EXPLORING KLUANG

Having been brought up in a small town myself, I have always loved the charms that little towns bring. If you grew up away from the big cities, you inherit within you a cultural identity that comes along with the heritage of your town. I am till today a proud ambassador of Ipoh because I have spent 17 beautiful and memorable years there growing up.

Being an Ipoh girl, I always feel a sense of pride when I talk about Old Town coffees and the bean sprout and steamed chicken. I always joked that the bean sprouts from Ipoh are fat and short like me, and that's probably why they are of higher quality.

Since my family moved to Kuala Lumpur almost 5 years ago, I have seldom travelled back to my hometown. I miss it a lot really. So, my visit to Kluang last month was a really memorable one because the place reminded me a lot of Ipoh.

Similar to Ipoh, this small lovely town is famous for food (mainly because of the chained food outlet, Kluang Station). But just like how the various Old Town joints failed to do the original outlet justice, the Kluang Stations available throughout Malaysia in malls too are a far cry from the authentic stall that is really located next to the Kluang KTM station. Just to give you an idea of how good the breakfast was that morning in Kluang, a small 4 feet 9 inch eater like me shamelessly gobbled down two packets of Nasi Lemak in addition to Kaya and Butter toasts, coffee and three half boiled eggs. I think I would have eaten more if not because we had a hiking trip scheduled for after breakfast.

It is a shame that not many know about the wonders of Kluang. You'll be surprised that there are so many things to do in this town and things are so affordable here. If you are planning your next road trip with friends, I highly recommend Kluang. I felt that Kluang reminded me of Cambodia, because the town too is a hidden gem.

Kluang is located in the middle of the state of Johor, about 110km north of Johor Bahru, east-southeast of Batu Pahat. Kluang is named after a type of fruit bat because the place had many of these animals previously before humans destroyed their natural habitat.

A short trip to Kluang can help you get a happy balance of good food, health, fun and education. 

Here are a few places that I've visited and would recommend for your short visit.

Yummy In My Tummy

Barney's Western Food Restaurant

This is definitely one of the best restaurants I've been to in Malaysia! Every single dish served on the table mesmerised my taste buds, from the appetiser all the way to the dessert.

My few favourites includes the pepperoni pizza, the juicy wahyu steak and the spiked coffee (which basically mean that the coffee contains alcohol). We were also advised by Chef Barney not to judge his peas before we try because his peas are one-of-a-kind. I must say, I hate peas myself but his peas are really different because they are mini peas and delicious! These are a few dishes you have to order and try when you are there!

The delicious Wahyu beef. I was so full but I can't help but go for a few extra servings. Slurp! 

This was our appetizer. I dug in once it was served. I was so hungry and this is so so so delicious! 

The popular Barney's (was it French) peas

I forgot the name of this dish unfortunately, but it is a delicious mixed of mango, salad and fish!

Check out Barney's here: https://www.facebook.com/BarneysWesternFood

The authentic Kluang Station

The franchises around Malaysia are nothing compared to this humble stall located next to the Kluang KTM station. The place was packed that morning we were there and it was obvious that we were in for the real deal - an authentic satisfying Malaysian breakfast. Everything was on high speed as we gobbled up as many packs of Nasi Lemak & Bihun and swallowed a few eggs and the delicious Kluang coffee. It's been a while since I woke up to such a happy meal.

Best Nasi Lemak right here!

Kluang Mall's food street

When you are there, you also have to drop by Kluang Mall's food street for their very unique beef noodles, a franchise by the renowned Yean Kee. I am a huge fan of beef, so I am quite particular when it comes to good beef dishes haha. Ipoh is quite famous for its beef noodles; we had this roadside stall which sells the best beef noodles ever but now it is no longer in operation. But anyway, when my friend told me about the delicious Kluang beef noodles, I was excited because it's been a while since I ate good beef noodles. I was expecting a soupy bowl of beef "junks" and "balls" (ahem sorry if it sounds awkward), but instead what was presented to me was a completely different dish. But, it tasted so good (now I am craving for it, why do I have to write this at night). And if there is one place where their coffee is even close to Ipoh's delicious, milky white coffee, it's Kluang's coffee. You get it here too at Kluang Food Street. Of course I didn't order everything at the mall, but I had a taste of the "Luk Cha" dish that my friend ordered and I wasn't disappointed. Let me warn you though, "Luk Cha" is not everyone's cup of tea, so if you don't like it, don't blame it on the stall. It's just that you were not born with the tastebuds that is accustomed to the healthy and healthy taste of greens.

Love the deco!

Old school stalls inside a mall? Awesome!

Don't be confused. This is the must-try beef noodles!

Ikan Asam Pedas Restaurant

The name of the restaurant is self-explanatory. Yes, they serve the best ikan asam pedas in town I presume. I am sorry I didn't take a lot of photos. I think I am the kind who can't hold my appetite when it comes to food, especially when I am hungry. The most memorable dishes (besides the ikan asam pedas) were the sambal sotong and the steamed eggs. I've heard about the eggs even before I saw the eggs. Basically it was cheap and delicious. It's Legendary! Forgive us - KL folks forgot what it's like to have cheap and good food.

The Legendary Eggs! Wait for it...

I am hungry

Tong Huat Confectionery

So a bunch of us city folks managed to drop by Tong Huat confectionery for a quick tour of their factory. Their "kuih kacang masin" (it sounds so wrong in English - salty nuts biscuits?) is the bomb. Let me be honest, I am not a fan of these types of biscuits but I couldn't reject them when they offered me those crispy, round, freshly baked, beautiful-looking yellow biscuits. The bite I took made me an instant addict. Whatever came out of those oven were really DIFFERENT! I was surprised I actually love it and walked away with three packets when I left. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to taste it again because once the biscuits reached home, my dearest family finished it in a blink of the eye.

1980s Cafe

This is like the in place to have a drink or two with friends. When we went the place is so packed that we couldn't find seats. Bummer. But I was so in love with the outlet's design and the vintage Beatles collection they have. Be sure to drop by and check the place out if you have time!

I like to move it move it

Gunung Lambak

I was super excited to climb Gunung Lambak. Initially I thought it was a hill and so I was expecting to breeze through it. Nope, it is NOT a hill people and so we were put through some serious exercise that morning after breakfast. It was more challenging than Bukit Gasing people; it made the Mother of All Hills in Bukit Gasing look like a joke. So for you guys who have graduated Bukit Gasing, visit Kluang for the next phase of hiking. You'll have so much fun and a great workout. Plus, unlike Bukit Gasing, the surrounding is not tarnished by the sights of tall buildings / skyscrapers. It is really just nature and trees, and so that is really awesome. I think if you get lost here, you will be sleeping with the monkeys.

Although we didn't make it to the top (because we didn't have enough time, not because we are weak ahem), I hope we will make it one day!

Kluang Mall

Have a "Goat" Year Ahead

Remember, shopping is also a great way to exercise. Kluang has a beautiful mall for you to do your shopping too. If you need anything, Kluang Mall is right smack in the city centre and it has got all the cool outlets that KL has. I got my crystal bracelet there too (finally!) for a really good price that you wouldn't be able to get in KL. They also got a bowling alley and a cinema. See that's why I like Kluang, it is not overly developed to a point where it is bustling but you still get to enjoy the comfort of city life.

Crystal freaks

I learned so much about crystals that day

Get Smart

My general knowledge sucks, I'm telling you. Just the other day, when someone threw me a random pop quiz, I failed miserably. That was a bimbo moment for me.

How many oceans on Earth? - I almost answered 11 because that's my favourite number. My excuse was that I sucked in Geography, and so my friend moved on to Astronomy. 

How many planets in our universe? - I forgot.

Name all the planets - #@#%#$&!

If you don't want to look stupid like me, perhaps you should go for more educational trips like what is offered in Kluang. See how I subtly sold the place? :P

UK Farm

It is not the United Kingdom farm but it is named after the initial of the owner. I've heard about this farm from TV so I was thrilled to go. I knew we can chase goats there!!

Since I was travelling with a more 'civilised' bunch of people, we didn't chase goats but rather, we fed them and witnessed the milking process. I thought it was a violation of "goats' rights" but I guess it is excusable for general knowledge purposes.

Oh we also saw ostriches there and it was also quite an experience feeding these birds. They are not the most polite eaters on Earth but they are cute.

Don't eat me

Compulsory group shot

A hundred year old tree???! Kiss for luck!

Zenxin Organic Park

The vehicle we rode to tour the farm

If you love nature and organic stuff, you'll love this place. There are so many plants here and you see vegetables and fruits with new found admiration. When we saw bananas, we were like BANANAS!

Bananas have a weird sense of humour

I learned new stuff about one of my favourite fruits, the Dragonfruit - that its flower is called "Queen of the Night" because it only blooms at night. Did you know also that the male papaya trees don't bear fruits? Yes, so what you've been eating your whole life are "Mamayas".

If I have a favourite plant that day, it has to be "Tarum" or Snake Plant, maybe because of an inspiring story. The story was that this man had cancer and he recovered by taking this herb. This herb is very expensive in the market but this man, who had a large Tarum plantation started giving out his herbs for free after his recovery. Let's all start planting some snake plants!

Who wants money now?

So here's where the rabbits meet.

One more thing you have to do when you are there is to try their fried ice-cream!!!!!!!

It was DELICIOUS!! Well if you go to the gym district in Phuket (Chalong area), all the fighters would have told you to try the fried Magnum made by Tony's. I am sorry Tony, but this Kluang fried ice-cream kinda kicked your a** in fried ice-cream making.

In conclusion, it was such a great road trip! Kluang was awesome and I love the people who hosted us there. They were so nice! I was so fried by the last day of the trip that all I remembered was sleeping throughout the ride back to KL.

Definitely going back to Kluang soon, especially for the biscuits, fried ice-cream and some Barney's!