Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan

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August 28, 2009 By cheryl

Singapore: Grilling The Satay Man


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I’ve been on a hunt.

The object of my obsession has been a man who is one of the last of his kind in Singapore — the traveling Satay Man, a person of a breed so rare that, sadly, he’s not likely to be replaced when he finally he hangs up his tongs.

For the last 32 years, this particular satay man has plied his trade almost every day in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood in central Singapore. He spends hours pushing his little wooden cart along the narrow sidewalks near Tiong Bahru market, pausing occasionally to bellow, “Sa-TAAYYYYYY! Sa-TAAYYYYYY!”

Those who live there know to run down quickly when they hear him — you never know how long he’ll stop for. And, at 40 cents (about 28 U.S. cents) for a stick of satay, he often sells out pretty quickly.

I’m happy to report that I finally did catch him. And the news, I fear, is not good.

At 43 years old, he’s looking to quit. There’s a home in China he’s dreaming of retiring to, you see. As soon as he can comfortably close shop for good, he’s gone.

For now, however, he’s got a job to do. And what a job it is — after having tasted his satay, I rank this guy up there with Santa Claus in the “bringing joy (and calories) to folks” category.

Seriously, people, we’ve got to find a way to clone him.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Singapore, Southeast Asian, Tales From the Road Tagged With: Cart, China, Cucumber, Fat, Hainanese, Ketupat, Pandan, Peanut sauce, Pineapple, Pork, Rice, Satay, Singapore, Tiong Bahru

July 22, 2009 By cheryl

Sicily: A Duomo Above Others


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Just about this time last year, I was in a little car, racing four hours across Sicily in search of a good meal.

At the end of the trek from Palermo, in far western Sicily, to Ragusa, in the Southeast, lay Ristorante Duomo, one of just two restaurants on the island at the time to have received a Michelin star.

Now, I’ve gone to many lengths in the name of sampling noteworthy food — this level of devotion is not anything new. But doing an eight hour-trip in a day just for a spot of lunch? Even that was a little insane for us.

What can I say? It was worth it. 

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Filed Under: Food Porn, Italy, Restaurants, Tales From the Road Tagged With: Agrigento, Almond, Amberjack, Baba au rhum, Baroque, Berlotti beans, Cannolo, Chocolate, Ciccio Sultano, Cod, Cucuzza, Felidia, Fennel, Fettucine, Focaccia, Greek ruins, Ice-cream, Jasmin, Jello, Lacoste, Lamb ragu, Lambuga, Limoncello, Marian Burros, Michelin, Mojito, Mozzarella, Mullet, New York, New York Times, Palermo, Pistachio, Pizza, Pork, Port, Prickly pear soup, Ragusa, Ricotta, Ristorante Duomo, Sicily, Sorbet, Tenerumi, Truffles, Valley of the Temples, Watermelon, Zucchini

May 18, 2009 By cheryl

How to Wrap Bak-Zhang


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I have new-found respect for bak-zhang hawkers.

I’d never given the pyramid-shaped, glutinous-rice dumplings much thought — until I learned how to make them.

And boy, let me tell you, if you’re not naturally gifted in the ways of origami, you’re really in for it. (Unless you enjoy hearing the pitter-patter of rice beads skittering across the floor as clumps of braised pork pelt your toes.) 

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Filed Under: Food Porn, Shameless Promotion, Singapore, Snacks, Southeast Asian, Tales From the Road Tagged With: Aunty Khar Imm, Bak Zhang, Bamboo leaves, Glutinous Rice, Jongzi, Pork, Singapore

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