Sunday 3 May 2015

Kedai Makan Pak Teh - Baling



We stumbled upon this humble shack while searching for a tea stop.  The chef is a stocky Malay lady and boy ,is she  one darned good cook. Recipes are authentic Penang and very old ones at that. 
Great Penang hawker food in Baling. Can you believe that ?  Of course I was sceptical at first but after that....well, you'll see. 



This little gem of an eating place comes looking like this.
Rusty zinc roofing sheets with plastic chairs and rickety tables. Next to a dusty busy trunk road . Nobody minds. What's important is what the kitchen churns out. And what comes out of this humble kitchen just knocked us off our feet !


A lot of travellers stop by for a big bowl of ice kacang packed with every ingredient the dish calls for even delicious dried , shredded nutmeg. 
We ordered 2 of this . Then some food from the kitchen at the back. 




Laksa Penang. The Malay version. 
The soup has already been prepared ahead of time. All one needs to do is ladle it out and serve with the usual vegies and noodles . 
Laksa Penang is hard to find in Penang but the fact that we found it here makes it just amazing . Different from Kedah Laksa, Penang Laksa is more gentle yet equally addictive . Not so sour but definitely made with a lot more care . The hard boiled egg is a must. There is a hint of hehkoh and onions.
Starts off quite fishy which might be a turn off to some. 
Hang in there. Then when the chilli padi kicks in, somewhere around the 5th spoonful, that's when it gets really syok. And you end up dissapointed you can't lick the bottom of the bowl in public.
 You must try this. Keep in mind that quantities are limited this being a rural district. Order a glass of teh tarik while you're at it. Ah, the orgasmic experience will then be complete. 



Pasembor.
Ohmaifreakingawd this one is to die for. I can't believe we can get fine Penang food practically in the middle of nowhere.
The pasembor sauce runs like a sweet syrupy concoction with a pinch of lethal cabai on the side. Cucumber super crisp, turnip fresh and crunchy. Beansprouts have been blanched. One piece of potato. Fried pastry remains crunchy, there are Pounded peanuts, white sesame seeds, fried shallots, tiny pieces of spicy squid , yummy tofu goreng.....everything that should go into the dish is here. Nothing short. 
Sterling dish which will make you crave for it thereafter. 
No hotel chef can match this. I will eat my Melissa's if they can.



Best way to locate this shack. Look for this junction into Baling town.
It's right there beside the junction.





Total damage : very cheap. You won't believe it. We still cannot deal with the final bill. Let's just say, it's even cheaper than eating in an urban school canteen. 


Location : Baling 

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