Mention the word “sayur” (vegetables) to a waiter at your regular mamak eatery and you may end up not seeing anything green or leafy on your dish.
Here’s why.
The word “no” seems to automatically precede the word “sayur”. As such, it has been hardwired into those taking orders that any mention of “vegetables” would naturally mean the absence of it. Mind-boggling? Try it out.
This is on ‘repeat’ at most eateries my friends and I visit, in and around the Klang Valley. Many times we have been disappointed by the absence of vegetables, despite ordering fried noodles or rice “tambah sayur”. Invariably, the food we get is as pale and devoid of colour as a dish can get.
As such, there is a need to emphasise that we really want, no wait, we really hunger for more green, leafy, sometimes mushy, sometimes crunchy stuff in our dishes.
This would mean saying, “Boss, kasi tambah sayur, banyak sayur … sayur banjir, vegetarian, boss.” It must be accompanied with a flurry of hand gestures describing a plate full of vegetables.
There have been times when we were met with puzzled looks from the waiters. Do people really love “sayur” that much?
For the record, none of my friends and I are vegetarians or vegans, but yes, we like to have complete meals. In fact, there are some of us who avoid rice or noodles where possible, and instead, enjoy a plate full of vegetables with some meat or eggs.
But such a diet may seem odd to some. There had been those who also passed cynical remarks as they ordered a mountain of rice, several pieces of beef or mutton, and nothing else at the food counter.
However, it must be acknowledged that some eateries offer an unappetising array of vegeratables.
The Malaysian Food Pyramid (2020) issued by the Health Ministry sees vegetables and fruits placed right at the bottom of the pyramid, while rice and cereals are just above it. In short, you should have more vegetables and fruits, instead of rice on your plate.
The guide for one’s daily intake sees fish, meat, and eggs limited to one or two servings.
The major difference between the latest food pyramid and the previous ones is that in the past, carbohydrates, which once sat at the base of the pyramid, is now less significant in one’s diet.
The ordering pattern, evident by the reaction of the average waiter at your regular eatery, gives the impression that most Malaysians forgo the base of the pyramid and only concentrate on the rice/noodles and the meat.
Let’s not talk about the obsession with ordering extra sweet drinks instead of a much healthier choice – a glass of water.
Eating is both a necessity and a luxury. Some eat to live. Others live to eat.
But it’s best we maintain a balanced and healthy diet, along with plenty of physical activity.
There will be those who will snub such actions, claiming to have had friends who, despite exercising and dieting, still died young.
To each his own. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
That aside, let’s start a “sayur banjir” movement to ensure veggie lovers get the wholesome dish they desire.