Thursday, December 30, 2010

Crab Porridge @ Nibong Tebal, Penang

It seems that there is a bit of hoo-ha as to the originality of crab porridge in Nibong Tebal but we are not that concerned for that moment we just wanted good food before we continue our journey back home. N.T. Cheang Kee seems a good place to eat crab porridge.

Our first order was the “Too Boo Sui” @ poached baby octopus. I like it very much & to be eaten with the peanut topping chilli sauce. Look at those juicy & succulent tentacles….yummy yummy.

Teow Chew Nang eating Teow Chew steamed Pomfret fish. It was a big fish, the gravy was so sweet & tasty and the gravy went dry before the empty plate was taken away.

Fried Prawns were also gorgeous, juicy & fresh. I don’t have to peel the shell because they were so crispy and nice to chew. Drool drool ……

Tofu fried with seafood & meat was a normal dish but a good balancing dish.

Fried “Boi Leng” veggie (sounds like dragon tail) with black dried fungus (Mok Nee) was an interesting dish.

A German Pork Knuckle nearly knocks off everyone on the table, suddenly we were afraid of food it seems huge. A crispy meat with hidden onion pickles found underneath the knuckle was part packed back to Kuala Lumpur.

Fried La La clams were  fresh and delicious.

Finally the highlight of this place …. introducing the great Crab Porridge prepared by the Teow Chew nang of Nibong Tebal. Very very good.

Everyone gets their equal share of the delicacy. Look at the fresh crabs with red roe in the porridge too… ain’t it attractive… wait till you taste it.

All uncles & aunties have forgotten the danger of uric acid during such food adventure like this. Eat first think later……. New Year is approaching maybe we will draw out a good resolution for ourselves…. HapPy hAppy NeW YeaR.

Restaurant N.T. Cheang Kee
No. 60 & 62,
Jalan Besar,
Air Lintas,
Taman Merbah,
14300 Nibong Tebal,
GPS : 5.178553,100.483059

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Xiao chi 小吃 From Kulim to Penang

The minute we reached Kulim we went round looking for interesting things to eat. After a short round the old town area we found ourselves in this coffee shop Restoran Hong Ta (end of Jalan Merdeka GPS: 5.370913,100.553354).

 
Chai Koay in Kulim is quite popular it is available at few places in town.

We ate the Chai Koay with kopi-O, a plate of Assam Laksa to share, some roasted chicken & Chinese sausages to pair with Tiger Beer.

The next day we started our meal at May Siang Coffee Shop next to the market (Jalan Bayu, Taman Tunku Putra GPS : 5.372031,100.556801).


 We spoke so much of Kulim Koay Chap and we went to the market new for Koay Chap. We thought the one at the temple has closed down but apparently the stall is still there. We have missed the one at the temple and has to come back the next trip.

 
This trip wasn’t actually about makan only but a trip also for visiting my in-laws’ relatives in Kulim, Bukit Mertajam and Penang. Over in Penang we visited a relative operating a coffee stall at the upper floor of Chowrasta Market @ Penang Road.

They were happy to meet up and I was also happy especially with the food. We took a short walk around Chowrasta Market and did a bit of shopping.

 
After Chowrasta Market, we went to my mom’s house for a while and continued our Xiao chi 小吃 at Air Itam. Excellent Café @ Jalan Air Itam near Air Itam roundabout (GPS: 5.405441,100.283395).

Prawn Mee (a.k.a Hokkien Mee in Penang) is below par. Laksa Assam was good.

Curry Mee was delicious & Mee Goreng though slightly wet but still good.

Char Koay Teow was a hit. When I first ordered the seller told me off. “Boh Leow”. He was frying non stop and start telling people “Boh Leow”. 15 minutes later my wife tried and she got her order. She was very happy and I was being teased for the failure to place the order…..Well the Char Koay Teow was really marvelous and worth the episode.

After having more much Xiao chi 小吃, we need to burn our calories. We visited Air Itam Dam for a while to recollect of our old memories.

One for the Album.

Then it was time to drop by the famous Kek Lok Si Temple(極樂寺).

Pardon our posing here & there.


A par anomic view of Penang from Kek Lok Si Temple(極樂寺).
 
The final day before we leave Kulim for home, our adventure of Xiao chi 小吃 continued at this shop, Wen Xi Dim Sum @ Jalan Pondok Labu GPS: 5.376013,100.539895

I am always skeptical about locally made dim sum but to my surprise the quality of Dim Sum here is pretty good. Thumb up to Wen Xi Dim Sum in Kulim.

Relatives from Bukit Mertajam were able to have a group photo with us just before we leave. Bye bye Kulim we will be back.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Restoran Chai @ Jalan Pondok Labu, Bandar Putra, Kulim

We wanted to go to Sg Kob for fish but it was too late, the place has already closed. We wanted to go to Padang Serai for special cuisine but it was too late & too far. We decided to go somewhere within Kulim, tried a few places and ended up here at Restoran Chai.
It was a right choice, a wonderful and happy night at this simple restaurant at Bandar Putra, Kulim. And in conjunction to the festive season and in the name of Christmas Joy we celebrated and enjoyed ourselves here.

Steamed fish with special sauce & frog meat with chicken essence were distinguish & tasty.

Guinness stout pork rib & fish curry were both great dishes. The curry flavour was strong and appetizing.

A typical stir fried Kai Lan Veggie with salted fish & Bitter Gourd fried with chicken (no no it should be the other way chicken fried with bitter gourd, there were more meat than veggie over here).

Three Taste Squid was a last minute order and it turned out to be very good and were very glad that we made the order.

Have you ever heard of “Kochabi”. It is our authentic Malaysian Ice Cream or also known as Ice Cream Potong. Maybe it is only found in the northern region. This box of Kochabi was the given to us by the restaurant. Thank you Hock Chai!!!

We wish to thank our host Mr.Low and his family for his kind hospitality and for housing us in their home. And not forgetting their wonderful bottle of Cordon Bleu for the night. Salute.!!!

Restoran Chai
770, Jalan Pondok Labu
Bandar Putra
Kulim

GPS : 5.3695002, 100.5431441