They try…

It looks really simple, like there is nothing much to it but many have tried to come out with it and many have failed.

I’m talking about our Foochow delight, the yew chang koi or fried shallot cake…

I bought a packet at my neighbourhood fruit & vegetable sundry shop in the next lane the other day for RM2.00 a pack but no, it was not quite there.

It was the koi…

…that was disappointing. It was supposed to be soft and smooth and wobbly, something like chee cheong fun…

…but this one came across to me like the rice in ketupat…

Well, it was edible and I loved their freshly fried sliced shallots, the yew chang…

When I opened the little airtight packet, the fragrance filled the whole house and it was so crispy, fried to perfection. I simply cannot stand those that make use of the factory-made ones…

…sold in the supermarkets in big plastic bags. It is bad enough that they do not look good – it is not fragrant at all! In fact, some may have some kind of repulsive plastic smell that will put me off instantly – they like to use these at the Malay shops and stalls and I would rather do without…if THAT is what they are going to use. Honestly, I cannot understand why they do not seem to realise it at all!

So far, the only really good yew chang koi that I’ve had would be the ones sold at this stall at the pasar malam (night market)…

It must be getting more and more popular because I saw a video clip on Youtube (6:30 “kuih bawang“) that day and at that stall in question, there was a table full of it, selling at only RM1.30 a bowl – I saw the sign in the video clip.

That time, when I took some Singapore friends to go and try it at the pasar malam, the lady only had a few bowls (RM1.00 each at the time)…and was selling other things as well. They loved it so much that they went back every night during their stay here to go and eat it, believe it or not!

The brother tried making his own once under his sister’s guidance and was selling his…

…at a coffee shop here. I thought his was quite good as well but he insisted that he still had a long way to go. I don’t think he is there anymore these days though – it probably died a natural death in the onslaught of the pandemic.

The ones that my missus bought from the Kanowit ladies here…

…wasn’t quite there either and there were a few others…

…elsewhere as well.

It sure looks like everyone thinks they can do it but most do not make the grade. Obviously, it is not as simple as it looks!

SWEE HUNG (2.316161, 111.840441) is located along Jalan Ruby, in the block of shops on the right – next to a hair salon at the extreme end…and on the other end, to the left is the Kim Won Chinese Medical Store and Mini-supermarket.