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 The
spice of India
Budget Indian food in Penang is mainly
of the South Indian variety. Rice and vegetables are a prominent feature
in sumptuous meals like the banana leaf rice; while flour based pancakes
and fried rounds of dough with dhall or potato curry are hot favourites for
breakfast or tea time snacks.
Muslim-indians are a small minority
in Penang with great culinary skills. The not-too-politically-correct coloquial
slang of “mamak” is the Malaysian term of description for these
people. Mamak cooking is the merging of indian and malay cooking, so expect
thick curries with coconut milk and spicy chillies.
Babana leaf
rice
White rice served on banana
leaf with assortment of vegetables, papedom and curried meat to choose
from. Best eaten with hands. A sumptuous meal for any big eater on a budget.
Don't forget to ask for yogurt. It goes well with the meal. RM3.00 to RM5.00
per serving. Rasem, a spicy soury drink is usually taken after the meal.
For good banana
leaf rice try Jaya at 4 Taman Sri Tunas at Bayan Baru or Ranis Restaurant
at Pulau Tikus.
Chapati
North Indian flattened bread
made with wholewheat flour. Goes with your choice of curry. Costs between
RM1.00 to RM2.00 depending on choice of curry.
 Mee
goreng and mee rebus
Mee goreng is fried
wheat base mee, dry and spicy with potatoes, beancurd, squid and egg. Mee
rebus is of the same ingredients except it comes with a thick gravy flavoured
with potato and tomato. Both are popular meals that are usually sold together
and are easily available in most coffee shops. Cost: RM2.50 to RM4.50
For the best Mee Goreng
in town (in no particular order): Corner coffee shop at Bangkok Lane at Pulau
Tikus in the afternoons; Mee Sultan stall at Swatow Lane in the afternoons;
and the hawker centres at Gurney Drive and Esplanade.
Mutabak
Murtabak
is a meat filled version of roti canai (see above). Choice of fillings
include minced mutton, beef or chicken in beaten egg, onions and spices.
Costs about RM3.00 each. Goes well with chicken curry and preserved
onions.
 Nasi
briyani
Rice cooked with spices
and 'ghee' accompanied by choice of curried dishes. Kurma Chicken is recommended
as the top choice. Goes well with air manis or a glass of iced rosed syrup
drink. Prices range from RM2.50 to RM5.00 per person; depending on dishes
ordered.
For the best nasi
briyani in town (in no particular order): Hameedeyah Restaurant at Campbell
Street; Taj Restaurant at Campbell Street; and Dawood Restaurant at 63, Queen
Street.
 Nasi
kandar
Indian muslim rice
with curried dishes. Derived its name from the shoulder poles (kandar)
used by vendors of the past. The assortment of curried squids, chicken, fish,
and prawns are worth a try. Prices starts from RM2.50 depending on dishes
ordered.
For the best nasi
kandar in town (in no particular order): Taj Restaurant in Campbell Street;
coffee shop opposite Gama Departmental Store; Kayu Nasi Kandar at Bukit Jambul
and Penang Road; Craven Cafe at Lintang Burmah and Merlin Hotel at Penang
Street.
Pasembur
Indian salad comprising
of shredded cucumber, turnip, bean sprouts, beancurd, and potatoes topped
with prawn fritters, spicy deep fried crab, and octopus, covered with a generous
spread of spicy nutty sauce. Costs between RM2.00 to RM6.00 depending on
choice of serving.
For the best Pasembur
in town (in no particular order): Hawkert stalls at Esplanade and Gurney
Drive.
 Roti Canai
Indian bread prepared on
the spot by skilled hawkers using 'ghee' to fry stretched and layered dough.
Can be eaten with sugar or curry. Super cheap meal from RM0.60 onwards. Roti
telur is the same thing with egg while roti sardine is filled
with sardines.
Tosei
Indian savoury pancake
made from rice flour and served with curry. About RM0.50 per piece. Served
with your choice of curry.
Homemade
tosei:
Click
here for recipe
 Tandoori
chicken
The Punjab's most
famous contribution to Indian cooking has to be the tandoor –
an oven made from clay, a simple artifact which does many things like bake
bread or roast chicken on long shewers.
Savour this authentic
tandoori chicken usually served with nan bread and curries. For
refreshments, try the fresh tang of lassi (yoghut drink), with choices
from mango to rose and more. Available at most Indian restaurants and nasi
kandar shops throughout Penang.
Section Articles
Treat of the Real Thing:
A roadside
stall keeper in George Town offers a popular Indian delicacy called 'paan',
found nowhere else on the island.
Click
here for full story
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