: It is true that Malaysians love rice. But it is also undeniable that bread holds a special place in their hearts. So if you are looking for fresh focaccia, visit Ling’s Focacceria in Mutiara Damansara, Selangor.
Here, you’ll find a variety of flavors for this delicious Italian bread, including fried shallots and sea salt flakes, as well as jalapeno and cheese. One might think that this is a baker’s idea for many years, but a conversation with the founder Choy Ee Ling reveals something else: it only started when the disease hit in 2020! “I remember people fighting over store-bought bread. I asked myself: “What happened? “If I have flour, yeast, salt and water, I can make it myself,” the 41-year-old told FMT Lifestyle.
He did that, learning from YouTube videos and cookbooks. Eventually, Choy started a home business and, as demand grew, opened a physical store last August. People have told me that European breads are harder and dry, while Asian breads are soft and chewy. Somehow I managed to create a focaccia that was crispy on the outside but soft on the inside,” he said. From Mediterranean flavors like sun-dried tomatoes, olives and rosemary to Asian spices, honey and sesame seeds, customers will be spoiled for choice in the variety of focaccia on offer here.
Each is equally delicious, with a beautiful and attractive exterior that remains incredibly soft on the inside. There are other Asian touches on the menu such as kimchi grilled cheese and otak-otak focaccia sandwiches and gochujang (fermented chili paste). One of the important things is “the best buttered bread”. With a name like that, you know you’re in for a treat: a creamy, creamy sauce covered in classic Genovese focaccia seasoned with olive oil and Maldon salt.
It’s a sweet reminder that the simplest things can be the best. The kaya butter toast is another delicious blast from the past: toasted genovese focaccia filled with chunks of butter and a generous portion of decadent kaya made on site.
Doing this will remind you of the roti bakar that many Malaysians would have loved to grow. For something heavier, how about trying otak-otak and gochujang focaccia? The sandwich is heavenly and bursting with rich flavors, thanks to the combination of the spicy otak-otak and the salty and sweet flavor of the gochujang. For dessert, don’t leave without trying the brangan banana chocolate chip cake. Along with coffee frosting, it has a nice and sweet texture and is filled with chocolate chips. Yes, it’s fun, but an occasional treat never hurts! Another delicious option is the gula Melaka brownie. Rich and chocolatey with caramel notes, it’s best not to count calories while enjoying it!
Making focaccia is definitely not for the faint of heart as the process takes at least 48 hours. “So I hope that when my customers eat my food, they will feel a lot of effort, love and passion in making it,” Choy concluded.
