Crowds flock to Foodie Friday ANDY CRONSHAW
STOCKPORT may be, as the title of one of the key players in Foodie Friday suggests, seven miles out from Manchester.
But I’d happily crawl that distance on my hands and knees for another taste of street food vendor Nasi Lemak’s banana leaf cod.
There’s always plenty to choose from at this increasingly popular event held every third Friday of the month at the Market Place in the town centre.
In June, The Pizza Maker crew were there with their wood-fired oven turning the dial to 400 degrees for authentic pizza.
The Wrapscallion mobile kitchen presented South American street food quesilladas, a sort of toasted tortilla sandwich, and my favourite – rabbit, chorizo, beans and rice.
Somtam’s Thai food was hearty and excellent – particularly the pad Thai and chicken satay skewers.
Ice cream duties were capably undertaken by Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, a favourite of the Manchester street food scene.
But the Malaysian banana leaf cod (Ikan Bakar) was, as a pal who helped himself to far too much of my portion said, a ‘discovery’.
It’s a speciality of Nasi Lemak owner Jim Khor who also brings his kitchen to Stockport every third Tuesday of the month for a guest appearance at Tandem Coffee House.
This dish is riot of textures from silky smooth cold rice noodles to the crunchy roasted peanuts which lace the bowl.
The cod is griddled on its banana leaf in a tangy tomato sauce while additional condiments add a whirl of flavours. It’s not for the chilli averse either – this kicks like an angry mule. The stall also provides beef rendang matched with an outstanding coconut rice.
To cool things down there’s always the High Peak Beer Co, which opens in the market hall for the occasion, knocking out beers from the craft ale breweries of the region.
Next time I’ll head to the Mexican tortilla and paella stalls if they are there – even I couldn’t try everything that was on offer.
Live music is booked by Seven Miles Out which stays open during the event and is always worth a visit.
Manchester’s street food offering may have improved immensely recently but Stockport is not playing second fiddle.
Foodie Friday is a triumph.
The next event will be on Friday, July 31.