Lately we get to see a lot of bungalows in Penang being renovated into restaurants and cafes. A heritage bungalow opposite The Gurney Hotel in bustling Kelawei Road has since been renovated into a restaurant. This new outlet, Perut Rumah serves Nyonya cuisine or better known as Peranakan Food. This type of cuisine is getting more and more popular in Penang. My in-laws went with us for dinner to try out the Nyonya cuisine of this restaurant.
A sense of nostalgia enveloped as soon as you drive into the drive way of the building.
The restaurant is very charming and tastefully decorated. The walls are adorned with black and white family photos, clock and framed mirror. In a corner stands a cupboard with collectibles. Seating was vast and comfy while cleanliness takes the top spot. All these gives the place an upmarket appeal.
The manager of the restaurant gave us a warm welcome and sat us down. There is so much to choose from the menu and we ended up ordering several dishes that most Nyonya food lovers are familiar with.
We started the meal with a spicy and sweet salad of Kerabu Bokyee (black fungus)….very appetizing dish.
Hong Bak …. pieces of lean pork and potatoes stewed until tender with spices in a flavorful gravy. Recommended !
Cincalok Pork – pork slices are stir fried with cincalok (a sour and salty shrimp based condiment), chillies and onions for that savory taste.
The main ingredients of Joo Hoo Char consist of cuttle fish (joo hoo), yam bean (sengkuang) and carrots. All these are cut into fine strips and stir-fried for a longer time, giving it a drier texture and flavour. Best eaten with some sambal belacan.
Nyonya Fish Curry….the curry gravy is less aromatic. I would have prefer it with more spices and laksa flower.
Packets of Hu Pau (otak-otak) …. pieces of fish marinated in spices wrapped in banana leaf and served steaming hot.
Speciality dish of Perut Ikan – hubby commended there was only a few pieces of the pickled fish stomach thus finding the taste a bit flat but nonetheless, it is still worth giving this a try.
We rounded up our meal with the dessert. The sweetness of this bowl of coconut milk with orange/yellow colour sweet potatoes, yam, beans and jelly starch is just right. It would be perfect if the coconut milk is a little more richer and lemak.
The food are fresh and not over spicy as they do cater to foreigners who were seen occupying two tables besides us on that night. This meal for five cost RM130 which is quite acceptable as this type of food requires a lot of preparation work.
The ambience and atmosphere of Perut Rumah makes it a suitable place for entertaining friends and visiting guests. The business hours are from 11am – 3pm & 6pm -10pm (daily).
Address :
No. 17, Jalan Kelawei, 10250, Penang.
Tel : 04-2279917
Tags: Banana Leaf, Black Fungus, Chillies, Fish Curry, Food Lovers, Gurney Hotel, Lean Pork, Nyonya Cuisine, Nyonya Food, Otak Otak, Penang, Peranakan Food, Perut, Perut Rumah, Pickled Fish, Pork Pork, Pork Slices, Rumah, Sambal Belacan, Savory Taste, Sengkuang, Sweet Salad, Yam Bean
