Time again for a Eric's food quest: malaysia
The northern part of Malaysia is known for a particularly good coffee. There's a national chain selling Ipoh white coffee. Both of us found it to be rather good. Many local places served it The secret is frying the beans in butter, to carmelize the bean. Why this process has not made it to the US, I cannot think why. With sweetened condensed milk, delicious. It was my daily morning drink in Malaysia.
When we were in Georgetown, Penang. We stopped in a grocery store to stock up for our ride into Thailand. While the grocery stores here are very similar to the ones in the US, shrink wrapped everything/ and very cold (actual market are an entire different convesation). There are a lot of brands here as you would expect from the US, but with different varieties and items all together. How about soft shell crab flavored Pringles (also grilled shrimp), water from nestle, or kraft cookies with apricots (really good by the way). We did find a local mandarian orange, (grows in Thailand) looks kind of dirty and yellow/greenish, but open it up and it's one of the naturally sweet things I've ever had. Beats any other citrus I've ever had. Even oranges at the peak season in the US are no comparison. Bright orange color (almost looking artifical), with enough tartness to add dimension.
The search for fresh cockles (little clams about the size of a watch face) have come up with varied results. I guess it all depends on where there're caught. Had a really good set in Krabi, Thailand. Plump and delicious, fresh seafood is fresh seafood.
We spend more time in markets than leisa would like. Found a big one in KL and a couple itemized markets in Georgetown. Seeing a whole pig carried over someone's shoulders is just one of those sights that makes you smile, along with the butcher cutting whatever part of the hog you wanted. Some have there pictures of beaches or mansions, I have ones of hanging pigs.
Here's a list of things eaten in Malaysia
Roti canai (yeast dough pulled paper thin, then cooked on a griddle)
Chee cheung fun (rice noodles rolled and steamed with sambal, black bean sauce, thick soy, and seasame seeds)
Laksa (to many versions to count) fish stew with rice noodles and sambal
Apom (indian pancake with egg in the middle)
nasi goreng(malay fried rice) most of the time with sambal
rojak (salad of various things(cucs,chicken) tossed with peanut dressing) eaten with tooth picks.
Kaya (think lemon custard consistency but made with coconut and pandan leaf) Beats any other breakfast accompianment with toast.
Happy eating
oh yeah, no bouts with travelers runs yet
