Update as of July 2017: Straits Food Company has closed down.
Due to the complexity in preparing Nyonya dishes, and much debatable voices on the flavours of authentic Nyonya, Nyonya restaurants turn to be lesser around KL and Klang Valley compare to Western, Japanese, Korean and such nowadays. Hence, as time goes by, we do appreciate the effort of restaurants and cafes which strive to preserve the best of Baba Nyonya authenticity. Baba Low clearly to be one of them.
Hails from Melaka, the well-known Baba Low has brought over the flavours of Nyonya to KL first in Bangsar Lorong Kurau, a few doors away from Cultura Bakery Cafe (Read HERE). Just two months ago, they continue their Nyonya journey by partnering in Straits Food Company, one of the latest Nyonya cafes in town.
Located behind Shell, Straits Food Company is a hidden yet noteworthy cafe that houses reminense of olden days, having details of old-style kopitiam like patterned floor tiles, steel gates, wooden stools within modern finish.
Straits Food Company’s menu is straightforward, focuses more on street delights together with familar home cooked dishes like ayam pongteh, ikan goreng chilli garam, and sambal prawn, just to name a few.
Pai Tee RM5.50
Begin the meal with peranakan favourite, pie tee that features mouthful of texture – crispy, golden brown top hat pocketed with shredded sengkuang, carrot, egg; garnished with deep fried shallots. Best enjoyed with Straits Food Company homemade ‘cili cuka’, or vinegar chili dip for a spicy, tangy twist.
Popiah Peranakan RM4.50
Since Straits Food Company was running out of otak-otak during our visit, we tucked into their Popiah Peranakan instead. But still, we suggest diners to be there early to savour their aromatic chilli fish wrap.
Their popiah didn’t disappoint, and the rice skin is exceptionally good, freshly made daily to delover moist, smooth rice skin, enveloping turnip, shallots, bean sprouts, egg strips, cucumber. Finished with a dash of gula melaka sweet sauce which certainly brighten up the overall sensation.
Nyonya Laksa RM7.00
Traditional Melaka delights, having choice of vermicelli, yellow noodles or koay teow immerse in beautiful red-orange soup, topped with julienned cucumber, bean sprouts, cockles, prawns and fish cake slices. A balance in sour, spicy, and coconuty concoction, better if loaded with more spicy kick.
Mee Siam RM6.00
A noodle salad that can easily becomes the crowd favourite- spice-fried vermicelle sided with egg strips, fish cake and cucumber. Double in spiciness if were to compare with the Nyonya laksa, but diners can always tone it down by eating along with juicy, crunchy julienned cucumber; else, add on the spiciness with their tongue-numbing, extra spicy yet aromatic sambal. Summerkid got hooked with Straits Food Company’s mee siam and polished clean two plates of them.
Nasi Lemak (RM6.00) + Ayam Goreng Kunyit (RM12.50)
For rice choices, goes for Straits Food Company Malacca Nasi Lemak that fares well with fragrant coconut-milk-infused-rice accompanied by crispy anchovies, groundnuts, egg, cucumber, kangkung air and homemade sambal. Add another RM6.50 for freshly deep-fried, pipping hot Ayam Goreng Kunyit.
Mee Goreng Sejuk RM5.00
Indulge in mee goreng sejuk, the ideal afternoon pick-me-up but may be over-salty for healthy eaters. Sambal and lime come in just right to perfectize the flavours. Fried eggs are optional.
Sambal Prawn RM18.00
Our spicy journey continues with sambal prawn which proves to be milder in spiciness, but packed with punch of flavours. Goes well with rice too.
Ikan Goreng Chili Garam RM7.00
Generously topped with sambal, this Ikan Goreng Chili Garam is downright spicy, elevating the senses with pan fried fish that is lightly burnt at the outer layer, moist and meaty within. Summerkid’s favourite, as he says not many restaurant can achieve this good-old-taste – a sensation that denotes robust, burnt goodness from hot wok.
Pong Teh RM7.00
Serving portion is sufficient for single individual, with about four huge chunks of stewed chicken and potatoes. Remember to opt for a bowl of white rice and douse them with delicious, savoury sweet pong teh sauce.
Kangkung Sambal Belacan RM5.50
Cendol RM4.50
No matter how full you are, do not leave Straits Food Company without trying their cendol! Cendol is currently the only dessert in this cafe, yet the signature and one of the best items from the whole menu. Notably great for its super fine shaved ice, mellow soft and instantly melt-in-the-palate together with pleasing sweetness of palm sugar, rich coconut milk and chewy homemade pandam cendol. Forget about coarsely shaved ice cendol, Straits Food Company is the place yot should look for.
Photographer: Summerkid
Write Up: Summergirl
Address:
Straits Food Company
2, Jalan Abdullah,
Bangsar Utama,
59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Contact no:03 – 2202 0038
Business Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
