Is Nasi Kandar Beratur, also known as Restoran Nasi Kandar Liyaqat Ali, worth the queue?

BY CK Lam

The long line of people in front of Nasi Kandar Beratur stall would suggest that the answer is “yes”.

Although wedged in the alley between Masjid Kapitan Keling and a shop, the stall is not hard to find. A queue of customers waiting for it to open at 10pm is a common sight.

Nasi Kandar Beratur, which moved into its present premises in 1943, has long been renowned for halal Indian-Muslim food. Its recipes have remained unchanged through the years.

 Ck Lam, Indian Muslim Food, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Nasi Kandar Beratur, Penang Food Blog, Restoran Nasi Kandar Liyaqat Ali, What2seeonline.Com

For supper, the stall offers a mouth-watering array of dishes such as fish head, salted egg, deep-fried chicken, squid, fish roe, mutton, eggs, large prawns, fish, eggs in various styles and vegetables.

For vegetables, go for the blanched ladies’ fingers, cabbage stir-fried in turmeric and brinjal cooked with chilli.

Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?

 

One popular item is the spicy beef curry, where the meat is slow cooked in a black sauce. Milder dishes are the fish curry, mutton curry and prawn curry. The mutton curry is rich and creamy while the prawn curry is light and fragrant.

Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for? Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?

 

The stall’s version of chicken curry has the chicken marinated in spices and lightly fried before it is cooked in curry. Many like its spicy kick and aroma.

 Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?

 

A plate of nasi kandar is traditionally served drenched with a combination of kuah, or gravy. All the flavours and aromas blended together certainly work to whet the appetite.

Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?

 

Be sure to get a glass of air sirap ros, or rose syrup. The ice-cold rose-flavoured drink is a good complement to the nasi kandar.

Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?

 

The food is enjoyed by locals and visitors to the state, all of whom are willing to stand in a long queue for the food. The stall is open from 10pm to 9am daily.

Is Nasi Kandar Beratur worth waiting for?
Everyone waiting in line for the serving of nasi kandar

Nasi Kandar Beratur @Restoran Nasi Kandar Liyaqat Ali 
98 Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
10200 Pulau Pinang

Tel: 04 2613984

* This is a reproduction of my article published in New Straits Times.