Penang Famous Cintra Street Dumplings

My Ratings: 5 Stars

Location: 40, Cintra Street, 10100 Penang
(shop in between Campbell and Chulia Street)
Non Halal
RM10 - 30 per person
Contact: +6012-4803308 or +6016-4579590
Open daily: 9:00am - 6:00pm except Sunday.

GPS: N 05 25.108 E 100 20.032

This little specialty shop along the famed Cintra Street serves one of the best traditional rice dumplings I have ever tasted in Penang. Established more than 70 years ago by a Chinese immigrant from Guandong, a Mr Lor Hong Yen and now run by a 3rd generation Mr Lor Kah Fai. This family has been serving thousands of Hokkien and Quandong styled rice dumplings to Penangites and its visitors, soon became known to be the most popular dumpling stall in Penang and earned the title "Cintra Street Dumplings".

The Lor family started to sell Quandong styled rice dumplings, a unique combination of white glutinous rice, green beans, egg yolk and streaky pork. Steamed to perfection, a bite on its soft dumpling leaves the diner filled with joy. Hokkien dumplings were later introduced to cater the local Hokkien community's demand. Hokkien dumpling on the other hand is filled with dried mushroom, salted egg yolk, fatty pork belly and seasoned with dark soy sauce. Hokkien rice dumplings is firmer in texture and the taste is heavenly as the pork fat meats in heat of your mouth.

To top the rice dumpling experience, we saved the best for last. We ordered the giant Guangdong (Cantonese) rice dumpling (Guo Zheng Zong). Weighing in at least 2kg and cost RM40 each, it is big enough for up to 5 person's portion. It is worth every sen and it is filled with a combination of chicken, duck, pork meat, roasted pork, char siew, dried oysters, salted egg yolk, chestnuts and dried mushroom. This dumpling is available only during the dumpling festival and it will sell out fast as it is considered as a symbol of prosperity and is often given as gifts.

There were some side dishes like the yam cake, red bean soup which is also a must try. The atmosphere is no frills but it serves the best rice dumplings (best accompanied by homemade chilli and special dark sweet aromatic sauce). A must try recommendation from me