CRIZ BON APPETITE

Savoring The Best All Over Town…

MYTHAI CAFE

Posted by Criz Lai On July - 2 - 2008

NOTE: THIS RESTAURANT HAS CEASED OPERATION

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On my way back to my place, I saw a new Thai Restaurant opened up for business along Upper Penang Road. I was curious as it replaced where Pintail Bistro used to be. Although the previous restaurant served one of the best fusion dishes around, it had to be closed down due to lack of parking spaces and diners around that area. Well, this new restaurant had quite a nice environment with dim garden lights and soft Thai music playing against the background.
We sat down and were immediately served by a lady. It looked as if she was desperate to recommend this and that as we ended up having food enough to feed three persons. We ordered 5 dishes and a dessert and I did stress to her to make the portion smaller as there were only two of us dining.

The Appetizer Thod Marn Pla (RM7.50) which was to be some sort of Thai Fish Cake came. I expect them to give 4 pieces since there were two of us but instead they gave three. A bit pricey to charge that as there was nothing inside except for some minced meat and long beans. But the taste was quite nice.

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Next dish was Tom Yam Thalay (RM25) which was supposed to be a mixed seafood tom yam. We ended up with a large bowl of average tom yam soup with lots of fish balls, 3 tiger prawns, barely 2 squids, half a baby flower crab and some straw mushrooms. Very pricey!

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The Khao Pad Sapparos (RM8) aka Pineapple Fried Rice was next. Not bad for the amount served but it lacked of the fragrance for fried rice. Moreover, it was slightly soggy.

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The waitress recommended Mango Tofu (RM10) next. The taste was not bad, a bit sweet for my taste bud. The dish has not more than 2 packet of deep fried Japanese tofu, some shredded mango, battered minced chicken meat and cooked with some tomato paste and they are charging that high. They should at least check the market rate for any tofu dishes out there. Even a crab meat Japanese tofu that amount won’t cost that much.

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The waitress again strongly recommended the Thai style Egg Roll (RM5). It was just a plain egg with some over salty minced chicken meat cooked with fermented beans inside. Moreover, it came last when all the plain rice as well as Pineapple Fried Rice were almost gone. I think they got their dish priority all wrong here.

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As for dessert, she recommended the Thai Dessert (RM3.50). By right this dish is to be served with only some jellied water chestnut, sliced jackfruits and coconut milk. It came with additional sweetened attap palm nuts, nata de coco jelly and some over springy colored jelly. All the add-ons spoiled the taste of this traditional Thai dessert.

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I would consider the food served here are a bit pricey although the amount charged was not with any taxes. We paid RM68.20 for the meal. They even charged us 30sen for a glass of water on top of the amount we had ordered? Come on! If they were planning to charge, at least state in the menu or just get me a bottle of mineral water instead. How to reach this restaurant? Just refer to the map below for directions.

MYTHAIMAP

Name: MYTHAI CAFE
Address: 84, Upper Penang Road, 10000 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 604-261 9330
Opening Hours: 11.30am. – 12.00am
GPS: 5.420430, 100.332695

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: 6/10
(1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 9/10
(1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 7/10
(1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

SEGAFREDO UPPER PENANG ROAD

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 30 - 2008

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Recently, a client of mine invited me for a dinner. We circled a few rounds within Georgetown to seek a place for dinner and ended up at Segafredo, Upper Penang Road. The ambience of the bistro & pub was great. There were the outside area and inside area with soft house music. This is quite a cool place for a small meeting as well as for casual chit chats.

We order our drinks Wildfruit Granita (RM13) and Iced Lemon Tea (RM7.50) followed by Cheesy Garlic Bread (RM5.50) while waiting for our main dishes to be served.

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My client ordered the Chicken Arrosto (RM13.50) which looked very impressive in the menu. He ended up with a chicken drumstick which was too small a portion for his big size although the taste was not bad at all.

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On the other hand, I ordered the Fish & Chips (RM14) which was also too small a portion for my appetite. There was nothing special at all in this dish except for the two big prawns served in the salad.

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Overall, I would think the bistro is rather pricey in their food and beverages items. We paid RM61.53 for the meal, inclusive of 10% service charge and 5% Government Tax which came up to RM8.03. I guessed the bistro served more party goers than diners well here as it is situated within the night entertainment spots of Upper Penang Road. Just refer to the map below if you would like to pay a visit to this place.

SEGAFREDOMAP

Name: SEGAFREDO (UPPER PENANG ROAD)
Address: 3J, Upper Penang Road, 10000 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-262 2611
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 1.00am
GPS: 5.422310, 100.334820

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10
(1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 6/10
(1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 7/10
(1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 9/10
(1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10
(1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)


EA BISTRO AND PUB

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 28 - 2008

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You may have pass by this restaurant always but maybe you did not pay much attention as it is hidden at the end of a lane. This restaurant is actually right with the premises of the Penang Eurasian Association. That’s how it got its name as EA Bistro & Pub. Not only does the restaurant serve Set Lunch (RM9.90) daily (except Monday), it also served one of the best Western Food as well as Japanese Meals around the area and everything in this restaurant is freshly cooked daily. Even the soups are prepared with the freshest ingredients and the Japanese meals are prepared with imported Japanese products.

My friend and I discovered this place on our way to Tanjung Tokong area a few days back and decided to try out this place. We ordered the BBQ Chicken (RM16.90) and Blackened Chicken (RM16.90). The Blackened Chicken is actually grilled cajun spiced chicken breast meat served with black pepper sauce. Every piece on the plate is well prepared and tasty. The portion served is extremely large.

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The BBQ Chicken on the other hand is a grilled cajun spiced chicken drumstick served with sweet fragrance-rich BBQ sauce. Absolute delicious too!

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For every order of an Ala Carte Western Dishes, you are can upsized to Set Dinner with an additional RM7.00. You will get a glass of soda of your choice, a fresh Mushroom Soup, a spicy green salad, and coffee or tea. This is recommended for those big eaters. You should also try out the smoothness of their Vietnamese Coffee. This is such a great offer!

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There will also be different Live Bands performing from Thursday until Saturday. Thursday would be Jazz Night, First and Third Friday would be Country Night, Second and Fourth Friday would be Retro Night and Saturday would be Oldies Night. This is not a bad place for group gatherings or party but you will expect dimly lighted place with some smoke since this is a bistro cum pub.

There is also a list of Teppanyaki and Sashimi dishes, Spaghetti and Pasta, and finger food available for your hungry tummy. The boss recommended their Yaki Udon, Yaki Mesi, Spaghetti Marinara and Chicken & Mushroom Fettuccine for our next visit.

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If you are coming from town towards Gurney Plaza along Jalan Kelawai, you will reach a traffic light. Go straight and turn into the second lane on your left. The restaurant is just at the end of a no-through road, right in between the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Malaysia building and Arcadia Apartment. Hunzaland Project Office is just directly opposite the lane. The will be parking space inside.

EABISTROMAP

Name: EA BISTRO & PUB
Address:
107-A, Jalan Kelawai (Solok Serani), Pulau Tikus, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-228 2406, 016-422 6688 (Pauline)
Opening Hours:
11.30am – 3.00pm (Lunch)
6.00pm – 10.00pm (Dinner)
6.00pm – 1.00/2.00am (Pub)
6.00pm – 12.00/1.00am (Live Band – Thursday – Saturday)
GPS: 5.434593, 100.310315

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)

FACES STEAK CORNER

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 27 - 2008

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Who would expect Julia Roberts to accompany us for dinner? I actually wanted to get Britney Spears, David Beckham, Andy Lau or Lee Hom but in the end I just got myself a glass of Iced Lemon Tea (RM2.90). You are right! Those are the names of some of the beverages available in this restaurant. Julia Roberts (RM4.50) is actually a cocktail comprising watermelon, cucumber and honeydew juices. This drink is meant for those weight watchers.

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My friend and I started our dinner with Cream of Mushroom Soup with 2 slices of garlic toasts (RM4.50) and Seafood Tomato Soup (RM4.50). The Mushroom Soup tasted fine but was not as creamy as I have expected. On the other hand, the Seafood Tomato Soup has lots of seafood in it but a bit too sweet for my liking.

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Seafood Mixed Grill (RM14.90) and Chicken Aux Champignons (RM7.90) followed as our main courses. The Seafood Mixed grill was with lots of mussels, prawns, fish and cuttlefish. It came topped with black pepper gravy. The dish tasted good but I would prefer to have thicker gravy for that. The Chicken Aux Champignons came with some sliced button mushrooms on top of a grilled and deboned chicken drumstick. Not bad but there was nothing spectacular about the gravy. Both the dishes came with lots of French fries, mixed vegetables, broccoli and some salad.

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The whole restaurant was dimly lighted with an oil lamp on every table. I would say it’s quite a romantic place for courting couples. Haha! I went the with the intention of getting a whole heart but the temptation was too great. I ended up breaking the heart apart. Why not? Isn’t a Heart Shaped Fried Ice Cream (RM2.50) meant to be broken into two before consuming? 😛 Well, this dessert was real nice with Rum & Raisins Ice Cream inside. The skin is actually made of white bread and fried in hot boiling oil while the content still maintains it coldness. This is a must try for those who have yet to try out this dessert.

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Finding the restaurant is real easy. If you are coming from town towards Tanjung Tokong, just watch out for a traffic light on your right with Subaidah Nasi Kandar at the corner lot. Turn right into the traffic light and you will see the restaurant there. There is free parking next door.

FACESMAP

Name: FACES STEAK CORNER
Address: 4D Jalan Pantai Molek, Tg. Tokong, 10470 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-8900998
Opening Hours: 6.00pm – 1.00am daily
GPS: 5.444408, 100.305948

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (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)

KIMBERLEY STREET DUCK KOAY CHIAP

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 26 - 2008

KSDUCK01

Penang has many Duck Koay Chiap stalls from Lebuh Melayu, Lebuh Kimberley, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Air Itam up to Lorong Kucing in Pulau Tikus. The one that I like most is still from Lebuh Kimberley. The soup is just right for my taste without too much of bitterness from the herbs that are used in the braising of the duck. On top of that the amount of duck meat given is much more than any of the other stalls I have been to.

On top of the Koay Chiap, you can even order the braised duck just by itself or served with rice or broth. Here are the snapshots of the food.

BRAISED DUCK KOAY CHIAP (RM4-RM6)
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BRAISED DUCK BROTH (RM4-RM6)
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BRAISED DUCK RICE (RM4-RM6)
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BRAISED DUCK MEAT WITH EGG (RM5-RM6)
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As you drive into Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong from Penang Road, turn left in Lebuh Carnavon. Drive further until you see a small mamak stall on your left and turn into that road. That is Lebuh Kimberley. The stall is just further up on your left by the road side.

KSDUCKMAP

Name: KIMBERLEY STREET DUCK KOAY CHIAP
Address: Lebuh Kimberley, Penang, Malaysia.
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed Thursday)
GPS: 5.416200, 100.332717

RATING:
Ambience: 5/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 6/10 (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)

PASTA & PIE @ NORTHAM BEACH CAFE

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 19 - 2008

PASTAPIE01

“Hey Jon! Where’s my lasagna?” Hmm… Where have I heard this before? Yea… it’s me! Haha. I felt like I have a part of Garfield hidden inside me as I am always craving for lasagna. After searching in many Italian restaurants for lasagna that’s good and affordable, I ended up in Pasta & Pie at Northern Beach Café again and again. Why? It is because the dish can be ordered as ala carte or in a set which will cost you not more than RM16.90. I ordered the set as I can get an appetizer, a main and a dessert at a much lesser price.

You have a few choices to choose from and I chose the Mushroom Carrot Soup. The soup is thick and creamy and it comes with a breadstick. This is how I always love my soup to be. Yummy!

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“Thou shalt not touch my lasagna!” Right! You got it! The lasagna is my favorite but the portion is too small to be shared with anyone else. The smell from the melted cheese and the smoothness of the meat and lasagna pasta has always sent me craving for more. It’s a must to try.

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As for dessert, I chose the Pumpkin Cheese Pie as it was not too filling compared to the many varieties of chocolate cakes and apple pies the stall has. The top of the slice of Pumpkin Cheese Pie was baked with crunchy almonds slices and accompanied with yummy custard sauce.

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There are many other pies which I have tasted before such as the Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd’s Pie, Mushroom Chicken Pie and many other sweet pies that are really good as well. In fact, you can even custom ordered your birthday cakes, wedding cakes, dessert & sweet for your tea party by contacting Tony days before your function.

To get there is real easy. Just drive along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah where the Northam Hotel is and turn left into the Northam Beach Café. The stall is strategically located within the dining area.

PASTAPIEMAP

Name: PASTA & PIE @ NORTHAM BEACH CAFE
Address: 58, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 016-555 0317 (Tony Cheah)
Opening Hours: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
GPS: 5.427159, 100.323522

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)

AGOGO WAN THAN MEE

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 18 - 2008

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Penang produces so many different versions of delicious Wan Than Mee (sometimes called wonton noodle) that most of the time we get confused with what style of the noodles to consume. We have the Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Teochew even Hong Kong styles of Wan Than Mee, not forgetting that the different style of how other states prepare the dish such as the versions from Johor, Pahang, Perak, Sarawak and Selangor. The dish comes in two versions, the dry and the soup. We also have the boiled wonton and the deep fried wonton, fine noodles and thick noodles, served with sambal and/or pickled green chillies.

One of the regular Wan Than Mee stall that I frequent is right in the heart of Georgetown. Somehow I like the taste of it compared to a few famous ones in Penang. I gave the stall the name Agogo as the boss will always shake vigorously when he shook the noodles dry. The noodles come in three sizes, small (RM2.40), medium (RM2.90) and large (RM3.40). If you want to try out the noodle, be prepare to wait for awhile as the customers will come in nonstop. After all, there are selling only for 5 hours or less per day, except for Sunday.

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You have to drive towards Lebuh Pantai to get into Lebuh Melayu as it is a one-way street. You can see the stall on you right at the junction of Lorong Toh Aka. Ample parking spaces can be found on the left road ( Lorong Ikan). If you find that the stall has no more places to sit, you can always move to the coffee shop opposite, which is cooler.

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AGOGOMAP

Name: AGOGO WAN THAN MEE
Address: Junction of Lorong Toh Aka / Lebuh Melayu
Opening Hours: 12.30pm – 5.00pm (Closed Sunday)
GPS: 5.414032, 100.336300

RATING:
Ambience: 5/10
(1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 5/10 (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: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

VEGETARIAN KURMA MUTTON RECIPE

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 17 - 2008

I have been having too much of red meat continuous for the past few weeks. I think it’s time to cook something that is much healthier. Somehow, I still missed those juicy T-Bone Steak or Mutton Shank but for a healthier meal, I opted for vegetarian mock mutton. I am going to share you all this week my Vegetarian Kurma Mutton, an Indian dish which is spicy but not hot. It can also be taken by children of any ages.

KURMAMUTTON

INGREDIENTS
500g mock mutton
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
1 big onion (cut to wedges)
2” cinnamon bark
2 cloves
2 cardamoms
1 full clove of star anise
2 medium tomatoes (washed and cut to wedges)
2 green chillies (deseed and cut into thick slices)
40 Mint leaves
300ml full cream milk (can be replaced with coconut milk)
Salt and sugar to taste
Some fried shallots
2 potatoes (optional – cut into large cubes and semi fry it to cook)

BLENDED INGREDIENTS
10 shallots
2 green chillies
2 tsp coriander powder
3 tsp poppy seeds
1 tsp turmeric powder
1.5” ginger
1/2 tsp grounded pepper

PREPARATION
1. Heat up the vegetable oil and stir in the blended ingredients.
2. Put in the onion, cinnamon bark, cloves, cardamoms and star anise. Stir until fragrant.
3. Add in the mock mutton and water. Simmer for 10 minutes on low fire.
4. Add in the tomatoes and green chillies and stir for another 5 minutes.
5. Add in the full cream milk and mint leaves.
6. Add salt and sugar to taste.
7. Garnish with fried shallots
8. Serve with white rice, roti canai or chapatti.

(Serves: 4-6)

YOU CAN CHECK HERE FOR MORE RECIPES.

OPTIONAL:
The mock/vegetarian mutton can be replaced with meaty mutton cubes. The mutton must be marinated with juice from grated ginger in order to make the meat tender while cooking. Use one cup of water instead of the 1/2 cup as stated.

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Are you tired of eating curry puff with only spicy potato as the filling? You should try out Adam’s Famous Chicken Curry Puff in Pulau Tikus, Penang. In fact, this stall served the best curry puff in Penang. If you timing is good, you will get pipping hot curry puff straight from the stove. Not only is the curry puff steaming hot, it also has chunks of chicken meat in it. On top of that, it’s only RM1.40 each (will increase to RM1.50 at an unconfirmed date) and big enough to keep your tummy filled.

Other than the curry puff, you can also try out the Nasi Lemak (Steamed Coconut Milk Rice) with spicy anchovy and a slice of egg. As for orders for parties, Adam does not provide anything smaller than that size of Curry Puff. Can you imagine that most of the time these are sold off within minute? On an average day, Adam would have to prepare safely about 800pcs of Curry puff to be sold off at both his stalls.


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Just turn into Pulau Tikus Market at Jalan Pasar and you will see the stall at the junction of Jalan Moulmein. The stall is in front of Sin Hup Aun Café where as the Green Lane stall will sell in front of Kedai Kopi Genting.

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ADAMCURRYPUFFMAP

Name: ADAM’S CHICKEN CURRY PUFF @ SIN HUP AUN CAFE
Address:
Pulau Tikus: Lorong Pasar, 10350 Penang, Malaysia.
Green Lane: Lorong Delima 3, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 016-484 1605 (Adam)
Opening Hours:
Pulau Tikus: 7.00am – 9.00pm
GPS: 5.429850, 100.312450
Green Lane: 9.00am – 5.00pm
GPS: 5.382960, 100.303996

RATING:
Ambience: 4/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 6/10 (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)

CHEE CHEONG FUN @ KEDAI KOPI GENTING

Posted by Criz Lai On June - 15 - 2008

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Steamed Rice Roll or commonly known in Penang as Chee Cheong Fun was originated from southern China and Hong Kong with many variety of filling. In Malaysian and Singapore, many people prefer taking this delicacy with a kind of reddish black sweet sauce, shrimp paste and specially prepared chili paste. Chee Cheong Fun is a popular breakfast food in Singapore and Malaysia but nowadays people tend to consume it practically any time of the day. 

I have tried many stalls selling Chee Cheong Fun in Penang. Some of them were using shrimp pastes that have overwhelming smell of fermented shrimp and tasted kind of salty. The best Chee Cheong Fun that I have tasted so far that really met up to my expectation is the one selling in Kedai Kopi Genting in Green Lane area, Penang. The combination of sauces was perfect and the chili paste was marvelous. Not many stalls in Penang served the chili paste cooked with dried shrimp as they do. The price for two rolls of Chee Cheong Fun only cost RM1.70 whereas for three rolls, it costs only RM2.50. No wonder, there were many Singaporeans who had bought tens of packets from the stall regularly.


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If you are coming from Jalan Mesjid Negeri towards the Penang Bridge, do watch out for Jalan Delima on your right at the traffic light. Turn into the road and turn to the first road on your left (Lorong Delima 6). That’s where the Kedai Kopi Genting is.

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GENTINGCCFMAP

Name: CHEE CHEONG FUN @ KEDAI KOPI GENTING
Address: Lorong Delima 3, 11700 Penang, Malaysia.
Opening Hours: 7.00am – 7.00pm
GPS: 5.382960, 100.303996

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: 9/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 6/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

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