A frosty glass of Hainan tea

I’d heard recently that the curry laksa at Imbi Market is a local favorite, and that people often stop by for a bowl and a tall, frothy glass of iced Hainan tea (a strong, black tea that is mixed with milk and sugar).  Naturally, I had to try it for myself.  And boy, was I not disappointed.  The curry laksa, a sweet, slightly spicy soup with egg noodles, comes with thinly-sliced roast pork, cockles, Chinese okra, fried bean curd, and crispy tofu skin.  I spooned into a bowl full of this spicy goodness and thanked my lucky stars that I was back in Kuala Lumpur.

While savoring my delightful little bowl of curry, I looked around and realized that weekday early mornings at the market are a hotbed of activity.  I had arrived before 8:00 and found crowds of co-workers sitting around the red plastic tables in the hawker section of the market, gathering together for a meal to start the day.

As an added bonus, halfway through my meal a man carrying a tray of curry pastries stopped at my table, offering me some of his wares.  The pastries looked so unbelievably flaky and smelled so delicious, I immediately purchased one to take back for the hubby, who was busy “making the donuts” at work so that I could have the luxury of lounging around an outdoor market, eating laksa and schmoozing with the locals.

The little pastry in my hand was still warm, weighty and smelled just faintly of curry and potato.  I just couldn’t resist sampling a little corner of it.  You know, in case it tasted funny or something.  Which it didn’t — it was delicious.  But you know, you never know.

Imbi Market | Corner of Jalan Melati and Jalan Kampung | Open until 1:00 pm every day