Going home, balik kampung, whatever the saying is, home is where the heart is, especially for Malaysian food.
I can easily go back to Malaysia every year just to eat to my heart's content. You name it; petai, kerang, durian, yong tau foo, char koay teow, nasi lemak, asam laksa, wantan mee, wat tan hor, keropok lekor, fried nian gao, cempedak, the list goes on...
At the end of August 2019, I had the honour of attending a good friend's wedding in Singapore and what better way to end the trip than to drop by Malaysia for a few days just to makan?
There are always the favourite places that I return to eat at but I also made sure to try new places that definitely did not disappoint.
KUALA LUMPUR
Kedai Kopi Pudu Satu Enam Lapan
Address: 21 Jalan Kancil, Pudu
Opening hours: 5:30pm 10:30pm
It's so good that this stall doesn't even have a name and it's been operating for over 37 years. The chicken rice is cooked over charcoal fire single-handedly by the owner, every claypot is made to order and one has to be very patient. An hour after placing our order, we were rewarded with perfectly cooked rice topped with tender chicken pieces, chinese sausage, salted fish, lots of sauce and spring onion. A large size claypot chicken rice + small serving of veggies + small serving of soup, all for RM30 (AUD$10)!
Restoran Kee Heong
Address: 7 Lorong Kasawari 4a, Taman Eng Ann, Klang 41050
Opening hours: 7:30am - 9:30pm (closed on Monday)
We made our way all the way to Klang; the OG town of bak kut teh just to have bak kut teh.
Was it worth it? To be honest, it was a long drive and thankfully, we weren't stuck in any traffic jam but it's still a long drive.
There are so many bak kut teh places to chooses from in Klang and everyone has their own personal favourites. I was advised by my long-time friend, Ms Tan to try this place out and it definitely hit the right spot.
At least, I can now say that I have eaten bak kut teh in Klang.
Fatt Kee Hokkien Mee Stall
Address: 183 Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 5:00pm - 12:00am (closed on Monday)
During my last trip to KL with Ms Vuu, we visited this joint for a late night feed which was walking distance to where we stayed. If you are staying in the Bukit Bintang area and have the munchies at night that is within walking distance, this is the place to go.
Restoran Good Friend
Address: Jalan Brunei, Pudu
Opening hours: 7:30am - 12:00pm (closed on Tuesday and Sunday)
He has been using the same recipe and method for the past 60 years, one can definitely assume the 81 year old grandpa has perfected his wantan mee skills. It's everything you want in a plate of wantan mee. by the time we got our food, they had already sold out of the char siu (we got there at 9:30am and had to wait 30mins). Also, the grandpa was super adorable, he noticed we were sharing and gave me an extra plate. In Mr Kim's words, "hawker chan can piss off".
Restoran Char Siew Yoong
Address: 23 Jalan Pudu Ulu, Taman Pertama
Opening hours: 10:30am - 5:00pm (closed on Thursday)
Fat and juicy char siu that melts in your mouth. You will have to get in early to get the best parts of the char siu, I got half fatty and half lean...so so good! Those bean sprouts were so plump and one of the best I have had. I really wanted the siew yoke as well but it wasn't ready yet. There's always next time (someone buy me a air ticket please).
ICC Pudu
Address: Jalan Kijang, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6:00am - 2:00pm (closed on Monday - very very limited stalls are open)
My go to food court in KL for plenty of delicious meals for breakfast. Yong tau foo, fried nian gao, pork skin curry and sambal petai.
This trip like my previous trip to KL, I visited ICC Pudu twice for breakfast. You can't go wrong having breakfast here.
PENANG
Toh Soon Cafe
Address: 184 Campbell Street, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am - 3:30pm (closed on Sunday)
This place is an institute in Penang that you can easily walk past without realising it's there as it's tuck in a little laneway. Once you get a seat, be patience as the waiters may ignore you until they feel like serving you. The bread is grilled over charcoal and topped with soft boiled eggs. Is there anything more Malaysian for breakfast?
Siam Road Char Koay Teow
Address: 82 Jalan Siam, George Town
Opening hours: 12:00pm - 5:00pm (closed Sunday and Monday)
This is the only char koay teow you need to eat in Penang even if it means waiting in line for nearly an hour. It's cooked over charcoal heat for maximum flavour, it was smoky and had excellent wok hei. The first time I was here with Ms Vuu, we waited for 45 minutes and this time around, I waited for 50 minutes. All I can say, it's worth the wait and calories.
Moody Cow Dessert Cafe
Address: 170 Jalan Transfer, George Town
Opening hours: 11:00am - 12:00am
This musang king durian cheesecake is always a YES for me on so many levels, durian + cheesecake are two of my favourite things. If only stomach space permitted me, I would have ordered the cempedak cheesecake too.
Not that I am biased but there is so much to love about Malaysian food and everyone needs to pay Malaysia a visit! :)
When will be my next trip to Malaysia? No idea yet...