Malay Kampong in Hatchobori

Somewhere in Hatchobori, Malaysians in Tokyo, hankering for a mamak mee goreng, otak-otak, chicken rice and roti canai with chicken curry, make a bee-line for Malay Kampong. Rated as a casual dining hangout rather than a formal restaurant, it lends perfectly to the Malaysian coffee shop atmosphere or kopi tiam as we call it.

The authentic flavours and fair prices make it affordable and popular with the student population. However being a little out of center, it would take you close to an hour to get to on the Hibya line.

The menu choices are extensive. I would definitely have the Mamak mee goreng again. Karai desu (spicy)! Roti canai done the way I like - crispy and the chicken curry is sinfully lemak (rich with coconut milk). The boys who run the kitchen are from Ipoh, so they also do a mean Ipoh Hor Fun.

It is wonderful to meet up with Rastam's friends; Japanese and Malaysian, Filipino, Indonesian and Korean, and reassuring to know he has developed a good support system over the years.

Arabian Rock - Ueno

Strains of Arab pop , a cool name and hunger pangs drew us to Arabian Rock.

A Japanese belly-dancer greeted us and presented us with an Aladdin's lamp. She said "Rub the lamp and your wishes will be granted".

A stairway lit by brass lanterns led to a glowing pyramid and our own two-man nook decorated with Moroccan wall tiles and plush floor cushions.

To add to the fantasy, we received a basket of golden eggs to ward off bad luck. "Please peel off the shell" we were advised. Very bunga telor-ish. (Bunga telor, boiled eggs traditionally given as party favours at weddings and represents fertility in Malay culture).

With dramatic flair, a waiter emerged with a flaming dish of beef teppanyaki .

Flavourful tofu tajine, cod roe potato cheese gratin, chicken tandoori kebab and couscous salad ensured our wishes were indeed granted.

Happy and satisfied, the Alhady Arabs reluctantly crawled out of their alcove for their next adventure.

Grazing choices in Tokyo

A Groupon meal at Shibuya entailed acquiring a free coupon from the website which promised a 1500 yen rebate. Sounds good at the outset. You are drawn to gimmicky visuals of themed rooms like Alice in Wonderland, Ali Baba's cave for the experience of dining with a difference. Reservations are quickly confirmed for the only available dining time at five thirty or wait for the next weekend.

Without a glimmer of a chance of getting a themed room this time, it only got worse. Ushered into a cubicle reeking of smoke sent spasms to my bronchioles. Request for a smoke-free room landed us in a four-person cubicle, separated from the other couple by a pull-down screen. There were several restrictions to meal selection too inane to mention. Adding insult to injury the bill was presented minus the rebate offer. Surprising for Japan indeed. They pride themselves in honouring deals. For another horror Groupon story read this.

http://www.retaildoc.com/blog/groupon-worst-marketing-business/

My favourite lunch place, Dexee Deli at Lumine 1 food court, serves up a quick low cal nutritious meal. On offer is a protein choice of fish, chicken-tofu or beef patty, and recently added green chicken curry, two vegetable choices and sekihan (red rice) with a drink for a value price of 900 yen!

Thai Khao San, located directly opposite, is popular for its unique hawker-styled seating arrangements ie stools around large round tables, suited for a shared dinning experience with total strangers.

Korea town, Shin Okubo, is teeming with Korean restaurants and supermarkets and Zainichi, Japanese-born Koreans living in Japan since before the war. Our favourite spot is a little establishment on the second floor specialising in Korean fried chicken with Yangnyom sweet hot sauce and sesame seeds. Another yummy fried chicken dish is the soy and garlic version. The secret to the crispy crunch is the double frying technique with only a dash of seasoning.

Obviously this meal negates all previous efforts at eating healthy . . . but what the heck. If you haven't tried yangnyom you haven't lived!

Dining alone in Tokyo

Nestled behind Takashimaya in Shinjuku and up a steep flight of stairs, a charming woody, nature-inspired cafe lay waiting to be discovered. The warm humid evening begged for the airy patio.

A light meal, a good book and my trusty camera were good company.

I had reached a pivotal part of my current read, South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami, and was savouring each and every word. You know the feeling that you don't want the story to end . . . not just yet.

Enjoying the aroma of coffee and the night skies brought an end to another day.

Singapore Seafood Republic, Shinagawa

Cross the overhead bridge in front of Shinagawa JR Station and you can't miss the chilli crab signboard.

Hey are we in Singapore? Raffles Hotel? A refreshing change from cramped smoky restaurants. A colonial bungalow with al fresco seating . .

. . . and spacious, cool indoor dining.

A friend working at the restaurant gave us the royal treatment and drinks on the house.

Singapore fried mee hoon turned out to be rather insipid and merely coloured by kunyit (safron). The chili crabs and steamed mantau (bread), on the other hand, were incredibly like the stuff we get at home. Satay was good, but the peanut sauce was microscopic in amount. An interesting twist was the added pineapple dip.

French doors open out into a courtyard, complete with green canvas umbrellas and shady trees, very much a reminder of home.