Monday, March 4, 2013

Penang - To Eat (Ocean Green Seafood Restaurant, Sawara, "The Floating Mosque", "Uncle Burger", Viva Food Heaven, Roti Bak Kua, Ban Chan Kueh, "Under The Tree", Sin Seow Fong Lye Coffee Shop (Macalister Lane), Chowrasta Market: Kedai Kopi Soon Yuen, "The Famous Cendol" , "Sky Hotel Char Siew", Da Jie Xi Cafe - Assam Stingray, "By the River - Nasi Kandar", Red Tea House Dim Sum)

Penang - To Do
Penang - To Eat

Penang To Eat
Ocean Green Seafood Restaurant
Ocean Green lies at the end of Gurney Drive, facing the Malacca Strait. It's a quaint location with a great view of the mainland. Watch as the sunset colors the night sky in a spectacle of changing hues as you enjoy their array of seafood dishes. 
Their signature dishes such as the Chicken, Satay, Stuffed Crab and noodles listed below are not to be missed.
ABBATIP: 
- The place is Halal certified*
- Their chilli sauce is really good. More sweet than anything else and really enhances the flavors of the dishes. Our table finished an entire bottle. No problem. 
Click here for ABBA location of Ocean Green: Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Georgetown, 10050 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Ordered:
 Chicken Satay
*Unlike most Satay joints which serve a bowl of dipping peanut sauce alongside the dish, the satay here is marinated with the flavors infused directly into the meat.
Another signature dish to try as a starting appetizer.*
 Spring Chicken
*Fried to a crisp. Great flavor and texture. A signature dish at this restaurant!*
 Steamed Prawns
Salted-Egg Batter Fried Squid
*Good, crispy salty goodness*
 Stuffed Crab
*Another Signature dish. Blue Swimmer crab meat, with mushrooms and cheese,
broiled to perfection. A definite must try.
  Tou Foo
  Baked Crab
 Teochew Mee Teow
*Very good flavor. Noodles had a great bite to them.
Lots of fresh ingredients in it. A crowd pleaser. A must order as a signature dish*

Dessert: Sea-Coconut and Longan
Total: RM468
Fed: Very well 6 Pax
 Sawara
Sarawa specializes in hearty fish head/sliced broths. There are other dishes listed on the menu, but most are steamboat items which you can add to your rich broth.
Click here for ABBA location of Sarawa: Pulau Tikus, 393 Jalan Burmah 10350 Penang
 
 Ordered:
Clay-pot Fish Head (small) and side servings of golden mushroom and cuttlefish.
Alongside were cooked dishes of Home-made Sotong Balls and Char Siew.
The soup stock was nice, however the amount of actual fish seemed inadequate for the price paid.Although, the fish meat was very succulent and full of collagen. For the uninitiated to eating fish-head, be careful as bones and sharp teeth can 'bite' back.

The additional items aren't much to scream about. Neither were their signature dishes of Char Siew or Fried home-made Sotong Balls. Char Siew was dry, and Sotong Balls were greasy and small. In fact, they felt over-priced at RM12 per dish.
Total: RM91
Fed: 2


A foodies haven! In Penang, Penangknights are their own best food critics. It is through the spread of reputation and reviews, which guarantee only the best foods in Penang survive and stay open. You are pretty much assured great hawker food wherever you go.

Below, are a few of the many, many great eats in Penang and have listed down by area, from the Northern End to the Southern Tip. 

 Focusing largely on the signature dishes, that are definitely worth  the pilgrimage. Most of the great hawker foods all have some back story to them, which adds that much more history and color to the dining experience.

Tanjong Bunga (Northern.E Area)
Click here for ABBA details of the Tanjong Bunga Area

 "The Floating Mosque"
Home cooked Muslim food. Simply grab a plate of rice, and dish for yourself whatever dishes they have for the day. From Beef Rendang to Spiced Squids and curried Vegetables, all of which have great flavor. Prices are calculated by the staff at the counter.
What is their pricing policy? Like many other self service pick and choose, no one has an idea but food always taste great.
ABBA insight: It is said that during the tsunami, which hit George town in Dec of 2004, this floating mosque' which stands protruding out into the waters, was miraculously found to be completely untouched or damaged by the event. 
Click here for ABBA location of The Floating Mosque

"Uncle Burger"
 
Famous Uncle burger serves up chicken/beef patties with options of cheese and egg and a generous heap of beautifully caramelized onions between two large soft sweet buns. The perfect balance of ingredients and a handful of sinful delight.
*Taken 13Nov2015*
*Taken 13Nov2015*

People will make the pilgrimage from the southern most tip of Penang, to the Northern tip in Tanjong Bungah just to queue for Uncle Burger. Go for the works, it's absolutely worth a meal or a late night snack. He also serves hotdogs, split down the middle to get extra caramelization when fried on the hot pan. 
 *Taken 13Nov2015*
When asked why they weren't open the previous day, their reply was," We don't take holidays, only as and when needed"Open from Evenings till late.
Click here for ABBA location of Uncle Burger, along Jalan Sungai Kelian, opposite Esso Station

Viva Food Heaven
Worth a mention at Viva, are the Oyster Omelets, cooked with local sweet oysters, served alongside a semi-sour chili sauce, a perfect pairing. The other foods stalls are pretty good ad well and even the Japanese stall serving Sashimi Makis weren't too bad either.
Ordered On:
16Nov2015
 *The blachan chicken is really good. Juicy on the inside and crispy on the out*

*Octopus steamed with garlic, limau pirut*
Located beside the Chinese swimming club, this collection of hawker food fare, span from Western, Indian, Fusion, Purely Penang and much more. It is one of the many food centers, generously spread all over Penang Island to feed the foodies. Open afternoon and mostly evenings till late. 
Click here for ABBA location  of Viva Food Heaven, Lot 303,Jalan Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Tanjong Tokong, Penang, Malaysia

Fattys Park Area (Northern.E Area)
Click here for ABBA area of Fattys Park, just South of Tajong Bunga
Street eats:
Roti Bak Kua
(Sweet soft bread with BBQ sweet pork.) 
Roti Bak Kua is a great street snack. Steamy soft sweet buns, lathered in sweet sauce, topped with charcoal cooked Bak Kua. A simple street snack that brings back tons of memories.
ABBA insight: Back in the day, Roti Ba Kua used to be bought along side Cachang Puteh (an assortment of nuts) before watching any movie. What popcorn is to cinemas, was Roti Bah Kua.


Ban Chan Kueh
(Crispy Peanut Pancake with assortment of condiments)
Another favorite snack of mine is Ban Chan Gui. With original fillings of sugar and peanuts, plain or with addition of jar gong (sweet corn).
Overtime variants have sprung up with options of white or brown sugar (a much more fragrant sweetness) and an assortment of fillings.

Some concoctions gaining popularity are the chocolate and banana with brown sugar which have garnered great reviews.
ABBAtip: The Best way to enjoy Ban Chan Gui is to open a tab and devour them fresh off the stove. Pay after you've had your fill. Having it packed to go, will often leave them soggy and disappointing.
Click here for ABBA location of Ban Chan Gui Man and Roti Bah Kua, along Jalan Fetties, at the corner of the building, opposite to one another.

"Under The Tree"
(Used to be good but gotten pricey and standards dropped!!)
This by the roadside store is has an array of home cooked, largely Chinese dishes. You can have your pick of home cooked foods and staff on hand will charge accordingly.

The bonus of eating here are the other supporting stalls which are the Penang Laksa, Dessert Stalls, Curry Mee, Ice Kanchang and other miscellaneous, all conveniently located under big trees. A nice place to have home cooked food and still not miss on other old time Penang favorites.
Click here for ABBA Location of Under The Tree, located at the end of Jalan Fettes

Komtar Area (Main City Area)
Click here for ABBAlocation of Komtar Area
Sin Seow Fong Lye Coffee Shop (Macalister Lane)
Chee Cheong Fun.
ABBAInsight: The Chee Cheong Fun business is all kept in the family. One of the three stalls located around Penang. The other is found in Chowrasta Market, review below. 
The other operates at Fatty's area, in the coffee shop beside Roti Ba Kua, reviewed above. 
Carrot Cake here are also a must try. Done Penang Style with fat carrot cake, cooked to a crisp on its sides, done either in black sauce with or without chilli. 
Click here for ABBA location of Sin Seow Fong Lye, 94C Macalister Lane
Chowrasta Market: Kedai Kopi Soon Yuen
The star is the silky smooth Chee Cheong Fun. It is one of the three shop lots located in the town area, which are all run by the family. Their half roll and chop technique ensure the right amount of both prawn and chilli sauces to adequately cote it's silky smooth rice rolls.  You can also have it plain, with oil, light soy sauce and sesame seeds which tastes equally good.

One of the other stalls is at Macallister Lane, reviewd above. Their Wan Tan Mee, Kway Teow Teng and Curry Mee here are really good too. 

 Chowrasta Market is also the community market for the area. Be amongst the people in the morning as Penangknights get their catches of the day and groceries for the week.
Click here for ABBA location of Kedai Kopi Soon Yuen Coffee Shop
 
"The Famous Cendol"
 Cendol is a sweet dessert. Ice shavings, with string like green jelly, served with red bean in coconut milk and the right balance of gula melaka (palm sugar). 
Click here for ABBA location of Famous Cendol, Locatedalong Lebuh Keng Kwee street in front of Kafe Joo Hooi
"Sky Hotel Char Siew"


The Best Char Siew (BBQ Meat) in town. Right amount of caramelization, smokey carbon bits, and juicy, fatty morsels spread throughout the meat. Fantastic. 
ABBAinsight: Hugely popular. They will not allow others to buy up the whole char siew. By 11am, everyone will be waiting for their serves. Just make your order and the Uncle at the store can remember every order. Seconds are a definate must.  

Air Hitam area
Click here for ABBA location of Air Hitam Area

"Tripartite of food hawkers"
Click here for Area of the food hawkers located along Jalan Air Putih
Da Jie Xi Cafe
- Assam Stingray -
Economy RiceMust try Assam Stingray. I must say it is one of the most fragrant ones I've ever had. Other curries and side dishes are available. Pick and choose what you want but the winner here is definitely the stingray.

Keat Seng Restaurant
Opens mostly in the evenings and must tries:
- Seafood/Meat Haw Fun-
*pictured center

A mix of Beehoon along with fat white noodles. The Hawfun here has a distinct fragrant char from being wok fried by huge flames, coupled with its starchy soup broth and egg topping, great joys on one small plate.
- Ikan Bakar BBQ seafood-
*food stall in Keat Seng
Malay style hot plate seafood and vegetable dishes done just right.
Ordered stingray and Kachang Bottle (four cornered vegetable) with Ocra/Ladies Fingers vegetable dish.
Stingray had the right amount of caramelization, with just the right amount of dry curry spiced rub, to not be overpowering on the taste buds.
Kachang Bottle was cooked well, without leaving any green leafy after-taste. Fried with chilli padi, charlottes, fragrant hei bi hiam (prawn paste) and garlic. The crunch and sweetness of the Kachang Bottle along with Okra and spices worked well together.
- Other must eats at this food center are the thick Porridge with deep fried pig intestines, Lor Bak Store, and Curry Mee. 
Click here for ABBA location of Keat Seng Restaurant along Jalan Air Putih 

"By the River - Nasi Kandar"
(Indian Muslim Cuisine)
An array of spiced dishes are there for your choosing. Each curry, rich in flavor and distinctly different in aromas and tastes from the other. Located across a small bridge, by a very small, slow-flowing water stream, in Kedai Kopi Joo Heng Coffee Shop.
Click here for ABBA location of By The River, Kedai Kopi Joo Heng Coffee Shop


Red Tea House Dim Sum
Available only in the mornings opening from 6am-12pm. A wide array of Dim Sum available for your pickings at reasonable prices. A great breakfast/brunch location for everyone. Pick what you want or choose from the push cart as it comes along.
Click here for ABBA location of Red Tea House Dim Sum, located Opposite Sunshine Farlim(old), Fortune Court, Jalan Thean Tek, 11500 AIR ITAM, PENANG N5 23.898 E100 17.261
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