What a World!: My Katong Day

After so many years, I have finally made my short trip back to the Tanjong Katong street where I had also called Joo Chiat (but I think Joo Chiat is there too). I am confused about the road names there. The main road is Upper East Coast Road, but I see Tanjong Katong Road, Joo Chiat Road, etc, etc...

Anyway, I used to go there with Dad on Saturdays years ago for the Tau Kua Pao (豆干包). When I was in my school days, dad used to pack them home for lunch whenever he was around that area. So I grew up knowing what that was and I enjoyed it so much, especially eating it with the sauce and chilli.

When I grew older, dad brought me to the place and I finally got to see the stall where I always get the nice Tau Kua Pao.

I had decided to make a trip back there today because I was looking for the kueh called Apom which DJ Anna from Radio 1003 posted on her blog. I tried to look for it at its outlet at Suntec Tower 3 but they don't carry Apom there.

And since I hadn't been back in Tanjong Katong for years, I was hoping I could get whatever I used to eat before and pack them home.

As I walked, I reminded myself to focus on the things that I wanted to buy and ignore the rests because the temptation was getting too much for me to bear. If I wasn't careful, I would buy more than I could stomach.

In the end, I managed to get myself back on track and just buy the things I had wanted to buy TODAY! The rests, I could come another day. :)

Puteria Mas was the place that set me down to Katong today. This was the main outlet which carries the Apom, which was my purpose. Puteri Mas was actually a durian puff specialist. There were also many varieties of swiss rolls, incl durian swiss, chempedak swiss, etc. I saw the chempedak muffins which I thought was interesting so I bought a pack of 2 too.

As for the Apom, when I tried one at home, I realise this may not be my 'acquired' taste. The kueh itself has a soury flavour. The sauce that goes with it was fine though. If I am not wrong, it's a gula melaka sauce with other ingredients.

As for the Chempedak muffins, I have not started eating it yet, as it was more critical to finish the rest. The muffins, I realised, were the only items which can wait till tomorrow.

Next comes the Tau Kua Pao. I bought 4 at $1 each. The stall has moved from its original location which was diagonally opposite to Katong Mall. But it hasn't moved too far, just to the opposite side of the road, which is now at the side opposite of Katong Mall. I saw another coffeeshop selling the same thing and I almost got from the wrong stall. I still enjoyed it especially with the sauce and chilli, I must stress. Really haven't eaten this for a long time. Am now thinking going back to get them again next week. :p

Popiah from Glory! After the first time I ate this, I couldn't forget it and it had been added to my list off 'must get' at Katong since then. One of these popiahs cost $2 previously. Today, it has risen to $2.20. However, the feel I had after eating it was different from the previous times I ate. I wonder why. I did not have that super YUMMY feel today. Either the popiah taste has changed, my taste has changed, or it was eaten only after a couple of hours after.

The Glory Catering outlet actually sells Nasi Padang, besides Popiah, and the other types of kuehs and jams. I haven't tried the other stuff before.

And finally, my visit would not be complete without a bowl of KATONG LAKSA, right? Not really. I decided to stop by because I was too hungry to wait till home after getting all the above items! So I found one stall which was not crowded and sat in there myself with a bowl of laksa and a can of green tea. I was (and still am) never sure which is the original laksa because every one says they are. Anyway, this one which I took the laksa was called Famous 49 Katong Laksa. Let me know if you can share which is the original.