San Chong Seng: out of this world satay

I had noticed that I seldom wrote review on my hometown Kampar. Probably we seldom eat now nowadays, and even when we did, we only frequent a few joints we were used to. And we put diversity over taste, so as long as the choice of food is a lot, even though it tasted just ok, we dun mind putting up with it. Practicality, not something I am proud of, as a food lover. Another thing that I seldom reviewed is bout stall food. Why, most of them are so medicore, I cant find anything nice (or nasty) to say bout them. However, once in a while, there are exception.

In the old town of Kampar, just behind the old bus station, the same side road as the post office, at the corner, you would find San Chong Seng coffee shop. From the outside, it is a normal coffee shop, with a few stalls, around 6-8 stalls functioning, ranging from clay pot dish, fried noodles (dai chow), chakuetiao, HK chucheongfun, wantan mee, curry mee, and some stalls I had not seen them open before. Operating in morning and also night, this is a frequent joint for the elder generation, especially on weekends for certain reason. The food here is average to the most, but there is one stall which stands above the rest.

Did not see whether there was a name to it, but the satay here is simply awesome. Simple menu, it is either chicken or beef satay, cost RM0.40 per sticks. The stall is run by a modest middle age Malay couple, who are rather friendly. Opening from 6pm, they sell until the satay is sold out, which is rather unpredictable at times. The satay, given the price, is definitely not as big as the satay kajang, but the normal satay you would find in most satay stalls. However, the meat is so juicy, not as dried as the one we tried in Serai. In comparison, those in Serai felt like the satay was harvest from Ethiopia, although the size was bigger. It was marinated so well, that the taste was equally good in every bite. The satay was cooked just nice, with minimal charred, and the meat did not stick to the stick. Even by looking at it, you would know this is definitely a A class satay. The only drawback was the sauce. Although it is filled with nut, I preferred mine hotter. The satay is served with cucumber, minus the onion, which is fine with me, cause I dont eat raw onion anyway.

Overall, this had been one of the best satay experience we ever had, second only to the ones in Cameron Highlands, Brinchang. The taste is rather consistent, making this our staple food whenever we visit this coffee shop.

ratings: 4 half poink!

comments: the sauce not enough, and not hot enough. Put those Satay Kajang wannabe to shame.