The Mooncake Festival will fall on 3rd October, 2009 which is the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese lunar calendar. Since it is just the beginning of July, that means it is still three months away. That, however, does not stop the people concerned from selling the “Pek Guek Pia” (8th Month biscuits) or “Tong Chiew Pia” (Mooncake/Mid-autumn Festival biscuits), so once again, they have appeared in the shops around town.

I bought two packets of my regular brand (made in Sarikei) from the mini-supermarket near my house at RM4.00 each and they certainly made in clear on the packet that the biscuits “mengandungi lemak babi” (contain pig fat/lard). Then, the other day, I spotted these at a grocery store in Delta Estate, 50 sen cheaper at only RM3.50 a packet…

Foochow mooncake biscuits 1

Upon reaching home, I studied the small print and it seemed that this one did not contain any of the non-halal ingredient. There was just  the producer’s name, no mention of where the biscuits had been made. For one thing, the shape of the biscuits was like the “Pek Guek pia” that I used to know ever since I was a kid…

Foochow mooncake biscuits 2

They were square, unlike the ones made in Sarikei which were some kind of circular or hexagonal in shape. They tasted ok…but it was not the authentic “Pek Guek Pia” taste, never mind that it is not that healthy to consume the offensive stuff. After all , it is only once a year! LOL!!!

Moving on from the biscuits, a couple of mornings ago, I went back to my favourite Malay stall at a coffee shop in Sg Antu – Happy Garden, right next to Courts Mammoth. To my disappointment, somebody else had taken over the stall – somebody much younger and better looking than the old lady that used to be there. I ordered the mee goreng special (fried noodles special)…

Happy Garden mee goreng special

I am sure all of you will agree that it looked yummy and with the huge drumstick, it only cost RM3.50. Well, don’t we all know how looks can be deceiving? Unfortunately, it did not taste as nice as what I used to have…

The old lady used to give a fried egg – sunny side up and some daging masak hitam (black-cooked beef). The masak hitam gravy certainly helped to enhance the taste and made the noodles extra delicious. This one is a bit dry and not so tasty despite the fact that I could see they were very generous with the ingredients – lots of shrimps and all that garnishing. Anyhow, it is nicer than what I had with Louis J one morning at a stall located at the Jalan Masjid/Kpg Datu junction which he praises to the sky and seems immensely popular, judging by the crowd…especially at night.

Still, I don’t think I’ll be going back there as it is not nice enough to deserve a second round…and I’m sure if I keep looking, I will find some place that’s as nice as the old one or even nicer. Ah well…here we go again!!!