By Kabelo Mollo
The extreme lengths we content producers and media practitioners will go to for our readers and consumers is criminally underrated. Anybody who follows me on social media platforms will know I have undertaken a healthy regimen of gym in order to lose weight and to fix my hypertension.
I have been dogged in my determination to weigh less than 100kg’s by the end of this year. I’m about 12kg’s done with probably another 15 or so (given the time of day) to go. I’m in the gym every day from Monday to Thursday doing a mixture of cross fitness, core exercises and cardio training. On Fridays I hit the open road for a 5km run with the aim of running a half marathon by the end of the year. Sundays are my best days as I’ve found a touch rugby game that satisfies my competitive edge and allows me to hone my skills in a game I love!
I have put all of that aside so that I can bring you a thoroughly prepared and well researched account of the best makoenya in Maseru. I have sought advice from the social media masses and paired it with my own expertise on the subject matter in order to write this review.
I have one lekoenya from each place that was suggested on Twitter. In total I have six Makoenya in front of me. I will do a review on each one and tell you what they’re best paired with. For full disclosure, I must say these were bought at different points in the day So, not all of them are “fresh” but none of them are older than a day.
I’m giving these reviews in real time and one after the other so as not to prejudice any of the contestants. I also didn’t tell any of the people at the various establishments that their makoenya are going to be reviewed so they’ll forgive me if I don’t write positively about their dough balls. But these are the top 5 from Twitter, so I have high expectations.
Mama’s restaurant
Opposite the infamous “Ha Frank” or Station Off sales as it is actually named, Mamas came out second in the Twitter poll. I have not had a lekoenya from the establishment in yonks and even when I last did, I did not really think about the quality of the offering but I must say this is good. Good consistency, not too oily, not too small. This one is fresh and smells pretty good. It’s not too doughy or heavy… I like it a lot actually. I’m going to score it an impressive 8 out of 10. A great start.
Bakery (Ha Matala)
Right next door to the Puma in Ha Matala is my favourite lekoenya generally. These ones don’t seem to be deep fried. I don’t know whether they’re oven baked or what but they’re amazing. I describe them as jam doughnuts without the jam filling. This is great. Again a very nice consistency with the dough, not too heavy. No oil detected on the outside and easy to chew. It’s also exactly the right size and dare I say would be a great lunchbox snack. I love this still and am going to score it an 8-and-a-half out of 10. We’re moving!
“Liheleng”
I didn’t think to ask what the name of the place is. It’s in Khubetsoana, just behind what used to be NutriFoods. This lekoenya looks a day old. It doesn’t seem to have much life, but anyway… Its got a bit of an oily texture but taste isn’t bad. It’s a bit doughy, maybe it’s just not fresh. I would ordinarily pair it with the chips from there but I resisted. It’s also just slightly overcooked. Hmm… Not bad, but fairly underwhelming after the highs of the first two. I’m going to give this a satisfactory 6 out of ten.
I’m getting a little full to be honest, but shall persevere!
Maria Delicious
Located directly opposite the “Our lady of victory” Cathedral, I waited in a long queue for this delight. It’s smaller than the others but tastes really good. It’s a little oily also which is not my favourite but it does taste good. I’ve never bought just one from Marias and I’m not sure how I feel about having stood there for as long as I did for this one lekoenya. Anyhow, it’s Good, not too doughy, and also lightly baked. Yes, good without being great. I’ll give it a 7-and-a-half out 10.
Bibi’s snack shop (Bonus)
This wasn’t in my twitter poll but I bought a lekoenya from there on my way home from gym this morning and it is positively delightful. Dare I say, best of the lot. The bake is perfect, it’s virtually oil-less and is exactly the right size as well. Not doughy at all and a beautiful golden brown colour, I think this is the One. It’s a food truck type shop in Masowe just down the road from Maseru Private Academ school. I’m giving this a 9 out of 10. Delightful!
In my next review I’ll endeavour to pair these delights with different things. Thank you to all who participated in the poll and to all shops who churn out this most awesome of anytime snacks. The lekoenya is an unsung hero in these parts!
