Kedai Makan Mak Engku

Ooh.. I love ikan bakar (grilled fish). And this is my favourite in Kuala Lumpur. I know.. I know... I have been to Ikan Bakar Tanglin, I have been to Ikan Bakar Bellamy. But Mak Engku offerred so much more. If you have tried their fresh fish, the beef soup, the vast variety of dishes to go along with the steamy white rice. And their drinks come in generous portion to douse the heat of all the sambals.

As the Board on top rightly said, this is "explosive grilled fish". It is not plainly grilled, but marinated in spices. I particularly appreciate their stingray or ikan pari in Malay. The ones they offerred here are white meat stingray, the texture is softer compared to the grey meat type (which I think is not so suitable for grilling). Not many ikan bakar stall offer the white meat type.

Anyway, there are so many choices of fish, you will definitely find something that you like.

We took a big piece of stingray. It comes with air asam (spicy tamarind sauce) separately.

I usually combine my grilled fish with ulam (fresh greens). My favourite is ulam raja (cosmos caudatus) - as seen at the top right of the picture. It has that distinct mango-like aroma that goes really well with the fish.

Special mention is this sup daging/tulang (beef bone soup). The soup is very warming because of the spices and beef. The meat is really tender.

Like I said, there are plenty of choices other than grilled fish. Chicken,veges, fried, stews, you name it, they got it. 

This is the time I have to practice self-restrain. But when in hunger, 'everything also I want'.

Of course, this can't be left out. the variety of sambals (chili pastes). Sambal belacan, sambal budu, sambal kicap, sambal cencaru, etc. It is telling you, there are many ways to spice up your life.

And of course, with all these spicy stuff, you need extensive water supply. Their drinks will not disappoint you.

How about the price? Let's take the bottom meal for 2 as an example. Stingray, veges, quail eggs, rice and ice lemon tea for 2. Total RM27. Economical or costly, you decide on your own.

Oh yea... location, location, location..

          

Restoran Sinki @ Dengkil and Steamed Bun (Pau) to Bring Home

It is in very very very rare occasion that Ben would have the mood to take us far for food. I took the opportunity to venture to Dengkil when we stayed in Putrajaya for a staycation.

We went to Restoran Sinki (though in chinese, I am sure the name Sinki is meaningful). 

We ordered the famous sweet spicy fish. The fish used is threadfin. It is fried till crunchy and generously doused with sweet, spicy and slightly sour sauce. I LOVE THIS!

We also had Sang Har Chow Mein (fried yellow noodles with river prawns). The prawns were fresh and cooked just right so that it is springy to bite.

The restaurant is located facing the main road, so you won't miss it. Only problem is parking. The Kedai Kopi IUI that is right beside Sinki offerred nice steamed bun and homemade kaya (coconut jam). We bought a few variety of steamed buns and brought home for tea.

This Pau below is Peanut Pau. The Pau skin is soft and chewy. The peanut is fragrant with sesame mixed with the grounded peanut.

PL had the Lotus Paste Pau. They were infused with screwpine leaf (pandan) fragrance.

Verdict: I would love to go back again for both restaurants.

Price? Oops.. It so happens Ben met a friend there and they paid for our meals without us knowing, so I don't know. But given that many people come for lunch and dinner here, the price must be reasonable.

Finding Johor Treats @ Medan Selera Presint 9

Searching for nice local eats in Putrajaya is not that easy for outsiders. Googling it in English mostly direct us to grand restaurants, malls or mamak stalls.

Let me teach you another trick. Try googling your searches in Malay or Chinese. You will have better luck finding good recommendation of local food this way.

That's how I found this place. Were we glad.

PM and I had a good time digging into otak-otak Muar. Otak-otak is a piece of spiced fish paste folded in between 2 pieces of coconut/palm leaves. They are barbecued to slightly charred. The fragrance.. mm.....

Then there is this mee rebus Johor. The gravy was thick and tastes great. It is not too spicy so the kids liked it too.

Then they have that Johorean infamous kacang pool. It taste a bit like chilli corn carne with a half cooked egg, calamansi, chilli and shallots. It comes with thick buttered bread to soak up the gravy.

The nasi lemak is not really a Johor thing but I sure love the sambal ikan bilis, as simple as it is. Anyway, it was cleared off by the kids. I only get the remnants of what's left. 

I felt really satisfied not having to resort to McD or KFC.

Stesen Keretapi Taiping Lama (Old Taiping Train Station) for Assam Laksa

If you do visit the old Taiping Railway Station, do visit the simple gallery and walk around the old station. The old station has been converted to a Gallery and some shops/cafe.

In the Gallery, you get to see pictures of old Taiping. Quite educational.

We stopped by a simple shop that sells Assam Laksa and Cendol.

Truthfully, the cendol was mediocre.

The laksa was just so-so too.

But combining the whole atmosphere, it is quite comfortable. 

Good for a nice and quiet visit of the old Taiping.