Rojak Manjung in Sitiawan

This month of June had me in stitches. No, NOT the laughing spell/stomach-cramps inducing kind, but more of that with surgical nature; aka 'Wounds bleeding' with endless slew of work and activities, taking me round the peninsular, for a grand total of 19 days of travelling and away from home !!! That's more than half the month gone! That has to be a record of sorts ......

Notice the various ingredients to be chosen for your customized serving of Rojak?

Still wondering whether I've the time (and energy) to update this blog in coming days, hence I'd better post as much as possible, whenever and wherever I can. For today's post, let's take a look at one of Malaysians' favourite salad, the Rojak.

Rojak Manjung gained considerable fame ... as proven by various articles, featured stories, and of course, words-of-mouth

Rojak refers to a popular type of salad commonly found in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia (known as rujak, refers to Selba's blog for various versions of the rujak), consisting of fruits and vegetables (and other ingredients occassionally), and served with accompanying sauce.

There are various intepretations of this simple dish, from the common Rojak with thick, gooey black shrimp paste and peanut sauce, to Pasembur-type of rojak with slightly different ingredients (cucur udang/prawn fritters, tauhu/beancurd, etc) and a sweeter yet spicy sauce. Of course, there's always other sensationalized versions, such as those with other not-so-common ingredients such as youtiao/yau char kwai/Chinese cruellers, cuttlefish (else known as sotong kangkung), cuts of papaya, etc.

Rojak Manjung @ RM3.20 (regular serving)

I've read about this place in Sitiawan (yup, NOT Seri Manjung, remember!) serving delicious and popular Rojak Manjung from THIS blog some time ago. Noted to self; "Gotta give it a try, seeing that Sitiawan's all about Hock Chew food, hawker fare, or seafood only." And of course, cendol as well. Come to think of it, if only this rojak can be served together with that cendol from James, then it's HOLY matrimony, people!

Seriously, this is the second time I tried Rojak Manjung in Sitiawan. (Don't you just love how they like to confuse you? Imagine Nasi Ayam Ipoh in KL, or Penang Char Kuey Teow in Ipoh. Or even Terengganu Nasi Dagang in Australia. Hahahah ... wait, two out of three ARE for real. Whoops)

Verdict? Lovely combination of ingredients, from their crispy and flavourful cucur udang (prawn fritters), a whole boiled egg, fish cakes and cubed potatoes, to other funky ingredients such as filament stick (or crab stick - another one of those bogus wannabes, fish paste masquerading as crabs?), peparu (cow's lungs!), tempe (a Javanese delicacy made from fried soybean - supposedly the Elixir of youth. Got doubts? Ask HIM), etc.

Coupled with that thick, spicy sauce with chopped peanuts, the platter of goodies was taken up to a whole new level .... of greater heights, should I say. Minor gripe? The small serving of sauce was far from enough to 'banjir' (flood) my plate of rojak. Additional sauce can be obtained at extra charge, should you feel like slurping on the gravy.

They serve rice with dishes as well. The Rendang Cendawan (curry mushrooms, literally) is one of their most popular dish, being covered in the media as well.

They operate from 9am til 7pm everyday, except Sundays. Aside from their famed Rojak, one can choose to have a more filling portion of rice and dishes for lunch here. The boss highly recommended their Rendang Cendawan, probably the first time I've came across such combination. Vowing to try the dish someday for lunch, I'll be sure to return for more.

Look for the D'Mara sign, in case you can't find this place

Location : Rojak Manjung @ No 6, Plaza Mara Sitiawan, Jalan Lumut, 32000 Sitiawan, Perak. Tel No : 6012-507 5453. Look for Encik Amer Zuraidi. HALAL.

And with that, let the Marathon begins .......

Sitiawan Food For Dummies - Half A Day's Worth of Food Hunt

Third time's the charm. Or so they say. For this month alone, I've visited Sitiawan/Seri Manjung not once, not twice, but THREE times. If you're thinking, "What's the deal with such a forsaken & 'off-the-track' town on the western coast of Perak?"

Kon Lou Mee - Dry soy sauce-tossed Foo Chow kampua noodle (RM2.40)

The FOOD, of course. And mind you, Seri Manjung/Sitiawan (the towns are almost borderless, both under the same district of Manjung) are NOT your idea of those idyllic, serene, backwater locations for the elderly to usher in the golden ages.

In fact, development has been rather rapid, with several shopping centres/hypermarket sprouting, a cineplex started operations sometime last year, new restaurants venturing into the scene, and a generally renowned interest in the district as a whole. (Lumut/Pulau Pangkor/Teluk Batik are also under the administration of Daerah Manjung, for your information)

The famous stall at Kampung Koh wet market doing brisk business from morning til noon, selling the famous Foo Chow (Hock Chew) specialty, Loh Mee

All this while I've been to Sitiawan, I've never made it a point to try the famous Loh Mee at Kampung Koh wet market. Reasons being I'm not a fan of yellow noodles, and moreso those drenched in dark, sticky, unrecognizable gravy. Loh Mee fits the description perfectly.

Loh Mee @ RM2.40

But given the task of leading a food hunt (with the other 4 members possessing a range of basic to zero knowledge of the town's roads, & attractions), I had to please all quarters, and put my interest last. Hehehe ... that sounded noble, ain't it?

To start off with, we had lunch at that Kampung Koh wet market stall, serving huge portions of those famous homemade (erm, factory-made now?) kampua noodles. Choices ranging from dry version to soupy ones, and of course the perennial favourite of many; the Loh Mee.

The thick, starchy gravy may need some getting used to, though I was not too keen on the sourish taste, probably lent by the added vinegar. Lots of dried cuttlefish, and some radish-like roots provided different textures to the springy noodles, which ironically reminded me of the one used in Hakka Mee.

I found the dry version tossed with soy sauce more palatable however, with added sambal (it's provided in a glass jar on every table), and Kampung Koh's famous garlic chilli sauce. The accompanying Char Siew (barbecued pork slices) was nothing fancy though, being leaner than ideal.

Location : Stall @ Pasar Awam Kampung Koh. Here's a rough MAP.

To get to this place, you've to turn left at the traffic lights at Kampung Koh, with Maybank on your right. From Ipoh's direction, using the Lumut highway, you'll reach Sitiawan town with KFC on your right. Turn left at the crossroad traffic lights into Jalan Raja Omar, and go until the end, passing by Bei King Restaurant on your left, then ACS Sitiawan on your left as well. You'll come to a T-junction with Maybank on your right soon enough. Turn left into the main road of Kampung Koh, and you'll notice the market (Pasar Awam Kg Koh) to your right.

Of Horsie, Happy Children, and Funky Balloons @ Teluk Batik.

The Loh Mee stall is opened from breakfast until lunch, hence don't go at night. You'll be better off visiting Happy Restaurant for their homecooked Hock Chew dishes, or seafood & toddy at Kampung Cina's AMU or Villa.

Say, if you're thinking; 'How to spend some time, before the next meal?' You can either :

a) Take a nap in your car, or

b) Go shopping at Giant, Billion, or The Store, or

c) Catch a movie at Lotus, or even

d) Burn some calories off at the beach of Teluk Batik.

A Chinese-Muslim uncle gleefully attending to the queries from the crowd, all the while prying open those mussel-like shells (kepah, is it?)

Not ANOTHER Teluk Batik post!!! I hear you lamenting. No fret, as this time I spare you the beach shots (hehe).

Sitiawan Cheong Cia Gong Pian

For some hot, fresh from the oven (erm, not exactly ovens, but clay-like structures like those used to cook naan), crispy Sitiawan snacks, you can't go wrong with Gong Pian.

With Char Siew, and onions fillings @ only RM1.00

Though some have commented that one can get these delectable savoury snacks elsewhere with better quality, I'm still impressed with Cheong Cia's version, especially the ones with Char Siew fillings. When consumed hot, the biscuit is like no other. Crispy on the outside, slightly chewy on the inside, with tasty bits of Char Siew and chopped onions. Other varieties include plain ones, or those with only onions.

Location : Sitiawan Cheong Cia Gong Pian @ HERE. A rough estimation as I'm not sure of the road's name. But after turning left at the KFC traffic lights in Sitiawan town, you'll notice a huge yellow building (Courts?) on your left. Turn left into the road and you'll find this Gong Pian shop.

Yee Si @ Kampung Koh, next to Maybank

Still craving for more after the Gong Pian? Hehe, come to Yee Si at 3pm for the famous multilayer peanut 'pau' (bun). Yes, only from 3pm onwards will they be selling this signature pau of theirs. Of course, Yee Si still serves other snacks and pau to complement your cup of tea.

The multi-layered Crushed Peanut + Sugar Pau @ RM0.90 per piece

Just ask for the peanut pau with layers, or the sliced ones. The dough resembles 'fatt koh', those (normally) pink-coloured steamed rice cakes commonly used as offerings placed at the altars for praying. Slightly sour (again, we suspected Foo Chow folks really like their food sour/sweet), the pau is not your average peanut ones, or any other you've grown accustomed to, for that matter.

Sang Yuk Pau @ RM1.10

The Sang Yuk Pau (pork bun with a quarter of a boiled egg) fared much better in my opinion, even eaten after a day! Flavouful, with good dough (those that does not stick to the teeth & not an inch thick!), and ample fillings, the buns were in fact, not our orders. The guy sent the whole plate to our table, drawing blank stares, & question marks atop our heads. But could it be a blessing in disguise?

Location : Yee Si Restaurant @ Kampung Koh, next to Maybank. Refer to previous map and directions on the Loh Mee @ Kampung Koh wet market.

That famous Sitiawan's James Cendol in front of the Indian temple, next to The Store @ Sitiawan

And to cap off a hastily-planned food hunt, we had something sweet, refreshing and cooling. Please pardon my laziness, and refer to my older post on James cendol HERE, for directions, price, and taste. Here's a MAP, in case you're feeling even lazier than me. =P Just go straight at the KFC traffic lights in Sitiawan, from Ipoh/Ayer Tawar's directions, towards Seri Manjung. You'll see The Store on your right, and the Indian temple within a short distance.

With that, I rest my case. Now, WHO WANTS TO HIRE ME NEXT? =P

# Food hunt in collaboration with The 3G's, with an additional new member, as well as an ex-member in tow. #

Teluk Batik AGAIN/2 Salted Egg Chickens - Happy & Bei King @ Sitiawan

Never say never. I never stepped on Langkawi's soils all throughout my life, yet last month I flew there not once, but twice. (The chocs are STILL in my fridge until now .... a case of over-estimation, at best).

Not of pristine waters & golden sands, but can lah .....

And being a Perak-ian, I only discovered Teluk Batik (physically) back in March. Surprisingly, duty called, and I was there again in April, AND last weekend. Which kind of more or less changed my perspective on life. Good things only happen once? Nah .....

Footprints in the Sand & The Lost Stallion?

Not going to bore you with shots of the beach and its surrounding this time. But instead focusing on some Foo Chow (or Hock Chew) food in Sitiawan. Two of them, to be exact. Told ya good things come in pairs.

Yee Si @ Kg Koh's the place for freshly steamed 'pau' ... but not opened for dinner. Boo-licious covered the 9 layers peanut bun HERE.

For dinner on the first day, we ventured out to Kampung Koh in Sitiawan to meet up an old friend of ours. No, not in the sense that she's OLD (The opposite, in fact. She looks 10 years younger than her age, really!). But a friend since our secondary school days.

Clockwise from top left : Foil-wrapped Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs, Salted Egg Chicken, Oyster omelette and Fried Squids

Staying in Ayer Tawar for a good one year plus certainly has its advantage. She has transformed from a young, naive gal with no sense of directions whatsoever (hehe), to a tough nut making ends meet in Changkat Melintang (even the GPS may falter at this one!), and perpetually searching for yummy food in and around Daerah Manjung. But of course, with a little help from her prince. (Don't kill me ..... LOL)

Foo Chow Mixed Vegetables

The place is easy to find, as the restaurant is located opposite of Kampung Koh's wet market, which in turn is very famous for the Lor Mee (a type of noodles in thick, sticky broth).

The meal was satisfactory in more than one way. Notable dishes include the Or Chien (oyster omelette) which was very crispy, with M-sized oysters, and paired with Kampung Koh's famous garlic chilli sauce. The deep-fried squids was another tasty snack that was complemented well by the aforementioned dipping sauce.

But the BEST dish of the evening, in my opinion at least, was the salted egg chicken. Now at this restaurant, their intepretation of the dish is slightly different from the others. Whereas most restaurants incorporate salted egg in the batter, and deep-fried their chicken, here the dish is slightly 'wet', as the salted egg is added into the gravy used to cook the chicken. The result? A sumptuous combination of tender chicken pieces cooked in the slightly sweet, saltish, and glistening thick sauce, with finely-chopped bird's eye chillies for that extra fiery kick.

How could we NOT be feeling HAPPY?

Secondly, that was a free meal. Hahaha ... us the freeloaders eh? Thanks to her charming prince, for the food, the company, and the recommendation.

Location : Happy Restaurant @ Main Road of Kampung Koh, Sitiawan. It should be somewhere around here, in the MAP. From the traffic lights at Kampung Koh's Maybank, go towards the road opposite of Maybank, and go straight from there. The shop is on the left, about 300m down the road.

So WHERE'S THE SECOND RESTAURANT, YOU ASK?

Bei King of course.

It has been a year, since my last visit to Bei King in Sitiawan. No doubt THE most popular Foo Chow restaurant in Sitiawan (albeit many claimed the commercialization brought about inflated prices and compromised quality), Bei King has been in the business for about 2 decades now.

Sambal Belacan Kangkung - Ma Lai Fung Kong

Their version of Kangkung stir-fried with Sambal Belacan was surprisingly very good. You know they really care for their greens when they do not simply stir-fry them, but instead with enough fire (wok hei), rendering the greens with a pleasant smoky flavour, with piquant sambal belacan paste, chopped onions and shrimps added for good measure. Not a typical Foo Chow dish, but who cares? :)

Sweet and Sour Fish Maw Soup

Now this is one of their signature dish, the sweet and sour fish maw soup. Fish maws are the gas bladders (or air bladders) of certain species of fish, considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. Cooking them may be tricky, as they've to be fresh (without the unpleasant overnight/stale oil taste), braised until soft yet maintaining that bouncy texture, and the sauce must not overwhelm the subtle flavour of the maws.

At Bei King, the sweet and sour soup is a suitable choice; thickened with strands of egg whites, and served with other ingredients, the soup was a tantalizing starter. But the fish maws paled in comparison to the ones I've had in Sekinchan.

The golden block of Signature Beancurd cooked in that wholesome stock

Salted Egg Chicken (again?!)

The salted egg chicken at Bei King is the typical batter-fried version, BUT the salted egg was sandwiched between the batter and the chicken meat, instead of being incorporated into the batter mix. Crispy on the outside, tender and savoury on the inside, we could really taste the salted egg in this one.

Red Wine Chicken - Dry version

The epitome of Foo Chow cuisine, the red wine chicken mee sua is being dished out in Bei King as well. Though we opted to have ours sans the mee sua (we had rice), AND without the soup (we had the fish maw one). The dry version was equally good, though first-timers may have doubts, wondering the possible use of excessive dyes/colourings. In reality, the blood red shade comes from the red rice used in the fermentation of the wine. IF my memory serves me correctly.

Location : Bei King Restaurant @ 1, Taman Lekir Baru, Jalan Raja Omar, 32000 Sitiawan, Perak. They've a site HERE. Tel No : 05-6910253/6926951. It should be somewhere around HERE (a Google map)

Happy Sunday Everyone ........

Sitiawan Cendol, Nasi Ayam Mama @ Seri Manjung & I Discovered Teluk Batik !!!

Realize it's been some time since I've posted anything from the outskirts of Ipoh, as well as outings to other towns in Perak. Since Chinese New Year in fact, and the Hanoi trip, my momentum was somewhat lost. Crawling out of bed and going to work sounds tedious and spells boredom on most days, while driving to obscure destinations for work does not seem as tempting like those good old days anymore ....

Where's the Zest in my Life ?!!!

MMMM .... yummy condiments from the roadside for that extra 'kick' !!!

Since I'm reeling from my 3 hours train ride today, I'll probably breeze through today's post. Not that the ride was horrible, mind you. In fact it was a rather commendable effort for KTM to regain the trust and its lustre, after such a looooooooooooooong hiatus from commuting between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. 3 hours exactly, from KL Sentral to Ipoh's station, departing and arriving right on time! From a lowly RM10 per ride (economy seats), you can be assured of a pleasant and safe ride. OK, at least in comparison to buses, you don't see trains derailing as often, do you? :) (For more information, do visit KTM's website here : http://www.ktmb.com.my)

Sitiawan's very own, Kampuan (sp?) Noodles ..... dry or wet, with curry, wantan (dumplings), pork ribs, fishball, etc. The choice is yours. But the compulsory dash of Kampung Koh's Garlic Chilli sauce is inevitable.

This journey takes precedence over my Hanoi posts, for a simple but obvious reason. To squeeze dry my brain juices in order to recollect the Halong Bay journey may take a lifetime, given the fact that I'm rather drained for the time being. Soon, OK?

Last week, work took us to Sitiawan, and Seri Manjung, both towns next to each other, located at the western coast of Perak. If you've been to Lumut (where the jetty's at before departing to Pulau Pangkor), you would've passed by these towns somehow, unknowingly. The Lumut Highway is a wonderful path to discover smaller and some off-the-(tourists)-track destinations in Perak. From Parit, Pusing and Tronoh, to Seri Iskandar, Beruas, Pantai Remis, and of course, Ayer Tawar, Sitiawan and Seri Manjung. The highway (wonder if that's what it's called, officially) does NOT collect toll fees, fret not. And with two lanes on each side, with 90km speed limit, and 60km at certain areas.

The famous item in Kampung Koh, Sitiawan is Loh Mee - A special noodle dish with wet, thick and sticky gravy

This corner shop at the Kampung Koh crossroad traffic lights attracted our attention, while we were busy searching high and low for breakfast. The place was packed with locals and out-of-towners alike (it's rather easy to spot them, as we're considered outsiders here as well!).

The famous Loh Mee in Kampung Koh is supposedly located near to the wet market, but we had no idea where the market is. And after countless rounds in Seri Manjung in search of a proper breakfast joint, we instinctively jumped at the opportunity of joining the crowd that morning.

Look for this corner shop, at Kampung Koh, Sitiawan

You can point to what others are having, in case you're at lost on what to order. The Loh Mee was sadly out-of-stock by the time we went, hence we ordered a Dry and a Wet version of their famous homemade noodles.

Resembling the texture of Hakka noodles, the springy, flat noodles was thankfully devoid of alkaline taste (from lye water being used), and complemented well by slices of tender pork ribs, and fried shallots. The noodle on itself was rather tasteless, but that's when the condiments come into play. Kampung Koh's original chilli sauce (Koki brand) and vinegar with garlic (in a jar) did the job well, lending a sour/spicy note to the noodles and meat.

Location : Sin Ek Sek @ Main Road, Kampung Koh, 32000 Sitiawan, Perak. Sorry no MAP, but coming from Sitiawan town towards Kampung Koh, you'll see this shop on your left, at the traffic lights.

JAMES CENDOL - Now helmed by the wife instead .....

So what's next after breakfast? Thirsty? Suffocating from the sweltering heat? No sweat. Look for the famous Sitiawan cendol, situated in front of the Indian temple, within walking distance from The Store in Sitiawan on Jalan Lumut.

The Indian temple (Maha Mariamman), closed to the public on that afternoon

At RM1.30 per bowl, you get a substantial bowl of green pea flour strips (Cendol), and red beans dunked in shaved ice (using the ORIGINAL shaving machine!) and Gula Melaka

The difference lies in the preparation of the cendol. And the presentation of the proprietor, or rather, the wife of the owner. The owner is seemingly operating at another location, while this original location is being manned by the wife, complete with the signature RED bowtie. Yup, remember the RED bowtie, not BLACK. There's a flattering imitation a stone's throw away.

As I mentioned, the preparation of a bowl of their famous cendol requires much sweat, though no tears. The classic ice-shaving machine probably has history dating back to my grandfather's generation, and you can witness her pumping muscles ... I mean, vigorously rotating the handle to generate shaved ice bits for the cendol. Not as smooth as those Ais Kacang, but you can bite on those crunchy tiny bits of ice, in addition to the soft strands of Cendol, and large red beans. Though I'm still giving my vote to the Penang Road's version, James Cendol deserves an honorable mention in my books.

Location : James Cendol @ Jalan Lumut, 32000 Sitiawan. In front of the Maha Mariamman Temple, near to The Store. Opens daily from 11.30 am onwards, until the day's supply finishes, or until about 7pm.

When even royalty beckons .... you know it's gotta be good

Of course, after breakfast, and erm, a simple cendol-refresher, we had to finish our duty for the day, before feeding our lunch cravings.

How to burn calories, you asked?

Teluk Batik beach ..... about 10 minutes away from Sitiawan

Surprisingly, it was my virginal visit to Teluk Batik. Where? Haha ... Least I'm not alone. Teluk Batik is a beach getaway on the western coast of Perak, about 5 minutes drive from Lumut, and accessible by car, with ample parking space, and a few resorts for travellers.

It's midday, yet the place was crowded .... school holidays = hot period, apparently ....

The beach is lined with various stalls, selling food & beverages, as well as clothes, accessories and souvenirs. A tourist destination but overshadowed by Pulau Pangkor, indefinitely, Teluk Batik has been attracting a steady stream of tourists (majority the locals, from what I witnessed that afternoon), and even had a facelift of sorts, now with a Waterfront square, just like Lumut.

Even a Sea Shells Museum?!

The seemingly abandoned museum .... One wonders who admire, erm, sea shells?



The waterfront square facing the sea

Obviously, people stare when you're all decked in shirts and suits, with slacks and leather shoes, all the while prancing and camwhoring by the sea, under the scorching heat. Ahem, but nobody recognizes us ma ...so no uneasiness at all. Thick-skinned eh? :)

You can visit http://www.malaysiavacationguide.com/telukbatik.html for information on the beach, as well as contacts for various hotels/resorts around the area.

Here's a MAP, so you can have a rough idea where this place is. "Teluk" means bay in Malay language, probably stemming from the inward curving bay this beach is located. Though far from pristine waters ..... or golden sands, at least you don't need to travel far for a simple yet relaxing holidays.

No, you're not seeing double. They've 'expanded' across the lane!

And to cap things off, we went for a late lunch (we DID work, after all) at Nasi Ayam Mama in Seri Manjung. A very, very popular HALAL restaurant in Seri Manjung, you'll be stumped at the sheer amount of people having lunch here during peak hours.

The interior is very clean, bright and airy

Recommended by Malay colleagues as well as other races, their specialty needs no intepretation. Or you can't understand what Nasi Ayam means? It means Chicken Rice, in Malay.

Very Chinese-oriented, except the chicken, served with a dark, thick and sweetish gravy (RM4 per plate)

The Chicken Rice here is GOOD. I seldom throw praises on Malay-style Chicken Rice, as most failed in the chicken department (tough, not tender, salty, or plain tasteless) or the rice department (soggy, too artificially yellow, too hard, or overpowering margarine taste). But pleasantly surprised by Nasi Ayam Mama's quality, the rice being fragrant and fluffy, resembling Hainanese chicken rice, while the roast chicken was flavoursome, with or without the gravy. The dipping sauces were right on as well, the chilli sauce being a little sweetish, and the bird's eye chillies in thick soy sauce was perfect to perk things up. The soup was a little too peppery for my taste, but Mr Z (my colleague) enjoyed it nonetheless.

FYI, they serve other dishes as well, rice and noodles alike.

Location : Nasi Ayam Mama @ 63-65, Persiaran Manjung 3/2, Taman Manjung Point Seksyen 3, 32040 Seri Manjung, Perak.

With that .... we departed back to Ipoh ; Hunger pangs Satiated, Sleepy yet Satisfied .....

Villa Seafood Restaurant @ Kampung Cina, Sitiawan - A Toast to the Good Times

Finally the 15 days of joy, recklessness (in all manners) and various holidays peppered throughout .... are over. This year's sense of festivities was lacking, at least IMO, probably due to bitter feuds over at Gaza, and the endless policitical tsunami at our very own backyard. Oh, and the bleak statistics of the Ops Sikap (or whatever they're callin it now) splashed on the dailies, a grim reminder of the dark side of humanity.

Credits to KYT for this shot.

But let's concentrate on something worthwhile. Some food for the guts, as well as for the soul? Here's today's post on the famous stretch of seafood restaurants in Sitiawan. Kampung Cina, in particular.

Those tall coconut trees provided much shades and serenity ...

Still remember my AMU Coconut Villa post? Situated directly opposite of AMU is this Villa Seafood Restaurant, touted as some as an even better alternative to AMU's.

Toddy at RM6/jug

AMU and Villa are in fact, not only popular with the locals, but very, VERY famous with outsiders alike. A testament to their popularity transcending borders, it seems. And through out our lunch at Villa today, we witnessed many patrons bearing registration plates from Perak, KL, Penang, etc.

To counter the heatiness of the food, or the plain sweltering heat from the scorching, almost desert-like weather in Perak nowadays, we ordered a jug of toddy (coconut flower wine?) to be shared. Rather than served chilled like Coconut Flower Seafood restaurant in Teluk Gong, the toddy here was served at room temperature instead, with additional ice cubes for those who prefer them cold. Toddy's best served chilled, but the addition of ice cubes somewhat diluted the beverage. And be wary of the flies. They're attracted to the drink like bees to flowers. ;)

The compulsory Greens - Choy Tam stir-fried with carrots

Marmite Chicken (edited thanks to Hulk!)


Steamed Siakap in Assam Sauce

The ULTRA crispy Oh Chien (Oyster Omelette)

The portion here is bigger than the average. Hence refrain from over-ordering. Us 4 were having trouble finishing the 4 dishes.

Tastewise? I'll pick Villa over Amu, based on the once visit to each place. The Oh Chien, in particular, was very crispy at the sides, with juicy M-size oysters deep-fried with batter and eggs. Paired with the famous Kampung Koh chilli sauce, the Oh Chien was almost snack-like, requiring no rice as complement.

The siakap was very fresh, the flesh firm, tender, and steamed to perfection. Had we known the fish was this fresh, we would've ordered the plain steamed siakap instead, to fully savour the sweetness of the fish. But the spicy and tangy Assam gravy was not bad either, and perfect to drench our plates of white rice.

What a relaxing sight? Old friends chatting over some young, fresh coconut juice and seafood galore .... under the shacks ....

The meal costed a mere RM59.90. Very reasonable, given the amount, the quality of the ingredients, and the inflated prices in most eateries nowadays.

Location : VILLA SEAFOOD RESTAURANT @ Kampung Cina, 32000 Sitiawan. For directions, please refer to my post on AMU Coconut Villa Restaurant. Villa Seafood is situated opposite of AMU. Need help? Drop me a comment or email.

A toast to our friendship .... and remembering the priceless one and half year of MAKAN-ship, MAKAN tours and CRAZY times ....