JB EATOUT:  15 STOREY AH KIANG FISH BALL NOODLE


Practically most foodies know of SAN LOU BEEHOON in Johor Bahru (referring to 3 Storeys Beehoon) which has been popularised by their sumptious wok fried beehoon and uniquely dished out in its very own style.  More interesting was the story webbed out based on a three storey building.

This idea has caught on and we now have 15 Storeys Ah Kiang Fish Ball Noodle.  So what's the story of this 15 Storey Ah Kiang FishBall Noodle?  Mr Kiang, one of the brothers of this family owned business explained that they have originated from the 15 Storeys Building (now demolished) once situated behind the current expansive JB CIQ.   Its a keepsake name for their customers to remember their flagship shop since they have now moved to Permas Jaya.

It's a Sunday late morning and the shop in Permas Jaya was packed with late risers having their morning breakfast.  You will notice that Permas Jaya has a more laid back atmosphere with everyone doing their own things nonchalantly but this shop has lifted up the mood bringing those who want to fill their stomach some satisfying moments.  However, the coffee here is rather thin.

They offer flat noodle (mee pok) and round noodle (mee kia) as well as rice noodles (kway teow)  and a hint of the Malaysian flavour is found with dark sauce added (known to Singaporean as the Singapore noodles do not add dark sauce).

Akin to Ah Koong noodles, they offer fish cakes as accompaniment.  Generous with the ingredients, they have added fish balls, slivers of liver (hoon kwa which is more delicious), fish cakes and you can top it with the avant garde Hokkaido scallops which others dont serve.  The small scallops are very fresh.

Mr Kiang the elder brother is busy behind the stall dishing out the noodles and you have several helpers who donned purple tees uniform briskly serving the bowls of noodles.

Fish Cakes that are fresh and tasty and the chilli has the oomph though not fiery hot.

We ordered both flat and round noodles but the popular flat noodle is not as nice here as the round noodle.  You need to add more chilli to bring out the taste.  

The flat noodles are cooked softer not as al dente and the slices of char siew are not the usual "charred" siew pork but looked tinged with red colouring. 

It ain't no restaurant standard despite its name and the bowls are served as is wtih splatters of oil and sauce on the bowl.

The soup is very tasty though and the fish ball is freshly to a bouncy consistency.

Now the small Hokkaido scallops topped it all, sweet and fresh and I enjoyed it.

Love the MILO Logo and you drink with an old feel of  "tak kiew drink".....


15 STOREY RESTORAN KIANG
18, Jalan Permas 10
Bandar Baru Permas Jaya
81750 Johor Bahru
Contact:  Mr Kiang   016-7732228

PARIS favourite Japanese JUBEY Restaurant (formerly Kunitoraya) - What am I doing in a popular Japanese Restaurant in Paris ?

Kunitoraya is a well sought after Udon Noodle house in Paris and so my friend who was holidaying there months ago kept reminding me before my trip, how she enjoyed it there and it is a must stop since I am there.

I have read on that it was claimed to be the best Udon Noodle outside of Japan and it should be definitely worth the visit.

Ok, first I have to head to Rue Sainte-Anne and I have no idea where that is and it's only after a few days of weaving in and out of the well planned urban city of Paris that I realised that it's within walking distance from  my apartment in Hausmann Boulevard.  Well for a more touristy direction, if you are facing Opera House, you have to go to the left hand direction and through the inner roads that you can find rows of restaurants of Japanese and Korean cuisine.

It's still unsual for me to look up a Japanese restaurant whilst I should be finding my way for escargot, cog au vin, cunard, fromagges etc in a French Restaurant but this is a favourite place recommended by many and to resist or forego is to regret.

Took me a while to find it because the hour that I was there, the lunch queue was fast disappearing (follow the crowd for good food) and secondly a new owner has taken over the Noodle House and has renamed it from the known name of Kunitoraya to JUBEY instead.

Let me first assure you that Chef Matsuda who is overhelming the kitchen is still there so really, the taste the drew thousands and long lunch and dinner crowd to this small restaurant still remains under the same sure steady hand that made the traditional udon noodle.

Restaurant Japonais  JUBEY (formerly Kunitoraya) is a small shop with full glass window that seats 2 and 3 on each window sill.  It is situated along a row of other Asian Restaurants.

You are greeted promptly by friendly efficient staff.  I took a seat at the wooden counter and on the other side this is where all the actions kicks in as the chefs prepare you your favourite Udon Noodle.  

The Udon Noodle is very smooth that glides in your mouth.
The wheat fourr is imported from Japan but the Udon is made fresh daily here. 

The sizzling behind the counter where the chef is at work to deep fry your fresh EBI encrusted in the crispy tempura  batter

Even the chopstick stands in the basket of tempura crisps.

The oil must be boiling to deep fry the tempura to the right crispy texture

The cook testing using just a chopstick to ensure it is well deep fried to the right texture and crispness.

Deep Frying a few at one go !

Eating in a dungeon doesnt seem to blend in with Udon Noodle though.  I would be thinking of pasta and pizza...

The winding staircase leads you to more dining hall but with a different feel, the real Parisian underground of limestone rocks in its original state.  

This is the Man ! Chef Maksuda who is taking his break.

 As I discover the basement, my order of Ebi Tempura Udon Noodle is getting ready.
There is a plate of sesame, ginger, finely chopped spring onion and a quail egg.  The cashier cum waiter was a young guy who is Chinese but have lived in Japan since young and who is here part timing whilst doing his French language for a year.   He has kindly show me how to mix the egg in the soyu gravy along with the rest of the ingredients on the plate.  Next is to dunk my noodle on the bowl of soyu gravy and slurp as loud as you can.

The meal was heavenly with the smooth gliding noodle that is light and easy to slurp and the fresh ebi and vegetable tempura of pumpkin, green pepper and Japanese cucumber that is well deep fried with lightness and crispiness to give you a nice bite with a crunch is certainly worth the stop in Paris  on a cool 16degree spring season.

I enquired with the young guy (forgotten his name) his opinion given that he has eaten in Japan half his lifetime and would have been able to provide me a comparitive advice, he commended that the specialty is in the soup or broth that is clear and flavourful.  To this I agreed because the other order that we had was a soupy Kitsune Udon Noodle but the flavour of the broth and the nice delightful noodle makes this simple dish a delicious yummy meal.

JUBEY

39 Rue Saint-Anne

75001 Paris

Tel: 01 47033365

Metro: Pyramides

Open 7/7

Monday to Sunday 11.30am to 10pm

{KNEAD TO EAT} IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPENED 

I was merely passing by UE Bizhub East and as I walked past a Cafe, I recalled having my eyes fixated at the sandwiches the customers were relishing.  The queue was there, the crowd was present and immediately I made a u-turn for it as if my nose was following based on what I see and retrospectively may I say that I have no regrets.  My instint was correct but the now newly opened shop was not even ready for business then.  I wanted that sandwich but it was not for sale yet then and you would crave even more for it. 

Nevertheless,  I was pleasantly surprised that I was offered the sandwich by non-other then the owner herself. I warmed up to the offer of the BRUTUS ROAST BEEF Sandwich (SGD10.90)  for takeaway. I had incidentally gatecrashed a session meant for friends and family before it opened shop last Thursday, thinking that I could get a sandwich that attracted me and I ended up being offered a free sandwich; how nice !

Yes, Mumtaz is the personable and friendly owner, a first-timer to venture into opening a cafe, having previously worked in the IT industry as Sales Director for more than 10years and finally decided to follow her dream of setting up a cafe from scratch to offer Coffee+Sandwich+Salad+Soup to the fast developing Changi Business Park where major bank headquarters are now sited besides IBM and a host of other industries.  

Well, her former contacts and clients would be more than pleased to have her there as they are also concentrated here in an around this building and they could easily drop by to chitchat with an 'old friend' besides grabbing a nice cup of coffee and sandwich.  

The staff are friendly and were more than too HAPPY and PROUD to be in the team.

Initally I wondered why knead to eat name was adopted; I thought that they have to knead the dough for bread but Mumtaz relate that everyone NEEDS TO EAT and thus the pun.  Nice indeed and agreed WE ALL {KNEAD TO EAT}!!

As the cafe is not opened yet, I cant comment on the coffee besides knowing it's Arabica Coffee they offered.  All the items served are freshly made and Mumtaz was frank to tell me she already have received hit and misses on her first time.  Well at least it was from friends and family so it's good feedback.

However, let me have my opinion !  

The BRUTUS ROAST  BEEF SANDWICH which I had was a REAL HIT ! 

My son loved it including myself.  We shared the only sandwich and the roast beef was so flavourful and tender.  You do not want to having chew hard or chomp your way through a beef in a sandwich had been chewy and dry. But this was A High Five, Delicious and SIMPLY AN ENJOYABLE beef sandwich  It was a big plus with the other spread including cheese, tomato and mushroom I think  ( I enjoyed it so much I forgot to see what's therein !) which was well marinated.  The bread was so delightfully light, moist with herbs and luckily it was not heavy, dense and dry as it can happen.  It's one of the best sandwich I have tried before.  The taste was simple, original and unique.

The texture was just Right ! and the flavour still lingered on for a while after having it and I wanted more !

Hi folks!   I will be back for it.  I cannot forget that taste.

The friendly and cheeful Team with owner, Mumtaz second from left

Warning:   Simple interior decor but BIG on Taste !!

Barista at work !

I love the coffee paper cups, two colours !

My All time favourite !  I got what I saw 

{KNEAD TO EAT}
6 Changi Business Park Avenue 1
UE BizHub East #01-30
Singapore 486017
Tel: 65 67020887
Email for Orders:  orders@kneadtoeat.com.sg
www.kneadtoeat.com.sg