Rubiah Muslim Food: To get your Sotong Roe, you need to get past the Nazi
With Smart, Sumosumo, Wahcow, Cactuskit, ijeff, chocolate and PK
If you enjoy Sotong with roe, you are going to like this post.
This is a stall that is frequented by Cactuskit and it has a perpetual queue outside the stall from the time they start selling. Now, I am not a big fan of Sotong, much less Sotong with roe. But our kakis that day, especially Sumosumo and Smart were all going on about this Sotong that I had to go buy a plate of rice just to be able to take a photo and find out what the fuss was all about.
I guess it is not easy to find a place that almost guarantees that you will get a Sotong that is full of roe. I found it amazing that the three or four servings that we ordered were all full of roe, much to the delight of our kakis. To me it was a 4.25/5, sumosumo gave it a 4.5/5 and Smart a 4.75/5. So I guess this is one dish that depends on whether you really like Sotong roe.
What I really did enjoy was the pennuts with ikan bilis which was excellent here, as was the bergedil. The Sayoh Lodeh was quite average. Cactuskit was also raving about the Assam Fish here.
Be nice to this lady or you might not get your Sotong with Roe!
Now the Malay lady behind the counter is perpetually stressed and sweating away but she's actually quite personable when you talk to her. However, in order to get to her, you will have to get past the Food Nazi who stands guard at the door taking orders. I won't say that she is particularly nasty, but just very pragmatic and bent on taking your orders without wanting to engage in small talk. If you don't believe me, just try asking her with a big grin on your face whether she can make sure that your sotong will be full of roe! ;)
Conclusion
As I alluded to in my opening sentence, if you like Sotong with Roe, you will definitely want to make a beeline to this stall, but just make sure you behave yourself when you are making your orders! You have been warned.
Note: I use the term "Food Nazi" in a very tongue in cheek manner. Food Nazis are not really that nasty, they are really people with a heart of gold but just lack the ability to express it. To read about other the Hawker Food Nazis please click here
Rubiah Muslim Food
Whampoa Food Centre
Stall 34
10am to 6pm
Closed on Sundays
12 comments:
i love sotong! and i tend to find our Malay friends cook it far better than us, the Chinese. i always find them more flavourful.
another version i swoon is sotong cooked in ink. FABULOUS. *drool*
Fresh Fry, I think the Malay version sotong tends to be overcooked and you end up with chewing on "rubber". Note the lady in the photo is chinese and she is the cook. Sotong with black ink *smack lips*, where is it? Is it same as Our Makan Place in the old days before the son took over the cooking?
Ieat, did the Malay lady reveal her relationship with the "Nazi" lady? I had always assume they are mother and daughter. Had seen her at the stall since she was a wee lass. Back then, the sotong always has roe.
Oh my, I didn't know that's something to die for. When I buy sotong from the wet market, I remove and throw away everything inside the cavity including the gooey roe.
I would love to eat the ikan billis and peanuts at this stall. One of my all time favourites!
Do you mean to tell us you did not behave yourself when you order? must be la...must be trying to talk talk talk until people wanna do business also no time entertain you. HWAHAHAAHAHAAH
anon - people are just trying to give friendly warnings to readers about his experiences, out of pure goodwill. and you have to turn something like that into something ugly.
shame.
I saw you and your friends when you were at Whampoa Food Centre, taking pictures of the food. Guess your next post will be on the rojak? That food centre is quite near my school.
Anyway, I had tried this stall before, but I do not fancy the ikan bilis. It tasted soggy, not crispy as I would have liked. Slightly pricey too.
Would like to recommend the China Whampoa Home Made Noodle stall found at the other food centre near this one. $3 will get you a tasty bowl of ban mian with minced meat, ikan bilis, vegetables, as well as 3 HUGE prawns / 4 abalone clams / slice fish. Value for money. Also, try the peanut pancake that is found behind that stall. The stall owner put the crushed peanuts as though they are free. :)
guess i'm lucky, i've quite some luck with Malay food. the sotongs mostly flavourful and tender.
the squid ink sotong has some hint of spice in it but i forgot where i'd eaten it. they sell the whole for a good $5!! i almost fainted then.
but it was good. LOL
I'm so in love with sotong roe... *swallowing saliva*
Leslie, even though I don't have a fervent love for sotong roe, but I do love sotong! And Singapore's Malay food! And your photos are always so good (sometimes I think you make the food look even better than they are). Pong always asks me why I still read your blog when it'll make me miss Singapore's food. :D But I enjoy keeping in touch with you guys through here and the forum. ^_^
Anonymous
When Leslie post about a particular foods tall on his blog, the stall gains publicity and eventually more ppl go there to eat - resulting in better business. If anything the stall owner really does benefit, tangible benefits for just a few mins of his/her time.
Hello doctor!
I really love to visit your website. Although you are a doctor, you still do reviews on hawker centres... places where normal people eat... so good of you! Your website is great!
frankly speaking....i am only ok with the food...ok the sotong has the "extras" but i would not go all the way there just for nasi padang....
Post a Comment