Fried street snacks/Tee Kueh, Penang

I still have one more post on Penang!

Was looking through my photo folder and I saw this..aduhai, how could I forget?

I seriously could not recalled what we had for breakfast and lunch, most probably some rep-eats ..hence, the only thing I have not posted on was the snacks we had before we left Penang..It was a very long way in, I really have lost my bearings by the time Ryan decided to park his car. We were welcomed with this sight..Ok, since this stall is in the middle of no where, yet people still come over to pack these snacks..must be pretty good, no?

I was even more amazed with the people working there..they were like robots!

The person frying the snacks, just kept moving in this robotic manner.......pick raw food, dip in flour mix, throw in the boiling hot oil, stir and remove. Repeat..i think i could almost hear him chanting..

Even the woman cutting the nian gau (chinese steamed sticky cake make from brown sugar and glutinous rice flour) had every slice cut to almost identical precision..Hence, most of the snacks looks almost identical. Amazing QC for something like this huh?

We had some tapioca roll (the sausage like thing), which is really crispy on the outside, but firm and full of tapioca on the inside. They definitely didnt stinge on the ingredients..

I didnt really like the flat rounded snack..the green pea kuih..somehow, there's this strong flavour that I dont find appealing..

The ultimate star for me, would be the fried tee kueh (nain gau)..

The nian gau was sandwiched between a slice of sweet potato and yam. What makes this the best I've tried so far was the light, almost-not-there batter. It's extremely crispy, yet, the batter almost melted the moment we took a bite of it. The yam and sweet potato was cooked to perfection, it was just so soft and moist...the half melted nian gau oozing from the centre just makes this snack so heavenly.

As I was rather lost by the time we reach, I only noted down that it's located at Jalan Free School, near the Batu Lancang roundabout, where SMJK Heng Ee is. It's next to 48, Eng Car workshop.

Ban Chen Kuih, Penang

We were so full from dinner at 747 cafe, but piglets that we were, we needed the dessert. Ok, maybe that's just my excuse...haha

Another family haunt for Ryan's family (and extended family) for after dinner dessert, we reached rather late..about 10:30? Most of the stalls at this corner has closed, except for the Ban Chen Kuih stall, the thong sui stall next door and the local kuih stall.

We ordered the Original (RM0.80) and Peanut (RM0.60) flavour The skin was very crunchy and had the lovely santan-ish and eggy flavour. The centre is slightly thicker than usual, giving the ban chen kuih another level of texture..soft and spongy, rather than crunchy all the way. They were really generous with the filling too..there were ample crush peanuts, corn, dessicated coconut and margerine..making this ban chen kuih really delicious.

After 2 ban chen kuih each, I spotted the tauke cracking some eggs into the ban chen kuih that another customer order.

Curiosity got the better of me; I wanted to try it..Fresh from the pan..egg ban chen (RM1.30). This is really good. A slightly savoury flavour of the egg matched the sweets to perfection. Wonder if I can find this in KL?

The Ban Chen Kuih stall is located inside Kompleks Pasar & Balai Bayan Baru, Jalan Lintang Mayang Pasir 3. Next to Sunshine Square, on the way to Bayan Lepas.

Joo Hooi Cafe, Penang

After the sumptuous loh bak brunch, we went along Jalan Penang as Ryan had some errands to run..

And since we were parked so near Joo Hooi Cafe, it was inevitable that we sat down for some ice cold cendol and a bowl of assam laksa...

This old coffee shop oozes nostalgic charm like no other. Everything seems to be in the 1970s, except for the music which fills the air..well, that might be from the 40s to 60s..hehe

Some cendol for the sweet tooth.. The shaved ice, gula melaka syrup and creamy coconut milk combo does wonders to cool us down on a very hot afternoon.Very nice indeed. Oh, we did not managed to eat the very famous cendol stall that was located just outside of Joo Hooi Cafe. We thought we ordered from the stall, but after a while we realised that we had the cendol from the coffee shop as this bowl is larger. Not much difference actually.

The assam laksa..Not the best I've tried, but it was ok. The soup was thick with loads of fish and have it piping hot; it's quite satisfying.

Joo Hooi Cafe is located at the junction of Penang Road and Lebuh Kheng Khee. About 5 mins from Komtar building.

Kheng Pin Cafe, Penang Road, Penang

For breakfast, we'll have loh bak, Ryan told us
I thought he was joking, I mean who takes loh bak for breakfast?
Maybe I was the oddball here...


Apparently everyone eating at Kheng Pin Cafe eats loh bak for breakfast..

Ryan went to select the food while we waited patiently..
Would you look at that? Gosh, such sinful food in the morning...

We had a mixture of stuff..

The loh bak was crispy on the outside and the meat was well marinated, tender and juicy. Really delicious. So was the prawn fritters had more prawns that flour so it was lovely as it was really flavourful. The squids were fresh and the batter, light. The fried plain tau foo and filled taufoo were also good. Dip all these into the sticky sweet sauce and the chilli sauce, very lip smacking indeed.

Some CKT to fill our stomach..Tasted rather mediocre after the loh bak...kakaka

Ryan said that this loh bak stall has been operating for 30 years and is famed in Penang. I'm not surprised though as it's utterly delicious:)

The loh bak stall is located in Kheng Pin Cafe (it's actually an old kopitiam), corner shoplot. At the T junction of Jalan Sri Baharin and Jalan Penang. Opposite Hotel Oriental.Very near Cititel Hotel.

Char Kuey Teow, Lorong Selamat, Penang

This is so famous; I should not be writing about it.

Then again, I was there. And I made my friends wait while I took photos...

Yes, I am talking about the famous red beret-huge goggles combo char kuey teow lady; who's either hated or liked (love is too strong of a word for this..hehe).

I wonder why Goggles Lady stir up such emotions in people; one of my uni friend hated her arrogance and swore never, ever to eat her char kuey teow for the rest of his life. Another friend hated waiting and queueing under the hot for some char kuey teow; while others find it utterly ridiculous paying RM6 for a plate of CKT..

Of course on the flip side, she has legions of fans, who swore her CKT is the best they have ever had...

Me? Well, I wont say I'm a fan, but I cant deny that she does whip up a darn delicious CKT. Most people say you'd get swayed by the plump, sweet, juicy prawns to say it's good.

But I rarely eat the prawns until I'm halfway down my CKT. Usually, I'd enjoy the CKT on it's own before eating the other ingredients. I like my CKT to be on the dry side; but the kuey teow should remain springy, with good wok hei and have garlicky bits to it. Goggles lady outdid it by adding crushed and small chunks of zhu yau char; stir frying with the kuey teow; giving it a lovely fragrance and crispy texture with each bite. Sliced waxed sausages, fresh clams and juicy beansprouts completes this good plate of CKT.

Lily and WF loved it. Ryan refused to take a bite. I like it. Think it's really delicious. But is this the best? Well, I'm keeping that space empty in my list.. for now..

Oh, by the way, to those who hated to queue for Goggles lady's CKT, fret not. She has moved her stall to a new kopitiam..the waiters takes orders and serves us..This famous CKT starts at RM6 (small plate).

Kompleks Gerai Makanan Batu Lancang, Penang

Ryan was our guide for this trip, we'll get to taste different types of Penang food as it's more of a nostalgic trip for him..

We popped by Kompleks Gerai Makanan Batu Lancang, a place that brings back fond memories for Ryan as his grandma used to bring him here when he was a kid.. There were so many stalls, I didnt even know where to start, so we just followed Ryan's lead..

We went straight to his 'god mother's' mee goreng stall..

It's quite tasty; the noodles are not too soggy, chunks of potatoes and fried dough (balls?) were generously fried with the noodles. But I still stand firm to my fave mee goreng stall at bangkok road..hehe

Ryan got us some Chinese Pasembur (the only chinese pasembur in that food court, located next to Shariff Nasi Kandar)..I find this delicious as the ingredients gels very well together. Liked how the freshly sliced vegetables soaked in the sweet spicy sauce; the very light, crispy crackers giving the pasembur some crunch; the random taufoo pieces that complements the rest of the ingredients.

Ryan's first dose of prawn paste chee cheong fun..It's either you love it or hate it. I liked it. Lily dont. She finds the prawn paste pungent and only took one piece...hehe

Kompleks Gerai Makanan Batu Lancang is located next to Pasar & Balai Batu Lancang (Wet Market), Jalan Lintang, Batu Lancang, Penang.

Penang Cravings, Damansara Jaya

It was a lazy, lazy sunday.

We were at Atria Shopping Centre, I wanted to grab some books and groceries..

SL and Bollywood Queen called and decided to join us, and since we have yet to try Penang Cravings ......

We got ourselves a nice, cosy corner and checked out the menu..Very much reminds me of Penang Village actually..

Got some snacks of Nyonya Pie Tee..Pretty good; the shells were crunchy, the usual filling of turnips and carrots topped with a bit of twist..sliced crab stick and cashew..

Chicken Lorbak..Average. Meat was rather dry and lacked flavour..

I had Char Mee Suah. I think they've forgotten the salt.

SL's Prawn mee. Again, it's average.

Jane had Hokkien Char with Oysters..Definitely better than SL's and mine.

Jane seemed to enjoy it.

Bollywood Queen's Char Hor Fun... Since hers was served last, she kinda gobbled it down. When asked about the taste, It was just okay..BQ said in her haughtiest fake bristish accent. Oh the drama :p

The Lemon Barley was nice..and quite pleasing to the eye..

Total bill: RM56. Food was average though..

Penang Cravings is located at Atria Shopping Centre, Lot G-B, G1- G2, Ground floor, Jln SS22/23, Damansara Jaya, PJ.