I used to be impartial towards nasi kandar, a meal of steamed rice with curries and side dishes that originated from Penang. That was more than 10 years ago when my dad did the mixing of curries. I love my old man, but he isn’t the best curry mixer I know, much to his dismay. He likes mild curries while I like my curries thick and robust.
Then rif came along and he opened my eyes to a whole new world of curry – sweet, spicy and sour, and brimming with spices. He would mix the curries for me whenever we ate nasi kandar and my dad wasn’t a fan his mixing skills because the rice was too spicy for him. :lol:
Kari campur banjir
But there was one person who made it even better – Ee. He once mixed a plate of nasi kandar for me and it was wicked stuff. Thick curries in generous portions on steamed white rice, with squid, meat and half a salted egg for that burst of flavour. And I learnt how to mix my nasi kandar the way I like it to be.
The keyword = Kuah banjir pekat.
Price list
That means only mix thick curries in your rice and none of that diluted stuff most people with butter tongue go for. Problem is, not many nasi kandar places allow you to customise your curry selection. I didn’t like how the folks at Line Clear manage their curry distribution. Despite my insistence on just thick curries, the man added his touch of catastrophe – dhal. Seriously, no one eats dhal in nasi kandar. And he ruined my masterpiece.
Midnight craving
Friendly chap
I had better luck at Nasi Kandar Raffe in Pulau Tikus, a popular spot among Penangites besides Nasi Kandar Beratur. The chap who helped me with the rice was pleasant and accommodating, and scooped only the curries I wanted into my rice. The result? An even better plate of rice than Ee made because he mixed it at a Nasi Kandar shop in KL while I got the real deal in Penang. :D
Prawn curry
Nasi Kandar with ayam madu, sotong and plenty of cabbage. And a hidden salted egg beneath.
A plate of rice with three tender pieces of squid, a piece of ayam madu (honey chicken), half a salted egg and a generous scoop of cabbage cost RM15. This was large enough for two pax and definitely a better experience (and more reasonable) compared to Line Clear. I reckon the latter has become more of a tourist spot these days.
- Like my Facebook page here.
Ambiance: 4/10
Price: 6/10
Food: 6.5/10 (halal)
Verdict: Good nasi kandar, if you know how to mix your curries.
Nasi Kandar Mohd Raffe
Mohd Raffe Nasi Kandar
295-A, Jalan Burma,
Pulau Tikus, Penang.