Mid Autumn Festival

Wikipedia Notes that : The Mid-Autumn Festival also known as the Moon Festival, is a popular Asian celebration of abundance and togetherness, dating back over 3,000 years. In Malaysia and Singapore, it is also sometimes referred to as the Lantern Festival, it is also celebrated in Vietnam and Korea.

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The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar (usually around mid- or late- September in the Normal Calendar), a date that parallels the Autumn Equinox of the solar calendar. This is the ideal time, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, to celebrate the abundance of the summer's harvest. The traditional food of this festival is the moon cake, of which there are many different varieties.

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The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the two most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. Farmers celebrate the end of the summer harvesting season on this date. Traditionally, on this day, Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes and pomelo together.

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Accompanying the celebration, there are additional cultural or regional customs, such as:

• Eating moon cakes outside under the moon
• Putting pomelo rinds on one's head
• Carrying brightly lit lanterns
• Burning incense in reverence to deities including Chang’e
• Planting Mid-Autumn trees
• Lighting lanterns on towers
• Fire Dragon Dances

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Well to me a Malaysian Urban boy , my memories of the Mid Autumn festivals is eating the Mooncake at home, and running around the house compound with lanterns. Mooncake in those days come in a few verities, Lotus Seed, Red Bean etc, now a days a staggering verities are available such as tiramisu, cheese cake, and even BBQ Chicken with yam.

This year staying in a country side housing estate, the local resident association organize a big dinner as well as a procession of lanterns, I found this out by accident due to the Music blaring out at high volume. The Residents started to gather at the central padang (field) at around 6.30, the children were given paper lanterns with candles, at around 7pm they lighted the candles and escorted by a few 4 wheel drives, they walk around the Housing area, returning to the padang at around 7.30pm, where by they have their dinner and were entertain by music performance, and lucky draw were held till around 10pm.

After staying here for close to a year nor my immediate neighbor (3 years) , I nor my neighbor still have no contact with the local resident association, nor are we in any way inform of the goings on, the functions etc. It is because we are the “New” guys in town? We am not interested in the resident association going on?

Yes, I admit that I do not make the effort to look for this ppls, and that I am rarely at home as I work during week ends and in the evenings but my wife is at home, my daughter attend the neighborhood vernacular school.

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Information on the going on can be given out via a banner or buy flyers distrituted. Or is the resident association just for a group of 4 wheel owners?

Penang International Lantern Festival Update

Penang International Lantern Festival has been extended to the end of the year, 31 Dec and is to be held yearly.

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The Star run the following story;

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More funds for lantern festival

. BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Tourism Ministry has pledged to inject more funds for the Penang International Lantern Festival which will be made an annual event from next year.

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Its Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the move was to make the event, one of the highlights of Visit Malaysia Year 2007, more grander.The ministry allocated RM300,000 for the festival this year.The event, which highlighted Penang's rich culture, could attract more local and foreign tourists, said Tengku Adnan after opening the festival at the Juru Auto-City yesterday evening.Themed "Hello Kitty and Friends in Penang Safari", it will run until Dec 31.

. It features among others landscapes such as the Penang Bridge, bird sanctuary and elephant rides.Present were state Tourism Development committee chairman Tan Cheng Yeow, festival organising chairman Ng Siew Lai, Auto-City managing director Gary Teoh and Lanters in Motion managing director Colonel (R) Lim Yeow Pheng.Tengku Adnan said the ministry would intensify efforts to market Penang as a tourist destination in the international market, with Penang Hill to be made the state's core landmark.

Pasar Ramadhan

During the Month of Ramadhan, you will find Street Food popping up on streets and roads all over Malaysia, selling traditionally Malay delicacy from 5pm onwards. In urban areas Non traditionally malay delicacy have started to creep in to the Menu.

Stall Selling Ikan Bakar

(Grilled Fish in Banana Leaf with a spicy Sambal sauce)

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Once the stalls have started operating, the horde of customers will descend and most of the Items will be sold out before the breaking of the fast time, (between 7pm to 7.30pm in malaysia)

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The horde of Customers!In General, Muslims will purchase the delicacy to take home, especially food difficult to prepare in small quantity, to be eaten with other home cook food. For the City Folks who do not have the time to prepare their own home cook food. they can buy all they need here to break their fast.

Now adays, the non muslim will also descend on to the Pasar Ramadhan to purchase the traditional malay dishes to have with their dinner.

Stall selling Nasi Ayam

In general the price are very reasonable, in fact much cheaper then the usual stalls or restaurants, this lead to more customers dropping by.

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More Ikan Bakar

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Satay

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The Pasar Ramadhan where I stay at the country side feature traditional Malay delicacy only. This year the mood seem to be dampen. This may be due to the recent sprat of price increase to the basic food stuffs. In particular, there was only one stall selling ayam percik, and one stall selling fried chicken.

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At a Pasar Ramadhan, you will usually find stalls selling Malaysian Style Burgers, Murtabak, Ayam Percik, Fried Chicken along with Fish Balls etc, Rice Stalls selling currys, Chicken Rice or rather Nasi Ayam, Malay Kuih, Noodles in a Spice Herbal Soup (Soto) Ikan Bakar, etc

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If you are a tourist do try out the food and wounder around the Street Pasar to get a feel of the Fasting Month. For us malaysians, this is a month of Happy Eating.

Rapid Penang 2

Rapid Penang have been operating for a few months now. I must say that their buses are more noticeable, then the other bus companies and they (Rapid Penang) are operating Social routes that are low in commuters, and the buses appear to be clean. Thank God, and Keep it up!

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The ridership seem to be low, I wounder why, it it because of the cost?

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Just a comment, Why does Rapid Penang Bus breakdown especially if the buses are new?

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. Snapshot taken just a few days back.

I must remember to take a photo of Rapid Penang Routes and post it up.

New World Park - Phase 2

The 2nd Phase of New World Park is now open. I decided to drop by for a bite and at the same time to survey the place at night as i understand that there are music performance at night.

Coming in from Burma Road, I turn in via the front entrance to the parking area at the back, Well with only part of the new phase open I have difficulty in finding a Parking Place, The Guards were not to attentive at night it seems.

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The Food Court was doing roaring business with most of the stalls open, there were hardly any space to sit, the clearing of table were slow.

there were a number of new restaurants, serving a wide verity of food (indian, penang, western etc)as well as some night life places, a Internet cafe, and a few shops, One of the outlet is Gee Hiang selling Penang Local Products.

spacious and well lay out with a center court where you have the stage. there is another stage at the food court.

Some of the restaurants are doing well, while some are quite

Mizi Bristol seem to be doing well, the best in the New World Park Inside was full, and the table outside were also taken. No empty table. . . Starbuck is due to open there soon. Business seems to be booming here.

Chicken Rice @ Sg Bakap

Chicken Rice on the Penang Mainland is about the same as on the Island. While passing through Sungai Bakap New Town during lunch time I decided to stop by for lunch at this coffee shop which is next to a Chinese School.

Location: Off the Main Trunk Road, Next to a Chinese School, 2nd Row of Shop House, is this 99 Gamelan Coffee Shop that have a pretty good chicken rice.

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Parking: Big Parking Lot JUST IN FRONT.

The Food: Pretty Good Chicken Rice, Rice not Oily, Fair Size portion of chicken, no complains, only the gravy was a thicken soya sauce grave that i did not like, Chille was the green chillie version made from small green chillie.

Pricing: $ RM3.00 for a standard portion. Slightly Higher.

More Penang Buildings

The First Apartment Building in Penang, I recall about 3o years ago no one wanted to purchase the apartment here. Sunrise Tower at Gurney Drive

Nicely Decorated Refurbish Shop along Burma Road, Pulau Tikus

Burma Lane, A Street of Old Innovative Terrace House that look like semi detach, Housing area turning in to a Commercial Zone.

Burma Lane Mee Mamak

Burma Lane Mee Mamak has been consistently getting very good review on it product, As it has been ages i decided to drop by to have a late lunch at 3pm.

Location: Burma Lane, Off Burma Road at Pulau Tikus, (Just after the Police Station) in a Corner Coffee Shop.

View of Coffee Shop from Burma Lane.

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Parking: Park along Burma Lane, should be able to get a car park there.

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The Food: $$, Cost RM4 per standard portion, Pricy for Penang Standard.

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Taste: A Bit Blend to My taste, to me a disappointment, I seem to recall that it was much better, only thing is there were more squid then normally found.

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Service: Fast and efficient.

The Stall.

I also had the Wantan Soup here, The Stall is at the road side, That help to overcome my disappointment as the Wantan were meaty and big, large portion for only RM2.50 per portion.

Highway Mishap

This happen today on one of the turn off on the North South Highway. Wonder what the story here?

Railway Jeep

We drop at Nibong Tebal Railway Station for more Tosai, Notice this small Railway Jeep as they call it which take workman to the job site. Some thing that most people do not see.

Tanjung Bungah Café Chicken Rice

Location: Jalan Lembah Permain (near the Tungku Abdul Rahman College and the Deaf and dumb school) in Tanjung Bungah Concord Area. .

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Tanjung Bungah Café caters for the Tungku Abdul Rahman College crowd. It is jam pack during lunch over, and every one is heading for the Chicken rice, so either come early or late.

Now on this day I was late around 2.30pm and hungry, even then it was a good 15 min wait before my order arrive. I have double rice, a portion of chicken and braised chicken leg, which cost me RM5.90.

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This Stall is the offshoot of the one in Tanjung Bungah Village, and the cook have learn his stuff well. Nicely cook juicy Chicken, aromatic rice cook to perfection, superb soup, and the Braise Chicken Legs just melts in your mouth all topped with the wonderful chillie sauce.

Now it is only available for lunch here, and do arrive early or late, unless you are willing to wait and willing to eat what is put in front of you.

More Penang Buildings

Two snapshots of Penang Buildings, Now this are unrefurbish buildings,

Tanjung Bungah Market Chicken Rice

I drop by for my usual Char Koey Teow for breakfast, but it seems that Char Koey Teow stall is close fot the day, so what else, my second favorite food Chicken Rice, this stall version of Chicken rice consists of Tender succulent Steam Chicken topped with Black sauce, Fragrant Rice, White Cabbage Soup and superb chillie sauce. And all for only RM2.80 per portion.

Open during Breakfast & early lunch only, Close Wed.

Registering a Birth

Well with my new baby, I have to go to the National Registration Department at the Federal Building Penang to get my baby registered to get her birthcert and her MYKID. Having some experience here I did not anticipate a long wait.

Well I was right, all it took me was just 35min to register and to get the birthcert, the MYKID will take about a month. Very Polite Staff, nice place to wait, well lay out.

I must say that the National Registration Department, must be one of the most efficient and customer orientated government department we have. Must be due to the two 100% change over of Identity Card we have gone through.

Well Thank to the Nurse at the Hospital in briefing me on what i must take along as well in how to fill in the form (provided at the hospital ward), the Neonatal Book, My IC and my Wife IC, my marriage cert, it was a breeze. The only grip about it is at the Building lobby, there were no one to guide a person who is not familiar with the building or which department to go to for which job.

Broadband Internet

I thought I was the only one have bad connections, am back on the Island as such am boorrowing my brothers line, . Day 1- 4 hours usage Ok . Day 2- am, log on ok, after 2 emails cut off and on at 9am it off till 5pm, there goes the whole day. . Ugggggggg.

Toy Dogs

a current trend is to keep Toy Dogs, I have seen old folks, and young single woman walking around with Tog Dogs in their hand or bags. By Toy dogs I mean small little doggies. The support service for such pets seem to be booming with grooming services and mobile pooch baths.

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Locking up Little Dogs in Cars with wound up windows, (also children) when running off to get some thing is not a good idea i would say, even if you intend to take only a few minutes. You never know what might happen.

Announcement

Announcing the arrival of my 3rd child, a cute girl, weighing in at 3.5kg by normal delivery , on the 9th September 2007, at 4.06am at the Seberang Jaya General Hospital. Mother and Child have been discharge and are resting at Home.

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As with all babies, there are sign of Jaundice, at the test taken at the local clinic, results were slightly on the high side. we were advice to return for further test in two days time. Hope it does not get worst, Daughter number 2, have to be warded for quad phototherapy for one week.

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I have taken a few days off to do the running around especially for all the paperwork and the marketing

House on Stilts

House on stilts give you the impression of Malay Kampong House, that are built on stilts. Not these house. These are "townhouse" built at Pearl Hill Penang, (those that look like apartments) and on top are multi million detach houses. Certainly give a new meaning to the phase "House on Stilts".

Traffic Discipline

Urgently need a parking place? You only see a narrow spot? Never mind just park, i am sure that others do not mind. Snapshot taken Infront of Tunku Abdul Rahman Colledge, Penang Campus, Tanjung Bungah.

The Weather is a bit too sunny, What can you do? Well just use a umbrellas just like in the photo. Just be carefully will you.

Nasi Lemak Bungkus

Malaysian answer to Fast Food, It is available every where, from hotels to road side stall and it is affordable, In parts of the country one packet or bungkus is can be available from RM0.30 each to up market ones at much higher price.

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Fragrant Rice cook in coconut milk, flavoured with pandan leave with chillie sambal, and assorted ingredients, most commenly use are Egg, Ikan Belis or anchovies, Peanuts, cucumber and other items such as fish, chicken, beef etc. The Sky is the limit

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Can be eaten for Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Dinner or Supper.. Good with a glass of Teh Tarik ....

The Above example is from a Hypermart Food Court.

Malaysian Budget Day 2007

I am sure that a lot of “SOPO” Blogs will be commenting on the Budget 2007, “It’s a election budget etc and so on.” I will not get into that.

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More importantly, How it will affect me personally? Going by the report the items that can affect me will be

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1. Education,

a. No restriction on Textbook Loan Scheme

b. Abolishment of Annual School Fee.

c. tax relief up to RM5,000 for post graduate studies

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2. Healthy Life Style,

a. tax relief up to RM300 to buy sports and exercise equipment

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3. EPF

a. able to withdraw money monthly to pay for house

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No restriction on Textbook Loan Scheme and Abolishment of Annual School Fees

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I am Married with 2 daughters with one more child on the way. Eldest daughter is the only kid in school, She is currently in Standard 3 this year in a Chinese school. Currently in her entire class only My Daughter and another kid have to buy their own Text Book. Others seem to have found ways to get around any restriction. OK that will save me RM100+ for next year.

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Tax Relief for Post Graduate Studies

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I do not intend to take up Post Graduate Studies, as it does not help me to gain a better job or wages in the industry I am in.

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Tax Relief for Sports or Exercise Equipment

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Well look like I can claim for that exercise bike my wife wanted or that pair of sport shoes, which I have no intention to purchase.

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House .

Well I have no intention of buying a house, cannot afford it yet

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It look like I have got a modest bonus next tax day and when the school reopens. The Key question is how much does it take to send a Kid to school. There seems to be a surprising amount of other “Official” Fees and other Books you have to purchase when you have a kid in school, this of course does not take into account of Tuition.

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I think I will blog on this Fees, Books and other expenses, that is if streamyx allows me to do so.

Fast Food Chicken Rice

Can a Fast food Chain produce chicken rice equivalent in taste and product as good as the Normal Coffee Shop Chicken Rice? (if we ignore the price factor)

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I decided to give this question an appropriate test. I have know about The Chicken Rice Store for quite some time (from my days running around in KL) and I have seen their outlets up here in Penang in Tesco (shop) as well as in Carrefour (food court outlet). I selected the Carrefour (prai) outlet and steam chicken it will be.

Ambiance of the Outlet: It beats all the Coffee Shops flat, Air con, nice chairs, nice tables, beautiful decoration.

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Price: At RM7.13 inclusive tax per serving of Chicken Rice it is pricy, for a Penangite as it is more then double the RM2.80 – RM3.00 we pay for our chicken rice here in our coffee shop, but to be fair the portion is larger. For Some one from KL or JB who is use to RM3.50 upwards for their chicken rice it is not to bad.

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What do you get: Per serving of Chicken Rice you get one portion of rice, one portion of Chicken (about one and the half time more then what you will get in penang, about the same as what you will get in KL), and the soup with Chillie and what I assume to be the ginger sauce.

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Presentation: Nicely presented, much better then coffee shop, however two items, plate for rice is small, and plastic cutlery. Ever try to each chicken with bone using plastic fork and spoon of the low cost type? Well it is an experience I do not enjoy nor do I wish to repeat.

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The Taste Test:

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Chicken: Steam Chicken, smooth, very nicely done. Certainly not to my expectation, and beat many other shops and 5 star hotel. (100% score) .

Sauce: Adequate (80% score) the sauce is not to my liking however as I find it too light. Taste was fine.

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Rice : Has the yellow colors and it is fragrant and aromatic, again beat many other shops (100% score)

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Soup: Wow! Nice Tasty Soup, with vegetable and chicken inside. (120%)

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Chillie Sauce : 100%, thick and spicy,

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Conclusion

It seem that The Chicken Rice Store can at least for this outlet, produce chicken rice to match the Coffee Shop Chicken Rice, The also give the 5 Star Hotels and Restaurant a good run for the money.

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The Chicken Rice Store in Carrefour Prai, score 500% out of a possible 500% in the taste test, thank to their soup which compensated for the sauce. Will I come back again? well to me the turn off factor is a. Price b. the plastic cutlery (could it be that I was seating in the food court section that they give me the plastic cutlery? ) Try removing the flesh from the bones with a plastic spoon and fork.

Penang International Lantern Festival

The Taiping International Lantern Festival (click to see the the photos) which I visited in July have move to Juru Auto City and became the Penang International Lantern Festival. As i understand it same pricing and same lantern will be display but only for around a month. I should have waited but now i can say i saw it first. Middle of Sept 2007 till Middle of Oct 2007.

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Word of Advice, go late, and eat first.

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This is my 100 post

Sungai Bakap Koey Teow Thng

Koey Teow Th'ng is flat rice noodles, serve in a broth with various ingredients topping it off. Some places offer Fish balls, other the spare parts of pork and the Ipoh version use Chicken and Tiger Prawns. . . If you are in the area, Sungai Bakap have a pretty good Koey Teow Thng, (with pork spare parts). Location, As from the North heading south, at the cross road in Sungai Bakap turn left, proceed 100meters plus till you see the sundry shop on the Right. The Koey Teow Thng is in the shop opposite, in a kampong house.

Price : RM2.50 per bowl standard upwards.

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It is a simple shop that only sell Koey Teow Thng with the rice noodles and other type of noodles with olden Aluminium tables and chairs.

Murtabak, A Malaysian Food of Indian origin

A Malaysian Food of Indian origin, Murtabak is a one dish meal that is not so popularly consumed by malaysian, but is easily found in any shop that serve roti canai. It is a one dish meal eaten for lunch or dinner. .

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Basically Murtabak can be call a Stuffed Roti Canai. It’s filling are made from vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, and others, eggs, and meat (chicken, beef or mutton) or some times sardine, heavenly flavored with curry, wrapped up in a roti canai, which is then pan fried. .

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The Filling is first cook, and the Roti Canai is stretch out, and the cook filling is then place in the middle. The Roti Canai is then folded over the filling and the whole parcel is then put in the griddle for the final cooking. Murtabak is usually served with a side dish of curry sauce and pickle onions.

Preparing the Dough

Shaping the Dough and Buttering it

Leaving it to Rest Spreading the Dough

The Dough, from bottom In the proportions dough, The spread out dough, the flatten balls of dough

The Filling being cooked in advance, portion for 6 persons

placing the filling in on to the dough

Wrapping it up

placing the wrap up murtabak on the griddle

The Cook Murtabak

Pickle Onions, a must with murtabak.