Uncle Seng and Aunty Mei Lee visit Penang--Little Nonya Kitchen

My paternal second uncle Seng came to visit us in Penang as part of saying farewell to Asia enroute to immigrating to the USA. He stopped by to treat us to dinner, and asked us to take him to the renowned 'Little Kitchen Nonya'.

Waiting for our exquisite meal and catching up in conversation.

The portions are not large, and we had to exercise considerable restraint not to demolish the spread.

Sambal Prawns.

Jiu Hu Char (Shredded Cuttlefish Wraps)

Curry Kapitan (Portuguese Chicken Curry)

Achar Hu (Fried fish steeped in pickled vegetables)

Hae Bee Hiam Kacang Botol (4 sided bean sauteed with fragrant dried shrimp)

And my favorite Purut Ikan (Fish Stomach). An exquisite stew simmered over three days when prepared correctly. At that point, the rubbery boot like fish stomach is tender and dissolves in your mouth like braised ox-tail.  Turning what was once peasant food into a heady concoction with multi-tiered pungent symphonic flavors that are pungent, tangy, sweet and full of umami. I can consume an entire bowl of this to myself. The selection and use of herbs and spices at each step is high art, much like constructing a classic Boullaibaise.

~ Shien

Field Trip to 'Kek Lok Si' (Goddess of Mercy Temple, Air Itam, Penang)

The World Religions class at Dalat International School takes a field trip to visit places of worship at the end of each semester. I decided to help drive a van and chaperone such trip. I enjoyed it so much that I volunteered to do the same on subsequent trips.

 With such well-behaved kids, the chaperoning part was a cinch.

So I had time to soak in the atmosphere.

 

And notice the details around me. There was a lot to take in, including this trapped bird that was released once the visitors notified the groundskeepers.

We could climb almost to the top of the spire (I did that once, and it was a commanding view much like what you might picture in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, especially if there was mist about), but there are quite a few stairs. Note to self, do this before 10am so that it is not so warm.

~ Shien