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Penang Part 1: Food Coma Starts Now
December 10, 2017
It has been ages since I've been to Penang! If you followed my blog closely, you would know I am no foodie person hence not much of a reason to go on a Penang food trip and if you are saying, "But there are so many other things to see like Kek Lok Si, Ernest's street art, etc.", well I've seen it all, almost. Even so, I was excited to spend a week there because it would be fun to get out of busy KL for awhile and spend some time elsewhere!
Took the train down alone and arrived at Bukit Mertajam for the very first time. Well, I heard a lot about this place but didn't know the train station was smacked right in the middle of a small town on one side and a village on the other and obviously gave the city girl unfamiliarity and for once, with confidence, I could say that I was the most stylish person there in my dirty white sneakers and over sized Tee. Abang came to the rescue in a jiffy and whisked me off to our first eatery, Yam Rice at Jalan Murthy, Bukit Mertajam. I was famished by then so this cute little bowl of rice and warm soup definitely ease the hunger monster in me.
While we were still at mainland, Abang took the opportunity to show me his IKEA Penang site where the jolly stray dogs running around interested me more than the building's construction. We stopped by Design Village Mall afterwards and got ourselves a frying pan and some Starbucks before ending the day with dinner with Victor who was in Penang as well.
Sunday started with us meeting at Bukit Mertajam where Jerry brought us to some yummy food place, Sai Toh Lim Restaurant, which was followed by Arnold Cycling Cafe which had delicious cakes and coffee! At this point, I was getting a slight food coma because last night's dinner (which I forgotten to take a photo of) at Super Tanker food court was still rolling in my tummy and brunch at Sai Toh Lim was equally filling as well.
After coffee time, Abang and I said goodbye to the boys and went back home for awhile before getting ready for our fine dining experience at Kebaya Dining Room. This beautiful stretch of terrace is located at the quiet Stewart Lane facing the Antarabangsa Enterprise, a favourite drinking spot for backpackers and locals for its cheap beer. Back to the Kebaya Dining Room, I was so excited to dine here because I've always wanted to be in a Peranakan building eating Peranakan food.
For the appetizers, we ordered the Otak-otak which was generously filled inside a crispy pastry, the Crispy Joo Hoo Char Roll on the other hand was an interesting combination of carrots, shiitake, pork, and dried squid wrapped in rice paper which simply explodes in your mouth. We also had a complimentary appetizer by Chef Kent, the Miang Kham of Salmon Roe where the betel leaf wraps Norwegian salmon roe, toasted coconuts, shrimps, and lime cashews. When these 3 dishes were presented on our table, Abang and I were quite shocked because it wasn't so 'fine dining' in the sense that the portions are quite a lot and can actually be shared between two person. It wasn't those small portioned bits and pieces as expected from a fine dining experience.
Food coma officially commenced when our mains arrived. The Hong Bak Lamb was extremely tender and very flavourful due to the precise temperature control (sous vide) for 48 hours cooking this dish. The special of the day, the Jackfruit Seafood Curry was also a very unique dish which had the savoury and fruity sweetness combined in one bowl! And while we thought dessert was next, we were reminded that there were also the Green dishes where we had the Crispy Nyonya Tempura and Cher Chai which had the Peranakan flair to its taste. Lastly, dessert choices were Pandan Creme Brulee which the fragrant pandan and brandy snaps were so addictive despite my almost exploding tummy, and the sour Passion Fruit & Coconut Pana Cotta with poached pineapple was extremely helpful in making us feel better after everything!
I really recommend everyone visiting Penang to have one of their nights dining here. For those who are intimidated with the word 'fine dining', no worries here because Abang and I used our hands to eat halfway throughout dinner because some of the dishes, especially appetizers, works better with bare hands than the cutlery. So no pressure because we weren't the only ones there like that. The atmosphere is also slightly casual but of course, no slippers. Plus, the price is super reasonable given the fact the food were in portions that can be shared by two person. Great service, great food, great place, 5 stars from me and Abang!
There goes the end of my first weekend in Penang. The following days were just me working at home while battling with ants who were invading the whole damn house. Tried cooking dinner for the first time for 2 days and I must say I do have some talent in the kitchen but of course as of now I'm still nothing but with the right guidance and ample of practice I think I can start thinking of joining MasterChef HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Part 2 of my Penang trip is up on my blog, here you go:
Penang Part 2: Food Drunk Day
Part 2 of my Penang trip is up on my blog, here you go:
Penang Part 2: Food Drunk Day
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