It does seem rather unusual to be focusing on food in the days immediately preceding Ramadan. Rather like food before the famine. Strictly speaking, of course, Ramadan is not famine. Famine is extreme scarcity of food. There is plenty of food around during Ramadan – you just do not eat it between sunrise and sunset. I cannot understand, nor ever have I joined the throngs of fasting Muslims who gorge themselves on bacchanal feasts after the sun disappears from sight. Their feasts are full of fried foods and starches. The Prophet (PBUH) ate dates and that was about it. If one does not overindulge (as I do not) one becomes ketotic and hunger is not felt. But more about that later.
Institutes, Institutions and all those who make money from the faith pour the guilt on in the month prior to Ramadan by telling their faithful subjects that they must be primed for Ramadan. Suffer a lot in the month preceding Ramadan by listening to their lectures, buying their books etc. I am relatively immune to such hype. Making private preparation and wring about food. Hahaha
This blog will feature the food found at Kashmir Restaurant, which has been in operation since 1984. The restaurant serves many dishes but the restaurant’s chief claim to fame is the Tandoori Chicken which is the Best Tandoori Chicken in the World with a sign saying there will be a money back guarantee. I was at the restaurant last night and spoke with a woman, living in London near an enclave of folks from India with a multitude of Indian restaurants. She said her bulk was the result of the tandoori chicken she has eaten over the years, had eaten it tens if not hundreds of times and this is the best she has ever eaten. She is a repeat customer as are hundreds of others from near and far who come back time and time again. I took her photo telling her that her testimony and photo would appear on the blog. That evening the restaurant was crowded – a huge table with employees from Sky. They have meetings there often – there is nothing like yummy food to make for conviviality. Conviviality is the quality of being friendly and lively. Conviviality makes the work place and the world in general a better place. The Boss, as Mohan Anandani, the founder of this fabulous restaurant is called is the poster child (no old guy actually) for conviviality. He is SO friendly and lively. When first I met Mohan I texted to a then friend that Mohan inspired loyalty. The recipient of that message did not. Mohan’s tag line is “Don’t Tell Anybody”. He probably says it at least thirty times a day. A tagline is a catchphrase or slogan, especially as used in advertising, or the punchline of a joke. Used in a sentence: ”‘struggling to save their marriage’ is a tabloid tag line that has become permanently affixed to the couple”
His quality of conviviality makes for a loyal staff. His chefs have been with him from the restaurant’s very beginning. Others staff have been with him for years and years.Therefore the service is great, the food is specular. His manager has been with him for fourteen years. He is from Bangladesh, Mohan gave him two months is so he could return to his native land. Mohan’s sister works at the restaurant and it was she who welcomed me on my first visit there on January 3, 2025.
The Tandoori Chicken is the absolute star of the show being the best in the whole world. The mutton chops have the supporting role. You shall see a photos of both at the conclusion of the blog. I came upon the chef cutting up the mutton chops one day. I filmed the process, put the video on Instagram.With the Kashmir Chef earned 1.3 K views. This the caption: Cooking lesson with the Kashmir chef. Not going to try the chopping part. It would be goodbye finer. Better the mutton. Other lessons later if you are lucky. Hahaha. Here is the link. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DErmL9oz4og/?igsh=MTBzeWNzdHU2OXJ6bg== On January 7, 2025 I feasted on the sizzling snapper with saffron rice, asked staff to film my satisfaction. Kashmir Restaurant earned 807 views. Its caption: Such a find for a foodie. The Kashmir Restaurant since 1984. Today the sizzling snapper with saffron rice. Days before Tandoori Chicken, the best ever. In Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. Two comments. Claire_outdoor_adventures: Delish. Erysalbai: You look beautiful. I guess it pays to advertise. Hahaha Here is the link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEhJM1UzRhQ/?igsh=bnU2aWh1YjV4YTJs. Bloggingbrooke and I are in a competition, of sorts. I recorded another reel, calling it Lunch in Penang. Here in Penang Malaysia having an incredible Kashmir North Cuisine lunch joined by the chef briefly, Bloggingbrooke did respond: “This is competition.” The link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEoppcWTG2d/?igsh=ZTdxa2tsM3Z3OXV0.
I keep intending to get off the foodie fad of this blog, but things keep happening. Today is Valentine’s Day. I was hanging out on the Kashmir front porch. Mohan suddenly declared it was Wan Tan Mee day. We piled into cars and dined at the best WanTan Mee restaurant in Penang As I got into the car Mohan ‘warned’ me.
He: This restaurant serves pork I must tell you that. You may not want to come.
Me: Thank you for warning me. I won’t order the pork, no problem
You see the Malaysian government forbids Muslims from eating in Chinese restaurants that serve pork. Certainly that is not in the Quran. Hahahaha I ordered the fish noodles. So there I was having having noodles with three handsome men on Valentine’s Day. Best Valentine’s Day ever. You will see photos and an amateur reel in the next blog.
Received a text from Bloggingbrooke a few minutes ago.
She: I love your latest blog!!! Really must come to Malay
Tomorrow is the end of an era. I leave Lyf but not life. Hahaha I am onto bigger and better things. Trading my tiny room for an enormous stay apartment by the sea. I will miss the energy, enthusiasm, ambiance and vibes of Lyf. I have been here for five weeks definitely enjoying my stay. My stay apartment has a kitchen, I can cook my own food and food for others should I choose. The kitchen will provide the flexibility needed for Ramadan.
Received a text from Bloggingbrooke a few minutes ago.
She: I love your latest blog!!! Really must come to Malaysia. How is your neck pain?? Worried about you. We were meant to meet at the Louvre.
Me: Well darling I am moving to a three bedroom stay apartment by the sea so you will definitely have a place to stay. Went back to the Chinese doctor yesterday and at this moment not in pain. Have a follow up appointment on Monday. So things are hopefully on the mend.
Photographs pf the restaurant, the fabled chicken tandoori, the mutton, the gathering of Sky employees.
