Photos: Shakila Rajendra, MSN Malaysia
Malaysians love their food as much as they love people watching. Combine the two and you have a recipe for a sub-culture that will last into the next century.
With the birth of the 24 hour mamak stall, we can now stay out all night simply ogling at people. Safe to say, the mamak has become Malaysia’s version of the street side cafes you find in Paris or the coffee chains that line every street corner in New York.
Our local celebs are not immune to wanting a daily dose of nasi kandar and teh tarik, or to being the targets of mass ogling when sipping their teh o ais limaus. Safe to say, the mamak is the best place to perch yourself and watch as the beautiful people go by. The type of celebrity that frequents the mamak can fall into three categories: those who are there for convenience sake (ie. It is close to their home or where they are performing), those who want to see and be seen in a trendy area and those who are there for the food.
The first category of celebrities can be found in areas such as Sentul, Ampang and Damansara Perdana. As these are mainly residential areas or areas that surround film studios (KLPac is in Sentul and the Media Prima offices are in Petaling Jaya). Celebs can often be seen nipping out for a quick bite after shows and studio appearances, or hanging around the shops closest their homes.
You may spot Harith Iskandar making jokes with his friends or carrying his groceries around De Maju mamak in Damansara. The best place to catch theatre actors such as Tony Eusoff and Nell Ng is around the KL Performing Arts Centre after rehearsals or night shows. Also look out around the KLCC area and the Rest Rasyid mamak along Jalan Ampang for celebrities who may want a quick bite to eat after a show at KL Convention Center. If you’re lucky, you may even spot an international celebrity. Diana Krall was caught saying she sampled the delights of Jalan Alor and the great roti canai stalls in that area.
The second category of mamak-bound celebs are easier to spot. You can find them in trendy areas like Bangsar, Mont Kiara and Hartamas simply because these are the ‘it’ areas celebrities live in and are densely populated by the trendy crowd.
Shamser Sidhu, Nicole David and Henry Golding from 8TV Quickie have all been spotted with a cold drink and roti in hand at Bangsar’s Devi’s Corner. While Nirwana, the banana leaf haven in the same area, has also seen the likes of DJs Pietro and Adam C from hitz.fm. Hartamas is also a goldmine for searching out famous faces. We have spied Pop Shuvit hanging out in Hartamas Square and Alex Yoong at other shops in that area. Even Anwar Ibrahim has been seen getting his morning dose of nasi kandar in Hartamas.
The third category of celeb haunts are famed for their food and are worth a visit not just for star gazing but also for good ole’ grazing. Joanna Bessey is said to be crazy over the rotis served in Raju’s, just off Jalan Gasing, while DJ Ean from hitz.fm is mad about Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa in Kampung Baru.
If you want to be sure of seeing at least one famous face, then hit your mamak late. The best times to go would be after 10pm or early in the morning when you’ll spot a sleepy eyed celeb or to reaching for a packet of nasi lemak panas.
Even if you’re not out to star gaze, keep an eye open the next time you’re at your local. You never know who you might catch with a Maggi goreng on the go. Happy celeb spotting!
