The shop front is tiny and congested. It looks like one of the many run-of-the-mill eateries vying for tourists' attention. Walk in and you enter an oasis. It's cool and spacious. There's this sense of calm. A kind of hush - hardly anyone's talking, everyone's digging into their porcelain bowls of chendols, laksas & rendang noodles.
I couldn't have asked for more. After all that walking on the dusty streets with the sun scorching down mercilessly on us, its a welcomed sight for a recluse like me, seeking shelter from the crowds and souvenir hunters. The surrounding was pure nolstagia - polished wooden tables and chairs, memorabilia in the glass shelves, posters of ancestors of yore, antique ceiling lamps and fans... We have found a gem, a real keeper.
With the sunlight slipping through into the courtyard, there is an almost theatric effect surrounding the place. And the star of the show? The food of course.
My favourite meal in malacca must be this one. The assam laksa was almost tongue numbing spicy, but at the same time, the myriad of other tastes shines through. It's sour and sweet as it is salty and heady with the scent of hei gor (fermented prawn paste). The rice noodles were almost udon-like in thickness and the texture was chewy and light. Topped with julienned laksa leaves (daun kesom), sliced shallots and flaked fish (I spy suspiciously that this is not mackerel, I think its canned tuna), but nevertheless the combination of tastes is just awesome. To tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting much from this dish, considering that assam laksa is famous in Penang and not here, but I think this Malaccan version has found a place in my culinary roadmap.
Next post: chicken rendang noodle.
2 burps:
Hi Shaz, my partner and I have been talking about driving over to Malacca for the weekend to eat for months now. But we keep putting it off. Your post just gave us another little nudge. Our favourite restaurant is Nancy's for Peranakan food and we adore the Chendol on Jalan Tan Cheng Lok (i think...)
Hi eggy, I guess Malacca is the next best thing to Penang. Its not too far and is just enough to eat and shop for the short weekend getaway. I love the chendol and the noodles at 88 Jonker Street. We ate Peranakan at the usual Singaporean hotspot, Ole Sayang (we weren't that impressed, but still way better than what we get here). I like the laidback small town pace... like the good old days.. haha :)
Post a Comment