MEETING AN EX-CLASSMATE/SCHOOLMATE IN GELANG PATAH

My ex-classmate/schoolmate of Budiman class, SMS Muar, informed me in the Whatsapp group in the morning that he would be in town. A dinner date was promptly made and we decided to meet at Alsafa Restaurant in Gelang Patah.

This was my second time visiting this Mamak restaurant and the first one took place last month [READ HERE].

 

Fried Rice

Fried Maggi Noodles

Chicken and Beef Sate

We bade our goodbyes for now at about 10:15 p.m. and God willing, we will see each other again. Thanks to Mr. Abdul Razak Sapian for always contacting me when he is back in Johor Bahru. He is one of the few school friends that I frequently see up until now.

THE FAREWELL GATHERING OF A CHESS TEACHER FRIEND

Mr. Ariff Alias, a teacher friend of the Johor Bahru Chess Team, called for a gathering this evening at Al-Safa Restaurant in Gelang Patah. The reason: his application to be transferred back to Terengganu was approved.

This was my first time at this Mamak restaurant. The eating area was huge especially the open area which was supposed to be parking spaces for vehicles but were filled with tables and chairs.

Mr. Ariff will still be here until December so there might be a possibility that another gathering will be called after this. We chess teachers just love to party once in a while.

THE IMPROMPTU EARLY SUPPER WITH AN EX-STUDENT

I was notified by Mr. Radin Mohd. Hafiz at about 8:15 p.m. that he was at the mosque nearby. I quickly decided to meet him over early supper at a Mamak restaurant which was a stone's throw away from home.

He is an alumni of SMK Taman Universiti [SPM batch 2002, I think] and now working and residing in Ipoh. He is back in Johor Bahru, visiting his family during the long weekends.

The last time we met was in June last year [READ HERE]. It was kind of him to still contact me although at the eleventh hour and it was a pleasure to meet him again after a long time.

OF A SUPPER DATE AND AN UNEXPECTED REUNION

   10TH JULY 2026    ~ Originally it was a supper date with Mr. Firdaos, an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti. The place to meet was Ariffin Maju, a Mamak Restaurant located at Bukit Impian, somewhere in Taman Impian Emas.

As we were enjoying our Chapati, someone came to our table and he introduced himself as my ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti too. An unexpected reunion took place and it was a pleasure to be greeted by someone whom you used to know many years ago.

Thanks to Mr. Shahrizal who approached me and thanks also for paying for our supper. Happiness is when someone introduces himself/herself as an ex-student even though I might not be able to recall his/her name.

THE IFTAR AND MOREH SESSION OUTSIDE

   14TH MARCH 2026    ~ An Iftar [breaking fast] date was set with my regular gastronomic buddy, Mr. Redzuan. The last time we met to enjoy good food was 24 days ago, one day before Ramadhan started.

In-house Soy Sauce

The chosen restaurant was Padi House located in Setia Eco Garden, a place that was far away from the crowd and traffic jam on a busy weekend as many people went out to shop and eat out as well. The place was dully occupied and it was a wise decision to make a reservation earlier in the afternoon.

I had been to one of its branches in Subang Jaya last year [READ HERE]. I just got to know about the existence of this restaurant in Johor Bahru recently.

Watermelon Juice

Fish Chips

Red Velvet Cake

Chicken Chop

We decided to get the Iftar Meal Set, and I could see many diners choosing the same option as well.

It was just a short sit-in session as we had to hurry for our series of prayers and we adjourned to the nearby Surau [as small scale community mosque].

Iced Milk Green Tea

Kaya Toast

After the Terawikh prayers, the one that are only performed in the month of Ramadhan, we then went for Moreh, the supper session specifically after the Terawikh prayers, at a Mamak called Thoufeeq in Taman Pulai Mutiara.

With just a few more days to go for fasting, that would be my last Iftar outside this year. Thanks to Mr. Redzuan for the time and company. Hopefully our gastronomic adventure will resume immediately after fasting ends.

THE CHINESE NEW YEAR LUNCH DATE AT A MAMAK RESTAURANT

Masala Tea

   17TH FEBRUARY 2026    ~ I wanted to pass the CNY cookies to Miss Grace Choo, and she suggested we met up for lunch instead. The chosen venue was Q Bistro at Taman Mutiara Mas, a Mamak that I wanted to go as this was one of two branches in Johor Bahru. Before this, I got to eat at three outlets in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor.

Fried Noodles

Miss Grace Choo was the person who had been giving me a lot of assistance when I was still teaching in SMK Taman Universiti. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, especially when dealing with issues involving Chinese students and parents. It was good to have the chance to sit and chat longer as it used to be a "hi" and "bye" kind of thing before this.

I met another students' father who was also eating at the restaurant with his grandson, Dr. Mohd. Fua'ad Rahmat. I taught four of his children when they were in school. He was also one of the Chairman of the school's Parents Teacher Association once.

THE LATE SUPPER SESSION AT A MAMAK RESTAURANT IN SUNGAI PETANI

   11th JANUARY 2026    ~ My friend in Sungai Petani, Mr. Affendy, was only free late that Sunday night to meet. I was always ready for a cup of Masala Tea even though I just had had a supper session with an old friend an hour ago [READ HERE].

The chosen venue was Restoran Nasi Kandar Kadir Maju, which was similar to a Mamak restaurant, located in the heart of Sungat Petani town.

There were still people who came to eat supper or late dinner past midnight at this restaurant.

I decided to get Tosai which should be some kind of lighter food at that hour.

Too bad we could not stay for too long as it was getting really late. It was good to see an old friend and hope we could meet up for Teh Tarik again when I make a trip to the northern part of the Peninsular again one day.

THE COFFEE SESSION WITH THREE YOUNG MEN

    19TH JANUARY 2026    ~ A coffee session was set with three young men who are my ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti. The chosen venue this time was Assalam, a rebranded Mamak restaurant located in Gelang Patah area.

MINE: cinnamon banana toast

There should be more people in the Coffee Club but it would always be impossible to expect everybody to be present as they had other valid reasons for not being able to make it.

The meeting that started at about 9:00 p.m. was adjourned at 11:45 p.m. because the staff had to do the shop closing already. Thank you to Mr. Ahmad Firdaus, Mr. Nor Azlan and Mr. Nur Fairuz for the short gathering. I am not sure when we will be seeing each other again, but it would happen sooner or later for sure.