Penang Malaysian Cuisine

[Joe Blowe]

A quick history:

Penang Malaysian Cuisine ("Penang") is owned and operated by several members of one branch of the Cheah family. Other Cheah family members operate different spin-offs around the U.S., such as Penang Malaysian Cuisine (penangnyc.com - confusing, I know...), Nyonya, and BaBa.

- penangcuisine.com - While living in NYC, I use to frequent the Flushing and Chinatown locations of this chain. As far as I'm concerned, this is the original and best of the Penang chains. Locations also in NJ, GA, IL, and MD.

- penangnyc.com - This was the offshoot that opened branches around Manhattan. Not my favorite source for Malaysian food, they tend to water down the food for the non-native palate and pander to the hip "foodie" crowd . The Baba and Nyonya locations are also related to this company, I believe. Locations also in PA and MA.

So anyway, when I moved back home to L.A., I spent a bit of time trying to find restaurants to satisfy my New York food cravings. I thought I came close a couple of times, but never found what I was looking for when it came to Malaysian.

Then I heard about a Penang location in West Covina. I was a little leary at first, but I couldn't resist hauling myself out there to check it out.

Short review (spellings as appearing on menu):

Roti Canai (#1): Awesome. Just like I remembered. Fights will break out over this.

Penang Char Kway Teow (#42): Pretty good. Should've asked for it to be spicier. But good proportional balance between all of the ingredients. Could use a little less oil.

Chili Chicken (#88): Not prepared how I like it, but decent. Should've been spicier. Now that I think about it, I wonder if they were toning it down for the gwai lo...

Squid in Authentic Lemon Grass Sauce (#121): It was alright. A bit bland, and the squid was overcooked by a smidge. But the main reason for my disappointment was because I meant to order something else, Kari Sotong (#73). That's squid in lemon grass and coconut curry. Man, I use to hammer that stuff down...

My intention is to update this thread after several more visits. In the meantime, head out and try it for yourself.

Penang

971 S. Glendora Ave. (NE corner of shopping center)

West Covina, CA 91790

(626) 338-6138

Yahoo! Map

[tissue]

I like their steamed fish wrapped in pandan leaf and the fried praws in coconut oil.

[jhlurie]

I've been to the East Hanover, NJ location many times. Here's hoping your location proves to be as non-watered down as that one...

Did you try anything with tofu? I always remember my local location having especially excellent tofu dishes. Also, other highlights at mine are the Beef Rendang and the Mango Chicken.

Now I had NO idea that they had a GEORGIA location! Where the heck is Chamblee?

Edited January 13, 2003 by jhlurie (log)

[Kikujiro]

Have been to the Boston branch of what according to the original post is the 'bad' Penang. Hm. Everything I like about US-Asian cooking and miss in London, including OTT decor. Roti canai better than I have yet found in London (which is saying very little).

[Joe Blowe]

tissue:

i just put 2 and 2 together - you post over on the "other" board, don't you? you're the one that tipped me off about penang being in west covina. bless you. without you asking the question, i never would've thought to look for penang out here...

jhlurie:

the east hanover location is related to the west covina location, so it's probably just as good as you remember.

[tissue]

tissue:

i just put 2 and 2 together - you post over on the "other" board, don't you?  you're the one that tipped me off about penang being in west covina.  bless you.  without you asking the question, i never would've thought to look for penang out here...

hehe