Mamaks and Hawker Centers

Hawker Center History (from Wiki)

Anthony Bourdain made the Maxwell Street Hawker Center in Sing famous in the West.  Tian Tian Chicken Rice there is world famous.  (Chicken rice is so simple but so spectacular.)  They're really special little places.

I see them called makams a lot.  But, a Google search doesn't jibe with that.  That's because I used the wrong word...

Mamaks

Makams are mausoleums.  Ooops.

Food in these stalls is dirt cheap.  Meals of delight and flavor for less than $5USD.  Frequently less than $3!  All cooked to order.  All family run businesses.  The best way to eat in Malaysia or Singapore.  I did not really experience them in my visits to HKG.

Hmmm, I just looked through my pics.  Nothing showing anything but food.  Because every time I thought about taking a photo, I decided it seemed invasive in the lives of ordinary people.  I don't do that.  I'm actually proud of that.  Wait, I did...

Chinese Sausage Rice

The sticker in the center of the table is very common - it's the drinks menu

The pictures capture some of the defining features of a hawker center:

• Less than 4 walls
• Indestructible shared seating.
• Plastic/melamine dishes.
• Drink menu pictures in smaller places (with only one drinks vendor.)

Here's a selection of food.  You can see the tables are as simple as they are unbreakable

Kolo Mee

Sarawak Laksa

Char Kuey Teow

Nasi Goreng

Pork Satay

Braised Pork Platter

Another braised pork platter.

Kolo Mee

Chicken  Rice

Bee Hoon Mee

"Half boiled" egg with kaya toast

This is "restoran" food - note the fancier plates.  

Beef Rendang

You don't get garnishes at local stall.

Nasi Lemak with Beef Rendang

'I don't remember; I can't recall.'

Here's a short experience in one ...