MAS: Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Could it be the best 'chendol' in Penang?

On the Malaysian island with the same name, Penang Road is a major road in George Town. Don't forget to drop by one of the smaller streets called Lebuh Keng Kwee for a nice bowl of chendol, they say. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul has been around since 1936, and it currently operates multiple branches across the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

My little bear couldn't decide which bowl he liked most.

Penang Curry Mee RM 7.90 (~S$2.55)

Taste: 8/10

Somehow I lost the photo that I took, so I got the above from my BFF. Have you tried Penang white curry noodle, which features the marriage between shrimpy coconut broth and thick curry paste? The eatery whipped up quite a delectable bowl that was adequately rich and creamy without being cloying. Having said that, it could be spicier. There was quite a bit of cuttlefish that was crunchy enough.

Asam Laksa RM 7.90 (~S$2.55)

Taste: 8.5/10

My choice of asam laksa, a dish of sour noodle dish typically seasoned with tamarind, lemongrass, galangal and chili, was satisfying. It was all thanks to the complex flavours where the sourness of the pretty thick soup was balanced well by the fresh mackerel, naturally sweet onions and hae ko, a kind of sweetened prawn paste. The rice flour noodle was pretty bouncy and went down the throat easily.

Penang Prawn Mee RM 7.90 (~S$2.55)

Taste: 7/10

The soupy prawn noodle bowl paled in comparison compared to the other two, but it was certainly more than edible. It had a nice hint of spiciness, but the broth wasn't as prawny as expected. Swimming along with the mix of yellow noodle and rice vermicelli inside were two prawns, a few fishballs and about one third of a boiled egg.

Chendol RM 3.20 (~S$1.05)

Taste: 8/10

We actually had a bowl of chendol each before sitting down to have lunch. Coloured with natural pandan juice, the worm-like jelly strips were adequately bouncy. Having been stewed in simple syrup for 4 hours, the kidney beans tasted nice as well. It was a shame, however, that the shaved ice wasn't enough in terms of quantity and smoothness. I'd certainly love to have more of the palm sugar syrup too in the creamy coconut milk. All in all, it was nice, but I don't think it was the best rendition of the timeless Southeast Asian dessert.

Melon's Rating

Taste: 8/10

Ambience: 6/10

Service: 6/10

Overall: 6.5/10

I wonder how much has the taste changed, if at all, compared to the past? Pika's advice: After the tirp, I've been told that the quieter cart in front of the one with a perpetual queue serves nicer chendol. You should definitely check it out.

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

27 & 29 Lebuh Keng Kwee

Penang

Malaysia

(Mon-Fri: 10.30am - 7.00pm;

Sat-Sun: 10.00am - 7.30pm)

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)