The lai chee kang comes with generous helpings of longan. Photos: ALAN TEH
Named after George Town's iconic thoroughfare, Main Street Cafe epitomises Penang's rich history through its vibrant culinary heritage. Nestled within Cititel Penang and strategically located at bustling Jalan Penang, this popular dining outlet is renowned among locals as well as out-of-towners for its diverse choices and affordability.
Just recently reopened after refurbishment, Main Street Cafe exudes a fresh, minimalist interior that is attracting new guests while retaining loyal patrons. Headed by chef Nur Aznir Md Noor, this rejuvenated restaurant not only features notable aesthetic improvements but also a much enhanced dining menu that highlights interesting new additions while retaining time tested favourites.
"The Hainanese chicken chop (RM28) has definitely been the main menu highlight for many years. Featuring a pan-fried deboned chicken thigh served with generous helpings of mixed vegetables and thickly sliced baby potatoes, this is our very own version of a Western dish that was invented by creative colonial era Hainanese chefs in Penang as well as throughout Malaya during the early 20th century," Nur Aznir adds.
Main Street Cafe is located within Cititel Penang, one of the earliest hotels to open along Jalan Penang.
Letting in on a well-kept secret, Nur Aznir reveals that it is the special tangy dressing, made primarily from a combination of Worchestershire and tomato sauces, which sets Main Street Cafe's Hainanese chicken chop apart from the competition.
"Our team was pleasantly taken aback when the dish became the go-to comfort food during the series of COVID-19 lockdowns with scores of delivery riders waiting patiently in long lines to collect their orders.
“Despite the exhaustion of cooking up to 3,000 Hainanese chicken chop meals daily while maintaining social distancing during those uncertain times, the very thought of being able to provide satisfying dining experiences gave us the much needed impetus to continue serving our fellow Malaysians to the best of our abilities," Nur Aznir reminisces with a twinkle in his eye.
Apart from fresh ingredients sourced from local farms used in the a la carte menu selections, Main Street Cafe's farm to table food commitment is also evident in its well patronised Penang Special Buffet Lunch. Tailored based on the best available seasonal components, this Saturday and Sunday offering allows patrons to savour Penang's diverse culinary choices without breaking the bank.
The meticulously prepared nasi goreng tomyam is a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
Competitively priced at RM75 per adult, RM38 per child and RM58 per senior citizens 55 and above, this lunch spread offers the golden opportunity to sample a wide variety of local favourites with fresh seafood taking centre stage.
Other than aromatic spice marinated beef and chicken satay, the fish head curry served in a traditionally heated earthen pot is a truly Malaysian dish where Malay, Indian and Chinese cooking styles blend seamlessly to result in a savoury creation few can disagree with.
Introduced by early Indian travellers, curry became deeply embedded in the local culture when it was well received by the Malays who added various local vegetables and protein sources including fish and meat to the orange-red gravy.
Over time, Penang's Peranakan community came up with their own sourish version. The red snapper which is the main ingredient in Main Street Cafe's fish head curry is sourced fresh from nearby Teluk Bahang and Batu Maung fishing villages where fishermen go out to sea daily to reap bountiful harvests.
Consumed with piping hot white rice, the fish heads offer dainty morsels of tender flesh from the collar and cheeks while the more adventurous would opt for the gooey spice saturated eyeballs. The experience is a culinary adventure by itself as there are always pieces of tasty flesh to be found in the hollows and crevices of what appears to be already picked clean heads.
Fish head curry is a truly Malaysian dish that transcends Malay, Indian and Chinese cooking styles.
Apart from fish, the bountiful fishing villages are also a good source for sizable tiger prawns which are part of the buffet spread's savoury kam heong prawn dish. Prized for their sturdy shells and firm flesh, these choice crustaceans are stir-fried at high heat with curry leaves, soy sauce and a rich spice paste, resulting in a truly finger-licking good course.
Favoured by most Malaysians, kam heong prawns are also another testament to food being a unifying force for people from diverse cultures. A product of generations, it represents a deep interconnectedness that gives us the all-important identity of who we are and helps shape our shared aspirations for the future.
The varied seafood selection also includes fresh sashimi featuring generous salmon and maguro (tuna) cuts which allow diners to savour the distinctive tastes and flavours. The rich buttery salmon and melt in the mouth tuna are further complemented by a selection of sushi choices where each piece is very much a piece of art on its own. Crafted with precision, the flavours are well balanced and every bite is sheer pleasure.
The buffet spread features a good selection of fresh sashimi and sushi.
Towards the end of the meal, make sure there is still some stomach space left as the dessert section is filled to the brim with traditional cake and ice cream selections. The clear favourites here are the Malay cakes like talam keladi, talam labu, talam gula merah, talam cendol, kuih lapis, kole kacang and seri kaya. At the same time, the lai chee kang with generous helpings of longan flesh are also worth a try.
With so much to enjoy and experience, Main Street Cafe's Penang Special Lunch Buffet is definitely value for money for those seeking to sample Penang's culinary heritage in a truly memorable meal with family and friends.
MAIN STREET CAFE
Cititel Penang
66, Jalan Penang
10000 George Town
Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-291 1188
Open daily: Noon to 3.15pm; 6.30pm to 9.30pm
