The Peranakan specialties are of acquired gustation in addition to entirely those with trained palate would know how to appreciate them. One may soundless uncovering a handful of decent restaurants that serve Nyonya nutrient inward Penang but it would non hold upward slowly to uncovering that cuts through the novelties in addition to larn downwards to the venture perennial favorites that would non function out of fashion. Hai Nan Town that sits inward betwixt the bustling Ferry Terminal in addition to Port Swettenham, the eating theater is almost to celebrate its 11th anniversary in addition to has been the de facto eating theater inward town, specially for Nyonya cuisine. The eating theater knocks out an extensive attain of dwelling styled Nyonya staples- Curries, Kerabu, Stir Fries in addition to desserts; it has ever been the pop selection for Penang companies hosting events in addition to staff gatherings (due to Pork-Free status). There are entirely 1 mortal room available (that houses ii tables) in addition to then the heat-intolerant visiting inward a large grouping may telephone phone inward a few days before for advance reservation spell the others would accept to settle for the tables at the outdoor terrace... but hold upward rewarded with a breath-taking bounding main sentiment overlooking the ferry terminal.
Many Thanks to Hai Nan Town for hosting us that afternoon.
Assam Prawns (market price/ Rm 50 for this portion)
Beef Rendang (Rm 18/ small)
Hai Nan Town believes inward fresh ingredients would choose out the best flavors, the Beef Rendang was expertly braised till fork tender. The beautifully cooked meat literally melted inward the mouth! The thick in addition to rich glue was addictive in addition to robust with flavors. It may hold upward veering towards the salty side, perfect to spoon over rice nevertheless. Assam Prawns received the unanimous votes as the best dish of the day. The Prawns were plump in addition to most succulent yet, well-coated with the sweet, tangy Assam sauce. The roe-filled Prawn caput was lick-worthy, every fleck of the Assam Prawn was a joy to eat.
Chicken Curry Kapitan (Rm 26/ medium)
Curry Tumis Ikan (market price/ Rm 80- Chinese Pomfret Fish)
Adding farther enjoyment to your meal, attempt their Curry Tumis Ikan; the dish is a favorite with the patrons. Hai Nan Town is serious almost their curries in addition to for their spicy, tangy Curry Tumis Ikan, they paired it with Okra, Tomatoes, in addition to Onions. They Curry spices were expertly done with no powdery texture in addition to the correct consistency/ thickness. It has a robust savory season spell the spiciness is tamed with the sufficient total of acidic to give it an extra dimension. The Chinese Pomfret was fresh in addition to could hold upward testified past times the pristine white flesh with minimal or no fish stench at all. Best agency to taste the dish? Drown the rice with lots of curries.
The Chicken lovers could larn for their Curry Kapitan, a moreish in addition to classic Nyonya dish but non many could create it right, Hai Nan Town is 1 of the few ones that did it right. The meat was again, cooked till fall-apart tender, lilliputian endeavour was necessary to slit through the meat... non fifty-fifty the toughest business office of the bird. We honey the thick Curry sauce that clung onto the Chicken... it has a serious depth of flavors that could linger inward the palate for sometime. It was non monotonous, the correct total Tamarind was vivid in addition to surely introduced about other layer of dimension to the dish. It tin hold upward dangerously addictive... specially with the presence of steaming hot White Rice.
Choon Piah/ Spring Rolls (Rm 12)
Joo Hoo Char (Rm 20/ medium)
Kerabu Sayur Rumi (Rm 14/ small)
I was novel to Kerabu Sayur Rumi (known as Pigwort Watercress inward English), at to the lowest degree non beingness served raw. The greens are oft stir fried with Sambal Hae Bi (Dried Shrimps). Hai Nan Town was courageous plenty to innovate the Nyonya Salad, chopped Pigwort Watercress dressed with acidic-spicy dressing in addition to served together with julienned Torch Ginger, Onions in addition to Shrimps. Do non await downwards on this dish, non entirely it was brimming with flavors but the spiciness gradually kicks in. It has a balanced medley of acidic, spicy, sweetness in addition to savory notes. It was the perfect dish to assuage our guilt for over-indulgence.
The Choon Piah was tasty... the peel was sparse in addition to the filling was generous but the season did non striking me; in all likelihood the commons Chicken bits were replaced with Crab Meat in addition to they were also fine to hold upward discerned. Joo Hoo Char was every bit delicious but about of us could non concur on the add-on of Coriander.
Penang Cendol (N/A)
Bee Koh Moy/ Black Glutinous Rice Dessert with Coconut Cream (Rm 4)
Do non leave of absence Hai Nan Town without having a bowl of their home-made Bee Koh Moy, a creamy, rich but nutty Nyonya dessert made with Black Glutinous Rice, Dried Longan in addition to served with a spoonful of Coconut Cream. The telephone commutation to this dessert is the salted Coconut Cream... which provides a feel of creaminess in addition to salty essence to the sweetness treat. The Black Glutinous Rice should hold upward thoroughly cooked but non overly squishy, the nutty texture must hold upward at that topographic point in addition to nosotros glad that Hai Nan Town managed to tick all the boxes. Extra marks for serving the dessert pipage hot. Alternatively, yous may want to larn for their Cendol; though non as creamy as I would accept hoped, it was satisfying plenty to set a halt to the sultry tropical heat.
Additional Information:
*Special Request for whatever Nyonya Dish(es) tin hold upward arranged with 1 twenty-four hr catamenia prior advance reservation; champaign of report to availability*
Pork-Free Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: Yes 6%
Address: Tanjung City Marina, 8A, Pengkalan Weld, 10300, Georgetown, Penang.
Business Hours: 11:30 am to three pm, 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 604- 263 8633
