In the middle of a long-haul cleaning frenzy prior to vacating our apartment I was hit by a huge laksa craving and knew exactly where I needed to head to satisfy my stomach -
Penang Cuisine in Epping. Having been here a few times before I knew I could get a larger than life steaming bowl of fragrant laksa which would give me enough strength to get back into the cleaning.
Bowl of yummy laksa goodness
Tucked away in the business complex on the corner of Rawson Street and Carlingford Road,
Penang Cuisine can't be easily seen from the outside but you can enter from Rawson Street and just head up the elevator or you can also find an entry off Beecroft Road.
A very unassuming restaurant with no fancy décor and no view to speak of, what it may lack in ambiance
Penang Cuisine certainly makes up for in terms of flavour. A little family-run restaurant, you get the feeling that it's as if the restaurant is an extension of the family home which is something I personally enjoy. The women are efficient but lovely and the food comes out quickly and you're never left waiting too long to fill your tum.
Roti Canai, $2.50 each
We start with some wonderfully flaky Roti Canai and these are absolutely delicious dunked into the lovely laksa. And because one roti is never enough, particularly when you've been cleaning up a storm, we order two. For a bit of variety we also order some Pappadams, courtesy of the Indian influence in Malaysia I'm guessing, which are a bargain at only $1.80 for 6 pieces and we also enjoy dipping these in the flavourful laksa soup.
Another deliciously gratuitous shot of Laksa, $9.80
I order the Vegetable Curry Laksa, which the menu notes is suitable for vegetarians, and I almost clap my hands in glee as the lovely waitress places this dish before me. Wonderfully fragrant and with just the right amount of chili-kick for me the laksa comes with both hokkien and vermicelli noodles and is packed with a variety of vegetables, including bok choy, bean sprouts, carrots and broccoli, and a smattering of tofu puffs. I am so hungry and have been looking forward to this meal so much that I manage to devour it without too much trouble whilst my boyfriend looks on bewildered.
Beef Rendang, $16.90
My boyfriend orders his favourite, the classic Beef Rendang. Always amazed at how tender the beef he never walks away unhappy after ordering this. And after stuffing himself full of roti there is plenty left of this dish to take home and enjoy the next day. And if you're lucky you can purchase a box of colourful Kuih, a delightful glutinous rice cake, for a great end to your meal.
A wonderful little place that is perfect for that quick mid-week meal,
Penang Cuisine is likely to become one of your regular haunts if you're lucky enough to live near-by. And if you dine in make sure you say hello to the cheeky little monkey that likes to have a little chat with the diners and is rather fond of playing games on your phone - you'll know him when you see him.
