Nasi kandar, a favourite
northern Malaysian dish of mildly-flavoured steamed rice accompanied by a
variety of curry-based meat dishes and vegetables, is a Penang staple.
Malaysians will tell you that the best nasi kandar can be enjoyed in Penang
and, predictably, there is hardly a shortage of restaurants specialising in
this dish on the island. In a bid
to track down the island’s best nasi kandar outlets we considered three
factors: whether the piquancy of the restaurant’s dishes was suitable for
locals and foreigners; the price of a meal; the ambiance of each selected
restaurant.
Famously known as Nasi Kandar Beratur (Queue-Up
Nasi Kandar), this place is for hardcore nasi kandar enthusiasts – or if you do
not mind standing in line for some of the best nasi kandar you will ever taste.
They only open at 22:00, which seems a little strange at first, but it makes
sense as it is one of the few restaurants that stay open late on the island.
Locals say it is definitely worth the long wait
indeed you will have probably have to queue no less than 30 minutes
before you can place an order. A mixture of hand-ground spices seasons the
curries think thick, creamy and flavourful, with just a hint of piquancy (for
certain gravies). All this contributes to make Nasi Kandar Beratur the best
choice for Penang locals, visiting Malaysians, and foreigners.
Next, A 24-hour joint that merits the number
two spot only because Line Clear Nasi Kandar’s food tempts us with its
‘limited-time’ offerings. Line Clear is located in a narrow alleyway along
Jalan Penang, with wooden tables and chairs, slightly near open drains. Don’t
let that put you off though! In all honesty the food here is phenomenal and the
fact that you only pay RM6.50 (the cheapest in all of Penang) for a plate of rice,
fried chicken, telur dadar (sunny side up omelette), vegetables and ‘kuah
banjir’ (a mix of gravies), makes the whole meal that much more satisfying.
There is an impressive amount of hype about their daily specials (ranging from
fish curry to beef gravy) and the extensive praise is clearly warranted. Adding
to the whole value-for-money aspect of Line Clear Nasi Kandar is the fact that
the food served comes in generous portions
You will not have to wait long for the nasi
kandar at this restaurant but that does not mean the food is not excellent – on
the contrary, in our humble opinion it rivals both Nasi Kandar Beratur and Line
Clear Nasi Kandar. Founded and managed by locals, what makes the food here
popular is the fact that they do not skimp on the spices – which means that the
dishes are almost always fiery in taste. This makes it a popular choice with
locals and if you are the adventurous sort, sample the beef in black, sweet,
tangy and peppery gravy – simply accompanied by a plate of fluffy white rice
and a side of sautéed cabbage, this is a true-blue Penang meal. Our only
complaint is that though the food is flavourful, the meat portions are pretty
skimpy.
Lastly, Established in 1907, Restoran Hameediyah is one of
Penang’s oldest restaurants. It used to be a traditional mamak-style restaurant
along Jalan Campbell until it expanded to newer, air-conditioned premises
(called Hameediyah Tandoori House) in 2010. Serving conventional Indian-Muslim
food, it is however their spicy, nasi kandar curries that have regulars hooked.
Not only is the food excellent, but the restaurant’s clean surrounds makes this
a fantastic place for western visitors who are not keen on eating in a rustic
setting. If you are not in the mood for rice, then sample the restaurant’s signature
beef murtabak – a pancake stuffed with beef chunks, savoury potatoes and egg.
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