Invited Review: Yeng Keng Hotel

My Ratings: 5 Stars

Cuisine: International/Hainan
Location: 362 Chulia Street, 10200 Penang
Pork Free
RM30-45 per person
Tel: +604 262 2177
Open Daily

GPS: N 05'25.138 E100'20.096

http://www.yengkenghotel.com.my

Yeng Keng Hotel built in mid 1800's as a private residence of an Indian Muslim family is situated right in the heart of Chulia Street enclave beautifully and restored to its original 19th century splendour and more. Now turned into a world class boutique hotel with 20 elegantly appointed rooms. The hotel also house a cafe & bar which dishes out authentic Hainanese and international cuisine, ideal for a stay and dine vacation - a unique way to experience the Heritage of early Penang

Yeng Keng cafe & bar is one of a few places in Penang that serves authentic Hainanese fare. Typical Hainanese dishes like the Deep Fried Choon Pieh (RM12 for 2 pieces), Hainanese Mushroom soup with glass noodles (RM10 per person), Curry Tumis White Pomfret, Inchi Kabin (market price), Hainanese Chicken Chop, Chicken Pie and Yam Duck. All these dishes are my childhood favourites.

The Chicken Pie (RM25) is value for money. The portion serves 4 to 5 persons. For larger party of 10 persons, a larger portion of chicken pie is available for only RM35. All of the Hainaneses dishes is flavourful and not oily (good!). The Choon Pieh is the Chef Tan's recommendation. He stressed on the freshness and sweetness of the crab meat used. Chef Tan has more than 17 years experience in Hainanese cuisines.

Yeng Keng cafe & bar also serves a variety of international fare such as lamb shank, grilled fish with butter sauce, potato, onions and capers (RM18), sandwiches, soups & salads, pasta and local hawkers favourites. Must try are the lamb shank (RM35) and Beef Hor Fun (RM15).
The international menu is readily available but do call the hotel is you are planning to have Hainanese fare as pre-order is required until the Chinese restaurant is in full operation (located in the adjacent building).

One special dessert is the Bomb Alaska (RM20). This is a must order. Yeng Keng cafe is the only restaurant which serves Bomb Alaska in Penang that I know of. A common dish once upon a time but over the decades the popularity of the dish seemed to have disappeared. Maybe because it is hard to make (beating the egg white to a fluffy consistency and the "extra" effort to serve the dessert which included heating up the alcohol to be able to light it up and ooze all over the white which is a show by itself.

After dinner, one can proceed to the front garden of the hotel for drinks. The cozy outdoor offers a magnificent view of the picturesque hotel front all lighted up in full lighting effects. The bar offers value for money buckets of beer and is an ideal place for friends to gather and chat through the night

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Senior Citizen Association Cafeteria

My Ratings: 3 Stars

Cuisine: Street foods, Chinese Hainan

Location: 7, DS Ramanathan Road (formerly Scott Road) off Cantoment Road (mid of stretch), Penang

Pork Free

From RM5 per person

OK, This place is really out of way along DS Ramanathan. It is not even a restaurant. It is the cafeteria of the Senior Citizen Association of Penang, an association that is looking like lack of members and funds. But this cafeteria has been wipping out delicious street foods there for many years (since 1983). In fact, I do not even know of this place until my 83 year old father suggested to come here for lunch after recalling from his memories since he last visited there about the place a decade ago.

I am glad my dad suggested it. The cafeteria is still in its original rustic form....an old shack behind the association. One can choose to sit by the porch or outside below a huge tree or if you are a member of the association, you can sit inside the member's area.

Run by a nice lady named Ho Hoay Chin (aka Ah Chin) and helped by a team of senior citizens serving hungry customers. I ordered their specialties like the Roti Ayam (Minced Chicken meat in a parcel of whitebread and deep fried till crisp) Deep fried sprill roll and Fried Jawa-styled Noodles). Other house specialties are Mee Sau Tau (noodles cooked in strachy gravy with prawns, mushroom and chicken meat) and Inci Kabin (deep fried marinated chicken served with Worchestershire Sauce). I also ordered fish and chips but it is not great food. To enjoy the Inchi Kabin, you need to order ahead one day by calling Ho on +604-2260986

Closed on Mondays, On weekdays, it is open from 12-8pm and weekends from 12-9pm. Ample parking inside the compound of the association but make sure you don't park in the member's parking area otherwise you will be asked to remove your car to other parking areas.

Price is slightly high especially for the deep fried spring roll (RM3.80 per piece) but Ho reassured it is all full of goodness like sweet fresh crab meat.