Akok Kedut Kelantan- MFF Kelantan #5

My favourite Kelantanese kuih!
Akok kedut is translated as Wrinkly Akok. Because on the east coast, Terengganu's akoks are smooth : )
And there are many types of akok too.

When I told my Kelantanese colleagues from Selancar that I loved Jala Mas, they recommended that I try eating akok and it's even better. Hmmmm....

One day, during Ramadan  Bazaar in Serdang, Selangor, I saw some  akoks being sold. So I bought some.
URRGHHHHH! It was disgusting! It tasted like a soggy cake, almost a syrup soaked bahulu that reeked of imitation essence. Eeewww!

Telur Kesum, a kelantan Peranakan dish- MFF Kelantan #4

This is a dish of the Peranakans in Kelantan.

Yes, peranakans are not only found in Penang, Melaka and Singapore, but in Kelantan as well. They are so assimilated that even their names are Malay names, except that they retained their Chinese family name. There aren’t many and they aren’t as well known as their fellow counterparts.

Cek Mek Molek (with video)~ Beautiful Lady - MFF Kelantan #3

It's true. My Malay friends told me, Kelantanese girls are known for their beauty.

Some said, it's because they eat a lot of 'pulut' (sticky rice) instead of the usual rice, that's why their skin is fair and smooth. Is this statement true or myth... I don't know. But what I really do know is, Kelantanese Malay ladies do look fairer comparatively.

And so, could this be the reason for this snack to be named as 'beautiful lady'? Actually I prefer to translate these as "My Fair Lady". This kuih is found all over Malaysia but it very popular in both Kelantan and Terengganu. Some just fondly call it as cek mek, but anyway... it's the same thing.

Tahi Itik~ Duck Poop- MFF Kelantan #2

2nd attempt

Kelantanese kuihs have very cute names.

It's not made of poop. It's made from the remnants, that is duck egg whites from the eggs made into jala mas. Tahi can also mean remnants instead of poop. But is usually understood as the latter.

My Kelantanese friends never introduced this to me. Instead I got to know of its existence through Raykinzoku's site. After thoroughly reading the site, I found out that he is the brother of my colleague in Selancar. I noticed the relation because of one post.. the one regarding the earthquake and so I called up Sofia. The funny thing is that Sofia doesn't know her brother has a blog until I told her The world is kind of small. It's been years since I last heard from this dear friend.

Ok ok, It was through this site that I found a family who made very delicious Kelantanese fare, so good that they supply to the palace for royal occasions. Raykinzoku knew because he is one  :) I was so glad that the royal kuih maker resided not far from town, quite near the hotel where I stayed when I visited Kota Bahru. But I did need to ask around to make sure I got the right house. Even my fluent Malay can't get me around town much as I can't understand them, but they can surely understand me.
The Kelantanese speak in a special dialect that is indigenous only to the Kelantanese that outsiders may barely understand.

Kuih Jala Mas, the Golden Threads of Kelantan (with video) - MFF Kelantan #1

First attempt

THIS IS NOT ROTI JALA

Whenever I think of Kelantan, the first thing that comes to mind is jala mas.
It was introduced to me by my friend Nurul during my teaching days in Selancar.

And the first reaction I got from my Malay colleagues while seeing me eat was, "Tak manis ke?" which meant, isn't it sweet?
Yes they are sweet, but it's not meant to be eaten like chomp chomp chomp. If one were to slowly savour it, thread by thread, it's actually very nice and fragrant.