Sibu is well-known for its kampua noodles and kompia plus the sweet variety of the latter – the chu-nu-miang. Another Foochow delicacy that one can find in Sibu is the ma-ngee…
It has its own special batter which brings about its own unique texture. Some people, I think, use the same recipe that they use for doughnuts…and though the end product looks similar, it is, in actual fact, not the same at all.
I saw a stall something like this in KL – piping hot from the wok at a stall along Jalan Alor…somewhere across the road from KFC (Bukit Bintang) and they called them “butterfly”. I did not buy any to try as I am not really a fan of deep-fried stuff as such. My parents’ Indon maid calls it telinga kuda (horse’s ear)…
Now, don’t ask me what we call them? You wouldn’t want to know. ROTFL!!! And stop right there, Cleffairy! Chup! Chup! No wise cracks from you, no…no!!! Hahahahahaha!!!!
Well, these are from the WeCare Bakery in the vicinity of the Sibu Bus Terminal, available only in the afternoon while stocks last. They’re not cheap – RM1.00 each but they’re very big and very nice. Even someone like me who is not really fond of the authentic ma-ngee they sell elsewhere in town, fell in love with its rich fragrant taste at the very first bite!
And talking about butterflies brings to mind that one-time very popular song – I can’t remember the original singer now but there was a cover by the Malaysian band, October Cherries…and there were other songs with the same name by people like Crazy Town, Jason Mraz…and even Malaya Curry, oops…I mean Mariah Carey. LOL!!! But one of my favourite songs with the word in the title would be “Butterfly for Bucky” by Bobby Goldsboro. Just listen to the beautiful, very touching story in the song…
Save a butterfly for us, Bucky
We’re all so blind, it seems
If we could only see the magic
In the power of a little boy’s dreams…
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 