Rain in Takamatsu and experiencing Singapore through my digestive system.

I am in Takamatsu after a week at Shorinji Kempo headquarters. I was going to look at the famous garden of Ritsurin Koen today, but the weather has been shitty and the hotel has free broadband so I have barely left my room. But, before I dig to deep into my Japanese journey, it is time to finish the story of Southeast Asia.

Besides my visit to Pulau Tioman, described in the last blog post, I also spent some more time in KL and visited Singapore a few days before leaving SEA on a Malaysia Airlines flight from KL International Airport on the evening of August 31. I didn’t take many pictures and not much happened that is interesting to post in a blog, but I would at least like to mention the food in Singapore. It was stellar! My Singaporean ex-colleague Esther was at home when I went there, and she helped me organize a total gourmet holiday! Wish I had taken pictures of the dishes and made notes to present the full menu. Anyway, here is a small selection:

Haienese Chicken Rice & Crispy Bean Curd.
http://www.boontongkee.com.sg/
People fly in to Singapore from distant places to eat this. Does it need any further description?

Chili Crab & Mango Pudding.
http://www.jumboseafood.com.sg/Recodishes.html
It was beyond words. I was disoriented a couple of days after having this. It changed my perception of the world, of life, of everything.

Sambal Chili Fish Fillet, Prawn roll.
http://www.soshiok.com/articles/10467
Thai food!!! Yummy!!!

Sushi
http://www.sushitei.com/promotions.php
On my night of arrival in Singapore, I ate this. And I will never forget it. Possibly the yummiest sushi I have ever had. And I have tried the entire range, from the rough but filling stuff they serve near Feskekyrkan in Gothenburg, to treats at really classy old school places in Tokyo. At Sushi Tei, tradition meets creativity in an absolutely adorable way.

Taiwan steamed Dumplings, Prawn Fried Rice, Braised beef soup
http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/en/index.asp
Reminded me a little of traditional Japanese food at its best. Freshness and sophisticated understatements.

Microbrewery Beer & Brownie, Moh Gwai strong Ale
http://www.brewerkz.com/
Moh Gwai means Ghost in Chinese and there sure was something supernatural about it. The beer list reminded me of Rigger’s in Nelson, New Zealand, which I described in an earlier blog post. A total heaven of divine tastes. A lot more city-like than Rigger’s thou. Like, nicer interior design and you have to pay for the small trial glasses. The dessert brownie was a surprise, you don’t really expect a microbrewery to be sillily good at desserts. But hey, why not, this is Singapore. That brownie was so delicious, it actually made my vision a bit blurred and disrupted my balance and coordination for a few hours after the visit to the beer brewery.

More microbrewery Beer
http://www.archipelagobrewery.com/mainpage.html
A number of examples of highly refined agrarian produce. And a great name to remind a sailor of his beloved home waters!

And even more!
http://www.pumproomasia.com/Our-Beer-4,1.html
This place had one of the most impressive collections of booze I have ever seen on display in their window.



I guess I should post at least some pictures from Singapore. You probably can't see much, but click on the picture and it will at least appear a bit larger. It is lions from the Night Safari. Highly recommended!



Esther in Singapore, her natural habitat.