My Penang Journey: A Foodie's Confession

I never thought i would like Penang food, until i went on this short, gastronomic journey on the island. It is no wonder as to why it is recognized as a food haven (even to Malaysians)- you can find delicious meals or snacks at any hour, at any corner. We ordered a few and nibbled them together, so to try the variety the state has to offer. Most of the stalls were my first experience; whether it left a lasting impression, you will find out below. My confession: i ate so much i am sure i gained weight at the end of this journey.

Instead of a chronological order, this part of Journey is a collection of food- the pride of Penang.

*Warning: Do not proceed on an empty stomach.* 

(i was always hungry when i blogged)

Genting Cafe
Our first stop in Penang and it did open the door for more good food to come. There was a wide selection of food to choose from here. Recommended.

Here it is.

A state famous for its Char Kuay Teow, this plate of noodles (from the shop next to Genting Cafe) did live up to its name. With fresh prawns, this tasty plate of noodles was memorable. So was the Chee Cheong Fan- silky and soft, rolled up. What's special was its peanut-base sauce. Also a good choice was the Curry Noodles. Mixed with chili in the spoon, the flavour was unique. You can have some 'blood' in this if you want too.

Outside was this stall selling Muar Chee- glutinous rice flour with peanut. It is hard to compare or rate Muar Chees, but i liked this- soft enough, fresh enough, sweet enough. The uncle told us he has several branches in KL too.

My sister posing at a stall next to Genting Cafe that sells Soya Bean drink, Tou Fu Far, and a special mix of Soya Bean drink and Cincau. I had Tou Fu Far. It was smooth and soft, but there was nothing to shout about.

Where? Genting Cafe, Lorong Delima 3, Island Glades, Penang

Kimberley Street

One of the more touristy spots, hence the prices here were slightly higher than usual.

 The crowd at the Char Kuay Teow stall was large but i found this ordinary. The portion was small; one plate wasn't enough. The drumstick was tasty. The meat was tender and the skin was flavourful. I don't take chicken feet but just to show they served them here too. Hokkien Mee with pork addition was okay. Outside along the road, there were several stalls selling Economic Noodles.

If you happen to visit this street, you must try the Kuay Teow Th'ng; highly recommended. Unfortunately, i did not take a photo of it. The soup had some peppery flavour to it and the fish ball was bouncy. The best Kuay Teow Th'ng in this trip.

Kedai Kopi Seng Thor
This is one of the coffee shops near town that's a force to be reckoned with. Well, that sounds a little exaggerated but we visited this shop twice- breakfast and tea, for different reasons.

Busy eatery.

Bowl after bowl, pot after pot. The Loh Mee at this kopitiam was delicious. The gravy was thick and viscous but filled with oomph, with pieces of duck egg. To make it even better, mix a spoon(ful) of garlic into the soup and stir before devouring. Recommended.

This bowl of Pork Noodle took some time to prepare. The soup was rather plain but i liked the minced meat (my bad, i don't eat the other parts to provide a fair review).

I watched this man appeared on TV (and he later mentioned). I couldn't remember the location but i remembered the push cart selling Lo Bak, so when i saw him (and it), i couldn't wait to taste those lo bak. Rather pricey when ordered the mix of ingredients, though the lo bak was okay.

We returned for tea for this oyster omelet. It was a decision worthwhile. I am not a fan of oyster but i saw myself picking oyster after oyster- large, juicy and fresh ones. Usually i take the egg and starch, the accompany of this dish, but this dish remained true to its star. Rather pricey but recommended. See the wok filled with egg?

Where? 160 Lebuh Carnarvon, Georgetown, Penang

Weld Quay Restaurant (Tree Shade)
Looking for reasonable priced seafood? I highly recommend this restaurant. Trademarked by the large tree shade it sits below, we had satisfying and fulfilling lunch here, a break from the hawker food stalls.

 Steamed Fish- fish was fresh and the gravy (or soup) was well flavoured. It had the oomph.

Belacan Fried Chicken- my brother enjoyed this much. It was crispy and tasty.

Potato Leaf Vegetable- cooked well and provided the much needed leafy greens diet for this food trip.

This was so yummy i decided to put it as a solo picture- Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab. Crispy, salty, crunchy.

Where? Lot 198 Pengkalan Weld, Seksyen 23, Georgetown, Penang

Contact number? 012-4292579

888 Hokkien Mee Stall

Throughout this food trip, i thought this Hokkien Mee (Prawn Noodle) stall was my favourite- recommended. Tucked nearby a hawker center, this stall was busy with customers.

 

Entering the shop.

Tasty prawn noodles. 

Where? Off Lebuh Mcnair, Lebuh Presgrave

Nasi Kandar Beratur
I was looking forward to nasi kandar as Penang is home to several heavyweight nasi kandar restaurants in KL. Unfortunately, my visit to this eatery, who boasts it got its name from the long queue (which my interpretation of it would mean it should be good or cheap, or both), did not live up to my expectation.

The queue was short when we arrived but as we left, it was curving towards the road. Still, i ponder at the crowd.

 It just didn't work for me. The gravies lacked oomph and the chicken was tough. When i return to Penang, i shall give the other nasi kandar eateries a try.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng
I have to admit: this is one of the best Mee Goreng i have ever tasted, in Penang, everywhere. This famous stall has been around for many years and i can see regulars, and tourists alike, enjoying the plate of noodles. I was also amazed by the owners and workers who could speak Hokkien.  

 Man in action frying the wok-full of noodles (on the left) and the stall on the right. See, i wasn't the only one taking photos of the man in action.

Came reddish in colour, fear not for the spiciness level was just perfect. With a squeeze of lime and wet with egg, the flavours simply burst in my mouth! Highly recommended.

Where? Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng, Seng Lee Coffee Shop, 20 Jalan Burmah, Georgetown, Penang

When? 8 am to 6.30pm, closes on Mondays

Contact number? 0164857859

Kuay Teow Th'ng 

Tucked between two rows of buildings was this hawker stall selling noodles, one my sister and friend mentioned many times.

 

The bowl of noodles came with chicken slices and different types of balls. I liked the ginger-added and larger ones. The soup was clear with a little lard spread over. The kuay teow noodle was smooth, it reminded me of eating Ipoh Hor Fun.

Toh Soon Cafe
Walking around, we were given the options to choose where to have toast bread. We arrived at this humble sidewalk stall, bustling with people.

Looking for a table to sit.

What captured our attention (or mine, at least) was the method of toasting bread- charcoal oven at the bottom and stove at the top for boiling water. I could choose the electric machine but why use that when i saw this. The product? Crispy white or chocolate bread with tasty mix of margarine and kaya. It tasted truly authentic.

 

Order half boiled eggs (came in cups) and dip the bread slices in- a local way of eating. Drink it up once you near the bottom. Otherwise, you can just drink the coffee. A great kopitiam to be; recommended for a visit. 

Where? No 148, Lebuh Campbell, Georgetown, Penang

Contact number? 04-2613754

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Long name, but it needs no further explanation. Famous, definitely, judging from the crowd and queue of its maiden stall- right til the main road, and the family-run branches around.

On a hot and sunny day (or even if it is rainy), the Chendul was a delightful dessert. Not too sweet and the green chendul was fresh and good. Recommended.

My brother having his Ice Kacang. However, he wasn't very fond of this style of ice kacang. I found this average too, though it did come with many toppings.

Fruit Rojak was good for snack.

Website? Chendul

Batu Lanchang Food Complex
Some of my favourite dishes are located in this food complex, slightly outside the city center.

This Pasembur was so yummy i could not resist ordering a second! The gravy was sour enough to excite the taste buds; the crunchy crackers nicely absorbed the gravy for added oopmh. I enjoyed the addition of jellyfish in this dish- the bouncy texture made this dish all the more interesting. Highly recommended.

Although not the best, this Char Koay Teow did satisfy my Char Koay Teow craving.

The Wan Tan Mee was okay. As a fan of popiah, this Popiah was delectable! With the right blend of sauces with gravy poured over in the end, i found myself devouring one piece after another. Highly recommended.

 With the colourful variety and the crowd picking quickly, i was spoilt for choice and pushed to make decisions fast. Yes, i was feeling a little tensed because i like kuihs and i limited myself to take just three. I picked right as i enjoyed my choices. Not the best, however recommended.

As the sign reads, this cup of pure sugar cane was naturally sweet. A good drink after meals.

Despite the array of food i had, i missed out on some such as the Assam Laksa. Well, this gives me another reason to visit the island.

My Penang Journey: A Foodie's Confession

My Penang Journey: Pearl It Is