Durians or Sate (Bali Indonesia)

Every Chinese New Year is spent out of Singapore, like an annual diving pilgrim.

After doing Philippines for 2 years, decided I'm not doing Philippines this year.  Without much planning, lazy to plan actually, decided to head to Bali.  After all, I've yet to do Amed and Tulamben.

Along the way to Amed on the night if arrival, passed by some road side stalls selling durians (limited quantity).  I was delighted.  Woooo there are durians in Bali!

However, I didn't see any in Amed but on the couple of dives in Tulamben area, we passed by stalls selling a few durians.  Just that I couldn't be asking them to pull over for me to get durians.

Coming down to Seminyak after my dive ended, i saw a lot more durian stalls in Ubud.  But Ubud is quite a distance from Seminyak.  Arrggghhh...

Ok nevermind. 

Just this evening, 1 Feb 2020, I found a famous Sate warung and decided to go there for dinner.  It's a Reward!  There were a few durians at the counter area.  I think it's the warung owner's own trees. 

There were about 8 or 9 pieces and only 1 looks to be from a different tree.  The shape and smell appeals to me more.

The way they serve durian, it seems, they will open it and pour out the flesh onto a plate.  Good thing I followed the guy and stopped him from doing anything disastrous.

The durian looks alright.  Hey, it's kampung durian, don't expect too much ya.

The flesh texture is a little dry, isn't exactly of consistent texture, which is quite common among kampung durians.

Taste wise, it isn't pungent as what I'm familiar with for Singapore and Malaysia kampung durians.  It's milder and a little milky, familiar kampung durian taste and just mildly sweet with a little hint of bitterness.

I'm happy having eaten this durian.  At least I've tried Indonesia, Bali to be precise, durian. 

(Update...)

Just chat with a durian guy who saw the photo above.  He told me this should be a variant called Tawa, family of Lao Tai Por (old granny).  


-------- 02/02/2020-----------
Decided I must return to this Sate Babi warung again before i return home, else may just smack my head tomorrow for not eating again.

There are leftover durians from yesterday, so dont expect it to be as nice since it isntfresh durians.

It was from another tree.  The whole small lot there, all are of the same tree (the only different piece were taken by me yesterday) so I've not much a choice.

It is round, not the kind of durians I prefers, unless it's Ganja (Ganyao). But I still have to eat it.  After all, I dont come to Bali often.

It taste like the average kampung durian without the complexity of a highly desired durian.  It is basically, mildly sweet, rather thin flesh, soft (since it's overnight).  

Still, I enjoyed it.  Been there, ate that.

-------------- Sate oh Satay ---------------

Oh, and since it's a Sate warung, how can I miss out on the Sate.

I ordered Babi Sate with Lontong, which is what they are famous for.  A set consist of 8 sticks of sate and lontong or just 10 sticks of sate without lontong or rice (IDR 30,000 a set).

Lontong in Indonesia, or ketupat in Singapore and Malaysia.  The difference is, they don't provide peanut gravy for the meat to be dip in.  Their small amount of what looks like gravy, is actually more like our sambal.  And it's NICE!

The Sate taste GOOD!  I've not had such nice pork sate (oh, it's called Satay in Singapore and Malaysia).  Only chinese satay sellers back home sells pork satay and it just taste so.... pork.... but this one in Bali is so different.  It is also tender.  Nice!  Gotta eat it yourself to know how good it is.  Won't describe it further.

Before BBQ

Dip in gravy before grilling 

The grilling

Peanut gravy? Nah, it's sambal rather

The rewards

Ps : first time doing a story telling in a post. Now I'm starting to be like many baking or cooking receipe writer.  And I suck at this.

Gullible Consumer

I was down at Geylang recently with cravings for durian.  Just stroll along and see what some stalls were selling, to see if there's anything unusual.

Well, among the available durians, were D14l3, D24, D101, Kang Hai, Mao Shan Wang, etc.

Something stands out sorely.  I don't remember the name, but the stall is creative.  With an unheard name, durians were priced at $58 & $108 per kilogram.  Each day, they only have a few pieces, 3 to 5 maybe.  This stall, well, it's.... I shouldn't name them, but the early stretch from Kallang MRT, and not the old timer big names.

Now... to the unsuspecting 'Roberto', Carrot Head, (both being local terms for gullible spenders, willing to be ripped off), whatever name used, and a upselling, making it seems really unique and privilege, these durians will be sold to such durian idiots.

Don't get me wrong, it is perfectly alright being a carrot head.  Just don't tell Singaporean or Malaysian durians consumer you paid S$108/kg for this whatever named, because, it is merely, MAO SHAN WANG MSW, that you can get the same at $28/kg.

Don't be the butt of joke.  Just be quiet having become the walking Carrot.

P/S : no photo la.... but if they upsell, and there is only that mere few durians sold at 'prestigous' price, don't be that Ah Hai aka Carrot Head.

Gong tio ho, mai kam lan gong (nvm if you guys don't know what this line means).  Ok i'm uncouth but who cares.

Hello 2020 - First Bite

Year end and beginning of the year, durian consumers usually shy away from durian, not sure if it's to do with most families going on holidays, or spends on Christmas or for their children's new school year.

This year's Lunar New Year falls in January, which makes it worst for durian sellers.

In a sense, GOOD for me cos, lesser demand means there will be nice durians for me.

Sunday 19/01/2020, made a trip to a durian stall for my antidote.  

I was surprised by the exceptionally good quality D24XO.  It was bitter mildly sweet, good floral aroma lingers into the nostril, and the surprising factor was that, it has that kam kam taste, which isn't common in D24.  It was probably the best D24XO I had in many years.

 Well, the durian seller offered me whiskey which I gladly oblige.  No shot glass, so just make do with a cut out from a drink bottle.

Tuesday 21/01/2020

I'll be flying out of Singapore for my annual diving pilgrim.  I just couldnt leave without tucking into more durians and nourishing my body before the trip,l.

Bought some beer, and stout for myself, to quench my thirst... and to wash down durians.

Had 2 pieces of D24XO.

First durian had a very strong D24 taste with the kampung aleutian aroma factor.  It was bitter, smooth like butter, a bit numbing sensation like XO durian.

Second D24XO was very thick and seems to stick to the throat.  Taste was a bit milder than the first fruit, but still, it was able to convinced myself to continue eating, which is evident to how good this durian was.  

Durian seller offered me whiskey again.  Cut up another disposable bottle as my whiskey glass again.  

Oh no.... third durian.  Seldom go for  Mao Shan Wang but since it was selected for me, I'll indulge, that's after stout and whiskey.  It was pleasantly flavorful, with a slightly sweet with a bitter after taste.

I'm just soooooo pampered.

P/s : In the event this is my last post, you guys will know, never mix alcohol with durian.  Nah.... myth!


Disclaimer

I need to make a disclaimer (oh, whiskey, stout and D24XO durian didnt get me... ).  If anyone is going to emulate the 'stunt', AT OWN RISK!  Not everyone us able to manage it.

The following people should consult your physician before attempting it.  If you have:
- rich man's disease
- heart condition
- on medication
- expecting
- alive and breathing, currently...

It's seriously, not for everyone.  Well, unless, you have done your Will, have past important instruction to family members to offer you durians at your Wake.  Else, best to be ordinary. Take durian with water will do.