Penang Food Trip Special - 7 Things to Try

We have just came back from Penang recently and were contemplating whether or not to share good food at Penang (as we are SGfoodfeed, hehe). Nonetheless, we decided to share some of our food findings from our 3 days 2 night trip.

=================================

三條路 888 Hokkien Prawn Mee, Lor Mee

• Operating Days: Closed on Thursdays
• Operating Time: 4.30 PM to 12 AM
• Address: Lebuh McNair, 67-A Lebuh Presgrave, Georgetown

We took an evening flight from Singapore to Penang, and by the time we reached and check in to the hotel, we were all famished and ready to start our night right. It was just so happened that 3rd Road Lebuh Presgrave Hokkien Mee 三條路 888 was just minutes of walking distance from our hotel, and thus we decided to give it a try.

There were quite a number of people queuing in front of us when we reached slightly past 8:30pm. It wasn’t a long wait before our turn. There were 3 assistants seen helping out at the stall.

From the look of the prawn noodle, it is somewhat similar to what you always see in Singapore. However, the taste of the prawn Hokkien Mee here is slightly different. The prawn broth was flavourful and yet not too thick, with their homemade watery chilli adding to the kick of it. Definitely must try!

It was pretty much self-service when you are eating here. You are required to bring back the bowl to the stall owner yourself if you are not sitting at their stall (as they are always full House).

=================================

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 10 AM to 7.30 PM
• Address: 475, Jalan Penang, 10450 Georgetown
• Home Page
• Facebook Page

Penang Chendol was also an item on my list to try and so here we are, trying out the highly raved Chendol at this standalone stall.

There were many people queuing up at almost all the standalone stalls we’ve seen along the same stretch of road (as it is one of the famous tourist spots). We waited for almost 20 minutes under the hot sun before it was our turn to order. The clearing of the queue was considered very fast (and we still had to wait for 20 minutes) so we were having high expectation on the Chendol.

Unlike the usual Chendol you see in Melaka (where Gula Melaka will be used), the Chendol at Penang is milky in colour, emphasizing a lot on the quality and freshness of the coconut milk. It tasted slightly saltier compared to the Melaka one, but still, the Chendol here is still one of better ones compared to the rest I’ve eaten.

================================

Penang Road Famous Chao Kuey Teow

槟榔律仁哥驰名炒粿条

• Operating Days: Closed on Wednesdays
• Operating Time: 9.30 AM to 6 PM
• Address: 475, Jalan Penang, 10450 Georgetown

Right beside the Chendol stall, we found a super duper long queue and out of curiosity, we followed and joined in the queue to check it out. While we were queuing, we realized that many of them have friends queueing up for Chendol as well. The clearing of the queue for Chendol is much faster compared to this queue, and therefore you will see many of them eating Chendol while queueing for Char Kway Teow. Actually quite smart eh?

Finally, it was our turn after a good 1/2 hour wait. Penang Road Famous Chao Kuey Teow is actually a small food stall right outside the coffee shop. Each plate was stir-fried upon order and most local will add in duck egg to their plate of kway Teow instead of chicken egg.

The taste of the duck egg may be too strong for some, but we totally love the taste. The Kway Teow was springy and it is not the usual kind of black char kway Teow you see in Singapore.

It was not a big portion given but the prawns they used were big and fresh! It was overall a nice plate of fried kway teow; until we found another one that totally won our hearts down.

==================

Tiger Char Koay Teow

老虎炒粿条

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 8 AM to 2.30 PM
• Address: 179, Carnavon Street, 10300 Georgetown

This is the legend! Tiger Char Koay Teow was one of the must-try items on our food list prior to the trip. It was about a 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel so we decided to walk over after our breakfast buffet at the hotel (yes, you’ve heard us right).

We were there at 8:30am and the coffee shop was relatively empty. You will need to order at least a drink from the coffee shop owner or else you will not have a seat.

The portion was not very big as well, but the overall taste is the bomb! Every kway Teow strand was fried perfectly under the right temperature, with wok hei taste. It might be a little oily for some, which we felt that it may be the reason why smaller portion was served instead of the usual portion served in Singapore.

It was so good that we finished the whole plate in less than 5 minutes despite being full from the hotel buffet. The prawn used was fresh as well. Definitely, thumbs up from us! We even dabao back to the hotel right before we leave. 

==================================

Art Of Dragon Gallery Dragon Ice Ball

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 9 AM to 6 PM
• Address: 19, Lebuh Cannon, 10300 Georgetown

We were strolling along the famous art street and chance upon this stall. The weather was scorching hot and we decided to join the queue to for ice ball. 

The process of making ice ball from the shop owner, who was friendly and smiling to all her customers despite being busy.

The size of the ice ball was decent but it was difficult to eat at first. Nothing special about the taste (probably except for the Pepsi syrup they used), but definitely something to eat to beat the heat! There was a small scoop of ice cream inside the ice ball as well, and you can get to choose the flavours.

You will get a seat inside the shop if you purchase something from them. They will not chase you away despite their continuous crowd.

==================================

Pasar Air Itam Penang Laksa

亚依淡巴刹叻沙

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 11.30 AM to 8 PM
• Address: Jalan Pasar Road, 11500 Georgetown

The itinerary of our trip includes the visit to 极乐寺, and we decided to start our day earlier by visiting Pasar Air Itam for another highly raved food item — Penang laksa!

For just 5RM a bowl, there was a lot of shredded tuna given, pairing with onion, perfecting the taste of the hot assam soup base. The Penang laksa here is slightly different from the common brands we see at JB. The soup base is not as sweet as the ones we’ve eaten and we really like this as well! Definitely, a good place to go if you are planning a trip down to visit the temple!

==================================

Traditional Home Of Dessert

汕头街四果汤

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 12 PM to 9.30 PM
• Address: 7A, Jalan Angsana, 11500, Bandar Baru Air Hitam

This dessert stall was actually a recommendation from a local friend who visits them regularly. It was about 9pm when we reached and it was still full house!

There weren’t any choices left for us to choose as they were about to close. We chose their only item — 雪耳汤 to try. The soup was a little too sweet for our liking, and it felt like we were drinking sugar syrup. Though the amount of ingredient given was considered adequate, the taste of the dessert did not leave us with a deep impression. We felt that the taste was pretty normal, and will not purposely make a trip down for this. It is, however, pretty popular among the locals and furthermore, we have yet to try the other items available here. Therefore, do give them a visit for other choices if you have a chance.

The trip to Penang will definitely not be the last trip for us as we have yet to try out so many other food stalls on our list. We have heard of the famous ah pek fried kway teow where the average waiting time for your kway teow to be served is around 2 hours. Do share with us any good recommendation you have if you are heading to Penang soon! 

Xun Wei Hotpot 寻味火锅 - Steamboat buffet for less than $20+ per pax!

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 11 AM to 1 AM
• Address: 28 Liang Seah Street, S 189049
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Page

Liang Seah Street, also known as the steamboat street (well, at least to me), has many steamboat restaurants and other eateries along the same stretch. It was a cold and gloomy evening and here we are, standing at the street deciding which steamboat restaurant to try. We were attracted by the projector that screened the shop name “寻味” on the ground, and that’s how we came to know about this restaurant and decided to give it a try.

This is the shop front of the restaurant. Nothing fanciful from the look outside.

We tried very hard to get the attention of the waiter (who happened to be also the one handling payment, clearing plates and attending requests) to find us a seat. The paper menu was passed to us almost instantly after we settle down.

As you can see, there are not much variety of food choices on the menu (especially for the types of meat) as compared to the more atas steamboat restaurant out there. However, it was quite alright for us, given the amount we need to pay for each pax (I will be covering that later).

The beef slices were fresh and thin, and personally, we think it went very well with the mala soup base! The portion given was very generous as well.

The whole table of goodness just for the two of us (of course it is free flow, you can order as many times as you want)!

We were told that just for the two of us, we can order up to 4 soup bases. We ordered the tomato, chicken, seafood and of course the mala soup base. Each soup base has its own uniqueness and you will definitely be spoilt for choices. One downside is that the waiter did not tell us the soup are chargeable (excluding the buffet price). We were charged for $8 for the soup base, which is still pretty reasonable.

They have also condiments corner for you to mix your sauce for the steamboat. We went on a weekday at about 10pm and some of the sauce had run out. 

For the price of $19.80+ on a weekday and $23.80+ on a weekend, 寻味 maintained their low prices at Liang Seah Street to remain competitive. With the price paid and the type of food served, it is worth visiting them if you are craving for a steamboat affair with your buddies after a long day work. Just to add on, 寻味 has free flow ice cream just like Haidilao as well, and it is probably the only steamboat restaurant along the stretch that has this. Do share with us your experience with them after you visit!

Ah Tan Crispy Chicken Har Cheong Gai at Yishun Park Hawker Centre Revisited

• Operating Days: Closed on Mondays.
• Operating Time: 11 AM to 3 PM & 4 PM to 9 PM
• Address: Yishun Park Hawker Centre, #01-40, 51 Yishun Ave 11, S 768867
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Page

We decided to patronize Ah Tan again at Yishun Park Hawker Centre, as we have realized they have changed their some of their stall decorations, as well as their menu. It's not easy to find good Har Cheong Gai so we are back to see if the taste is still the same like how we love it to be when they just started last year. 

Their new LED sign are very bright which you will definitely not to miss it. They have changed their menu, and had removed side dishes like fries and salad. Instead, it was replaced with rice and egg.

They have also simplified their menu too. The two main items are the Atas Wing Meal ($5.20) and the Atas Cutlet Meal ($6.50) that comes with a har cheong cutlet. Both meals are served with frangrance rice and a sunny side up. If you’re going for the wings alone, they can be purchased at $1.70 per wing, with a minimum purchase of 2 wings per order.

Ah Tan Wings now serves their Har Cheong Gai Cutlet with fragrant rice instead of fries. 

That crisp, fried shrimp paste chicken that carries a umami flavour from the marination goes extremely well with their fragrant rice. What's surprising is they remained crispy even after sitting out for a while. Its’ extremely crispy on the outside of the crusty batter, and definitely the key this is one of the main reasons why we’re are constantly back again

The chicken meat had the salty-sourness of the prawn paste. The meat was fresh, succulent and tender with all the juices inside the meat still locked within.
The chilli here are given complementary by the stall owner. The level of spiciness was almost akin to the chilli usually served with Hainanese Chicken Rice, but at a lighter taste.

Well, At Ah Tan, the price of a meal maybe a little pricer as compared to hawker meal, but this is something that is indeed worth the price. Ah Tan Wings is a place that shrimp paste chicken and fried chicken lovers must check out, even if you stay afar.
Definitely something that fried chicken/Har Jeong Kai lovers should really make a trip down for!

Shi Li Fang 食立方 - A steamboat affair with free soft toys after every meal!

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 10 AM to 10 PM
• Facebook Page
• Address: Multiple Locations
• Orchard central, 181 Orchard Road #07-10/11, S 238896
• Icon village, 12 Gopeng Street #01-41, S 078877
• Thomson plaza, 301 Upper Thomson Road #01-106, S 574408
• Chinatown point,133 New Bridge Road #B1-30, S 059413
• City square, 180 Kitchener Rd #02-53/54, S 208539
• J-cube, 2 Jurong East Central 1,#02- 08A, S 609731
• West Coast Plaza, 154 West Coast Road #02-24, S 127371
• Bedok Point, 799 New Upper Changi Road #03-38/39, S 467351
• Hougang 1, 1 Hougang Street 91 #01-23, S 538692

I’m pretty sure many Singaporeans are fans of steamboat, with many new pop up steamboat theme restaurants growing rapidly almost at every part of Singapore. It was 8:30pm when we visited Shi Li Fang at Chinatown point, and the number of people queuing to go in brought out our curiosity to give this place a try.

When we walked past the restaurant during weekday lunch time, the whole restaurant would be packed with people. We were surprised to see there were still quite a number of people that had just started eating despite we have past the usual timing for dinner.

We ordered a set for 2 pax with tomato soup and chicken soup. The portion came was huge! 

We think the set is easily enough for 3 pax. The set came with pork belly, pork collar, marinated pork and chicken slices. The vegetable platter consist with generous amount of china cabbage, xiao bai chye, crabstick, enoki mushroom, tang hoon and egg. Similar to Hai Di Lao, they have handmade ramen here as well, which is a popular choice for many. You might encounter difficulty in getting the waiter’s attention to prepare the noodle on the spot in front of you as they are always very busy running around. 

Prawn glue (which came in a tube) is something that we frequent order whenever we are here. The gluelike texture paste will become springy and delicious after cooked. The prawn they used for their prawn glue is very fresh too.

The best thing about dining at Shi Li Fang is they do not charge extra for their sauce! Though they do not have a huge variety of sauce like Hai Di Lao, the variety of sauce provided here is still acceptable. Most of the common sauce for steamboat can be found here.

Cooked shabu shabu pork belly in tomato soup! The pork was fresh and thin, which is perfect for steamboat. The tomato soup base is similar to Hai Di Lao’s as well, but of course it is not as flavourful, which we didn’t mind as it is still tangy and just right for our liking.

The marinated pork was a little salty to our liking, but the flavour is still on point and it goes well with rice or noodle.

Shi Li Fang may not be unfamiliar with many working adults and is a popular choice for lunch with colleagues as they serve nice and affordable steamboat set. Though you may not get the top service like what you receive at Hai Di Lao, it is still recommended for you to give Shi Li Fang a try. Other than dining, Shi Li Fang is generous in giving out soft toys as well. Every $15 spent will earn you a chop, and with just two chops, (which is easily obtainable after a meal) you can choose to bring home a small soft toy. Fear not if you fancy a particular soft toy without enough stamps. Chances are you will still be able to get it as long as you request from the staffs nicely. There is no reason for you to spend money catching soft toy at the claw machines when you can fill your stomach and get free toys at Shi Li Fang. 

Nadim's Delights Burger Banjir - with Cheese overwhelming!

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 11 AM to 3 PM & 5 PM to 11 PM
• Address: 508 Jurong West ST 52, S 640508
• Facebook Page

Thinking of having a lot (we mean A LOT) of cheese sauce overflowing your meal? Calling all Cheese lovers -  Nadim's Delights is a place you can try if you are in the west area.

Nadim's Delights is a halal western food stall located inside a coffee shop at Blk 508 Jurong West Street 52. We were here for the highly raved Burger Banjir. Just as the name Burger Banjir, which is translated as “Flooded Burger”, you can expect cheese flooding on your plate when it is served.

The waiting time at this stall may take more than 30 minutes. It may not be ideal for those who are looking for a quick bite during lunch or dinner hours.

Burger Banjir came with double chicken patties that were lightly breaded with melted cheese in between them. The burger was then drenched in savoury cheese sauce when served. 

The set came with fries and baked beans. 

They have recently changed the French fries from standard-cut into crinkle-cut, which is a good change in our opinion. The cheese sauce is not too salty and light, which goes very well with the French fries.

Most people will usually hands-on with the burger, but you can definitely not use your hands to eat the Burger Banjir unless you want to get your hands with cheese all over. It is recommended to eat your burger with a knife and fork.

We suppose it was the overload of cheese sauce that helped the burger to keep its shape; the meat patty inside the burger did not fall apart when we sliced it, unlike most other burgers. Other than the meat patties and cheese, Coleslaw was used instead of the usual lettuce underneath the bun. At first, we were expecting the bun to be soggy since it was served soaking in cheese sauce. Surprisingly, the burger is able to hold its shape as well as we slice it through with just plastic knife. The meat patty they use here is similar to the patty seen in Ramly burger, and not the usual crispy patty in most chicken burger. We prefer the patty to be more crispy as we felt that a more deep-fried patty would add more flavour to the overall taste. 

Nadim's Delights' Burger Banjir is a must try for all cheese lovers if you are heading to the west. However, it is highly recommended to go with an empty stomach or you can share the set with a friend as it may be too rich for some.