own interests not to lose the succulence and the juice.

Use your chopstick to lift out the dumpling and place it on your small plate. On the way to the plate, dip the dumpling in ginger-flavoured dark brown soy sauce in a tiny dish.

The Chinese name for Shanghai dumplings is 'dragon ....'.

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.

You can see the Dumpling photos on the internet. My photos will be added later.)

House hunting in Singapore for Expats - top tips

What is the difference between an apartment and a condo?
In Singapore flat, apartment and condo are used as technical terms. A flat is basic and small. An apartment is larger.

A condo, usually occupied by more affluent ex-pats has facilities socialising and sports facilities such as a swimming pool, sauna, spa bath, squash courts, tennis courts, a gym, an outdoor children's playground, a waterfall and landscaping in modern blocks. Indoors are meeting rooms or function rooms for parties and entertaining.

An HDB is near an MRT because the residents are less likely to have cars. Also a hawker centre is likely to be nearby to provide cheap eating. A hawker centre has stall around communal tables and mostly stools rather than chairs, often outdoors or in an open-sided area in clusters on the ground floor of the housing blocks.

What affects price, facilities and size?

Price
High floors with better views and less traffic noise are likely to be more expensive. Completely redecorated will be more expensive. Swimming pool is likely to mean more expensive.

Size
Older buildings are likely to have bigger rooms and a maid's room (a box room off the kitchen or scullery, with an adjacent toilet, small basin and shower.

A 'walk-up' flat has an outside staircase and no lift. This will be less expensive. So if you are young and fit and like exercise, that is a good option for saving money. However, a fit, young friend of mine warns, what seems an easy climb on a sunny day carrying nothing, is less fun on a regular basis during rain with two bag of shopping or a big box of equipment.

Also harder to bring in a pram, bicycle, toddler, or elderly relative. Another hazard if somebody likes a drink. Or might develop an injury such as twisting on ankle, pulling a hamstring, getting a hernia.

Pool pleasures and problems
My list n/f plus points inc dudes swimming pool. The perfect pool for me has waterfalls and trees. Steps you can walk down, instead of metal ladders, are convenient as well as attractive to look at. Some shade is good.

Negative Windows
Obscured view from windows - too narrow, darkened by an overlay designed to cut heat and stop light fading furnishings. Light obscured by nearby buildings feed away, or large block which blocks your view.

I like balconies to be protected. Other members of my family don't mind railings so long as the metal is painted white.

The other great problem is noise. Traffic from roads can be noisy on floors lower than 6 or 7. Up on floor 8 you might get a better view across the treetops and city.

The biggest problem is buildings sites which spoil the view and create dust and noise. Pile drivers are worst. A nearly finished building could mean shops and restaurants nearby. But check the dat when building works are likely to end.