( 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 !

Set Lunch at Sushi Tei, Penang

Sushi Tei has everything going for it.

Exciting open sushi kitchen, classy looking interior accentuated by massive mirrors and panels, beautiful food, great lighting .

But my goodness, I sincerely hope someone from their Singaporean head office reads this review of mine, because their local ushers and local floor staff have got a huge attitude problem. They absolutely hate interacting with customers and are reluctant to help. 

Luckily I sat in the area where foreign staff were assigned to. Now, these foreigners, on the other hand, were sincerely welcoming and incredibly nice .

The Manhattan Fish Market - All Seasons Place

Update Nov 2014  : sadly the place has closed down. One of the reasons from my own observation is that the locals here treat this long walkway like an airconditioned Gurney Drive 

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Sit in the afternoon sun and soak in the hills in the distant. The view here is just gorgeous !

Been open for some time, but it was the buy one free one coupon, featured on a flyer that brought us here.

Scallop - Q - Gurney Plaza ( PF )

Had my first taste of Hokkaido scallops while in Japan....omg, while that was a revelation, it just doesn't taste the same outside of the country.

Still, let's try this Taiwan franchise out today.

Besides the very attractive kiosk, the owner's bubbly face is one of the draw factors.

 

Check out the prices.

 At $5.80 per stick, it's definitely cheaper than other street vendors in Taiwan itself.

( 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. 

Aji Noren - Prima Tanjung (NH )

8th March 2013 update :

Popped in for lunch and some concerns turned out to be true. Yes, the rice was too moist especially when you get to the bottom. Plus my favourite tempura/sashimi combo was not on the menu.
Think I prefer to come at night, as it just doesn't feel as cozy during daytime.

Earlier post :

Aji Noren is well known in Penang, for serving absolutely tasty, Japanese food, at moderate prices .

The cozy, inviting setting, reminds me of coastal street restaurants in Japan.

Aroi Thai- a page out of Bangkok ( NH )

Aroi Thai is a quaint little restaurant

that bears a ladies touch in almost every corner.
As long as you keep your eyes off their oh-s0-Thai handsome varieties of manly helpers.

Peonies dangle from wicker cases on the ceiling

Wang Chau Jun ( NH )

The owner is formerly a chef from Carnation Cafe in Gurney Drive.

 Back then ( the 90s) he was good enough to make an impression on these people pictured below.

 Today, this is where you can find him.

Under the staircase, counting money.

Kham Kee Beef Steamboat - part 2 ( NH )

Kham Khee is not your typical chinese beef steamboat place.

In fact, although the cuts which they use, are of higher quality,compared to other places, they're not one to sacrifice, good old fashioned tendons and fats .

As you can see, from this table, Kham Kee's regular customers, are all hale, hearty, blessed with amazing appetite and longevity. 

Chicken Curry - Teluk Intan style ( PF )

Was seated near the entrance, when the aroma whaffed over and drove me half mad

 " Who's cooking chicken curry ?" 

Someone seated one table behind me was the culprit who ordered this

The real Good Master Bah Kut Teh

Can't believe I've been this ignorant all this while.

Thought that the two restaurants were one and the same. Assumed they were run by the same operator.
Heck, even the signage is almost the same colour.

Apparently not.

There is a slight variation in their name.

One goes by " Good Master Bah Kut Teh"

The other " Bah Kut Teh Good Master"
Sneaky trickery.

Discovered this because the other shop in the right hand of this photo above , had closed earlier. 
Roaring business it enjoys night after night. 
The one below, still remained open. So in we went.
Out of curiosity, we asked if they were the same. 
They said no and left it at that. 

Did more digging online, and that was when we discovered a skeleton in the closet of the highly regarded restaurant across the road .

Kerabu Tomyam Bee Hoon - forgotten by tourism brochures

This vermicelli dish is a living testament of the extent of Thai and Nyonya influence on Penang cuisine. 
Most will serve it plain, with some chopped mint leaves and tiny pieces of vegetarian fritters on top.
 

Offered at most hawker centres reknowned for cheap food, there is no fixed rule to finding the exact stall that hawks it, as it is normally sold alongside other dishes such as chinese pasembor.

Dishwithvivien from Asian Food Channel is actually reading my posts ?

I'm really, really, really flattered.

My blog is less than a year old and I've seen this famous name pop up a few times on my stats radar . 

Almost fainted the first time I saw it, could not recover until today that is...

so stupid me, instead of a screenshot, I fumbled for my camera. 

My hands were so cold, I could barely breathe !

They still are !

( My hands that is )

Oh gosh, I must be doing something right.

Hopefully I'm not recommending the wrong things to her. 

If I could, I'd like to frame this and put it up on the wall.

( 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.

7 Village - Abu Siti Lane ( NH )

7 Village is a real godsend to Penang Island.

Apparently they have been open for around 2 or 3 months already, but I just found out about it today.
Better late than never.

Yes, someone up there heard the islanders cries, for great damn blady shiok koay teow thng ( so hard to find nowadays ),with really,truly absolutely fresh ingredients ( even famous stalls dare give us rotten fishballs and pork that has been fed a cocktail of dangerous drugs ) , that we don't have to cross the bridge for.

Sin Kim San - Ipoh Bean Sprout Chicken Rice ( NH )

While there are plenty of pakcham keh fans on the island, this is the first time I am seeing two older Japanese ladies, enjoying this dish so much, they just had to snap pics.

Four Seasons - Trengganu Road ( NH )

As with their outlet in Bayan Lepas, it's high time they refurbished.

But don't worry if you can't read Mandarin.

Just point at their picture menu and tadaaa...

(Take note that you will either fail or score, if you take my advice and follow exactly what I did below )

Kafe Kheng Pin - best prawn fritters in Penang (NH)

There is no fight. The loh bak stall here wins hands down.

Best there is on Penang island and I dare say the whole of Malaysia

Fok Kee Restaurant, Pitt Street ( NH )

Fok Kee has been around for ages, but lately I see the crowd thinning as more and more people have shifted away from the inner city to places like Jelutong and Air Itam.

YEA- Shabu Shabu christmas ( NH )

YEA's got a way of showering their customers with small surprises...

 ...especially when it comes to festive periods.