Return to main articleThe World's Strangest Street Food
ABC
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The initials stand for air batu campur, or "water stone mix"—but this concoction is actually a variation of that universal Asian heat-beater, shave ice. Malaysians like theirs served in a plastic bowl with condensed milk, palm sugar, roasted peanuts, red beans, canned corn, and cubes of black grass jelly. This last ingredient, known in Malaysia as cincau, is a Jell-O-ish creation made from boiling a leafy herb related to mint; its taste has been variously described as "refreshing," "medicinal," and "like iodine." Where to find it: Streetside stalls all around the city, especially in Jalan Alor (Kuala Lumpur's red-light district-turned-outdoor food emporium).
Denise Soong
