Feeble Screams From Forests Unknown

The title is a song by a band called Burzum. Magnificent song, but doesn't have much to do with the subject I'm about to write.

Food. I have very limited experiences from a food in Asia in general, but that's mainly because I don't have too much variety in my diet. If I find a meal that is safe, reasonably priced, tasty and healthy, I'll stick to that. 'Cause especially in Malaysia the available dishes are virtually limitless. And then, I sadly have to say that Hong Kong doesn't offer many options. Sorry, yes the options are many, not that the food isn't safe, healthy nor reasonably priced, but the tastes are sub-par in Hong Kong. There. I said it.

If anyone of you has ever tried traditional cantonese cuisine prepared in a more-moder-way-than-normal, then that's Hong Kong food. I'm missing something about the Roast Duck, Duck Rice, Dim Sum etc. since all that stuff what Hong Kong food culture is famous for, doesn't appeal to me at all. Some individual dishes are good, and the food is not hopeless. I just don't understand what is the hype for in tourist leaflets etc. I've spent quite a bit of time in Hong Kong, and after countless meals, the western and japanese food are the best ones Hong Kong has to offer. I gotta give props for the japanese food in Hong Kong though, since sushi is relatively safe to eat compared to many neighboring countries, due to active and strict government on food regulations. Sadly I don't like raw fish.

The moment you exit the Hong Kong border, wether it is the Sezchuan Kitchens in China, Dim Sum in Taiwan, all the food of Malaysia etc. you have totally different world. Heck, I dare to say that even the airline food tastes better once you cross the Hong Kong border.

From one thing to another, what really bothers me in Asia sometimes when eating is the way of cooking the meat. You have all the wide variety of diseases available from foodstuffs, namely Grand Master Food Poisoning, and yet some cooks (even in high quality restaurants) refuse to cook the meat properly. Seeing a pinkish chicken or pork meat isn't that rare, and boy it gives me aggro nowadays, cause I want to enjoy my meal and usually eat too late so I'm angry to boot with when I'm eating. Medium vs Rare vs Well Done with steaks is another subject, and I'm not going to cover it yet, but until you know where to go to have a steak, I'd suggest to take well done 100% of the time. Especially outside Hong Kong where the food regulations and hygiene might be not so strict.

As a conclusion I'd like to state that Malaysia has the best food. Period. Go there and try Nasi Lemak, Teh Tarik, Satay, Roti Jala, Naan (Indian), Chicken Tandoori, Kampung Fried Rice... etc. Spicy/Mild/Hot you have all the shit, but in general everything tastes great, doesn't cost a dime, and is more than often available 24 hours any weekday (especially Indian kitchens). Malaysians can cook, they complain about food easily (easier to maintain quality), they use spices in a proper way, and they combine different kitchens with great results.