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Food
in Malaysia |
Kuala Lumpur is the hub of the local entertainment scene,
yet there are those who would tell you that there is no place like Penang for hawker food.
Others will, however, argue that Ipoh city in Perak offers even greater specialty dishes.
But since the general consensus for great hawker food seems to be Penang, we shall
concentrate there.
With an abundance of hawker stalls prominently positioned
along busy streets in the city and suburbs of Penang, it is not difficult at all to
understand why this island is often referred to as a hawkers' paradise. Penang hawker food
is reputedly the best in the nation, and some visitors from neighboring states and even
neighboring nations have been known to make regular trips to the island with the sole
purpose of patronizing their favorite hawker food venues!
Hawker food is usually available in large, medium, or
small portions at different prices. However, the price may also differ according to
optional extras placed on your dish, for example, additional prawns. Prices should be
displayed for the various dishes. If not, ask before placing your order.
Hawkers selling food, fruits, or drinks in push-carts or
mobile stalls are a common sight around the country, especially on Penang Island. However,
the mushrooming of hawker centers and government-sponsored hawker complexes in the suburbs
have somewhat reduced this. Hawker centers or complexes feature permanent stalls, each
offering their own special dishes. These venues usually stay open until late, catering for
those working on early shifts and those seeking supper after a late night out.
Most hawkers in Penang and other major towns are
licensed, and these are renewed periodically. Enforcement officers from the Health
Department and Municipal Councils also conduct regular checks on hygiene and cleanliness.
Hawker food is normally freshly-prepared. Although the
basic recipe of hawker dishes remain the same, variations abound. Often, watching a hawker
prepare the food is an interesting experience in itself. For example, roti canai makers
will punch a ball of dough flat, grab the edge then swing it around in circles to make a
pancake. This is flattened, shaped, then fried. Some roti canai makers might even throw
the cooked bread into the air with a flourish before chopping it with the edge of their
hands. Another one such example is "Teh Tarik" (literally, pull tea), a
smoothened creamy tea that is resulted from the act of pouring the tea between two big
mugs and increasing the height by pulling the pouring mug higher and higher. This act
smoothens the tea and cools it.
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