“Ever been to a place that’s both a culinary haven and a local secret?” That’s Dataran Genting for you. It is not the Genting Highlands with casinos and theme parks. This Dataran Genting is a humble cafe in Island Glades Penang.
Dataran Genting is a well known cafe that has been around for over four decades. It started as a restaurant serving the residents of Island Glades. This upper class area has seen Dataran Genting boom into a popular cafe. It gets very busy during lunch. People often wait for seats and tables.
But Dataran Genting isn’t just any cafe. It is a culinary landmark. It is famous among Penangites for authentic dishes. Penang is well known for its hawker food. You will find many stalls inside Dataran Genting. They sell the usuals like Char Koay Teow and Penang Assam Laksa. But let me tell you about some special dishes.
First there is Kee Nya Kueh. It is an alkaline rice cake. It is eaten with sweet palm sugar syrup. Rice flour and alkaline water make it springy. Pandan juice gives it a green color and fragrance. This Kee Nya Kueh is not commonly sold elsewhere in Malaysia. It is becoming a rare traditional cake. Younger people may not have heard of it.
Then there is Pasembor. Locals call it Jea Hu. It is a salad made with cucumber turnip and boiled potatoes. You will also find fried bean curd fried octopus and prawn fritters. It comes with a sweet nutty spicy sauce. Penangites consider this salad a must eat when visiting hawker stalls.
Have you tried Muar Chee? It is a local snack. It is made with cooked glutinous rice flour and sprinkled with roasted peanuts. The seller cuts it into small pieces when you order it. Crispy fried shallots are sometimes added.
One stall at Dataran Genting often has a long queue. This stall sells Pork Leg Rice. It is inspired by the famous dish from Bangkok.
And there is Pork Leg Kueh Chap. Kueh Chap is a bowl of thin flat rice noodles. This version comes with stewed pork leg. It is a complete meal with meat half boiled egg and vegetables. The soup is perfect not too thick or too thin.
Dataran Genting is the place to be if you want authentic Penang cuisine. It is a great alternative to roadside hawker stalls.
So next time you are in Penang skip the usual tourist traps. Head to Dataran Genting in Island Glades. Experience the flavors that the locals have enjoyed for generations. This cafe is a testament to Penang’s rich culinary heritage. It offers a taste of tradition in every bite.