山海豆花 MATA Tofu Pudding @ Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan

Some friends know that I love soya beancurd dessert although I can be quite selective; preferring the ones from Mr Bean for their silky smoothness. 

However, this little cart-like store at Taoyuan International Airport caught my attention as I was waiting for our plane ride back to Singapore; 山海豆花 MATA Tofu Pudding.

I was especially intrigued by their Taiwan No 1 red bean filled boba tofu pudding with peanut crisp. Costing NT$120 (about S$5.00), it's not cheap but curiosity forced me to order one bowl to try! 

Served on a golden-rimmed bowl, it's no doubt that this was a visually luxurious bowl of soya beancurd with so much ingredients! My usual order from Mr Bean was much simpler; with just beancurd and sugar syrup.

For Singaporeans, this might feel more like a fusion cross between beancurd, bubble tea and taro bowl soup, similar to Nine Fresh. Personally, I am okay with fusion but not when one's taste was overshadowed / overwhelmed by the others. In this case, I could hardly discern the aroma of beans from the beancurd although I recall texture wise, it's smooth and soft.

Candied peanut crisps added a crunchy texture in every bite and while red bean filled boba was interesting, I preferred good old red beans, mushy or not, instead of having them encased. 

As mentioned earlier, too many ingredients might not be a good thing and honestly, I think they could have just removed the golden pearls and tasteless mochi for better tasting experience. 

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I couldn't seem to find the store anymore on the website of Taoyuan International Airport but if you are interested to check it out, you may refer to the website of 山海豆花 MATA Tofu Pudding at https://www.matatofupudding.com/

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Red Bean Filled Boba Tofu Pudding with Peanut Crisp - NT$120

Click HERE for the Summarized Itinerary for Our 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package via Chan Brothers

OO White Coffee Carnarvon Plus @ Penang in Malaysia

First morning in Penang and the starting meal must be a traditional Southeast Asia breakfast! Based on the recommendation from a colleague who is from Penang, let's proceed to OO White Coffee Carnarvon Plus! 

Do note that there is another nearby branch which is non-air-conditioned but without the plus name. Prices would be cheaper but also a lot more crowded with customers. 

Interior of OO White Coffee Carnarvon Plus; spacious! 

Our order list - I shall share the menu later. Aside from coffee, one thing I can't resist ordering for breakfast in Malaysia would be their traditional toast. 

Classic picture of a traditional breakfast set in Malaysia and Singapore! Of course, lazy Alex was super pleased to find soft-boiled eggs that had already been peeled. 

White Coffee - what better way to start the day than a hot cup of coffee! This hand brewed white coffee is the signature drink and it sure didn't disappoint; thick, frothy and definitely one of the best coffee I have had in recent years! 

Soft Boiled Eggs - Alex said very good and you have to believe him as he orders soft boiled eggs very often. I don't really have them often as I am afraid they would give me the runs, given my stomach's sensitivity.

Signature Toast - spread with kaya and butter, it wasn't as crispy as expected, despite the look, although I did discern a nice, fluffy breadiness to the taste. Personally, the toast was just average given that the spread of both kaya and butter was a tad stingy. A pity. 

Hokkien Mee - we decided to check out the hokkien mee which to us Singaporeans, would be considered as prawn noodle soup as hokkien mee to us means fried noodles. 

Honestly, this bowl of soupy hokkien mee was very good; soup was rich but tasted more pork than prawns and the decision to have bee hoon was perfect as the strands of bee hoon effectively soaked up the flavor of the delicious broth! 

And for a bowl that cost RM 11.0 (roughly about S$3.50), there were so many slices of pork! Please don't belittle the tiny prawns; it packed a punch of seafood goodness. Alex was so impressed; he started ordering hokkien mee when we visited other dining outlets in Penang.

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Address

260-D, Lebuh Carnarvon, Georgetown, 

10100 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

White Coffee (Hot) - RM 4.50

Soft Boiled Eggs - RM 3.80

Signature Toast - RM 4.80

Hokkien Mee - RM 11.50

(Subejct to Service Charge and Tax)

The Wooderful Land @ Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan

From the outside, this section within the departure hall of Taoyuan International Airport appeared to be just a wood-themed seating area filled with fake trees that wouldn't have survived in such indoor atmosphere. 

It's much more than that! Known as the The Wooderful Land, I would deem this as an informative exhibition that those waiting for their plane should check out. For example, an answer to why trees were so capable of carbon storage1 

The exhibition hoped to trigger your four senses; sight, touch, hearing etc. The above may seem like sex toys but they served to excite your sense of smell, with the aroma of essential oils made from three different types of wood found in Taiwan. 

Sounds of wood - not that effective for a tone-deaf person like me!

Touch the various kinds of wood. To me, wood is just wood and that's the reason why I prefer to have a black and white theme for my apartment. There are just too many types of wood, not to mention that many used for furniture are simply just plywood. Those pure wood ones would be too expensive! 

Advantages of wood although I am more intrigued by the secrets of the pores. What pores?! I only know wood has those lines officially known as wood grains. 

Explanation on a specific tree; like this radiata pine which is also known as new zealand pine. This feels so much like I was in a zoo, albeit a much smaller scale. 

Ending this post with the cute version of the Formosan black bear; endemic, and the only native bear species in Taiwan. From the pictures I found online, the Formosan black bear has a same appearance as the sun bear but it's much larger! 

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Address

Within Taoyuan International Airport

Click HERE for the Summarized Itinerary for Our 8 Days 7 Nights See Iconic Taiwan Anew Tour Package via Chan Brothers

Lee Jetty - Part of Heritage Clan Jetties @ Penang in Malaysia

Most people going to the clan jetties in Penang would likely go for the most popular Chew Jetty but the lighted entrance that's similar to the facade of Chinese palace / temple of Lee Jetty drew my attention. 

Honestly, I bet it would be nicer when night falls but given how much I am with night photography, having the advantage of natural daylight would still be preferred. Let's pop in for a closer look!

金鞍山寺- a temple on the side which honoured 保生大帝; a god of medicine within the Hokkien community. Even though I am Hokkien, I don't think I have heard of this particular deity. You may read here for more info! 

Archways with LED strips illuminated the wooden passage towards the end of the jetty! While they were modern installations, it's without a doubt that one word flashed to mind; pretty.

Typical residential dwelling on the side of the passage; unlike Chew Jetty, the buildings along Lee Jetty weren't that commercialized. Maybe it's past operating hours?

Exposed sea bed due to low tide. 

Thankfully, the smell wasn't that bad.

Reaching the end of the jetty; for the rest of the clan jetties in Penang, it's always the "end" view that captivates, especially when there's a light sea breeze. 

First thing I noticed; this forlorn man with his head bent down, sitting at the edge of the fenceless jetty. Thinking he was feeling depressed, I kept a lookout I was closer, and noted he was watching videos on his phone!

View right ahead; overlooking mainland Malaysia. It's a pity I didn't arrive earlier; when I could have likely caught a few glimpses of the sunset. Wait, wrong direction, as I was facing east. 

A few more photographs; I don't think any sane person would attempt any further step. Although the concrete columns were only about three meters tall (meaning I wouldn't die from falling), I shuddered at getting my sandals dirtied! 

Clan jetties actually started taking root in Penang from 1880s but this Lee Jetty was one of the youngest; starting only from 1960s as it was moved from another area that became Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal.

From the original nine; only seven remained and all were concentrated side by side, along the west coast of Penang Island. Considered as slums by many, "the UNESCO listing of the city centre as a World Heritage Site in 2008 prevented further redevelopment of the Clan Jetties".

Time to exit; while the entry was the allure of beautiful lights, the exit was a much muted affair. Oh yes, that's the sunset although not its full spectrum since I wasn't on higher grounds. 

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Address

57-58, Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 

10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Map

As above.