vkeong loves good food, travel and photography!
Posts tagged George Town
Ketayap (Kuih Tayap) @ Chowrasta Market, George Town
Jul 30th
For a common kuih, Kuih Tayap has many names. Whether called Ketayap, Kuih Ketayap, Kuih Dadar or Kuih Gulung, they all refer to the same thing. This traditional Malaysian snack is actually a rolled crepe filled typically with shredded coconut and palm sugar. Because of its popularity the recipe has been adopted by all races and modified accordingly.
While the Malays and Nyonya alike would prepare the crepe in pandan flavor and use gula Melaka for the sweet taste, a Chinese stall in Chowrasta market, more specifically in front of shop No.3 along Jalan Kuala Kangsar has been preparing the crepe plain filled with white sugar and crushed peanuts instead.
Seafood Popiah @ Gerai Gerai Padang Brown (Dato Keramat Stalls)
Jul 4th
I believe the Seafood Popiah at Gerai Gerai Padang Brown (or also known as Dato Keramat Stalls) is one of the oldest in Penang with a history of over 60 years, even older than the food court which was opened back in 1966. Currently run by uncle Ong, it could might as well be the only popiah stall in town that include real crab meat as one of the ingredients.
Two pieces are the minimum order priced at RM2.80. As you can see the popiah is done the wet way, drowned in the ‘bangkuang char’ (stir-fried turnip/radish) gravy.
Firstly, a quick glaze of Hoisin and chili sauce on the paper thin crepe for the basic flavors.
Then a leaf of lettuce is laid on top of the crepe and followed by the remaining fillings of shredded omelette, a scoop of ‘bangkuang char’, a handful of crab meat and a sprinkle of fried shallots. Some fillings that can be found in the other popiah stalls like the sinful lard, crushed peanuts, bean sprouts and sliced meat are not included here.
You Tiao (You Char Koay) @ 76, Cintra Street
Jun 17th
For the crispiest and tastiest You Tiao (You Char Koay 油炸鬼) it has got to be the nameless shop at 76, Cintra Street (日本街）. This golden brown fried bread stick is also known as Chinese crullers or cakoi to the Malay community. You Tiao is such a versatile snack that it can be eaten on its own, stuffed with various fillings, dipped into coffee or porridge and perhaps most importantly – eaten along with Bak Kut Teh. Simply delicious!
This shop is one of the oldest in town and it is currently run by Madam Chew (left) who mastered the trade from her father. If her father’s days were taken into account, this You Tiao has a staggering 80 years of history already. In the early years, they were operating using a push cart stall at People’s Park opposite Cintra Street. It was only until 17 years ago they moved into a proper shop to continue the business.
Their You Tiao is also popular for being longer and thicker than usual, which is value for money at RM1 each.
Peanut Butter Chee Cheong Fun @ Genting Cafe, Island Glades
Mar 21st
Just when I thought I am a failed Penangite for having not tasted inarguably the most famous Chee Cheong Fun in the island, I was wrong all the while lol. The Chee Cheong Fun stall I am referring is the one at Genting Cafe nearby Green Lane at Island Glades, where they ingeniously mix the ‘heh ko’ (dark prawn paste) with peanut butter for that special tantalizing touch.
Apparently, I had it once a few years back when I was at the island looking for my new job’s location. And we had our lunch at Genting Cafe shortly after that. In that super noobish post I wrote four years ago I only mentioned the Curry Mee (which in fact was quite the awesome by the way) but nothing about the Chee Cheong Fun.
Ah Leng RM10 Premium Penang Char Koay Teow @ Kafe Khoon Hiang
Mar 7th
Ooook, so when it comes to the best Char Koay Teow in Penang I am sure Ah Leng Char Koay Teow at Jalan Dato Keramat is one of them. Just consider the size of the prawns being used alone, they are so huge it would be shocking for first time eaters. The distinctive sweet prawn flavor and the thick and crunchy prawns are exactly what Ah Leng is famous for.
I got lots of response when I showed this photo to people who haven’t seen or tried Ah Leng Char Koay Teow before. Most of them are very skeptical about this special plate of Char Koay Teow that costs RM10. Some say I have been cheated lol. And some even commented that the plate used is actually a dim sum plate to make the prawns feel huge. Most Penangites were able to identify it at first sigh though, no surprise there.
Well, believe it or not the prawns are really that huge. So huge 4 of them are enough to cover almost the whole portion of koay teow from sight.
Ah Leng was open on the 4th day of Chinese New Year and there were already a huge crowd of customers. The queue was so long it wasn’t even funny. Since I had anticipated this especially during CNY, the one hour waiting time was still *quite* bearable lol.
Chinese New Year Cultural & Heritage Celebration 2010 @ Penang
Feb 26th
Penang’s Chinese New Year Cultural and Heritage Celebration was held in George Town last Saturday, which also marked the 7th day of Chinese New Year. Like the past years, the celebration would be held at the heart of the newly crowned UNESCO World Heritage Site which included Acheen Street, Armenian Street, Cannon Street, Ah Quee Street, Soo Hong Lane, Chulia Street and Kg. Kolam.
This year, the theme of the celebration took a turn to focus on moral values like Faithful, Filial piety, Etiquette and Justice – instead of featuring the 12 animal zodiac signs in the previous celebrations.
As such, the site of celebration was divided into 10 area and zones that featured a particular moral value or performance. For example Chulia Street was turned into Faithful Area, Lebuh Ah Quee into Etiquette Area, Cheah Kongsi into ‘The Old Penang Memory’, Penang Youth Centre into Wushu Stage etc.
The event was scheduled to start at 3pm but I was there early for parking as well as taking the opportunity to snap photos before people started to pour in. The main stage was at the start of Cannon Square where the brilliant Multi Cultural Traditional Welcoming Dance was performed.
The dance was performed beautifully and left the foreign tourists amazed, me included. I can confirm that from their expressions lol. Since I was at the side of the stage taking photos was difficult so I am showing the photos of the dancers taken at the back stage instead. As usual you can click on the photos to view them in full size.
I feel this photo got the 1Malaysia feel lol.
Chingay Performance at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, which was also the main area of the celebration.
Then a troop of lion dance entered the main area leading a parade of people upholding banners of moral values.
Following the parade were a group of ladies in cheongsam..
Which eventually led to Danny Law, chairman of Penang Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee to officiate the opening ceremony at Area of Etiquette.
