PIGGIN OUT @ FATTY LOH CHICKEN RICE (PENANG)

Penang was once famous for chicken rice. Once… before the family had a big fight for God knows what and today Fatty Loh Chicken Rice is reduced to a meager single story shop lot with a limited number of tables to accommodate its customers (they seem to occupy 2 shop lots but 1 of the shop lot is used as their kitchen).

Fatty Loh Chicken Rice use to occupy a huge 2 shop lot area in Tanjung Bungah, which could accommodate hundreds of customers with ample parking space. Every night (especially during the holiday seasons), it would be filled to the brink with customers and you would literally need to line up to get a seat. It was also here that Chicken Feet Kerabu was first introduced to Malaysians. But those glorious days 20 years ago are gone and what left is after the bitter fight is trickling customers to their outlet made out of mostly locals. Really sad as we use to love this place as a family.

Being the filial person I am, I still patronize the outlet every time I am back in Penang. But then again, don’t let the look of the current meager looking restaurant fool you. The place might seem far different from their glorious years, but the food here is still mag-ni-fi-cient. There has to be a reason they won the Guang Ming King of Chicken Rice and have been voted as Malaysia TOP 10 Hainan Chicken Rice.

The menu features a variety of chicken dishes, pork, vegetables and soup all priced reasonably.

I am a big fan of steam chicken (as opposed to the roasted chicken) and apart from the Ipoh Chicken Rice, the steamed chicken rice here is really good. Smooth slippery skin accompanied by the tender meat all moist in their special chicken rice sauce of sesame oil, soya sauce and friend garlic. Of course for a balance meal, apart from the chicken meat, one should also order chicken gizzard and liver.

As mentioned earlier, they are also famous for their Chicken Feet Kerabu. A perfect mix of unripe mangos, onions, red chilli, chilli padi, pineapple, vinegar with springy tangy chicken feet skin SKIN.

Ordering a “Shin Choi” can’t do much harm either (except for the expanded belly thereafter).

Finally, another interesting thing about the restaurant is all their utensils are all metal – from their cutleries (of course) to their plates and even their cups. We ordered a “geng-geng” ice (mata kucing and winter melon) and it came in this cute little small metal pot.

Location:

21, Jalan Fettes,

Fettes Park,

11200 Penang.

http://www.fattylohchickenrice.com/

GPS: N5.452324, E100.302776

PENANG SUPERB CREATIONS

We all LOVE Penang! And that’s not an overstatement. Ask anybody on the street their best local holiday destination and most of the time, you’re going to hear them say “PENANG”. “How come?” some might ask. Plain and simple, Penang has everything – food, malls, beautiful beaches, hills, parks, historical sites, technology, transportation, local chicks, local hunks, expatriates chicks, expatriates hunks,  cool uncles/aunties, etc. Don’t believe…? Let’s try out some “touristy” spot in Malaysia. Ipoh – all you get is steamed chicken and coffee throughout your stay. Try eating chicken and drinking coffee for 4 days in a row. Melaka – no doubt they have interesting nyonya cuisines but it’s missing the beach (ppl have told me Melaka has a beach but in my 27 yrs, I have not once visited the beach although geographically there should be a beach – so… if it exist, it’s probably way deep in some corner, if not.. they probably reclaim so much of their land that the sea just disappeared). Kelantan/Teregganu – you’ll be popping Immodium pills to constipate yourself throughout the trip in fear of not finding a toilet and having to poop in the jungle. Johor – let’s not even go here, the moment you reach Johor, you’re either mugged, kidnapped, extorted or your car gets jacked. Ok.. all of that was just mean… they are all wonderful places anyhow… but Penang is still the best.

But what I was going to write here is, apart from Penang being well known for all of the food, beaches and hunks (like the owner of the blog), one thing that people don’t realize is that Penang is also a place where unique / famous DRINKS are created.

1. TEH PENG

We are all too familiar with this drink. If an award was to be given for the “Drink Most Ordered In Malaysia”, it would have to be TEH PENG.

But why would I claim that TEH PENG hails from Penang?

ONE CONCRETE REASON: TEH PENG is Hokkien and you would always order TEH PENG in its original language (apart from Mamaks). You won’t order TEH PENG as “SHUIT NAI CHA” (Cantonese) or “PING NAI CHA” (Mandarin). We would always order it as TEH PENG.

But then, some people might argue that Johor people also speak Hokkien too. But the problem with the people in Johor is that they are so pre-occupied with their personal, family, friends and lovers safety everyday 24-7 that they are incapable to creating anything. This is definitely in accordance with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Need.

2. ALMOND DRINK

Ok, this is something that not many people are familiar with but I was drinking Almond since I was in primary school… petty much 15+ years ago. Totally forgot about this drink until in one of our visit back to Penang, I chanced upon another person ordering it and remembered how I used to love it.

Almond drink is probably available in abundance in Penang (you can literally order it from any chap-chap stall) and you pretty much don’t find it available elsewhere in around Malaysia.

So hence, Almond Drink originates from Penang.

Almond drink is served from powdered almonds and can be drank cold or hot. I personally think it taste a lot better hot so that the taste of almond does not become diluted (the Almond Drink is superly sensitive to ice as having ice in it really makes it taste bland). Drinking it hot is very much like having a hot cup of chocolate down your esophagus… very comforting.

But of course if you’re not a fan of almonds, then this would not be your favorite drink.

Also to note, many shops would not understand if you tell the order taker “Almond Drink”, you’ll have to order it in it’s original Hokkien dialect which is “Hen Jin” (if I got that right). If not, just google up pictures to show when ordering.

3. NUTMEG JUICE

Nutmeg is definitely a Penang creation. 20 over years ago when my friends from other part of Malaysia was still using Minyak Angin Cap Kapak, Penangnites have already advanced further into using a less offensive smelling and a lot more comforting ointment known simply as Nutmeg Oil. Nutmeg Oil was originally used (just like Minyak Angin Cap Kapak) to soothe stomach discomfort, headaches and muscle aches. But unlike the Minyak Angin Cap Kapak, Nutmeg Oil emitted a sweet smelling odour when applied and could have been used as a deodorant; unlike the Minyak Angin Cap Kapak where when applied, the image of an old uncle/aunty comes into mind and no matter how young you might have been, chicks/hunks would be 100 feet away from you. Don’t believe…? Try going to club with Minyak Angin Cap Kapak. The bouncers would probably tell you, “Uncle, Club De Vegas is down the road. This is Zouk”. 

Anyways, Nutmeg Oil has evolved and today, Penangnites enjoy a drink no other state is able to provide – THE NUTMEG JUICE. Made from the freshest extracts of a nutmeg, the juice is as sweet smelling as the ointment is and puts you in a whole different class when it’s drunk.

To further enhance the taste of the brownish colored drink, some chap-chap stalls have added asam boi into the drink. I however still love it in it’s original taste – nutmeg only.

PIGGIN OUT @ RESTORAN MUTIARA – YAM RICE (PENANG)

Yam Rice is an elusive dish to find. Although Yam Rice seems like a very common dish that we hear so very often, but the truth is it’s not a common dish that you are able to find in every chap-chap stall.

In Penang, Yam Rice is specifically well-known in Bukit Mertajam. There are 3 chap-chap stalls that sell Yam Rice; one in Sentosa area, one beside Hospital Bukit Mertajam and the other in “Billion area”. My wife and I love the one at Taman Mutiara the most even though the one beside the Hospital Bukit Mertajam seems to be the more famous one. Everytime we are back in Penang, this would be out first stop for lunch before we head into the island.

The best part about Yam Rice apart from the super tasty rice covered with black sauce, “ha bi” (small prawns” and yam is actually the “ham choi tong” (salted vege soup). The soup is boiled together with “ham choi” and parts of porky and because it’s served in Penang, there’s always pig’s blood in the soup. The soup is sourish without the overwhelming pork taste and comes perfectly peppered. There’s various pork parts in it so there’s something for everybody to love – 3 layered pork, breast meat, pork ball, pork intestine, pig’s blood, pork’s liver, pig’s ear and pig’s testicles (juz kidding).

Another dish that’s worth a try here is the Curry Mee. I especially love Curry Mee in Penang because apart from mee, mihun, kuey teow, you can have it with MAGGIE MEE!!! The Curry Mee here is lightly done with not too much santan or ingredients but tastes really good.

Oh, before I end, another great thing about this place is that you are able to buy condoms off a vending machine… Best qualities ones… way before 003 came to existent.

Location:

Kedai Kopi & Makanan Mutiara (beside UOB Bank),
Taman Mutiara,
Jalan Tembikai / Lebuh Keranji

14000 Bukit Mertajam,

Penang.
GPS: N5.364645, E100.445022

WEDDING @ PASSION ROAD

No food review here. More important things to talk about... :)

A couple of weeks back, I attended a friend’s wedding LW at Passion Road (located at Lorong Yap Kwan Seng). It’s of course a beautiful bungalow converted to a cosy romantic restaurant with a lot of greenery right in the heart of KL.

Looking Back…

I first met LW when I was in secondary years in church when her family had just migrated back from US. Having lived there for years, the schema then about her was… sure got slang wan… and sure wild party girl wan…

She of course had her slang… but I was totally caught by surprise by the fact that not only was she NOT a party girl… she was a totally super duper duper goody two shoes girl… so much so to the extent that she refused to watch a movie at GSC cinema back in Bukit Mertajam/Penang with us as a group because she thought cinema’s were DODGY!!! I would have understood if we were going to some Pawagam… but GSC??!?!! That was of course the one significant fond memory I had about LW that have stuck with me until today.

Through the years, we grew closer as friends and of course apart as I went to her mutha-land to study and she went to a new land NZ to study.

Attending her wedding and meeting back with numerous old church mates brought back fond memories of us all when we were all back in Penang… The Youth Camps, the outings, the gung-ho-ness to show off our guitar skills, the bus load of laughter, the caroling, the charity events, and practically everything else we did together was just plain fun. So little worries, so much fun. If ever there was a day I could choose to re-live, it would definitely be the years I spent with all of them.

But as life has it, one single good time never would last forever, we all grow up (regardless of how we try to deny it), we grow apart with each taking our own path, we meet with new people, form new relationships and experience different good times.

Attending wedding dinners like this really throw back oxymoronish emotions. At one hand, you’re glad to meet up with old friends, but on the other, you know you are now not as close anymore and wished that we all could have remain that close and fun together but you know it’s not possible.

Of course the lesson here is always to enjoy the moments together regardless of how short it would have been. As we sat at the dinner table together and the wall awkwardness of not meeting each other for years crumbles away, we began this to enjoy this short moment of joy by simply being ourselves (not the corporate punk, not the “who I am today”, not the brains, not the cool dude)…. Jus the people we all use to be… and it was a perfect moment for each one of us as we joked and enjoy the company of one another. It was a beautiful night.

No doubt, we all left that night, going back to our own paths probably without meeting each other again until the next wedding, but each of us went back knowing that we all carry in our hearts a piece of experience we have had with each other that we will always hold dearly to.

To LW, CONGRATULATIONS on your new found life and we wish you all the best in the new journey that you would be embarking on.

Here are some pictures taken of the Passion Road. Did not have my digit cam with me on that day so the pictures taken with my Samsung Galaxy SII.

Location:

No. 16, Lorong Yap Kwan Seng,

50450 Kuala Lumpur

http://www.passionroad.com.my/

PIGGIN OUT @ KELANTAN DELIGHTS

Ok... first and foremost, this place is HALAL and the term “Piggin Out” is used solely as an expression of a glutton and his food.

My family and I visited Kelantan Delights thanks to Groupon who was featuring a discount voucher for them. The place is nicely situated between Subang Parade and Empire Shopping Gallery. The last I visited the spot, it used to be the sales office for I & P.



The whole ambience of the restaurant was very tastefully done (given the fact that the place used to be a sales office) and it gives you a very homely and comfy feel.



The menu of course features a variety of Kelantan dishes.


Food here, needless to say was heavenly. If ever there was a time you wanted a taste of heaven, all you need to do is just drop by here and order any of their mains. I personally had the nasi tumpang and the pucuk paku kerabu. It was really amazing. The taste of overwhelming santan just puts you in a state of euphoria. Having the curry gravy and plain rice would really have suffice.

The pucuk paku kerabu was also an interesting dish. I personally love pucuk paku, and this dish was really amazing.

Nasi Tumpang

Paku Pakis Kerabu

Nasi Dagang

Nasi Kerabu

Tom Yum

Desserts however on the other hand, was a little bland and was not to my personal liking.



All in all, this place is definitely a must go if you do not have any heart conditions that could lead to a heart-attack in the event of a santan infused injection into your bloodstream. Also to note was also the friendliness of the waiter from the start to the end. They always had a smile regardless of the multiple times they had to bring us additional spoons when my daughter kept dropping them. We would definitely visit this place again.


Location:

Ground Floor East Wing
Wisma Consplant 1
No 2 Jalan SS16/4
47500 Subang Jaya

http://www.kelantandelights.com/ver1/main-subang.html

HOW TO WARM A CHICKEN IN A HOTEL ROOM

TOP 10 + 1 WAYS TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE IN PENANG…

If you happen to be kidnapped and place in this strange island, here are 10 ways for you identify that you are in Penang:

1.          You wake up at 3am with a heart burn from overeating the whole day.

2.          When ordering food, the average dishes per person is 2 and one of the dish is always Char Kuey Teow.

3.          It’s 12am and you still have food that you have “ta pau” and not eaten in your hotel room.

4.          The lines between breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper is blurred. It’s just eating 24/7.

5.          You walk pass the mirror in your hotel room in your underwear and you could have sworn that your side view width has increased substantially.

6.          When you sit down in the toilet, there’s a huge chunk of meat (your stomach) that protrudes out more than usual.

7.          Whenever someone asks you about your next medical check-up, you change the topic immediately.

8.          You are driving and at an intersection (without a traffic light), you shiver, sweat profusely, convulse, shake uncontrollably and then decide to get down from your car, place cons to stop incoming traffic and drive out of your intersection. All in all, it took you 30 minutes to cross the intersection.

9.          You are bathing and when you look down, you realize some appendages are not as visible anymore. Your middle kingdom seemed to be blocking your view……… ….. ….. …... of your toes.

10.     You walk down Batu Feringhi and there’s a firesale for DVD… 50% off the price you pay for in KL

11.     Pig’s blood is a main ingredient in your Curry Mee, Yam Rice, etc.

STRIPPIN DOWN, COOKING UP: PAN-FRIED LEMON CHICKEN

Ingredients:

i.            Chicken breast

ii.          Lemon

iii.         Garlic

iv.        Dried thyme leaves

v.          Soya Sauce

vi.        Oil

First of course clean the chicken, cut the lemon, squeeze the lemon, cut some of the lemon skin into thin strips, chop the garlic and go buy some thyme leaves.

Mix the garlic, lemon juice, lemon pieces and thyme leaves into a soya sauce + oil concoction. Marinate the chicken breast in the mixture. Best if chicken is marinated overnight.

When ready to cook, bring out the wok, pour some oil and place the chicken to fry. Duration of frying depends on the wellness you’ll like the chicken to be (rare, medium-rare, medium or well-done). I personally prefer well-done. To check for done-ness, take a fork and pork it through the thickest part of the chicken. If the fork goes through easily, the meat is well-done.

Nothing more to do but to enjoy your well-deserved chicken.