Grilled skatefish with oomph ! - keeping this one a secret

The standard of ikan bakar or grilled fish, in Penang has deteriorated from a few years back already. Which is why I almost gave up on ordering the dish . Some hawkers have begun to compromise on  the ingredients that give the marinade that oomph factor , others scorch it till it becomes 

a bit too burnt to the extent that the skin turns rubbery.

 Though Ikan Bakar is a Malay dish, what I'm having here is the Chinese hawker version. Basted in a basic Thai sauce from a can and grilled on a banana leaf. 

Well what sets this place apart is that this particular hawker only has one rival , only one in the whole country comes close to this stall . And that rival is not in Penang but that middle stall alllll the way south in Tebrau Market, Johor Bahru which I haven't been to in ages, so I don't know if it's still around or not. Just bringing it up as a comparison. 

PARAM at Jalan Utama

Pasar Ramadhans or PARAM's are once yearly affairs most look forward to. The one at Jalan Utama features the usual fares one expects to see, so I'll just highlight those I deem to be rarely seen in Penang.

First thing you'll notice is that there is a massive amount of fish dishes on display at the nasi campur stalls....

....and a larger variety of grilled ones by ikan bakar operators

Restoran Haji Ramli - peak vs non peak ( U )

Restoran Haji Ramli is immensely popular amongst local and foreign visitors staying near Pantai Cenang, in Langkawi. 

 You can chose to sit outside or in. Makes no difference since some asses don't seem to know how not to light up, seeing how this place employs an open air concept.

Jeruk maman and fist sized prawns - Gurun R&R Northbound (U)

How many times I have passed here, yet only today, I venture in. Wanna kick myself cos most of the dishes are quite good.

Since it's rather early, and there's a lull in the holiday crowd, the staff , though rather busy, can afford a breather to entertain my queries.

( U ) Daud Cafe Corner - ice kacang

Daud Cafe is located just next to the city stadium .

The fact that there's a massive thieves market nearby which operates from late morning till the afternoon, puts off more people from coming to this quarter more often than they would like . Actually, it's not that bad, you just have to apply common sense and keep an eye on your belongings and vehicles when you're in this area.

Presenting to you, a motherload of freaking creamy goodness. Omg it's been soooooo long since I've had ice kacang as good as this. In fact it's so good, I'm rating the taste...Class 1.

Warung PGK - everything celup tepung

 

 

This stall has been visited by Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan, the tv show, so I guess it has to be good right ? I mean judging from the line ?

 

 

 

 

On the menu was fish, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and a whole variety of other ingredients. Squid is rare so I guess we were kind of lucky to be able to get some on the day we visited .

One thing worth taking note of is the white board. Spot the big order from the state palace,mind you.

Gong Kapas Kueh stall - I must be dreaming !!

 

" How much did you say all this cost you once again ?"

* One Ringgit *

"What ? You're kidding right ? "

* Am I laughing ? *

"Serious arrrr ? "

* Ya larrrrr *

" All this Onde-onde really cost just one ringgit ? "

* Don't believe izzit ? *

" They crazy or what ? "

 

Lempeng Nyior - Jln Panji Alam

 

 

In the post before this, I mentioned that most people are under the impression that businesses are mostly dominated by women in the northern east coast states.

As you can see down here below, that's not always the case. This stall was introduced to us by Uncle Tan, the best tour leader in Kuala Terengganu.

 

 

 

For those who don't know what Lempeng Nyior is, it's a slightly sticky on the inside and lightly crisp on the outside coconut and flour pancake that's just slightly sweet but really tasty.

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 .

( 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 !

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) 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 .....

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

Free View , Cheap Food near Queensbay ( U )

Chances are most of you would not know that this place even existed .

There are a few pasar malam style traders that open here on a daily basis and I guess you have to try them out one by one first before you find one that you like the best.

The main draw however is the fact that you get to dine on a sandy beach with a free view of the Penang Bridge. Simply spectacular ....how can you beat that?

Restoran Aur Gading - Mee Udang Sungai Dua ( U )

Although it came highly recommended, I regretted coming here. It wasn't that easy to find, mind you. Anyway I am posting this up as a reminder to myself not to step in here again.

Satay. Hard,Burnt, Very very Sweet.

Chicken meat not fresh,smells like from supermarket.

The much touted Mee Udang Sungai Dua.Looks can be deceiving

Tanjung Tokong Ramadhan Bazaar ( New Location)

This once a year bazaar used to be held in a small lane next to the Tanjung Tokong police station quarters.

This is their new location now. Bigger, brighter,better organised and in an empty field annex to this mosque

Quite easy to find, along a small road inside the kampung that runs parallel to Tesco Tg Pinang

The bazaar is a little different these days.

There's even one stall selling Kek Lapis Sarawak.

So colourful !

Lots of work went into this.

 Also, it is highly reassuring to know that the police are making their presence felt by parking themselves right smack in the centre.

Snatch thief deterrent No.1

While it's a comparatively small bazaar, nevertheless it is still interesting enough to tempt with a selection that is not overwhelmingly repetitive.

Just make sure you come early or you'll be faced with a wipe out zone.

Din Ikan Bakar, Kepala Batas ( U )

This ikan bakar place is something you'll have to see for yourself because the spread is so crazy massive for such a small sleepy hollow such as this.

My pictures simply do it no justice as they're about to close for the day, thus you won't be able to spot the amazing rows of heaving grilled buffets  .