Chinese Food In Alor Setar

Finding a Chinese restaurant or coffee shop in Alor Setar can always be a challenge to most people. It is quite ironic when Kedah is renowned to be the 'Rice Bowl of Malaysia'. I recalled one fine Saturday when me and my family were there; we could hardly find a single Chinese restaurant after driving around the city center in circle for about 3 rounds. Finally, we by the slimmest chance caught a glimpse of a signboard written in Chinese installed above a building which was tucked deep in one corner off the main road I was driving along. Without further hesitation as all of us had gotten hungry after the long searching around without any definite direction, I made a huge U-turn to get to the place that we saw just now. To our relief, it was indeed a Chinese restaurant called Hai Choo and they were opened for business that day! We rushed straight in to make our orders.

The restaurant is attached to a Chinese temple and the place is very close to the State Mosque. Although this may not be the best Chu Char in town but it is good enough as we really couldn’t find any other Chinese restaurants that were open for business that day. And when you are that hungry, anything would just taste like dragon meat!

I’m neither from Alor Setar nor Kedah and as such I may not know of any other alternatives there. Anyone who is familiar with Chinese food in Alor Setar, feel free to give us your recommendation here.

Location of the restaurant at the corner of a turning with a Chinese Gate Entrance.

 

At the back of the restaurant, there is a fantastic view of the Kedah River, State Mosque and Alor Setar Tower.

Ah Keat Seafood @ Penang Time Square

January 2014 UPDATE: Ah Keat Seafood is no longer operating at Penang Times Square. Their previous premise is currently under renovation by James Foo Western Food.

Ah Keat Seafood original shop is located along Jalan Raja Uda in Butterworth which enjoys very good business from customers especially in the mainland area. They are actually there for quite a long time and the food and business is very good indeed. They are famous for their variety of rare seafood such as crabs, horseshoe crabs, prawns, mantis prawns, giant grouper and other delicacies. Among their signature dish are stir fried mantis prawn with salted egg, lemon steamed lala, lobster fried with cheese and many more.

Following their success in Butterworth, they have decided to expand their business to the island side of Penang and have completed their extensive renovation works at Penang Time Square. Most people are amazed at first glance of this premise as it occupies a huge area (formerly Soju bistro) on the ground floor. It has both inner as well as semi-outdoor dining area. The interior decor is very chic and delightful and the tables are arranged in a very comfortable distance from each other. In general, the first impression of the place is great, coupled with their already good reputation at Butterworth, most people wouldn't think twice to step inside this restaurant.

Unfortunately your excitement will stop right there as you will soon find out that it takes ages for your food to be served. And when it is served, the food is poorly prepared as the chefs have been rushing to push out the already delayed orders for most tables. There were a family sitting besides us who got too frustrated they left without waiting for their food to arrive. Ours took about an hour to arrive, stop short of us being collapsing out of hunger. I know that everything happens for a reason and out of curiosity I asked the cashier what went wrong when I paid the bill. She apologized and frankly told me that their kitchen was too small. That's it! They have focus on maximizing the dining area so that they can accommodate more customers and neglected the importance of the kitchen. 

Anyway, the delay could also be due to management issues. To be fair, let's give them some time to sort things out as they just open for business this week. Things can get rowdy in the beginning before getting better. Given their success in Butterworth, I believe that they can work things out soon. Other than the long wait, everything else is satisfactory.

Xiang Xia Bee Hoon Soup

Bee Hoon (rice vermicelli) soup has always been the popular choice for health conscious people as it is cooked rather than fried like majority of Penang hawker food. I’ve written about the stall located along Penang road which mainly uses pork and its organs as main ingredients. However, there is an equally popular stall situated along Weld Quay right next to the tourist attraction of Clan Jetties. It is called Xiang Xia 鄉下 (meaning hometown in Mandarin). Unlike the Penang Road stall, the main ingredients here are fish (either deep fried or cooked), fish head, squid, fish ball, prawn and minced meat. You can either choose Bee Hoon or instant noodle to go with it.

The dish is served boiling hot in a porcelain bowl that makes you sweat while eating it. After eating a bowl of it, not only is your appetite satisfied, you also feel much more energized as you also managed to burn some calories and release toxin through your sweat. Although I’ve yet to find any scientific proof to justify this; most people will feel that way after dining a bowl of hot noodle soup compare to a plate of fried Char Koay Teow.

Although it opens for both lunch and dinner, I suggest you go for dinner as it can be very long wait during lunch time. There are more helpers and chefs at night.

For other recommendation on noodle soup; refer to:

• Penang Road Bee Hoon Soup
• Hor Chiu Hai Fish Head Bee Hoon Soup Seafood Porridge

Sawara Clay Pot Fish Head

Pulau Tikus, the conurbation of George Town with many religious buildings, variety of hawker stalls, Japanese restaurants and the famous wet market; has always been the favorite place to visit among the tourists as well as locals alike. Its appeal lies in its diversity in culture and cuisine. Its human scale and leafy streetscape also make it suitable and comfortable to walk around.

Located right at the heart of it is Sawara Restaurant which specializes in clay pot fish head. This place is always fully occupied for dinner due to its delicious and fresh fish head and fish fillet. The interior is actually not spacious with only about 4 rectangle tables and 2 big round tables. There is a big model ship hanging on the wall with its front facing the inside of the restaurant; a common Feng Shui believe that wealth can be brought in by placing it in this position.

The signature dish of Sawara is the clay pot fish head with yum accompanied by various other delicacies according to your own preference such as mushroom, fish cake wrapped in seaweed and others. Another popular choice is the Shanghai noodle that goes very well with the soup. A big clay pot is served that helps to contain the heat of the broth which continues to bring out the sweetness of the seafood /ingredients in it. It is much like steamboat just that it is served in clay pot and without the internal pork organs that you would normally find in steamboat outlets. Together with variety of vegetables, fish cake, bean curd, bean curd sheet stuffed, abalone mushroom, cuttlefish, sliced fish, prawn, homemade fish ball/paste, Enoki金菇 and other mushrooms, the dish is definitely one of my favorite choices for healthy food!

Wantan Mee @ Gurney Plaza

I’m going to recommend a place that see Wantan Mee in a shopping mall which is located on the 7^th Floor of Gurney Plaza. Max Gourmet (美食之家) specializes in Hong Kong cuisine with variety of noodles, pastries and dim sum. The Wantan noodle served here is a bit different from the usual Penang version as its recipe is actually prepared in Hong Kong style. Penang Wantan Mee uses Soy Sauce while the Hong Kong type utilizes oyster sauce. Its noodle also has a crunchy texture to it which I like most about this dish. Besides this dish, the Dim Sum here is also one of the better one in town as it is actually quite a challenge to find good one in Penang.

Other food you can get here includes prawn dumpling, Siew Mai (烧卖), egg tart and many more.

There is plenty of seating both inside and outside the outlet; thus there shouldn’t be any problem of getting a place. The best part of it is that it is located on the 7^th Floor of Gurney Plaza which is also where you can find Golden Screen Cinema. For those that like to have a bite before your next favorite movie, this is the place to be!

Business Hour: 10.30am - 10.30pm everyday

Know Your Sugar and Salt Limit

Sugar

Be cautious of sugar content concealed in food and drink. Sugar impedes the blood circulatory system and prevents white blood cells from resisting viruses. Excessive sugar consumption will cause diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and frustration.

* Maximum consumption is 3 teaspoons per day.

Salt

Our body needs it. However, excessive intake of salt will cause problems like hypertension.

* We need between 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per day.

Char Koay Kak

Char Koay Kak or Fried Radish Rice Cake is one of the must try hawker food in Penang although it is lesser known when compare it to Char Koay Teow. In the olden days of Penang, Char Koay Kak was packed in newspaper cones lined with banana leaves and eaten with a toothpick. This once popular snack has evolved to become a meal on its own.

The Penang Char Koay Kak has a dark brown hue due to it being flavoured by dark soy sause during preparation. By steaming rice flour batter which cools to form a firm, pudding-like cake, Koay Kak is made. Together with garlic, preserved radish, beansprouts, Chinese chives, chilli paste, dark soy sause and egg; Koay Kak is fried in a wok much like how Char Koay Teow is prepared.

Unlike Char Koay Teow, Char Koay Kak is not available everywhere and the good ones are even harder to be found. I particularly like the mobile stall set up in front of Kedai Kopi Cathay and opposite Union Primary School along Burmah Road. It is open for business only from morning until around 1.30pm noon and sometimes he just doesn't show for whatever reason. But if you manage to meet him when you are around that area, do give it a try.  

Chu Char (煮炒) in Air Itam and Queensbay Area

If you stay in the areas around Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas or Queensbay Mall; then you should be familiar with Chia Yean Cafe. This place offers Chu Char in the evening and is quite popular among the locals. It is located right across the street from the Express Bus Station in Sungai Nibong. My favorite is the black Pomfret curry with lady fingers, onion, tomatoes and mint leaves. The fish is fresh and the curry not too spicy, suitable for people who can't take hot food.

Black Pomfret Curry

Stir fried Spinach

Pork in pumpkin

And if you stay in Air Itam, then you must have been to Bee Wei Seafood before. After you pass Chung Ling High School on your left and the traffic light junction that links to Farlim, look out for this outlet on your left.

Both places serve variety of home-cooked style dishes more commonly known as Chu Char among the locals. The food is good and price is acceptable. However, the common downside for both of them is the lack of parking space at the area.

Sunshine Bay Seafood

Chu Char literally means “cook and fried” is a local Penang term referring to eating out meals when one decides not to cook at home. A whole range of dishes are available ranging from pork, chicken, vegetables, fish and seafood. Penangites who are too busy at work and have no time or simply lazy to cook at home love to patronise places that have Chu Char stalls during lunch or dinner time.

Due to the popularity of Chu Char stalls among the locals, I'm going to write about several places which I think are worth paying visits to. 

In this posting, the first one that I'm going to recommend is located in Tanjung Bungah called Sunshine Bay Seafood. It is right opposite the recently completed Harmony Residence by Boon Siew Group. What I like most about this place is the ample parking in front and on the adjacent land available as it is always a challenge to find parking space around Penang Island.

The place has about 8 semi-outdoor seating area, 5 outdoor seating and another 5 indoor. It is a detached building with high ceiling and as such the place is quite cool to dine in compared to others. In addition, dishes served there are delicious and the seafood is fresh. And what I like the most is the short waiting time for your dinner to be served as I'm a very time conscious person.

This place is closed on every Tuesday except public holiday.

For more information or reservation, you can contact Mr. Yap Choon Huat:

012-473 7276 or

016-463 9168

Beancurd, stir fried bitter gourd with egg and steamed fish.

Nasi Lemak @ Sri Weld Food Court

Nasi Lemak literally means "fatty rice" to imply its richness in taste and ingredients. It is touted to be the national dish of Malaysia although it can be easily found in other parts of South East Asia especially Singapore and Indonesia. Nasi Lemak is actually rice cooked with coconut milk to give its fragrant. This dish can be found anywhere within Malaysia and very affordable too.

In Penang, the Nasi Lemak stall in front of Sri Weld Food Court at Beach Street is particularly popular among the locals. Each is sold at RM1.50 but you will need at least two packet to fill your stomach. You can choose from chicken, fish, egg, squid and prawn.

Hutton Lane Koay Teow Th'ng

This is my second recommendation of one of my favorite Penang hawker food; Koay Teow Th'ng (soup). I consider it to be a healthy choice among the hawker food as it is cooked instead of fried. As such your body won't get heaty and definitely the perfect choice if you are having sore throat or fever and still crave for Penang hawker food!

The place is located along Hutton Lane near Equator Academy of Arts. It opens for business around 7.30am in the morning until noon. Closes on Sunday.

The ingredients are either chicken or pork and one of the must try item is their homemade fish ball. Unlike machine made fish ball which taste like rubber; this handmade fish ball has richer texture and taste and you can definitely feel the difference. Not to mention the silky smooth noodle which made me love this dish.

For my other recommendation of this dish kindly refer to Church Street Koay Teow Th'ng.

If you want to know how to cook this dish by yourself, read here for Recipe Of Koay Teow Th'ng. 

Sun Set View @ Butterworth

Have you ever wish to find a cheap eating place with a stunning view and wonderful environment? How about a romantic dinner with perfect view of sun set over the beautiful Penang island? The view of Penang island from across Butterworth is indeed breathtaking if you see it at dusk when the sun is about to descend behind Penang Hill. Every minutes is a magical moment when the the sky gradually changes its color much like an artist unveiling his next masterpiece with every stroke of the brush. The nearby fishing boat berthing ever so gently by the shore with the school of birds heading back to their nest only add on to the wonderful setting of the place. Together with fresh seafood and delicious Chu Char; Pantai Bersih is indeed a must go place in Butterworth to enjoy your next dinner!

Sun set over Penang Hill

Deep Fried Black Pomfret and cheap Chu Char food