I enjoyed watching Muthu pack mixtures of curry for his customers. There are many different types of curry powder or paste - chillies, tumeric, cinnamon, cardamon, .... The colours varied from bright yellow to orange to different shades of brown. And it was not just the sight, but also the smells that were pleasurable.
Muthu will ask what kind of curries you are planning on cooking, and mix the appropriate amounts of the ingredients to suit the dish as well as your stated hotness tolerance.
We spoke a little about his business. He said that business hadn't been very good these days. It was much better in the old days. He spoke with a tinge of sadness about the old market at Gambier Road. That was where his mother used to run the curry stall. He had taken over from her as she advanced in age. All the stallholders had to move when the authorities stopped the operation of old market in June 2008. Gambier Road Market was Kuching's oldest meat and produce market, with buildings dating back to 1929. All the buildings were demolished in 2009 to accomodate a riverfront walkway.
The stallholders were given the opportunity to move to Stutong Market. Some however decided to retire for good, while others moved their operations to Stutong Market or to other markets. But for Muthu it was never quite the same again ...
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what a nostalgic posting. i remember the curry man at the old gambier rd market too.
ReplyDeleteSimple folks, simple lives.
ReplyDeleteNice piece, JY.
Thanks.
Yeah, i buy my curries from him sometimes also.
ReplyDeleteLovely colours. My memory of curry in Kuching is that unique "Nam Kia" flavour - a kind of gingery taste.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. My dad's old shop used to be at Gambier St... sadly, the latest fire got the final history.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the curry stall outside the mosque at Jalan Market. My family always used to buy the curry paste from there and I thought it was the best in town - do not think it is there anymore. The paste was wrapped in banana leaf. Further on, opposite the main car park outside the mosque used to have a small market selling native produce. A section of the car park, used to be learner's driving place.
ReplyDeleteFor the benefit of non Kuching residents, can you clarify where Stutong Market is. Please use "old" location names (pre 1977) as I understand there has been many new names introduced over the years and most of us still hang on to those old location names. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteStutong is near Tabuan Jaya.
ReplyDeleteStutong Market is opposite Foody Goody, if that's any help at all ;-)
ReplyDeleteOne common ingredient in many curry powder mixtures is turmeric, which is what gives curries a distinctive yellow color. Other popular spices in curry powder include coriander, ginger, garlic, chilies, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, cumin and tamarind.
ReplyDeleteThe main types of curry you might encounter in an Indian or Thai restaurant are red, yellow, and green curry. Red curry is made with red chiles, while green curry is made with green chiles. Yellow curry is made mostly with turmeric and cumin, though it may include hot peppers or pepper flakes as well.
i like Thai green curry!!!
ReplyDeleteStutong is beyond Tabuan Jaya, closer to Tabuan Laru. Guys, can you comment?
ReplyDeleteIn between.
ReplyDeleteThe word CURRY is derived from the south Indian word "curriel", which was used in the local language (Tamil) for a fish stew that contained tamarind and other spices. This was then picked up and transformed into the present "curry" by the British. The word "curry", in its English sense, has no direct translation into any to India's fifteen languages, and Indians do not use the term even when speaking English.
ReplyDeletethere's a not too happy looking smoker at the window in the first photo.
ReplyDeleteStutong market is opposite Kuching Specialist hospital (private), in between Tabuan jaya and Tabuan laru. My wife does her marketing there every Sunday morning. I will be around there if I am back in Kuching. I guess I might have bumped to one of you (SJS 76ers).
ReplyDeleteJohn, when we stayed at Satok Rd. I used to cycle to buy the curry paste for mom. The stall is situated outside a mosque. The name of the stall is "Toko Malindo". Wonder we are referring to the same. Mom loves the curry there. Cheers!
A real shame about the old Gambier Road market. A historical structure lost forever.
ReplyDeletethis weekend i go to Stutong Market and give the Curry Man some business loh.
ReplyDeleteyea John, its kinda nice browsing and buying there from the small market opposite the mosque.sigh..nostalgic it is.
ReplyDeleteCurry...hmmm....how I miss curry dishes over here in Kemboja.
ReplyDeleteTalking about curry, Kuchey curry shop at Batu Lintang stall is still in biz? This is one hell of a good curry stuff guys..
You guys should check it out .Only opens during the day time. The owner is one hell of a loaded guy. Dato'Anthony knows this man.
Bonne weekend guys!!
Any Curry Amok Fish or Curry Amok Chicken in Cambodia, Sinos?
ReplyDeleteHi...Gerard
ReplyDeleteThat was the one and the only!!! You certainly got such good memory, my friend. I cannot recall any others that sell curry paste like that in those times but of course why should one look for others when you tasted the best. LOL
Stutong Market is located on the former squatters colony area, in the center of tabuan dusun, specialist center, tabuan laru and the customs flats(staff). Of course back then there were no tabuan jaya, etc. or whatever.
ReplyDeleteNext to the market will be the 'quite new' 99nos.shop houses loh.
Sinos, Kuchey curry shop at Batu Lintang stall is STILL in business. Next time when you come back, we go makan there k? You belanja.....
Dear Norbert & anonn... Cambodian curry is not as "kick" as M'sian one bro. Sometimes sweet and sometimes one kind of taste punya.
ReplyDeleteThe chix or fish amok with Khmer curry in it mostly are sweet. I am sure Norbert Liew tasted it b4 here.
Sure Norbert, I will belanja you & all who come along to makan bersama at Kuchey's curry.
Bon apetit & bon weekend to all !!
Did I ever tasted fish amok Sinos? Thought I only tasted the Khmer chick only? Well, I don't really know what they served me cos I just eat whatever they put in front of me, haha.
ReplyDeleteSo Sinos, bila nak balik ke Kuching ni? Sik tahan tunggu dah.