Of Claypot Rice

I remember a year ago Molly, Jy and I were walking in Kuala Lumpur's Petaling Street trying to find this dessert place that Molly liked. We fruitlessly scoured through several lanes and if you've been to Petaling you know how confusing the streets are with the pasar malams stores blocking the actual food stores behind. She said their tong shui was very good and was very popular in the area, so we were on a look out for large crowds (not a good idea in this already very busy area). Along the way we passed by many a wonderful street stall serving mostly savoury deep fried/wok fried/ goodies like seafood and burgers and whatever street food most asian countires have, but never the tong shui. It was through this hunting for the elusive broiled dessert that we stumbled upon this really good claypot rice stall. We kinda got distracted by the smell of burnt rice and dancing ambers of the stall and being the hungry monsters the three of us are we decided to give tong shui hunting a break and try what seemed to be a better alternative.

That was the best distraction we had ever!

The claypot chicken was so good (we'll get back to how good it is soon) that everytime we went back to KL we had to go visit the place again. JY found out from someone that it was rather famous and we were lucky to get seats. (My suggestion would be to get there before the supper crowd at 9pm, don't bother going to the other stores with the claypots, their empty seats despite the large traffic is the anti-testament to their food) Turns out this stall has quite a following with the local crowd and they've occupied the same area for some time, which was good news since we didn't have to go around finding it somewhere else. (which was probably was happened to the tong shui)

You make your order as you sit on plastic stools and resting your elbows on the uneasy table. Listening to the hustle and bustle, smelling the burnt aroma of the entire dining area (which is infront of a print shop only lit by neon lights of the neighbouring buildings). You ready your camera but your appetite is already ahead crying for good food. It finally arrives with someone holding the hot claypot, clothed wrapped her steady hands make it look easy, you move back a little, making way for the massive cauldron. Everything is moving very fast around you, lights blink sporadically, the sound of claypots banging, stools dragging, beer caps flying, all that whilst you mix the rice, scraping the sides, serving your friends (for this is never a dish for one), this is one dish no picture can accurately depict. What i'm getting here with my limited descriptive is that its not just a pretty looking dish, its an experience you have to be there to enjoy yourself.

Nonetheless here are some photos to make your mouth water.



I make it a point to visit this store (along jalan Petaling under the Thomas and Guy Hair slaon, infront of the printing shop) everytime i'm back and bring whoever i'm with along too (dragging or otherwise) Uninitiated friends were introduced to their succulent tender meat and aromatic rice, setting the new benchmark for claypot. As it fires up above the charcoal flames, the heavily reused claypots impart their rich flavour which seems to get better after each use. The lard, chicken meat, waxed sausages (lap cheong) and salted fish come together to create a symphony of flavours. It may be street food but it sure looks and smells way more exciting than any fine dining restaurant can offer.



anyhoo as you have already figured out i was back in KL the past three days with dubbie. Together we went to document, figure out and discover the great food that KL had to offer. Put two food crazy, camera welding geeks in a city full of amazingly good hearty food and your in for a hell of heavily photographed food trip. So come back for more stuff like mouthing watering char siew, the ramly burger store that is THE AUTHORITY in all things ramly and more little finds you get from this crazy messy lovely city. now for some rest.