Food had always been central to the Chinese Malaysian culture. There is always food in almost every event. We celebrate birthdays by eating out. Weddings almost always involved a banquet for lots of people. Many times business deals are concluded over dinner. Believe it or not, even in a funeral, there are lots of food.
I knew this would happen when I got home. The first thing the family would do would be to go out for dinner. It had been years since I got to sit down for a dinner with my parents and my brother and sister. And it sure felt good for me — I just enjoyed such a setting catching up with each other.
My brother and sister paid for the dinner today. It was quite a spread and what more, the total damage just came up to about USD$80 for 12 people. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant but it’s somewhere Taman Maluri.
Here is what we had:
Deep fried Pork Spareribs with honey. I love these things. I like wiping whatever little meat gravy on the rice — give a good flavour to the rice.
Hotplate Tofu. This was served sizzling — the sizzling, the aroma really entices you to reach for one.
Sambal Kangkung is a very Chinese Malaysian dish. It is wok-fried in a belacan (a pungent shrimp paste sauce) and hot chilli peppers.
Soya sauce chicken. I think the chicken the “kampung” variety — the meat is tougher.
Deep fried fish. Don’t know what type of fish this is. I like Malaysian fish. They are big and fleshy and fresh. Yummy … love this the most. I have not tried this type of fish preparation for a long time.
Deep fried prawns. They are fried with the shells and heads on. Parts of the head and shell is edible because they have been fried to be very crispy.
Scallops. Pretty expensive in Malaysia. Fried with green onions. Great with rice.
For sit down meals, the restaurants always provide a small plate of chilli and minced garlic. These goes well with almost every dish. They are very generous with these things.
So, what do you think? I certainly enjoyed this meal.
I love chiles.
That’s a beautiful feast, Ben. Very reminiscent of the big family meals I get when I visit my parents in Northern California or my grandparents in Taiwan.
Isn’t it great how important family is in Asian cultures? It always make me feel loved, and a part of something far larger than myself.
– Chubbypanda
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Although I am a vegetarian, I do enjoy your blog. 🙂 Keep up the good work!
To ChubbyPanda – being bicultural of Taiwanese extraction like yourself, I had to have my chuckle when I read your comment above. Family is great, esp. Taiwanese ones. Unless you should happen to harbour different opinions from the Clan! 🙂
Hi Ben – Wow, what a nice spread….looks great!
I was in Singapore last winter and I had a vegetable called kang kong (spelling?). It was marinated in a sauce and finger licking good.
yummmm …
Man that looks GOOOOOOOOD !!
Hi Chubbypanda: This is the problem I am facing … you see, everyone’s is just offering me food and meals everyday. I had so much that I am beginning to feel sick at it. LOL! And you know how it is … that it’s rude to tell people that I just don’t want to eat, just chat and catch up with old times. Sigh … a few more days and I’ll be away from these food!
Hi AY: Thanks for visiting. I appreciate the positive feedback.
Hi Kunstemaecker: That’s right … kangkung is the word. Well, I had the same one on this post. Is this the same one you had?
Hi,
Nice works. Amazing pictures…
Do you mind if I use some your images for my report… we are doing this cultural cntr things and were looking for some images. We Googled angklung and found one in your blog…
BTW… what camera u r using?
Cheers!
Hi Farid:
You may use the angklung pictures for your report — thanks for asking first. And this is what I use for my pictures: http://chowtimes.com/2007/03/london_series_my_photography_g.html
Ben
I came across your blog by doing a search for “Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup” over the internet, and I am truly amaze and entertain by your photos and your passion for food. Simply “AWESOME”
Willi