A taste of Terengganu (with a touch of Kelantan) has come to Puchong, thanks to Mek T, a family-run cafe that serves East Coast specialties.
Rojak betik. This tangy salad of pickled papaya, pineapples & cucumber, smothered in a thick, fishy puree, might prove an acquired taste.
Nasi dagang _ addictively aromatic, with long-grain & glutinous rice cooked with coconut milk for a pleasurable stickiness. Paired with a rather oily tuna curry.
Nasi ulam. Kampung cooking at its tastiest; even reading the menu's description for this is mouthwatering _ rice colored blue with "bunga telang" (clitoria flowers) & accompanied by grilled fish flakes, herbs, crackers, chicken, ulam, gulai & sambal.
Something sinful: Nasi Sedapp Sokmo _ basmati rice with chicken-&-egg curry & pineapple sambal. Delicious, but carbs are the customer's worst enemy at Mek T.
Pulut lepa. Fish-stuffed glutinous rice grilled in banana leaves, best eaten warm.
Laksam. Always a pleasure _ handmade, thick-cut noodles, generously coated in a creamy gravy of fish puree, coconut milk & ulam.
The local version of spaghetti marinara, this laksa comprises noodles in fish paste. Not as terrific as laksam, but tasty nevertheless.
Keropok lekor. Made with more fish than flour (ikan parang & tenggiri).
Kar pek hu sah. The healthy version of keropok lekor, steamed instead of fried.
Mek Pau Goreng. Pan-fried paus, filled with coconut. Fairly fluffy & fragrant.
Lompat tikam. Glutinous rice flour & coconut cream with Gula Melaka syrup. Possibly the quintessential Malay dessert, considering that list of ingredients.
Mek T,
127, Jalan Kenari 23A, Bandar Puchong Jaya.
Tel: 03-8071-5707.
Closed Mondays.
