Many Singaporeans purchase property in Johor Bahru to enjoy the perks of a landed housing. While having your own swimming pool is still far-fetched even by Malaysian standards, you should minimally get to have your own backyard to grow fruits and vegetables. And if you can maintain it well, you will get a decent harvest – enough for your own consumption, and which is even fresher than what you will ever get in wet market or hypermarts.
In this post, we cover some of the most common fruits and vegetables Johoreans grow.
#1: Banana
First off the list, Banana is largely associated with the famous Malay snack – Goreng Pisang. While you are biting off the sweet and crunchy bits, do not be surprised if the source of this is from a kampung backyard. Other usage includes the usage of banana leaves to wrap another famous Malay food – Nasi Lemak. Banana actually contains vitamin B6 and C and is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and breast cancer. In addition, many locals hail Banana as a fruit which improves sexual prowess. Well, you will just have to try it for yourself.
Growing Banana in Johor Bahru
#2: Aloe Vera
While Aloe Vera juice is widely used as a relief for digestive issues, many Johoreans use it as a moisturizer on the face instead. Simply peel off the outer skin and run the interior translucent tissue of the Aloe Vera on your face, washing off the juice after 20 minutes. Most Johor Barhu aunties swear by it as the perfect antidote for teenage facial acne and dry skin. And it is free too!
Growing Aloe Vera in Johor Bahru
#3: Lime
On a really hot day in Johor Bahru, think about having a lime juice which is made right off your backyard. Relatively easy to Read on…
March 12th, 2011
Editor’s Note: For those looking for a good Christmas dining with family and friends, check out the following offerings from Thistle Johor Bahru!
A Ho-Ho-Happening Xmas Affair At Thistle Johor Bahru
Thistle Johor Bahru’s all geared up to usher in the good season of giving, receiving and merry celebration! So to those who prefer to be in town during the Christmas period, check out what we have in store:
Glass – Christmas’ Eve (24th December 2010)
Celebrate the arrival of Christmas with family and friends at Glass with an extensive buffet dinner laden with Christmas goodies at RM120.00++ per person and RM55.00++ per child (6-12 years old). Expect a great line of traditional Christmas fares such as Smoked Turkey, Salmon Bellevue, Roast Beef with Wild Mushroom, Chicken Ballotine stuffed with Chestnuts or go with exciting fusion food such as Roasted Duck with Orange Sauce, Pilaf Rice with Kalamanta Olive and Green Curry Butter Prawns for a taste closer to home. Outdoor on the hot plate, you will find Smoked Barbeque Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, Teppanyaki Lamb Chops, Honey Glazed Beef Spare Ribs and Nicoise Beef and Chicken Kebab. For those who wish to indulge, pick up a bottle of wine from the hotel’s long list of Beverage list to complete your festive celebration and don’t forget to visit the dessert counter with various Christmas cakes, puddings and crumbles. The towering Chocolate Fountain offers condiments such as Marshmallows, Fresh and Dried Fruits to keep everyone busy dipping.
Xmas main course at Thistle Johor Bahru
Glass – Christmas Day Buffet Lunch (25th December 2010)
If waking up early and preparing lunch on Christmas day sounds like ‘Mission Impossible’ , fret not. At Glass, apart from the obvious Christmas delicacies, tease your taste buds with Read on…
December 13th, 2010
Continued from Part 1…
CHECKING OUT THE FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT IN THISTLE JOHOR BAHRU
There are 4 restaurants in Thistle Johor Bahru; Glass, Chinoise, Oasis & Steps. They serve different types of cuisine, from Western to Continental and Asian. Here’s more information about each of them.
Glass
There is a reason why they named this restaurant “Glass”. Simply for the fact that the restaurant’s tall floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowed guests to savour nature’s beauty and the picturesque poolside while dining in the comforts of an air-conditioned space and away from the scorching sun.
If I were to rank the 4 restaurants within Thistle Johor Bahru according to the most scenic views offered, Glass would top the charts undisputedly. The floor-to-ceiling glass windows (allowing diners to dine in full view of the resort-style pool), white-washed ceramic columns, combined with modernist tables and chairs, created a relaxed atmosphere and peaceful setting, quenching my thirst for serenity of the mind and allowing me to accomplish one of my objectives of this getaway, which was to find a safe sanctuary for my well-being (even while dining!).
Thistle Johor Bahru - Glass Restaurant
The spread of food on the buffet tables was pretty average, I felt. Each buffet tray did not come with a description tag. I had to peep into the 2 huge pots of soup to make a wild guess as to the identity of the soup before making a calculated decision as to which pot I should scoop my soup from. I thought that the labeling of their food items, like what most 5-star hotels do, would have made the process of “navigating” through the buffet spread an easier task, something which all guests have to go through.
Thistle Johor Bahru - Buffet spread at Glass Restaurant
I liked the fact that, on top of the buffet spread, I could order a main course, whipped up with fresh ingredients and served piping hot, from the kitchen. The menu was lovingly created, with a fusion of Asian and European influences, and features 5 hearty and delectable choices for mains – Grilled Lamb Chop, Grilled Mini Steak, Pan-Fried Salmon, Fried Kway Teow and Beef Rendang. We ordered the Pan-Fried Salmon & Beef Rendang.
The Pan-Fried Salmon was nicely cooked with its meat moist and flaky. The sauce that came with it had a zesty taste, making it light and appetizing. We fell in love with the presentation of this dish.
We also tried the Beef Rendang which was delicious and tantalizing. A moment to savour was when we sunk our teeth into the tender chunks of meat, which subsequently burst with flavors of onion, tomatoes, sweet sauces and spices.
Warm and amiable, the service staff were exceptionally attentive, overseeing our needs and meeting our requests promptly (even our simple request for warm water), befitting the status and quality of a 5-star hotel. Such friendly service immediately brightened up the entire meal. Overall it was a fuss-free and pleasant lunch affair!
Thistle Johor Bahru - Splendid view at Glass Restaurant
Thistle Johor Bahru - A-la-carte menu (Pan Fried Salmon)
Heartwarming words imprinted on the usual restaurant serviette. “One thing I can’t do is wipe that smile of satisfaction off your face”. Brilliant gesture by Thistle to create bubbles of joy to our dining table through even the smallest of things!
Thistle Johor Bahru - Interesting caption
Chinoise
This Chinese restaurant, which serves an array of sumptuous traditional Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, is only used when the entire restaurant is booked for functions or luncheons for conference participants, or for weddings Read on…
May 3rd, 2010
