Life in Malaysia: Middle Eastern Food

Since moving back here, I notice that Middle Eastern restaurants are now as ubiquitous (ooohh...kill me Aunty Ninot) as Tom Yam joints. This is especially so in downtown Kuala Lumpur that is seeing an increasing number of Middle Eastern tourists. In fact, some suburbs have become Middle Eastern enclaves as certain nationalities tend to congregate in the same locality as their fellow countrymen. I have tasted Yemeni, Palestinian, Iraqi, Persian, Lebanese and even Saudi cuisine, either in restaurants or at public feasts. Even the supermarkets and grocery shops are selling what they call Arab bread, a somewhat white, round, leavened bread.

I think this phenomenon is not just caused by the influx of Middle Eastern visitors to Malaysia, it is also the result of the Malaysians having the economic means to travel more often to the Middle East. Also, there's quite a sizable Malaysian expatriate communities in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Even among Mama's circle - an architect in Dubai, housewife in Qatar etc. Ahhh...the borderless world...

We were living in Sydney but somehow was also exposed to heaps of Middle Eastern culture. Apparently, the influx from the Mediterranean area back in the 1960s and 1970s brought along the myriad of culture from nearby regions. Thus, besides Greek and Italian food, we also get Turkish, Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian and Jordanian food. Oh yeah...so we get so many versions of hummus. But I love them all. Travel to any remote area in Australia and almost always, there'll be a kebab shop at a corner somewhere. Serious.

Anyway, we found ourselves in a new township about 45-min drive away from Kuala Lumpur early last week. Mama and Dad had a meeting there and of course, as always, I tagged along. After the meeting, we decided to check what's on offer in that town. Lo and behold, we found not one but two Middle Eastern restaurants. One was closed on that day, so we checked out the opened one called Baghdad Cafe. I have never been to Iraq but it's interesting how they blend Iraqi culture with Malaysian in this restaurant. Let's check it out.

This is what we had. A humongous portion of roast lamb leg, mandey rice and some condiments. A normal person couldn't really finish this so we shared. It was yummy.......

This is what the restaurant called "authentic Middle Eastern tea" - the bottom layer is sugar syrup. In Sydney, we call this Turkish tea and usually served with cubed sugar...so, which one is  authentic?

The restaurant has furniture arranged in clusters unlike other restaurants where the furniture is usually of one type or style. An interesting concept. This corner is for those who want to have a bit of massage - notice the massage pads on the turquoise chairs?

Next to the "massage" corner is a settee set covered in striped cloth with a wooden coffee table. Very relaxed.

Somehow a water feature also fits in the decor.

A tea dispenser set - used as decor.

I looooove the different shapes of lamps they have. So ornate.

Angelina's note: Mama makes a mean Middle Eastern-like rice dish too at home. But our condiments would have lots of chillies in it. After all, we are Malaysians. purrr...meow!