What is OCD? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by persistant and repetitive thoughts and behaviors that are often upsetting and disruptive to a person’s day-to-day life. The symptoms of OCD may range from mild to severe. Severe OCD may be chronic and disabling. (source: About OCD)
Why this topic today? I myself am a person who suffers from what i believe mild OCD, family and close friends of mine all know about what i obsessed about. However, this entry is not about me. I came upon an article on star.com.my today and the title of the article actually gripped me. Nuts Over Nyonya Kueh Pls, go ahead and read about it and tell me if i’m wrong. The title itself got me thinking, well after residing in the small town where baba nyonya people originated from and tasting all the nyonya delicacies since i was a kid; i am glad someone is actually appreciating and telling tales about us. Then, i click open the article —
‘I LOVE santan, that luscious, thick, creamy coconut milk that is brought forth when you squeeze freshly-grated coconut with a little bit of water, and which is used in one of Penang’s most famous products, nyonya kueh.’
I went like WTFG? Who the hell is this person? Has she actually tasted true authentic nyonya kuih before? So i went forth and read the article about how tasty the cakes were and how authentic is the seller (whom buys it from another person and sell it). Miss, have you tasted ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC NYONYA KUIH? She tasted some nyonya kuih sold by some indian guy who doesn’t even make them himself and yet she has the guts to say it is ONE OF PENANG’S MOST FAMOUS PRODUCTS. (seriously no offense to penangites or indians, this entry is just against that particular journalist and her only)
Let me again bring everyone back to yester-year.
‘In the 15th century, the city states of the Malay Peninsula often paid tribute to various kingdoms such as the kingdoms of China and Siam. Close relations with China were established in the early 15th century, during the reign of Parameswara, when Admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho), a Muslim Chinese, visited Malacca. In return for such tribute, a princess of China, Hang Li Po was presented as a gift to Sultan Mansur Shah, the Sultan of Malacca, at that time (+/-1459 AD). The royalty and servants who accompanied the princess initially settled in Bukit Cina and eventually grew into a class of straits-born Chinese known as the Peranakan.’ (source: Peranakan)’
If my eyes are right to me now, i see MALACCA not PENANG, or TIMBUKTU in the above article. Yes, due to marriage or migration there are plenty of Peranakan people residing all over Malaysia but how dare this author steal one of Malacca’s best known authenticity and pirate it into some Penang most famous? This is absolutely outrageous and i would not be called a Malaccan if i don’t voice it out today.
TASTY NYONYA KUIHS can be found in any prick or corner in Malacca. Just step on to any Pasar Malam and you can find mouth watering Nyonya Kuihs, just to name a few. You can head on to Bukit Beruang Pasar Malam which is open every Monday & Wednesday (Look for the stall which sells popiah, top hat, lots of kuih. Usually 3 or 4 aunties and 1 uncle will be manning the stall). There are of course plenty other places where you can get delicious nyonya kuih but this stall sell it cheap and they have plenty of variety. There is also a malay stall at ujong pasir where they open everyday around 4pm and the have almost 20++ types of nyonya kuih. Don’t ask me why malays are selling it but it’s so friggin good i used to go every weekend to savour them when i stayed near there. (Turn right when you come out from St paul’s hill junction and keep right. It is beside a Malay mosque)
Oh, back to my title. Why did i mentioned OCD?
‘Helen Ong is a self-confessed foodie who loves to hunt down the best of Penang.’ (Helen Ong is the author of that disgusting article)
Now i get it, her self obsessive-ness about Penang (once again, no offense to penangites) and due to the fact she ran out of penang food to rave about she had nowhere to turn to. So, she stole some little-known delicacies from some town miles and miles away and call is ONE OF PENANG’S MOST FAMOUS. If it’s so famous, how come none of my Penang friends ever mentioned it before? We all know Penang has the best assam laksa, the best nasi kandar, the best hiong peng. NYONYA KUIH? Get a life.
I was talking to my sister about the article and below is our conversation.
Sis: ‘Haiyah, she’s probably penang gal la. Next, she will say Penang has the BEST Klang bakuteh.’
Me: ‘ Ya, then she also will say Penang has the best Ipoh Hor Fun and Chicken Rice Ball.’
Sis: ‘Blog about it la.’
So, here i am, still quite pissed about the article but not so anymore after endless typing and ranting bout the poor girl who has never been out of that small island. I pity her lack of knowledge. I rest my case. Sweet dreams people. It’s 0429am.