Penang makes me FAT!

What comes to mind when somebody says Penang to you? Is it the bridge? Is it Penang hill? Or are you reminded of the explosion of flavour in your mouth when you indulge in one of the delicacies prepared by the locals. Oh my God, just the thought of eating in Penang takes me to food paradise dream!

Let’s begin this gastronomic adventure of Penang food with the ever famous Nasi Kandar. Nasi Kandar has been said to be originated from Penang as Nasi means rice and Kandar is actually the pole that the vendors used to carry the food on their shoulders during those eras where they sell Nasi Kandar at the road side. My perfect definition of Nasi Kandar would be warm white rice eaten together with a mixture of dhal and curry, some meat and poppadum! Just typing it out makes one drool.

Not a fan of rice? That’s OK! Char Kuey Teow is another must try in Penang! Literallly translated it is known as fried rice cakes, Char Kuey Teow is a signature dish in Penang. Stir fried together with eggs, bean sprouts, prawns, cockles and light soy sauce and chives as its basic ingredients, it is considered to be fattening due to high amount of saturated fat! Oh well, while you’re in Penang, they say! Check it out!  

Penang is the melting pot of culture and tradition. Aside from these two dishes, Penang too is famous for its Assam Laksa. The sour taste of the gravy comes from the assam which is tamarind and ground mackerel (fish) making the gravy think and savoury. What differes the Penang’s Assam Laksa from other laksa is, the tiny bits of pineapple in the dish. Laksa on the other hand is a type of rice noodle. I wonder if I’m the only person who drools reading this alone!

Rojak typically means mixed! You’ll be surprise but the amount of rojak you’ll encounter. Offsprings of mixed marriage are even labelled rojak! Speaking of it, there’s also rojak and pasembor that one must try when in Penang! Rojak is basically a fruit salad with a special dressing, called the kuah rojak, dark brown in colour. Pasembor on the other hand is another type of rojak, which consists of fried shrimp fritters, toufu, bean sprouts, shredded cucumbers, boiled potatoes and squids among other condiments is a must try! The famous rojak and pasembor stall is located at Gurney Drive.

To quench your thirst, the local favourite drink will be cendol. Cendol is made of rice flour and green colouring that is drank with coconut milk and brown sugar. My description may be disgusting considering the fact that no one in their right mind wants to drink coconut milk as a dessert! Don’t be fooled by the description, however. It is refreshing to be taken during a hot sunny day! Some cendol vendors made their own rendition of cendol by inserting glutinous rice, red beans and corn bits into the drink. It tastes like parade in your mouth!

I believed those reading this, are already gulping and wants to have a taste of what I’ve been describing above. There are more than just these five dishes for you to try. Go on, plan your next visit! Penang-aites will be welcoming you! Jom pakat mai ramai-ramai!

Other blog links:
1. How to spend $100 in Penang