Restoran Soon Mee (Hainanese Western Food and Curry Fish Head / Taman Pelangi / Near Pelangi Leisure Mall )

Recently, there seems to be an influx of Japanese/Korean expatriates doing business in Johor Bahru. In fact, down at Taman Pelangi, there are many Japanese and Korean eateries and a shop that is operated by Koreans, selling Korean goods of all sorts. 

It was from my casual "exploration" to find the Korean shop that I chanced upon Restoran Soon Mee. Restoran Soon Mee is an authentic Hainanese coffee shop. Some elders once told me, in the 1960s, Hainan natives in Johor and Singapore dominated the coffee shop scene, serving tasty western food. One of the most famous chicken chop in JB, comes from Hua Mui, another Hainanese coffee shop. Since fate brought me to Soon Mee, I have to give myself an alternative to Hua Mui. 

Soon Mee specialises in serving Western food as well as Curry Fish Head. The chicken chop that I ordered has a distinct "biscuit" taste to it. It seems like they dipped the chicken chop in biscuit crumbs before sending it for deep frying. I especially liked the way they made the chicken chop thin. Yes, sometimes, quality is more important than quantity. Unlike some Singapore Food Court's western food stalls that try to give you thick portions of chicken chops but with a bland taste to it. In fact, my wife commented that the beef steak she ordered was of a reasonable standard, right in tenderness, taste and aroma. 

Speaking of aroma, I promised that I will one day, try their Curry Fish Head. The table opposite to my table, ordered their speciality and when the dish was presented, I was "knocked out" by the heavenly aroma. In fact, they were once given the top food award for their Curry Fish Head. To end off, Western Food or Curry Fish Head, it is of reasonable price, nothing to shout about but an above average meal in terms of price and taste. Maybe, I will "upgrade" the recommendation on them after I try their Curry Fish Head.

Do check out their neighbours, the Bakery and Korean store 

Information

Address : 166 Jalan Sri Pelangi, Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru, Taman Pelangi

They serve seafood and "Tze Char" too. 

There was even a Korean Family dining at
the eatery when I arrive.

Award winning for ?

Thin and Crispy.

Tender, Chewy and Tasty

At close to S$16, above average price
Yes, I am a cheapo. :)

Korean Mart

Bakery

Bought for my kids, they treat
it as a toy, more than food.

Restoran Tian Lai (Gelang Patah / Near 2nd Link / Excellent Seafood )

Mention Tian Lai to any Johor Bahru Food lovers and they will most probably acknowledge in approval. Tian Lai is situated in Gelang Patah which is extremely near to the Singapore second link. I have heard so much about Tian Lai's cheap and good seafood that I decided to venture out into the "unknown" at Gelang Patah. 
Tian Lai is family owned as the eatery is at the front of the restaurant owner's house. The front pouch has been transformed into a kitchen area and dining area. The ambience's is relaxing unlike high end eateries where everything is very professional and purely commercial.


Tian Lai specialize in the following dishes:
Pineapple Duck - Duck fats is used to stir fry pineapplies, chilli padi, sugar and oyster sauce. Duck meat is added and stir fry till cooked. It is then served in a hollow pineapple shell, like pineapple rice. 

Black Pepper Crabs - Indonesian crabs are used and fried with garlic, black pepper and Hua Diao wine. 

Roast Suckling pig - Roasted with black vinegar, asterix spice, Hua Diao wine, Oyster sauce, sugar, small shallots.

Information

Address : 
Tian Lai Seafood Garden
158, Jln Leong Bee, Gelang Patah, 81550 Johor Bahru
TEL: 07 510 1521
Daliy 12pm to 11pm
Closed on Alternate Mondays
Driving Instructions 1:

Take 2nd link, after R&R there is exit to Gelang Patah town, drive straight till a T junction where you see a big globe, make a left turn, drive pass many shop house till you see a Shell petrol Stn,
make a right turn after the petrol station,Tian lai should be about 100 metres from there on the left, you can park right infront of the restaurant or along the road.


I would suggest in order to save up toll charges that you follow the following route instead from the causeway instead of second link. 
Driving Instructions 2:

View Tian Lai in a larger map

Family Styled Cze Char Outlet

The sweet and sour pork is heavenly.

Crispy Babies! Yummy!

Fresh and Tasty. Seems like straight
from the vegetable farm.

At Sing$35, beat that...

Pictures Taken from a forum: