Most of us have at least one social media app that we use for so many reasons, including uploading pictures. One of the practices that people usually do when it comes to posting pictures online is by sharing pictures of their food. I honestly enjoy looking at these pictures and it is a great way to find out what or where to eat next. I guess Kuching people really love to eat because we even have a few online groups dedicated to just food and where to find them.
Sometimes I would remember the pictures of the mouth-watering dish that people had posted online and I really do not mind going on a food adventure to try something nice. Fortunately, I do have some friends who love to explore places to eat and they are willing to drive for 40 minutes just to try something new or recommended.
Some are very convincing in getting me to try what they consider the best in town. Our state Sarawak is very famous for its Sarawak Laksa, ‘the broth from hell’, as mentioned by the late Anthony Bourdain, an influential celebrity chef in one of his visits to Kuching. In a way, he was very helpful in promoting Sarawak laksa among many other dishes. So I decided to try the acclaimed famous broth mentioned in the food show because I was one of those people who love the dish. My excitement was dampened, despite the recommendation from the influential chef.
The laksa was alright, but it was certainly not the best. “I’ve had better” is an easy way to justify that or shall I say “It wasn’t my cup of tea”? One of my friends described another laksa that she had tried at a different stall as the best laksa ever. She was so good with words that I just could not wait to try the laksa.
She described the exquisite laksa as the best she had ever tasted where the broth was so healthy that the seller did not use the unwholesome coconut milk but substituted it with beneficial milk and a generous helping of bee hoon and fresh prawns on top. Unfortunately, after trying it, my verdict was that it was not the best laksa that I have tasted. In fact, it was the worst that I had to give an excuse that I was already full because the portion was beyond what my tummy could digest so I lied. I vowed to never return.
So, to repay her for her kindness for bringing me to try the best laksa, I politely thanked her and I said the laksa was good. I guess a little bit of white lie would not hurt anyone. Then, I suggested an equally nice place for laksa and she was so happy about it that she decided to give it a try. And so we went for the other equally-nice laksa. To my surprise, she was not as polite as I was but it was no big deal. She bluntly told me that it was not nice.
I have been taught to never offend anyone and being outspoken was considered rude in my family, so I just nodded and reluctantly agreed. I just had to prove my point so I brought my husband to the same laksa place that she had suggested and he hated it as much as I did. I was happy that someone agreed with me. Then over the years, as social media began to find its way in the society, more of these so-called ‘best laksa in town’ started to appear.
Some came in giant bowls while some came in a mixture of conventional and unconventional ingredients that I never thought possible. Some were pleasant to my taste buds, while some were not. I have suggested a few laksa places in the social media as well and I might have sounded like my convincing friend by calling my laksa as the best. Some actually gave positive feedbacks and some did not.
I guess my best is not their best and their best just is not mine. When I think about all my favourite laksa places and my friends’ favourite laksa places, besides my husband, I have not found any consensus. I guess each individual has different taste in food.
My laksa is probably not their laksa but it does not really matter to me. Someone told me that a laksa is a laksa, and all laksa taste the same. Perhaps this person has no sense of taste or just being indifferent, I do not know.
I also have a friend who does not like laksa at all! Who on earth does not like laksa? But does it matter to me? No. If you do not like laksa, then get something else.
We can still sit together and enjoy each other’s company because that is more important than any laksa. My point is, we are unique individuals. Let us not let the laksa define you but if it does, just go find your laksa buddy. I have found mine.
