Warong Corner - Jalan Banggol, Kuala Terengganu

One of the most peculiar things that sets the northern east coast states apart from the others is that the frontline businesses are mostly a woman's domain .

 

And judging from the lunch crowd, the white collar workforce seems to be like that too. Unsurprisingly, this first impression makes future parents in law from other states rather wary about their offspring settling down with a life partner from this region .

Nasi Ganja - Yong Suan coffeeshop

As I entered the old but spacious kopitiam, the shiny glistening walls just made my jaw drop.

Unlike many other kopitiams in Penang, these days, they never sold a single antique chair. If there are any plastic ones around, it's to replace those broken beyond repair. How not to fall in love with this lovely kopitiam ?

( U ) Lis Char Koay Teow Basah - Bayan Baru

Char Koay Teow Basah is the Malay version of Penang Char Koay Teow. Because the noodles are cooked in a concoction of sauces , Lis is one of the best places to give it a try. Formerly known as Sany Char Koay Teow, even with the name change, the place is almost always packed to the brim .

Their special order features medium sized prawns, cockles, beansprouts and silky beaten eggs. While I'm not crazy about the prawns and blood cockles, and some might not like the taste of the almost raw sprouts, Gawdamnit, the sauce is really out of this world ! Absolutely mouthwatering, not very spicy yet very addictive. Overall, what gives this dish a real nice kick to it.  Doesn't look like a lot but once it settles in, lemme assure you that this is quite filling .

Bayview Georgetown Hotel - Sunday Malay lunch buffet

Seeing that we've been to some of the best places Penang has to offer , sometimes, we like to go back to the old basics....
which is good old hotel food.

Of all the hotels in its category and I dare say beyond , we know that they are dependable , as they're not obsessed with cutting too many corners and still employ locals , who are truly commited to the service industry.
Plates are cleared promptly, everyone works as a team, all of them can communicate in English and are alert at all times.

Zakaria Laksa Teluk Kechai ( U )

The shop lies along a busy main road. 

A constant stream of visitors, who park their car alongside, make this place, highly visible to the curious, who might not know about their existence.

Restoran Kak Ani, Langkawi ( U )

Update Dec 2014 : there's a massive new competitor across the road next to a Shell station. Her prices are higher now and the curry chicken I raved about earlier was just not fragrant nor as good. As for the BBQ selection, this time the prawns lacked umph but the squid was excellent. Probably will only return for the BBQ and skip the rice plus other dishes altogether

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Just as it's getting harder and harder to find good , tasty Malay food on the northern mainland , this humble little shack, blows me out of my socks .

Barbecued selection is excellent. Don't normally think the world of Percik this and Golek that, but they are experts at slow roasting foods over charcoal fire .
More delicious than an Argentinian assador halfway round the world !

( U ) Famous Nasi Kandar - Juru R&R

Update April 2015 :
Probably due to GST , a lot of stalls here have closed down . Most think it is to restart as a new company under a new name but in this case , to avoid paying backtaxes . That's what everyone thinks. Me I hope it's not because of a tussle for business where the good ones are ditched for hopeless operators who shouldn't even be given the licence to hold a frying ladle.
Currently lots of shops here are in a mess. Go elsewhere for your fix . The nasi kandar in Juru autocity is the nearest to this.

You really don't need to drive all the way into Penang island for a wholesome Nasi Kandar meal .

Because this little highway rest stop along the North South Expressway ( south bound ), is where you can get one of the best.Period.

One of the reasons , is because they have access to extremely fresh meats and seafoods.
Since they cook in small quantities, constantly topping up throughout the day, quality control is guaranteed, making it a win win situation for all. 

Noor Bee Nasi Melayu ( U )

Because they churn out some really fine foods,

I sometimes wish they were located somewhere far better than here.
 

It's a small family run business, well known amongst the islanders.

Comfort foods, so typically Tanjung Tokong style, yes that's what they serve here.

That means a great, winning hodgepodge mixture of Mamak , Pakistani, Penang and Kelantanese Malay, all mixed together, producing very unique ( but no less delicious ) curries with a hint of bitter.

( U ) Nasi Kandar Jelutong - Penang's No.1 Nasi Kandar

Update 26th May 2013 :
Massive development in Jelutong has swallowed up this place. The entire row of shophouses have been boarded up. 
If I ever locate their new premises, I will post it up here

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This Nasi Kandar stall is rated by many as the Number One Nasi Kandar in the whole of Penang.

The frenzied pace at the counter, starts as early as 6am here.

Right here is the kandar or carrying case which sellers of old, used to lug around town,hawking their wares, especially around the port area.

When you see this in a nasi kandar shop, it speaks volumes of the long history they have being associated to this dish.

(U) Aini Sajian Selera - Sg Perak R&R Northbound

It's not easy trying to find good food at the many R&R's these days . That's why I always make it a point to stop here whenever I'm passing by.

Although lots of customers pick this simple, cheap meal off the shelf .....

$100 Grilled Platter at Lebanon ( U )

Update March 2013 :

The whole plate was overburnt.
No idea if the staff was sleeping on the job or what but tsk tsk, someone's got to watch over the cooks in the kitchen.

Earlier post
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Lebanon is my current 'crazy about' makan place and these are the private rooms which we should have requested if we wanted to not look so fwah...kwacheong..

Actually they are reserved for Arab ladies to dine in private and not so much for big eaters who don't want anyone to know how much they can eat

But he and I not paiseh at all.

We took the plunge and ordered their $100 grill platter today. Then tag team polished it out in the open.

Only peeve of mine is the waiter always assumes that since I am the larger species out of the two , I eat more. Hence they will always take care to push the lion's share in front of me.

They will soon discover that it should have been the other way around.

I know we're being watched

Transfer Road Roti Canai ( U ) -Tomorrow You Will Know...

You might wonder why everyone is lined up against the wall, facing the dusty road like this.

In case you decide to join in the sweatclub , never take their

"ok ajer" face for granted.

Actually their insides are exploding and they're their best trying to maintain their composure

Others prefer to pour the meat and curry on top of the roti for that extra power kick.

But we're keeping the curry and bread separate.

Our breakfast.....

3 pieces of canai, one piece of chicken and one serving of mutton - all for $11

Close up of the roti canai. Looks burnt, oily and tiny.

Right on all counts. Add salty to the list.

Although this might be a borderline case in the hygiene and cooking school department , you can't help but wonder,  how on earth can something so unappetizing looking , taste so damn gooood ?

Restoran Deen - Nasi Kandar Jelutong ( U )

To me, Deen sells the most moderately priced yet delicious nasi kandar on the island

Most locals, I am sure would concur with me.

There is always a line , any given time of the day .

Restoran Minah - Gelugor ( U )

This shop is a real throwback to the 70s.
It's also so much cleaner, with an environment that is much more pleasant , compared to the other great Minangkabau restaurant inside Georgetown.
The only drawback is parking, which can be quite a challenge as the area has limited space only.

It may be further from everything, yet manages to attract a good mix of local and Indonesian customers

Restoran Sup Hameed ( U )

 Although this is the best place for sup kambing in Penang, I usually resort to takeaway because the whole restaurant from outside to inside is infested with smokers .

Thus today is the first time after many, many, many years, that I am eating in .

But it doesn't take long for me to regret that decision especially when I'm drinking mutton soup, under a choking haze of Marlboro and keretek.

Nameless Nasi Kandar at Chowrasta again ( U )

Earlier post : http://gostansikit.blogspot.com/2012/03/6km-for-nasi-kandar-at-lebuh-tamil.html

It's been sometime already since my last visit and I'm thinking that this blog of mine is beginning to resemble some kind of food diary. Up to date Penang food reference this.

Rest assured the food here is always good. Acar is a must !

Sotong, beef, fried slice of bawal hitam

Omg...just looking at the picture is working up my appetite again.

Aluminium foil grilled seafood parcel - Aeon Arena ( U )

When I crave for Portuguese grilled seafood conjured up by a famous hawker in Petaling Street, I come here...yes to an airconditioned food court stall , which I will normally avoid like the black plague.

Obviously the original stall is incomparable ( what with his tightly guarded super duper top secret recipe ), but since it's extremely hard finding something even remotely resembling this particular dish up north (everything in aluminium foil is either otak2 or tomyam inspired) , this is as close as it gets .

2nd dinner at Lebanon, Batu Feringghi ( U )

Following my earlier visit, the day before, (refer to http://gostansikit.blogspot.com/2012/10/lebanon-restaurant-batu-feringghi.html ).....this time we went for the Grilled chicken ( no pics because we bulldozed straight into it) , Hawaiian pizza ( same case) , a fish briyani (very good)  and the Greek salad ( only recommended for people who like homemade spanish salads) ....

Tried the Lebanese cocktail
So, so....

Lebanon Restaurant , Batu Feringghi ( U )

Batu Feringghi it was tonight, as I craved for Middle Eastern food.

Upon opening the menu, I found that they didn't just specialize in Lebanese or Middle Eastern fare.
But western grill selections with spaghetti and pizza ???

Have to admit I thought of walking out, but I am very glad I stayed .

Lamb Briyani.

Panicked because all I saw was a mountain of colourful, rice.

While the rice was a little on the dry side, as well as a little salty, I found it most fragrant and enjoyed the texture immensely.

 Seriously..the best briyani rice I have had on Penang Island to date.

Merlin Nasi Kandar ( U )

This is one Nasi Kandar you absolutely must try.

But you might regret it because from then onwards you will always 'gian' for it thereafter

As you can see, the crowd comprises of a very muhibbah mix of young and  old, from labourers and cleaners, to bankers and office workers.