Carrying on tasty tradition
Among the Malay Muslim stalls, there are a few names which stand out, and Rosraihanna is one of them.
I have consistently ranked this 40-year-old stall highly in our Makansutra food guide and it has never failed to please.
For starters, its mee rebus (from $3) is still made with mashed sweet potatoes and flour - like how they used to, back in the day.
The sauce looks rough and mushy but it clings so well to the noodles.
The stall enhances it with a splash of dark soya sauce, to lift the umami and salt quotient by a notch.
And of late, it has added tulang (lamb shank bone marrow) and oh, a song of praise should be sung.
That gaminess in the mee rebus separates the pros from the amateurs.
"I used to offer this only on Fridays, but now, every day," says second-generation boss and partner Mohamad Eizam, 40.
His aunt, Madam Rosida Abdullah, helmed the stall for almost 40 years and since her husband died two years ago, Mr Mohamad has helped take over the reins.
"I had been cooking part-time at hawker stalls for over 10 years and when this opportunity came up, I jumped at it," he says.
'NO REGRETS'
So Mr Mohamad left his security service job and went in "with no regrets".
The stall's satay is also different.
It is handmade and skewered, the softness in texture a giveaway.
I love the chunkiness and the nuttiness of the peanut sauce dip.
They have a soto engine ($4) - a soto ayam with bits of offal like beef tripe and heart, lung or whatever they have that day.
It looks like car engine parts in a soup. Hence the name, I guess.
Its satay gado ($4.50) with three sticks of roasted satay stuck into a little mound of peanut sauce, topped with fish crackers, is pleasing.
It is unapologetic in presentation because it is all about quality.
It is crunchy and soft yet crispy with greens, nuts and tofu. The peanut sauce is rich, nutty and smooth.
Mr Mohamad has something special to attract new customers: Beef ball soto.
I know I have to go back once it is up on the menu.
Rosraihanna
B1-19, Golden Mile Food Centre
505 Beach Road
- 12pm to 10pm
- Closed on Sundays
Makansutra, founded by KF Seetoh, is a company that celebrates Asian food culture and lifestyle. It publishes food guides in and around the region, produces a food series, develops interactive mobile content and services, operates foodcourts and eateries, organises food tours and events, and consults on culinary concepts.
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