Tanjung Sepat, Selangor
Slightly more than an hour and a half drive from KL, through the country side- the kampung and stretch after stretch of oil palm estates, sits a quietly hidden charm for a city getaway. Despite the journey, i was fascinated by the view of my surrounding along the way. The old, rustic brick houses meet the wooden homes of the people. Small and narrow roads. Gardens of dragon fruits. Brick factories. Passed by the racing circuit of Sepang and drove through a peculiar town known as Sungai Pelek, literally translated as 'Weird River'; from the greens, we cruised along a short coast line, still high tide and the bottom of the mangrove trees submerged in sea water.
As we moved into the heart of Tanjung Sepat, our car stood at a momentary standstill: traffic. Holidays spell crowd, but sometimes, i prefer to visit such places when there are tourists.
Breakfast, Hai Yew Heng Pau
Everything was within walking distance for our first part of this eating 'makan' adventure. We parked our car near the Hai Yew Heng Pau shop and walked to the opposite side of the road for breakfast. The kopitiam was crowded with tourists flocking in, scavenging for tables to sit. We picked our food over a counter table, ranging from RM 1 to RM 9 depending on what we took. We had fried crab (RM 4), fried fish (RM 9), fried prawn cracker (RM 1), some carrot cake and fried roll. I personally favoured the fish, though a little pricey but worth trying. The prawn cracker was pretty crunchy. The fried crab was not bad but given the situation of the morning breakfast rush in the shop, i did not enjoy it as much as i would when indulging on crabs.
You can save your stomach for more snacks outside or around the shop. Fish balls were aplenty. RM 5 for 19 pieces. Fish paste-stuffed taufu, or beancurd. I liked the beancurd. It had the sweetness infused in the white of this dish.
We walked further down the road into Kwo Zha B Coffee. Not much of a coffee fan, there were samples to try before purchasing the ready made packets.
Then, we walked back into the famous pau factory to see the process and making behind these little, innocent but incredible stuffed buns. I watched as the workers, looking pleased and relaxed despite the long queue and large crowd outside, scooped the fillings onto a flattened dough before wrapping and shaping them into the pau buns we have known. Their easy going attitude in making these delicacies was one i truly admired. When i took my first bite on a Vege with Pork Pau 'Mei Cha Bao' (RM 2), the pau soft and smooth from the steaming, and then I reached the fillings, the treasure, and it was one, unlike the others in KL, that i definitely enjoyed eating. I could almost taste their sincerity in the pau. No doubt a popular site that is both a must-see and must-do while in Tanjung Sepat. Other paus made freshly here are the Pork Pau, Kaya Pau, Green Beans Pau, Vegetable Pau and Peanut Pau, ranging from RM 1.40 to RM 2.20.
Ganofarm
Not long after that, we drove to our next destination. I realized there are many temples in the little village- and when i saw the map of this place, there are six in the vicinity. The next stop was one my family had talked about (this was their second visit; it was my first) and i was highly anticipating it as i am a mushroom lover!
The Ganofarm, a mushroom and Ling Zhi farm, was not very far from where we had our breakfast. Again, cars were filling the parking lots and tourists were flocking the farm. At the back of my head, i expected to see a farm, as its name suggests, but that section was not for the public. There were samples of mushroom cultivation at the entrance such as the Ling Zhi mushroom, oyster mushroom and lion head mushroom, among others. Benefits of consuming these mushrooms were displayed on the boards above them. Generally, some are antioxidant, anticancer, anticoagulant, good detoxification agents and good blood pressure regulators. I could also feel the mushrooms! The visit to the store is a must. Firstly, you can find almost all mushroom products. Secondly, you can only find some items selling here, only in this store. Thirdly, some items are cheaper than the market. Fourthly, you just have to get in. I bought bottles of nutritious mushroom drinks, at RM 2.50 each.
Somewhere near the entrance, there is a stall that sells tasty 'mua chee'- pandan and original flavours.
Ocean Seafood Restaurant
Lunch time! The crowd was massive. To wait for a table and for the food to be served took us nearly twice, or thrice, the time we took to eat them. The wait was worthwhile- we were not in a rush at that time, and Ocean Restaurant (spelled Ocen at a signboard leading to the restaurant) is one to try when visiting Tanjung Sepat. What we had was recommendable and the price was affordable. Located at a seaside, the smell of salt water always present, we had oysters on sizzling hot plate, fried mi hoon, curry sting ray, fried rice, steamed fish and claypot taufu soup (or taufu-kan). The fried mi hoon and fried rice may look plain but they were tasty. The oysters were delicious- juicy and fresh. The scrambled egg only complemented the oysters. The steamed fish was sweet. Its sauce was not too salty. The curry sting ray was great. And the taufu-kan was pleasantly flavourful. We had these all in under a hundred Ringgit.
Lover Bridge
Just outside the Ocean Restaurant was the Lover Bridge. Half cemented, half wood; perhaps, if i walked to the end of the bridge, i may find love. But that did not happen. The bridge stretches out into the sea. The tide was low, revealing the many playful mud-skippers. It was breezy despite the heat, and although i did not find love there, i loved the tranquility of the sea with the shades of blue and green fading towards the horizon. A fisherman boat was harboured at the side as i made my way to the end of the bridge.
The left is where i come from- cemented section of the bridge, towards the wooden end at the sea on the right.
Yek Loong Enterprise
Almost reaching the end of this journey, we stopped by the Yek Loong Enterprise fish ball factory and went in for fish ball shopping. At the back of the shop was a mini factory to see how the fish balls are formed. A big frying pan was there as they sell fried food too. In the front, i watched how the fish paste 'wan ton' was folded and made, and an old lady preparing taufu-pok with fish paste. The back of the shop was slightly wet and slippery, so take care when you move around.
Passion fruit
Passion fruit seemed to be abundant in Tanjung Sepat- and they come in all forms! The ice cream stall outside Ocean Restaurant served passion fruit ice cream, made frozen only at our orders, on the spot. Priced at RM 1 and recommended by a family who bought the ice creams before i did, it was just refreshing on a hot and sunny day at the sea side. Not as sour as eating the fruit itself though. There are other flavours such as champagne (blue coloured which captured my attention; the kid holding) and chocolate. Then, there was the passion fruit jelly nearby. Tasted a bit weird, but weird creates adventure and experience, right? Not very fond of the jelly, unfortunately. At the Yek Loong Enterprise, there was the passion fruit bottled drink, selling at 3 bottles for RM 10. This was sourish-ly nice.
On our way back to KL, we stopped by the roadside to buy dragon fruits. They were just so pink!
Primarily a fishing town, Tanjung Sepat is a quiet charm, a beating heart as the tourism industry flows these interesting wonders through its veins, and reminding us of a life in simplicity. A one day trip that becomes a good getaway. The place was named after a little freshwater fish called 'ikan sepat' that was unexpectedly discovered at the paddy fields and the Malay word for cape is 'Tanjung'. Don't expect something extravagant because these places are not to wow you with great technology, but instead, sit back and slowly unwind as the breeze blows at the Lover Bridge through to the Ocean Restaurant, the choices of mushrooms, the awesome pau and the passion fruit plenty.
For more info, check this website.
As we moved into the heart of Tanjung Sepat, our car stood at a momentary standstill: traffic. Holidays spell crowd, but sometimes, i prefer to visit such places when there are tourists.
Breakfast, Hai Yew Heng Pau
Everything was within walking distance for our first part of this eating 'makan' adventure. We parked our car near the Hai Yew Heng Pau shop and walked to the opposite side of the road for breakfast. The kopitiam was crowded with tourists flocking in, scavenging for tables to sit. We picked our food over a counter table, ranging from RM 1 to RM 9 depending on what we took. We had fried crab (RM 4), fried fish (RM 9), fried prawn cracker (RM 1), some carrot cake and fried roll. I personally favoured the fish, though a little pricey but worth trying. The prawn cracker was pretty crunchy. The fried crab was not bad but given the situation of the morning breakfast rush in the shop, i did not enjoy it as much as i would when indulging on crabs.
Humble looking kopitiam buzzing with crowd.
Pick your food.
Nicely arranged on the tray, ready for 'prey' like us.
There were so many fishballs around, homemade, oval shaped fishballs. No doubt, a fishball frenzy coming out way.
We walked further down the road into Kwo Zha B Coffee. Not much of a coffee fan, there were samples to try before purchasing the ready made packets.
On the shelf.
Making, making.
Innocent buns?
Ganofarm
Not long after that, we drove to our next destination. I realized there are many temples in the little village- and when i saw the map of this place, there are six in the vicinity. The next stop was one my family had talked about (this was their second visit; it was my first) and i was highly anticipating it as i am a mushroom lover!
The Ganofarm, a mushroom and Ling Zhi farm, was not very far from where we had our breakfast. Again, cars were filling the parking lots and tourists were flocking the farm. At the back of my head, i expected to see a farm, as its name suggests, but that section was not for the public. There were samples of mushroom cultivation at the entrance such as the Ling Zhi mushroom, oyster mushroom and lion head mushroom, among others. Benefits of consuming these mushrooms were displayed on the boards above them. Generally, some are antioxidant, anticancer, anticoagulant, good detoxification agents and good blood pressure regulators. I could also feel the mushrooms! The visit to the store is a must. Firstly, you can find almost all mushroom products. Secondly, you can only find some items selling here, only in this store. Thirdly, some items are cheaper than the market. Fourthly, you just have to get in. I bought bottles of nutritious mushroom drinks, at RM 2.50 each.
Feel them.
Ocean Seafood Restaurant
Lunch time! The crowd was massive. To wait for a table and for the food to be served took us nearly twice, or thrice, the time we took to eat them. The wait was worthwhile- we were not in a rush at that time, and Ocean Restaurant (spelled Ocen at a signboard leading to the restaurant) is one to try when visiting Tanjung Sepat. What we had was recommendable and the price was affordable. Located at a seaside, the smell of salt water always present, we had oysters on sizzling hot plate, fried mi hoon, curry sting ray, fried rice, steamed fish and claypot taufu soup (or taufu-kan). The fried mi hoon and fried rice may look plain but they were tasty. The oysters were delicious- juicy and fresh. The scrambled egg only complemented the oysters. The steamed fish was sweet. Its sauce was not too salty. The curry sting ray was great. And the taufu-kan was pleasantly flavourful. We had these all in under a hundred Ringgit.
Lover Bridge
Just outside the Ocean Restaurant was the Lover Bridge. Half cemented, half wood; perhaps, if i walked to the end of the bridge, i may find love. But that did not happen. The bridge stretches out into the sea. The tide was low, revealing the many playful mud-skippers. It was breezy despite the heat, and although i did not find love there, i loved the tranquility of the sea with the shades of blue and green fading towards the horizon. A fisherman boat was harboured at the side as i made my way to the end of the bridge.
The left is where i come from- cemented section of the bridge, towards the wooden end at the sea on the right.
Yek Loong Enterprise
Almost reaching the end of this journey, we stopped by the Yek Loong Enterprise fish ball factory and went in for fish ball shopping. At the back of the shop was a mini factory to see how the fish balls are formed. A big frying pan was there as they sell fried food too. In the front, i watched how the fish paste 'wan ton' was folded and made, and an old lady preparing taufu-pok with fish paste. The back of the shop was slightly wet and slippery, so take care when you move around.
Mixing the fish ball before shaping them.
Skillfully making the 'wan ton' fish paste.
Passion fruit
Passion fruit seemed to be abundant in Tanjung Sepat- and they come in all forms! The ice cream stall outside Ocean Restaurant served passion fruit ice cream, made frozen only at our orders, on the spot. Priced at RM 1 and recommended by a family who bought the ice creams before i did, it was just refreshing on a hot and sunny day at the sea side. Not as sour as eating the fruit itself though. There are other flavours such as champagne (blue coloured which captured my attention; the kid holding) and chocolate. Then, there was the passion fruit jelly nearby. Tasted a bit weird, but weird creates adventure and experience, right? Not very fond of the jelly, unfortunately. At the Yek Loong Enterprise, there was the passion fruit bottled drink, selling at 3 bottles for RM 10. This was sourish-ly nice.
On our way back to KL, we stopped by the roadside to buy dragon fruits. They were just so pink!
Primarily a fishing town, Tanjung Sepat is a quiet charm, a beating heart as the tourism industry flows these interesting wonders through its veins, and reminding us of a life in simplicity. A one day trip that becomes a good getaway. The place was named after a little freshwater fish called 'ikan sepat' that was unexpectedly discovered at the paddy fields and the Malay word for cape is 'Tanjung'. Don't expect something extravagant because these places are not to wow you with great technology, but instead, sit back and slowly unwind as the breeze blows at the Lover Bridge through to the Ocean Restaurant, the choices of mushrooms, the awesome pau and the passion fruit plenty.
For more info, check this website.
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