"The onion and cabbage add something special..."
It’s a quiet night in a quiet neighborhood. A leafy, hilly area, with cosy little houses whose lights are starting to switch off one by one. (It is getting pretty late, after all.) It feels like Petaling Jaya. It looks like Petaling Jaya. But there is a hint of salt in the air. You’re about 300 km away from Petaling Jaya. This is Tanjong Bungah, Penang.
Being so far away from home really gives you the munchies. My road trip partner and I are driving towards Feringghi looking for an appropriate roadside stall when we get a text telling us about an awesome burger van in Tanjong Bungah. Greasy goodness and ocean breeze? Wild horses couldn’t keep us away.
This unnamed burger truck has been around these parts for about 30 years - yes, since the 1980s! The Australian RAF were in the area and were their main clientele until the army moved out in 1986. Now the truck sits on Jalan Sungai Kelian, down aways from the Esso station, across the road from the fruit stalls. They sell what appears to be run-of-the-mill street burgers, until you peer a little closer. A veritable mountain of fried onions and cabbage are on standby on the grill, and this, my friends, is what makes their burgers.
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"Happiness in a styrofoam box..."
I have a little treat for burger lovers out there. About a year and a half ago, two brothers in Kelana Jaya named Mad and Afzal decided to open a burger stand with a bit of a twist; Steamed Ramly Burgers. During the day, the duo sell nasi lemak not far away (near the Health Clinic), by night they are happily steaming burgers, the oblong and the round kind. Their selections are quite impressive. Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Venison, Rabbit and Ostrich (only Chicken and Beef is Ramly's).
One brother mans the steamer grill section, and the other packs the burgers. The burger patty is first steamed in a stainless steel steamer for a few minutes and then transferred to a mobile gas griller, believe it or not. The steamed grilled burger is then dipped into a black pepper sauce pot for a few minutes before being fished out and handed to the 'packing' section.
Several things are done here. If someone orders a special, Afzal cracks open an egg, expertly spreads it on the flat pan and after a few moments, wraps the steamed burger with it. Buns are also toasted on this flat pan and the thing is, instead of using margarine or planta, they use vegetable shortening as the bun spread. Nice! Gives it the 'lemak'/rich taste. Next, styrofoam boxes are taken out and the burger is packed. By this time, patrons already have the "tak tahan look" on their faces. They know how good this will taste. Bun, mayo, salad, burger, onions, chili, secret sauce and lastly bun is neatly packed in. Basic set is RM2.80! or have it your own way with double burger, cheese top up, single egg wrap or go crazy with everything on Double Special Cheese at RM6.00!
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"The fish burger has real chunks of fish!"
Jackson’s Burger in Section 14 PJ has been around for decades but it was only recently that I came across this gastronomic find. Run by Mr and Mrs Han, many might wonder how did the name “Jackson” end up in the equation. No, the couple are not ardent fans of the late King of Pop. But they do flip hundreds of those juicy burgers every day of the week.
The Hans’ business partner, Jackson, started the burger stall in the 70s but has since moved away and left the couple in charge. I was quite pleased when I found that I can come here for lunch. Yes, they only open during the day from 11am to 5pm (provided it’s not raining). Needless to say the Hans are giving Ramly a run for his money. The plus side of Jackson’s burgers is that they not only have chicken and beef patties, but crab and fish are also tossed on to the grill.
While you might think the patties are your garden variety, factory mass-produced meat, I have to regale that they are actually not. The source of the special home-made patties is however unknown. The van is parked under a tree opposite two houses along Jalan 14/29 in Section 14 and plastic stools are laid out for customers to go al-fresco. While enjoying my crab cheese burger topped with fresh onions and cucumber between two toasted buns, the lunch crowd started coming in for their feed. You can also choose to add egg or cheese with your burger. Canned drinks are also available to quench your thirst. Mrs Han’s cool composure was endearing. She handled the grill while Mr Han took the orders and did the packing, with a bit of bickering thrown in when one of them messes up.
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