Hidden Gem in the Back Alley @Jalan Bunga Raya

Long heard and seen TV programmes on the fresh and cheap seafood served at the back alley/lane but have no idea on its exact location. The seafood, better known as the cockle stall, is located at the back alley off Jalan Bunga Raya, just somewhere around Madam’s King Departmental Store.   

View Jalan Bunga Raya in a larger map

To do you guys a favour, I have plotted map on google so that you can get direction from it.

Spotted the Madam King’s Departmental Store?

Instead of using Madam King’s, I would prefer Kong Wah Optometrist (marked as blue pin in the map) as landmark. If you notice in my photo, the cockle stall (marked as red pin in the map) is just next to it on the right side.  In other word, the back alley is between Madam King’s and Kong Wah Optometrist.

Don’t worry; it’s not that dark inside if you’ve managed to find the right place.

To be honest, this is not the place of hygiene: sitting on tiny wooden stools between drains with possibility of falling down (we’ve seen Caucasian fell right from the stool), cramp seating to the extent of elbow gesture with the neighboring person, motorcycles passing by releasing exhaust gas with only inches away from bumping, and don’t expect the tar road to be clean.    

Capitol Stall

There are 2 stalls here: Capitol and Tong Bee(东美档).

Capitol has been featured in 8TV’s “Ho Chak” while Tong Bee has been featured in “Taste with Jason 阿贤人情味” (local food program), “美食大三通” (Taiwan food program) and lots more.

We have chosen to dine at Tong Bee stall for being the original proprietor of the alley.

Cockles, RM1.50.

Cockle, better known as “螄蚶” (pronounced as “si ham” in Cantonese).
It would also be referred as blood cockle or Anadara granosa, where it is cultured extensively from South Korea to Malaysia.

I usually do not fond of cockle due to its bloody appearance and fishy taste. But trust me when I say I have finally understood the Chinese saying “腥与鲜，一线之间”, which means there lies only a fine line between fishy and freshness.
Of all the cockles I’ve had before, these beg to differ with its freshness which words alone are unable to describe.

Dip that with the special sauce made by mixing of few sauces (consisting flavours of sweet and spicy), topping of crushed peanut and lime juice!
The sauce goes so well with cockles, you’ll certainly go addictive!

Clam/Kepah, RM1.50.

Another plate of freshness.

Cuttlefish with Kangkung鱿鱼蕹菜

Best cuttlefish with Kangkung I’ve had in my life! Soft yet chewy.

 Baked Beancurd Skin烤豆干, RM10.

A mixture of baked beancurd skin with fish paste, baked tofu, and others paired with another mixture of sauce.
Another “Hallelujah”! How can food be so tasty here?

Considerate enough in preparing lime water to wash away the fishy smell of cockle.

I usually do not put food rating, but this would reach 10/10!
If you are able to put the hygiene issue behind, I guarantee the food will be very much worth it.
Or perhaps in another perspective, eat it the authentic way, as this is how the local eats, 30 years ago, in the exact same place. 

Truly a hidden gem in the back alley off Jalan Bunga Raya.