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Achat (a.k.a.
Achar) - Malaysian
Vegetables, pickled in turmeric powder, spicy herbs, sesame seeds and
peanuts. This appetizer/side dish offers a slightly tangy-sweet
pickle
taste, very fresh and quite tasty. I have to say, of the four
dishes I tried during this sitting, it's the Achat I liked the
most. 3.25 stars, at
least.
Would I try again?
Yes.
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Asam Laksa -
Malaysian
A sour, spicy soup with thick white rice noodles, fish meat, chicken,
pineapple, cucumber and tamarind. ('Asam' means tamarind, which
lends this dish it's sour, distinctive tang.) They warned me that
it would
be too spicy, but it wasn't (I'm not your average American when it
comes to taste buds.) It was just right. Could have even be
slightly spicier for me. But it was definitely filling, and sharp
tasting, with very nice, fat, thick noodles.
Would I try again?
Yes.
Where I
found it: Jaya
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Baby Oyster
Omelet - Malaysian
Another great Malaysian hawker food. I already feel my arteries
hardening up. It's a huge
omelet (enough for two), with fried, delicate small oysters
throughout. It came with a very light tasting curry sauce, but I
found the taste of the omlet itself preferable. Definitely
greasy, but very, very filling and good. Not for the small of
stomach, or anyone too health conscious. But it was still worth
it. 3.4 stars.
Would I
try again? Yes.
Where I found it: Sanur
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Beef Rendang -
Malaysian
Spicy beef in an almost dry curry. Legend has it that it's
even better as a second-day leftover. But the one time we had it,
we ate it all at once. So who knows? Actually, it's alot
like a spicy Indian curry, with less oil. For me, it actually was
too mild - not spicy enough.
But it was definitely palatable. If you're into Malaysian, this
is a signature dish that you should try at least once.
Would I try again?
I wouldn't be adverse, but it doesn't demand repeating....
Where I
found it: Jaya
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Chow Kueh Teow
(and many other spellings) - Malaysian
Black soy sauce, stir fried flat noodles. A signature dish of
Malaysia, and I'm told a regular hawker food. It's tasty, and
filling, though not as spicy as I had expected it to be.
Would I try again?
No - Again, not "wow" enough for me. Just before having it, I had
rojak for the first time, and this paled in comparison.
Where I found it: Penang
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(Asam) Fish
Head Curry - Malaysian
A oily, slightly sour (asam) stew of curry, okra, tomatoes and - a fish
head. (They say that the head is the best tasting part).
You don't necessarily see the head whole - it tends to get broken up in
the heat of the broth. (Although I *did* see a jaw in the
mix...) The result was a sweet, tasty meat in a tangy rich
curry. Not bad., although not awe-inspiring.
Would I try again?
Yes, although I'm in no great hurry.
Where
I
found it: Penang
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Hainanese
Chicken Rice - Malaysian/Singaporean
Hainanese Chicken Rice is one of Malaysia's signature dishes - room
tempurature chicken, so soft that it dissolves off the bone. On
the side you'll find rice cooked in chicken broth, a very
important aspect of the meal. My version included a red hot
dipping sauce, and a
soy sauce mixed with, I believe, tamarind. To me, the best part
of this was the melt-in-your-mouth chicken texture. The soy sauce
was also good - a bit sharp, acidic with a kick. Not bad.
Would I try again?
Yes - the softness of the chicken was wonderful - although it wasn't
all that I had been hoping for, given what I had read.
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Ikan Bilis
(Assam Sambal) - Malaysian
It's curried anchovies (Ikan Bilis). What can I say? It was
anchovies, in a mildly hot n' spicy and slightly sour (Asam)
sauce. Very pleasant. One thing I'm finding - as a person
who was raised in part on Oklahoma Tex-Mex and Egyptian Curry (don't
ask), I don't find Malaysian food particularly hot. I laugh in
the general direction of what they think is hot! But their food
is still yummy, regardless. But it ain't scorchin'.
Would I try again?
No.
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Kang Kung
Belacan - Malaysian
Sauteed convolus (a type of veggie that looks like spinach stems) with
a fermented shrimp paste. This one disappointed me - I expected
the belacan to be much stronger, and the convolus was just, well, green
and veggie-ish. Not bad, but not impressed either.
Would I try again?
No.
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Kaya Toast -
Malaysian/Singaporean/Indonesian
A breakfast staple in several countries - the southeast asian
equivalent to NYC Bagels and Cream Cheese. A slice or two of
toast, slathered with the green (slightly granular) coconut milk/egg
jam known as kaya. I
tell you - this stuff is not half bad! It hit the spot, and was
extremely tasty (even without the obligatory, traditional cup of
coffee...!)
Would I try again?
Yes!
Where I found it:
Homemade. Kaya Toast is hard to find in Chinatown, but the jam
itself is everywhere.
(I found my version in Udon's Corp,
the Thai grocery store on Bayard. But it's also available at
World Asia Mart, on Mulberry.)
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Kerabu/Kelabu
A sweet and spicy salad, served cold over lettuce, with lime, sambal
belacan (curry sauce), ginger and salt. The version I tried also
had a generous
portion of red onions, stirred in with duck web. (Yes, duck
web.) It was light, tangy - kind of like a salad dressing with a
slight kick. The duck web was rubbery - not great, not
gross. Overall, a nice, airy appetizer.
Would I try again?
Occassionally - it was light and refreshing
Where
I
found it: Penang
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Ketoprak -
Indonesian
Vegetarian, spicy mix of bean sprouts, cubes of tofu, and vermicelli
rice noodles - smothered in a peanut flavored sauce. (Probably
the best part are the crispy, colorful crackers (krupuk?)- decorating
the top of the dish.)
Would I try again?
It's not bad - though Minangasli's version wasn't as particularly spicy
as I would have hoped.
Where
I
found it: Minangasli
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Ladies Fingers
- Malaysian
Sauteed okra with shrimp paste sauce. Slightly spicy, somewhat
oily - the okra is nice and crisp (which is probably the best part.)
Would I
try again? No - nothing against the dish, but it wasn't
all that flavorful (might have been the restaurant.)
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Lobak - Malaysian
An appetizer, lobak consists of a wonton-ish fried pork roll, fried
tofu, and fried shrimp pancake. (In other words, alot of frying
to be had!) Customarily served with a hoisin plum sauce and a hot
chili. It was okay, but I felt my arteries hardening up as I
nibbled. (Plus, I avoid pork for quasi-vegetarian reasons.)
Would I try again? Nah -
too fried. Anymore frying, and I'd swear I was back in the
south....!
Where
I
found it: Penang
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Lontong Sayur -
Indonesian
Spicy mixed vegetables, served over compressed cubes of
glutinous rice (known as Ketupat or sometimes Nasi Impit). This
one's good - and hard to
find in Manhattan (given its lack of great Indonesian haunts.) I
ordered this dish, curious about the rice cubes - which turned out
(interestingly enough) to probably be the weakest part of the
entree. Too bland for my taste. But the curry?
Finished that completely, scooping up the last of the sauce with a
spoon...
Would I try again? Yes -
but there's so much more
food to try before I do...!
Where
I
found it: Upi
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Mango Chicken -
Malaysian
Shredded chicken and mango, stir-fried in a sweet n' sour Malaysian
sauce. It's shiny, tangy, and served in the mango shell
itself. Very
tasty. 3.6 stars.
Would I
try again?
Yes, a serious 'yum'.
Where I
found it: Jaya
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Mee Goreng -
Malaysian/Indian
Spicy fried noodles - a traditional Malaysian, Indian inspired meal,
and a favorite of street hawkers. (Mee means noodles, Goreng means
fried - I think.) The best way that I can describe this is that
it's a lot like Chinese Lo Mein, but with several distinctly Malaysian
spices that make it more spicy, salty, sour, tangy. Hard to
describe, but tasty in the mouth.
Would I try again?
Yes - although I have a number of other
Malaysian dishes to try before getting back to this one again.
Where I found
it: Jaya
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Mee Rebus -
Malaysian
Noodles (yellow Hokkien noodles) in sweet potato gravy, with boiled
egg, mung bean sprouts and bean curd (tofu) cubes. Maybe it was
just the Sanur version, but this one came off very bland and
forgettable. Sadly, it had all the flavor and texture of Chef
Boyardee spaghetti.
Would I try again?
Not if this is indicative of the actual dish. *Sigh*.
Where
I
found it: Sanur
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Nasi Lemak -
Malaysian
Literally, this dish means 'rice cooked in coconut milk'. It's a
common breakfast dish in Malaysia, including rice, cucumber, a spicy
curry and egg. A good overall dish
to try.
Would I try again? Yes,
although there are so many more things to eat first!
Where I found it: Jaya
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Pasembur -
Malaysian/Indian
A jumbled salad of shredded cucumber, jicama, bean sprouts with tofu,
shrimp pancake, jelly fish, hard boiled egg - oh yes, and the kitchen
sink. Covered with a spicy sauce. It sounds chaotic, but it
comes together into a very tasty dish - 3.3 stars, at least. I
imagine it would have been even spicier if made in a different
restaurant. So far, my second favorite Malaysian appetiser.
Would I
try again? A definite yes.
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Poh Piah -
Malaysian
Steamed spring rolls, with jicama, egg and minced shrimp. Topped
off with a slightly tangy Malaysian sauce. Not bad, and very
reminiscent of Vietnamese steamed rolls (which I liked a shade better
than Poh Piahs.) 3.3 stars.
Would I try again?
On occasion.
Where I found it: Nyonya
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Rojak (or
Rujak) -
Malaysian
Wow, this was good! It's a fruit salad, with jackfruit, cucumber,
starfruit, and a few other species, mixed with a strong tamarind and
soy sauce, and bits of squid for texture. It doesn't stand out on
the menu, so thank god I ordered it anyway! Tangy and
wonderful. 4 stars, straight up!
Would I try again? Yes!
Where I found it: Penang
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Roti Canai (aka
Roti Prata) -
Malaysian
A crispy roti with a side order of curry for dipping
purposes. I
hear that it's sometimes eaten as a breakfast food. It was good,
but so far I'm much more of a fan of chewy soft roti (I had a
particularly good Jamaican roti once that I loved...!)
Would I try again?
No - not quite good enough to have again.
Where I found it: Jaya
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Roti Teleur -
Malaysian
A piping hot bread, with a sweet "duck" dipping sauce. Roti
Teleur is from the same food "family" as Roti Canai (see above), but it
includes egg in it. I found it much softer, fluffier and more
enjoyable than the Canai, although I got it from a different
restaurant, which could account for *some* of the difference.
Very good, satisfying stuff. 3.4
stars.
Would
I try again? Yes.
Where I found it: Sanur
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Shrimp Puffs -
Malaysian
Shrimp, toasted and wrapped in slices of bacon. An Atkins lover's
dream! It tastes pretty much as you'd expect - sweet shrimp, and
good, basic bacon. No striking spices here.
Would I try again?
Nothing against it - it's a very good appetizer, but no. It's
not different enough.
Where I found it: Several
Malaysian restaurants.
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Stingray (Ikan
Pari Bakar) - Malaysian
Grilled stingray, wrapped in bamboo leaves, floating in a spicy
curry. It's the curry that makes this so tasty, and is a definite
good choice for your next Malaysian foray. This dish does suffer
from "roti syndrome" - that is, you have to be careful and pick around
the bones. But - it's worth it!
Would I try again?
Yes.
Where
I
found it: Penang
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Tapeh -
Singapore
Fermented glutinous rice, found nestled at the bottom of a clear
plastic glass. Smell, and discover the faint aroma of a sweet
wine. Dig in with a spoon (or your fingers), and find a sweet
(mildly alcoholic) treat - chewy and tasty...and different from almost
anything else you'll see in an Asian market. I actually found
this item in a Cambodian store in Revere, MA...but the place was
eclectic, offering Thai and Vietnamese snacks, so I'm pretty darn sure
this was tapeh (despite the
lack of labelling.) But regardless of what you call it, this was
satisfying and yummy. No, it's not enough to get you drunk.
But its different, unique...and really a nice change of pace once
you've done that 500th glutinous rice ball, or banana leaf wrapped
snack.
Would I try again?
Yes.
Where
I
found it: Angkor Thom
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Turmeric
Seasoned Rice - Malaysian
My husband ordered a turmeric rice dish at a Malaysian restaurant
recently. I turned up my nose at it, since it didn't look
particularly spicy. But I eventually tried it, and the subtle
seasonings in it were amazing! It was more than rice, although
not overwhelming - a blend of wonderful quiet tastes, that merged into
something quite tasty. I wonder if there's a name for this dish?
Would I try again?
Yes. 3.8 stars!
Where I found it: Nyonya
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