I'm addicted to Tibetian food

For half a year now, my wife and I have been going to a Tibet Restaurant in East Coast Road for dinner at least once a week. When the restaurant was first open, there were a number of girls dressed in traditional Tibetian dresses outside the restaurant to greet the customers. Inside, the place is decorated with maps and wall hangings from Tibet. At first my wife was a bit hesitant to try Tibet food since it was her’s first time…actually, it was my first time too. We were getting bored of eating Singaporean hawker food such as chicken rice, fried kway teow, yong tofu, etc.


The restaurant sells, traditional tibetian food including dumplings, meat and vegetable dishes, fried noodle, fried rice and soup. Our three favorite dishes include – a plate stir-fried dou miao, ziran mutton and xiang la rou si (a pork dish fried with shredded vegetables and chile). The dishes have a sweetish, hot/spicy taste to them.

We like eating there (besides from the delicious food) is because the place is quiet and clean, the services is fairly good and fast; the portions are very large, the prices are pretty reasonable and we’ve never had to queue for a table. We usually spend between $25-$30 each meal including drinks. One time, we ate there with a group of eight, ordered around 10 dishes with drinks and spent less than $100.

The disadvantage of the resturants is the location – it is sometimes difficult to find car parking and there are no MRT close to it. Parking on the streets will cost you 50 cents per 30 minutes. Also, the restaurant only accepts cash payments.

Taking Air Asia to Kuching

So I went back to Kuching at the end of June. We booked the $0 but still have to pay airport tax. Also, Air Asia does not fly from Singapore so we have to separately arrange for transportation up to Senai Airport in Johor. $0 but not free after all. $$$.



So what's the difference with taking Air Asia? I can only compare against Malaysian Airlines as I used to take that, until they stopped domestic flights to Kuching from Johor. Well, for one thing, you have to walk to the plane and climb up the stairs to get in or out the plane. It's not very far, but you do need to climb and descend some steps. They don't allow photography (not sure why) but I have one taken from a distance.







The journey takes an hour and 20 minutes, with no food served. Their stewardesses announce over the comm system that refreshments are 'available at a reasonable price', without even batting an eyelid. You just have to look at the menu to know the truth.



Did I mention it's free seating? Be there early if this will be an issue for you. They used to have a special line for those with children or the elderly, who get to board first. I'm not sure why they abolished that policy. There is still an Express line. For people who opt for it by checking in online.

Everything else was pretty normal and uneventful. The crowd may seem rowdier (Now Everybody Can Fly), and the stewardesses less friendly, but you get what you pay for.

I just want to mention the curious design of the toilet at Senai Airport. They've remodeled it and it looks pretty nice. But the men's room has no urinals. I'm not sure if you can see from the photo below, but there is this wall where water constantly gushes down into a drain. You're expected to stand before this drain and pee. There is quite a distance from where you stand, to the drain proper. So you have to aim carefully. :)






I have more to post, about my time in Kuching itself, in future posts.

Back from Kuching, Sarawak

I've been on holiday the past 2 weeks. Now I'm back! I hope to post some pictures and stories about my trip. Stay tuned!