24 hours, kuliner di Penang

Siapa coba yang nggak laper kalau lagi ke Penang, sebuah kota di Malaysia yang sangat terkenal dengan makanan. Siapa tau ada yang lagi mau ke Penang, ini catatan gue waktu nyobain rentetan kuliner di Penang – makan pagi, siang, sore dan malam. // Let me share my foodie experience in Penang, from morning to night. It was flavorful, rich in spices and herbs.

Let’s start the kuliner di Penang!

Breakfast.

TAI TONG Restaurant

Waktunya makan pagi, gue dan suami berangkat naik taksi ke Jalan Cintra di Georgetown untuk makan Dim Sum. Jujur jarang banget kita makan Dim Sum, tapi mumpung di sini musti nyobain ini tempat karena katanya salah satu yang paling oke. Jam 7 pagi udah rame banget nih resto di pojokan jalan. Isinya orang lokal semua, kita satu-satunya ‘turis’ disini.

Pelayan di restoran ini semua ibu-ibu tua gitu, tapi gerak cepat semua! Mereka ngedorong satu kereta penuh Dim Sum, bubur, dan lain-lain terus kita tinggal pilih mau yang mana. Rasanya enak-enak dan terjangkau pula harganya. Habis makan Dim Sum, kita nyeruput Teh Cina panas yang aromanya kemana-mana. Ahhhh.

I am actually not a big Dim Sum fan, but a friend convinced me that this one is a must try. I took a cab to Lebuh Cintra and found this place at a corner. As early as 7 am, the restaurant was already crowded. The staff seem to be mostly older ladies (but they move really fast) and most of them have enough English to help me out with describing the food on offer. It was quite good and generally inexpensive. Me and hubby were the only non-locals eating when we were there so I knew I was at the right spot. The aroma of brewing Chinese tea everywhere was perfect to start a nice morning in Penang.

Lunch

Kafe KEK SENG

Waktu kita ke Penang, temen nyewa mobil lengkap ama supir untuk jalan-jalan kesana sini. Gaya banget emang dia. Nah si supir ini bilang ada satu resto yang sempurna buat makan siang ala orang lokal di Penang. Tempatnya di tengah kota dan bentuknya kayak kafe kecil gitu. Katanya sih udah hampir 110 tahun berdiri. Sadis ya…

Gue mesen Asam Laksa, laksa versi Penang yang ternyata beda ama laksa biasa karena yang satu ini pake kuah ikan asam pedes gitu. Seger abis. Disini terkenal juga beberapa jenis makanan lain – mangkanya pas makan siang disitu penuh tempatnya, kita nyaris nggak dapet tempat duduk.

My friend hired a driver when we were in Penang and this guy brought us to this restaurant for lunch. He said, “You must try me and my family’s fave local dish here”. I ordered my self a portion of Assam Laksa – Penang version of laksa-  and totally enjoyed it. It was really different with any other Laksa I have tasted in my life. They use spicy-sour fish broth, and boy i love fish. The restaurant itself more like an old coffee shop, and was packed with locals during lunch. Apparently it was established in 1906 and was a big part of Penang history as well. It’s famous for its Chicken Rice, Popiah, Durian Ice Cream and Peanut Ice/Ice Kacang. Yum.

 

Dunch.

TEOCHEW Cendul & JOOI HOI Cafe

Tau dunch dong? Makan sore – karena perut mendadak lapar (lagi) hehehe. Gue dan suami pun pergi ke sebuah jalan yang ngetop bernama Jalan Penang untuk antri. Antriannya bener-bener panjang dan yang diantriin ialah Cendol! Jangan kuatir, mereka ngaku kok ini adalah minuman manis yang diadopsi dari Jawa-Indonesia.

Di Penang, Cendol TeoChew ini ngetop banget sejak tahun 1945. Saking ngetopnya orang-orang (90% turis) rela antri demi Cendol atau Chendul kalo sebutan orang Penang. Pas akhirnya giliran gue nyobain di gerobak jualannya, rasanya memang ngelegain banget karena pas aja setelah bediri lama di teriknya matahari. Enak gak? Hm, kalo menurut gue sih enak ya, rasanya agak lain ama Cendol kita yang dominasi rasa santan. Mereka rasanya lebih dominasi rasa susu.  

You know Dunch right? a meal between lunch and dinner at about 3-5 p.m just because your stomach wants more food. Hehehe. I decided to queue at a super famous Chendul/Cendol stall at Penang Road. The queue was long, alright. They said it was founded in 1945 and has been famous since. It was a hot day, so when I finally got my iced Cendol, i was pleased.It really gave a superb cooling effect. Yes, Indonesia is famous for Cendol dessert as well, and no, they do not taste the same. Indonesia’s Cendol uses lots of coconut milk. Cendol in Penang uses lots of milk. That makes a huge different I think. My hubby prefers the original Indonesian’s Cendol. Me, i like em both.

 

 

Persis di sebelah antrian Cendol, ada antrian yang sama panjangnya, tapi yang ini untuk makan Kwetiau. Gila ya, ini orang-orang dedikasinya tinggi bener untuk makan. Karena udah kadung disitu, gue pun ikut antri bagian kedua untuk makan Kwetiau yang katanya salah satu paling enak di Penang ini. Rasanya…. ya rasa kwetiau aja sih. HA! 😃 jangan sedih… untuk yang satu ini, kwetiau di Indo masih lebih enak.

Next to the Cendol queue, there was another long queue for Char Koay Teow in Jooi Hoi Cafe! They said it’s the best in town. I bought a portion and maybe because I was too full, it was just another Char Koay Teow for me.

 

Dinner.

HAMEEDIYAH TANDORI House Restaurant

Sampailah kita di makan malam. Kebetulan ada satu teman suami di Penang yang adalah pelatih salah satu klub bola, dan para pemain bola-nya yang rata-rata orang asli Penang ngerokemendasiin kita untuk makan di resto yang sudah berdiri lebih dari 100 tahun ini. Nasi Kandarnya dan martabaknya enak banget kata mereka.

Jadi malam ini kita duduk rame-rame mesen makanan banyak gila. Gue sendiri sempet nyobain Nasi Kandar pake udang galah dan cumi, martabak daging sapi, teh tarik dan JUARAnya ialah makanan bernama Kambing Korma. Uenak! Kuliner di Penang at its finest. 

This one was also recommended by some locals. Similar to Kafe KEK SENG, it was established in 1907 -among one of the oldest restaurants in Penang- and is well known for its Nasi Kandar. Nasi Kandar is Penang dish of mildly-flavoured steamed rice accompanied by a variety of curry-based meat dishes and vegetables. I had Nasi Kandar with Prawns and Squid, Minced Beef Murtabak, Teh Tarik and a super duper delicious Kambing Korma/Mutton Korma. I ate so much, I am telling you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suami  mesen Ayam Tandori yang menurut dia sangat enak sampe nambah 3 kali. Asli, tempat ini bener-bener original, halal, dan Highly recommended kalo lagi di Penang.

My husband had a portion of super tender Tandoori Chicken, served with three dips and naan, and he truly loved it and asked for an extra portion. Basically, this restaurant knows a good harmony of various spices and a good representative of Indian Muslim flavours. A must try in Penang.

IT’S YOUR TURN!

Udah pernah ke Penang? ada rekomendasi makanan lain nggak yang enak untuk kuliner di Penang? Komentarnya dibawah ya

 Have you been to Penang? Tell me what is your fave place to eat in Penang!

 

Too many people eat just for the calories. Try enjoying the experience for a change!

–olivelatuputty.com/blog – @shiningliv