Of Stones, Frogs and Tuaran Mee...

Question : How would you link a stone, frogs and Tuaran Mee?

Answer : Elementary my dear Watson!! It's all in the company...

Had diarrhea this morning.. I guess it's from all the water I drank last night. Plus I spent the whole night on my computer, not realising that it was already 2 am when I finished and that I had to get up at 6 to attend to my students.

I rushed out of bed, after oversnoozing my alarm by one hour (aaaarrrrggghhh!!!!!) and did the fastest 10 minutes of preparation in my life since I had to leave home by 7:30 am. Thankfully I kept everything in place the night before, so all I needed to do was pick up my teaching aids and my laptop and drive like mad to UMS (Universiti Malaysia Sabah) for my lecture. And so I thought I was safe, then I realised, I forgot my mobile phone on the freaking bed. At this point I was already praying "please God, let this be the only stupid thing I do today". hehehehe

Anyway, everything went well with my class while my students were happy to complete their final presentation and assessment. Phew!! Now I only need to go home and rest, so I packed my stuff and walked to the car, when I noticed that my back tyre was almost flat (with torn parts). A bit shaky at the probability of having a flat in the middle of the road daunted me, I was even more afraid that the tire might burst while I drive. So all along the 45 minute drive, I prayed and prayed and drove ever so slow (and obviously there were finger waving, but who cares! I was driving on the slow lane..erm . or was it the fast lane?)

And so eventually I arrived home safely.

First thing's first. Checked my phone and there were 2 miscalls plus 3 messages. My best friend David sent two messages asking if I was free to join him for lunch. So I obliged, and he came to pick me up at home. Wonder where will we go and eat this time?

David to me, is known for his good taste in food and outlets, and equally picky with quality as I am. He would bring me to unknown eateries, and I wouldn't fret as the food would always be good, give or take the waiting service. Oooo... And another thing, we both share a passion for precious and semi-precious stones. Ho told me that there was this shop in Likas Square selling semi-precious stones that he would like to check out before going for lunch. And with glee I said, "OK, sure, come la!"

At first when we arrived at Likas Square, we both made a complete round of the concourse area, not knowing what this shop looked like. After almost completing the circle, we both agreed that Likas Square was pathetic or in David's term, another dead shopping complex. There was the 'Hurry Come Buy China Products before we go back' sales that would probably be there until Kingdom Come, and of course China potteries, which has moved further down to a more lighted area, several telecommunication shops, accessories, the Merdeka Supermarket, and finally a shop called BeJewelled, with a yellow arty facade.


We walked in, and I was awed! They had beautiful rings and earrings and necklaces and brooches and pendants and bla bla bla..... You know what I mean.. hehehe..

And despite the busy crowd in the shop, it didn't stop me from trying on all the rings. Please, don't judge me for this. I'm crazy for Stones as I collect them.

A piece struck my interest the moment I entered the shop; a blue topaz ring. At first I tried to ignore it, but I keep coming back to the spot to look at it again and again and again. It has this flawless rich blue Topaz, which when you gaze into it, it is as if you're looking into a very deep blue pool of clear water. The stone looked so mysterious and beckoning that despite my tight monthly budget, I had to get it. The owner gave me a good discount for it, and said it was odd that despite being one of the best pieces she has ever seen, no one has ever paid attention to it, that is until I came. So maybe I was destined to own the ring. Hope it brings me luck! :)

Anyway, all that excitement made me hungry and what perfect timing.

David knew a place selling Tuaran Mee, which was apparently popular. It's a small Chinese Shop, not far from Likas Square, near the All Saints Secondary School. Hmmm... Tuaran Mee. My mom Mrs. Rose Mansah, actually cooks very good Tuaran Mee, so would I compare hers with this? We'll have to see.

So we walked into the shop and a few friends of David were there. We joined them and I was promptly introduced to Danny and Yvone, and Kevin who is a frog specialist that is currently attached to the university. I guess he was shy as he was pretty silent but we kept things interesting by bringing up funny topics of discussion. Meanwhile, order was made for two Tuaran Mee (Seafood) and Kopi Ping Kau.

Several minutes passed when our food and drinks arrived. So hungry were we that we instantly digged in, and again I failed to snap a photo of the famed Tuaran Mee. To describe it precisely, Tuaran Mee is a type of noodle that was created in the district of Tuaran Sabah, and the best way of cooking it is by frying it with eggs and meat/fish/chicken, with a dotting of green Bak Choi (some call it Choy Sam). There is a special technique in preparing Tuaran Mee and I shall not reveal it here, as I respect those that have worked so hard in perfecting it, well unless you're willing to pay for my knowledge that is. Hihihihi

So, the Tuaran Mee was Ok la.. With just enough fish slices and the standard 3 medium-sized prawns, along with vegetables and eggs. No complaints about the taste, except that it was a bit wet for my liking. To me, Tuaran Mee should be slightly singed browned by the hot wok, which would add flavour to it, and a bit 'AL-Dente' to the bite. No worries about it being slightly dry, as moisture is provided by the eggs, vegetable and seafood, amalgamating it into one sumptuous mouthful experience. I still think my mom makes better Tuaran Mee, hands down.

But anyhow, while eating, Danny and Kevin started talking about the 'Buangkut' and how the local tribes of Borneo eat it. 'Buangkut' or the giant Borneo toad is poisonous and although I tried not to listen to their conversation (as I was enjoying my meal) I couldn't help but take in the fact that that there is a special way of preparing it, just like Fugu, the famous Puffer Fish of Japan. Eeeuwww.... This discussion was probably why David didn't finish his Tuaran Mee. :)

Kopi Ping Kau Kau Kau Kau...

Karipap! Karipap! Karipap Panas!...

If you are ever within the Kg. Malawa vicinity in the morning, which is close to the Karambunai peninsula, do make sure you drop by the area. It has shops and a housing area, and a proper small community, and I only found out about this, when I started working in Karambunai. What's worse is that I used to think the area was just another Acacia covered piece of wasteland, waiting to be developed.


But I'm not all to blame for the ignorance, as a place like this should also have proper signage indicating a settlement beyond the trees and boulders. You'd never know what would be waiting for you in the bushes, or what's lurking in the shadowy area.


Anyway, when I finally found courage to investigate this elusive settlement, I was surprised to see a one-row shoplot, with 2 restaurants, 4 sundry shops, a row of makeshift stalls (but judging from the bents in the structure, seems like it's been there forever) a Pisang Goreng stall that operates very early, a playground, a half-football field, lots and lots of concrete houses and sealed road. Hmmm....

But what I like most about this place is the 'Karipap' . Warm and crunchy, there is only one stall that sells Karipap and it seems like it is quite popular among the people of Malawa since there is always a group of ladies there sitting and chatting with the 'Kakak Karipap'.

To those who don't know what a Karipap is, it is a local pastry filled with savory curried potatoes, fried until golden brown. A deviated but well adopted local name, it is originally spelled as Curry Puff, but everyone calls it KARIPAP because it's easier to remember, plus it sounds fun to pronounce it this way. It is eaten either with morning or afternoon tea, for breakfast or as a quick snack for the fast-paced individual. What's best is that it keeps well, which means you can buy it in the morning and still eat it at night (subject to microwave reheating).

back to my story.

The karipap that this Kakak sells is GOOOOOOOD!!!.... Mmmmmmmm...

I've tasted many Karipaps in my life but I've never tasted ones that are as good as these. The pastry is well balanced in crunchiness and size, and the filling is just savoury enough to put a smile on anyone's face. The pastry fried to perfect golden brown makes it attractive and it would normally sell out by 8:30 am.

I believe that if the Kakak were to ever sell her Karipap in busy busy KK, it would easily cost RM 0.70 sen each, but fortunately for the people of Malawa, and of course to my delight, she still sells it at RM 1.00 for three pieces. BARGAIN!!

I only stop by the area to buy my Karipap on weekdays, so I don't know whether she sells on weekends. So do drop by when you are in the area, and explore Malawa. It is a small junction to your left, just before the large roundabout that leads to Nexus Resort. The only sign is a flood marker which is hardly visible from the road.. Hihihi

5 Stars for Kakak's Karipap!

Sorry No Photos :( - Looi Hin Ngiu Chap Donggongon

Ok, it's so foolish of me to do this.

Went to bed at 6:30 this morning and woke up at just about past noon. Didn't know what to expect, everyone was missing from the house and no food in sight.

So I took whatever available vehicle there was in the garage and asked a friend to accompany me to Donggongon, and since it is Labour Day, and coincidentally a Tamu Day too, the roads were jam-packed!!

It is always a problem getting a decent parking space in Donggongon, and when you finally see one empty space from a distance, it would always be occupied by either a dead dog, a reserved sign, a motorbike, a bicycle, a bag of trash, a car that's half-parked and most common of all, chairs..

Anyway, it took me half an hour to get a parking space, when I finally found a muddy (or was it oily) spot just behind KFC..

So I walked my fat body over to Loi Hin Baru, you know, the one that was once famed for its Ngiu Chap. Walked into the shop and my friend was already waiting for me. So I sat myself down, ordered my usual Kopi Ping Kau Kau Kau Kau (Extra Strong Local Coffee and with milk served with Ice) and a bowl of Ngiu Chap 'Kar Liau'..

I've heard so much about how the place has lost its reputation for having the best Ngiu Chap in Donggongon. The locals say that the original chef has moved away, while others attribute its downfall to its service, while others say its just not the same anymore.

Anyhow, moment of truth. My big bowl of Ngiu Chap came and I started adding in condiments (so as to look like one of the experienced locals... well everybody does it!). First bite... erm.. Well to tell you the truth, I don't have anything to say about it. Why? Because it tastes exactly the same as it did almost 20 years ago. YUMMMYYYYYY!!! And my Kopi Ping Kau Kau Kau was just the way my grandfather used to make it.

And how come it has gone down so far down the rank of popularity?

I guess it could be because every single day, a new outlet selling 'the best' would open and this would attract people's attention so much and so long in terms of duration, that regulars would eventually forget the usual eating places.

The two Loi Hin outlets in Donggongon used to be 'the' place to be seen. In my days, people meet up over old fashioned coffee and a hot steaming bowl of Ngiu Chap, while catching up on news, especially on Tamu days or on Sunday mornings after church. Nowadays, kids are all grown up and would prefer to be seen in air-conditioned outlets. "Tak happening la tempat-tempat gitu uncle!" a boy once said to me.

Well, I know for sure that my taste buds are working fine, and from what I tasted this afternoon at Loi Hin, it was delightful and definitely brought back sweet childhood memories.

Unfortunetly I didn't bring a camera with me. How silly!