Traditional Indian Apom Stall |
Apom, or the Indian pan cake, is one of the common foods we can get at
most places in Pennag. However, when it comes to the traditional Apom,
it would be a rare one, even in Penang. Yet, I have met with this Indian
hawker who has still practicing the traditional ways of making Apom.
A couple of days ago, I went to Georgetown out of the blue just to taste
this traditional Apom. However, I have reached there too early. When I
reached there, the Indian hawker was just about to set up his stall and
he asked me to wait for a while. And so, I waited at there and have a
little chat with the hawker.
This Indian hawker's name is Guna. Uncle Guna has been
selling Apom at this same location for 30 years and this Apom is passed
down by his father. He told me that his father has been selling Apom for
40 years but at a different location. Sum up the years, this Apom has a
history of 70 years! Uncle Guna opened his stall (despite raining). He
said that his children were all grown up already and each of them was
busy with their own things, and since he has nothing to do at home, so
he came here everyday selling Apom to kill his time.
The
biggest different of the traditional and the modern Apom is that the
modern Apom is prepared using an iron plate while the traditional one is
prepared using clay pot. I asked uncle Guna is it that he is the only
one that is still practicing the traditional ways of making Apom? He
said no. In Georgetown, there are still a few Apom stalls run by the old
hawker that are still practicing the traditional way.
The modern Apom is prepared using the gas while the
traditional one is prepared using the charcoals. One perception I have
towards charcoal is that the food cooked with it is always taste nicer!
See the 'drumsticks' on uncle Guna's hands? These
drumsticks were used to move the hot clay pots. On top of the clay pot
there was another clay pot, with charcoals in it. Uncle Guna said that
this is to heat up the clay pot at the middle so that it was hot enough
to prepare the Apom.
This is the price list of the Apom. I have ordered a RM3 Apom Special.
While uncle Guna was preparing my special Apom, I can smell the really nice butter smell coming from it.
This special Apom was added with egg, condensed milk,
butter and cheese! Special enough? haha.. The hot Apom melts the butter
and cheese, mixing the sweetness of the condensed milk and there you go,
a very delicious soft Apom! Really, if you are looking for Apom, this
is the one I will recommend.
Address
Jalan Dato Keramat
(Opposite Jalan Seang Tek, beside Time Square)
Business Hour
5pm - 9pm (Opened Daily)
This post was originally written on 10th May 2014
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