KEN HUNTS FOOD: Jia Shi Restaurant (家式饭店) @ Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Jia Shi Restaurant (家式饭店) @ Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

One of the easiest ways to find good local eats is to follow the crowd, especially when the place is tucked in the residential neighborhood or off the track. We were succumbed to the large and seemingly inviting facade of Jia Shi Restaurant (家式饭店). The Chinese restaurant at Lembah Permai has never failed to attract a great crowd especially during weekends; the menu is huge and has everything that suits all age groups. The heat-intolerant can opt to dine-in at the fully air-conditioned room while those who prefer a more outdoorsy ambiance could opt to sit at the al-fresco dining area, facing the serene green park. The service is brisk and prices are reasonable, we'd definitely love to return more- be it a casual family dinner or for a special occasion (with the family).

Stir Fried Egg with Shrimp/ 虾仁夹蛋 (Rm 9/ small)

Eggplant Bean Curd/ 茄子豆腐 (Rm 14/ small)

Steamed Grouper Fish/ 清蒸石斑鱼 (Rm 78/ by weight)

Spices were used modestly here, with an emphasis on using the freshest ingredients to bring out the full flavors. We love the simplicity of Stir Fried Egg with Shrimp- the Prawns carried minimal seasoning but bursty and succulent texture, blanketed with sheets of soft-pillowy Egg; served with premium Soy sauce. The soft-boiled Egg with Soy sauce is hands down the perfect dish to spoon over rice. Egg Plant Bean Curd may seem simple but the flavors were big. The real draw of the dish was the bits of Dried Shrimp that underlie the savory seafood essence.

If you are in a celebratory mood, try asking for their daily catch. We had their Steamed Grouper Fish, which was expertly done. The flesh was perfectly steamed with a meaty yet smooth texture, perfectly complemented by the sweet premium Soy sauce. Other options (on our visit) available were Marble Goby, White Pomfret etc.

Oyster Noodles/ 蚝面 (Rm 7/ small)

Braised Noodles with Prawns/ 明虾焖面 (Rm 26/ small)

If rice is not your everyday staple, try their Noodle dishes. One of their signatures- Braised Noodles with Prawns was delicious. Lightly cooked Yellow Noodles being stir fried with Ginger and Spring Onions then Prawns, the savory noodles carried a sleek seafood sweetness and irresistible aroma. It was best enjoyed with their sweat-inducing Sambal Belacan.

Another alternative to the Braised Noodles with Prawns, try their Oyster Noodles. Unlike the conventional version, Jia Shi's comes in a black hue; slightly sweeter than the usual version and carried a bolder dark Soy sauce flavor. We'd prefer the usual version (without dark Soy sauce).