Ol' Skool Makan #17: Pak Mat Mee Calong, Beserah -- Comfort In A Bowl

The last time we were in Kuantan in 2022, we did what most people do these days -- crowd-sourced food recommendations from Facebook friends and mixed them with a bit of Googling to plan our makan stops.

For breakfast, besides the usual local favourites like nasi dagang and nasi kerabu, we decided to try something completely new to us: mee calong in Beserah. The drive from Teluk Cempedak, where we were staying, was pleasantly scenic and set the mood nicely.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a rustic little warung -- the kind that instantly feels familiar. And the food? Exactly our kind of grub: warm, soupy comfort food, best enjoyed in an authentic kampung setting.




Only later did we learn that this berkuah dish, similar to mee sup or Terengganu-style mee rebus, is something you’ll mainly find in Beserah. Mee calong is often likened to bakso because it comes with fish balls, but the difference is the addition of tofu. Calong refers to fish meat shaped into balls, and the broth itself is a fragrant fish soup.


The stall has been operating for about 25 years, and according to the owner, Pak Mat, the secret lies in his homemade fish balls. Interestingly, the recipe isn’t a family heirloom -- he learned it from long-time villagers in the area.

So if you’re ever in Kuantan, make sure to swing by Beserah and treat yourself to a bowl of this hearty, old-school comfort meal.


About Ol' Skool Makan

Ol' Skool Makan is my little tribute to Malaysia’s timeless eateries -- the ones that fed us before hashtags, food apps, and fancy plating. It’s about real food, real people, and memories that still smell like sambal and kopi-O.


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Dapatkan buku 'Kisah Hidup & Budaya Pop Anak Gen-X' di SINI

 

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