About more than 5 years ago, mamak stalls began to prolipherate throughout the states of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. They started as small roadside stalls, structured with only wooden stilts without walls, zink roof and plastic tables & chairs. Back then, the food served were primarily simple indian dishes, mainly ‘roti canai’ (fried thin bread dipped in rich curry or dhal sauce) and ‘teh tarik’ (which literally means ‘pull tea’).
Within a few years, mamak stalls has gained popularity and has converted into bistro like restaurants. The food variety has improve by serving not only Indian cousines, but also Malay, Thai, Chinese, and western dishes as well. They operate 24 hours a day, and they typically have numerous large television sets with satellite - showing normally football matches, F1 races and wrestling.
The customers also come in varieties as well; students miserably hungry in the middle of the night (very late at night), executives having tea after work, youngsters unwinding after a noisy trip to clubs and discos, and businessmen discussing about projects (yes, million dollar deals are done here!). In fact, I have witnessed myself two people spontaniously discussed their new company operation plans sketched on pieces of tissue paper!
The popular food items are typically ‘roti canai’ and ‘teh tarik’ as mentioned above, which would cost no more than RM2.50. A popular item is also nan bread with tandoori chicken, cooked in a huge clay oven.
Mamak stalls are worth a visit to taste a variety of local food, but would also be an enjoyable people watching experience, as visitors also come in many varieties.
The process of making teh tarik. The tea is pulled from two elevated mugs to cool it off, and also an effective way to mix the tea, milk and sugar.
Teh tarik - The final product
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