Restoran Tapai Tang (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Comparable to Teck Sing / Taman Melodies / Non-Halal )

I just realised that more people are subscribing to North Explorer. Thank you very much for the support. I must apologise for not updating as regularly as before because of my busy work schedule. However, the following post will not disappoint you all. 

I was recommended to Restoran Sing Kee by my friend. However, the food at Sing Kee never really impressed me (more about Sing Kee in another post). Instead, the restaurant beside Sing Kee was triple the goodness in terms of taste, value and service. This restaurant that  I want to highly recommend is Restoran Tapai Tang, neighbour of Restoran Sing Kee.  

Apparently, Restoran Tapai Tang is ranked second in Johor Bahru for cooked food (煮炒) by Yummy King. The speciality of Restoran Tapai Tang lies in its seafood, curry fish head and salted kampong chicken.  In fact, their food menu is similar to the famous Teck Seng in terms of taste and price. However, I prefer Restoran Tapai Tang now because of its ample parking space right in front of the restaurant (You can watch out for your car while you tuck in the food).  The service by the staff is also excellent. For the soccer and music fans, they have a giant screen at its open air spacing for matches and singing (starts from evening). 

Information

Address : 128, Jln Chengai, Taman Melodies 80250   

(Further up from Caltex at Holiday Inn's area)

Opening Hours : Daily from 11am - 4:30am

Contact : +607-3333662

Went on a Sunny afternoon.
Reasonable Crowd

Salted Chicken at it's best.

Sing Kee's Neighbour

Opposite it is this shop that sells
Kue Teow. Packed with crowd.

Delicious fried You Tiao with fish fillings

Your choice of chilli

Must order! Bittergourd at it's best.

Heavenly salted chicken!

You think Teck Seng serves great
Curry? Wait till you try Tapai Tang's..

Black Pepper Beef fried to
tenderness perfection. 

Guess the price, an amazing S$50.
Beat that!

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.