Kelapa Bakar aka Burnt Coconut is a Sabah specialty. I have no idea how it came about or how long it has been around but we were told by our cousin in law (who used to be a tour guide in KK) about it. So off on a kelapa bakar hunt, as none of us has tried it before~
We were all so intrigued that we drove around for over an hour until we found this strip of little wooden hunts with coconuts all over the place.
There was over a dozen huts all lined up this stretch of road. If I could tell you what road we were on, I would. But I have no clue because I fell asleep while they were driving around in circles.
We stopped in the first hut we saw
They sell Kelapa Bakar (Burnt Coconut – RM$3), Cold coconut (RM$2.50), regular coconut (RM$2), Coconut Pudding in a young coconut (RM$4), coconut pudding (RM$2), Yam pudding (RM$2) , Corn pudding(RM$2) , Mango Pudding (RM$2)and Durian pudding (RM$2).
We tried:
Coconut pudding in young coconut RM$4
This was amazing. There is nothing quite like it – I think the pudding in made with the coconut water itself and maybe a tiny bit of coconut milk. When you get the perfect scoop of smooth, soft pudding along w some fresh coconut flesh – it is mindblowingly good. We polished off a couple of these in seconds.
Very refreshing, very light and fresh tasting.
.
Pandan Pudding RM$2
This was good, but it does not compare to the pudding in the coconut. It has a very subtle pandan flavour along w some coconut freshness (how many times can I use the word fresh here). Again, the pudding is light, smooth, soft, cold and very refreshing.
We also tried the coconut pudding in a cup & corn pudding. The coconut pudding in the cup is really good, but having it in the fresh coconut makes it better!
The corn pudding was just like the pandan pudding – very subtle in corn flavour with a nice coconuty aftertaste. Smooth, light and soft~
.
Kelapa Bakar RM$3
It is burnt in little mini huts next to the big huts we sat in:
They just dump the fresh coconut in here and close it:
I think after about 15 minutes, we were presented with a nice black coconut but all ready to be eaten:
The coconut water was piping hot!
I have to say, there is nothing quite like this. The coconut flesh was warm and almost reminiscent of taro/yam but without the “fibres”. The coconut water also changed in taste – it was strange to have something that is hot but still kind of cooling (which was desperately needed in the heat).
.
They also sell Lukan (a type of clams found in the Mongrove forests and harvested).
.
They grilled it on a zinc panel on top of open fire
When it is cooked, the shell pops open and they remove it, add a little lemongrass, grills it a bit more
And it is ready!
Served with a chili sauce & kasturi (a type of lime)
Delicious! These were plump, juicy and has a subtle brininess; until cockles or mussels. It was a lot softer in texture as well compared to its’ “cousins”.
.
.
.
I think everyone should give this a try when they are in the area – ask some locals where this strip of road is, because I have no clue!
Posted in 
Tags: 
