Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

This story was first published on Malay Mail Online. Click HERE for the article.

A few years back, had anyone told me that the sleepy town of Kota Baru in Kelantan offers some really tasty eats, I would have rolled my eyes in disbelief.

Possibly clouded by political propaganda and overwhelmed by the gastronomic delights found in other states, Kelantan was never in my radar for a good many years. Even the sheer thought of driving all the way to Kota Baru sounded torturous; but as luck would have it, we had to drive to Kota Baru town (KB for short) for work more than once.

That first visit back in 2009 was an eye opener for me. A stark reminder that we should never, ever limit our horizons because of assumptions and hearsay. Not only was KB this beautiful town that was far from lifeless (try getting stuck in traffic during peak hours when everyone’s going home for dinner and you will forget that you’re miles away from Kuala Lumpur!), but I was really mesmerised by the magnificent array of Kelantanese cuisine.

These are mostly rice dishes and then there is a variety of egg-infused kuih-muih with some heavily influenced by the Thais (Kelantan shares a border with Sungai Golok/Kolok, the town infamous for post-sunset entertainment).

Don’t be afraid to indulge in rice dishes when you’re here. It is deemed not sinful to kick off your day with a packet of rice or two. In fact, having anything else seems out of place when you have crazily infectious feasts of nasi from coffee shops and pushcart stalls around town.  Read the rest of this entry »

Nasi Kerabu, Ayam Percik & Gulai Kawah @ Yati Ayam Percik, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

You know when you’re knee deep in scheduled plus some random out-of-the-blue travelling stints, your mind tends to sway towards a grim shade of blue with sadistic undertone. In short, you’d wish that you’re right back in the comfort of your home than trudging on foreign soils. That is … if it’s for work.

But then again, I have this tendency to see things from a brighter perspective … more often than not. If you have been blindly/loyally following my rants and ramblings throughout the golden years (circa 2008-2009), maybe you would have understood how I endured (more like enjoyed) the consecutive out-of-town excursions …..

I went on eating sprees.

Lady traders abound @ Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah; easily one of the most iconic market in all of Malaysia!

The span of 3 years between my visit to Kota Bharu, Kelantan did not affect me the slightest, when it comes to recognizing landmarks and good food spots in the predominantly-Muslim town.

Ready to see how I ‘survived’ not one, but TWO visits to Kota Bharu within the same month? Read on, but be warned of the LONG post ahead …… Read the rest of this entry »

Kelantan Delights – Almost religiously, we stopped talking; stopped yapping about the previous meals each of us had, the new places in town, and the misfortune of dining in peculiar eateries sprouting up all over Klang Valley. The attention was shifted indefinitely; channeled towards the aesthetically-plated servings of Kelantanese/Malay delights.

Slightly more than two years ago, I left my tracks on Kelantan’s soils. It was more than a working trip. It was …. a holiday well-deserved. Yes, that terrifying thought of waking up every weekend in different states of Malaysia. But back then, nothing was overwhelming like it is now.

Every single opportunity to get out of the office was much appreciated. A battalion of us marching (or rather, driving) to the east coast for a good 4 days or so. The excursion took our breath away …. more so because of the hectic schedule and hours on the road, than the scenery that embraced the city child in us.

But, we were not complaining. On the contrary, I started missing Kota Bharu almost immediately after the trip. When things set in and there I was anticipating for the next runaway to the east coast for work, a course or joint activities with our counterparts over in the eastern states of peninsular Malaysia.

But my wish never materialized.

It would be a sin to forgo the opportunity for a Kodak moment here; with interior designing worthy of an accolade and then some. This could be THE place to hold a function that calls for Halal cuisine.

Thus, I started craving for another bite of ‘akok‘, that famous Kelantanese dessert/snack that looked nothing like an elegant piece of a signature ‘kueh’. YET, the proof is in the pudding as they said. And this piece of wrinkled block of sweet delight made from an overdose of eggs captured my heart almost instantly. But …. aside from the ones I found at Pasar Siti Khadijah in Kelantan, where can I savour the same sensation here in the city?

Read the rest of this entry »