Anak Baba @ Brickfields

We have eaten at Baba Low's 486 on two occasions some years ago but have never returned after that, for the only reason that it's near impossible to get a car park around Lorong Kurau, Bangsar where Baba Low is located.   WSS is crazy about their signature nyonya laksa and I simply love their cendol.  Sometime last year, they opened a branch in Bangsar Utama, and then early this year, another sister outlet, Anak Baba in Brickfields.

And so, it was with much joy and anticipation, we made our way to Anak Baba for lunch.  They were not difficult to find; located two rows behind YMCA along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad.  We managed to park at an open carpark space, indirectly across the street from Anak Baba. The restaurant is cosy and its' rustic feels, made us feel all the more welcomed.  

The Nyonya Laksa was as good as we remembered it to be!  The broth was not too spicy, delicious with generous helpings of bean sprouts, cockles, shrimps, taufu pok, sliced fishcakes and cucumber.  Good till the last drop!

Nyonya Laksa - RM8.80

Nasi Nyonya Platter (Rice + Dish + Bendeh Sambal Belacan) - RM13.00

I opted for the Nasi Nyonya Platter; steamed white rice served with okra in sambal belacan and my choice of dish was the Ikan Goreng Cili Garam.  The fish, slathered with a special spicy chilli topping (surprisingly, it was not super spicy, yay!) was fried just right, crunchy on the outside but not dry on the inside. 

We also ordered a breakfast set; a simple combination of 2 half boiled eggs and kaya bun.  No fuss, no muss.  

Breakfast Set - RM5.20

Popiah Peranakan - RM5.80

The Popiah Peranakan was a tad different from the sheer skinned spring rolls that we were accustomed to, but strangely, I really like its' thicker popiah wrapping which, apparently, is freshly made daily.  I also love the stuffing which is made of turnip, shallots, bean sprouts and egg strips.  My only gripe, it comes with a mortifying generous helpings of coriander which personally, I do not like.

And of course, the flavourful cendol wrapped up the whole meal beautifully.  

Cendol - RM5.80

Not only was our lunch a treat to our tummies but also a boon to our pockets.  With affordable prices and friendly service, echoing Arnold Schwarzenegger famous last words, I will be back (for more)!

Note :  Available car park space may be even more scarce on weekdays, so for an easier commute, one can take the MRT (Sungai Buloh Kajang line) and alight at the KL Sentral station, walk over to Nu Sentral, cross the road and walk towards the YMCA building (which is no more than a mere 5-minute walk).  Anak Baba is a hop, skip and jump away from YMCA.

Address :

Anak Baba

159 Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad

Brickfields, KL

Tel No. +60 3 22762815

Opens daily 7am to 5pm

Alibaba & Nyonya (not forty thieves... whew!)

It's Nyonya food for dinner tonight; an unusual choice since it was raining as we were leaving the house.  Normally, we would head out to the mall, just so that we get shelter and dinner at the same time.  But instead, we decided to be more adventurous tonight, braving the rain to be rewarded by a delicious dinner in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

Alibaba & Nyonya is located in a corner shop lot, next to Secret Recipe along Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1, opposite the famous TTDI Sunday night market.   We were really blessed because despite it being 'pasar malam' night, we managed to get a car park near the restaurant!  The rain had slowed to barely a drizzle, so with a palm over our heads (don't really know why we do it; not that the size of our palms can save us from getting wet!), we arrived at the pleasantly lit restaurant.  I love the welcoming mural at the entrance!

The menu was extensive; lots to choose from.  We ordered a few dishes to share.  We were also given the option to choose between white rice and 'nasi ulam' to go with the dishes.

 Solok Green Chilli Sotong (Squid) - RM23.90 (small)

 Sambal Fried Pucuk Paku - RM14.50

 Traditional Nyonya Chicken Pongteh (Stew) - RM21.90 (small)

 Telur Belanda (fried eggs in sweet and sour assam gravy) - RM10.80

Signature ABC (Ais Kacang) - RM7.50

 Cendol Gula Melaka - RM6.50

My favourite?  The Telur Belanda!  I must try to cook it at home one of these days.  It's simple enough and a sure way to whet the appetite.

Overall, the dishes were really tasty, especially the Chicken Pongteh although the 'cendol' didn't really make the mark.  The distinctive taste of 'gula melaka' was just not there.  Pity.

Still, if and whenever we want some good Peranakan Malay cooking that's not too far away from home, we know where to go!

Address :

Alibaba & Nyonya

54 Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 1

TTDI, Kuala Lumpur

Opens daily from 11am to 10pm

MIL's Asam Laksa

There's nothing like 'my mother's' cooking. It doesn't matter if you have dinner with mom everyday or you are studying thousands of miles away from home, thinking about mom's delicious hot soups on a cold winter evening. My mom has passed on but I still long for the tasty fried rice vermicelli that she cooked for the family on alternate weekends. Or maybe you are married and now cook for your own family everyday. But still,there's something special about your own mother's cooking.

My mom-in-law (MIL) is the kitchen goddess as far as WSS is concerned. Especially when she stirs up a mean pot of asam laksa!

There's just something about the melting pot of spices; the pungent smell of the bunga kantan/ginger flower  and lemon grass that tickles the nose and tittilates the taste buds. There's no huge chunk of fish. MIL with all her patience, debones the sole fish which she usually uses for this dish and the fish meat dissolves into the soup. The end result is a pot of thick, spicy and sour soup, so full of flavours that one serving is NOT enough.

Garnish the laksa noodles with some mint leaves, julienned cucumbers and onion slices. Add in some pickles and sweetened pineapple cubes too, if you like.

It is Asam Laksa heaven. WSS swears by it.

This plate of asam laksa has been made less spicy/child friendly for MIL's grandkids!