The Sundays: 12/12/2010

It has been a super family weekend.  Being a Lee, one thing we do better than others  are gathering frequently and constant eating.  Like a cow really.  I remember back in the days when I was younger, everyone will come back to KL to celebrate Chinese New Year.  We will munch from the morning vegetarian meal to the meaty night meal. And that was before the crazy reunion dinner.  Probably 10 meals a day?  Or just constant eating ahha.

Today was not so different.  I woke up to a yoghurt drink before heading to Ampang for brunch.  We were at the ever so popular Fong Fong Yong Tau Foo.  I got a bit worried when the place seemed a bit empty before noon.  But I need not worry long because once the clock struck 10 past noon.  It was filled and the “stare and wait” game begun.  The food was as yummy as usual, but the broth for the soupy Yong Tau Foo was a bit too peppery!  We ordered 40 pieces for 5 people but I had 10 or more.  Loved every bit of it in spite of the horrible heat that was constantly blowing on me.

After that mom went to the club house to pick up some Rendang Chicken.  But we were in for some afternoon snacks while we waited for the Rendang to be packed!

Summer salvation:

None other than the Malaysian delight, the Ice Kacang. 

My mom’s pick to go along with her cup of freshly stirred Nescafe lol.  Unfortunately we do not do fancy coffee in Malaysia.  Or more like, not for the price of 5 bucks.  Anyways. she chose a homemade Brownie which was absolutely delish.  No joke.  Moist chocolate with chewy bits top with a melted chocolate top and vanilla ice cream!

This was tonnes better compared to the one served at Delicious.  Sorry to everyone who has heard me rant about that horrible place.  I said it before and I am still saying it!  But it is horrible!

And for myself, I ordered the same thing I would normally order for tea in the club house.  The steak sandwich,

Oooo yeah!  And Happy Birthday to me :D!  Hoho too lazy to type already!  But I had a good dinner at my aunt’s place just a moment ago ahaha.

WenY

Cari Makan: Breakfast stall @ Pasar Pagi Taman Megah

The food scene in Malaysia is immense. While there is no Michelin ranted hype nor the fancy pansy hatted awards in Australia, the yummiest bites in Malaysia can come from the simplest and most unglamorous places.  This simplest place is no further than the local morning market (pasar pagi).  Cleanliness might be a concern for most.  But for me, I’m a true local.  I could not care less. 

However, a few steps have been taken by the local authority to improve the cleanliness of these places and one such step is by setting up proper complexes to house the vendors.  A bit saddening because the “pasar” feel is now a distant memory.  But that is ok, the old Chinese couple operating the brekkie stall in the market is still there :).  My mom and dad gets food from them for me on the weekends ho!ho!  So, what are my breakfast picks from this stall?

The economy fried noodles.

There is practically nothing on there besides heaped carbs. But that is all I really need for a good start to my day.  The taste is unbeatable.  It might not be the typical Malay sambal but it looks down on every sambal/chilli paste in Australia.  And do not be fooled by the word economy.  The old couple charge a premium for it but that is probably the privilege they earn from the ever growing crowd!

My next pick is the Nasi Lemak Biasa.  Yes, the serve is small in Malaysia and 2 is just about nice for me!

Small little nibble sized crispy anchovies are the secret addition to this packed little goodness.  And I always complain about how cafes serve half an egg.  Look at this.  Probably one tenth of an egg. WTF. =.=!  Nonetheless, it was every bit as enjoyable as the fried noodles. 

On a separate note, this rice dish and I go a long time back to primary school where my usual routine is guy punching and girl fighting.  Waking up at 6.45am to eggs and milk did not fill me up.  So my dad used to bring my lunch box to this couple to be filled with the exact same dish with added curry chicken :)!  And how long ago was that?  I’d say 15 years.  Yes folks!  15 years and they are still serving.  They’d probably be driving Mercs and Beemers by now.

That is all I shall talk about today.  Lovely morning breakfast packed by mom and dad.  Awesome possum thanks parents!

WenY

Cari Makan: Shihlin Taiwanese Delights @ 1Utama

I have been to 1Utama quite a fair bit since I was a kid.  But never once was I tempted to try the little snack places scattered all over the complex.  It was normally O’Brien Sandwiches, Sushi, Pasta, Chinese Hawker or American.   That was until my housemates back in Perth started talking about all the delicious food offered by small Taiwanese snack stalls.  I was dubious about the yumminess of these snacks because if it was yummy, I would have known.  Apparently not ahah.  I only noticed this place a few days ago.  The fact that two of this similar snack stalls are located in this complex only throws me into deeper embarrassment when I consider myself a local. 

But let bygones be bygones.  I finally made up for it by doing a double dose in my recent visit to 1Utama.  I decided to try two things.  One was the XXL Chicken which was super damn big and only cost 6 bucks.  The other was the sweet potato fries which was delicious!  I enjoyed both :)!

The chicken was super big.  Could have fed two people and I enjoyed the garlicky powder they used to season the chicken after it has been fried.  My sister said the one in Taiwan was tastier, and it was done differently.  Not sure how different it is, but this one was already pretty damn good!  But there was just one problem, and it was the sogginess of the skin when you try to walk around enjoying each bite slowly!! BOOOOo!! Lastly, the fries were yummy and the pepper-salty powder in which the snacks were tossed in was good!   However, not all the potatoes were ripe so some were a bit harder than others heeh!

So if anyone visits 1Utama, I would recommend  you to have this snack.  Definitely a preferred option over those fancy cafes that are nothing more than wannabes.  Do not be deceived by the pretentious decor of the fancy cafes.  You would be better off with these snacks rather than those offered by the fancy restaurants :P!

WenY