Just the other day, I sat and listened as my father in law, gave my niece (who happens to be seven years old , an ABC {Australian born Chinese} and therefore speaks with a grating Australian accent , back in Kuala Lumpur on holiday) a history lesson on the reason why Malaysia is , the way it is. The question she innocently asked was, “Why are there so many dark skinned people in Malaysia?”
And Grandpa replied..
And Grandpa, he replied,
Malaya (now Malaysia) always had good trading practices with merchants from India. After the Portuguese and the Dutch colonist left, the British took rule over Malaya and that was when mass Indian migration took place. Manpower was harnessed from the British East India for the flourishing rubber industry. At this point, not just the rubber industry was flourishing but most of Malaya too, so Tamils from South India were employed in the rubber industry, while Sri Lankan Tamils and Malayalees were employed in supervisory and clerical positions. The North Indians were mainly employed in the police force while the Southerners worked in textiles.
Anyway, Malaysia finally got its independence from the British in 1957. Today, Indians constitute the fourth largest ethnic group, making up 8% of Malaysia’s population of 28.3 million (Malay 53.3%, Chinese 26.0%, indigenous 11.8%, Indian 7.7%, others 1.2%).
End of history lesson.
My niece listened wide-eyed, and had she been ten years older, would probably have made a mental note, never to ask her grandfather a question like that again.
My niece listened wide-eyed, and had she been ten years older, would probably have made a mental note, never to ask her grandfather a question like that again.
OK, so my turn now, to tell you another story.
Indian food is great. Thank God for the great exodus from India to Malaya, once upon a time because how else would we have otherwise come to experience such a vibrant, exotic part of India in our own country. Their Fashion, their Language, their Bollywood and finally their Food. North Indian and South Indian cuisine are a wonderful and integral part of Malaysian culture to be proud of.
Anyway, Cumi & Ciki are big fans of North Indian cuisine (South as well, but we’ll keep that for another day). My husband really goes crazy over the breads made from wheat flour such as Chapatis or Na’ans , even Parathas which is unleavened bread fried on a griddle , and I love it for the curries. I like the Vegetarian curries but honestly, the Non-Vegetarian ones are my favourites. The other specialty dish that I adore, that is the closest thing you will find to a “vegetable” dish in a North Indian restaurant is the Palak Paneer.
Never mind the Na’an.. Pass the meat!
Oh yeah, North Indian cuisine has something for everybody. For me, its the diet phenomenally rich in meat. Never mind the Na’an , pass me the Grilled meat kebabs, Koftas, Chicken, Prawn and Lamb please! North Indian curries are wantonly rich – yogurt and ghee overload.. and seductively spice-y – I’m talking fresh, expensive Indian spices here.The food in itself is not chili-spicy which is good for those who cannot take the heat.
[CHUHT-nee] From the East Indian word chatni, this spicy condiment contains fruit, vinegar, sugar and spices. It can range in texture from chunky to smooth and in degrees of spiciness from mild to hot. Chutney is a delicious accompaniment to curried dishes. The sweeter chutneys also make interesting bread spreads and are delicious served with cheese.
[Mary] Er.. not sure who Mary is but the food at [CHUHT-nee Mary] sure is fantastic.
[Chutney Mary] One of my favourite Northern Indian cuisine restaurants in Kuala Lumpur which serves my favourites dishes like Palak Paneer, Tandoori Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Biryani Rice and Kulfi.
Chicken Tandoori – RM 14.90
The Murgh hava-mahal a.k.a. the butter chicken – RM 18.90
Briyani Rice (shot Cravings Joe style:P) – RM 9.90
Kulfi a.k.a. spiced Ice Cream – RM 9.90
Gajjar Halwa – RM 6.90
Gulab Jamun – RM 6.90
Well, well, what can I say? The food at Chutney Mary’s is outstanding. Not only that, it is pretty affordable as well, compared to more expensive joints in Kuala Lumpur such as the Bombay Palace.
Overall, a great meal – The only let down was the Gulab Jamun. This is my all time favourite North Indian sweet dessert and it kills me when they get it wrong. Read more about my favourite Punjabi Man in Brickfields Kuala Lumpur who makes the best Gulab Jamun in town! You cannot screw up the Gulab J. and be forgiven. I will return to test it again at Chutney Mary one day and I hope that this time round they get the ghee-laden, fried, dough ball right;)
Add: CHUTNEY MARY RESTAURANT AND BAR, 21-G Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, KL Tel: +603-2282 9923 or +603-2282 9923 Business Hrs: 11am to 1am daily. Google Maps
Great to see that this place has kept up its standards even after so many years!
(Oh sheet. I think I am looooooong overdue for a revisit. It’s been 5 years! *oops*)
yes J.. still good. u see on Boo’s blog she said it was still good.. she’s RIGHT! (of course la.. after all, she’s Boo.. was there any doubt
)
Okay you did it. Chicken Tandoori – RM 14.90?!!! I know this is the best in the world. Malaysian Tandoori beats Indian hands down.
A true masterpiece to the taste buds. A world conquering culinary delight that no other nation can match.
Add in butter chicken and I have amassed a pool of saliva on the ground.
CHUHT-nee?? I re read that twice. I did not see anything about mint in there? Is there another like that?
And then Gulab Jamun. That mouth watering sugar ball of addictiveness.
I will not be able to eat well today as I can’t get this over here … any of it …
So I have decided that for every ultimate good food that I like post you write. You have to feed me (at no cost) if I make it to KL.
Dave, it would be my pleasure to feed ur skinny ass. (:P)
I hope it’s Mei saying that and not Cumi?! Though if he’s also paying I won’t say no!
Great to know I now have a food sponsor in KL!! And, a blog post to witness it too.
What wonderful little monkey’s you are!! Thank you!!
Dave
P.S. My ass is not so Skinny, I like to refer to it as toned muscular elegance that Levi’s were designed to hug. So feeding is very important to maintain such GQ proportions.
I’ll be the judge of that GQ ass before and after the great Malaysia eating session. Count me in!
Now I am worried ….
ROFL!! u guys r hilarious! Munkey has a GQ ass too!
give me that tandoori pls pls pls, drumsticksssss
ok, open your mouth please
my digestive system can’t handle spicy these days! must be old age, sigghh
how old is old.. sigh sigh sigh. u’re just a young man OK..!!
U r so FAST!!!
food was awesome except for some really small gulab..a pity hor.
yea i knoW!!!
I looooovvvee Indian food =) I’m definitely keeping your number handy when I get back to KL!!! =)
you promised and said u would call.. then u DIDN’T! Major sulk! Ciki is sulking
LOL
actually your post reminds me on how long I have not tried Indian food, especially my favourite Tandoori Chicken
Ah thule! time for some good ole fashioned indian! LOL
OOooh ya making me hungry again. I love me some Indian spices and dishes.
nom nom nom
Mmmmm… now I’m really hungry after seeing the pictures. Price doesn’t matter when you are hungry..
David
its not so expensive either!
It never ceases to amaze me why there is racial bias in countries since each ethnic group has so much to offer and the more multi cultural a country or place is the richer it becomes for many reasons. This article shows that food is just one contribution an ethnic group can provide. Same applies for the United States with our Mexican immigration issue. We are lucky to have their contribution in my opinion. People who are racist need to chill out, read your articles, and eat ethnic food.
i agree Ted! well put! nothing a good meal cannot solve eh? if only world issues were that easy;)
Informative post! Thanks for teaching us a bit about Malaysian history and sharing those photos. I am now craving Indian food!
thx leslie..
Shot the Joe style? Like how? Tilting one side?
ya lar.. sengget!
wow, that’s very informative! I’ve always like naan and curry!!!
me2!
sounds like good lunch idea!