The Essence of Food Blogging - Discovering and Sharing, Not Bragging Rights

There are all kinds of reasons why people blog, especially about food.

Just this week, one Singaporean blogger put up a post on the cost of blogging to perpetuate the reasoning that there is no such thing as a free meal.

And that has led me thinking, have we as a nation become so pedantic as to put a cost to everything?

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe - A Better Than Good Experience

Byron's moniker is liverpool, and obviously he is a die hard Liverpool FC fan. I am a Man U fan, and there is always that intense rivalry between the 2 clubs.

Nevertheless, I have an immense admiration for the Anfield fan that started this business of traditional coffee and toast despite coming from a totally different field.

Ivy's Hainanese Mutton Soup - A Real Love Story

You would think Ivy is the main cook and owner of this traditional Hainanese mutton soup stall, and you would be wrong.

It's the husband that runs the joint, and despite being Hainanese, he has not known or cooked mutton soup until recently. And you wanna know why?

Restoran Chin Chin - The Incredible Wanton Noodles in Johor

Let's face it. There will never be a perfect plate or bowl of wanton noodles. There will always be a great component or 2, but no one will ever get everything right.

With that in mind, these days the one thing that will gravitate me towards a wanton mee stall is simply the noodles.

Volcano Coffee House, Lei Cha (Thunder Tea) - The Little Boy with the Adorable Big Eyes

The little boy's eyes peered from behind the wall as we drove up, the wall barely hiding his mischievous cheeky smile.

As we strode in, his eyes lit up further in excitement and anticipation. He knew we were not the regular locals that patronize this popular eatery, but out of towners descending upon their quiet but amiable surroundings.

Happy Land at Johor Bahru - Of Chocolate Ice Kachangs and Nasi Lemaks and Rojaks

In life, if we can get to do one thing really well, we would be very fortunate. If we can even do 2, it's a blessing. But to accomplish 3 is a near miracle.

And that was probably what we witnessed in JB at this delightful little cafe that is so aptly named Happy Land.

Kedai Bak Kut Teh Hin Hock - Heartwarmingly Delicious in Johor Bahru

Sometimes, it takes a trip out of Singapore to realise the things that we are missing in our homeland. And I not just talking about food.

It's the little things, that when combined together, make up a greater whole that is sorely lacking in Singapore today. And that's why, it was such a great pleasure to be eating at this humble looking place in Kedai, Johor.

Hollandaise Roast Chicken Thighs with Butter Rice and Garlic Sprouts - A Simple Tasty Meal on a Sunday

Here's a simple weekend dish you can whip up for our family, and using only the simplest ingredients you can find in any supermarket here.

There are so fancy gimmicks here, so 30 hr sous vide proteins, or shellfish that costs a bomb, or special grains of rice that you have to travel a million miles for.