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#JOM! EAT: Tong Sui, a bowl of goodness

IN the bustling streets of Chinatown KL, home to the abundance of makan places from the humble roadside stalls and hawkers to the more elegant restaurants and hipsters cafes, one has stood the test of time.

Sam's Desserts, like other generationally-owned stalls that have established their prominence on the lanes of Petaling Street stalls, has been calling a lane at the busy Petaling Streets its home for the past 41 years.

Specialising in Tong Sui, the family business that is located at Jalan Hang Lekir was founded by Sam Lee's aunt, who then passed it on to his father before it landed on the lap of the 47-year-old.

A NOSTALGIC TREAT

Tong Sui, a Cantonese speciality, literally translates to sugar water. The traditional dessert is not limited to a single flavour and Sam does precisely just that.

He serves a huge variety of Tong Sui flavours, notably, some of his bestsellers include black sesame, red bean and Bubur Cha Cha to cater for the different tastes of locals nearby.

With his early opening hours, most of his regular customers are elderly locals and working adults of the area.

Interestingly, his stall does get younger crowds like students who opt for Tong Sui as their preferred dessert for its price and wholesomes.

"Most of my customers are long-time regulars who like my Tong Sui because of its delicious and nostalgic taste," Sam says.

"Also, they like the 'cooling' effect that cold Tong Sui gives after consuming it on a hot day."

Tong Sui is said to be packed with nutrition and various health benefits while being calorie-friendly.

Its ingredients include dried lotus seeds which is known to be good for aiding diabetes, treating insomnia and maintaining blood pressure.

Wolfberries are also added as it has antioxidant properties to reduce blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

There are also red dates which are loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, and have been proven to provide anticancer properties and gastrointestinal benefits.

However, the main ingredient that makes Tong Sui special is rock sugar, instead of the regular white sugar. Rock sugar is less sweet and believed to improve the body's immunity and help ward off laryngitis.

ALL IN A DAY

In order for Sam to have an early head start in his day, he wakes up in the early hours of 3am and gathers his materials for the stall by 3:30am.

At 6am, his store is up and running. As Sam does not have any staff, he works closely with his good friend with whom he runs this business together.

"He used to be a regular customer and I have known him for a long time. He helps me with the cooking and preparing of materials," Sam says.

It is not every day that you hear a loyal customer come back and help run a business alongside someone they used to buy things from.

This goes to show just how much passion and love these customers have for Sam's Tong Sui.

Despite the challenges that come and go, his passion for cooking is still his strongest motivator to continue running his business and perfecting his craft.

As pocket-friendly prices become the deciding factor, Sam's Dessert is all set to grow with its homemade Tong Sui that never fails to hit close to home.

FAST FACTS

SAM DESSERT

95, Jalan Hang Lekir

Petaling Street

50000 Kuala Lumpur

TEL 012-259 1997

PAY From RM3 per bowl

NOTE: The writers are senior PR undergraduates from Taylor's University School of Media & Communication.

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