Showing posts with label Mee Jawa. Show all posts

OODLES OF NOODLES: ANGEL'S MENU MEE JAWA

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I
 would like to think of myself as an adventurous person when it comes to food. As a dashing young Chinese boy in the small town of Kuching, adventure when we talk about breakfast is NOT ordering what you usually order in a specific Coffee Shop.

Why yes, my logo does have its own signboard now. 

Imagine going to your favourite Laksa Coffee Shop and ordering Nasi Lemak instead. Kwong Hup is that very example of what I am talking about. It is a shop known to me and someone very dear to my heart as a place where we default to for Popiah. It is not, a shop where I’d go to for a plate of Mee Jawa instead. The very idea of doing something like that till recently would have been preposterous! Fortunately, it no longer is.

Now for those who have read this blog for a while now will know of the Mee Jawa post I wrote of HERE, and if you are looking for said similar experience in Kwong Hup’s Angel’s Menu, you will be in for a treat. If you like something different, that is.

Miss Angel's husband and a very good looking arm, if I do say so myself


This gem of a stall was opened in Kwong Hup about 5 years ago by Miss Angel (Yes, that’s the stall owner’s name), her husband and daughter-in-law whom I heard was where the recipes came from. What makes this place special is how proud they are of their food, and when you see it finally arrive at your table, you can see why.


The most notable difference you may spot is how the colour of the gravy is different from what we may be used to in Kuching. Instead of the pale yellow, as you can see, it takes a slightly redder hue. Unlike many others, sweet potato is evidently used in the recipe.


From the way it looks, to its texture and the hint of sweetness just ringing of authenticity, it is hard to deny how much flavour is added when sweet potato is not swapped out for flour for texture and sugar instead for sweetness. What is also present is the savoury salty flavours of presumably ikan bilis and sourness from tamarind.


The proteins present which is the egg and beef are rather underwhelming as they are both rather dry and do not do much to add to the dish other than texture. The flavour of the beef is very mild, but better that than strong flavours that clash with the gravy.


The tofu available is also rather nice to have, as the burst of flavour you receive after it soaks up the gravy is always a welcome addition.


Overall, what you should be getting is a burst of flavour from the gravy that is sweet with a salty and sour undertone coupled with mild proteins that add texture and garnishes that provide a rounded sweetness and a slight chew.

Once again, this is different from what you may be used to, but different is good. Being different shows that there are others out there, purposefully doing things against the norm because they believe in what they do. In this case, they believe that that difference is what makes it delicious. That is exactly what is present with Angel’s Menu. 

Kwong Hup, Angel’s Menu is open daily from 6am to 1pm except on Mondays when they are closed.

OLD KUCHING PART 1: KHAI JOO LANE MEE JAWA

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There’s something about the way old and new blend together in the town of Kuching in a manner that isn’t seen very often. Within the past few years, we Kuching-ites have experienced a boom of new shops and malls and along with it, ways to entertain ourselves, keep us occupied and connected to the world we know today. With old ways quickly phasing out, it’s nice to know that certain things remain.


Within the busy streets of the Kuching market area which holds the new Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall and the famous Open Air Market, is a street called Khai Joo Lane that is often overlooked. You’ll find this alleyway between the Bank Simpanan and Central Police Station or in the midway point of India Street and that’s where we’ll be going today on our Urban Palate Foodventure.

There’s something magical about traversing through parts old Kuching like Khai Joo Lane while you’re treading on those old tiled streets and faded walls that have stood since Charles Brooke himself would make his way through those streets and find himself some coffee. It only makes it fitting that the first shop you’ll see upon entering the street from the main road is a quaint shop selling only Mee Jawa and Satay called La Tanza Cafe. Why are we going there you may ask? My answer is, Adventure.

If you’re looking at the menu inside, I still stand by what I said about only selling Mee Jawa and Satay. The menu is a remnant of the old tenant who used to operate here, but for whatever reason you’ll still see it on these walls. Also, refrain from asking the owner about whether you can order some Indonesian Bakso because he’ll tell you that he doesn’t serve Indonesian food here. I found this quite strange as the noodles he was serving, was Mee Jawa. Mee Jawa is indicative of its heritage from Indonesia, but I just let this one cheekily slide. Besides, if he’s been making Mee Jawa for 40 years, he deserves some leeway at least.

Here’s a fun fact if you’re in Indonesia. Do not confuse Mee Jawa with Bakmi Jawa. They’re not the same thing. Trust me. Mee Jawa as we know it here, is known as Mi Rebus there.


If you finally are able to get yourself a seat and order a plate of Mee Jawa with Satay, you’ll notice how almost everyone knows each other here. From the way the owner greets the customers and how the customers are made up of either old friends catching up or families coming in for a good breakfast, you will notice what’s different here from new shops nowadays. A soul. A connection to food we eat.


Upon having your plate arrive at your table, you’ll realise with your eyes as to why these guys keep coming back. I'd guess it from how sexy the way those noodles resting on your plate are swimming in that gold gravy that’s topped with fresh garnish while accompanied with a soft boiled egg and hot juicy satay with peanut kuah.  

If you’re used to the punch of sweetness that you usually get when you’re eating Mee Jawa, you will not get this here as flavours are balanced with just the right amount of sweet and savoury while the garnish sprinkled over it provides freshness to the palate. That’s a good thing by the way, if you’ve not noticed.

It is a welcome addition that there is a beautiful jelly-like egg yolk, which is perfect for gravy like this as it doesn’t get lost in your gravy. What you want mixing in with your gravy though, is that savoury nutty peanut kuah which if you can’t see, is accompanied by that juicy Satay which I may add is absolutely essential and also better than most places who dedicate their businesses to just making Satay.

What you get here, is not just a really good balanced plate of Mee Jawa. What you’re getting here is what makes going out to eat so enjoyable. A chance to be a part of our past and our present.

La Tanza CafĂ© is opened for Mee Jawa and Satay every day except Sundays from 7am to 11am or till they sell out. A bowl of Mee Jawa is RM3.50 and Satay is priced separately and averages RM2.70. Your total bill will be RM6.20. Don't remind me how weird it is. 




One must also note that this is only the first of the reviews that I am going to do on this street. Up next.. Here’s a little sneak peek into next week’s post. There's a new post every Monday from around 8pm - 9pm.





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