Journey of discovery

VOLKSWAGEN Malaysia recently took a handful of us on a food hunt around the Klang Valley.
We not only discovered some of the best local delicacies around, but also how it felt like to be behind the wheel of not one, but five Volkswagen models, all in one day.
We took turns driving the Vento Highline, Golf Sportline, Passat Comfortline Plus, Tiguan Highline, and Beetle Sport on a journey of some 130km, through a combination of narrow winding roads and highways, as well as the congested streets of Kuala Lumpur.
We also took part in a dynamic driving exercise in Serdang, to give us a better understanding of the handling and dynamics of these cool beauties, testing their performance in a slalom course, as well as braking and high-speed avoidance limits.
The tests gave an indication of how well these Volkswagen cars managed in terms of strength, agility, manoeuvrability and, most importantly, safety.
Take the Vento Highline for example. Even with just a 1.2-litre engine, the car delivers the highest torque in its class, while achieving maximum power with minimum fuel consumption.
Acceleration is instant, thus making overtaking safer, and powering up hills a breeze.
Driving the Vento during the first leg of the journey, before switching over to the Passat Comfortline Plus, gave me an idea as to what these Volkswagen models are capable of.
During the first leg, I was following the lead car, which was relaying instructions to us via walkie-talkies. In the midst of our drive, a baby monitor lizard appeared out of nowhere.
Immediately, an instruction to stop was barked out over the walkie-talkie. I slammed on the brakes full force to avoid colliding into the vehicle ahead. The car instantly responded, and a potential accident was avoided.
Later, after switching places from driver to passenger, I took charge of the in-car entertainment console, and the Volkswagen was instantly transformed into a concert hall on wheels.
As with most of the German automaker's car models, connectivity is made easy, with App-Connect.
The feature allows easy access to one's smartphone apps using either MirrorLink, Android Auto, or Apple CarPlay, right on the 8in infotainment screen.
Alternatively, you can also operate the system via voice control, while staying focused on the road.
I would never forgive myself if I didn't take the iconic Beetle, also lovingly known as The Bug, for a spin. The car, despite its modest size, offers a surprisingly spacious and comfortable sporty interior, making it much easier to endure lengthy traffic jams. Its sport seats also give incredible lateral support when making turns.
Despite its low-ground clearance, I hardly felt any motion as it went over tiny potholes and bumps, while still keeping the car close to the ground for a smoother driving experience.
Of course, the trip was not just about the ride. It was also about good food.
At our first food discovery stop, we checked out Nam Wah Kopitiam, an age-old Chinese coffee shop tucked away in a secluded area of Hulu Langkat.
Nam Wah's homemade kaya and butter toast with half-boiled free range eggs frequently attracts patrons from as far as Singapore. Another signature dish is its curry chicken that goes with fresh Hainanese bread.
As I tucked into my breakfast, I took a sip of Nam Wah's ice-cold barley drink, that was absolutely refreshing and thirst quenching in the morning heat. It was pure bliss.
Our next stop was a laid-back kampung house located in Semenyih. Elda's Farmhouse, named after its chef, is a charming kampung house that doubles up as a restaurant and a homestay.
What makes eating at Elda's Farmhouse an experience is its use of organic produce, fresh from its garden for its cooking. And with so many choices, one can never really guess exactly what will be served at the table.
After that, we met up with Lee Wah Popiah, a family-run business based in Tanjung Sepat, in Serdang to try our hand at making this popular appetizer using ingredients such as chilli paste, bean sprouts, grated sengkuang (turnip), shredded cucumber, egg, cabbage, tofu, and fried onion flakes.
The people behind Lee Wah Popiah have been producing it for three generations. The secret of its success lies in its homemade popiah skin, which has a chewy texture and just the right thickness.
Our final stop was at Milky Whey Cheese in Sri Hartamas, where we made mozzarella from scratch with founder Anissa Iwan.
Her cheese-making career began in 2012 in her hometown of Jakarta. Having travelled quite extensively in Europe, she was amazed by the variety of the cheeses over there.
Her passion led her to craft her own one-of-a-kind cheeses, including two inspired by and named after the Malaysian states of Malacca and Sarawak.
We were taught the basics of cheese-making, and the patience needed to acquire the end result.
And what better way to end a food journey, than with a cheese platter accompanied by a serving of various fruits and nuts.