Once upon a time there were three little pigs. Even though they were little pigs they still ate halal food because they were such little piggies that they couldn’t stop eating. And eating. And eating.
Honestly, what else is there to do in Malaysia except eat? Sure, you can probably throw a few activities up that might seem fun, but really, why would you waste time with them when you could be eating.
And it seems that we are located in one of the best spots to partake in our favourite Malaysian activity.
We began the day by walking down towards the old Imbi Markets. The hawker centre outside the markets is apparently now closed, but no matter, we came across the crowded Restoran Win Heng Seng on Jalan Imbi. I ordered a nasi lemak from a Malay’s cart outside the restaurant/kopitiam and now Alex loves nasi lemak. It was the best I’ve ever tasted – the coconut rice, the sambal, the ikan bilis, the chicken curry. Just so good! B had some chee chong fun and noodles that were just okay, but then I ordered kuih, pork bun and egg tarts from another really busy stall and… wow! I could understand why people were taking away boxes of them.
There were a number of other interesting looking eating places in the area, so it’s a definite destination in future.
We had promised Alex a roti canai for breakfast, so we stopped off at the hawker centre along Lorong Walter Grenier. I’ve been going to that roti canai stall at the far end of the big open sided shed for about 13 years now. Sadly, it just wasn’t as good as yesterday’s roti, though it was still very good.
So full now, we needed to rest, so we returned to our hotel and had a swim and a sleep.
Next stop the famous Petronas Twin Towers – or actually the KLCC shopping centre adjacent to them. There are a few kids activities in the area, but we got a little stuck inside, buying kuih and curry puffs, shopping (the Kinokuniya bookshop is very good), eating some nasi kandar.
We were thinking about taking Alex to the Petrosains Science Discovery Centre, but it was closing soon, so instead we went outside to the park. They have a fountain show, impressive looking wading pools and a big playground where we let Alex burn off some energy. Fortunately, it was not too hot or humid by this time.
On the way out I think B almost got robbed as some young hip looking Malay guy started approaching her from behind before I told her to put her small bag to the front and he backed off. A reminder to take care of your personal security in this city.
We caught another taxi out to upmarket Bangsar in search of their pasar malam. There was a much nicer market, with stalls selling sugar cane juice and mata kuching drink, my favourite apom balik pancakes, fruits, meats, fish and another section with clothes. It started raining and we sat under an umbrella shelter with B eating assam laksa and Alex and I some sticks of not so nice satay. In the background a nearby mosque sounded a call for prayer.
Alex just wanted a drink and not what was on offer, so we crossed over to a supermarket for some local softdrinks, then to an Indian food centre and ate more delicious tandoori chicken and not so wonderful roti canai.
Then we explored the nearby Bangsar Village shopping centre. The area is home to many expats and there was nothing really of interest inside, except for a promotional jumping castle, which Alex enjoyed.
In order to keep haggled taxi costs down then next ride was to Sungei Wang plaza rather than our hotel. We crossed over for some final shopping at Lot 10 and then, as we were leaving, spotted the Lot 10 Hutong food court in the basement. There inside was a branch of Kim Lian Kee which serves the famous Hokkien noodles which she previously had to travel to Petaling Street to enjoy.
By this time I was so full I couldn’t stomach anymore savoury food (though I did have a snow ice dessert), but both B and Alex devoured the noodles.
As we walked back to the hotel Alex declared that Malaysian food was the best and he didn’t want to leave.
Sadly, tomorrow we do leave to return to Australia. Like Alex, I don’t want this adventure to end.