Setsuko Fish Store is popular among locals for their daily supply of fresh seafood at a steal. By the door, a self-service Styrofoam fridge rested on plastic stools, glistening in the afternoon sun. We grabbed a few chilled beers and sat on creaky foldable chairs, grilling plump oysters over charcoal stoves. Soon, our rice bowls…
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Just a hop, skip and a jump away from Somerset station, Lloyd’s Inn is perhaps the most popular and affordable place for a staycation in Singapore. For two whole days, we holed up in The Sky Room, and it was perfect for homebodies like us. Afternoons were whiled away soaking in the deep outdoor bathtub…
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A 50-minute boat ride from the main island of Okinawa transported us to Zamami Island, where time stood still, and nothing else mattered but the soft white sand beneath our feet and the clear blue sea unfurling on the shore. Once ashore, we followed a well-trodden trail up towards the Takatsukiyama Observatory Deck, which promised…
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These rows of square, austere single-rise bungalows known as gaijin jutaku were built to house U.S. military personnel, whose presence has been a longstanding debate in postwar Japan. Politics aside, Minatogawa Stateside Town has since been returned to Okinawa, and is reborn as a charming cluster of cafes, restaurants and boutiques with rustic retro vibes.…
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Located within sniffing distance of Kokusaidori Street, Makishi Public Market may be a tourist haunt, but don’t let that deter you from visiting. This bustling market stocked with fresh produce and local foodstuffs offers more than a glimpse into the unique Okinawan culinary culture that is unlike the rest of Japan. Those looking for quick…
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Ho Chi Minh City, often referred to by its old French colonial name Saigon, is the largest and most populous city in Vietnam. No amount of mental preparation could steel us for the dizzying traffic chaos that swept us up in its pulsating, honking frenzy. But beyond the millions of whizzing motorbikes lies a resilient…
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Since this was my very first trip to Saigon, it would be foolish not to cram the itinerary with food, food and more glorious food. This post is a culmination of all the Vietnamese food we devoured over a long weekend. One thing to note though: be careful not to eat any side dish you did not…
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Going to wet markets can be a messy affair. But any discerning homemaker will know that they carry fresher produce at cheaper prices compared to any supermarket. Most hawkers are also more than willing to share useful advice, like which meats are best for stews or stir frying. When in Kuala Lumpur, I visited two…
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While there are cafes aplenty in Malaysia’s capital city, good ones are few and far between. One of my favourites is Pulp by Papa Palheta, despite the obvious irony of travelling to KL for coffee at a Singaporean joint. It’s situated at Art Printing Works, a 63-year-old commercial printing factory, which houses The Royal Press and The…
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