Firstly, growing up in JB, we never ate Laksa Johor at shops. NEVER. It's a traditional, home-cooked dish, and that's how we used to prepare and consume it. It was something for special occasions, especially. Our Hari Raya would simply not be complete without our atuk or one of my aunties making Laksa Johor for everyone at our family home in Kampung Melayu, JB. (my late mom's own specialty was mee rebus.)
So, Laksa Johor for me = fabulous food + meaningful memories.
It's a relatively "simple" dish. We use spaghetti, instead of other types of noodles. (Some people foolishly laugh at this and say that because of this, Laksa Johor is a recent creation. But in fact, it was because the Sultan of Johor was a world-traveller even back in the 19th Century, and he took a liking to spaghetti and asked for it to be part of this traditional dish.)
Then there are the condiments; taugeh, daun kesum, shredded cucumber, bawang and caipoh. MUST. HAVE. CAIPOH. The pièce de résistance is the gravy; a thick and flavourful fish-based goodness. And not forgetting the sambal belacan!
These days, plenty of restaurants serve Laksa Johor, especially the ones that specialise in Johor cuisine, even in the Klang Valley. But over the years, it's been a hit and miss affair for me personally. (Even places touting to serve "authentic" Johor food have failed miserably when it comes to Laksa Johor.)
But here are 3 places that I recommend!
1. The Teapot Deli, SACC Mall, Shah Alam
2. Puteri Restoran, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, TTDI
Couldn't find a pic of me at the restaurant, so here's that time I tapau-ed some home. And yes, the real Johor way is to makan pakai tangan!
Masya Allah! When I woke up this morning, I never expected to be sitting in the same room as Shaikh Dr Abdal Hakim Murad, listening to him talk right here in Malaysia. But that's exactly what was written for us.
It started early in the morning when I was scrolling social media and saw a video of Shaikh Hakim attending a Madani program in Putrajaya. I literally jumped out of my chair! Searched all over and finally found the info that he'll also be giving a talk at a program hosted by Khazanah Research Institute later in the day. I quicky RSVPed, and the rest is history.
Shaikh Hakim is the founder and dean of the Cambridge Muslim College and also an Imam at the Cambridge Mosque. He has a unique style of speaking that's calm and measured, yet so profound, poetic and full of wisdom.
And as I've written before, my mind was actually blown when I got to know that Shaikh Hakim's brother is Henry Winter, the football journalist whose writing I've been reading basically my entire life.
Here it is, the first full episode of PODCAST KITA ANAK GEN-X! I had actually prepared a different topic for the premier ep, but in late October, my ex-Media Prima colleagues started sharing their favourite Sri Pentas memories on social media. The thing that has been talked about for so long, was finally going to happen: Media Prima companies were starting to migrate to Balai Berita in Bangsar, leaving Sri Pentas in Bandar Utama for good!
And so I thought hey, why not I share my own wonderful memories working at the iconic building? (Something, in truth, I never expected to happen in my life.)
(Wrote this some years ago, but here's the updated version!)
It’s an argument that could go on and on, but here are my own personal favourite Top 10 sporting moments of all time…
10 My own layup vs Malaysia
It was 1995. International Islamic University vs the Malaysian National Team in a friendly match. I was playing like crap until that moment. Someone in defence grabbed a rebound and I quickly made a run for it to the other side of the court. I caught the ball beautifully and made the 1-2 step before laying up the ball for 2 points. Against Malaysia! You can just call me Awesome. Thank you.
9 Jonny Wilkinson’s drop-goal at the death
Even Hollywood couldn’t write the script any better. England and Australia were tied at 17 all in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final with only seconds to go in extra time. And when England won a penalty, everyone in the world knew what would happen in the next couple of passages, and Jonny was not to be denied. His kick was perfect. And England became world champions.
8Kimi Raikkonen snatches the F1 world title
All season long it looked like the 2007 drivers’ title would go to McLaren’s rookie Lewis Hamilton. When it came down to the final race in Brazil, no one gave Raikkonen any chance of winning the crown, being seven points behind. The Iceman needed to win the race while hoping Hamilton would royally choke and finish 7th or worse. And what do you know, that’s exactly what happened! Raikkonen drove a perfect race and snatched the championship by a single point.
7 Alan Kennedy and the Kings of Europe
I was nine-years-old then but I remember waking up at 3am to watch this European Cup final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in 1981. It was goalless in the first half, but deep into the second, Kennedy crashed a beautiful angled shot into the Roma goal for a wonderful win. Ah, the good old days.
6Mike Tyson brings down Spinks
Tyson was King of the World then, knocking out hapless opponents like they’re nothing. And Mr. Spinks was unfortunately, one of them. I remember sitting down expecting some sort of resistance from Tyson’s undefeated opponent. But the fight lasted a mere 91seconds when Tyson knocked Spinks out with a super right hand. I hadn’t even started on my kerepek when it ended.
5 Michael Johnson’s 200
The conditions were perfect for a world record at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Johnson looked supremely confident. And when the gun was fired, it was evident that there can only be one winner in the 200m sprint. Johnson ran the race of his life and clocked an earth shattering 19.32. Usain Bolt has topped that time, but Johnson’s run is the one that sticks in my mind.
4Tiger Woods wonder shot at the 2005 US Masters
It’s The Shot that’s been recognised as the best of the past decade. It was at the 16th Hole. Woods still had a long way to go to the flag. When the ball got there, it stalled at the cup for a couple of seconds (for a close-up on the Nike logo) before dropping in. The commentator asked: “In you life, have you seen anything like that?” Giler ke apa??? ...
3 The Thomas Cup finally comes home!
I bet most of you reading this were in front of the telly as history unfolded. Malaysia had not won the Thomas Cup for 25 years and we were up against Indonesia in the 1992 final at Stadium Negara. It came down to the pair of Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang, and they defeated the mighty duo of Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja in 3 nerve-wracking sets. When Beng Kiang gloriously killed that final point, 20 million Malaysians screamed and cheered their hearts out. I probably cried a little too :(
2Michael Jordan wins his 6th ring
With 20seconds on the clock in 1998's game 6 of the NBA Finals, Jordan stole the ball from Karl Malone and dribbled up the floor. Bryon Russell took up the job of manning Jordan. Futile it was. Jordan calmly dribbled, cross-overed, and sank the winning shot that gave Chicago their 6th title. Simple and expected, yet majestic in its execution. And with that, Jordan sealed his place as the greatest ever.
1 Klopp and co right before my eyes!
I always say that I've been a Liverpool fan since I was a dot on an ultrasound scan. And growing up, I never even imagined stepping foot at Anfield, let alone celebrating the triumph of winning a trophy along with hundreds of thousands of other Scousers. Which was what happened on 2nd June, 2019. It's a long story how we actually got there, but the fam and I were in fact a part of Liverpool history, welcoming home the team, along with the prestigious Champions League trophy (won the night before vs Spurs) in the heart of the city. YNWA!
There are quite a number of makan places that I started going regularly after I got a transfer back from Miri to Kuala Lumpur back in 1997. Some are no longer there, while some are still standing strong. For example, the Seng Nam coffee shop near Bangunan Abdul Samad closed its doors some 10 years ago after serving KLites their signature roti bakar and coffee for 85 years!
Meanwhile, Nasi Lemak Tanglin in Lake Gardens, first opened in 1948, is still standing (although not exactly at the original location), and is still my favourite nasi lemak in the Klang Valley.
The other place I have not stopped frequenting till this very day is Ikan Bakar Istana Negara, Jalan Bellamy. People can say this or that place have better ikan bakar, but I come back here again and again cos it's familiar and is still so damn good. (Specifically, the Sri Melaka stall.)
But, how come there's a row of ikan bakar stalls just outside of one of the gates of the old Royal Palace? Watch this video below!
