Many months ago while running errands, I spotted a lady selling chung (meat dumplings) outside a chap fan shop a few doors away from Public Bank.
There were a few rare occasions when such stalls were set up just outside the bank. Since I was craving for chung, I decided to come back to the stall once I completed my errands.
I approached the lady and asked her what sort of chung was she selling. She told me that they contained meat, mushrooms and salted egg. These dumplings were of a good size and selling at RM5.50 each, so I bought 4 to stash in my freezer.
Then one weekend I took one out to steam. I was quite eager to dig into the chung.
So I cut into the chung.
Oh my God. One piece of pork fat, a tiny piece of mushroom, a tiny piece of salted egg yolk and a small scattering of beans. The glutinous rice did not even taste good. It was bland.
I had to douse it with Lingham chili sauce.
What a fraud. But I have to give that lady the benefit of the doubt. She could just be selling and had no idea she is selling duds. Or maybe she knew.
Lesson learnt. Don't simply buy chung from anyone.
I've had lots of disappointments like this at places all over town, so much so that these days, I am quite reluctant to buy. Not cheap!
ReplyDeleteUnless if we know who sells the good ones, otherwise never buy. I have tried the ones from the market and they were rather good.
DeleteFirst of all, I would never buy 4 chung from a stall I've never tasted before (I would buy one, maybe two at most, to try first). If they past the test, then I'll be back...hee..hee! ;) Maybe it's because of the price, hence the scarce ingredients...I've not bought chung that's under RM6 (maybe it's RM6.50 now...the ones from Y E Traditional Dumpling cost more than RM8). But certainly you shouldn't get one with just a fatty piece of pork (there has to be some portion of lean meat in there). Were all 4 like that? The next time your partner takes you to the wet market, ask him to drive by O & S (which is in PJ, an area you both go), no need to park, you just jump down and get some...hahaha! ;D
ReplyDeleteThat was my mistake, so naive to assume that the chung would be ok. I have bought from Section 17 market before and they were quite good but I hardly go there. Maybe the next time I go and buy chicken, I should make a pit stop for chung hee..hee.. Will try to get my partner to take me to O & S!
Deleteyea, only buy from a trusted source!
ReplyDeleteYou are right!
Deletesometimes we just need to buy and try before knowing. I have bought from unknown popup stores before and so far they were ok (maybe my standard for chung is not high) but the price is higher than rm 5.5 so I guess for that price, maybe all they could give you is fatty meat and no lean meat. did you eat all 4 chungs or give them away?
ReplyDeleteI learnt my lesson! Try one first, then if good, go back for more.
DeleteNever try never know
ReplyDeleteThat's right! But try one first LOL!
DeleteOh dear.
ReplyDeleteWasted my money :(
DeleteWe always have chung at our regular place... I've also had my fair share of bad chungs from random stalls in the past.
ReplyDeleteI need to look for a good regular source.
DeleteYes. Buy from well known suppliers or makers. I also dont simply buy. Few months ago I also bought some from a lady selling kuih in a coffee shop. Not nice at all.
ReplyDeleteI learnt my lesson :(
DeleteI also had same experience with bak chang!
ReplyDeleteI think it was from the same seller precisely too.
I have been careful ever since and would buy from those who displayed their photos and testimonials.
Once bitten twice shy.
Ya kah? Must ban her lah LOL! After this experience, I dare not simply buy anymore.
DeleteIt is so hard to tell when you can't see inside. It's like packaged fruit from the supermarket sometimes. The strawberries on top all look good but underneath, they're mouldy!
ReplyDeleteI experienced that with strawberries too!
DeleteRM5.50 for a Chung with so many ingredients as described by the seller sound really attractive but a bit too good to be true also, :P Bit it's ok, never try, never know, at least lesson learnt and your post can warn your readers out there not to buy from the same place :P
ReplyDeleteYa lah, mustn't simply buy. Must know the good source as recommended by other people.
DeleteI usually buy from the same stalls but if its a new stall, then I will buy 1 to try first.
ReplyDeleteThat's smart. I should have tried one first.
Delete