KEN HUNTS FOOD: Coya (古雅) @ Lorong Selamat, Georgetown, Penang.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Coya (古雅) @ Lorong Selamat, Georgetown, Penang.

Coya at Lorong Selamat is another delightful addition for the vegetarians, offering flavorful vegetarian dishes sans meat; its extensive menu will surely has something to satisfy everyone's palate. The Chef does have something uniquely exclusive to Coya to offer in which the recipe was passed down from her master. Prices are considered reasonable in Penang's context where set meals are available from Rm 12.90 onward; the place is fully air-conditioned and its simple decor exudes the warmth of home. The unpretentious restaurant can be easily overlooked by one, it is situated at Lorong Selamat, few A worth-visiting place if you wish to seek for a short respite from meaty meals or in a meat-free diet.

Many thanks to Coya for extending the invitation.

Xiang Chun Mee (香椿面/ Rm 7.90 for ala-carte/ Rm 12.90 for set) was simple and straight-forward. For the uninitiated, Xiang Chun/ Toona Sinensis is a type of medicinal herb that is said to be able to reduce one's glucose level, blood pressure, anti-inflammation and effective against the growth of cancer cells. The noodles were imbued with a delightful aroma of Sesame Oil and sprinkled with the toasted Xiang Chun herb. However, a slipshod in preparation caused the noodles to be slightly overcooked, hence, losing the al-dente texture. Decent but not mind-blowing.

*Note: All Set Meals come with a Drink and a Dessert of the day*

Their Minced Meat Rice (素肉酱饭/ Rm 7.90 for ala-carte/ Rm 12.90 for set) is a tummy-filling dish. Piping hot rice topped with julienned Carrots/ Cucumbers, copious amount of Minced Mock Meat, some blanched Greens as well as Hard Boiled Egg. The Minced Meat makes a lovely accompaniment to the plain rice and it tasted almost similar to the Taiwanese Braised Pork on Rice-dish sans the meat. Not too shabby but nothing out of the ordinary.

Their Mints Egg Soup (薄荷蛋花汤/ Rm 9.90 for ala-carte/ Rm 15.90 for set) is a lovely accompaniment to your meal. It was refreshing-soothing with a hint of sweetness as a result of adding Goji Berries to the soup. The Chef also managed to add in a playful element into the soup, a type Taiwanese Mock Sausage which gives a chewier texture as well as a hint of smokiness to the bite.

*Note: The set comes with a choice of Rice/ Noodles + 2 Side Dishes of the day + Drink + Dessert of the day. Brown Rice is available with an additional add-on of Rm 1.*

I would personally prefer this Night Blooming Cereus Herbal Soup (霸王花炖汤/ Rm 12.90 for ala-carte/ Rm 18.90 for set) over the Mints Egg Soup, it was more flavorful too. The medicinal Cereus gives a natural-sweetness to the soup. A pleasingly comforting soup that you can drink on a regular basis.

Sauteed Vampire/ Stir-Fried Ginger with "Salted Fish" (姜丝炒咸鱼/ Rm 9.90 for ala-carte/ Rm 15.90 for set) was an interesting dish. Mock Salted Fish was being stir fried with copious amount of julienned Ginger, the sauce commingles the sweet and savory, with a strong aroma of Ginger; the addictive sauce makes it a dish perfectly spooned over rice. However, we thought the dish was veering towards the salty side but it was perfectly okay as a complement to the plain rice.

If you would prefer to have some lip-numbingly hot curry, do check out their Devil Eggs (魔鬼蛋/ 3 for Rm 4.90/ 6 for Rm 7.90); take a sip on the fiery hot and your palate will be hit by a chili kick. The Eggs were being deep fried beforehand, hence, they had a slightly chewier texture than ordinary hard boiled eggs. However, some of us felt the curry was slightly flat, it would be ideal if they are able to add in some diced Potatoes for the different bite. Nevertheless, it's a dish to look for especially if you are a person who loves to seek for some excitements.

Unanimously voted as the "best dish of the day" was this Deep Fried Mushrooms (炸香菇/ Rm 9.90), using Mushrooms, the texture was bouncy and with a slight resilient, dressed in a frisky but tantalizing sauce, this enticing combo commingles the sweet and savory; a rather playful dimension of tastes and texture. The generous portion makes it a contenting dish to share with friends.