Lunch @JEM today after visiting AVA




The top picture is the Malay rice with beef rendang,kangkong and spinach ($6). Not satisfied, I adjourned a few stalls away to Bugger King for the Chessy Fries and King Dog ($4) which was excellent except for the slow service.

Beef noodles/rice @ Food Republic Shaw House




I opted for a bowl of rice instead of the kway teow and it cost an additional 80 cents which I think it was ridiculous. The kway teow beef cost $9.00 and so if one opt for the bowl of rice then the hawker should not charge an extra 80. In my case I had to pay $9.80. The beef soup was quite tasty and the beef (3 types)was sufficient for a small eater like myself.

KFC's breakfast chicken porridge set @ $4.60



Juicy chicken strips in mouth-watering porridge, garnished with spring onions, sliced ginger, fried shallots and diced chillies. 

My fast food dinner at McDonald's



I had this Double McSpicy Chicken upsized meal plus a Double Chocolate Frappe for my dinner. The bill was about $11+ which was quite expensive for fast food, I thought.
However, it was quite delicious and satisfying especially the Frappe.

Black fungus and its health benefits






Black fungus also known as Cloud Ear, Wood Ear or Tree Ear has many health properties if eaten. It must be dried because fresh ones could be poisonous.
Above are examples of dried black fungus. It is cheap and nutritious too. A 100 gm packet like the one above cost $3.60 cents only.
The health benefits are :
  • It is supposed to lower the bad cholesterol
  • It is a blood thinner, meaning it will prevent blood clot that causes hear attack and strokes
  • Black fungus prevents the growth of tumour and cancer
  • It helps absorb the dust particles in the lungs thus preventing coughing and lung infection
  • It smoothen the skin making it elastic and reduce wrinkles
  • It is high in fiber and when consumed it helps bowel movement
  • The iron contents in black fungus is 7 times higher than that of pig's liver and spinach
  • It also promote weight loss
How to cook black fungus:

My favourite style is to fry it with eggs and bacon as shown in the picture above.
Before cooking, soak the fungus in warm water for about 1 hour. Change the water a few times.
After the fungus has expanded, drain the water and you may start cooking.

My almost complete vegetarian meal




Home cooked Hokkien prawn and beef noodle






It wont be cheap if I wanna sell the above because of the cost involved. The 5 big prawns cost 50 cents each (5 = $2.50). The beef is another $1. Bean sprout is 5 cents plus the noodles,black fungus etc is 70 cents. Total cost without labour and rental (in case I rent a stall or place)comes to about $4.20c.
So what is the amount should I charge the customers for a bowl of the above? At least $8 to make a profit of about $3.80 per bowl? Too expensive right? Perhaps, $7 a bowl and make $2.80 from it.
Then what about rental and the workers' salaries? Lets assume that I am able to sell 200 bowls a day and I will take in a profit before salaries and rental of $560. Putting $200 for rental a day and $100 for the salary of 2 workers, I will be able to make a net profit of $260 a day which comes up to $7,800 a month(before tax).
However, getting a place at a good location will double the profit by selling 400 bowls a day. Sure, the rental may also double up to $12,000 a month. I would need to have another extra worker. The net profit would then be about $20,100 which is very good. Do you think I should give it a try after all the prawn mee cooked by me taste super good?

Home cooked Hokkien prawn pork rib noodle







Finally, I have found the right recipe for this prawn noodle dish. Relatives who ate told me it was absolutely super delicious. These type of comments have spurred me on to start thinking of setting up a stall, selling the above. I humbly agreed that this Hokkien prawn plus pork rib mee is the best I've ever eaten. Anyone like to join me in my new venture?