Malay Prawn Fritters & Kuey Teow Sup @Astaka Tanjung Selera, Penang

I stumbled upon this place by accident while looking for Sri Weld Food Court Nasi Lemak Bungkus (in the process). Dunno why I thought this was Sri Weld Food Court - maybe because of its location which is nearer to Weld Quay. Sri Weld Food Court is at Beach Street by the way. 

Usually I called this place "that eating place opposite the cruise harbour". Found out the name as Astaka Tanjung Selera during my last visit, on my way back to KOMTAR from a meeting. It is opposite Fort Corwallis and Swettenham Pier (after the Beach Street roundabout, heading towards Weld Quay, at the cornering). If you see the all the cruise billboard after the Beach Street roundabout, the food court is just right opposite. Parking is scary here and not many ... so pandai-pandai lah yer. 

The landmark. The food court is directly opposite.

The place at first glance was quite rundown, and not many patrons, mostly the staffs from nearby government office. Not sure about afternoon during lunch though. Never tried having lunch there before. Not many shops also here. Cleanliness ... acceptable lah. 

I usually come here for 2 things - the prawn fritters (cucur udang) and kuey teow soup (Malay style). Both from the same stall run by 2 ladies (not sure whether they are siblings - possibly one helper one owner) .... Take it from me, each of it is a must try! The prawn fritters were fried just right and served with special chili and peanut sauce. Not too spicy for those with a delicate stomach, the sauce blends sweetness and savoury just right. So if you have had enough of roti canai, vadai or capati for breakfast ... try prawn fritters for a change.

Prawn fritters (cucur udang) with sweet chili and peanut sauce.

Sometimes, especially down with fever or flu ... I tend to crave for something "warming", spicy as in a lot of spice, soupy. One day while having breakfast here, my nose caught something so aromatic ... you know the smell of fried onions blend with ginger, cinnamon, star anise and maybe some coriander leaves. Initially, I thought the stall was cooking beef bone or oxtail soup. Then I saw the small sign saying "meehoon/kueyteow sup).

The stall is just next to the mee jawa ... no signboard.

Usually my driver was the one doing all the ordering ... I just "makan" so I didn't know that the stall also sell meehoon and kuey teow soup. I ordered kuey teow soup and seriously ... it was just the way i like it ... for Malay style of course. Malay style kueyteow soup is usually oily from the fried onion garnishing and they use fried chicken shreds plus more pepperish. Best taken after fever hehehe ... the soup itself is a bit spicy and they even give special chili paste mix with pepper if your want to make it spicier!

The kueyteow soup.

Seen here with the special chilli paste and air bandung.

Meehoon soup. I still prefer kueyteow over meehoon.

The nasi campur, nasi lemak and mi kari here were quite nice.

There are other stalls selling curry mee, Malay mix rice and nasi lemak here. Quite nice too and worth trying if you are thinking of savouring local Malay hawker food.

Western Fusion Lunch@Delicious, Straits Quay, Penang

Phewwww.... it has been quite a while since my last posting here. Been busy updating my main blog but I seems to experience brain drain whenever I feel typing out my yummy rendezvous here. Not that I have not been eating "well" or am going on a diet (puhleezzz that word is never in my dictionary).

So for this new year of the Water Dragon, I will start my entry for the year with the western fusion menu at Delicious Cafe at Straits Quay, Penang. Went there for lunch today, also as part of my product update activities. Recently, I decided to  have product update on Penang attractions every Monday ... mainly to get over the Monday blues by doing something worthwhile. By the way, Straits Quay is one of my favourite weekend getaways ... mainly due to ample parking, beautiful seaview, fancy restaurants and of course got Thai Odyssey (my favourite massage centre heheh). Developed as part of the Seri Tanjung Pinang development project by the Eastern and Oriental Group (E&O), the same group of companies that own Delicious Cafes all over Malaysia and Singapore, it is also dubbed the first retail marina enclave in Penang.

Anyway, today I suddenly had cravings for Pavlova and the first thing that came to my mind was Delicious's Berrylicious Chocolate Pavlova. But during my last visit here, I already made a mental note to try out some of their selections from their main menu.

I love the interior deco of Delicious Cafe - a mix and match between contempary, English, retro and vintage. I love the dining table, purposely (I think) given the washed out effect to get that rustic vintage look. So "kena" with my vintage taste!

I won't delve so much on the interior deco as I guess few bloggers have described in detail about the deco hehehe. But I can help but LIKE the baby blue versus white theme as follows...

The white and blue bird cages on the ceiling.

Ocean blue or baby blue menu cover ... seems right with the cafe location overlooking the sea.

There are many to choose from menu but I want something light, not too heavy but filling at the same time. Of course, I think many would agree with me if I said Delicious desserts are to die for (don't ever come here without ordering dessert). Okay here goes ...

Warm Chicken Salad tossed with balsamico, tomatoes, avocado and almonds. Nice and crisp! RM 19.90

Grilled Cumberland Chicken Sausage serve with Sweet Potato Mash and Tangy Onion Gravy. (RM 27.90)

Now u can see the mashed sweet potato and blanched asparagus. Tastewise ... OK.

The one that I have craving for - Berrylicious Chocolate Pavlova (RM 13.90)

Takeaway - Lemon Meringue Pie (want to eat with my daddy) - RM 11.90.

Well, the food has nothing to shout about in terms of taste which to me is nice and well done. But I was impressed with the sweet potato mash ... to me it is quite localise and the fusion just "ngam" with me. I would prefer my chicken salad to have shreded chicken meat, not one big chunk (cubes) though. What important is the green is fresh, and the balsamic vinegar was just the right amount. Not overpowering  (I don't really like sour things). The pavlova ... though nice to be seen, but messy when eaten. Anyway, both the salad and the sausage are serve in big portion and can be shared between 2-3 people. So can save a bit if dining out with friends.

Not cheap but it is a great place to hang out with friends and family especially during tea-time. Can order few items and share so everyone can taste the food equally. 

Location:

3C-G-3 & 3A, Ground Floor Straits Quay (North Quay)

Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Penang

Business Hours: Mon-Fri 10.00 am - 12 midnight

Sat, Sun & Public Holiday 9.00 am -12 midnight
Tel: 604-899 8555