The Kacang Pool, a dish which originates from the Middle East but somehow imported and popularised in Johor, was first introduced to me by my mother-in-law. So it was a delightful suprise when we found the Kacang Pool on the menu at Kawan Kopitiam, located in Seksyen 3 Tambahan, Bandar Baru Bangi, a few months ago. We went back there last night for the single purpose of satisfying my craving for the Kacang Pool, or to give its Anglo-French name, the Foul Macademe.
Kawan's version of the Kacang Pool sticks to its Johorean roots, with the beans cooked with herbs and spices and added with onions, chillies and a squeeze of lime, and served with soft-yolk fried egg on top. A slice of thick bread completes the dish. I have to give two thumbs up to Kawan, as their version stands up in comparison with my mother-in-law's and also the Singaporean version, which i tried at my wife's relatives' home south of the border.
While in Singapore a few years back, I also came across the Milo Dinosaur, which I had at Jalan Kayu's famous roti prata shop. Kawan also serves this drink, which is basically Milo but with lots of Milo powder on top. The Singaporean version was better, though.
My wife also had Kawan's chef recommendation, the Nasi Goreng 3 Sekawan, but I did not see nor taste anything which might suggest the idea behind its name. Sorry Kawan, your signature nasi goreng is just fried rice with another name. However, if you're looking for a bowl of Kacang Pool, you needn't travel south, Kawan Kopitiam's got it.
Kawan's version of the Kacang Pool sticks to its Johorean roots, with the beans cooked with herbs and spices and added with onions, chillies and a squeeze of lime, and served with soft-yolk fried egg on top. A slice of thick bread completes the dish. I have to give two thumbs up to Kawan, as their version stands up in comparison with my mother-in-law's and also the Singaporean version, which i tried at my wife's relatives' home south of the border.
While in Singapore a few years back, I also came across the Milo Dinosaur, which I had at Jalan Kayu's famous roti prata shop. Kawan also serves this drink, which is basically Milo but with lots of Milo powder on top. The Singaporean version was better, though.
My wife also had Kawan's chef recommendation, the Nasi Goreng 3 Sekawan, but I did not see nor taste anything which might suggest the idea behind its name. Sorry Kawan, your signature nasi goreng is just fried rice with another name. However, if you're looking for a bowl of Kacang Pool, you needn't travel south, Kawan Kopitiam's got it.
