The other day, I did not feel like cooking, so I went to this place to tapao (takeaway) something for dinner…
This is one of my favourite Malay eating places in town run by a guy named Rafie and his wife…
As you can see from the caricature, the wife’s actually Chinese – Foochow, if I’m not mistaken…and as they say, “Behind every successful man is a woman.” They used to occupy two shoplots at one end of a block of shophouses but now they have taken over another shoplot at the end of the next shophouse block, and they have put up a roof over the space in between so that they can use that space too for their business.
Rafie is a big bike enthusiast, so on one wall, you can see these photographs…
You noticed the Chinese New Year decor – those mini red lanterns? Now, on the other wall, you will see photos of well-known stars/personalities who have been there. I can see Dafi of Akademi Fantasia in the 1st one at the top…
You can get a wide variety of food there – noodles like kampua or the fried ones, roti canai and so on but I usually go for the fast food. I went there at 4 in the evening, so there wasn’t that much available compared to the morning or around lunchtime. They have very good daging masak hitam (black-cooked beef), a Sarawak delicacy…and I simply love beef liver….
…and don’t you think the fried paku (jungle fern) looks absolutely enticing?
And what have we got here?…
A Christmas tree!!! In a Malay shop! And earlier we have seen the Chinese New Year decor…and there’s even the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang!!! This, I must say, is a TRULY Malaysian shop!!! Two thumbs up for Rafie and his wife!
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 