PETALING JAYA, June 4 -- If you bring a friend visiting from overseas to eat at Kampunglah, he or she may give you a death stare, wondering what they have got themselves into.

Brightly coloured dishes that shine yellow or even red while glossy dark dishes are served, where one cannot distinguish what's inside.

It doesn't look appetising to the naked eye, especially where food is drowning in gravy or submerged by crunchy fried ikan bilis.

Believe me, it's all about a collision of flavours - turmeric scented coconut milk curry with a hint of spiciness and smokiness - mingling with sweetness from the thick dark soy sauce or even the well tempered sambal mixed with stinky petai.

That's why you find it packed with families, couples with th...