"Wah. The weather so cold now. If only Melbourne got mamak stall, that would be so syiok."
"So hard to make roti canai and tosai on my own.. Here got sell, but so expensive. Cannot eat out everyday and order as much as you like back in Malaysia".
"HAR! You know ar!! In KL, I can order maggi mee goreng, roti telur tambah bawang plus cheese naan only cost less than RM10. Got change somemore! Here order one mee goreng also A$7.90 (approx RM23) already. Eat no full some more. And then teh tarik (A$3 = approx RM 9) they ready made already. Terus pour from the large jug! No buih!! Sakit hati!!"
These are the common complaints you will often heard from Malaysian students in Australia. There would be a moment or two that these conversations will spark out - either with fellow home-sick Malaysian students or on MSN venting their displeasure to family members and friends back home.
Missing mamak food is one thing, but don't know how to make one is another. And even if you managed to find a place serving mamak food (ecstatic joy as if you have found gold treasure), the opening hours are just not right (closed before 10pm. Aisey!! Mamak is for supper what, close so early no point already) and the prices are expensive ($2 for roti canai, $8.90 for nasi lemak with the rice absolute no fragrance of pandan leaves whatsoever).
Eh, what about our fellow uni-mates from India? I mean what is it like for them to come to a foreign country with the national currency even weaker than Malaysia's? They grew up eating spicy curry with chapatis and rice in every meal!! Comparing with eating out in India and ordering Indian food served in Melbourne, there would be a huge difference after converting it to the strong Australian Dollars. Many Australians (or even we, Malaysians) would find that eating out in India would cost next to nothing.
Surely, for them, just like us Malaysian students, would feel that spending $2 on a roti or $3 on a chapatti or $8.90 for a chicken briyarni is much too dear. Even if you got the money and you never think twice paying $6.90 for Dan Dan Mian or $7.90 for Spicy Chicken on Rice, you would still feel somewhat reluctant on spending that much on a particular food when you know you can get the same thing back at home. Especially when back at your national country, it is so much cheaper that everyone can afford to order second or third servings or even pay for the whole table without second thoughts.
Last night at home, J received a call from his friend A, a student from Northern India. He need help in installing a speaker system in his car. Upon arrival, A and his housemate, V (also from India) were cooking dinner. J noticed that they were making chapattis and curry chicken. The smell was enticing. When they invited J to join them for dinner, he accepted it with much enthusiasm. J thought that it was simply marvellous for these bachelor students making their own chapattis and curries .. the sight came as a big surprise because he never thought that they are making such good food like these. He proclaimed that they put up quite a lot of effort in preparing their dinner. And they cook like this quite often!
And so, thanks to A and V's generous hospitality, J got the taste of his beloved country, Malaysia. It is such a wonder that all of them come from different continents of the world and yet share the fondness of the same simple, food. It all fits into the Muhibbah spirit doesn't it? =) Food does bring people together.. Selamat Hari Merdeka, you guys, wherever you are!
And now, to the pics *pics were taken with a phone so they aren't clear. Forgive me! J had not thought of bringing his camera with him.. He didn't know that he's about to have a great dinner!*
.jpg)
Fresh chapattis from the griddle with curry chicken
.jpg)
J had 4 of these wholesome pancakes
.jpg)
A & V - The gracious hosts from Northern India
Missing mamak food is one thing, but don't know how to make one is another. And even if you managed to find a place serving mamak food (ecstatic joy as if you have found gold treasure), the opening hours are just not right (closed before 10pm. Aisey!! Mamak is for supper what, close so early no point already) and the prices are expensive ($2 for roti canai, $8.90 for nasi lemak with the rice absolute no fragrance of pandan leaves whatsoever).
Eh, what about our fellow uni-mates from India? I mean what is it like for them to come to a foreign country with the national currency even weaker than Malaysia's? They grew up eating spicy curry with chapatis and rice in every meal!! Comparing with eating out in India and ordering Indian food served in Melbourne, there would be a huge difference after converting it to the strong Australian Dollars. Many Australians (or even we, Malaysians) would find that eating out in India would cost next to nothing.
Surely, for them, just like us Malaysian students, would feel that spending $2 on a roti or $3 on a chapatti or $8.90 for a chicken briyarni is much too dear. Even if you got the money and you never think twice paying $6.90 for Dan Dan Mian or $7.90 for Spicy Chicken on Rice, you would still feel somewhat reluctant on spending that much on a particular food when you know you can get the same thing back at home. Especially when back at your national country, it is so much cheaper that everyone can afford to order second or third servings or even pay for the whole table without second thoughts.
Last night at home, J received a call from his friend A, a student from Northern India. He need help in installing a speaker system in his car. Upon arrival, A and his housemate, V (also from India) were cooking dinner. J noticed that they were making chapattis and curry chicken. The smell was enticing. When they invited J to join them for dinner, he accepted it with much enthusiasm. J thought that it was simply marvellous for these bachelor students making their own chapattis and curries .. the sight came as a big surprise because he never thought that they are making such good food like these. He proclaimed that they put up quite a lot of effort in preparing their dinner. And they cook like this quite often!
And so, thanks to A and V's generous hospitality, J got the taste of his beloved country, Malaysia. It is such a wonder that all of them come from different continents of the world and yet share the fondness of the same simple, food. It all fits into the Muhibbah spirit doesn't it? =) Food does bring people together.. Selamat Hari Merdeka, you guys, wherever you are!
And now, to the pics *pics were taken with a phone so they aren't clear. Forgive me! J had not thought of bringing his camera with him.. He didn't know that he's about to have a great dinner!*
.jpg)
Fresh chapattis from the griddle with curry chicken.jpg)
J had 4 of these wholesome pancakes.jpg)
A & V - The gracious hosts from Northern India
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