Borobudur Nonya Delights

For more photos, please visit Rubbish Eat Rubbish Grow.

Tortoise symbolizes longevity so eating ang ku kueh (AKK or Red tortoise cake) is something auspicious (and conversely, it’s inauspicious to eat so much turtle soup because you’re taking away the life of a sacred animal and your life will shorten in retribution).

In the center of Borobudur Snacks Shop’s AKK is clearly embossed “寿” or longevity. Very auspicious!

I don’t like the taste of AKK in general but look at how big and fat were the AKK, like a fat baby’s fist and ONE ENTIRE BOX of them. They were irresistible, the BEST AKK I’ve ever eaten. The texture was so full and firm that it filled up the mouth, making it very addictive and chewy. Look at how the AKK glistened with all that oil (lard?), making it smooth, such that the glutinous-rice skin doesn’t cause the AKKs to stick together, and preventing the skin from sticking to your teeth. The filling–or is it feeling?–was strange in a good way because it seemed to be a mix of peanut AND lotus paste (usually it’s just one flavor). The complex favors, with aroma of banana leaf, were fun and delightful. The AKK was so huge that I ate two for lunch and a glass of milk and was full. Then two for tea…and two for dinner…and until I finished the entire box all by myself. That’s how my mother makes sure I’ll be single for the rest of my life, by keeping me fat.

Sampled 3 kuehs - Kueh Salat, Kueh Lapis (steamed) & Durian Ambon; the last being the best tasting!

In fact, it is the best ambon I have tasted in a long long time. Very soft and light, yet still chewy and a gorgeous honeycomb. The durian flavour was subtle and very pleasant - just right! I think I could eat lots of this!

The use of coconut milk in their kuehs is very much lesser compared to that of Bengawan Solo (BS), thus not as fragrant; however, this might appeal to those who do not like their kuehs too rich in coconut milk.

Other notes:

Kueh Salat - color of the custard is very green, not to hard but lacking in coconut milk taste. Thankfully not too sweet. Rice was just right, soft yet chewy, colored in blue.

Kueh lapis - The corners of the top layer were hard and dried, over steaming? Thick chewy slices (this is noted as we like to eat this layer by layer) but lack of coconut milk taste too.

Portions are generous, much larger than Bengawan Solo's portions. Generally quite light on the palate, not too heavy unlike BS. Not overly sweet too!

Used to be the supplier of kuehs for Phoenix Hotel which sold like hotcakes back then.