Scenes

The scene was set. There we were, on our usual hang-out sessions. We were slightly older and we were in a mamak stall.

Let me explain what a mamak stall is.

In Malaysia, not everyone can afford to eat out in expensive restaurants.
So mamak stalls were created by Indian Muslims or just your regular many-gods-lovin’ Indians. Mamak stalls were roadside stalls with several tables in flimsy shelter meant for maybe 5-6 groups at most? It served cheap, tasty, delicious food that everyone could afford. Think of it as a halal watering hole. Mamak is the name given to Indian Muslims in Malaysia. Mamak stalls then eventually evolved to better environments. From beside roadsides to proper restaurant-like buildings. However they kept one thing same: the availability of cheap and delicious food.

Best part? They stay open for hours. Some run on a 24 hour basis. So whether you’re there for cheap food, to chill with your mates, catch-up, get dinner, watch a football match, study even – it was always open and serving. It’s one of the many things I love Malaysia for.

Mamak stalls had another thing in common- you could people-watch! And it was always interesting because you’d have the same people visiting each time. It really was like a local pub where people’s IQs remained at sane levels due to the lack of alcohol.

In my dream, I sat with my friends at a random mamak stall. We were eating (of course), chilling and reflecting on life. How we had the time at that point of our lives to do that, I don’t know.

But it was a blissful dream. I miss home. I am going home for good some day.

I leave you all with some tantalising treats. When Malaysians do food, we do it good.