Still possible to get a 3 to 4 course meal under RM 39 in Penang

Over the course of 5 days , we visited 2 popular chu cha outlets .... Thiam Seng near Juru and Kiam Hooi just outside  Georgetown .

 Tastewise , Thiam Seng and Kiam Hooi may be world's apart. However price wise , these two can put a smile on anybody's wallet .

In these 2 places , we did not spend more than RM 39 ( drinks not included ) 

From a hygiene point of view , don't look over at the kitchen area of Kiam Hooi and don't say I didn't warn you that the crowd is a little rough over at Thiam Seng .

Have no pictures for our delicious 4 course meal at Kiam Hooi , but just so you know , we had Belacan Chicken , miniature lala fried in taucheo beans and cili padi , a portion of plain fried green bayam as well as one double boiled soup . Yummy yum yum !

Below is the 3 course meal we had at Thiam Seng .

Soft pork ribs , in house tofu , a large portion of salted fish vermicelli .

Loved the vermicelli or beehoon . Nevertheless , I still think the one whipped up by my cousin's mother is still the best in the world .

We were divided in opinion over these 2 dishes . They wouldn't touch the tofu after the 1st piece , while I found the soft ribs a bit odd ( they on the other hand wolfed the whole plate down from the get go )

At Thiam Seng , one still has to converse in Penang Hokkien but at Kiam Hooi Cantonese speakers were most welcome .

 The thing is , affordable places like these two are in grave danger of being lost forever to foreign investors who not only block purchase and mega hike up rents , they also shove enormous offers down the throats of these operators which they simply cannot refuse .

Penang used to be known for all these nice and cheap chu cha places but today , if a premise has a regular clientele , these eagles will plot to end that .

By doing just that , they are slowly but surely robbing this island of its street culture and world famous cuisines .

They takeover with just monetary gain in mind , not caring if they empty the streets of its people , preferring to stuff in yet more budget hotels , while showcasing the imported straits culture which is NOT Penang , with more cafes and bars round each corner .

If you see no wrong in that , imagine the day when you cannot eat out on the streets  but only have the option of tiramisu , frappe , wine , pasta , sandwiches or sushi as dining options which is slowly replacing all the street foods which made Penang famous .

It will be too late to turn back the clock when that eventually slowly but surely happens and you will have to eat frozen cendol or pathetic noodles at another hopeless franchise outlet .

Location : Penang