Minum Petang Zaman Gawat

The heroes of Malaysian economy, especially during these trying times for the world, have got to be the operators of mom-n-pop's eateries all over the country. They are not however the big restaurants boasting air-conditioned dining place, but, the small shops and hawkers by the streets of Malaysia, highly visible in cities of Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Consider that you can get a bowl of laksa or noodle to satisfy your afternoon hunger and craving for just about RM1.50-RM2 (about half a US dollar!), and a drink for as cheap as 50-sen to RM1 (your spare coins!).

Check out the prices: 80-sen kopi-o (black coffee), RM1 goreng pisang... a good afternoon snack for under RM2!

In Balik Pulau, there are many of such eatery stalls, both near Pekan Kongsi and Pekan Genting (Simpang Empat). Besides laksa, one can enjoy all kinds of Malay, Chinese and Indian and even Western delicacies including various soups, takua rendang, fried bananas, pasembor, nasi lemak, mee rebus etc. and desserts such as ais kacang and cendul, all for well under RM3 each (under US$1).

Hard to find: 50-sen red syrup! (except maybe in university/college canteens)

Writer was enjoying an 80-sen sirap limau (lime syrup) at the stalls next to the Masjid Al-Mokhtar, Balik Pulau (district mosque) when writing this short note... The stalls are generally open at about 4-7pm daily. BTW, FREE broadband wi-fi too from the public library next to the this small hut - who needs Starbucks!

The stalls at Pekan Genting however opens till late nite. For a plethora food items and goods, check out the weekly Night Markets on Wednesday and Sunday near Genting between 5-10pm and the weekly Agro Market on Sunday morning near the new Market Complex near Kongsi.