Tai Hing, Hong Kong…the most unpleasant thing I could have ever put in my mouth

Let me be clear: what is supposed to be highly rated Cantonese roast meat in Hong Kong, turned out to the most unpleasant thing I could have ever put in my mouth.

To comprehend the complex awfulness of this Tai Hing meal, think of the actor Rowan Atkinson, in his famous “Steak tartare” skit, contorts his face a thousand different ways while choking down a grayish patty of raw meat. The initial flavor was bland. It was dry and hard. I felt my eyes water up as I chewed. I tried to swallow. I felt my entire GI tract prepare to purge. And then I regained my composure and pulled an Atkinson, which is to say: I spat the nasty bits into a tissue paper and almost stuffed it into my laptop backpack.

Decidedly way below average. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Suage+, Sapporo…soup curry: Japan’s most underrated dish

Soup Curry – heavy, saucy and comforting – is one of Japan’s most underrated dishes.

Start by choosing the type of curry base you want…here choose your kind of curry from Crispy “Shiretoko” Chicken & vegetables – chicken (boneless), potato, carrot, eggplant, pumpkin, boiled egg, maitake mushroom, green pepper or Braised “Furano” pork kakuni – braised pork belly, potato, carrot, eggplant, pumpkin, young corn boiled egg. The broth is soupier than traditional Japanese curry. Then, select your desired spice level. Chicken-me chose the mild version. Next, choose the amount of rice you want and request any additional toppings. Most locals scoop rice onto their spoon and dip it into the curry, but you won’t be kicked out if you ladle the soup curry over your rice instead…like us.

It’s a spectacle of color that tastes as good as it looks. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Manam Comfort Filipino, Manila…If you haven’t been here yet, you need to

With the popularity of the many wonderful Chinese, Japanese and Thai eateries spreading throughout the world, I can’t help but feel that the food of the Philippines isn’t given the love it deserves. It’s time that changed.

The menu at Manam is expansive and affordable whether you’re in the mood for a warming bowl of Lomi or a plate of tender Chicken Adobo and everything is delicious, thanks to their excellent chefs  – so order lots and try a bit of everything – just the way it’s supposed to be. The House crispy sisig – pork jowls and cheek, chopped and served on a sizzling plate brings me to my knees as does the heart-palpitatingly good Sinigang na Baboy sa Sampaloc – pork shoulder simmered in house-made sour tamarind broth. Also insanely good are the Sinigang na Beef short ribs & Watermelon – Namnam favourite and an original family recipe and Gising gising – sigarilyas, kangkong, coconut cream, chilis, pork, bagoong saute. and Turon of mango & kesong puti with ice cream. (I think this is a good time to note that writing out this paragraph has made me incredibly hungry, and has also ruined this week’s efforts at the gym)

A few trips to Manam and you’ll be able to separate your sisig from your sinigang in next-to-no-time. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Dragon-I, Johor Bahru…it’s Chinese food done properly

I could not have been more excited. I have enjoyed everything this group has offered whenever I’ve been to one of its KL outposts, and I was thrilled that I would no longer have to travel so far.

The food at Dragon-i is really nice and really distinctive. We ordered the Auspicious Treasure Pot (Poon Choi b/ pencai). What arrived was a sizable bowl of braised Chilean premium abalone, premium sea cucumber, Japanese dried scallops and oysters, premium mushrooms and fresh sea prawns, roast chicken, braised pork belly, pork balls, dried beancurd skin, yam, black moss, chinese cabbage, broccoli, deep fried beancurd skin, radish and pork bone stock. The seafood was fresh and well-seasoned; the pork juicy and tender; and the vegetables soaked up the richly flavoured broth very nicely. Service is extremely efficient in this large operation, but don’t expect it to be cuddly.

Drawbacks? The kitchen occasionally gets things wrong, but when it’s on song – the food is really nice. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Beauty Box, Singapore…It’s an image straight out of a Tatler magazine

I look very sensitive and contemplative in the picture.

I liked the way they light up their subject and how they go about preparing their lighting set up. They highlight each person’s individuality whilst giving the series equality, everyone photographed in the same way against the same background. They shared some amusing anecdotes when we arrived at the shoot, and  this lightened the mood. We seemed to be on a level of trust quite quickly. They have the unique ability to capture the essence of the subjects and to focus the viewers attention on the subject’s greatest attributes. In short., very highest artistic and photographic standards.

The result…a quality image which reveals inner and outer beauty. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Café Yoshimi, Sapporo…refreshingly, as simple as that

If I know one thing it’s this: Japan has its fair share of absolutely gorgeous Instagram-worthy cafes and restaurants. Tucked away in the first basement floor of the newly opened Akarenga Terrace, Cafe Yoshimi is perhaps the platonic ideal of a café. Relaxed, quietly confident service matches the food and beverage offering.

If you’re after something for straight-up deliciousness, the chocolate and banana pancake is on a par with anywhere in the country. The banana and chocolate are a classic combination and coupled with eh soft and fluffy pancakes, this is irrefutable proof that God exists and wants us to be happy. The thick-cut French Toast and ketchup sauce Omurice add to the all-round appeal of this popular spot.

Unhurried atmosphere, lovely service and great food, Café Yoshimi has it all. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Tsui Wah, Shenzhen…failed to impress me

Tsui Wah is the Shenzhen outpost of a revered restaurant of the same name in Hong Kong. Let’s cut to the chase: this is the place if you want to visit a giant, super-sized neon version of Hong Kong’s humble coffee shop cafes (called a cha chaan teng, literally a tea food hall).

The dishes are pure Hong Kong comfort food, an eclectic and inexpensive assortment of Cantonese, Asian, and Western fare prepared for the Chinese palate. Start your meal with a local favorite—milk tea—followed, perhaps Lamb Chop Curry, King Prawns in XO Sauce with Tossed Noodles and wonton with fish roe in fish soup. And you’ll be missing out if you don’t try the famous crispy bun topped with sweet condensed milk.

Although there wasn’t much wrong, it failed to impress me. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Mangan, Manila…there is little to delight here

While there are many words I can use to describe Mangan, I’m going only to say this: Mangan is a bad restaurant. There is little to delight here.

The mediocre kare-kare buntot ng Baka tastes like something left over from the night before, which may just have had its moment 12 hours ago. I tried to eat it. I really did. It was as memorable as Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl halftime performance.

An unappetizing and underwhelming dish. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Lemon Tree, Johor Bahru…God damn is it good.

Much like the beef burger, chicken chop in particular is undergoing something of a renaissance in JB at the moment. Johoreans crave simple comfort food made with better ingredients and more thoughtful recipes.

At Lemon Tree, the lip-licking Hawaiian grilled chicken chop is rich, sticky, sweet and intense. It is ravishing enough to render me temporarily speechless. It’s not just good, it’s unmistakably unique. You could close your eyes, taste this dish, and know it didn’t come from anywhere else. The black pepper grilled chicken chop is another fan favourite. Besides its deliciousness, Its affordability is another reason for its popularity – it’s like a money-saving hack for living in JB.

If anything, my love for the place has intensified. The bird is the word. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…