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Food
in Malaysia |
Kuala Lumpur is the hub of the local entertainment
scene, yet there are those who would tell you that there is no place like
Penang for hawker food. Others will, however, argue that Ipoh city in
Perak offers even greater specialty dishes. But since the general consensus
for great hawker food seems to be Penang, we shall concentrate there.
With an abundance
of hawker stalls prominently positioned along busy streets in the city
and suburbs of Penang, it is not difficult at all to understand why this
island is often referred to as a hawkers' paradise. Penang hawker food
is reputedly the best in the nation, and some visitors from neighboring
states and even neighboring nations have been known to make regular trips
to the island with the sole purpose of patronizing their favorite hawker
food venues!
Hawker food is usually
available in large, medium, or small portions at different prices. However,
the price may also differ according to optional extras placed on your
dish, for example, additional prawns. Prices should be displayed for the
various dishes. If not, ask before placing your order.
Hawkers selling food,
fruits, or drinks in push-carts or mobile stalls are a common sight around
the country, especially on Penang Island. However, the mushrooming of
hawker centers and government-sponsored hawker complexes in the suburbs
have somewhat reduced this. Hawker centers or complexes feature permanent
stalls, each offering their own special dishes. These venues usually stay
open until late, catering for those working on early shifts and those
seeking supper after a late night out.
Most hawkers in Penang
and other major towns are licensed, and these are renewed periodically.
Enforcement officers from the Health Department and Municipal Councils
also conduct regular checks on hygiene and cleanliness.
Hawker food is normally freshly-prepared.
Although the basic recipe of hawker dishes remain the same, variations
abound. Often, watching a hawker prepare the food is an interesting experience
in itself. For example, roti canai makers will punch a ball of dough flat,
grab the edge then swing it around in circles to make a pancake. This
is flattened, shaped, then fried. Some roti canai makers might even throw
the cooked bread into the air with a flourish before chopping it with
the edge of their hands. Another one such example is "Teh Tarik" (literally,
pull tea), a smoothened creamy tea that is resulted from the act of pouring
the tea between two big mugs and increasing the height by pulling the
pouring mug higher and higher. This act smoothens the tea and cools it.
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