Traveloka : Park Royal Kuala Lumpur

So my significant half told me that we need a short getaway from our hectic life away from work
just for a few days. To recharge and temporarily drop all of our concern and pamper ourselves a little. Usually we’ll do the planning as a couple but this time round, I told him to leave all the planning to me as I wanted to give him a little surprise. But, as soon as I finished my sentence, I got a little panic. Suddenly realised the hassle that I have to go through - finding a nice place to go, a decent hotel, and an affordable flight there. Then, I hoped this pleasant surprise.

If only there is a good, reliable website that do most part of the finding for me. Particularly, one that rate hotels precisely and transparently. So that, I don’t have to take any risk when I deciding on a place to stay. Just as I was thinking of many travel websites around, Traveloka comes to my mind.

One thing that Traveloka stands out from there other booking app was the security of the transaction. With various banks as their official payment partners, such as CitiBank, DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and UOB bank, as well as Visa, MasterCard, SAM and e-NETS enabled, there is no hassle in making payment while booking for flight and hotel.

Another benefit I found with Traveloka was the number of hotels that was returned from the search I did. As compared to the other websites, Traveloka provides a more extensive search results. Although to some, too many results might make choosing the best one very difficult, but this well thought-out websites provide an easy-to-reference user ratings at a glance. Not only from their proprietary rating system but also from TripAdvisor so that I can make a better decision when picking an ideal hotel.

Also, I found that the general information of the hotel listing from the search result was easy to glance. Not overly cluttered with unnecessary information like number of people booking the hotel
or that particular hotel was booked how many times before. Which is what I love. Sometimes I wonder if it was just a marketing scheme to draw us into booking the hotel. At least Traveloka did away with such nonsense. Instead, Traveloka included saving that we would get out from the particular hotel, which makes more sense to us, saving conscious beings.

With Traveloka, I found a incredible Hotel for our trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (KL).
Park Royal Kuala Lumpur Hotel is located in the heart of KL. It’s just across the road to the famous Sungei Wang Plaza for our shopping spree. Walk further down to Berjaya Times Square where there is a indoor Theme Park. Lots of food options available too. And if you think all these shopping malls and food places are not enough for you, the monorail station is also within walking distance.
But for us, just staying over the weekends, I don’t think I can find any hotel that is
so well located as Park Royal Kuala Lumpur.

Apart of the ideal location, Park Royal Kuala Lumpur is also equipped with facilities for us to enjoy some couple time we can get after a tiring day of walking. It was nice having a spa session at St. Gregory. We did the bath treatments, he had the Ginger and Herbal Bath which is suppose to detoxify the body and improve blood circulation. Perfectly for him as it is ideal for tired and aching muscles too (I made him carry all my shopping loots :P). and I had the Milk Bath - which nourishes my skin and soak my stress away. My skin become so smooth and bouncy after the Milk bath!

All in all, thanks to Traveloka for our hotel booking. I had made my man really happy with our weekend mini holiday

HOKKAIDO RAMEN SANTOUKA | New Ramen Menu

I was honored to be invited by J Passport for a food tasting for SANTOUKA's two new items that will launch on the 18th of September. Along with Santouka’s anniversary, a whopping discount of 50% for Toroniku Ramen will also be available from 18th September 2017 to 21st September 2017.

Be sure to head down to SANTOUKA and enjoy their Signature Ramen and their latest creations! Remember to bring along some friends! Good food is meant to be shared.

In case you are the 3 out of 10 that still don’t know about this amazing ramen house in Singapore, Santouka is a Japanese Ramen restaurant famously known for its Hokkaido-style ramen and pork cheek. Based in 8 other countries, nine if we including Singapore, there are over 50 Santouka restaurants all around the world. To ensure each and every ramen to taste the same with any Santouka restaurant we go, their recipes are made with precise consistency. In Singapore alone, you can visit any one of their 2 restaurants (Orchard Cuppage Terrace and Central Mall)

I was very excited to be one of a few that had a chance to taste their two latest creations way before its’ launch. In fact, I had 3 bowls of different ramens that day including their Signature Ramen, the Iberico Tokusen Toroniku Shio Ramen!

Special Iberico Tokusen Toroniku Ramen

Although the authentic flavour of this Exclusive Ramen is Shio Ramen, however, it is also served with other 3 flavours which not limited to Miso, Shoyu, and Kara-Miso.

This Shio Ramen flavour comes with a rich, creamy, and aromatic tonkatsu broth which is so rich in flavour that I had spoon after spoon of the soup - almost forgetting the ramen noodle. Shio Ramen comes standard with everything you will find in Japanese ramen.

Shio Ramen is the signature, a tradition and it will never go wrong if you are looking for a warm, texture-rich bowl of goodness. Whenever we think of Santouka, we think Shio Ramen! Or otherwise? Will these two new items on the menu take over the limelight?

Santouka Tantan Men

Soon after, another bowl of ramen was served. The second ramen was the Santouka Tantan Men.
As soon as it was presented on our table, the aromatic smell of sesame flow through our senses. The presentation was a mixture of Chili oil and minced pork. We took no time to mix it up and take a quick sip of the broth.

Tantan Men ramen is another world of its own! This mildly spiced sesame broth mixed with all kinds of flavours stands out like ramen I've never tried before. However, this thick texture does make me feel a little sick of it after we've done half of it. Or probably, we are just in anticipation of the last item we've got to try, The Roast Beef Ae-soba!

Roast Beef Ae - Soba

Last and most certainly not the least. In fact, it was my favourite of all three I had tried that day.
The Roast Beef Ae-soba came very well presented, almost like a vegetable salad (salad was by chance one of my favourite food), and slices of pinkish middle rare premium beef lying above the greens. The waiter brought along a premixed sauce dressing, poured them in, and proudly informed us of the ingredients that created the dressing.



Although I'm not a fan of cold soba, this roast beef Ae-soba is something different. Firstly, the beef is perfectly done. Crisps on the outside, soft and tender on the inside. Second is the soba, along with the specially made sauce and Japanese sesame salad dressing, it is sweet and tasty. The best way of eating this is by putting both the soba and beef all together into the mouth. This way the flavour of the soba and beef together will trigger every sense, in every mouth of it!

Out of three contenders, this Roast Beef Ae-soba stands as the top ramen that I proudly recommend. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and be the first to try them this coming 18th of September. There will probably be a queue so be there early!

Thank you J Passport Santouka for the invitation and Santouka ( Central Outlet ) for the warm

hospitality as well as the excellent service from their friendly Staffs

Central Outlet

6, Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore, 059817

#02-76, The CENTRAL 

Tel: (65 ) 6224 0668

Operating Hours:  11:00 AM - 22:00 PM ( Last Order : 9:45 PM )

Nearest MRT: Clarke Quay

MEDIA INVITE : Party Popper Singapore

Last Saturday was supposed to be a weary day for me. I was tired and having jet-lag after a long haul flight back to Singapore. I decided to attend the event held by Party Popper Singapore to let my self more awake and not feel so draggy. It was a Media Launch of their party poppers that will be going on sale.



I felt better over here with fun and exciting activities. I have got to mess around with a huge variety of poppers range from tiny little ones to massive gigantic ones. And what excited me more was the vibrance of lion dance performance!

DBS INNOVATES : The Joyful of QR Code Cashless Payment

Digital payment has been going around us. It is easier and hassle-free to use electronic payment than using cash and save the hassle of carrying heavy coins in our wallet especially when you are going to those shops that only accept cash.

When I read about DBS Innovates, I was a little surprised that even Hawker Centre has implemented cashless payment now. With the advancement of financial technology such as
cashless payment, it brought us closer together to everything.

So far I always need to use cash to pay for the food and drinks at the Hawker Centre. And I only came across a few stores accepting electronic payment via Nets FlashPay. I prefer to visit their stall more because of the ease of payment and I don't need to headache to find ATM to withdraw money when I don't have enough cash.

DBS has come out with an app called PayLah!
It has brought the technology and traditional means of payment together.
As a customer, all we need is our phone. With DBS mobile wallet installed, use the app to scan
the QR code displaying at the merchant counter, input the amount and pay! Immediately the money will be transferred.
As a merchant, then they will receive a payment notification immediately.

One of the owners at Maxwell Hawker Centre found out about this initiative and have always
wanted to reduce the inconvenience of looking for small change to customers, has opted
for cashless payment as an alternative way to receive money.

Sharing article of Making Banking Simpler, Faster, Smart, and DBS News to read more about PayLah App.

The Paylah! QR code payment has low barriers to entry. Both consumers and merchants
only need a Singapore bank account to send or receive funds and at no cost.

We can also use it to collect or make payments to our friends with the QR code!.
Furthermore, PayLah! users can transfer money to others who do not have the PayLah! App
via their mobile number or NRIC/FIN, as long as they are customers of 7 participating banks

According to DBS, paying for taxi fare for ComfortDelGro will be available in the third quarter of this year.

DBS Marina Regatta 2017

Last Friday I was invited to an exclusive media preview of this year’s Marina Regatta. The Regatta is an annual affair hold by DBS to enlive the Marina Promontory. In case you are hiding in the crave and didn't know about this grand event, it's the sixth ongoing year!

Photo Credit @ DBS Bank

In conjunction with the Dragon Boat Festival, AKA Dumpling Festival, and as a part of the regatta,
dragon boat and Sail race is the main highlight of the event. Apart from the race, lots of other fun awaits!

Battle Bay
Remember that ninja warrior show on TV? They have our very own version to challenge any of you
ninja wannabe. Please bring some extra clothes to change when you take part in the challenge.
Unless you are confident that you won’t fall! Who knows, you might be winning yourself a champion.

The Battle Bay will feature nine challenging obstacles to navigate including :
balance blocks, monkey bars, wall scaling, and rope swings.

Photo Credit @ DBS Bank

Fastest timings for individuals and teams stand to win up to SGD 8,000 in cash prizes!
Anyway, please note down that it is suitable for 16 years & above only.
Charges : SGD 10 per try ||  SGD 5 for students.
To compete as a team, register at www.dbsmarinaregatta.com

Photo Credit @ DBS Bank

Well even if you don't plan to get yourself wet, or being a ninja just don't tick your boxes, there are tons of other activities to immerse yourself into. Like partying on the pop-up beach, enjoying a nice concoction from potato head’s Bartenders, appreciation of arts in the Bay Dome,
or play some childhood games like pick-up sticks in giant size.

Did I mention there's a yoga lesson too?

Last but not least, transform yourself into DSBMR X Ultra Countdown Party at night from 7pm-10pm on Friday and Saturday evening (2 & 3 June). Featuring three Ultra Music
Festival deejays every night, such as Dubvision, Crossnaders, Raiden, Jade Rasif, Moe and Myrne

Note: It is for 18 years and above only.
Charges are SGD 15 per entry, inclusive of a free drink at the Play Dome bar
Also, DBS Live Fresh cardholders get priority access to the countdown party.

Photo Credit @ DBS Bank

This is the cutest toilet I have ever seen for such kind of events instead of those built-up portable toilets. And still, there is the sunflower design inside the toilet.

This year, it is the grandest as ever. Full of fun activities and a lot of food to grab!!

Visit DBS Marina Regatta website for more information
Recommended Times: 4PM – 9PM (1 June)  ||   10AM – 10PM (2, 3 & 4 June)

Price: Free admission
Venue: Promontory @ Marina Bay

Hashtag:
#DBSMarinaRegatta
#DBSMR
#WorkHardBayHard

SPRING LUNCH FAIR: Machida Shoten

The month of May is the month where you can enjoy the number of Japanese food in Singapore.
Why I say so? Because Spring Lunch Fair is happening since last week which falls on 8th May 2017 till this coming weekend, 21st May 2017 at Japan Food Town.

You can enjoy the variety of Japanese cuisine for only $11.80


Japan Food Town

A massive space that covers half of level 4, Wisma Atria, is literary a Japanese food paradise.
Housed more than over 10 different Japanese Restaurants, it is a place that you can temporarily
ease your craving for any Japanese food. You name it, they've got it! We were pretty spoilt
of choices when we there. But well, at least we don't have to decide for today.

Thanks to J Passport Japan Food Town for the invitation.

Machida Shoten

This restaurant originates from Kanagawa Prefecture. The restaurant design is quite interesting and it's a typical traditional Japanese restaurant. According to their website, Machida Shoten's specialty is their “house-type” or “lekei” ramen.  Read more about Machida Shoten

Machida Shoten has prepared us for a special set lunch of Fried Rice & Gyoza set for the Spring Lunch Fair. The Service was excellent. Despite the crowd, the staff were friendly and attend to your needs promptly. The food was served hot and quick.

The fried rice was quite plain, not many ingredients and it tasted like normal fried rice that I can get from any Zhi Char stall.

The gyoza was nicer compare to the fried rice. But overall the food was out of my expectation.

The service is good but not the food. After a quick meal, we went to look for other food instead that could satisfy us better.  Perhaps we should try their Lekei ramen instead of the fried rice. That would probably be a better choice.

Nice open concept kitchen but be prepared to smell like a chef after your meal!

Japan Food Town ( Machida Shoten )
435 Orchard Road, Singapore 23877.
Wisma Atria Level 4
Operating Hours: Weekday ( 11.30 AM - 11.00 PM )
Weekends ( 11.30 AM - 11.00 PM )
Nearest MRT: Orchard

HAKATA IKKOUSHA Ramen | Food Review

Hidden away on the edge of the CBD district in Singapore and along the stretch of Japanese restaurants, Hakata Ikkousha is knowns as Ramen's house that serves exquisite Japanese cuisine.

This cozy restaurant is a great place to relax and to have a good meal right after work.

IKKOUSHA owns 42 other restaurants all over the world including England, Indonesia, and China. After winning Singapore’s Ultimate Ramen Champion in 2011, as part of winning, Ikkousha began setting up his own eatery in Tanjong Pagar.