First impressions about the Southeast Asian food
After the first week between Malaysia and Singapore we could say that we have begun to get used to the local cuisine. We frequented Malays, Indians, Chinese, Korean and Japanese restaurants during our stay in Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Singapore.
Although we can not remember yet all the names of the dishes, and we are usually guided almost entirely by the pictures; we started to have two things clear: we love Indian food and do not like Chinese.
The variety of breads in the Indian gastronomy is great, and the many option on vegetarian dishes excite to Ilze; unlike in Chinese restaurants she doesn’t need to explain that the chicken is not a vegetable.
We like Indian style noodles (Mee Goreng), the Thosai Masala (a kind of pancake with potato inside) or the different Pratas, such as cheese Prata (a type of bread filled with cheese). The omelet with onions and chile was quite tasty.
We tried several Chinese dishes and we didn’t like even one. We gave a try to chicken and fish congee, and several noodles and rices. Meat is almost not cooked and sauces are pretty much water. Congee, for exapmple, is not more than rice pure with a lot of water; no taste and no nice texture. Adding pepper and chile didn’t help.
During our time in Malaysia we eat a lot of different Malaysian food. We liked, even when it’s usually too spicy for us. The main common ingredient in Malaysian cuisine is rice and noodles; with small pieces of pork, chicken, fishes, veggies and eggs.
I just tried once Korean, when the American Indonesian couple invited us after telling them our last adventures. I took a hot meat meal with beef and pork, and I liked it! But I still have to try other dishes for being able to have a global idea about the Korean gastronomy.
The Japanese I got wasn’t really good, just chicken with soja sauce. But due I took it in one of the “Food courts” of the Singapore shopping malls I think there is still options of getting it better cooked.
Generally the quantities are more than enough in Malaysia for 1,5€ or in Singapore for 2,5€. But depending in which area of the city you are the prizes can double or triple if you go to a tourist place. One of our days in Singapore I bought a big bread after eating just for being able to feel full fill without expending too much money.
The rest of the time we have being drinking and eating juices and fruits, ¡but we will write about that when we finish with all of them!
