Lorong Seratus Tahun at SS2 used to be one of my favorite places to go whenever I think of Penang food. They had real Penang hawker food prepared with authentic ingredients and was one of the very few places where you could fine Curry Mee served with coagulated pork blood, which is to me, one of the most crucial item in the that dish.
I was so happy when I first discovered it and wrote a glowing food review.
Lorong Seratus Tahun at SS2, now PORK FREE (yawn)
We ended up there again this afternoon to find that the places is now renovated in the to a familiar Old Town/Kluang Kopitiam style. The menu expanded to include quite a few dishes that you can’t find in Penang hawker stalls, and prices too were increased by some 15-20%. The lady boss told me I can’t snap a picture of the menu, hmm..
Which to me, was still fine if they are still serving good old fashion good. I just wanted my curry mee with coagulated pork blood.
And then I was shown by Suan that the menu said PORK FREE! THE HORROR!
Curry Mee, and Char Kueh Teow without lap cheong (Chinese sausage)
Well since we were already there, we ordered anyway. The place was noticeably busy, so our food took a while to come. However, it was a bit of a bad job for them to serve Horng’s char kueh teow a full 15 minutes before Suan’s.
The Char Kueh Teow now does not come with Lap Cheong (Chinese Sausage), nor do they still use any pork oil in cooking it. A rather good good plate of ckt is now a very ordinary one, RM 7.50.
The Curry Mee, without coagulated pork blood, is not too different from any curry mee you can find anywhere else. Nothing special, RM 6.50. (3 years ago it was RM 4.50).
Horng also ordered a plate of Loh Bak at RM 9.50, and as expected, instead of pork we found chicken breast inside the loh bak. Quite a turn off.
In total, we spent RM 63.95 (5% service charge). Being slightly priceir than other places is fine, but removing all pork ingredients and still calling it “authentic Penang food” is just wrong. Granted the food isn’t terrible, but it’s not at all close to what it used to be.
I’m disappointed, that would be the last time I step foot in the restaurant if it stays this way.
p/s: Happy Merdeka.
I first heard about this fish head noodle at SS20 (Damansara Kim) place from my ex housemate Kerol, and soon after that, on masak-masak. Since these two ladies are known for their culinary exploits, I knew that this is surely a place that will not disappoint.
Fish Head Noodle at SS20 MBPJ Medan Selera
So together with Horng, Kerol, and TBG (who didn’t eat cos she was on diet) we made our way to Damansara Kim one Saturday for brunch.
The fish head noodle stall is located at a municipal food court (in this case, MBPJ), which translate to plastic tables and chairs under tin roof. However, the good news is that there are plenty of electric fans blowing everywhere so it was actually quite airy and pretty comfortable.
pictured menu, soya sauce with plenty of chili padi
Unlike other stalls in food courts around the country, the fish head noodle at ss20 actually provides a menu with photos of each dish offered. Here you can order Soong fish, Haruan (snake head), mackeral fish paste, and even salmon.
meehun and lay fun with fish head/meat
I ordered a bowl of Haruan fish head with meehun. The fish came in both deep fried and fresh slices and I liked them both. The soup had all the ingredients you’d expect in any proper fish head noodle – tomato, spring onion, ginger, deep fried shallots and garlic, preserved vegetable, and evaporated milk.
The noodle springy, the fish was fresh and tasty, and the soup too had all the proper mixture of taste – sweet, salty, savory all at once. I actually liked it quite a lot despite my natural preference to the fish head noodle with clear soup (Penang style).
KY, Kerol, and Horng with a bowl of glorious fish head noodle
A bowl of fish head noodle starts from RM7 (Soong fish and fish paste) to about RM 9.50 (Haruan). Side orders of fish slices and fish paste without noodle goes for RM 12. Cendol in a glass and other drinks are also served here. As with a lot of MBPJ food courts, this place is pork free.
Now who is up for some fish head noodle this weekend?
Address:
SS20 Fish Head Noodles Stall
Stall No. 17 Jalan SS20/10
Damansara Kim
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
GPS: 3.135958,101.629146
Tel: 019-335 0880
