Anyway, after my workout, I took my son and aunt out for dinner as my better half was late from work. This time round, we went to Sri Batik Nyonya Cafe @ New World Park. Previously, it was at an obscure corner but they moved to their new site on December 1st. I liked what I saw from the French window so we walked into the restaurant feeling quite impressed with the heavy wooden door and the huge lion-head door-knockers.
Upon entering the restaurant, a warm feeling enveloped us. Slowly, we walked on the red-carpeted floor and we were quite impressed with the ambiance of the restaurant and red walls. Peranakan ornaments and furniture filled the restaurant which gave one the feeling of being in an actual Peranakan home with a touch of the modernist feel- most authentic indeed.
All three of us had been working out today and did not want to put back the calories we had burnt so laboriously. My aunt ordered Nasi Lemak with red date tea while my son ordered Nasi Ulam and chrysanthemum tea and yours truly had the Nyonya laksa and warm water.
We were so hungry that by the time the food was served, I forgot to take pictures. Believe me, for RM7, the nasi lemak is an excellent bargain as it comes with a few meaty chunks of curry chicken, lovely acar (pickled vegetables), a fried egg and rice cooked in santan. My son's nasi ulam(RM7) was simply fabulous. The daun gaduh and tumeric leaves had been finely shredded and the rice was mixed with the correct proportions of chopped shallots and kerisik (toasted grated coconut).
And then the Nyonya laksa came.
This nyonya version(RM5.50) is not the usual Penang laksa which is cooked with tamarind juice, mackerel, bunga kantan (ginger flower), daun kesum (Thai basil leaves), serai (lemon grass), lengkuas (galangal), shallots, dried chillies, turmeric and belacan (shrimp paste). Neither is it anything like the Siamese laksa which is cooked in coconut milk and other spices.
Sri Batik's Nyonya restaurant offers the best of both worlds as the gravy is both sourish minus the tamarind juice and not that rich even though I could taste the coconut milk (santan) in the soup. The vegetables had been finely cut and the pineapple chunks had been boiled so they were soft, succulent and did not have the stinging after-taste on the tongue. Unlike other shops or stalls that served laksa, the rice noodles here were thinner and extremely fine in texture. This version is not served with prawn paste so those with allergy problems need not worry.
The soup was not rich or overly 'lemak' like in other places but had the correct combination of everything! According to Kenneth, the cafe owner who is a Baba, this is a family recipe that has been passed down from his great-grandparents.
Throughout the meal, my aunt and son kept saying how the Nyonya laksa is the best choice etc. so I got the hint and ordered a second bowl much to my boy's delight and that is how I snapped a pic of the dish. Here's my aunt (who is on vacation from San Francisco) and yours truly, looking very satisfied after a lovely Peranakan meal.
The next time you are in Penang, do check out Sri Batik Nyonya Cafe to whet your appetite. If you google for it, you can find many websites that have reviewed its authentic dishes and feast your eyes on the wonderful photography.
Take care and do share with me where you have tasted delicious laksa. Thanks and have a nice day!
Unknown do you mind giving the full address to this restaurant?