RaRa and Reddy Goes To Pasar Malam, Malaysian Style

We were fortunate enough to be able to visit a Ramadan (makan) bazaar during the fasting month earlier this year in June. Nothing beats a visit to a local market, especially if it's a food market! The sights, and sounds, and smells.. teased the tastebuds with every step we took. A typical Ramadan bazaar comes alive about a few hours before break fast time. Everything happens at a frenzied pace, everything must go, no leftovers. Well it's food, so you kinda get the idea. So here you go folks, this was what we experienced..
Promise not to drool :)

 

 

Cendol! Quintessential South East Asian dessert, there are versions found in Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar. It is eaten cold (with shaved iced, if served in a bowl). I love mine with fresh coconut milk (not ones that comes in a box) and copious amounts of Gula Melaka (Gula Melaka is palm sugar, made from the sap of flower buds of the coconut palm. I would describe the taste as somewhat slightly, almost just a hint, of coconuty, caramelised sugar).

Kuehs
Kueh basically means cake, but in this part of the world, kueh is the local version of cake. Basic ingredients would usually be rice flour or tapioca flour, coconut, palm sugar. But with some passion and a splash of creativity, these few basic ingredients would be the basis for many a wonderful kueh(s) we have to offer in this part of the world.

 

Just look at all that beautifully grilled spiced meat....

 

And a multitude of curries!

 

More kuehs! Oh that would be what I call a Ketupat Kedah, well it's formally known as Ketupat Palas Kedah, "Palas" being the type of leaf used to encase the rice. Normal ketupat (rice cake) is yes, square in shape, it is also unflavoured, meaning plain rice stuffed inside a weaved "bag" made of palm leaf. It is usually eaten as an accompaniment to curries, and is made only during special occasions like Hari Raya, or a kenduri (big feast). Nowadays, it can be easily obtainable all year round (satay stalls usually have ketupats available as it is also eaten as an accompaniment to the satay (satay is grilled skewered meat, can be beef, mutton, chicken and there is also the non-halal pork version of satay) gravy. Ketupat Kedah, is shaped differently, it tastes slightly sweet and "lemak", the rice stuffing is a mix of coconut milk (where the "lemak" is from) and glutinous rice. I like mine with some black eyed beans.

 

 

 

Ayam Bakar - Grilled Chicken. I am hungry. Help me please.

 

Where the action is

 

Various parts of chicken, marinated with spices, and done on the grill

 

Ikan Bakar - Grilled fish. 

All you need is fresh fish/seafood, spices/marinade and hot coals. 

Nothing like smokey grilled goodness :)

Drooling..

Teh Bunga Madu = Chrysantemum Tea with Honey

 

Another favourite of mine! Asam Laksa! There's nothing quite like it..

 

Asam Laksa's gravy is a broth made of spices, aromatics and mackerel (ikan kembung), it is tangy, spicy and not curry based, like many of the different versions of laksa in the country. What you would typically find in a bowl of Asam Laksa would be thick beehoon (rice noodles), julienned cucumber and fresh pineapple, slices of red onions, some may also come freshly cut slices of red chilli and, the pièce de résistance - piping hot ladles of rich tangy fish broth gently cradling each and every component that makes up the dish.

 

This uncle's earthern pot is something I've not seen before, and I was told he makes the best Asam Laksa in the market.

 

Ah. Malaysian satay. How can you do without one of the staples of street food dining.

So there you go folks. Street food in all it's glory. Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg, there are bigger and more exciting ones scattered all around the country. Although I can't pin the exact location of this pasar malam, just ask any locals, and they would be more than willing to share their personal favorite haunts for great street food. 

Go with an open mind (it will be hot, humid, crowded), ample stash of small notes/spare change, and most importantly, empty stomach!