As evidenced by last year's Favourite 50 list, we here at FriedChillies really love our simple fried fish and white rice. We don't need much else, maybe a dip or a sauce, a stray vegetable or two. For a while, the world is at peace and life looks just that little bit better. Now there's a boisterous little stall in a quiet food court that's feeding our love for this humble fare, and it packs a pretty powerful punch.
Bawal Power has been operating in the Kota Damansara food court for about four years now. Opened up by passionate foodie friends including Emri Shamreza and Bob Kuman (they're famous entertainers too!), it has since expanded to Uptown Damansara and Ampang Jaya. So why Bawal Power? Because their main dish is nasi bawal, a well-known Penang dish consisting of a plate of hot white rice and deliciously crispy-fluffy pomfret. These friends realized that no one in the Klang Valley was really selling their favourite meal and decided to start a business to bring nasi bawal to us lucky KL-ites.
"Memang power!"
The fish in Bawal Power is marinated with a secret blend and fried just right to cook the sweet flesh of the bawal. They also serve ikan keli (catfish) and chicken, and have also added baby bawal (or "Bawal Jr") and squid to the menu over the years. Emri makes sure that all the ingredients are fresh and well prepared every time his outlets are open. He and his partners also used to go to the markets themselves to buy the fish, but as demand grew, the fish are now sourced by a supplier.
So is it just rice and fish, you ask? While most of us would be happy with just that, it turns out you can improve on perfection. The dish is accompanied by a bowl of ridiculously delicious fish curry gravy cooked slowly for at least 3 hours. "Dia kena lebih dari 3 jam, baru sedap!" says Emri earnestly ("It has to be cooked for more than 3 hours, then only will it taste good!"). Tangy and spicy and so good, you will find yourself drinking it like a soup after you've finished gnawing all the meat off the fish. Little bowl of dipping sauces are also served, one with regular soy sauce, another with onions and chillies drenched in soy sauce, and another of sambal belacan. Rounding out this heaven on earth is a plate of ulam, chopped up raw daun selom, kacang botor (four angled beans), kacang panjang (long beans), kubis (cabbage), and timun (cucumber).
Having a lot of Johorean friends, we jokingly asked the proprietor if he ever plans to add more gravies to the menu later, like asam pedas, for instance. Emri laughs then turns serious. "I honestly don't think so. We don't want to expand the menu too much, or we'll lose out on quality. We do this for the love of the food, not the money. We'll stick to the curry." From a guy who cares so much about quality that he's there at every opening and closing times of his outlets, we believe him.
Next time you're in the mood for simple for simple, home-style Malay fare, head on over to any of their outlets. Their food will not disappoint. Sebab bawal diorang ni memang power.
More Photos To Drool On
This fish curry gravy is killer! Yummy to the last drop. Slurpilicious!
You're right. Memang Power dowh!
by Riz AinuddinFebruary 17, 2012 4:35AM
You must be logged in to post comments
Join the conversation. We love to hear your views.
Foodster's Verdict
Bawal Power
Taste
Address:
Selera Central, PJU5/13, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya Tel: 0134664566
Open:
12pm - 12am Daily
Pros:
Perfect fried fish when you're too lazy to do even that.
.JPG)
You're right. Memang Power dowh!
by Riz Ainuddin February 17, 2012 4:35AM
You must be logged in to post comments