I've had just enough time... to have my favourite noodles the Al fresco style
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| Al fresco dining the Malaysian style |
In the early evening, in a parking lot on a corner by the
side of a busy street of Kuala Lumpur, hawkers were busy setting up food stalls
for the night business. Carts and chairs were arranged on every available
places trapping cars left behind by drivers that were not aware of or were slow
to remove them. Tables and stools were arranged in the center framed by hawkers
stalls selling all kinds of mainly noodles dishes in various styles of
preparations, “dried” style with black sauce, different “soup” styles – beef,
beef tendon, chicken, chicken spare parts, pork, pork spare parts with light
soup, curry or a whole varieties of different stocks and flavors. They may be a
rice stall such as chicken or duck rice, or a “roti chanai” (Indian flat bread)
stall among them as well as various other types of food and desserts. It will
not be surprising to find a stall selling a local fried burger or Western food
such as Maryland chicken and chips. It was a food heaven.
This is a typical food stalls congregation in any city or
towns in Malaysia and they are always crowded and a fun place to be. The scene
we are seeing is in the early evening when the stalls is just being set up but
already a few early birds are already tucking in. Another hour, and you will
find patrons waiting for a seat to be available. No one managed the place but
it seemed to be very well organized with each stall contributing towards
maintenance of the area for the benefits of all concerned. The prices are very
economical and is a fraction of that available in restaurants. The food are
generally also quite hygienically prepared and is safe for consumption. This is
the favorite form of food consumption for busy Malaysian who are not cooking at
home.
