Durian runtuh! It’s durian season! There’s a famous durian buffet in the PJ area which spawned multiple competitors…er, inspired by their business model. The original durian buffet (to the best of my knowledge) is SS2 Durian, and they even have their own website! I was out drinking with Angela yesterday when I suddenly had a hankering for the King of Fruits.
There’s this urban legend which effectively proclaims “Thou shall not mix durians with alcohol”. Unfortunately, Angela is a staunch supporter of this doctrine and was a bit apprehensive about indulging in the creamy stuff after drinking. Personally, I have no compulsion against consuming supposedly taboo food combinations. In fact, I kinda thrive on disproving urban myths. 😉
One thing about www.durianss2.com is that the durian buffet is only open on weekdays from Monday to Friday. You’ll have to order a la carte from their rather impressive portfolio during weekends. They have a lot of weird and wonderful durian strains ranging from the premium Raya Kunyit to the common DX varients (D2, D24, D7 etc the last of which always reminds me of a certain police department).
Durian SS2 usually have their racks filled with the thorny fruits whenever I drive past the stall. We went quite late last night so most of the offerings were gone. However, they have Styrofoam packs for RM 20 and plastic packs for RM 25 which contains a selection of different durians. We got the slightly higher priced plastic pack and it didn’t disappoint!
The durian flesh is pungent and sweet, with a slightly bitter aftertaste, just the way I like it. Angela also partook in the durians despite her initial misgivings. Durian SS2 provides wash basins, water, and makeshift tables and chairs so you can eat your durian in relative comfort.
However, Angela tells me the Proper Way (TM) to enjoy durians is by squatting down, Ah Beng style. 😉
The place also sells coconut water, which is supposed to have a “cooling effect” to counter the “heaty effect” of durians. I’m not sure if I believe any of this (a polite way of saying Hogwash!) but I must say coconut water goes well with durians.
However, there’s one piece of traditional advice which might be true…washing your hands with the durian husk does seem to subjectively reduce the lingering smell of durians on your fingers. Ask for one at the counter and see if it works. It did for me. 🙂
The King is not dead…he just set up a stall in SS2. Hail to the King of Fruits, baby! 😉
So which durian do you prefer most?
Friends tell me that D2 is among the best ones around.
And that durian husk removing that durian smell thing… I thought it was ridiculous until i tried it. Now I’m a complete believer (and a *practitioner* lol)
It’s great to have the durian season during the European summer holidays.. Just back in time for something stinky 😉
Oh and I forgot to mention about the reappearance of your king of tshirts. (I’d gladly let you register your (TM) on it)
durians! I’ll be back in pj next wk, jom pergi!
man! I want to eat durian so badly ! I hope its season last for at least 1 month.. ^^
hey I’ve been wanting to try that out. Now that you mention it’s good. hehe. can’t wait to try it out. Which type is good? usually I like the kampung ones but I don’t know they are which D. haha.
ahh! its been a while since i last had durians! You know what, you should scout for those kampung durians. smaller in size, but they’re really good! They’re not “branded” tho (as in not named with any D’s – also a reply to Dawn’s question above). They have it in KL also. Try looking at the small unpopular stalls. Hehe
oh yeah, i am also the believer that one must not eat durian after having alcohol. My grand uncle died because of that. =S but i also think it depends on whether your body could take it or not. So, it is a risk to try. Hehe
I just ate durian after reading this entry.. else I wont bother the durian in my house.. ;p
HB, there are many type of food from Asian that is strong smelly and unusual taste but most like by people who grew up on it. I never eaten it as a child for that reason. There Asian Hamm Haw (shrimp paste) love that stuff on fried rice, smelly tofu (yes and no )depend, Japanese natto beans great on rice with egg is very strong smell of aged beans. Korean kim chee if you like it wonderful with everything.
In states durian fruit smell is so strong non Asian and Asian think is like gas smell. Someone brought it to work one day and people thought it was gas leak left the building, Now worker must durian at home to eat. People see it funny now it happened.
wow not even in Sarawak we have all you can durians
wanted to bring my mom for durian fest (such a good girl i am! :P)but she seems to have free flow durian everyday!
dont believe in using the husk to wash hand or drink h2o from.
the drinking part depends – if u drink beer the so called gwai lo leong cha – its kewl. even with whisky…..it is ok as somewhat cooling effct as the chinese says but with cognac – i wont gamble with me life bro
HB, I am glad you at last got this durian entry in. I have great respect for all cultures and their foods. I have try durian but can’t get pass the smell and that the reason first. Taste well let say if I had it growing up there a chance I might like it maybe not at all. It all depend.
Glad you enjoy the festival.
Ryan: I love most ttypes of durian actually. I’m partial to the Raja Kunyit though, it’s awesome stuff! 🙂
Yes, actually I now believe in that too…there’s GOTTA be a reason e.g. why doesn’t durian husks smell like durians? Some enzyme of sorts is my theory.
Jac: Okay! It’s on, next time we go for the RM 9 eat all you can durian buffet! 🙂
cynthia: It should…I think durian season just started not too long ago. 🙂
dawn: Hmm…I don’t know which ones are the DX varients from just looking at it. The people there will tell you and help you choose though. 🙂
chefmel: Kampung durians over here is not the mini, red durians right? That’s that it refers to in Sarawak? Very tough flesh, not at all like regular durians.
Or does kampung durians over here refer to regular “unbranded” durians? 🙂
Shirley Snow: Durians are great! My ENTIRE family loves durians. 🙂
Erica: Yeah, durian is one of those love-hate things…you either love it or you hate it. There’s no middle ground here. 🙂
Darren: Yeah, we have a different system in Sarawak – money back garuntee. Pick one and eat at the stall, if there’s a bad seed inside, they’ll replace another one. 🙂
PinkPorkChop: Come let’s find a day to go again! 🙂
I’m still thinking of durains, I just LOVE the stuff.
mike aka foodcrazee: OMG! Now I’ll have to try it with cognac. Nooooooooooooo. Haha! I kinda like doing stuff like this…mentos with coke, etc etc.
Hey, but washing the hands with water from the husk seems to (subjectively) work for me. 🙂
Michael (Mike): Yeah, a lot of people over here isn’t a big fan of the durian aroma too. I personally love it. However, I noticed that if you don’t eat durians as a kid, it’s hard to start and like it. 🙂
yeee… i bet someone’s breath smells a LOT like durian now… LOL
Durians! I yet to taste any durian and is looking forward for a binge session soon! Should I try tuak with durians? 😀
ps: Love your shirt man! Er, receive any offer so far? LOL!
T____T it’s not the season here yet. Can’t wait to sapu all the liulian along Pasir Pandak and Lundu.
I love the sweet and bitterendtaste durians! That’s for the win!
There’s also a tradition to eat mangosteen after eating durians for cooling effect. To have the Queen after the King. Guess that’s how mangosteen got it’s crown. lol.. But I never tried it before.
i’m so craving for one now! Arghh~
ugh, is all I can say, HB. There are some affionados of what the the called the ramp, around here. It is a bulb, kinda like garlic, but 10x. They have festvals and such like around here. All I can say, is you go sleep in the other room, for a day or two. You stink. But that does not mean I dont love you. just get the hell away from me, for a day or two. ( ramps) Is that like durian? i know it is a fruit, but that dont make it any better. Tom
OMG DURIAN!
is it RM 20/25 for a pack or is it an all you can eat kinda thing?
I reckon in reqires some intestinal fortitude, like Hagis and cheap scotch, neither of which should be taken in abundence. Tom
to each their own. I like any dessert with tammirand, but the odor sweats out of me, so I avoid it. But I still like rubharb pie, or sage. Thymeme, or corriander. To bad. I like certain herbs. they taste good, and are benificial. Tom
well, at least when you are peeling the damn thing, you should not look so happy, ya know, HB. God Bless. Tom
candied grapefruit skin, sweet, sour and bitter, all at the same time. ( yeah I tried it once). Indescribable. Good, but not bad. You either love it or hate it. But it is compelling. Like earl grey tea. or chowlin tea.
licorice, HB. anise flavor. Black jelly beans? Now I can sleep. tom
Never had durian…one of those things I need to try. I keep meaning to go to Chinatown (NYC) and buy one. I’m a little afraid, and I don’t get afraid of much…
Maybe when I’m in Chinatown I can find the shirt too (you can find anything in NYC). Love it, mate!
Jade Zheng: Haha! I had this Saturday night. The smell dissapated dy la. 🙂
bongkersz: Tuak with durian! Very awesome. I’m going to try it when I go back to. 🙂
Er, yes, one or two. 😉
annna: Yeah, and the road to Sri Aman is full of durian sellers too. They have really good durians, they harvest it from Indonesia and cross the border to the Sri Aman road. 🙂
Check it out, it’s really cheap and really good.
crappy booze: Yeah, I’m planning to go on a weekday night to eat the RM 9 durian buffet. Great value if you can eat a lot. 🙂
tom r: Interesting…it sounds like something I’ll try. Ramps eh?
Yeah, I used to have a girlfriend who ABHORS durians. Whenever I eat durian, she won’t let me kiss her for at least a day. Heh!
kamen: It’s all you can eat for RM 9 during weekdays…we went on a weekend so you have to buy the RM 20/RM 25 packs or choose a durian and open it. 🙂
Next weekend you free right?
Tom Robinson: Haha! It’s not actually that difficult to peel, most durian afficionados can do it with ease. Just take a kitchen chopper, cut of the step, use the edge to make an incision along the lines on top and use brute force to pry it apart. I started peeling durians when I was a kid!
Ken Dick: Yeah, you should check out durians. Definately something to put on the bucket list. It’s awesome stuff.
Thanks! I like this t-shirt too. 🙂
i dont think i can ever eat durian. i’m allergic to it and even the smell i cannot tahan 🙁
Ohh I LOVE durians!!! I’ve been to both Durian SS2 as well as Donald’s durian which is nearby. The buffets are a godsend for durian fans like me.
Btw, I make awesome durian cheesecakes so if ure a durian lover pls do check my site… 🙂 TQ!~
CheeseTease
~The CheeseTease Team~
all this started several (try 7) years ago when i googled either whale, or camel meat. ( either of which, you and I are in deep shit, HB.) But so am I. Thanks, HB. You have tought me a lot, not the least of which is to stay my hand. Because we have friends. and are friends.
tom
woa, 9 bucks only?? that’s a must try already.
yep, im free next weekend. you going for episodic on saturday?
Arth Akal: I know, I have friends who simply cannot stand the smell of durians (although one puzzlingly loves it, but hates the smell). 🙂
JC: I saw Donald’s durians too but I wanted to go to the original one. 🙂
Hey, that’s a great cheesecake. I’ll order from you someday. 🙂
tom Robinson: It’s probably the camel meat post. Heh! I’ve had whale meat too, as sashimi. Hmm…that’s not gonna make me very popular with the PETA types. 😉
kamen: Yup, let’s go next weekend! 🙂
Episodic? What’s that?
ya sure. we’ll go! just give me a buzz 😀
some event thingy this saturday. i thought u have the invite thru facebook? cuz when i last checked you were still under “awaiting reply”
http://u.nu/68dj –> just in case u don’t know what i’m talking about hahaha
kamen: Okay, saw it! 🙂
You going for the event? It sounds fun but I have something going on Sunday.
Okay, will call you Saturday then. 🙂
ahhhhh. i am craving for duriannnnssss!!
i just pass by the ss2 durian yesterday, but no kaki accompany me eat. sad case!!!
I’m not familiar with Pj area..which part of SS2 is this?
tziaaa: Oh, I’m always up for durians. Buzz me next time. 🙂
amy: Hmm…I’m not too sure how to explain. Drive towards Jalan Templar/Jalan 222 from SS 4a/1, you’ll pass by SS2. This is beside the road. Sorry, my directions are kinda vague. :S
Great article and report~!
I had link yours article into mine. Hope it will bring you more Durian fans. Thanks mate ^^
Alpha Ace: Cheers mate! 🙂
Durian ought to be a staple food of Malaysia. Pity a lot of people don’t like it. I personally love it to bits! 🙂
Wow, I’ve got to try eating durian Ah Beng squatting style next time, maybe I can fit more in that way! Eating the durian buffet in Malaysia, some friends also told me to drink water from the shell to cool down, not sure if that really works though.
The washing hands with the peel also seemed to work for me.
Migration Mark: Heh! Yeah mate, it’s the only way to go!
I don’t believe in that drinking water from the shell business but yeah, washing with the peel works. 🙂