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2009-01-03
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I dislike nightlife, in a sense that post-dinner gatherings often turn into binge-drinking parties for those who think they can hold liquor like a bottomless pit, or as Chinese call them "wine colander". And even if there is drinking involved, I usually pass on it, just because I think that getting drunk is hugely embarassing, plus anything you say or do is really just a funny act as you won't remember a single thing when the influence's out the window. Plus the hangover afterwards. There is onl
At any given time 強記 is still crowded with people. Located in the middle of nowhere -- I call that because its location is in between two major bus stops (Lockhart Road Library and Sogo), between two tram stops (C.C. Wu Building and 'goose neck bridge'), and around the bend where no car can stop for more than 5 minutes without getting a parking ticket. Still people from all corners of town come for its treats -- fit for quick bites or midnight snacks. Some like them for dinners too. 強記's signatures include "Glutinous Rice with Chinese sausages" ($20, one size), and Panfried Rice Rolls ($13). You can see both of them being prepared on the spot, front and centre in the shop. The rice rolls were bought plain, but 'sauteed' in an old style Chinese restaurant 'fried dimsum cart', one that has wheels and a thick plastic shield with shelves putting pre-fried items on. Batons of rice rolls are quickly seared on the hot metal plate with the familiar sizzling sounds of hot oil, caramelizing the sides fast. The aroma of it spread out into the shop and round into the alley, where tables are laid. The owner, with a swift motion, scooped the fried rice rolls onto a big square of wax paper, soy sauce here, sesame sauce there. Sweet or Chili sauces are on separate bottles for personal preferences. The sesame sauce adds depth to the soy sauce, I think, as otherwise plain rice rolls take on better tastes than just soy sauce.
"Glutinous Rice with Chinese sausages" is a classic. A bowlful for $20 may seem steep, but having arrived I picked through it, and realized how much went in that little bowl of rice -- Plain glutinous rice were sauteed and cooked on the stove until fluffy and cooked through, then Chinese sausages (plain and liver varieties), and shiitake mushrooms are chopped into bits and blended into the rice. The essential juices and oils of the sausages will go into the rice as the owner continuously stir the pot to ensure that every bit of rice gets the heat and moisture so that the top will not be dried out despite exposed to the atmosphere. Chopped dried shrimps added richness to the rice, while scallions offered the lone spot of green and a fresh crunch to the dish. I love Chinese sausages and tasting the rice by the lump offer me a filling snack that will ensure my journey home safe and fulfilled.
Who'd be at 強記 without trying their "Mixed-Bean Dessert" (喳咋;$8 for small, $16 for large). Almost nobody orders the small one, as it really contains only a few spoonfuls. You'll never have enough if you have a small. Plus, if you come to think of it, two smalls do NOT equal one big one, even the owner says so. The mixed bean dessert is a traditional blend of beans and pulses which are slow-cooked together with some stirring and addition of coconut in the mix for flavouring and a tropical aroma. The beans have to be thoroughly soaked in advance, then added to the mix in separate stages as each bean variety cooks for different period of time. You want to spoon up with mashed adzuki beans but with some bite on the chickpeas and kidney beans as well. This one is wonderfully executed, with every bite filled chockful with beans. Its scrumptiousness is beyond many similar desserts in more celebrated joints. The addition of desiccated coconut added a nice touch, and the last minute drizzle of evaporated milk rounded out the smoothness in texture.
If the above is still not enough to beat your midnight hunger, you can always have a bowl of "sweet mung bean soup". It only comes in hot and certainly it should only be hot. It is richly flavoured with herbs and the presence of sea kelp added depth to the whole dessert. Then of course that's for those with a sweet tooth, those who favour the savoury can try their "panfried noodles", which is not very greasy and filling at the same time.
I've never had a bad experience at 強記, in a sense that aside the sometimes hostile service you get, and it being on the streetside in the dark alley next to a ditch, it's truly a worthy joint popular among people of all ages. Sometimes you may end up waiting in lines to sit down and eat in, but hesitate at nothing to jump in the line. I have learned that you actually get more glutinous rice in the bowl when you eat at the shop then take-away, and you can make special requests like "more beans" in your dessert when you eat in. Next time when you find yourself dwelling in Wan Chai at wee hours, or for that matter any time of the day after noon, 強記 may just be the perfect pit-stop to fuel you up before you make your way to your next stop...home, work, or wherever the wind takes you.
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