KEN HUNTS FOOD: Naughty Nuri's Warung @ Burmah Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Naughty Nuri's Warung @ Burmah Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Frequent travelers should not be new to the name- Naughty Nuri's Warung. The brand is famous for its signature Grilled Pork Ribs and once crowned as one of the best Pork Ribs in Bali by many renowned food connoisseurs. The brand started its humble beginning in Ubud, Bali by selling some grills; amongst the items, their Pork Ribs stood out and has since received many spotlights from tourists. Young entrepreneurs Mike and Sean brought the brand to Penang, opening the brand's first branch in the Norther Region of Malaysia; taking a notable spot at the junction of Swatow Lane and Burmah Road. The duo tries to replicate the setting in Bali, evidently seen from the wooden traits in the restaurant and man-made fountain as well as some artistic sculpture that represents Bali. Naughty Nuri's Warung specializes in serving Pork but they do have a comprehensive menu to satisfy every palate, including those who are not a fan of Pork.

Many Thanks to Sean and Mike for hosting us that evening.

Behold the beautiful slab of meat, Naughty Nuri's signature Pork Ribs (approximately 800 grams to 1kg/ Rm 38.90) would make any meat lovers weak in the knees. The carefully chosen Ribs were given an even coat of their home-made sweet and savory sauce, then grilled to perfection. The Ribs were imbued with a delightful smoky charred aroma, an apparent result from the painstakingly sourced Volcanic Rock. Squeeze a dash of Lime juice over the Ribs for a hint of refreshing tanginess. The texture can never be better, apparently seen from the stick-to-the-bone meat but not falling apart. It was succulent and tender, easily torn apart but it did not fall off by itself. Eat the Ribs together with their secret Chili Paste where the chili heat gradually kicks in; sweet, savory, sour and spicy notes will be all present in one go. A must-try item in Naughty Nuri's Warung.

One of the best-sellers, the staggering of Meat Patty, Sunny Side Up, Cheese, Bacon and Vegetables were assembled in their Naughty Boy Burger (Rm 19.90). The Meat Patty was beautifully executed with a juicy bite inside and a crispy-charred edges while the Bacon imparts a wonderful smoky flavor to the burger. Naughty Nuri's Warung played a nice twist here by adding a touch of their home-made Salsa which given a refreshing tangy tilt to the burger; making it a multi-dimensional dish.

Not a fan of Ribs? Try their Grilled Pork Chop (Rm 28.90), meticulously selected part (with fats attached) and deftly grilled to perfection. The meat was tender and juicy, Sean insisted that we should try the Lards/ Fats while they were still hot. Slightly rendered, seared and singed, the Lards carried a crispy texture with irresistible flavor that melts in the mouth in a glimpse of an eye! "They should be the highlight, the soul of the dish; praise the Lard", as shared by Sean.

For the steak lovers, Grilled Sirloin Steak (approximately 90 grams/ Rm 32.90) should be good enough to sate your craving. Naughty Nuri's Warung is trying to keep things simple, little seasonings were used on the steak, probably a pinch of salt and pepper (and some of their seasonings); the steak was good to go. It was delicately tender, little effort was necessary to cut through the steak; best to go with a glass of Red. However, I thought the cut could be thicker, for a more satisfying bite.

Another great option for meat lovers- Grilled Lamb Chop (approximately 230 grams/ Rm 35.90) comes in a hearty portion, four substantial pieces of Lamb Chop, meticulously grilled to the right doneness without much frills. It did not carry much flavors but the smoky-meaty flavor spoke for itself. Best enjoyed while the meat was hot and feel the sensation when the lard melts in the mouth.

BBQ Grilled Chicken (Rm 23.90) did not score well as compared to other dishes. We were not impressed with the slightly puckered and shrunk portion. The Chicken Thigh was coated with the same sweet and savory sauce as their signature Ribs but unfortunately, it did not go as well as we would have hoped. I thought it was a little too sweet to my liking and the meat was somewhat dry.

For those who concern about their waistline, go for their Garden Salad (Rm 9.90) which comes with a unique home-made Salad dressing. The dressing carries a balanced medley of sour, sweet and savory. It has traces of Mustard, beautifully complementing the fresh greens. A perfect side dish that complete a balanced diet.