You've heard of a banana republic. Now, welcome to Malaysia's Durian Democracy. The author takes on the thorny ( and occasionally horny) realities of Malaysian politics and its woes; and tries to show that behind that sharp image, Malaysia, still has some succulent, touching, and very genuine goodness in it. Not an easy task indeed, but then again, Malaysia has always been a hard nut ( or durian?) to crack.
Friday, July 13, 2012
City of Cutlery
The canteen is a place of moderated chaos – students walking, moving, laughing, munching, chomping, grabbing, laughing, shouting.
The bell rings. The buzz dies down gradually, crowds, heading like sharks to blood to the end of the hall.
Students push, pull, squeeze, walk, shuffle. A bottleneck towards their destination. There is a presence, tension rising as it awaits in anticipation.
Plates are thrown, unfinished food is dumped, forks and spoons clang against yolk yellow plastic trays. There is a blur spot in the background.
Spaghetti sauce splatters, drops of curry ooze into bins, bones with bits of meat slide down from plate to tray, an oily surface acting like a slime ski. The entity is now actively reaching in, turning the messy into the orderly.
Cities begin to form – metal foundations of clanging cutlery, towers of plates, built on the soil of meat and rice, interspersed with rivers of tom yam. The architect, the builder, and demolisher are at work.
A rogue plate is thrown instead of placed. The character shouts an undignified ‘Oi!’. The perpetrator walks away, hands stained with the curry of his crime, continues laughing, chatting, talking, sparing one thought for the presence: Bitch.
The city has crumbled. And the pieces have to be picked up.
I walk toward the ruins. And I pick up the plates. I look up, and hand them to her. She smiles for the first time that day.
‘Terima kasih, adik.’
Walking away, I half whisper, ‘No, thank you mak cik.’
Santa's Chapati
Santa's in town! |
Signature dish: Chapati, sambal sardine
Location: 15, Jalan Sarikei, 53000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: All days except Sunday, Mon-Fri 6.30am-6.30pm; Sat 6.30am-3pm
Contact: 0169958819 ( Kulwant Singh)
Other: Halal
No, this is not Mr. Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas Santa! However, I can guarantee you that Santa Singh certainly does not lack for delectable gifts and culinary delights! Santa is a very famous chapati stall- he's been featured in many a paper and I've been an avid fan of his chapati for years now. All the chapatis I've tried have thus far paled in comparison to his. Read on and find out why!
Fuyoh, motion blur man! |
Don't underestimate the power of a fluffy chapati. |
Sambal sardine..mmmm |
Mutton keema |
A bit like bitter gourd chips! |
The dhal is very decent as well, but when fresh ( around 8-9 am), it is GREAT. You've never really tasted dhal till you've tasted it fresh.
Makes you feel like going MOOOOOO. |
Restoran Santa
Taste: 8.5/10- Best chapati in town.
Value: 8.5/10- It's mamak prices, a meal for one with condiments should cost no more than RM8
Health: 8.5/10- Chapati is a really healthy bread!
Overall: 4.5 durians!
*Susu lembu- cow's milk- when fresh, has a really strong, milky smell and taste, perfect for a cuppa!
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