Happy Thanksgiving!!
I hope your holiday season is off to a good start after Black Friday & Cyber Monday. Don’t tell me you didn’t succumb to the holiday shopping extravaganza?! 😉
We were in Atlanta a few weeks back, and now I almost wish we were living there instead. No joke. Orlando has it’s fancy, but I’ve always wanted to live somewhere hilly and lush with mature & colorful trees.
A little lie.
I want to live beside a Malaysian restaurant!!
Penang Atlanta @ 4897 Buford Highway, Chamblee GA
Not to dislike Florida or anything, but I could have learned an important lesson a long time back — never make a place permanent unless it has any Malaysian restaurant in the close proximity.
For most, diamonds are your best friends. Malaysian food is mine. Not that I would refuse a diamond.
One of the first things we did was whipping out the phones and yelping for any Malaysian restaurants nearby. We lucked out on a instant Groupon deal as well. Gotta love those money saving deals, eh? More excuse for me to stock up on new boots, perhaps?
I must admit, just looking at the menu got me drooling…….. We felt like ordering everything from the menu!!!
Roti canai
Not only the food got me too excited, but we even saw the cook flipping and stretching the roti canai dough – very authentic way of making it – I almost fainted.
A good indication that we need to make a trip back to Malaysia soon.
The roti tasted somewhat authentic. Wish it was crispier though. On the flip side, the chicken curry was so good 🙂
Char Kuey Teow
Char Kuey Teow is flat noodles cooked with jumbo shrimps, sprouts, eggs and …. well, I would rather Bee from Rasa Malaysia explain it to you with a recipe!
Char Kuey Teow is basically flat rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, bloody cockles, Chinese lap cheong (sausage), eggs, bean sprouts, and chives in a mix of soy sauce. A great serving of Char Kuey Teow is flavored not only with the freshest ingredients, but equally important is the elusive charred aroma from stir-frying the noodles over very high heat in a well-seasoned Chinese wok.
Bet her explanation got you drooling, no?
Nasi Lemak
I am trying to find some words to review Nasi Lemak, but its so difficult. This dish was total disappointing. If you are looking for authenticity, this dish doesn’t even come close.
I cried a little.
Cendol!
The redemption over nasi lemak came with Cendol! Bless the Lord 🙂 This cendol was so delicious and as authentic as you can find anywhere beyond Indonesia/Malaysia.
With full bellies, we hit up on antique shopping in Chamblee. There’s just too many antique stores to explore. But so worth the trip.
Another reason to move to Atlanta. Help!
Have you sampled Malaysian cuisine, ever? Please say YES 😀
Comments on this entry are closed.
Kiran, I have spent a lot of time in Singapore and Malaysia and understand your tears over bad nasi lemak- for shame! I have to say, even here in the food-crazy SF Bay Area, I cannot find truly authentic, good Singaporean/Malaysian food– and that is a shame. But also a good excuse to go back and visit!
Linda,
I am amazed at your observation — no authentic nasi lemak in SF Bay Area. Shameful, indeed. I thought we were the only one missing out, living here in Orlando 😀
I am not even going to Pretend to spell the dish Burnett flat rice noodles dish looks and sounds amazing. Great and honest review post! Glad you had a great thanksgiving! Got your comment and nope you haven’t missed a post- I have just 2 more weeks but hopefully the babe will come sooner rather than later:)
Belle,
Wow! You are so close to the finish line — congrats honey 🙂
Kiran, I am SO CRAVING for Malaysian food NOW. Not a Malaysian restaurant nearby. I may be have to cook today! I am with Linda…one would think SF would have something to offer!
Thank you for sharing ;-).
Annapet recently posted..Muffin Monday: Gluten-Free Rocky Road Muffins
Annapet,
THanks a lot honey — its shocking about SF, though. Never would have expected anything lesser 😉
I’ve never tried a Malaysian restaurant before. Now I want to go find one and try it!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks recently posted..All Natural Sweet Pie Crust Dough Recipe Using The Food Processor
Melanie,
Yay! Please try it and let me know how it tastes 😀
Kiran you know since yesterday I am craving Malay food.
I have spent lot of time being around south east asian cuisine, I think they make base of my cooking style silently…
OH God Roti canai is to die for and all that goodness.. You know one of my friend told me Nasi Lemak may seems very easy to prepare but actually it need attention to detail,
Anyway enjoyed your post and so ready to get some Malay food.
Reem,
You don’t know how much it makes me so happy reading your comments. It’s so nice to know that others do appreciate the deliciousness that Malay food can offer 🙂 Whoever told you about nasi lemak, everything is true. It is not a simple dish to prepare, but not impossible either!
oh this looks amazing! we always say we can’t live anywhere that we can’t get good Indian food!
Simply Life recently posted..All About London
Gina,
So cute! I would never have expected someone other than an Indian, to say that 🙂
delicious post!!
magiceye recently posted..Rajasthan rolling – 8 (Mandawa)
Magiceye,
Thanks a lot dear 🙂
I can’t remember the last time I ate (if ever) Malaysian food…and clearly that needs to change! I know I would love it as I do really enjoy authentic Indonesian, Thai & Korean food….now seriously craving noodles & rice 🙂
Khushboo recently posted..How to look toned in less than an hour
Khushboo,
I am not sure if you do get authentic Malaysian cuisine in India, but yeah, it has a similarity to Thai cuisine — deliciousness 😀
Mr Glam and I got married in Malaysia. It was beautiful and the food was wonderful. I understand the excitement in finding a new place to eat that serves your favourite food and or your food from home. Disappointments aside the restaurant looks amazing and as for the antiques wow! GG
Glamorous Glutton recently posted..Boned, Stuffed Pheasant
GG,
Yay!! So happy you guys got hitched in Malaysia — I am so proud 😉
Truly Malaysian food and you are not the only one who love Malaysian food as I am also the same. The times when I travel, I always look forward to coming back home for the nasi lemak, roti canai and all those seen in your pics.
I almost died during my trip to Italy for its so different then what I used to eat here and after 3 days, I simply refuse to eat much and wished I carried my Maggi curry or tom yam mee, esp the ones that comes in the cups.
Nava Krishnan recently posted..Piazza Delle Erbe – Verona (Italy) – Part 2
Nava,
Please don’t remind me of Maggi curry — I am drooling just thinking about it 😉
I miss char kuey teow!! Sorry that you didn’t enjoy nasi lemak.
Angie@Angiesrecipes recently posted..Thai Style Salmon Fritters
Angie,
Don’t be sorry, aren’t we all in the same predicament?! We need to learn how to make char kuey teow. I need to come up with the recipe, ASAP 😀 As for nasi lemak, I am sure the essential pandan leaves are not readily available.
I think I used to go to Penang back when I lived in NY. Wonder if it was the same one, either way – this looks amazing! xxoo
Marla,
Penang is a common name for Malaysian restaurants all across US 🙂 xoxo
Hey Kiran,
I love Malaysian food and unfortunately we don’t have a Malaysian restaurant in Tampa. So when I visit family in New york, we have to eat at Penang restaurant. Just love their roti canai. The last time I was there I actually wanted to pack a few dishes and get back with me to Tampa. YUM YUM YUM!
Asmita recently posted..Old Fashioned Banana Cake
Hey Asmita,
Not only in Tampa, I think there isn’t any Malaysian restaurant in Florida. So happy you enjoy Malaysian cuisine. I think we seriously need to move closer to a restaurant, what you say? 😀
Kiran, this looks great! I loved the picture of Char Kuey Teow – those flat rice noodles are fabulous. Love them at restaurants and cooking them as well.
Biana | Simple and Tasty Recipes recently posted..Risotto Cakes: Risotto Cakes Made From Beet Risotto
Biana,
Thanks honey — I’ve cooked with flat rice noodles before, but just can’t seem to bring out the flavors of authentic Char Kuey Teow. Guess, practice makes perfect!
Everything does look tempting.
balvinder recently posted..Yam Chaat
Mmmm now you have me craving Malaysian food! This place looks awesome – and certainly worthy of a move to Atlanta 😉
Katherine Martinelli recently posted..Guest Post: Bacon, Vegetable, and Ricotta Quiche
Katherine,
As of now, we are staying put — fingers crossed, though 🙂
I can’t recall when was the last time I had Malaysian food. It isn’t easy finding restaurants serving authentic Malaysian food here. The lovely pics of all these dishes make me drool!
easyfoodsmith recently posted..CHILLI GARLIC MINCED SOYA WITH NAAN
Taruna,
Ditto!!
I would cry too if I can eat that roti and Char Kuey Teow!! Seriously we always order roti as appetizer BUT one or two order is never enough if I’m sitting on the same table. You just can’t make that thin layer of roti at home, you know. One day I probably need to order more than 2 to satisfy my cravings (but it’s not cheap either…). Sigh. It’s just passed 11am and your pictures made me crave for these dishes…. we don’t have Malaysian/Indonesian restaurants around here and I have to drive 45 mins. Arhhh! But thanks for the post. I plan to go on weekends. Haha!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Arroz a la Cubana
Nami,
Its only 45 mins drive for you — please oh please, go and enjoy Malaysian foods on our behalf!! 😀
yum yum! I want to eat them all!
mycookinghut recently posted..easy stir-fried frog legs & hotel chocolate giveaways winners!
Such drool worthy menu..I would love to be your neighbor near that Malaysian restaurant you are planning to live 🙂
Sanjeeta kk recently posted..Chocolate & Vanilla Bread Pudding – Two Easy Eggless Desserts with Custard
Sanjeeta,
Thank you so much honey — our plans to Atlanta fell through. Anyhow, I still wish we were neighbors 😀
Well I’m glad you had such a great time and lots of good food too! That antique shop looks like a fun place to shop.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Holiday Gift Guide 2011 | Part One
Sylvie,
Thanks dear — Ditto about the antique shop. The Husband had to literally drag me out of it 😀