This small neighborhood stall has begun serving Tanjung Aru economic noodles and stuffed vegetables since early December, and it already draws a steady morning crowd.

I was immediately drawn to the stuffed aubergine, deep-purple skin, slick with oil, and packed tightly with pork filling. It delivers smoke taste in one decisive bite.

We also ordered a bowl of wontons in a light broth touched with red-wine aroma and shallot oil. Unfortunately, the wontons were overcooked.

The dry-mix kampua noodles arrived with Foo Chow–style BBQ pork together with greasy minced meat, and shallot oil and fried bits gave fragrance.

Convenience remains its biggest hook — it sits close to our housing area, crowds begin around 7am, and parking turns into the usual urban chess match.

Kthxbye.