A Great Start to 2009

On the morning of January 2nd, a Friday, we celebrated our new status as people-who-set-their-own-schedules by taking breakfast at a place that we intend to visit more regularly in 2009: Yut Kee.

I don't have much to add to a post I wrote almost three years ago about this Kuala Lumpur kopitiam institution, other than that I can't think of a better way to kick off Dave's first day at his new 'job' than by enjoying excellent fish congee, coffee, and kaya toast in the company of friends. It's establishments like Yut Kee, and people like its proprietors Jack Lee and his son Mervyn, that remind us why we've come to love KL so much.

This afternoon we're off to another Malaysian place we love - Penang. Four days of investigative eating ahead. Stay tuned. 

Comments

[sherry]

Congratulations on your new freedom, Dave. I look forward to hearing all about your adventures together in 2009, Robyn. :-) As if they could get any better!?! Someday I promise to visit Kuala Lumpur... Cheers and Happy New Year!

[Susan]

hi Robyn, it's so exciting to hear that you'll be in Penang as we'd so love to meet you! We've been here for two days leaving Sunday evening. It was funny loading your post because we were literally enjoying kopi o and kaya toast when we saw your photo lol! If there's any chance if meeting would you say hello via the email address? Thank you! Susan

[mycookinghut]

Fantastic!! I love toast with kaya !!! I am looking forward to read your posts about Penang :)

[Jennifer]

A toast to the new year! Can't wait to hear more about this trip to Penang.

[Rick]

So many good eats in Penang. We were there last year for part of our honeymoon and loved the culinary treats. Highlights were the Assam Laksa at Air Itam market (very famous) and the Char Kway Teow on either Macalister road or Lorong Selamat. I used Rasa Malaysias blog for a starting list:
http://www.rasamalaysia.com/2006/10/insider-guide-to-penang-hawker-food_12.html

Anyway looking forward to reading your report as we are returning for a short trip to Penang and Malacca in 7 weeks :-)

Rick

[Margaux]

Hi Robyn! I was browsing through timesonline and they mentioned your site as one of the top ten food blogs in the world! Have been remiss in reading food blogs lately but it was great to recognize your blog on their list - and it says to check out an article on the Philippines to see the great food writing too! I do love the writing and the photography on this blog. By the way, I had five-ways lechon at Bale Dutung of Claude Tayag in Pampanga a couple of weeks ago and remembered you. Oh, just a couple of months ago I learned to eat the eye of the lechon - a friend from Cebu let me in on this secret - it's fabulous! Very rich - might be too rich for some - not to mention a little freaky - but I really dig it, hehe! It tastes like very rich liver. Anyway, holler when you're in the area again. Congratulations again and happy New Year!

[Margaux]

Hi Robyn! I was browsing through timesonline and they mentioned your site as one of the top ten food blogs in the world! Have been remiss in reading food blogs lately but it was great to recognize your blog on their list - and it says to check out an article on the Philippines to see the great food writing too! I do love the writing and the photography on this blog. By the way, I had five-ways lechon at Bale Dutung of Claude Tayag in Pampanga a couple of weeks ago and remembered you. Oh, just a couple of months ago I learned to eat the eye of the lechon - a friend from Cebu let me in on this secret - it's fabulous! Very rich - might be too rich for some - not to mention a little freaky - but I really dig it, hehe! It tastes like very rich liver. Anyway, holler when you're in the area again. Congratulations again and happy New Year!

[Annie]

I'm so envious...take me with you to Penang! Can't wait to hear what you find in your "investigations". I can't wait to go back and visit family there and chow down on all the good food. In the meantime, I'm waiting to live vicariously through you guys.

Oh, and love that kaya toast picture. Drooling...

[Evelyn T]

Hi there!

I really enjoyed reading your posts and not to mention the beautiful pictures you have with it. I don't remember enjoying myself reading a food blog as much as this (as I am a photography enthusiast).

Say, if I may ask.. I am curious which camera that you have been using to take all these great shots?

Thanks for sharing. And also, Happy New Year!
ET

[Anne @ Pink Galoshes]

What a tasty looking picture. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels!

[Nan]

Hi Robyn, I stumbled upon your blog while browsing for food blogs, and I can't wait to see what you write after your food adventure in Penang. I grew up in Penang, and currently live in New York. Penang is a foodie's heaven so enjoy!

[Pete]

Yours is just simply the best food blog I've ever come across on the Net!!

Can't wait to read your upcoming posts on foodie paradise, Penang. I was there 2 months ago, and the street foods were divine.

[Life 2.0]

Robyn and Dave,

Congrats on your decision to go it alone.

[Michelle]

Hi Robyn,

Is it still possible to subscribe to this blog feed so I know when new posts come? I tried to subscribe to your blog but clicking on the link leads to an XML page.

[Dave]

Evelyn, Thanks. I use a Canon digital most of the time these days. I am also known to shoot a roll or two of film.

[Robyn]

Thanks everyone, for your good wishes and nice words. Penang is indeed a food paradise.

Susan - Thanks for your comment. I'm glad we were able to hook up!

Annie - hope we don't make you too homesick.

Margaux - I'm gonna pass on the eyeball, thanks.

[Robyn]

Michelle - the 'subscribe to this blog' link seems to work (at the bottom of the sidebar). Give it a try....

[Bee]

My aunt taught me how to make "kaya" the other day as we reminisced the old but happy bygone days...

[Lochos Vestu]

May 2009 bring many more interesting discoveries that you can hopefully share with your readers here on this blog.

Though I deeply disagree with your misguided support for Obama, which I think is a serious mistake, I look forward to many more of your food posts on your blog.

[Dova]

hi there

i researched a lot on your blog before my trip to malaysia and vietnam. i will write more comments to you abt petaling jaya later.

Yut kee was a highlight for me. we went to yut kee and started talking to the owner's son, Mervyn (guy in black tee). because both him and I and my boyfriend can speak chinese, we started asking mervyn abt the yang tofu.
Initially i wanted to go to foong foong in ampang but got told off by the hotel staff that it is too hard for us to find. but after speaking to mervyn he insisted on us going to Foong Foong, he was right! it was yummy and very packed at lunch.

and amazingly, a day after we met, we bumped into Mervyn again at Pavillion plaza, he was so warm and sweet. we mostly talked abt food and he mentioned his amazing kaya is for sale at 3 ringgit a jar. of course i arranged to meet him again the next day to get 2 jars before i fly out.

the next day we went to his shop to pick it up. since we talked abt laksa before, he also offered to get a hawker down the road to get us a bowl of laksa to sample...what a nice man.

i have my 2 jars of kaya back home safe and sound. and very happy to have met someone so nice in KL.

thanks for your blog.
dova