Review Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Recommended)
Address: 15, Lebuh Nipah 6, Bukit Jambul, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Google Map Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vcXqnvkWianZGF4P6
(Please refer to the Timings provided in the Google Map Link for the Operating Hours.)
🥬 Sayur Mix (Mixed Vegetables) = RM3.00
🫛 Bendi Rebus (Okra / Lady Finger) = RM0.50
🍚 Nasi Kurang (Less Rice)
🌊 Kuah Banjir (All Sauce Flood)
Total = RM15.50
6% SST Tax = RM0.93
Final Rounded Up Cost = RM16.45
Here is the Full Menu of the Eatery/Restaurant.Prices are Accurate as of the Date of the Post.
A Brief History of Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar is a Famous Dish that is available all over Malaysia 🇲🇾 and it originates in Penang. It was originally introduced by Tamil Muslim Traders from India. 🇮🇳
The Word Nasi of course means Rice, 🍚 and "Kandha" is an Urdu Word meaning "Shoulder". 🤔 The Theory is that the name is given because the Meal was originally sold by Vendors carrying Pots hung on a Wooden Pole while resting on their Shoulder in the Past. (Image and Info Source: Wikipedia)
There are many Nasi Kandar Stalls in Penang in particular and I realize after chit chatting with the Local Grab Drivers, that everyone have their own Personal Favourites. 🚗🤔 Some Names come up quite often like Deens Maju, Hameediyah etc. I randomly chose this Penang Kayu because I was at Bayan Lepas at that time and this was the one that is 24 Hours. 👍 Grab Drivers that I spoke to felt that this Penang Kayu is not bad although it is considered one of the Expensive ones. 💵🤔
Indeed Nasi Kandar can be Very Expensive but it also depends on what you order. 💵🤔 In the Various Social Media Videos I've watched, the person in the Video will usually order like machiam he just got out of Prison, 😅 picking all the Premium Items like Sotong, 🦑 Fish Head, 🐟 Beef, 🐮 piling it up rediculously high and having the Whole Dish cost a Whopping Eye Watering RM200 or even RM300+! 💵😅
As you can probably tell, this is like an Indian version of Cai Fan 🇮🇳🍛 and you choose what you want. As long as you choose Sensibly, and not choose the Obvious Expensive Items like Fish 🐟 or Sotong, 🦑 it is still quite reasonable to eat. Another reason why I chose this Penang Kayu is that I like that they state the Name and Price of Each Ingredient clearly. 🤔 Although the Price won't be exactly what you paid, at least you will have a Agar Agar Gauge as to how much you will probably be expected to pay without having a Bill Shock at the End. 👍
Also, for someone who is not Familiar with the Names of Indian/Malay Food Ingredients, this is especially valuable because I now know what each Ingredient looks like and what are they called by their Original Malay Name. 👍
Interior of the Place
This was a Very Impressive Whole Big Dedicated Building with alot of Seatings. Its Open Air, not Air-Conditioned and was quite Cooling and Breezy. 🌬️😌 Thankfully not crowded and there were no queues when I was there at 5.30pm on a Tuesday Evening. The Staffs are Friendly and they keep to themselves. There was an Adorable Orange Kitty that roamed the Place! 🐱❤️
Just imagine, Indian Curry itself is already very Rich and Complex in Taste. 😋 Imagine Multiple Different Curries all Lum and Mixed together. Rich and Complex upon Complex! ❤️ For People who like to Lum Zhup on your Cai Fan, this is like your Mini Heaven right here. ❤️ Do note though, the Sauces are not Free of Charge. 🤔 I've always thought its Free to Lum.
🐔 Ayam Bawang Special (Saucy Red Chicken) = RM9.30
🥬 Sayur Mix (Mixed Vegetables) = RM3.00
🫛 Bendi Rebus (Okra / Lady Finger) = RM0.50
🍚 Nasi Kurang (Less Rice)
🌊 Kuah Banjir (All Sauce Flood)
There is a Grainy Condiment on the Rice which is a Deep Fried Roasted Chilli and Spice Mix. 🌶️🌿
It is Complex and Intensely Salty with a Higher than Level Spicy Bite. 🌶️
Ayam Bawang means "Onion Chicken". 🧅🐔 I feel this taste similar to Ayam Masak Merah.
They look similar and taste similar too. Its Mildly Spicy, Very Saucy with a Sweetish Taste. 😋
What i like is that the Chicken is Tender enough for you to use a Spoon to tear apart. That said, I dun really find this very different from Ayam Masak Merah. 🤔 If you have eaten such Malay-Styled Red Saucy Chicke before, you will know how this taste.
Sayur Mix is just a Mix of Broccoli 🥦 and Cauliflower that I think is Coloured and Flavoured with abit of Yellow Turmeric. 🤔 Tasted Cold, abit Nua Nua. They acted as a Palette Cleanser in the Dish.
Okra/Lady Finger or "Bendi" is something I always see people add when i see Videos of People eating Nasi Kandar. 🥬🤔 I even asked a few Grab Drivers why people choose Bendi, and the Universal Reply is "They dont know or its just Tradition." 😅
Personally i feel it is another Palette Cleanser. Its Soft and Veggie Taste perhaps helps temper too much of the Nasi Kuah Banjir and the Nua Nua nature give it a Different Texture? 🤔 But thats just my Guess. Nothing really special about this, it tastes just a Normal Okra actually.
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Conclusion and Closing Thoughts
I feel the Soul of Nasi Kandar is really the Kuah Banjir. 🍲🌊 We all know Indian Curries are already Superbly Spiced and Flavourful. 🌿👍 And to mix many types of them together is only a Good Thing, never a Bad Thing. Its the same logic for Cai Fan where some people will like to Lum plenty of Zhup to make the Rice More Savoury. 🍛😋
At RM16.45 (S$5.00) for only 1 Piece of Chicken on my plate, 🍗🤔 I have to agree that it is not Cheap to eat Nasi Kandar at this Place. If I were to choose another Meat or more Premium Ingredients, who knows how high the price can reach? 💵🤔 I reckon this is probably Agar Agar the Price Range that you are expected to pay when eating Nasi Kandar.
One thing though, while this Place and Staffs were not Unfriendly, i feel its because there were No Queue when I went. 🤔 If this is your first time eating Nasi Kandar, NEVER go when there is a Queue. I myself was Overwhelmed by the type of Choices of Ingredients. 😅 Before you start ordering, Plan on what u want, so you won't Kalang Kaboh slowly choose in the event when there is a Queue. 👍
Also Plan Sensibly and Choose Sensible Ingredients instead of Premium Ones to avoid racking up a Huge Bill. 💵😅 Its the same with Cai Fan right? Only Rich People will choose Fish 🐟 and Seafood 🦑 in Cai Fan. Hahaha! 😅
Having said that, this was a Very Full and Filling Meal. 😋🍛 If you are here in Penang I can definitely recommend to give Nasi Kandar a try since this is Penang's Most Famous Dish. 🇲🇾❤️ The Kuah Banjir (All Sauce Flood) itself is worth the price to try at least once. 😋
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