Traditional Teochew mooncakes incorporate lard into both the skin and the fillings, the pronunciation of lard in Teochew language is “la”, hence the name “La Piah”. Its crust is thin and flaky, its fillings thick and soft; it is round and shaped like a drum, and baked to a golden hue. Another Mid-Autumn Festival delicacy is “La Ko”, a steamed glutinous rice pudding with lard,...
Scissors Sharpening in Petaling Street
“Did you know that scissors have got a heart?” Uncle Chow Hon Meng points at the pivot screw connecting the two blades. This heart, which does not beat, plays a key role in cutting performance, as it controls the blade tension, neither too tight or too loose, in order to function properly. Sharp blades create a smooth, clean cut, whereas dull blades are inefficient, resulting...
Apam Balik in Petaling Street
Uncle Hon Tin Long is a daily fixture among the hawkers of Petaling Street. He pushes a trishaw cart onto Jalan Hang Lekir, and sells freshly made apam balik and nyonya apam balik under a colorful umbrella. Uncle Hon is always jovial, and can chat with passersby. Now over 70 years old, he has been in Petaling Street for almost six decades, running his own...