CRIZ BON APPETITE

Savoring The Best All Over Town…

KRISTAL SEAFOOD CAFE

Posted by Criz Lai On July - 3 - 2008
Where would you go for some hot steaming homecooked food after working late in the office or had just arrived from a long tiring trip from outstation? Most of the time you would just end up at Mamak stalls or McDonald’s to grab your meals as majority of the good restaurants and famous hawker stalls would be closed by then. Well, I had that experience myself as I had late dinner dates with a few friends of mine. By the time they have finished their work (especially those from malls) and refreshed themselves, it would be almost 11.00pm at night.

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You might get some stalls still selling rice/porridge but their food were precooked and left on the warmer for hours. What I needed was some freshly cooked dishes with rice. I have searched for this type of service all over Penang and managed to find barely a handful scattered at different districts of the state. One of the coffee shops worth mentioning would be the Kedai Kopi Kristal Seafood located right in the heart of Pulau Tikus. Not only do they serve their customers right until 2.00am, they also provide delivery services right to your doorsteps. What impressed me most was their internet/WIFI ready access in their shop as this extra service is extremely rare in Penang coffee shops.

The charges for the food here can be considered reasonable with a meat/vegetable dish in the range of RM6, RM8 and RM10 whereas seafood dishes would be RM10 and above based on the market rate. My friend and I spent barely RM32 on the food and drinks, not forgetting the extra helping of rice we had ordered. It was a waste that there were just the two of us. If there were more, we would have tried out their impressive arrays of steamed fish and spicy prawns. Here were the basic dishes that we had ordered.

HONEY CHICKEN (RM8)

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FRIED JAPANESE TOFU WITH PACIFIC CLAMS (RM8)

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FOO YONG TAN (RM6)

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PRESTEAM RADISH SOUP (RM5)

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I did also find out that there was another room upstairs with air-conditioning and KTV that can cater for a small gathering of 50 persons or more. It is real easy to find the shop as it is situated along the main road. Just refer to the map below for directions.

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Name: KEDAI KOPI KRISTAL SEAFOOD
Address: 224-B Jalan Burmah, 10350 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-227 2218, 012-438 3962, 016-445 6882 (Mr. Y.K. Lim)
Opening Hours: 4.30pm – 1.45am
GPS: 5.430064, 100.313351

RATING:
Ambience: 6/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 8/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 7/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

113 FRIED PORRIDGE SHOP

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 22 - 2008

Note: The restaurant has shifted to the main road of Jalan Fettes Park opposite Prima Tanjung. Items sold are still the same.

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Most of you will exclaim “What? Porridge is porridge. How could it be fried?” Well, there is such a thing as that, although it is not the in-thing in Penang. Cooked porridge is stir fried in a wok with some herbs and spices, together with pork, prawns, cuttlefish strips, dried shrimps and Chinese leek (koochai). In fact, it looked just like dark soy sauce porridge but the taste is unique. Here is how the dish looks like.

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Four of us visited this shop which has relocated there from Jalan Burma (next to Ribs Restaurant). We spent barely RM31 on all the food we had ordered and RM5 for the drinks. Firstly, we tired out on of their set meals, which was the Sweet and Sour Pork set (RM4.50). You can order any one dish from their list of food in the menu and rice for only RM4.50. My recommendation would be the Curry Wild Boar set which will always be fresh as the owner hunt the boar himself.

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The next dish which I would always order when I am there would be the Moonlight Hor Fun. A fresh raw egg would be added onto the hot steaming Hor Fun. Upon served, you have to mix the egg thoroughly. This dish may look raw to some but once you have a taste of the dish, you would not regret ordering it during your next visit.

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Next on the list was the Oyster Omelette (RM6). Most shops would add starch to their Fried Oyster and scramble it. This shop will just use big juicy oysters and fried them together with fresh eggs. This dish is yummy!!

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Another dish which you should try is the Black Four Seasons Beans (RM7). Young long beans are deep fried and then stir fried with dried shrimps in dark soy sauce. Real yummy when taken with hot steaming rice.

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Lastly, another dish which you should not miss out will be their house speciality – the Yunnan Tofu (RM6). Fresh soft tofu is mashed and mixed with eggs, dried shrimps and chopped wood fungus and then steamed again. The cooked steamed tofu will then be dip into tapioca flour and deep fried to perfection.

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Do watch out for their latest lunch offer – One bowl of rice + one dish of your choice + one bowl of soup = RM4.50

The road to Batu Maung is not as confusing as before after the Government had built an expressway (Jelutong Expressway) straight into the town. To get to the shop, just drive towards Batu Maung from the Jelutong Expressway. As you reach the last traffic lights in Batu Maung, turn right. You will see World Fish Centre on your right. When you reach the traffic light, turn left and you will see a stretch of shophouses. The shop is just a few shops away within Seong Iping Café premises.

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Name: 113 FRIED PORRIDGE SHOP @ SEONG IPING CAFE
Address: 47, Laya Batu Maung, 19300 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 016-428 9113
Opening Hours:
11.30am – 3.00pm, 6.00pm – 10.30pm (Closed Alternate Thursday)
GPS: 5.285879, 100.282495

RATING:
Ambience: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 8/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

HONG KONG FOOD CULTURE

Posted by Criz Lai On May - 30 - 2008

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Low Yat Plaza might be the best place to shop for computers as well as other electronic gadgets but where would you go for food then? I have found a great place hidden down at the basement of Low Yat Plaza. The place is called Hong Kong’s Food Culture. It is normally packed during lunch hours as the crispy roasted duck there tastes real great.

I was there to have lunch with my two friends and we ordered Curry Pork Rice (RM9.80), Fried Beef Nissin Noodles (RM9.80), Nissin Noodles with Egg set lunch (RM7.90), Roasted Duck Leg (RM9.50) and Steam Egg Custard with Honey Syrup @ Yellow Tan Tan (RM4). Overall with 5% Government Tax and 10% Service Charge, it came out to RM47.15 which was reasonable for KL standard.

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It might be confusing if you are not familiar with the interior floor map of the plaza. I would recommend that you go out of the building and move around until you see the restaurant name boldly being displayed. You can’t miss it as they do have a small stall outside selling some finger food and beverages.

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Name: HONG KONG’S FOOD CULTURE
Address:
LG-18, Lower Ground Floor, Low Yat Plaza,
Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-2141 6998
Opening Hours: 10.00am – 10.00pm
GPS: 3.143976, 101.710353

RATING:
Ambience: 7/10
(1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 8/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

SUPER LAI LAI BAK KUT TEH

Posted by Criz Lai On May - 21 - 2008

Please take note that the stall has ceased operation in 2008 and the present coffee house has been renamed as Yummy Cafe. What you get from the coffee house and whichever stalls that carry the same name were not the original.

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Bak Kut Teh is a popular Chinese soup in which contain meaty pork, simmer with many herbs and spices. This popular soup is taken with white rice or dark oil rice. There are quite a number of Bak Kut Teh stalls scattered all over Penang area. All of them have their own different recipes and thickness of the soup. The one that I like to frequent is situated in a corner coffee shop along Jalan Macalister. The stall is called Lai Lai Bak Kut Teh.

The reason we like to go there is that the owner is very generous with the soup as he will make sure that each clay pot he served will not be out of soup. We ordered our own selection of choice meat, a plate of boiled Cameron lettuce topped with a lot of meat floss, a plate of You Tiao (Yau Char Gwai or You Char Kway from the famous Penang shop) and four big bowls of white rice. Everything cost us only RM27.50 and the amount of meat in the clay pot could easily feed 3 adults. We managed to pack some back for lunch the next day. What I did with that is another story… haha. Could you believe that this portion is meant for only 2 persons?

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In fact, there are still many other options you can add into the Bak Kut Teh clay pot as shown in the photo.

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The shop is just opposite Red Rock Hotel. If you are driving down from Komtar into Jalan Macalister, you will see a petrol kiosk on your left. The shop is just right after that.

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Name: SUPER LAI LAI BAK KUT TEH (Opposite Red Rock Hotel)
Address: 97, Jalan Macalister, 10400 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 012-473 1471
Opening Hours: 6.00pm – 1.00am (Closed Thursday)
GPS: 5.416585, 100.323029

RATING:
Ambience: 6/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 810 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 7/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

GHEE SENG TOMYAM SEAFOOD

Posted by Criz Lai On April - 8 - 2008

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Would you like to try out some Thai food without having to go all the way to Thailand or to some exotic Thai Restaurant and pay high price for your food? If yes then you should visit Ghee Seng Tomyam Seafood Restaurant located along the famous seafront, Weld Quay. There would not be much ho-ha to dress up as the restaurant is in an open air coffee shop style. If you do not intend to order dishes of your choice, you can even opt for their many spread of Chinese/Thai cuisine dishes in the Economy Rice Stall.

Since I was not in the mood for some hot and spicy tomyam soup, I ordered some milder dishes. By the way, their tomyam soup is super yummy too. Upon recommendation by the boss, Tomyam Seng, we ordered Hotplate Japanese Tofu which is full of prawns and minced meat, Crispy Mantis Prawns with Salad cum chopped carrot and their famous mouth watering Thai Lobak (Thai pork roll wrapped with dried tofu skin) served with hot steaming Thai rice. The food is delicious and the price is reasonable, considering that we paid less than RM25 for the food and drinks. Check out the dishes below:

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If you come from the ferry terminal along Weld Quay (Jalan Pengkalan Weld), you will see the Shell Petrol Kiosk on your left. Drive further and you will see the Chew Jetty where there are lots of hawker stalls. Drive on until you almost reach the traffic light to turn into Komtar area or towards the Jelutong Expressway. The restaurant is just on the left BEFORE the traffic lights. It is situated along a row of shophouses (WISMA KGN). There will be a light box showing where the shop is along the main road. Check out the map if you are still unsure.

GHEESENGMAP

Name: GHEE SENG TOMYAM SEAFOOD
Address:
BLK 123-G-06, Wisma KGN, Jalan Pengkalan Weld (Weld Quay), 10300 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 016-498 8325, 012-480 8266 (Tomyam Seng)
Opening Hours:
11.00am – 3.00pm, 6.00pm – 1.00am (Closed Wednesday)
GPS: 5.410657, 100.336193

RATING:
Ambience: 6/10
(1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 6/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 7/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

GOLDEN ATTAP SEAFOOD RESTAURANT / WELD QUAY RESTORAN

Posted by Criz Lai On April - 2 - 2008

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If you consider having your lunch or dinner in Georgetown area, you can pay a visit to the Weld Quay Restoran / Golden Attap Seafood Restaurant which is situated along Weld Quay. If you are afraid to get some food or oil scents stuck to your clothes, I would advise you to opt next door which also belong to them as the cook cum boss will be cooking right in front of the shop.

The most wonderful thing about this restaurant is that before you can even sit down comfortably while enjoying the complimentary fish cracker/ papadam with curry fish sauce as appetizer, your dish would be served. Although the food can be considered a bit oily to my preference, the taste is remarkably tasty. There are so many dishes you can order, ranging from seafood, vegetables, meat and soup. Here are some of the raw ingredients.

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Price wise is really cheap as an average sized deep fried black pomfret with oyster sauce would not cost your more than RM10. An average meal for 2-3 persons would cost you between RM14 and RM25, provided not all dishes are seafood based. Drinks are to be paid separately to the coffee shop owner.

Here are 5 dishes that I have ordered for 3 persons which cost me not more than RM30.

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You would not miss this place as it is the only restaurant with attap roofs directly opposite the Penang Jetty Terminal along Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld). As you reach Weld Quay through the Jelutong Expressway, go straight until you reach an overhead pedestrian bridge. The shops are just after that on your left.

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Name:
GOLDEN ATTAP SEAFOOD RESTAURANT /
WELD QUAY RESTORAN (Opposite Ferry Terminal)
Address: 18 & 21 Weld Quay, 12000 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: Mr. Chiam (012-429 2579), Ms. Ah See (012-474 5566)
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 3.00pm, 6.00pm – 10.00 pm (Closed Wednesday)

RATING:
Ambience: 4/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 9/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 9/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 4/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 9/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

CLAYPOT RESTAURANT

Posted by Criz Lai On February - 28 - 2008

NOTE: The restaurant had changed management since early 2009. You might experience some changes in the menu and taste.

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If you are thinking of taking your family or guests out for a nice warm homely cooking, do try out Claypot Restaurant up in Tanjung Bunga area. It has a nice and cozy atmosphere while you enjoy your meals. There is also a private room available for some serious discussions and an outdoor place for those who like to dine in the open air.

No doubt the food selections are quite limited, but each and every dish is a must to try. I have tried a few of their dishes on several occasions and I am happy with them. The taste of the food there is one of the best I have tried in town. Maybe you should see the food photos I am going to attach here and pay them a visit soon.

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You can try this dish as starter while waiting for your other dishes to be served with hot steaming rice. These toasts have minced prawns and sesame seeds on them.

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If you like beef, this one good dish to go with rice.

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We will need a vegetable dish right? Try this spinach dish in a wetter version.

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Kids will love this dish. It consists of crunchy chicken bites mixed with curry powder and mayonnaise. It is not hot at all but taste great!

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This is a must to try. The pork is stewed with fermented red bean curds and potatoes. The meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth.

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This is a combination of three vegetables, namely Goa beans, lady’s fingers and stink beans (buah petai) fried with spicy shrimp paste. It’s marvelous!

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It’s just a crunchy egg but the topping is wonderful. The gravy of the stir fried chicken cubes is slightly sweet and salty. This is an appetizing dish indeed.

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Normally, we have soup based glutinous rice balls but this one is unique. They come fried in three different flavors (peanut, red bean and black sesame) with some raspberry sauce. This is a good experience for those who like sweet desserts.

In case you are wondering how to get to this restaurant, I have attached a location map here. It is situated just behind Mutiara Selera Food Court at the base of Pearl Hill. To go to this restaurant, just drive towards Batu Ferringhi. When you reach the Penang Swimming Club on your right, drive ahead until you see Caltex petrol kiosk on your left. Drive ahead until you reach a traffic light (Mutiara Selera Food Court) and turn left. At the first Y junction, turn right. At the second Y junction, turn left. That’s Jalan Sungai Kelian. Drive ahead and you will see the restaurant on your right opposite Jalan Loh Poh Heng.

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Name: CLAYPOT RESTAURANT
Address: 48 Jalan Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Bunga, 11200 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-899 7987, 012-421 1363 (Ms. Tenny)
Opening Hours: 12.00noon – 3.00pm, 6.00pm – 10.30pm (Closed Monday)
GPS: 5.464220, 100.289791

RATING:
Ambience: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

JEMPUTREE

Posted by Criz Lai On February - 19 - 2008

JEMPUTREE

Finally, there is a place called Jemputree in Penang where we can sit around to have decent chats with soft music at the background and good ambience. The place has the feel of a rainforest blended in with small huts as if you are living in a tribal village. There is also a place to get that tree house experience. Moreover, you can have the privacy you ever wanted and a group of friendly “natives” to serve to all your dining needs.


JEMPUTREE AMBIENCE

Jemputree has a wide range of Malaysian’s mouth watering delights with variations that include Malay, Western & Oriental style of culinary choices. You can get meals from finger food to spicy dishes and pasta. There are also many local desserts and beverages that will make your stay worthwhile such as ais kacang, rojak, ginseng tongkat ali and rainbow. Below are some of the dishes I have ordered:

SOUP OF THE DAY

NASI LEMAK KAMPUNG

TOM YAM MAGGIE MEE

You might want to visit the place at the location mentioned below:

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Name: JEMPUTREE
Address: 64 Jalan Chow Thye, Off Jalan Burmah, 10050 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-228 6607
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 12.00am (Close Monday)
GPS: 5.424595, 100.320411

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 6/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 6/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 7/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

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