( NH ) Que Huong Toi - Jalan Jelutong

This quaint little outlet, with hardly any parking space, has been creating quite a buzz among Penangites and I intended to find out why.

  

    However, as opposed to all the people who have been raving about how great Vietnamese coffee is, it was seriously too thick for my liking.

( NH ) Sushi Zento - Precinct 10

Frankly speaking, I've put off coming here for so long..

...because I always imagined it would burn a big hole in my pocket

Set Lunch at Rakuzen

If you think you know what ikan kembung or mackerel should taste like, then you should really try out the grilled Japanese version . The last time I had something as good as this, was many, many years ago in Baiyoke Bangkok ( don't take my word for it, it's different there today , gone downhill since )

The japs call it Saba, but as you know, these waters in Southeast Asia are where the best tasting ones thrive.

Couple that with skillful cooking method and walla...what you get is a fantastically creamy, tender, lightly crisp, juicy piece that can take you to heaven.

Rakuzen - Gurney Paragon Mall

Japanese cuisine fans were super excited when the Super Dining group, finally made it's entry up north.

Decided to wait it out, to allow things to settle down a bit.

So they placed us here. In this chic looking basel wood section which allows you to peek at other diners, now and then. Was bothered by the temperamental air conditioning. One minute it's cool and the next minute a little stuffy. Maybe it's because we're near the glass kitchen that's just next to the main entrance.

( NH) Eng's Noodles - Jalan Raja Uda

We're pretty early. Explains the lack of crowd. Don't worry, the place will soon fill up.

For less than Rm $30, 'kacang' fans, who are not afraid to stare high cholesterol in the face and wolf it down, will know they've found their grease heaven.

Kim & Gary - watermelon birthday

Who bats an eyelid over a birthday cake these days ?

But just imagine the look of surprise, should this be brought to the table instead .

Exclusively extended to cardmembers celebrating their special day , a minimum of four paying diners as well as a preset spending amount are required, before you can go ahead and request this free gift . And for good reason because the contents seem to be bottomless !

( NH ) Xin Ji De Shi Dimsum - Jalan Dato Keramat

You can't imagine how hard it is to find a reasonably priced tasty dimsum outlet in Georgetown. Old joints don't necessarily guarantee a wonderful experience while the good ones never seem to be able to sustain themselves in the long run .

Although this is a new discovery on my part and I have no idea how long they've been open , I sincerely hope they stay on for a long time to come. Because hey, first of all, their variety is awesome ! Omg...so much to choose from and this is just the steamed section to begin with.

Secondly, after you select what you want, they will heat it up on the spot for you !

(NH) Sumida Japanese restaurant - Set Lunch

If you haven't noticed already, I'm making a slow and steady transition in my diet, since the beginning of this year. Japanese cuisine, seems to be becoming, part and parcel of my life now. Late bloomer , I know, I know ....
Somehow when we travel, it changes our outlook and influences our decisions. While it wasn't my trips to Japan that changed me, rather, Bangkok plays a starring role in this, especially after I saw the explosion of Japanese joints all over the city being wholeheartedly embraced by the Thais themselves .

Coming back to Sumida, it's been around for some time already. The fact that I wanted to try another new place, brought me here. Rumour has it that the place was originally helmed by a Japanese owner but not anymore.

888 Hokkien Mee ( NH ) - Lorong Mahsuri 2, Bayan Lepas

The long line of cars parked illegally by the roadside show that they are open for business, ready to satiate your night fix for a steaming hot bowl of hearty Hokkien Mee.

 

Although they share the same name, the food here, in my opinion, tastes different from their original Sar Tiao Lor stall in Georgetown.

Happy Cafe - Economy Rice , Jln Sungai Dua

You know how hard it is to find a cheap and good economy rice stall in Penang these days ? This fella deserves a mention.

 

Presumably, he's relocated from the now defunct Bali-Bali 77 down the road near USM. Nice humble chap, this owner. He speaks Hakka by the way.

( NH ) Daorae Tg Tokong - sunken tatami vs the other side

This section, was where they treated us like Kings, on our previous visit

Today, however, we decided to sit over on the other side, just to see if there was a difference in the level of service.

IU Win Pan Mee Cabin ( NH ), Sungai Nibong

Had the opportunity to learn how to make this noodle , from scratch, from a Hakka family when I was around 15. 
It was a real family affair, which all the ladies in the house happily took part in together before sitting down for a great Sunday feast. 

Today, most hawkers tend to detract from the original recipe and spoil it by overflavouring this dish with things like msg and sugar, which are big no, nos. 

Therefore kudos to this restaurant for keeping to the authentic home made tradition, the way this noodle was meant to be....plain and simple, with minimal flavour.

( NH ) Seoul Garden,Sunrise Tower

The leaf you see floating above this Gopchang Jeongol is called Perilla. It's an incredibly delicious tasting vegetable, which the Korean community in Malaysia have managed to cultivate locally .
Though rougher in texture, darker in colour and not as fragrant as those grown in Korea, if you're craving for it, this will do just the job in satiating your appetite.

If only you could smell the tripe, bits of beef, red chillies....perilla leaf and perilla seeds, boiling in this glorious red cauldron....really good !

Daorae Premium Korean Dining - Tg Tokong ( NH )

Whoever it was who started the rumour, that Psy came here because he was forced to meet someone, is spewing hot air from their behind .
If you wanna treat someone to authentic, delicious Korean food and make them feel special, this place is it ! Don't listen to the rumourmongers !

(NH) Leong Kee - Pasir Putih, Ipoh

Tapaued the porridge here eons ago and never forgot the taste of the meatballs . And that was it , because we always seemed to arrive at the wrong time. Thus I whooped with joy upon finding the tables lining the five foot way today.

( NH ) $1 Koay Teow Thng - 7 Village Abu Siti Lane !

Was at the cashier counter settling my bill tonight when I noticed this offer.

Omg....$1 for a bowl of koay teow thng !!!!

Catch No.1 : only between 8.30am to 9am
 Catch No.2 : only at Abu Siti Lane, Penang

Catch No.3 : offers ends 18th of April 2013

Photo credit : 7villagenoodlehouse.com

Website :  http://www.7villagenoodlehouse.com/

850 Char Koay Teow - Cecil Street Market ( NH )

He claims to sell 850 plates of CKT a day.

Talk about bragging rights !

  

The whole time I was sitting there, tok tok tok , ting ting tang tang, there he was banging away at his wok non stop. Stall covered in perpetual smoke.
Looks like a Genie rising from a witches cauldron. 

Air Putih gluttons corner ( NH ) - largest portions on the island !

Air Itam is the new city centre if you ask me. Practically teeming with life at all times of the day. Whereas Air Putih is just before it.

Popped in here for an after dinner snack.

Maybe we shouldn't have, because what they serve here is real value for money unlike other places in Georgetown.

The portions are so huge, those with big appetites should seriously consider putting this on their map of must eat places.

See the picture above, featuring oh chien (oyster omelette ) ? Countless fresh oysters inside ...for the most minimum order. Unbelievable.

Sin Hup Aun Cafe - most un-Milo Milo (NH)

The young cafe owner has had a rather glorious past, in the field of bowling. The massive collection of trophies that line the back of this kopitiam attest to that. Rumour has it, that he invested his prize monies in this prized catch.
The kopitiam's fame was further cemented when Dr Pornthip, the forensic pathologist, otherwise known as Thailand's Dr Death, dropped by for a bite at the curry mee stall, a local favourite, that is located here.

 

With such an illustrious headstart , I really don't understand why, they had to resort to this. 

7.30 pm at Sin Tatt Garden - big eaters paradise, on the cheap !

 Did you know that there are 3 Yu Char Kwai sellers, in this area alone ? Must mean, it's either one heck of a popular snack or it's really good. Standard price here is 80sen for a huge, gigantic, filling stick.

Each stall has a slightly different recipe, but the one you see below.... 

.....is like a mini factory on a table top, with many workers in the background .
 So popular, you actually have to wait for the next batch, after 8.30 pm as they sell out extremely fast.
( Personally, I prefer the ones sold at a quieter stall near a soya bean seller )