Geylang Lor 9 frog porridge in SS2!

In Australia, a trip to the movies usually cost approximately AUD6.50 to AUD13 or more depending if one gets tickets at student price, concession or members. Hence, I haven't had the privilege to indulge in many new movies since May.
When Wednesday arrived, it being a movie day aka RM6 per movie in GSC, I made plans with Loon, Juice and Dick came along to watch 'The Last Airbender'. Yup. His name is really Dick. Don't ask why his parents named him that. I don't know the reasons behind it but they just did. That aside, the movie is directed by the acclaim M. Night Shyamalan. He is best known for writing and directing movies such as Sixth Sense starring big named Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment.


I didn't know what the movie was about leaving me with NO expectations. So, I just sit back and enjoy. And enjoy it, I did. It isn't mind boggling nor taxing one's wits every single second to follow the plot of the movie but it churned out an interesting storyline nevertheless. The little boy playing the role of Aang, the Avatar was believable however, that sentiment can't be said for the rest of the cast. At least, not the main ones. The movie was tolerable with some really beautiful scenes garnering a rating of 3/5.

After the movie, we adjourned to SS2 for tasty morsels. I've been intrigued by this shop- Geylang Lor9 since passing it the week I came back. I mean, most of us know and heard of Geylang, notorious as the red light district in Singapore.

But it was that accompanied by the words frog porridge that had my attention. I asked Juice about it, and she exclaimed that she's been looking for 'kakis' (Malay word for legs but can be used to mean people/companion) to try it out with. Hence, we made a pact to try it out together, inviting Loon and Dick to join us with Haseo coming by later on.

Geylang Lor 9 is situated along the McDonald row, if you're familar with SS2 area. It's just a few shoplots away from AmBank and after Island Cafe that is situated at the other end of the McDonald row. Not a very big shop but the shop name definitely can't be missed.

Apparently this branch is from the famous one in Singapore with the same name. What's it with people looking incredulous when I said I've never tried frog? I know, I know, Chinese are famous for eating almost everything and anything but that doesn't mean ALL have tried it right? Even my own friend- Gill said that I've changed when I told her I was going to try it out. I don't get what does wanting to try frog porridge have to do with changing. Perhaps I am more kookie. =p

We were there at 7ish but the shop was pretty quiet. There were hardly any patrons despite the cooling and clean atmosphere. Perhaps it's still new and relatively unknown. Or perhaps, PJ people don't fancy frogs. =p

We ordered the frog porridge- RM33 for porridge with 3 frogs and frog cooked in Gung Poh style- RM24 for 2 frogs. If you're not a fan of frogs or not feeling adventurous, fret not, they also serve other food as well.

Whilst waiting for our food to arrive, Loon was looking at the pictures on the wall and being a designer with attention for details, she noticed something.

The buildings in the picture were not in the right location! I guess you have to be a Singaporean or someone who frequents Singapore much to recognise the buildings and where it is situated to realise the mistake of the picture. Can you figure out what is wrong in the picture??

Finally, our frogs arrived and we digged in with anticipation. Will the meat be gooey? How does frog taste like? We were very hungry and more than happy to fill our rumbling tummies with frog.

The Gung Poh Frog was actually pretty tasty. Firstly, the frog meat tastes just like chicken but perhaps more smooth. It was cooked in such a way that the meat was tender and juicy. I think mainly, the gung poh sauce contributed to the frog meat tasting yummy but it was a tad spicy. Definitely a must try! I would give it a 4/5.

Frog leg!!

Frog tasted tender too and the porrige on it's own tastes alright but it tasted better when we scooped some Gung Poh sauce in it! AlthoughI find the food a little on the pricey side, I would definitely recommend all and sundry to try out this place at least once!

Be adventurous, life is short.

Even if you don't like the way it tastes, you can always wash it down with water or liong cha (Cantonese for cool tea aka herbal tea). At least the shop has the decency NOT to have a cordoned off area inhabited by frogs and culling them in front of your eyes though that would have added some character to the shop with some form of attraction to lure people there.

There have been some reviews blogged over HERE and at KYspeaks and at I'm Saimatkong. Do check them out and the shop! FYI, I am not paid to review this shop and neither do I get any referral fee! =)

Just my humble, kookie opinion.

Hotcake House at Garden City

Last week, Mr. Bf (will be henceforth be known as Mr. C) and I decided to visit the Garden City Shopping Complex , Mt Gravatt which is about 15minutes drive away from where we live.

Although I have been to Brisbane several times, I have yet to step into this mall. After visiting the mall, I feel that it's pretty much about the same as Carindale Mall that is just across the road from where I am staying at- 5 minutes walk.

All the shops in Garden City ie JayJays, Rubi, Easyway and etc., I can get in Carindale Mall. So, it's nothing much to shout about. Well, except for several shops and one of them being Hotcake House.

Basically, this shop is pretty simple and basic. They specialise in hot cakes- a Taiwanese sweet delicacy and other Taiwanese food and Japanese style pancakes which are savoury.

Being a sweet tooth, I opted to try the Custard flavour hotcake and boy, it was YUMMY!! Ever the adventurous one, Mr. C had the Sesame flavour and it wasn't as nice as mine. To prove my point, he even sneaked a few bites off mine! >_<Just nice for a little pick me up as t only costs AUD1 per piece!!

The hotcakes at the bottom right looked like mini burgers.

So, the next time you see any Hotcake House, don't forget to grab a piece of hotcake for yourself! If you prefer savoury over sweet, you can always give the cheese flavoured hotcake a try and let me know how it tastes!!

Movenpick Ice Cream at Southbank and I love you too!!

Before my arrival to Brisbane, Mr. Bf and his colleagues would hang out for dinner and movie on every alternate Wednesday nights. With my being here, nothing has changed as this new found tradition continues.

Only now, there is a new addition to the group... ME!! =)

So, on Wednesday evening, Mr. Bf and I grabbed a 200 bus from Carindale mall straight to Southbank. We met Tom and Vida at the Cineplex in Southbank itself which is just a 10 minute walk across the bridge a way from Brisbane City (unless you're a slow walker then it'll probably take you 15-20minutes).

We were somewhat indecisive as to where to go for dinner before the movie. One suggested Toscani's, another some Japanese fushion food but in the end, as most of us weren't too hungry, we settled for...

I wanted the Ice Coffee (I have this thing for Ice Coffee in Australia) seeing that I have yet to have any from the moment I reached Brisbane. However, Mr. Bf had other ideas.

He decided on the left picture- Waffles with 2 flavour ice cream.

The gazillion flavours available...

We tried Creme Brulee but it was a tad sweet hence, we decided to go for the Tiramisu and the coffee tasting ice cream below.

Slurppp....

Droolworthy ice cream...

One thing about the cafes here in Brisbane, they usually have water whereby you can serve yourself for free. Back home in Malaysia, just a cup of water costs even at a Mamak shop!!

Tom and yummy waffle!!

Sigh.. it was worth the money.

Wished Movenpick would ask me to do a review and sample ALL their ice creams!! *sluuuurrp*

After filling our tummies, we headed for our movie. It is an Australian romantic comedy film about a 30 something year old man who is unable to say the 3 words or more like 4 words- "I love you, too" to his girlfriend even after 3 and half years of being together.

Obviously things fell apart.

We see him trying to woo her back and at the same time embark on a journey of self discovery and growing up with the help of a newly found friend, Charlie who is vertically challenged and his mate, Blake.

I would rate this movie a 7/10 for good content with a pinch of romance and a spice of humour.

After the movie, the four of us walked to the bus station to get our respective bus. But what is an outing without group picture!!

Tom and Vida are super friendly!!

Us, in the bus.

Mr. Bf's korean housemate was heating up some light snack for supper when we came back. I bet you can never guess what it was...

WORMS!!!!

Looks like baby aliens!!

My bf made me try one! EEEWWWW....

It wasn't that bad. A little crunchy but smelt funny. I guess it was more the fact that I knew I was eating some worms that gave me the eeeewww feeling. But you should try it. Apparently, it's loaded with proteins.

And that was my Wednesday night news for you.

Kooky Pics #176 Don Don on Swanston in Melbourne

IF you are ever in Melbourne city and you don't know what to eat whilst craving for some Japanese food, I recommend that you head to Swanston St (yes, I know it's a looooong road but it's near Subway, if I am not mistaken) to this shop named Don Don.

It's a really tiny shop that serves yummy bento for the price of approximately AUD8ish.

Definitely WORTH your money IMHO. The place is usually packed with people and there aren't many sitting space. So, head there before lunchtime to avoid the working crowd.