Penang has always been synonymous with “Food Paradise” when you’re in Malaysia. But my recent visit to the country didn’t include the region in the itinerary. Good thing popular and established restaurants have branches in Malaysia. While in Genting Highlands, we had lunch at Penang Food Village and when we went back to the city, we had dinner at Nasi Kandar Pelita. Check out my favorites among the Penang food specialties we had.
With Penang favorites on their menu, the Penang Food Village in Genting Highlands was a perfect lunch break from all the activities in the Theme Park. The restaurant even has a nice garden view overlooking the mountains and Kuala Lumpur. I asked our guide, Marie, what her favorite is and she recommended the Kuay Teow. I managed to taste Char Kuay Teow which is a popular noodle dish here in Malaysia. This Kuay Teow looks somewhat the same with strips of rice cakes, prawns, bean sprouts, among other ingredients, stir fried in chili and soy sauce. This variation in Penang Village is less spicy but still good.
It’s great to eat with a group as you can share the food among yourselves. I tried the Asam Laksa which is a fish- based soup. I like the sourness and light spiciness of the soup. Te Kway Teow Soup, however, is also good. It’s lighter in taste, filled with fish cake slices, shredded chicken and some prawns.
A fairly new taste for me is the Fruit Rojak which is more like a dessert. The dressing of shrimp paste, sugar, chili and lime juice with water looked like something I wouldn’t dare touch, much less eat. But underneath are different fruits like apples, melon and banana. But it’s just a plate of fruit with dressings. Tastes funny at first but it’s not really that bad.
Going down to Kuala Lumpur, we had dinner at Nasi Kandar Pelita. It’s one of those many branches of Nasi Kandar restaurants. Nasi Kandar is basically a rice and viand meal and is best eaten with bare hands. Nasi Kandar Pelita in Kuala Lumpur is an easy find near the Petronas Towers. Here you choose from the displays at the counter what you want to eat and place the order. It can really get crowded here during peak hours.
I had a Chicken Tandoori here and it was good as it looked. I just wish there was more on the table. Marie recommended that we try one of their soups so I had the Sup Ayam which is basically a chicken soup. But this one has a really thick and flavorful soup with chunks of chicken meat.
The other dish that stood out was the Mutton Murtabak. It looks like a thick pancake with a layer of Mutton (sheep or lamb) meat inside. Dip it in the gravy and top with pickled onions and find out how good it is. I’m sure you’ll eat more than your portion of slices.
Penang Food Village
Theme Park Hotel, Genting Highlands
Nasi Kandar Pelita
Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Website: www.pelita.com.my
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