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

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE SO AWESOME

We had just finished dinner at Canton Paradise at I12 Katong Shopping Mall along East Coast Road and it was just the right thing to do; we headed in the opposite direction across the Shopping Mall to AWFULLY CHOCOLATE for desserts for a sweeeeeet ending.

But neither of us had ordered the Awfully Chocolate which is nothing awful but simply awesome.  

How did they manage to compete with the mushrooms of cake shops all over Singapore by just offering a choice or no choice so to speak of just one chocolate cake.  You must be kidding but it's an awesome cake a real chocolate cake with full fledged chocolatey taste and flavour; a chocolate cake that is not a McCoy but rich dark chocolate cake between layers of chocolate fudge.  For a while, it defies my understanding not until I have my first taste.  It was AWESOME !!  

You want the same philosophy in durian that is to enjoy premium MSW durian than any other lesser known cultivars.

Awfully Chocolate was founded in 1998 and then, ex-lawyer Lynn Lee has received  a fair bit of negative comments like "Doomed to fail" venture but she listened to her own heart and now 14years later, it has expanded to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Jakarta, Dalian, Guanzhou and Shenzhen besides the numerous shops in Singapore.

It's a Sunday night and yet the place is crowded with families and friends, some celebrating birthdays with that awesome birthday cake !  It's a good choice for something sweet and savoury to enjoy after a meal and just to "LEPAK" (relax) unless you are a non-sweet tooth person as most things are sweet here.   It's between you and your dessert and the mood is set to be relaxed.  This is a recommended place for friends to hang out and be seen as well indulging in "awfully good stuffs".

You will be spoilt for choice of desserts to place your orders;  There's Chocolate Cakes, Chocolate Ice Creams, Apple Crumbles, Banana Pie, Savoury Crepes, Breads and Gourmet Coffee.   We were here for desserts and there are 8 of us and we were not short of having our own choices when it was time to fill our orders and there were many to choose from.

I had the all time favourite Banana Pie which was served first and everyone who had a dig at eat goes oooh ahhhh oooh and it was good.

I tasted the HEI Ice Cream of  rich dark chocolate Premium Ice cream and you feel satisfied that you are enjoying the real stuff not just some feel of chocolatey taste but full rich taste that do not let you down.

Awfully chocolate occupies the the ground floor of a 3 storey building diagonally opposite I12 Katong.

Simple Counter with two heaps of Kahlua bars but dont be fooled by it nor the shop name.  You will be awed by what's available!!

You have Awfully Chocolate and Mooshi Bakes to offer you a whole range of awesome food.
Mooshi Bakes Brasserie is owned by Awfully Chocolate and both combine in a one stop shop offers you endless choice  of chocolate cakes and whole day dining.   Mooshi Pies and Apple Crumbles are in a class of their own.
The Banana PIE is so good, you cant stop for a second and a third helping..

My Order of BANANA PIE at $5.90 a slice is the most popular choice that everyone loves it.  

The apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.  The apple crumble was filled with a layer of cinnamon powdered sprinkling and it may be a bit too much for those who abhor cinnamon. We find it an enjoyable dessert with bites of apples and the layers in between the pastry.

White Chocolate Butterscotch with  Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll is not only so light and velvety soft
 but it melts in your mouth as well.

If you have not savour enough, make your order at the counter to bring home and enjoy in the comfort of your own  home right in front of the TV

AWFULLY CHOCOLATE 

131 East Coast Road

Singapore 428816

Tel: (+65) 6345 2190

Open 10am-10pm Sun - Thurs

Open 10am-1am Fri, Sat and eve of public holidays

AROMATIC HAILAM COFFEE - WAH KOR COFFEE CORNER

I love good coffee and I found one at WAH KOR Coffee Corner that besides the smooth aromatic coffee that perks you up for the day,  they also entice coffee lovers with their unique coffee blend that comes in three layers as well.    Visibly you can see a black layer of chin chau and  white layer of milk and another layer of brewed coffee and the extra flavour of gula melaka to kick in a storm in your palette.  You just need to stir it to mix well.  Oh boy!  the taste is darn shiok.

You will find Wah Kor Coffee at  Kenanga Food Court which is on the 7th Floor of Kenanga Wholesale City.  It's a one stop venue to find some famous and iconic KL food as well  besides the good aromatic ground and brewed coffee to enjoy.

As the T-Shirt says, UNCLE WAH Coffee Corner has been around since 1951; I was not even born yet !

and the coffee has been brewing for more than 60years and that's a long time to get the sleek smooth taste so right.

I was told the flagship stall or store started in Klang but I know I can have my coffee fix at Kenanga Food Court.  Each sip tells you that it is good coffee; the aroma, the flavour, the texture and sweetness are in equilibrium and I enjoyed the coffee more than the food there.

You have signature dishes at czechar stall but at WAH KOR you can find signature beverages too.

They have introduced at least 29 variety of drinks and the signature ones are:

Hainam Tea,  Special Tea, Three Layer Hainam,  Three Layer Coffee and Three Layer Tea & Three Layer Cham (whatever that is?)

It was kicking good to try the Three Layer Coffee and Tea but I just had Kopi-C Siew Tai and it was just as enjoyable, so smooth and so nice.  

Of course, my personal best coffee that tops the rest comes from Ipoh White Coffee at Cafe Wah Nam opposite Foh San Restaurant in Ipoh which makes such robust good coffee that when I was holding a packet of the iced coffee, a Chinese lady who do not drink coffee made an attempt to try it after hearing great reviews from me.  She was ecstatic to find that coffee is such a refreshingly darn flavourful and aromatic drink.  But she didnt realise she was having the best coffee and a standard way above others. 

                      

At Kenanga Food Court, there is a host of iconic famous KL food that has history that dates back to as far as 1927 and you can enjoy a confluence of such tasty dishes under one roof here at Kenanga Wholesale City.

HISTORY SINCE 1927
KIM LIAN KEE KL HOKKIEN MEE CANNOT BE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN MALAYSIA; It is unique to KL and the original stall can still be found at Petaling Street.

HISTORY SINCE  1939
OVER 70years of GRUEL CHUK or PORRIDGE that feeds the flock of diners at  Hang Lekir off Petaling Street is the famous HON KEE PORRIDGE.  Vivian Wong is the grand-daughter running the business started by her late grandfather, Wong Yue Wah who has passed the helm to the late Wong Hon Fei, Vivian's father and the congee business just grew by leaps and bounds.  Congee is a simple staple of daily food in the past but it has developed into a gourmet food.

HISTORY FROM 1988
Sorry I cant read Chinese but the claypot must be steaming hot since then to be popular !

HISTORY: SINCE 1981
ICONIC DUCK KING ROASTED DUCK SINCE 1981 which offers delicious tasty Roast Duck.

HISTORY: SINCE 1999
THE POPULAR CHERAS FLAT WOO PIN FISH HEAD NOODLES

KENANGA FOOD COURT

2 Jalan Gelugor

55200 Kuala Lumpur

Business Hours: 10am - 8pm daily