Something’s brewing in Sungai Sireh

On the Food Trail with Tiberius Kerk…
KAMPUNG Sungai Sireh Batu Sebelas is one of those places that you have probably zipped past without realising its existence. It is about 15-20 minutes’ drive from Kuala Selangor. Kuala Selangor is well known for its supplies of fresh seafood, especially prawns and other deep sea fish that grace the tables of the more reputable restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.

During weekends, KL and PJ residents have been known to throng the seafood wholesale outlets to get fresh supplies to replenish their depleting stocks in their home refrigerators.

Frankly, the prices are not much different from the wet markets in the bigger towns. The only difference is that the fish and prawns are fresher than those sold at hypermarkets and supermarkets.

To fastidious housewives, that makes a world of difference. And if you are game for a little aimless driving, you may just end up in Kampung Sungai Sireh.

Some say its proper name is Kampung Sungai Sireh Batu Sebelas. For the rest of us listed under the Ignoramus category, we were just there for a quick bite and may be two glasses of the tarik.

But it was great fun especially for pseudo-city slickers who wished to be reminded of their hometowns of distant memory when greenery was very much part of our childhood.

Rustic environs
Anyway, at the junction of Jalan Parit Satu Sungai Sireh where there’s a big sign indicating “Homestay Sungai Sireh”, there’s a corner shop that sells some snacks, coffee and other home-cooked dishes for kampung folk and passers-by who just couldn’t contain their curiosity.

Don’t be too surprised that the makcik will enquire “datang dari mana?” on spotting outsiders with unfamiliar faces. Naturally, we spontaneously replied that we were from the sprawling district of
Petaling Jaya.

A couple of teh-tariks were swiftly planted on our table while we soaked in the sights and sounds of kampung life, even if we were just on the fringe of the rustic environs.

A stone’s throw from the kedai were two roadside hawkers. One of them was selling “paus” which came either with peanut filling or kaya.

They were not exactly piping hot but when one’s stomach growls, roadside stuff tended to look pretty inviting. A quick enquiry revealed that each pau was 50 sen.

Ten steps away was the other stall which was selling keropok, made famous by Terengganu. These were fresh from the wok. On that fateful day, the keropok pieces came in rounded form, unlike the ordinary ones which were usually thin, hard and crispy. Not knowing whether they were of any good, I simply ordered a ringgit’s worth.

One bite later, I made an U-turn and ordered another bagful. The keropok were better than those sold in most PJ stalls. Since I have been known to be rather fussy, that says a lot for this particular
enterprising Malay guy.

Graceful repose

One or two interrogatory queries later, I found out that this bloke actually has a factory nearby that makes those keropok. For someone who occasionally ventures beyond PJ boundaries, it is a revelation that there are people who know how to make lots of money on the side.

Back at the corner coffeeshop, the pau and keropok made excellent side-dishes for the accompanying teh-tarik.

Kampung Sungai Sireh is a long narrow road that leads straight into the heart of the kampung area which also encompasses Kampung Tengah, Kampung Dato Ahmad Razali, Kampung Sungai Burung and Kampung Parit Empat.

If you were to step on the accelerator a little harder, you may just reach Sekinchan, Pasir Panjang and Sungai Nibong.

Life in this part of Selangor is pretty. Large swarthes of padi fields and swaying coconut fronds will lull you to a graceful repose. The beautiful scenery will lower your blood pressure to that level of
your pre-teen years.

I must add here that simple kampung food fare is at once delightful and tastier than the commercial snacks bountiful in the streets of KL city. Perhaps it’s because the makers of kampung tid-bits put more effort into their cooking and may be a little bit of their heart in their food.

Whatever the secret, there’s nothing to match the exhilaration and joy that accompany scenic village views and endless supply of fresh air that’s becoming a rarity in the more developed parts of Selangor.