After a considerably long drive from Johor Bahru to Muar, approximately 2 hours, I need a break to freshen up, food or otherwise. Somewhere I can rest my foot and reward my back with a good stretch. Since it was not exactly lunch time yet when we arrived, and couldn't check into the hotel earlier, I thought we could go for a cuppa at the hugely popular (or overhyped, in another man's word), Sai Kee 434 coffee.
Most of the locals would have known of this particular fried kuey tiao (炒粿条面) stall, situated in the hawker food centre just beside the old Cathay cinema. Just ask around where's 旧国泰 and I'm pretty sure any locals can provide the exact location. 
Still threading along Jalan Yahya and with a piece of 面煎粿 in hand, munching away as I took my steps forward, a small little signage beckoned for my attention. “Laksa 叻沙”. These words are just all too recognisable for anybody, coming across it in hawker centres, foodcourts, on the menu of cafes, and even throughout the duration of this road trip. Tradition aside, it has proven how a simple, inexpensive bowl of noodles managed to capture our hearts, keeping a firm foothold in Malaysia's food culture. 不让他人专美，食材简单纯普的叻沙也在马国饮食文化中，占有一席之位，与许许多多富丽堂皇的佳肴美食肩并肩.
Muar appears to have transformed from a lively into a sleepy town, after sun sets into the horizon. There's nothing much to do especially into the late night, driving across Muar town, one sees all the shops closed for the day, with the occasional bright spots along the quiet, dimly light street. Mind you, scouting for some late night supper is a challenge in this town, or maybe its because we don't know where to begin our search. 
Ice Town ... Ice Room ... are they related in any way ? Answer is No and it got me confused for a while between the both. Ice Room is the cafe (part of a franchise chain) I visited one late night during my Port Dickson trip which was eventually accorded a thumbs up by me. Ice Town on the other hand is on its own, operating in the thriving town of Muar, Johor. The only common point between them is their signature item, Snow Ice series 雪花冰, a rather popular dessert in this part of the continent, with the ever hot tropical weather.
Being a Hainanese myself, all the more I couldn't resist the temptation of paying Swee Bee a visit when I googled and saw some rave reviews about it. It has been much blogged about and I just got to find it, taste it and review it for myself. First thing we reached Batu Pahat is head towards it, arriving at around 3PM, way past the usual lunch hour but still brimmed with patrons aplenty, in small clusters around the shop.
We have driven past this seemingly rundown corner coffee shop umpteen times, but never gave it a second look, probably because it was overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbours, 水记咖哩鱼头 and 金山鸭面. Another plausible reason is the geography of the stall, hidden at the back of the shop with only a small signboard to maintain its presence in the otherwise unorderly, crowded place.
This isn't in the Batu Pahat itinerary but an impromptu decision to just stop over and have our dinner. We cursed our luck, after going around BP town searching left and right to only find out all those that featured in our plan was closed for the day. Geezzzz ... final resort was to then head to Batu Pahat Mall where we can get a selections of restaurants, cafes or fast food. Along the way, we chance upon Chor. Seems pretty decent and packed with patrons, so we decided to give this a try.
Teluk Sengat is a small rural, fishing village situated between Kota Tinggi and Desaru, surrounded by palm oil plantations. Its location would definitely spook some 1st timers off, trees and nothing but trees on both side of the long, windy road. As for the strong-hearted, they would be duly rewarded with a view of the newly built Senai-Desaru bridge spanning across the Johor River (and of course fresh seafood).
There are a lot of trips on Groupon or Deals.com which features tons of inexpensive trips to Batam for 2D1N. I got mine for less than SGD80 inclusive of hotel stay and ferry tickets :D That's quite a bargain, and I know my trip there would comprise of shopping, food, massage and (of course) a visit to their cinema theatre. Prices for a ticket only costs ~RM5 ! In case, you think their theatre are old and dirty, then think again ! I can tell you theirs (at least the one in Nagoya Hill shopping centre) are comparable to what we have in Malaysia or Singapore or better.
Truth be told, after having a few below-par encounters with the standard of food in Port Dickson, I'm starting to get skeptical about Jin Men Grill Fish. Afterall, I had to intentionally make a big detour from southern to northern side of Port Dickson just to have a taste of this. I sure hope it's well worth my effort, and things would have been alot easier to plan if they are open for business at least 6 days a week. On the contrary, they are only operating 4 days per week (you did not read it wrongly, they are only open for business from Thursday - Sunday).
A late night supper treat for me !! We found this gem (literally) while driving around aimlessly at night in Port Dickson town. The place stood out from the rest of the shops, the only brightly lighted one whereas the rest of the shops are already closed for the day, so it's no coincidence that it caught our attention. Just like a star guiding us in the middle of the night.
Feeling unsatisfied by our earlier meal at Kedai Pak Lang, we venture into Seremban in search of the infamous Seremban Siew Pau. For non-locals, Siew Pau is an (bun-like) oven-baked pastry with a choice of chicken or pork fillings (in char siew sauce). 
