Korean BBQ @ Blue Garden Restaurant

(Above and below)Interior of Blue Garden Korean BBQ Restaurant


To celebrate mom's birthday, our family decided to head down to Blue Garden restaurant at 50 Tiong Bahru Road,#01-07 located within the Link Hotel. This restaurant is a simple setup that offers Korean BBQ at a very reasonable price. We had read mixed reviews of the restaurant with good review by food bloggers like ladyironchef and also a few very negative reviews by netizens and decided that the some of the negative reviews needed to be taken with a pinch of salt as it appears that they are expecting a royal treatment when the bbq buffet only costs $19.90 for lunch and $26.90 for dinner. The dinner is more pricey as they also serve barbequed live seafood directly imported from Jeju island.


Arriving there slightly at 11 plus before the restaurant, we were met by the smiles of a korean lady who seemed to be in charge. She was very friendly to our queries and invited us in even though they had not opened for business yet. They open from 12noon to 3pm and then from 5pm to 10pm. We did not come across any rude staff or any form of unfriendliness from any staff that we had heard netizens rave so much about and so it was a pleasant experience eating there. They even changed our used bbq hotplate and dish plates without us asking and so it was prompt and good service. At $19.90 for lunch, it was alright to be served with plain water for drinks since it is absolutely sinful to wash away the wonderful marinated taste of korean meat with sugary soft drinks.

We started off with the cooked section which comprised of free-flow of standard Korean fare like Kimchi Pancakes, Korean seaweed Soup and Ox Bone Soup, Korean Spicy Rice Cakes(Ddukbokkie), and a variety of Kimchi. The cooked section dishes are not warmed, in fact some are cold so we can see why some netizens were not too pleased but then why get so uptight over the side dishes since these are not the main reasons why you come to Blue Garden.


(Above) Kimchi pancake


(Above) Boiled Pork Belly from the cooked section.


(Above) Piping hot ox bone soup.

This is not to say that they are not nice. The side cooked dishes are acceptable but we would like to point out the Ox bone soup. This was really good murky white boiled to goodness bone soup with soft bone marrow thrown into the soup. Gayle and myself had countless bowls of this soup which is really comfort food. Our family liked the kimchi pancake and fried chicken though. There was also abalone porridge available which mom liked.


(Above) Hotplate for bbq of meat

Finally, we were ready for our main course which was the meat section. There was free flow of Pork Collar, Beef Belly, Pork Belly, and three different types of Bulgogi (beef, chicken and pork). There was also free flow of beef and pork slices which are not marinated for those who want the unadulterated taste of meat.


(Above)Assorted Bulgogi




(Above)Meat and more meat


(Above)Savoury meat cooking


(Above) Lettuce and garlic clove to go with the meat.




Given that most of the Korean restaurants that we have been to charged at least $18 for a small plate of bbq meat, the free flow of meat here showed that the pricing at Blue Garden is really reasonable and even value for money. Do go for the bottom slice when taking the meats so that you get the fully dunked in marinated slices but remember not to make a mess of the buffet spread. The wine pork belly was really nice and we had to stop ourselves in the name of health. The meat is really well marinated and we ate like a week's supply of meat there.

While we not there for dinner, we read that they serve seafood during dinner which accounts for the higher price. Recommendations are to try the Jo Gae Gui (Live assorted barbequed shells), Gwang Uh Hoi (Live flat fish sashimi) and other meat dishes like Insam-Seol Leong Tang (Beef Bone Soup with Ginseng).

In all, we spent $109 inclusive for 5 persons for a very fulfilling Korean BBQ lunch which is quite hard to match. The restaurant is surpisingly quite quiet as there were only like three to four other tables occupied. We really see no logic why they are not crowded at lunchtime though. We plan to go back there soon when our meat craving starts again!

Carpark at the Link Hotel is pricey though at $5.90 for over two hours of parking on a weekend and the carpark is difficult to turn in if you are not familiar with Tiong Bahru area. After the Shell station at the intersection of Outram and Tiong Bahru road, turn sharp right into Seng Poh Road and look immediately to your left for the carpark entrance behind the pink coloured Link Hotel main building.

VW Golf Updates: New map software to RNS510C and activation of rear footwell lights

Over the weekend, met up with Jimmy - the one man VW accessories centre and he helped me to install map updates to our Golf Sports RNS510C Media and Navigation system. The new map updates covers additional roads such as the new expressways added in the past few years and locally updated Points of Interest(POIs) such as traffic light cameras, makan spots, petrol stations, ATMs etc.

The updated software allows you to select which additional POI you want displayed on your map. It covers both maps of Singapore and Malaysia including known speed trap location and petrol station POIs for Malaysia.For those keen, you can contact Jimmy
at 91777305 or go to his blog - http://jimmy-cbx.blogspot.com/


(Above) Select from the menu display your required POIs


(Above)Comprehensive List of all petrol station POIs available.


(Above)RNS510 Map display showing the POIs around Tanjong Rhu vicinity

We also asked Jimmy to install two bulbs at the rear and use his VAGCOM to activate rear footwell lights which activate during night and when the door is unlocked or opened which is conveneient especially when you are putting stuff on the floor in the rear in a dark carpark.




(Above)Rear footwell light

Dedicated to my dearest wife - Gayle

(Skip to frame 0:37 to ignore the commercial)

Wonderful Song originally sung by 2 Korean singers - Tim Hwang and Esna Yoon and I found this version sung by two aspiring Korean youths - Megan Lee (aspiring singer) and Jonathan Sim (of Ensemble Memo - a stringed instrument outfit) in the US a better refreshing version. You can find more songs sung by this talented duo on youtube. Meanwhile this song - He Said She Said is dedicated to the one I love.

There`s no other way to say that I do love you baby
There`s no other way to prove that I do love you baby
You`re always on my mind
I think of you all the time and I
Don`t know what I would do
If you would ever leave me
Baby that`s just crazy

I may run out of words to say
I may run out of tears to cry
But I`ll be always by your side
Even when the sun decides to hide behind the clouds

There`s no other way to say that I do love you baby
There`s no other way to prove that I do love you baby
You`re always on my mind
I think of you all the time and I
Don`t know what I would do
If you would ever leave me
Baby that`s just crazy

Celebrating our 4th Wedding Anniversary

(Above) Us dining at Greenhouse @ Ritz Carlton

Time really flies and we found ourselves celebrating our 4th Wedding Anniversary this month. Since we are already planning to head to KL end of this year once more, we decided to skip our usual hotel stay which we normally do as part of our wedding anniversary celebrations but we continued with our usual massage and makan session.


(Above) Ikeda Spa facade

Instead of heading to our usual massage retreat to the Spa Retreat at Changi, we decided to try out a new place - Ikeda Spa along Bukit Timah Road just before Sixth avenue. Gayle had subscribed to a promotional offer from Reebonz City, a portal offering attractively priced promotions from various retailers which offered a 60 minute Japanese massage session for $58 a person inclusive of a $50 voucher for the next visit.

Carpark space is at a premium outside the row of shophouse where Ikeda is located so we would recommend you park at Guthrie House just behind where Cold Storage supermarket is located although parking is not cheap ($6 for 2hrs of parking on a Friday afternoon).

Ikeda Spa is known for it's authentic Japanese theme and treatment experience. Two very unique features of this spa includes a hot stone table and an authentic Japanese style ofuro (hot bath). Apparently, materials were shipped from Japan for their construction so as to bring home that authenticity in the spa. The spa interior makes you feel like you are in a ryokan with its traditional mats and shoji sliding doors to the spa rooms.


We paid additional $20 for use of a couple room.


(Above)The Couple Room at Ikeda Spa (courtesy of http://www.timesoutsingapore.com)

Upon entering, you are ushered to the waiting area and served hot tea while you are asked to write down your health history and preferences. After that, we were led by the staff to the 2nd level where the spa rooms are located.
We chose the Inyou massage which is a treatment for stress relief. Those who have a fear of pain are forewarned - the massage really awakened your nerves! But then the saying goes - no pain , no gain and note that this was in spite of us indicating we wanted the lightest touch at the start of the session.

The staff were very polite, friendly and importantly there was no hard sell so it was a comfortable, relaxing experience. We enjoyed the massage on our calves though which really soothed the tired muscles although at times, we felt our legs were almost cramping when they pressed on the acupoints. Ikeda Spa is worth a try although I guessed we still like our usual haunt at the Spa Retreat where the massage is more relaxing and not so painful for the same type of treatment. The couple room at the Retreat Spa is more luxurious with it's own bath and sauna and there was no additional charge for the couple room previously.

Those interested in Ikeda Spa can go to http://www.ikedaspa.com/ for more information.


(Above)Greenhouse restaurant at Ritz Carlton Milennia

After the aching though revitalising massage, we headed home for a rest before heading out for seafood buffet dinner at Ritz Carlton's Greenhouse. Priced at $70 per head inclusive of taxes after 15% discount from UOB Credit cards, the seafood meal was a quality one featuring a wide array of spread but to make your money's worth, just head for the lobsters.




(Above)Raw Oysters, scallop , sashimi on the palate




(Above)Boston Lobster body and claws.

Between us, we had 5 Boston Lobsters and countless sashimi, oysters, scallops, mussels etc.We also enjoyed the distinct stew of their drunken prawns special. In all it was a fulfilling and relaxing end to our anniversary celebration.


(Above)Crab soup - taste like sharksfin soup though.


(Above)Drunken Prawns


(Above)Gayle enjoying her meal


(Above) Anniversary Present to Gayle from me - A spectacle inlaid with crystals from Dior.

Short break in Kuala Lumpur(Part 4) Food

Of course, a trip down to KL must include affordable good food and we did indulge ourselves silly and came back at the end of the trip heavier in body mass and would we dare say body fat! For breakfast, we usually headed for our usual fix of either roti canai(prata) at the Indian Muslism coffeeshop opposite our hotel at Capitol Hotel doing just as the locals do.


(Above)Roti Canai - 50 cents SGD for one egg prata.

If we wanted airconditioned surroundings, we would go for Toast and Eggs at Old Town Coffee at Berjaya Times Square or Toastbox at Food Republic at Pavillion. Other times, we would decide on a sandwich and tea breakfast set at Coffee Spice Cafe at KLCC which is popular with the office crowds due to their cheap set meals and quick takeaways of kuays.






(Above) Gayle at spices cafe waiting for our order.


(Above) Having a cuppa in the morning


(Above) Toastbox at Food Republic. Long queues from office corwds on weekdays as early as 8am.


(Above) A satisfying breakfast completed at Toastbox




(Above) Craving for a soupy breakfast? Kimchi noodles at Food Republic at Pavillion


(Above)Gayle leaving Old Town Coffee


(Above) Old Town breakfast set.


(Above) Nasi Lemak from Old Town is popular since it is a full meal for the same price as a toast set. We had that upon our arrival at KL while waiting to check into our hotel.


(Above)Wash the heat away with their chendol, not the best we have tasted but still, something to beat the heat with.

In KL, perhaps food bargains can be found at Fast Food Chains like Mcdonalds which may be cheaper than eating hawker food. A typical lunch set meal sets you back by about $6 MYR which is like SGD$2.40 for a filet fish burger, upsized fries and drink.




(Above) Lunch at Mcdonald is a relatively good bargain


(Above) Jalan Alor Street

Jalan Alor is perhaps the most famous tourist eating spot situated within walking distance from Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle at Bukit Bintang area. If you’re looking for local Chinese hawker food with a Malaysian interpretation, then this is one of the place to visit. It scores because it provides a slice of good Malaysian food at a convenience since it is so accessible for tourists. It's a good food retreat after all the shopping along Bukit Bintang. You pick and choose which group of stores you fancy. Usually,go for the ones that are most crowded with locals ordering in Cantonese. Pick your seat and you will be swamped by representatives fro the different hawker stores belonging to the same shop you are patronising. Look through the menu to order anything from char kway teow to fried dishes. Satay comes in orders of 15 sticks per set at $9MYR which translates to about SGD$0.20 cents per stick of satay. Each set comes with with 2 ketupat and usual accompaniment of sliced onions and cucumbers.


(Above) Satay - really sweet and tender, well marinated thick chunks of meat. Singapore satays cannot compare to this!


(Above)Gayle at our usual spot at Jalan Alor.


(Above) Vegetables with garlic, simple yet savoury


(Above)Balacan Sotong - let the fragrance of the Balacan and the softness of teh sotong rock your dining table!


(Above)Chilli Frog Leg. DOn't worry about the chilli, no kick at all but the dish is just wonderful!


(Above)The second time to Jalan Alor, we ordered the spring onion version of claypot frog legs. Really tasty with the onions, ginger and spring onions giving a tasty zest to the frog meat.


(Above) Nice hawker staple - Char Kway Teow with lots of bean sprouts served. The chilli is shiok.


(Above) Mussels fried with black beans, addictive gravy and juicy mussels!


(Above) Deer meat with spring onions and ginger. Tasty and with no lingering smell.




(Above) Stingray meat, really thick slab of fish meat, double the normal portions you find in Singapore at $10 to $12MYR.


(Above) Usual favorite- Smabal Kankong - just right for us. otehrs may find the sambal tame.


(Above)Wash down every meal with fresh fruit juices at only $2MYR each.


(Above) Cute budget hotel along Jalan Alor that caught our attention as we ate.