Balik Pulau Home Cooked Hokkien Mee and Laksa

Will you believe if I tell you the people in the photos above are waiting for their Hokkien Mee and Laksa? Well, you better, because they really were.

This family sells these all-time favourite Penang hawker fare from their home in Jalan Bahru, Kampung Jalan Baharu, Balik Pulau during the weekends only. The location is quite far in so it is a bit difficult to find.

The Hokkien Mee soup is very flavourful which explains the crowd and wait. The Laksa is a little more watery; I still prefer the stall nearer to the market.

So, the next time you crave for home cooked Hokkien Mee, give this one a try. It is undeniably good and worth the drive. RM3 per bowl. Tel: 04-8663929

Bao Sheng Durian Farm

The durian (pronounced /ˈdʊəriən/)[2] is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family[3][1] (although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae[1]). Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (12 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb). Its shape ranges from oblong to round, the colour of its husk green to brown, and its flesh pale yellow to red, depending on the species. (Source: Wikipedia)

Hubs normally orders his yearly supply of durian from Mr Chang (also fondly known as Ah Seng) who owns the Bao Sheng Durian Farm. As far as I know, Ah Seng is probably one of the more famous durian farm owners in Penang. His farm has been featured in The Star Metro, the George Town Penang facebook fan page etc.

The Bao Sheng durian farm is located at Titi Kerawang, somewhere between Balik Pulau and Teluk Bahang. If you are coming from Balik Pulau, the farm entrance is right after the Titi Kerawang waterfall, on the left side of the road. Drive down the cemented driveway to a wide open lot with ample parking space.

An abundance of fresh durians

Bao Sheng has recently gone through some facelift with the addition of two chalets and a small swimming pool. Durian lovers can opt for a night or more stay at the chalet for RM180 per night. The chalet comes with an attached bathroom, a double bed, an LCD TV and Broadband access. According to Ah Seng, the farm stay is ideal for durian lovers who want to savour fresh durians from the farm all day long as he offers a separate all-day durian breakfast, lunch and dinner package. The chalets are fully booked on most weekends especially during the durian season.

There are plans to add another four chalets on a higher ground, two of which will be occupied by Ah Seng's family and the other two for rental.

Double Bed

Attached bathroom

View from the chalet

Chalet and swiming pool

Panoramic view of Penang

Ah Seng's Koi fish

Ah Seng opening the durians

Ah Seng feeding his Koi fish with durian

Ah Seng briefing about how to identify 'good' durians

A trip to Ah Seng's farm is normally very educational and enjoyable as it will include a briefing session by Ah Seng on the different species of durians, how to choose 'good' durians, what are the best types of durians etc.

I learned a thing or two about durian from this trip to Bao Seng Durian Farm e.g. how the price of durian can vary depending on the age of the tree and how long the fruit has dropped from the tree. The older the tree, the more 'wrinkles' there are on the pulp and the better the fruit is. The fruit is at its best or freshest when it has just dropped from the tree. One way to tell how fresh a fruit is to examine the quality of the stalk which loses moisture as it ages. A fresh fruit should have a big, solid stalk which is still fair in colour. Some unscrupulous farmers or sellers may cut off the dried part of the stalk or remove the stalk altogether.

I cannot remember which fruit was which species but we had six fruits altogether which include one Red Prawn (Ang Heh) and two Lin Fong Jiao amongst others. It was a very educational and 'fruitful' trip indeed.

According to the Bao Sheng website, the durian season this year started in mid of May and will end around mid of July. It is now almost the tail end of the season so do hurry if you want to savour the last of what's in season this year. Give Ah Seng a call to book a durian feast session at Bao Sheng Durian Farm soon!

Bao Sheng Durian Farm (349429-A)

150 Mk.2, Sungai Pinang, 11010 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia.
Fax:604-829 9000
Mobile Phone:012-411 0600 / 012-401 0800
bsfarm@durian.com.my
http://www.durian.com.my/

Balik Pulau Laksa at Nan Guang Coffee Shop

I happended to be in Balik Pulau so I decided to have the Balik Pulau famous laksa. This laksa stall is the one next to the market at the Nan Guang coffee shop.




This laksa stall is one of the most famous laksa stalls in Penang. It was recently featured in The Star Sunday Metro (national edition). Apparently the original owners, Ewe Chooi Gua and his wife retired last year and the business was sold to John Martin.

Asam Laksa (RM2.50)

The stalls sells two types of laksa, the Asam Laksa and Siam Laksa. The Asam Laksa is what you see above with a sourish-based soup with lots of fish meat, cucumber and pineapple. The Siam Laksa is the 'lemak' version with coconut milk, lemon grass and kaffir leaves, a little milky like curry mee.

Both types of laksa are equally as good. Some say the Asam Laksa served here is good because it tastes like how their mom would cook it with generous serving of chunks of fish meat. The Siam Laksa is my personal favourite, very aromatic and 'lemak'. The laksa noodles are also very springy.

Fresh Nutmeg Juice (RM1.50)

Balik Pulau is also famous for its nutmeg production. Nothing beats a glass of cold fresh nutmeg juice. Very refreshing.

Balik Pulau Asam Laksa
Nan Guang Coffee Shop
67 Main Road Balik Pulau
Opens 11 am - 5 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)

Yee Choon Seafood Balik Pulau

We happened to be at the sleepy town of Balik Pulau on a lazy Sunday afternoon. After a short drive around Balik Pulau and Pulau Betong we decided to look for a place for a late and simple lunch.

We decided on "Chu Char" at the Yee Choon Seafood which is located at Air Putih, Balik Pulau.

It was late so the restaurant was almost empty.

Fish Maw Soup

Stir Fried Brussel Sprouts

House Special Deep Fried Tofu

Steamed Red Lion Teow Chew Style

The steamed fish was very fresh and the deep fried tofu indeed quite special. The total bill came up to RM44.40.

So, if you are ever in Balik Pulau and if the famous laksa is not your cup of tea, you may consider popping by Yee Choon Seafod restaurant for some simple seafood "chu char" :)

Yee Choon Seafood
80, MK-E, Air Putih, 11000 Balik Pulau
Tel: 04-8666224, 04-8662584, HP: 016-4361931

Siang Seng Seafood Restaurant

If you have been to the once famous Hilly Town restaurant then you will know this place. The restaurant is located along the hilly Jalan Tun Sardon on the way up to Balik Pulau from Jalan Paya Terubong.

The Seang Seng Seafood Restaurant has taken over this restaurant which was once occupied by Hilly Town. This new restaurant opened not too long ago in April this year.

The decor has not changed much and the view from the restaurant is just as good. Seang Seng serves seafood dishes and Chinese "Chu Char".

Overall, it was a good dining experience given the reasonably good food and good view overlooking the Balik Pulau township, hills, trees and sea.

Balik Pulau township

The total bill came to RM34 excluding drinks.

Stir Fried Brussel Sprouts with Salted Fish

Hot Plate Tofu

Salted Vege and Tofu Soup

Deep Fried Prawn Mantis with Kam Heong Sauce

We only saw the flyer on their recommended dishes at the check out. We couldn't quite make out the spelling for some of the dishes but here are some which we find interesting and which we may come back to try:

Stir Fried Thai Style Otak
Sanbei Chicken Thai Cuisine
Spare Ribs Szechuan Style
Fried Prawns with Cheese and Minced Cherry
Siang Seng Mini Monk Jump Over the Wall

There is also a hearbal sauna operator at the back of the restaurant.

Herbal Sauna

The road going up to the restaurant

Landmark before turning into the road leading to the restaurant

Siang Seng Seafood Restaurant
Lot 0417 Mk5 Pondok Upeh
Permandangan Indah Jalan Tun Sardon
Tel: 012-564 6858
Business Hours: 11 am to 11pm

P/S: They also offer catering services for wedding, buffet, tea reception etc. Enquire within for details.