Pulau Ubin: Back in time on this off-grid island! (Singapore)

[@tengts3054]

you both are so polite, gracious guests no wonder Singaporeans willing to share more , including durians!

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Gosh, thank you so much! ❤️

[@tonyquek6157]

The noodle is Hor Fun (flat noodles with corn starch seafood gravy). It’s a local durian from Pulau Ubin unlike the one on the mainland that are imported from M’sia n Thailand.

[@zenalias3131]

The moment you said "That's actually not bad" & "the nice flavor takes over", you two have completed the trial. All of us Durian kakis welcome you into the family. The fruit is a hit or miss, either you love it or hate it and I'm glad its the former one for the both of you.

[@AnnHelle]

Appreciate y'alls style of travel vlogging so much. It's so wholesome and pure, no sarcastic digs, backhanded comments about the country and culture, just a childlike wonder and happiness. Please never change 🥰🥰🥰

[@tomyang6678]

17:54 - That is not a seagull. You did see an eagle. 😊 A White-bellied Sea Eagle. The largest eagle native to Singapore. Found mostly along coastal areas or near bodies of water.

[@conned]

There is a family along Singapore River...but I never seen it swoop down to catch any fish, ( don't see fish in river), either rats or smaller birds..

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

Hor fun is indeed common - but you gotta know where to look: the dish typically isn’t found in stalls specializing in one or two dishes (like say, chicken rice or carrot cake), but in those with extensive menus and lots of dishes (of which hor fun is one among many). These establishments are colloquially known as “zi char” or “tze char” and they serve cook-to-order dishes like seafood, ye olde sweet and sour pork, hot plate tofu and omelettes, etc. Kinda similar to Chinese restaurants in the U.S. And it’s always fun when first-time durian eaters discover that they might actually like it. 😂 The trick I think is to see it as a kind of custardy mango with a complex flavor bouquet (sweet, bitter, alcoholic, caramelly, fruity, pungent banana - it’s a bit like wine!) and ditching the other preconceptions. Well done!

[@IA100KPDT]

Its literally everywhere.😆

[@cartoonpete407]

That hor fun you were eating at the beginning of the video... one of my favorite dishes too!! My mouth is watering watching you eat that!

[@1081John]

Singapore government is good building country and Island a nice place for human around the world and will continue to improve.

[@prrylin1]

Such a joy to see the both of you having a great time in Singapore. Cheers!

[@Anon-cv7ru]

The Hor Fun is basically broad rice noodles that is pre-fried with soya sauce to give it that brown color and awesome browning aka Wok-Hei on it... then the gravy, usually thicken with potato starch, with ingredients, usually fish cake slices, pork slices, green veggies usually choy-sum, prawns, squid, eggs beaten and spread even throughout the broth to achieve that eggy gravy, are cooked then pour over the hor fun, it is available in all coffeeshops (not cafe) in Singapore just that it might only be available in late afternoon or early evening. Not common in hawker centre though as running this kind of stall requires more space.. as they sell whole selection of dishes, hence they always take up a corner stall space in most coffee shops.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Oh! So to find it, we need to eat in restaurants and not hawker stalls? That makes sense! It's sooo good!!

[@ogukuo97]

@romOurPocket Coffee shops will usually have them. Coffee shops are like mini food-courts with multiple stalls selling different dishes, some of which you can also find at hawker centers. What distinguishe them from hawker centers are that they are usually run by a single operator that sublet the stalls. They would also usually have a corner stall selling only drinks such as kopi (coffee) and soft drinks, which is highly profitable and thus retained by the operator. They would also usually have a 'zhi char' store, which translates roughly to 'self cook' stall. Such stalls are larger than the other stalls and operate like a restaurant in offering a number of dishes on a menu. This is where you will usually find wok-fried dishes like 'hor fun' (the thick noodle dish you like so much) but there are many other dishes, most of which are delicious.

[@Anon-cv7ru]

@@TalesFromOurPocket Some restaurants might sell it... but it is a very common dish that Singaporeans would eat for dinner, as it is available in all the neighbourhood coffee shops or Kopitiam. Some food courts might have it.. but it depends.

[@huaiwei]

@@TalesFromOurPocket in case some tourists may get confused, "coffeeshops" in Singapore are actually "mini hawker centres" with just one row of stalls. Commonly found all over Singapore (usually one coffeeshop serving about 10-20 public housing blocks. This is why locals tell you it is a very common dish, yet tourists may not find them as easily. They are just not commonly found in touristy areas. Our coffeeshops are nothing like the ones in Amsterdam, for example. 🤣

[@simroysten7963]

@@TalesFromOurPocket Look for any stall that states" ZI Char" which literary means 'cook & fry' on the spot cooking or freshly cooked. Usually they also serve chillie crab, fried rice, deep fried scrambled eggs, veggies, tofu on hot plate, dark soya sauce noodles in clay pot (called Hokkein Mee - origin Malaysia). Always specify what size of dish in SML. You can always ask for packing of leftovers especially dry fried items like the cereal prawns. No need to go to restaurant just any coffeeshop or in hawkers' centres. Ask for Hor Fun (the white rice noodles you were having).

[@WilsonTan]

Great video! Pulau Ubin can get quite busy and crowded during the local school holidays so it’s nice to be able to visit during the quieter periods

[@tainaphua1901]

greetings from dark freezing cold Canada, you guys are simply adorable. So much charm, energy, positivity and deep respect for the local folks, foods and cultures. Truly fantastic....take care and keep up the amazing work...from an adoring fan and Singaporean living abroad.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Hi Canadian neighbor!! Thanks for watching our video. Do you get to return to Singapore occasionally? It's a lot warmer than MN and Canada! 😁😁

[@tainaphua1901]

Indeed, we were home last Feb and boy was it hot and humid !@@TalesFromOurPocket

[@blackcouger]

The noodle we called it Zhab Gan Hor Fun / Gravy kway Tiao. Sauce aside, the kway tiao must be Stir fried w/ very hot wok w/ hot oil to make sure to charr the kway tiao to enhance the gravy sauce.

[@ymlee71]

Howdy from Texas and Singapore is a beautiful country

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Howdy, Texas! 😊

[@impopquiz]

The Tudor style house was built as a resort for British Chief Surveyor Langdon Williams in the 1930s when he was stationed here. He wanted a house to remind him of home. 😅

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

We've been to England (Bill's relatives live there!), and I can tell you he succeeded in making it feel like England. So fun to run into that!! ❤️

[@takkenalke2869]

watched this video till the end. Beneficial one, thank you!❤

[@1081John]

Oh what a nice place for hiking and exercise

[@xeenslayer]

It's the White-bellied Sea Eagle alright, the largest raptor in Singapore. No disappointment there! We don't have seagulls here, only Terns, and that's not them for sure!

[@kookmania1405]

oh , u should have stayed at lowtide in Chek Jawa Wetlands Boardwalk, it's an experience. hope u get to see it next time.

[@rxn5208]

Glad you guys enjoyed your time here! ❤❤ come back soon!

[@zueinder89]

ooh, the noodle dish is called hor fun. You can find it in most stir fried shops even in other Asian cuisine shops like Thai or Viet food. You got most of the ingredients right. For the noodle it is a a large, flat rice noodle stir fried in a hot wok and soy sauce added to give that charred look. The gravy's texture comes more from the potato starch slurry rather than the egg. You can always top up more egg at reasonable cost to add more flavour.

[@konkeydong6907]

Im a local and I love watching these insights from tourists when they visit Singapore. You guys are the FIRST that i've seen actually enjoy and appreciate durian. Im a durian lover myself and I cannot express how impressed I am! Bravo to you guys actually 'conquering' this magical fruit! You guys are lucky some locals gave you some actually good quality durian! And just a side note, a lot of these videos I see them come and buy cheaper durians to try out (understandably so because why would you spend more on something you probably wouldn't like) and usually the cheaper ones DO NOT taste great, which is exactly why a lot of tourists dont like them. So if you wanna try some durian, go for the good ones and spend a little more!

[@DavidLee-x7l]

So happy you both enjoyed singapore.. And so polite and respectful

[@blackmamba3427]

Awesome video ❤ and trip ❤

[@eugenetan72]

17:53 That's a White-Bellied Sea Eagle! Notice the unmistakeable raptor's hooked beak (used to tear up their prey). The wingspans of adult specimens can go up to 2.2 m (around 7 ft)! Judging from the many Singapore flags hanging around, this video must've been shot around July/August? Being a Singaporean myself, I love how your videos show us a side of our country that some of us might not even know existed! Despite being such a tiny miniscule speck of an island nation! 😅

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Yes, we shot this in July. 😊

[@RahimRahmat]

Heh, Eugene here would definitely know this one. Good to see you here mon!

[@SP02138]

3:25 The noodle dish is called “Wat Tan Hor” or Cantonese Egg Gravy Flat Rice Noodles. You should be able to get it from most ZiChar stalls (Is the main anchor stall at hawker centers/coffeeshops that specializes on selling Chinese main dishes and fried rice/noodles, more commonly available during the evening /night sessions). You might be able to find them in US if the Chinese restaurant owner is from HK or Guangzhou areas. Otherwise the closest equivalent is probably the Beef Hor Fun or look out for Egg Hor Fun on the menu. Cooking it at home is relatively easily but getting the char flavor is impossible to get if you have electrical stoves.

[@mileel]

Hope your tour includes the last fishing village of Singapore

[@oneworldsteve8433]

Yay another ang mo who loves Durian! You either love it or hate it.

[@robinhobblade]

Hor Fun .. wok fried rice noodled. All Zi Char stall serve this dish. All coffeeshop will have one zi char stall.

[@megaredkentadate9834]

That's not a Seagull but a White Bellied Sea Eagle which is the largest Raptor ( bird of prey) in our country. We do not have Seagulls but we do have Terns that migrate over during the winter season. We do have the following Raptors that are either native or migratory in our little red dot which you may be able to see from time to time 1. White Bellied Sea Eagle 2. Changeable Hawk-Eagle 3. Crested Goshawk 4. Crested Serpent Eagle 5. Osprey 6. Brahminy kite 7. Peregrine Falcon

[@siewchoolow3191]

Enjoy Pulau Ubin and the local food here! 🥰😊🤗

[@mylahbarreto5265]

I LOVE that the mode of transport are bikes!!

[@zinky123]

Love your videos. Thank you for showing Pualu Ubin.

[@foodmore]

The moment I saw u chose the tandem bike I was like “oh no!” Haha. Riding tandem bikes are tough. And hard to turn the bike on small roads

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

We had *no idea* how hard they would be to ride, but we had to try! We definitely liked it for filming. 😂😂😂

[@ninijo1234]

The Chek Jawa wetlands are amazing at low tide early in the morning. Too bad I haven’t had a chance to go for a guided tour for those as you really learn a lot from someone who is familiar with the local wildlife

[@kwpf]

Let me guess. Your next stop is Coney Island. If you are going there, spend some time to explore our HDB residential area in Punggol. You will find it interesting to see the apartments most of us live in, and how complete the amenities are, which explain why locals don't shop in town like Orchard Road.

[@kennyzeng21]

They probably went n the video is just not uploaded yet. Lol

[@lanzjalal75]

Get a neck fan guys. It will help to cool you down during the mid-afternoon heat 😊

[@dennis12dec]

There's also an island which is larger called Pulau Tekong in the Northeast but it's off limits to the general public as it's a military training area.

[@joshuaphoebe]

Thank you so much for the very nice videos!

[@simplyme3306]

That flat rice noodles dish is common in Singapore and Malaysia. It's called hor fun/wat tan hor (wet style) gravy is thickened with egg and corn starch. That flat thing is sliced fish cake. Not every stall does it well though. Those that are considered good is where you can taste the wok hei or the breath of the wok taste. This dish is indeed commonly found in Chinese "quick-cooking" stir fry stalls, we call them zhi char or zhu chao （煮炒). For instance, if you walk past stalls example around coffee shops, that has individual dishes in their menu like sweet and sour pork, stir-fry whatever...basically Chinese dishes, look at the noodles section of their menu, most likely you can find this dish with the name "hor fun". Then look for wet style as there's dried stir fry version as well. Love your videos by the way. You explored so much more than locals do lol (that includes me).

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Thank you! I wondered whether it was a fish cake, but most of the fish cakes I've had before taste really fishy and the flavor of these was really mellow. I'm glad to know it was I deed fish cakes! 😁

[@yuzhengtoh6272]

You can try Pad See Ew in Thai restaurants back home! Similar taste as the Hor Fun dish you like at the beginning of the video!

[@isswann8248]

I ❤ ur videos....can't wait to see ur next destination.

[@adsl2004]

Cool facts. There was an elephant that swam from Malaysia to Palau Ubin in the 1991, it injured a few people, was caught and sent back to Malaysia. It was reported in the news. You can read this in Wikipedia. There was sighting of a Tiger as well in Ubin by a resident and quarry workers. Experts went there but never caught it. It probably swam back to Malaysia, Johor. That time, Johor across the other side of SG was less developed, so wild animals can easily swim over. Recently, we got a wild Malayan Tapar running around in Punggol park, northeast of SG, swam from Malaysia as well.

[@TL243]

It’s called a captain and a stoker and the captain needs to call out before stopping pedaling. Fun stuff.

[@user98u4r3]

Thing about durian. Either u love it or u hate it. And I love it!!!

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

We really thought we'd hate it because we ate a durian cake in Kuala Lumpur and we weren't fans. Such a surprise that the real thing tasted good!! 😊

[@user98u4r3]

A lot if not most durian products aren't made with actual durian. Usually artificial flavouring. Durian also comes in varieties ranging from light and sweet to pungent onion-like and bitter tasting. U can try all of them in M'sia. A lot cheaper there too.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

@h5w35yds5txuh what?! That might explain it then (the cake was really...not good). 😁

[@看墙内吹牛皮]

@@user98u4r3You are right! Most of our durian are coming from Malaysia! If you are staying in Malaysia is okay cheap and good! But from Singapore to Malaysia is weasel of time and money!

[@CooeeOZ]

Great stuff on Pulau Ubin - Heather & Bill. A question for you Heather - would like eat durian again 😃? Cheers

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Yes. But not in a cake (that did not go well in Kuala Lumpur)!

[@jyl7906]

In Singapore, pretty sure food is one of our love languages. If we appreciate you and adore you, we're going to feed you. Thank you for appreciating our food! ❤

[@khengyong7913]

I recommend the seafood Hor fun from Pok Kee restaurant at Tiong Bahru.

[@chefdezishere]

The noodle is called 'Hor Fun'. It is a broad rice noodle, wok-fried and served with a sauce of light stock, soya sauce, oyster sauce, seasoning and thicken with a slurry of corn flour and water.

[@Singapore_Dude]

Really enjoyed your video. However Singapore does not have any seagulls. What you saw is really an eagle, a White-Bellied Sea Eagle to be precise, and they are quite common over sea and over lakes/reservoirs in Singapore.

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

We're genuinely shocked that was an eagle (I felt so disappointed when it turned out to be a seagull - except it wasn't! A rollercoaster of bird emotions, lol). 😁

[@maocat6606]

I have to tell u we also have stinky tofu here! It has both prebiotics n probiotics so it's good to learn how to eat it 😅

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

😲😳

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

Excellent continuation of your ‘rustic lesser-known islands’ tour!

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Thank you!! 😊😊

[@mrstokura]

Hi there, wanted to share that I used to join Nature Society as a student learner to learn about bird watching at Ubin. I would say you did see an eagle! It is “ White-bellied sea eagle”

[@UOniLiveOnce]

Nostalgic place. Kinda recaps my memories during Police Academy Days. It was a 3 days 2 night camp supposingly with no physical trainings yet some of us still got it when we were too laid back and lost track of the main squad Instructors were so pissed off when we reached the campsite while they were anxiously searching for us Pretty weird that we didn't bump into each other since we were taking the same route. And the night walk from town to campsites with individual trainees returning within interval timing in total darkness. Our only female cadet came crying back to campsite after got frightened by those ambushed road Marshall. KIinda spooky when travelling alone in total darkness and not knowing the way back. Not forgetting that you might end up in the cemetery area...

[@AndrePHK]

Yes, the dish you were desperately seeking is Hor Fun. U basically are able to order it at most hawker centres.

[@impopquiz]

I think better luck at local coffee shops. 😅

[@chew-ki4rx]

Wonderful sport fun couple

[@rocky171986]

You might be interested to know that Pulau Ubin has transited recently from using diesel generators to almost being powered fully by solar power

[@benedictuswukokkwang3344]

Keep smiling...

[@charlesjc893]

We wonderful video,❤ it

[@jameslee9742]

If you like durian and spicy stuffs.. you're fated to stay in Singapore and anywhere South east Asia.

[@CheeKiongYip-c3x]

The egg gravy noodles u ate is called Wat-Ton Hor-Fun (Cantonese meaning Smooth Egg Rice Noodles 滑蛋河粉). Available in all hawker centers. Just ask any locals. Enjoyed u videos.

[@foosiewyin6636]

Thank you so much for your pulau ubin's trip❤bring back my childhood memories (1953)one and only one's staying one night in relatives home never forget crying at Next morning 3am asked want to go back Singapore main land-Joo Chait Road shop houses 😂 Im 78years old now enjoyed life in my home town 🙏been to Europe, USA,Canada, China happy one month holiday trip 👍👍once again thank you for both of your lovely vedio sharing ❤

[@LovedDoxology68]

You GO Woman!!!! Durian is great and awesome right?...easier on the palate than some cheese....especially blue cheese!!!

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

I had heard so many things about durian that we were nervous to try it! I think that strangers gave it to us made it such a positive experience! 😊😊

[@whereisthejustice]

Different restaurants have slightly different recipes for chilli crabs so not every chilli crab in Singapore is spicy 😂 Usually they are not spicy. You can try Jumbo seafood’s chilli crab their recipe is sweeter 😋

[@eraofnotomorrow8767]

hmm , i reckon ur next adventure gonna be coney island 😊

[@patsim1615]

Yes, I experienced my bike going down the slope leading to the cliff deep quarry pool as my brake suddenly not working .. even though I did a test ride to check the brake before renting the bicycle ... I pray frantically.....Oh God, please help meeee.. The bike abruptly stop just in time ..else my neck might be badly hit against the horizontal gantry bar .. I was relived and exhausted... Since then for more than 20 years .. I dare not revisit this island.. There's a Thai Temple There's also a Germsn Girl Shrine There's an old cemetery as well Glad you both enjoy the day 🩷 I used to live in IOWA before Enjoy your holiday in Singapore

[@SP02138]

Peninsula Malaysian Restaurant in Minneapolis (Nicolette Ave) has the egg noodle dish..item 175..not sure how good it is though…

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Oh my gosh, thank you!! Definitely going to go there to try it! ❤️

[@ryanseet8314]

That’s a sea eagle, I don’t think you were wrong. We don’t have sea gulls here……

[@zannez]

Coke tends to worsen the spicy aftertaste though. Try to drink milk if it's available to dampen the spicy aftertaste

[@90taetaeya]

Singaporeans are so lovely 🥰

[@dragonsen36]

Good video but you missed out the beautiful quarries and the high point on Ubin island.

[@mikelee3671]

Hor-Fun (Cantonese) quite a staple meal in East Asia/HK. Chinese will pronounce as "Her-Fen" 20 Years ago when I'm stationed in Arizona, Chinese Restaurant with Chinese cook will be able to improvise when u show/explain to the owner, not in their menu thou. You having here for S$5 but USA likely USD$20, but portion good for 2👍🏻. Will need commercial kitchen to fire up that "Wok-hey", home cook will not be able to achieve that😅

[@BlueBull2604]

17:51 That is an eagle. It is a White Bellied Sea Eagle.

[@crosbyong]

Unfortunately, that type of “hor-fun” is had to come by these days. But there are a few decent-good ones usually serve by “Zi-Char” stalls. Essentially, besides the umami gravy, it is the wok-hei (traditionally big wood fire) that chars the broad noodles that gives that amazingly scrumptious taste.

[@zg0t662]

Not that had to get Hor-fun in Singapore at all. I can personally think of 3 different places to buy the Hor-fun all within 5 to 15 minutes walking distance from where I live.

[@lpericteo]

But I can get to eat this Wat Tan Hor everyday downstairs at my kopitiam. 😂😅😊

[@limchoonteck1]

I miss the old ubin.

[@TashiDikki]

Not easy to control the couple's bike when you both are riding it on an island. Hope you both like the durains.

[@kelvgan]

Ubin, lazarus, kusu, coney , sentosa . So which are you guys favourite

[@JSimHZ]

Hi there, can I challenge you to eat the Hor Fun and other Asian dishes that contain rice and come in a plate with a fork and a spoon together? It might feel odd, but you can ask any local Singaporean how to use a fork and spoon when eating food, they will guide you how to do it properly. Another level up will be using the spoon as a knife to cut through meat.

[@alexchan4074]

The flat things in Hor Fun, could you meant sliced fish cake?

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

I think so!!

[@___Danny___]

As teenagers we used to camp on the island for a week in the 80’s , the place ain’t haunted just some lousy cyclist. Beside electricity, some of the houses ain’t connected to water as well and thus they have water well .

[@1081John]

Singapore is building a place also protect the nature

[@DJBiskit]

SE Asians like to take care of the foreigners and see their reactions trying their foods. You will be offered food anywhere you go in Asia.

[@wengkiong]

Coney Island next? 🤔

[@kennyzeng21]

By right if the boat only leave when there're 12. U should always be able to go back with 12. Unless some decided to stay overnight there or some feel rich n decided to pay more to get back home.

[@weikwanglee4383]

Spicy. The secret is milk. Bring a litre of fresh milk. Sipped along with the spice when it hits.

[@patsim1615]

We have another island called KUSU island Literally also known as Tortise island It is a small isolated island with a famous Chinese temple and a Muslim shrine together

[@vs123]

If you like durian thailand durian so good my friend

[@jhf4930]

Well , this is our last two or three village in Singapore 😊

[@zhengtingjiu9954]

As for the chilli Crab next time request for less spicy.Minnesota? Timberwolves is doing very well in the western conference.. hope to see the wolves win the championship 🎉

[@mylahbarreto5265]

I would love, love to see you guys explore the Philippines! And try the balut 😂

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

What is balut??

[@michaelyong7869]

That should be a White-bellied Sea-Eagle, there's not sea gulls in Singapore.

[@LLYY106]

The late queen Elizabeth 2 described her first durian taste: eating ice cream in the toilet. 😂

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

😂😂😂 I mean, seems sort of accurate? 🤷🏻 😂

[@ac_livelife]

At 17.54 it’s a white bellied eagle !

[@livklopp2526]

oh man….. the hor fun looks delicious

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

It was soooo good! 😍

[@worstalentscout]

last time i was at Ubin was back in 1993..................

[@stellaconsortium]

👋👋👋

[@mylahbarreto5265]

You both liked durian 😂

[@handsomewong2469]

If you miss durian you miss the world best fruit 👍

[@JH-kv8mt]

Durian is a type of creamy fruit

[@JK-eu8ri]

Was Pulau Ubin really 5 minutes around?

[@jameslou4112]

Great video and I'm happy to see you guys having a great time in Pulau Ubin. Did you guys miss the German Girl Shrine there?

[@TalesFromOurPocket]

Apparently yes, we missed it!