Beware of ants in your food — this new Portuguese-Malaccan fusion eatery serves them pickled

“Don’t consume drinks filled with ants or else you’ll become senile,” is probably a common saying from parents to their children — in my community at least. If your mom is like mine, don’t tell her you’re going to visit brand new eatery Dot’s Cafe in Subang Jaya, or you might get smacked!

Dot’s Cafe, which just opened in Sep, brings a fresh take on Portuguese Melaka cuisine with a unique Eurasian fusion twist. Run by a family of proud Malaccans whose rich cultural heritage shines through the timeless Kristang flavours injected in every dish.

To kick off your meal, try their most intriguing appetiser — Mango Ants Passionfruit (RM14.50). This dish puts a bold spin on the classic Malaccan mango drink.

Imagine a sweet and tangy burst of flavours from mango passionfruit sorbet, packed with mango jelly, asam boi, and juicy mangoes. But here’s the twist: it’s topped with a surprising crunch of red weaver ants.

Before you panic, yes, weaver ants are perfectly safe to eat! In fact, they’re a delicacy in certain Southeast Asian communities. The pupae are known for their creamy texture while the adult ants offer a bright, sour-citrusy taste.

Dot’s Cafe pickles the ants to enhance their natural tang, delivering an exciting burst of flavour that’s sure to surprise your taste buds.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Don’t miss out on their Kristang signatures. Try the Chicken Curry Debal (RM18), a fiery dish that pairs perfectly with their homemade bread (RM11) for dipping.

Other than that, go for the Pimenta (RM25) — named after the Kristang word for “pepper.” It’s a hearty combination of seabass, potatoes, eggplant, and sugar snap peas. A quick heads-up: if you’re not a fan of spice, the Debal curry might be a bit too hot to handle!

Immerse yourself in the colourful world of Portuguese-Eurasian culture at Dot’s Cafe, nestled in the heart of Subang. You will walk out a little more culturally enriched — and probably a pound or two heavier.

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