Ultimate Char Siew

another porker bites the dust


The cravings seem to have begun. Over the last 18 weeks that Mae has been pregnant, our daily culinary experiences have been pretty tragic given that just about anything makes her want to puke. But lately we have been eating a little more normally. In fact, it looks like we'll be eating a whole lot more these days since Mae has started getting pangs of hunger and cravings.


The picture you see in one of the finest Char Siew money can buy. Char Siew is basically, barbecued pork, Chinese-style. We get this from a coffee shop in Taman Bukit Maluri that serves chicken rice and economy rice. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of the place now but it's the one a few shops down from the clinic, opposite the chicken sellers. It is one of the finest Char Siew money can buy - believe you me this! The meat is a choice cut with just the right balance of lean meat and fat. It is marinated just right, not too sweet nor too sour. While it looks unassuming, as you bite into it you will marvel at the chef's kungfu at grilling this fine meat. The outside is crispy and crunchy while not overly cooked while the core of the char siew is tender and succullent, the kind of texture than can reduce a grown man to tears! Okay, I'm exaggerating a little, but it is really good Char Siew. To top it off, this shop serves its Char Siew with a specially-made sauce that is just the perfect accompaniment for such an excellent food.


Some people claim that the best Char Siew is in Jalan Alor. Those people have never been to Taman Bukit Maluri, Kepong.


The thing is, before she got pregnant Mae never ate pork. In fact, she hated the stuff. But now in her pork-eating phase, she is convinced that the pig is the tastiest animal to ever walk the earth. And that suits me just fine.


NOTE: THIS IS SO NOT HALAL!