Thursday December 11, 2008

On the curry laksa trail

Food Trail
By SAM CHEONG

HERE’S an interesting note from reader K.C. Lee : “Dear Mr Samo, where can I find an outlet that serves good curry laksa in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya?.”

Lee, who just moved into the township, is from Merlimau, Malacca and is a fan of all things curried. Well, my friend, you are in luck.

Tasty and spicy: Lum Kee’s curry noodles.

I am in a good mood and there are few outlets that are known to serve good curry laksa.

But before I begin this week’s trail, I would like to thank Sheik Eng Meng, an old friend, for an invitation to check out Old Klang Road’s most electrifying char koay teow.

Sheik and I were in Hua Hin, Thailand to cover the Chivas Regal Elephant Polo tournament some years back. He is an adventurous guy who lives to eat.

Tuan Sheikh, I will take up your offer! Next, I want to extend my gratitude to reader Eddie Chan who is an avid reader of The Star and a food trail follower.

Mouth watering: Curry Wong’s fabulous laksa at Lai Kong coffee shop in Sunway Mentari Business Park.

Chan wanted to treat me to a restaurant that serves German pork knuckles in SS2, Petaling Jaya. Sadly, I can’t accept the offer, but thanks anyway. Moving on, my quest for curry laksa in Subang Jaya took me to a coffee shop called Mei Sek in USJ 14. Now, if you are travelling from Persiaran Kewajipan, the shop is located near a Petronas station.

It’s not hard to find this place at all because it’s the first corner coffee shop at the front row of a single-storey shoplot.

This place is famous for its chicken rice and is usually packed during weekends.

The first thing you will notice, is the curry laksa. And for RM5 a bowl, all my cravings was satisfied. Why? Because the gravy was tasty with enough taugeh and long beans.

And the bonus part is that the stall owner will throw in some cockles and pig skin. Your makan experience here would not be complete without adding the yuk yeen or pork meatballs.

Pricing here is pretty standard and since it is good, every ringgit and sen spent here is justified. If you love something light and milder, head off to USJ 2.

Laksa add-ons: Fushou lou allows you to ‘customise’ your order.

There is a corner coffee shop next to the Shell station called Restoran USJ 2. Here, there is a legendary curry noodle called Fu Shou Lou (Mr Moustache).

Which kind of intrigued me because most of the laksa guys that I know have whiskers. Jokes aside, this is one stall that caters to serious laksa connoisseurs.

As far as the pricing is concerned, the basic noodle and gravy combination here starts at RM4.50. The Fu Shou Lou has prawns and stingray cutlets and with plenty of write-ups in magazines and the local dailies on the stall, you know the laksa is hot stuff!

Since I love my curry laksa blasted with plenty of coconut milk, this stall’s laksa would rate moderately on my samo-scale.

Next, there is Curry Wong’s laksa at the Lai Kong coffee shop in Sunway Mentari Business Park. I have covered his chicken hor fun and as soon as I was told about his curry laksa, I wasted no time in trying it out.

What I like about Wong’s noodles is the generous portion that he gives and the good taste.

For RM5 a bowl, my verdict is a 8 out of 10 in the samo-scale for good laksa.

Last but not least, there is Lum Kee stall at the Section 14 Medan Selera in Petaling Jaya. This is an endearing place to me as I have been eating at this place for nearly two decades.

And when it comes to quality, Lum Kee delivers. I find that the pricing is decent as well as the food.

For RM5, I get the cockles, tau foo pok and plenty of taugeh.

Since Lum Kee’s dishes are pork free, its also a popular makan place among Muslims. It’s opened for lunch and dinner.

Other than the stall in Section 14’s Medan Selera, the outlets mentioned are non-halal.