M’sia – Eating out

(Found this from the unposted drafts, so here's one from a while back)

Try asking someone in Malaysia where their favourite food place is and the answer is usually, ‘That place by the so-and-so building’ or ‘The second stall in that market by the durian stall’. Who needs names when you have reference points?

It could be because lots of these stalls don’t actually have names, so the best you can do when trying to remember where they are is to remember what they’re next to. Thing is, when these places then become famous and they open actual shops, they actually name their shop after what they’re commonly known as.

Due to the fact that there are so many good places for so many good things in Malaysia, I’ve decided to come up with my own list of where our favourite places are. Different places for different things, of course.

My favourite kaya pau comes from Restoran Cheow Yang. The kaya here is the original version (ie not green), and is thick, gooey and very sweet. Perfectly balanced with the bland taste of the white bun.

It’s tough trying to find a decent kaya pau in London. The fact that there aren’t any mainly makes up the tough bit, but there are substitutes. Kaya buns can be found, but the kaya in the bun is usually not up to scratch.

Our favourite wantan noodles comes from Restoran OK in Cheow Yang. Sometimes known as the ‘3pm noodle stall’ (because at that time of day, it’s one of the few places opened for eating), this place serves both soup wantan noodle and dry ones.

The dry version comes with a choice of char siew, wantan (in separate soup) and braised chicken feet. Choose all three, choose none, hey, your choice. The portion size can also be specified, ie one noodle, one and a half, two.

Prawn mee or har meen – our favourite comes from Restoran O&S in Paramount Gardens. The soup is rich and thick with prawn essence, and the noodles are always nice and al dante, never too soft.

Lots and lots of shallots, prawns and egg on top of the noodles. The guy who owns the stall is generous like that, and he’s pretty much the only guy we have our prawn noodles from.

You can even add pork ribs for that little bit more, and the pork has been boiled in the prawn soup, making it even tastier.

Yong tau foo, again from Restoran O&S. We love the fried sui kau and foo chuk here. It’s very crispy, not at all greasy (crisp and dry) and the meaty-fishy filling tastes better than any others I’ve tried. Definitely one of the better ones.

Details of the places mentioned:

Restoran Cheow Yang - 157 Jalan SS2/6, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Restoran OK – Jalan SS2/10, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Restoran O&S - 55 Jalan 21/12, Paramount Garden, 46300 Petaling Jaya