Sungai Lembing's Ah Ding Charcoal Roasted Pork (林明阿定柴香烧肉)

We came with some expectation. It was mentioned everywhere and the crowd was impressive. This picture was taken before the stall is even selling. This is just the pre-sale queue.

They start selling around 5.30pm, but the crowd/queue starts earlier around 5ish. So if you are kiasu, better be there early.

 The selling point of this place is:

1. The pork is roasted using charcoal instead of gas, which gives it a specific fragrant and juiciness.
2. The pork is roasted whole, which retains its juice and flavour better than those roasted in parts.

The oven

The production for the day

They only sell on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you are interested, plan your visits accordingly. 

 Other than roast pork, they also offer Char Siew and Siew Cheong.

Another thing to note. It is better to park outside. If you park right in front of the house/stall, be ready to get stuck in the heavy traffic.

Was it good? Ok only la...

For better experience, eat there and then when it is still crispy (because taste wise, it was a bit flat for me)

MAP: Google Map to Ah Ding

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.