I'm pretty sure everyone has their go to comfort food. The kinda taste that once the food touches your tongue, it sends you right back in time to a specific moment where everything is alright again in the world.

Yes, that kinda nostalgic experience I'm talking about. For me, when I was growing up, mum used to take us to hawkers stalls set up at a parking lot. She would specifically take us to this one where over the years, the hawker lady herself had made good friends with our family. She still calls me "ah boy" meaning, "little boy". I'm already already 36 by the way. But I guess that's how she remembers me by and feel most comfortable calling me by that name. 🤣

Right, this dish is called sotong kangkung aka squid with water spinach topped with pounded peanuts. I am aware that in Malaysia, we have another version that is more common to find at food courts or hawkers centers. However, this one has a much thicker gravy and far more darker. Overall, it just tastes different.

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Sotong aka Squid

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Kangkung aka Water Spinach

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Pounded Peanuts

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We were feeling cheeky once and we tried to pry her open to let us in on the secret recipe. Unfortunately, she keeps it really secured and wouldn't tell us anything. Well, I guess the sad thing is if she doesn't pass it down to someone then we wouldn't be able to eat this anymore and as I know, she is the only one that serves this delicacy in town. If you guys are feeling adventurous and want to try this, tell her "Ah Boy" sent you there!

Location: Bukit Padang Parking Lot, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (no she doesn't have a sign board but just ask around and you will find her).

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