Korean Table All Ban 올반 @ Northam All Suites Hotel, Penang

After 5 days of GM diet, I decided to go easy for the rest of the diet. No carbs at all and I am still fine. So, GM suggested to go for vegetables, fruits and meat for Day 6 and a Korean barbecue fits today really well. 

I had to choose between Jung Won (情园) at Mount Erskine or Korean Table All Ban (올반) at Northam All Suites Hotel. I got to know about Korean Table All Ban through kenhuntsfood's Instagram and I was instantly hooked! As for Jung Won, as the title of my post has stated, I'll save it for next time. Besides, none of my followers in IG went there before and I am sure those who love Korean food would love to check this restaurant out too. Something different than the ordinary Korean restaurants that we've tried in Penang. 

It is a semi-fine dining due to its dainty portions and it is in Northam All Suites Hotel along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. Only got to know through google that they opened just in April 2015 and their tagline is "affordable". Plenty of parking just outside the hotel on Saturdays. Parking coupons are not needed after 1pm  on weekends as the parking zone is on green zone. 

There are two options: 

(1) Seok Chan RM29.90* per person; or 

(2) Man Chan RM39.90* per person. 

(*Excluding 10% service charge. No GST.)

The difference between the two is that Man Chan has 3 extra meat dishes. So, if you want to have more meat then Man Chan is for you otherwise, Seok Chan will be enough. I went with my mother and sister; and we ordered Man Chan for 3. The meat dishes were a bit too much for us to finish as it came only after you have had the grilled meat with ssam (lettuce wrap), pork ribs stew, loads of banchan (side dishes) and japchae (vegetarian glass noodles stir fry). 

Lots of photos ahead! 

 A poorly captured photo but nonetheless, you get to see what is being offered for Man Chan. You get to choose between stews as well as soup too. 

So, All Ban means "All Rice" or where people all gathered over "swamp grass". 

The interior 

One of the many quotes on its wall. The restaurant has black walls.

Simple and elegant.   

Got Jeol Li - freshly made kimchi. You don't get the zing or acidic taste unlike those prepacked ones from supermarket. Those pre-packed kimchi had been fermented. So, this one has yet to be fermented over time. Crunchy and fresh. Not spicy at all. You get to taste the shrimp paste in them too.  

 Salad with house dressing. The red petals are cabbage leaf. I didn't touch much of this due to its dressing. I could not touch mayonnaise until after tomorrow. 

 Pumpkin porridge (ho bak juk) - smooth and light. 

Jeon - Korean pancakes, not too oily and it has crispy parts that I liked.  

Mixed grill - spicy chicken charcoal BBQ and sweet charcoal pork BBQ. 

The pork tasted like bulgogi and it was so divine! Must try! 

A basket of lettuces and ssamjang were given too to eat with this meat platter. 

 Jam Gahe - stir fry glass noodles. 

 Dainty banchan portions!!!

All different, haven't tried most of them before. 

Bibimbap (mixed rice) 

I resisted this terribly. Tempted so much! 

Kimchi jigae (kimchi stew) 

Sweet and sour pork instead of spicy stir fried octopus (they ran out of octopus apparently). 

Its coating is really unique as it is not made from just any flour but glutinous rice flour! The sauce has a strong pineapple taste instead of tomato unlike how the usual sweet and sour sauce is. 

Samgyetang (chicken with ginseng and glutinous rice). 

Miraculously, I didn't manage to eat any glutinous rice at all. Haha..  

As for dessert, we had these. Watermelon and red bean cubes. I think they know we are too stuffed to eat anything else. You get to choose between tea or coffee. So, I didn't expect to get a glass of warm lemon drink as "tea". 

The service is good and I enjoyed the meal very much. The restaurant was not full unlike the one downstairs where the buffet is. Quiet and peaceful ambience to enjoy while having a meal. There was a big group of Koreans dining there during our visit this afternoon. So, I think it must have been acceptable to them as well. The price in the menu was not expensive too but I think with the portion it came with, it might be not enough for those with big appetite. But for women, it could be just the perfect meal. 

Korean Table All Ban

Northam All Suites Hotel
Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah,
10050 Penang
Contact: 017-519 3221

Opening hours: 12-2.30pm and 6pm to 10pm; Closed on Thursdays from June 2015. 

Facebook page

Marlons+Co. Cafe @ Raja Uda, Butterworth

It reminded me of Jack & Co. The colour choice, the design - all sleek, rustic and modern (with a container door on one wall). The coffee bar is elevated and encourage patrons to have their drinks at the bar. Not all cafes do that these days. It is encouraging consumers to be aware of how their drinks are made and also to chit chat with the barista at the same time. 

Self-service order and you will be given a number. We ordered yogurt cheese cake and pork chorizo sausage. The cafe is relatively new so everything including the service is "new". So, be patient as great things take time. 

 It did hit some of us hard especially during tough times. Thanks for the thought. 

When I asked the barista what is their signature drink, he said there isn't any as their signature is the coffee beans. Rhapsody. It sounded sophisticated and we bought the idea. My mother ordered their toffee nut rhapsody coffee and just the smell of it, captured my senses immediately. It was unlike those in Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, this pungent coffee smell was unlike any other. For a non-cafe drinker, I found the smell really good and packed a punch! 

 My chocolate was not bad either. Rich and strong. I wonder if all these chocolate drinks came from the same vendor like all other cafe I've been. 

Don't ask why a spoon for sausage. The boss, Alan Khor, is a good chap and he came to explain to us (via Instagram too). He was nice and friendly, checking on each table to make sure our experience are alright. Sure enough, my mother went back to the cafe again just a couple of days ago, with my sister this time.  

To Alan, I was just pulling your leg and I hope you get your set of knives already from the supplier! All the best to your business! 

My favourite from Marlons+Co is this yogurt cheesecake! 

A nice location, very near to Coffee Venture and plenty of parking as it is located at the new shop office premises at the top of Jalan Raja Uda. So, don't accelerate the moment you enter this road otherwise you'll make a lot of u-turns. 

Facebook page here. 

Naughty Nuri's Warung @ Burma Road, Penang

My friend from Jakarta commented almost instantly after I have checked in to this location on Facebook. He asked, "eh?? i thought naughty nuri only in bali :O" 

Oh well, this is Penang you're talking about. When it comes to food, we can bring any food from all parts of the world to this tiny island. Haha.. It is just a matter of how much and where. All that hype about pork ribs and cocktails has now come to this visit together with a couple of my friends whom I've not met since last year. So, it was a great place for gatherings especially with boys who are hungry. 

My friend, Saik, he finished this on his own. When I told another friend of mine, she got shocked as the portion was huge enough to share. Oh well, growing boys. I didn't have any but the smell was gobsmacked! The charcoal grill ribs were so fragrant that I almost tempted to pinch some. 

I had this Naughty Boy burger instead. 

The pork patty was so thick that I could barely finish and eat the buns or fries. 

Love the mango salsa on top. 

It opens from 12 noon but they welcome patrons from 11.30am already. As for parking, either Swatow Lane or New World Park food court's parking.

Don't be surprise to see a massive hog greet you at the entrance. Hope to try the cocktails next time. Something novel in Penang at least. Considered a competitor to Morganfields. However, for those who have tried the original Naughty Nuri in Bali, this may or may not be the same feel and taste. I've not been to Bali yet but I hope to some day. 

Facebook page here.

P/S: Just google Naughty Nuri Penang, you will get so many results! Google is awesome!

EU Cuisine @ Georgetown, Penang

I got to know about this restaurant through a colleague of mine who is a foodie. She loves her food and despite complaining of her expanding waistline, her love for food is undeniable and she still eat as usual. Haha.. Anyway, EU (you can pronounced it as "ee-yew" or "yew" but the correct pronunciation is "yew" as in the Chinese surname Eu) Cuisine serves Asian-European fusion food. Located at a quiet part of Georgetown, especially on weekends, Rangoon Road still hosts heritage houses and building. Surrounding EU cuisine is the popular foodcourt and also the famous Macalister Road steamboat. 

Mind you, parking along Rangoon Road or Abu Siti Lane or Lorong Selamat are marked as red zone means you gotta have some parking coupons ready even though it is the weekend or public holidays as red zone parking means coupons from morning until midnight. During our visit, we parked at Lorong Selamat (beside the famous and exorbitantly priced char koay teow by the aunty who wears a red buret) just a little bit off the little back alley that connects both Rangoon Road and Lorong Selamat. EU Cuisine is just walking distance from where we parked. 

Initially, we intended to book for a table on the 4th of May but through the tele-conversation with the member staff of the restaurant we got to know that they are having an official opening on the 1st of May. So, we booked for brunch at 10.30am and it was a gorgeous day for a trip to the island. We were greeted warmly by the staffs and the owner of the place and as we were led inside the restaurant, we were amazed by how well-groomed the interior are. EU Cuisine is in one of the heritage houses and the ceiling is so high that you could see the sky and also enjoy the feel of being inside one of the pre-war houses back in the 60s or 70s. 

All food are prepared and made to order. Such as this lovely bowl of sweet potato soup. 

Bacon and avocado cups. The best sashimi alternative that I've ever had. 

Top: Grilled chicken with vegetables. Bottom: Pan fried salmon with vegetables. 

They have posh names for their food and I couldn't remember any as it was 3 weeks ago now. But, yes, do capture their menu if you have the chance. For the price that you pay, akin to any midrange range restaurants, the portion is huge! We were stuffed for the rest of the day. Seriously. Most eateries these days charge high prices but with portion less than its price. 

My plate of rolled chicken with a generous portion of carrots and leafy greens salad. 

Water is served together with your meal so no worries if you didn't order any drinks. If you sign up as a member, you'll get 15% discount on the bill applicable only to ala carte menu. Their set lunch and dinner are commendable too as it is affordable and perfect for budget hunters. Do RSVP before you go especially for lunches and dinners on weekends. They served breakfast too and they are opened from 9am with afternoon breaks in between. 

EU Cuisine 
86, Rangoon Road,
10400 George Town, Penang
04-228 5128
Mon.-Sun. 12:00-15:00 (lunch)
Mon.-Sun. 18:00-22:00 (dinner)

Kai Curry Bar by Umai Kitchen @ Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, Penang

I got to know about this place through a friend's post in Instagram last month and I thought, hey this is new. We have plenty of Japanese restaurants in Penang but not a curry bar! Before visiting the BBW2015 at Times Square, we decide to have lunch first and off to Kai Curry Bar we go. 

From Jalan Burmah (coming from Penang Plaza / Larut Road direction), Jalan Phuah Hin Leong is on your right just after the Ears-Nose-Throat (ENT) clinic on your right. If you missed the turning to this, you can also reach this place through Jalan Tavoy, Jalan Chow Thye and Jalan Servis. Jalan Phuah Hin Leong is a two-way street, so be careful of oncoming cars when turning in. Then, don't drive too fast otherwise you will miss this curry bar on the left. You may park in front of other people's businesses/houses just few doors down from the curry bar (if lucky). 

 A simple introduction

 It is closed on Sundays to Mondays. Do take note! 

Not sure if they take reservations because they have only limited tables for parties of more than 5. 

 Their mascots are dinosaurs drawn by Kai Oliver Furukawa, the little boy of the owners. 

You get to see his drawings first hand at the cashier's counter. 

If not, all over the place. All too adorable. 

Complimentary side dishes - potato salad and pickled lotus root vegetables and complimentary refillable drink - Roasted Barley Tea (Mugi Cha) to go with your rice and curry. 

 One of their signature curries. 

 The front part of the curry bar. 

 More of Kai's drawings on the ceiling

Their menu, neatly written and nicely decorated and plenty of variety to choose from.
Seafood, poultry, fish or meat. 

Cutlery and napkins will be placed in here depending on how many pax. 

Complimentary side dish - potato salad with wakame and black sesame seeds

Complimentary pickled vegetables

My sister ordered the Pork Hamburg. The meatballs are infused with Italian herbs and goes really well with the pork based curry. 

Whereas I had Pork Katsu (Breadcrumbs) Curry with vegetarian based curry. I liked the vegetarian based curry as it contains chick peas and green peas to compliment the curry sauce and the dish as a whole. 

Overall, we love the place. A nice family run curry bar and we were serenaded with J-Pop while enjoying our meal. We will definitely go back again and this time with the rest of my family. 

Kai Curry Bar by Umai Kitchen

No. 15, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong,
10050 Penang
Tel: 04-226 0322
Opening hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays (11am-3pm & 6-11pm only)
Umai Kitchen's Facebook page

Yella Fork @ Chow Thye Road, Penang

Yella!

Finally, an opportunity to check this place out with my fellow girl friends (and her spouse). Yella Fork is an Aussie-Asian fusion cafe set up by a fellow junior from school. He was in Melbourne, Australia for four year before settling in Penang and open up this forking place for fellow forkers in Penang. 

So, knowing the owner, this cafe attracted a lot of us from school. Classes from 1999, 2001, 2004 all came to show our support for Julian Ooi (the owner / the chef / the brain behind the menu / da boss) and his food! So, if you like fusion food as much as we do, why not drop by for lunch or dinner? The background music and song choices were good and without students, rest assured you can hear and speak without any problems. The level of noise is almost none. 

We visited Yella Fork yesterday and we came in 3 batches making us a group of 7. Located at Chow Thye Road (with an easier access from Tavoy Road or Service Road off Burmah Road, use Waze if you are unsure) and with neigbours like Monkeycup, Basement 6, That Little Wine Bar, Isaribi Tei, Jempul Tree etc, this area is packed with foodies especially during lunch hour in the weekdays and it is not as busy over the weekends. So, parking is a breeze if you drop by on Saturday afternoon. But, be sure to make a reservation before you go if you are coming in a group of more than 5 pax. 

The exterior and interior of Yella Fork

(L-R, clockwise from top) Presto soup, Roasted Crispy Pork Belly, Rasta Beefsta, BBQ Ribbing, Forking Kai, off the menu penne pasta with pesto, off the menu Rui Fang's spicy fix, nachos, rose latte and their signature dish right in the middle of the photo is Pie in the Sky!

The price of their meals are akin to those in Route 9 at Bishop Street whereby with an upgrade of RM7, you can get an appetizer of the day, soup of the day and a canned drink. If you wish to change the drinks, no problem. Just top up a few more ringgit for the drinks of your choice. So this was the flexible set meal whereby you can pick your own main course and just top it up with RM7 for a full 3 course meal. They have another set menu with fixed 4 main courses. At RM20, it comes with a soup of the day and a canned drink. With an extra RM3, you get your drink of your choice. So, this place is pocket and wallet friendly. The portion of food is huge and it is filling.

(L-R) Affogato Apple, Banana Fruuze, Poached Pear with ice cream and their dessert of the day menu

Their dessert is to die for especially the Affogato Apple. I am not a fan of coffee but I must say the warm cinnamon apple slices did compliment the coffee and ice cream very well. The coffee taste was just on the right dose and does not overkill the whole taste of the dessert. The chocolate chips in them did wonders too, giving it a bit of a crunch. A very nice ensemble of desserts and the poached pear is soft and not mushy. It was a clever idea to freeze the banana with some ice too! 

Overall dining experience with Yella Fork is good and we do look forward to their new menu in two weeks time. They have unique names for their food and the taste is different depending on how adventurous your taste palette is. Nonetheless it is the best rendezvous for schoolmate from CBW. I hope you guys will also have the same thoughts as us and have a friendly meal at Yella Fork.

Yella Fork
Address: 27A, Jalan Chow Thye, Georgetown Penang, Malaysia
Mobile: 011-1256 8528
Opening hours: 11:30 - 22:00 (with afternoon rest between the hours of 3pm to 5pm)
Facebook page
Parking: In front of the cafe or its surrounding. Limited. Be early to avoid disappointment.