Malaysian Track Cyclists at Old Town Kopitiam Mamak

Non-stop racing for the last two months. Three medals at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India; gold in keirin, silver in 1km time trial and bronze in team sprint. Silver in Asian Games. Two weeks later, UCI Track World Cup in Melbourne, the first opportunity for countries to collect points for qualification at the UCI Track World Championships 2011 and London Olympics 2012. Another two weeks later, another UCI Track World Cup in Colombia.

I already feel out of breath for the Malaysian track cyclists based in Melbourne. These guys must be really tired. It’s not a common ordeal on an annual basis (since Asian Games and Commonwealth Games only take place every 4 years).

So much mental and physical strength, there is no time to lose.

After the tiring first Track World Cup series this round, the whole team decided to get together at Melbourne’s Malaysian Old Town Kopitiam Mamak Restaurant for lunch.

You might remember my last review on this restaurant when my Muslim friend visited Melbourne in this blog entry.

Old Town Kopitiam Mamak

210 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9654 2682

Website: Old Town Kopitiam Australia Official Website | Malaysian Cuisine

This restaurant at QV, just across from the famous Max Brenner’s and above Woolworth’s and Big W’s attracts mostly Asians; because of its authentic food. You know it’s gotta be authentic when the Malaysian restaurant is flooded with Asians but not Caucasians.

Just a general idea on what Mamak is all about; from Wikipedia:

A mamak stall, also referred to as mapley, is a food establishment which serves mamak food. In Malaysia, the termmamak refers to Tamil Muslims, who generally own and operate them. Although traditionally operated from roadside stalls, some modern mamak stall operators have expanded their businesses into restaurant or cafe-type establishments. Mamak stalls tend to be popular among Malaysian youths as hang out spots, due to cheap food and beverages being served 24 hours a day, 365 days a year(off for aldifitri 1/2 days).

In Melbourne, it’s a little bit different. Because of the nature of the business operating hours in Australia, here in Melbourne, the restaurant closes at 10pm at night instead of operating 24 hours. The food served are really authentic Malaysian right down to the ingredients and texture.

The food and drink prices are pretty reasonable too; carefully put together to ensure a win-win situation, meeting expectations and not bursting their overhead costs and outlet rental budget. Prime location at QV, the restaurant is absolutely brilliant to cater to students and tourists; especially Muslim tourists expecting halal food.

L-R: Iced Lemon Tea, Michael Jackson (Cincau Soya Bean), and the ever famous Old Town Teh C Special (3 colour tea).

They also serve Iced Horlicks which bring back special childhood memories.

Kimbeley Yap, budding Malaysian cyclist enjoying her Old Town Kopi.

Let’s review the food we indulged in that afternoon with mains ranging between AUD$9.50 to AUD$14.00. Full menu here.

Mee Goreng

This plate of fried yellow noodles is placed neatly on a cute banana-leaf-like plate. A little spicy, it is garnished with freshly-cut chillies and cucumbers. Any less or more oil would not make this dish as authentic as it is. Being an Australian-Malaysian restaurant, I love that they don’t compromise on the taste making it bland or less spicy to cater to the Caucasians, but what they do to cater to that market is by preparing extra food.

Siamese Laksa

This bowl of Siamese Laksa is quite a large one, with full of ingredients. Cooked with thick rice noodles, mackerel (ikan kembong) and garnished with lots of sliced lettuce, cucumber, mint leaves and freshly-cut chillies, the soup is to die for; absolutely sumptuous and you can add prawn paste into the bowl for additional flavour.

Here’s a better view of the noodles. The difference between Siamese Laksa and other types of laksa has to be the amount of coconut milk and ingredients like; galangal, candlenuts and gingerbuds.

Chicken Curry Laksa

Yellow noodles with chicken cooked in curry, garnished with beansprouts, mint leaves and fried shallots.

Char Kueh Kak

Don’t confuse this dish with Char Koay Teow, although it is cooked in a similar style but with carrot cake. If you’re a health freak, then you will consider this dish a sin. But once you have it, you would believe it’s the best decision you’ve made.

Pan Mee

These soup noodles also come in a dry base. Other ingredients involved in this dish are ikan bilis and minced beef.

Yummy!

Chicken Satay – 1 dozen

We couldn’t have enough of these satay.

Malaysian track cycling coach John Beasley and wife, Vicki Beasley enjoying themselves.

Josiah at it too – he always looks like a hungry vulture whenever I snap a photo of him eating!

Roti Telur

At AUD$4.50, this meal is worth it. Everyone who has had this dish, enjoys it.

Datuk Naim looked like he enjoyed his meal.

Roti Canai

Fatehah Mustapa shows us how it should be eaten; indeed with hands and not with cutlery!

Roti Bom

This one’s yummy. I had to figure out how to enjoy this. Hot roti dipped into sugar or condensed milk or both? The best way to go about it is to have it is to choose either one only.

Asian Games, Guangzhou 2010 gold medalist Azizulhasni Awang.

Rizal Tisin, Commonwealth Silver medalist in the 1km time trial with Mohd Edrus Yunos (Eddy).

Pok, mechanic and Zam the assistant coach.

The ambience of the restaurant is great, with long tables catering for large groups. Service is efficient and fast. The staff work at a very high-level because of the high turnover of customers.

Datuk Naim presented a speech to thank all.

I just love the interior of this restaurant displaying tin cans, truly Kopitiam style.

Apart from the food we had, there were also nasi kandar with papadam (the crispy snack on the left).

Wayne is the head chef of the restaurant.

Yummy.

Group photo of the entire team including track cyclists, support team, psychologist, coach and mechanic.

In true Malaysian style!

L-R: Edrus Yunos, Rizal Tisin, Fatehah Mustapa and Hafiz Sufian.

The couple; Josiah and I with Tya and Azizul.

Watch this video of Datuk Naim, President of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation speaking to the Malaysian track cycling team.

Sekian sahaja untuk hari ini, rakan-rakan blog sekalian. Kalau kamu menjenguk Kim nanti di Melbourne, saya akan bawa kamu ke Oldtown Kopitiam Mamak ataupun Oldtown Kopitiam (Chinatown) supaya anda tidak jelak makan Hungry Jacks ataupun makanan Itali di Melbourne.

I’ll bring you closer to home if you’re starting to feel homesick, fellow Malaysians.

p/s: If you have a Clumff card, you’ll get a free glass of Oldtown White Coffee upon spending minimum AUD$9.00 per person.