81-year-old aunty rises at 1am to make old-school Kaya Swiss Roll & flaky Kaya Puffs

Top-of-the-line issues about my job is discovering little gems hidden within the nooks and crannies of Kuala Lumpur. Simply when it appears like I’ve eaten virtually the whole lot this huge metropolis has to supply, one thing else will blow my style buds away. One among these little gems is the Swiss Roll and Kaya Kok stall positioned alongside Jalan Yap Ah Loy run by 81-year-old Madam Wong. 

It was slightly tough finding her stall because it was in a heavy-traffic space. After a number of rounds of driving in circles and peeking in alleyways, I discovered her little stall in a tiny alley reverse the oldest Maybank department in Malaysia. I immediately felt a tragic pang in my coronary heart seeing Madam Wong sitting all by herself on a wet day.

Madam Wong is understood for her selfmade Kaya Swiss Rolls, Kaya Puffs and Egg Tarts for greater than 40 years. With the help of her youngsters, she wakes up as early as 1am to make her baked items from scratch and her pastries are identified amongst locals and vacationers alike. I greeted her pleasant face and positioned my order for a whole loaf of Kaya Swiss Roll and a few Kaya Puffs. 

What I attempted at Swiss Roll and Kaya Kok

The 40-minute drive dwelling was a slightly tough one with the Kaya Swiss Roll and Kaya Puffs tucked neatly within the passenger seat and subsequent to it, my rumbling abdomen. Upon reaching my doorstep, I unpeeled the Kaya Swiss Roll (RM21) from its protecting layers of plastic and mahjong paper. 

Look-wise, I used to be impressed with the scale of the Swiss roll— it was fairly big and already pre-cut into 12 slices for the comfort of her clients. How considerate! You’d have an interest to know that this swiss roll was made based mostly on a recipe concocted by her husband (sadly he handed away in 2011) after they first began the household enterprise in 1974.

I gently peeled aside a slice of the swiss roll and took a chew. The feel was completely stunning— tender, fluffy and buttery. Swirled inside is her selfmade kaya. The eggier style was a bit extra overpowering than the kaya. I took a second chew after which the style of the kaya was extra pronounced. 

The kaya filling was actually the spotlight— it didn’t have that synthetic candy style and had a really balanced, gentle flavour. The one remorse I had was not making a cup of espresso to get pleasure from this good afternoon deal with with. 

Transferring on to the Kaya Kok (RM2.20), I’ve heard rave opinions from buddies about this kaya-filled golden deal with. Many have titled it ‘one of the best kaya puff on the town’ so I used to be actually curious to strive it. I sliced it into half to have a clearer look of the kaya filling and boy, was I happy. There was a particularly beneficiant slab of kaya unfold sandwiched in the course of the pastry.

A chew of the kaya puff and I used to be hooked. The pastry is so crisp, buttery and flaky. Particular proof  that Madam Wong is unsparing with butter when making her puffs. 

Subsequent, the candy and creamy kaya filling. The second I had a style of it paired with the pastry, I knew Madam Wong’s kaya puff would even have the right ratio of pastry to kaya.The pastry by no means grew to become clumpy within the mouth, nor was the jam cloyingly candy. In seconds, the complete pastry was gone. I’ve to say, this is without doubt one of the tastiest pastries I’ve had in a very long time, and I used to be bummed that I didn’t purchase extra.

Ultimate ideas

For those who’re ever round Masjid Jamek, swing by Madam Wong’s stall and get her Kaya Swiss Roll and Kaya Puff (greater than two items, please). It’s slightly uncommon to discover a good kaya swiss roll as of late as lots of the old-timers have handed away and the custom of creating this nostalgic candy deal with is commonly not carried on by the youthful era.

I used to be glad to be taught that she has loyal clients who flood her stall on weekends. So if you’re planning on visiting, drop by early. I do know I’ll be returning for extra of these scrumptious kaya puffs, that’s for positive. And maybe I’ll see you there!

Anticipated harm: RM2 – RM21 per pax

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