Beach Street Nasi Lemak

Ahh...Just the thought of it is making me have a craving for it already. I first was introduced to it when Samuel came up to Penang in May on his eating spree. His UM friend, Wil Sen (Penangite) told him about it and so it was one of the items on his list of Things To Eat.















The stall is located right smack in the middle of Beach Street, which is somewhere in town. Town is not Gurney Drive. The road got its name because in the 1900's it was the only proper street that lead to the beach. Everyday people would use it to go to the seashore early in the morning to buy fresh fish and squid from the fishermen. The street was lined with pokok Pinang on both sides, making it the most state-riotic street of the whole island. However, one morning when the governor's favourite nephew was walking along it, one of the buah pinang dislodged itself and fell directly on his head. The boy was not much hurt, but made such a fuss- moaning and groaning, till his uncle used his White Man power and ordered all the pinang trees to be chopped down.

For many years, the street was bare but as time went by, and the old people died, the prejudice against the tree slowly decreased and eventually was forgotten. To make up for the injustice done against the poor trees, the Penang government decided to make the roundabout at the end of the street have great big buah pinang decorating the centre, shining in silver glory. The pinang that is split open, symbolizes the fallen ancestors of yesteryear, and the water that flows representing life.


Well, that would be how I'd tell the story.















Back to the nasi lemak. There's nothing particularly obvious about it that makes it wow. It's a typical, normal nasi lemak – rice, egg, sambal. But its just really good stuff....















The rice has just the right amount of santan in it to be there, but not overly there.
He gives half an egg- half! Not a puny little quarter of a quarter that most give as if hens were on strike.
I'm normally very fussy about anchovies, well, fish in general. I've got a problem with their eyes looking at me. Anyway, what I like about the ikan bilis in this one is it's cooked with the sambal, so the fish is not dry and hard, but nice and chewy.
Level of spiciness is about a 6/10. Not that hot, but there's a kick to it la. Possible to finish the whole thing without needing to gulp down water at intervals.

I went there last Saturday after the combined CG outing to Youth Park. I agak-agak remember the way from the last time I went in May, but since I was in a Penangite's car, following behind another Penangite who said he knew the way- I figured we'd get there quite fast, using the shortest route. Below is the route we took. Remember ya, two people born and raised on the island were driving.
















I tell you, the amount of times we ended up back at the roundabout- I really got a chance to examine and admire the metal pinang from all angles.

Doesn't matter, means I arrived hungrier and managed to whack 3 of the glorious green mini-pyramids. One is not enough to fill, 2 is just nice, 3 is being greedy. =p




















As you can see, we all ate it (except Daniel, but he's local so not counted.)



















So if you're ever in the area, please think of me and ta-pau one (or two) back.

I give it a 5 out of 5.

(i heard he's sold out really quick)