Old Favourites

Street Food
Favourites from The Star Street


Alor Setar
NASI KANDAR



KEDAI MAKANAN & MINUMAN KIM BEE CHEW

8, Jalan Tunku Ibrahim. Open 6.30am-2.30pm. Days off not fixed.

The original kandar complete with aluminium pot – a museum-worthy artifact – positioned at the front of the shop tells you that they have been in business for a long time. Lukman Hakim carries on the nasi kandar business started by his father, who used to ply his trade on foot, with the kandar slung on a pole across his shoulders.

There are about 20 types of dishes available daily, with items such as daging masak kicap, ayam masak merah and squid sambal. The hati masak kicap (beef liver in dark soy sauce) is very tender, with a slightly sweet gravy. The spicy squid is slightly chewy and the ayam masak merah is a winner with its sweet, spicy gravy and succulent flesh.

The ghee rice served here is very fluffy and aromatic. It is topped with a medley of gravies and makes for a hearty meal.


SS22, Damansara Jaya
CLAYPOT CHICKEN RICE



RESTORAN BUSY CORNER

83, Jalan SS22/11, Damansara Jaya. Open 12-2pm, 5-9pm. Closed on Thursdays.

IT’S more commonly known as “the claypot chicken rice near KDU (Kolej Damansara Utama)”, but you will find more than that here. There is also black pepper chicken rice, Thai sauce chicken rice, spicy fish rice, prawn rice and fermented bean sauce chicken rice – all cooked in claypots. The normal claypot chicken rice is quite delicious but the other items provide nice alternatives. There are also vegetables (yau choy) and soups to go with your pot of rice. Expect to wait at least 15 minutes especially during peak hours such as lunchtime and weekends.


Johor Baru
CURRY LAKSA



WW LAKSA HOUSE

36-A, Jalan Kolam Air. Open 7.30am-3pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

MORE famously known as the “Water Works Laksa”, this local favourite has humble beginnings from a makeshift stall nearby. It’s run by a mother-and-daughter team.

Served with Singapore beehoon (a fatter type of rice vermicelli) the curry laksa has a nice home-cooked taste.

The soup is not too thick, so the coconut cream does not overwhelm.

While it can’t be described as spectacular, it is a very pleasant, easy-to-like laksa with fresh ingredients like fish balls, cockles, fried wantan skin and bean curd puffs. It is also available in clear soup (ch’ng thong).