Lenggong, Perak
The little known (as usual ) Lenggong Valley near Kuala Kangsar is one of Peninsular Malaysia’s most important archaeological sites. It is likened to an open-air museum, and home to legends, skeletons, cave drawings and precious finds such as jewellery, pottery, weapons and stone tools. Many of the caves in the Lenggong area have revealed evidence of prehistoric human hunting activity.
Fittingly, fun loving & food aficionados passing by enroute to Gerik ( aka Betong in Thailand ) will have their compulsory fix of aphrodisiacs in one of the numerous Chinese appetising stations in this fresh water fish haven before crossing the border.
To visit Lenggong, from the North-South Expressway take Exit No.143 at Kuala Kangsar – that’s about 3 hours away from Kuala Lumpur. Then take Route 76 to Lenggong. The new state of the art scenic highway has replaced the winding tedious kampung road of yore.
Main road, Lenggong town – Chinese seafood restaurants left & right
famous fish balls
silky smooth popular fresh water catfish [ pak su kong in Cantonese ], steamed to perfection
~ sights & tastes of Malaysia ~
Brickfield Kuala Lumpur – the new look
The cluster of Indian sundry shops, textile outlets, flower stalls & restaurants some 500m away from Kuala Lumpur Sentral (LRT, rail & monorail terminal) makes up Brickfield, often known as KL’ s Little India. What was once a noisy & haphazard overcrowded but classic street of people & cars has now been straightened & cleaned up, sort of. Except we din like it. Those mishaped miscolored implants to resemble traditional arces/pillars look fake & ya, most out of place!
Lucky tho, our fav banana leaf restaurant here is at the same spot, with the same divine delicious curries, & reasonable price.
Which is all we can say for KL’s often confused redevelopment efforts ( to date )
~ sights & tastes of Malaysia ~
Ultra popular street rice, Kuala Lumpur
You will never run out of tasty rice in Kuala Lumpur, the wannabe world class capital city of Malaysia. Rice of all shapes, colors & sizes will line the streets. Infact we believe the most lipsworthy dishes here are found in broken stalls along the roads, or some obscure backstreets. Afficinados People in the know make a beeline for such gourmet practical outings. And why not!
One authentic old world rice stall in Jalan Raja Abdullah is super popular & packed day & night. Its patented RA Nasi Lemak (see pic) of firm rice, sambal, ayam-daging-sotong, ikan bilis, peanuts & cucumber is second to none!
Jalan Raja Abdullah is off Jalan Sultan Ismail, and very near to the famed gastronomical Malay village of Kg Baru
~ sights & tastes of Malaysia ~
Jalan Ipoh’s sinister brew
Malaysia is a complex country, as far as the subject is meat. Here the adage 1 man’s meat is another man’s poison is one of the main reasons why the relationship amongst its people continues to dangle on a passionate love & intense hate level. Anyway thats what many dubious religious bigots/tainted polticians would have you believe.
Our reconnection with the dark force brought us yet again to our appointment with the incorrigible herbal aphrodisiac, somewhere along the front end of Ipoh Road, Kuala Lumpur.
Served bold & blackish, its guaranteed to have you declare, “we’ll be back…again”, even as you try to wipe away that lingering herbal odour. Ogle & enjoy!
Bak Kut Teh
( warning: this culinary wonder may be offensive to some )
from RM9
Ban Lee
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Jalan Ipoh Kuala Lumpur
Best time to visit – 10am
Closed Mondays
~ sights & tastes of Malaysia ~
Eating on the cheap, Bukit Bintang Plaza KL
Many a cash strapped outstation college student slogged his way to a 3 year degree in expensive harsh Kuala Lumpur City powered by many late nights, missed concerts, & good olde “chap fun”. Afterall with a RM500 a month allowance, & unlike the Gomen Scholar,wagyu beef or sushi in one of those swanky joints around happening Bukit Bintang are beyond his wildest dreams.
But for survivers who know, or knowing those afficinados who know, can still enjoy Chinese imperial cuisine at pauper prices.
Check out this remarkable roof top rice haven in Bukit Bintang Plaza, KL if you are in town & admire the more than 100 emperor dishes on display to feast your eyes, or your tummy for only RM5 for a standard mixed rice package.
With this spread, we believe all essential brain vitamins & to die for tastes are suitably covered
~ sights & tastes of Malaysia ~
Tasty Lumut
This little town by the Dindings Estuary is a transit point to island resort Pangkor Island, Perak tho an alternative & arguably more modern jetty terminal is being fiercely promoted in nearby Marina Island Pangkor.
The Lumut Waterfront used to showcase Lumut’s maritime & tourism potential alhough signs of wear & tear are beginning to show. Still the pics show much pleasant greenery.
Typical of rural Malaysia, seafood & rice is abundant. Hot & spicy ( green & tasty ) nasi campur rules!
~ sights & tastes of Malaysia ~
Lawan Kuda, Gopeng – Perak
Gopeng near Ipoh is better known as a place near Gua Tempurung the limestone caves attraction, or for its white water rafting resorts along the Kampar River. Or perhaps you have heard of the rare & exotic Raja Brooke butterfly which can also be found in the jungles here.
To our pleasant surprise, the Chinese villages Kopisan/Lari Kuda just outside the town center with its many restaurants serve some fantastic dishes at remarkable prices. Another cheap & good find!
You should drop by sometime soon to savor rural kampung cooking which is among the best in the country!
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