Li Er Nyonya Cafe 莉儿娘惹糕点 — Restaurant in George Town

Update: I will deduct a star, but not with any joy. The service was just too slow. It was so slow that I finished eating my breakfast (Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rendang), and my wife's dish (Roti Jala with Curry Chicken) had not even arrived. Even our Kopi C and Nutmeg Juice took ages.

The service crew was really trying its best. We were informed after a while that the Roti Jala was still in the works. We received genuine apologies later on as well.

The two dishes were exquisite and superbly presented.... but the long wait really tired us out. My wife noted that this nutmeg juice was her favourite in town. I would similarly bestow the title to iced Kopi C group. The kuih is delightful.

We will go back for this authentic, great tasting food and pray the dishes arrive quicker. Then it will be back to five stars, maybe.

Older review: These kinds of places make you so happy that hours after your meal, you are still smiling to yourself and thinking of coming back. We were welcomed warmly by the team. The two members of the service crew who attended to us are an absolute credit to this beautiful little place. My wife and I had a late breakfast that included a fabulous Nyonya Bihun with Curry Chicken and a special combo that featured the crunchiest Belachan Chicken and a delicious serving of Nasi Lemak The ice kopi was among the best cold coffees I have had in a while, and the missus loved her cold Calamansi Lime juice. We also indulged in some of the kuih that the serving staff very patiently explained to us. Now, this is a place that we're surely coming back to. We have to try other items on the menu and benefit from the friendly, warm, and understanding...

Within the tranquil Gurney district is Li Er Nyonya restaurant, a culinary gem that whisks diners away to the rich Peranakan heritage of Malaya. My visit was a delight, thanks in large part to the attentive and passionate service of Mabel, who expertly guided me through the menu.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the Nasi Kerabu Ayam Kapitan, a dish that embodies the essence of traditional Nyonya cuisine. This blue rice dish is cooked to fluffy perfection, with each grain infused with the subtle nuances of pandan and coconut milk. The ayam kapitan, a classic Nyonya style chicken curry, is a masterclass in layered flavours, with rich coconut notes and a depth of spice that transports one to the time honoured recipes of Malaya's Peranakan culinary history.

Served alongside the nasi kerabu was a side of crispy ikan bilis, small anchovies that have been fried to a golden crisp. These addictive savoury morsels are typically enjoyed as a bar snack or side dish. The combination of the crunchy ikan bilis with the aromatic nasi kerabu was a match made in Peranakan heaven.

But the true pièce de résistance was the local iced kopi, expertly brewed to bring out the complex flavours of the local coffee beans. The kopi was served over ice, its frothy texture and rich aroma a testament to the skill of the barista. As I sipped the coffee, I detected notes of caramel, chocolate, and a hint of nuttiness, all perfectly balanced to create a refreshing and invigorating drink.

Overall, my experience at Li Er Nyonya was a resounding yes, with Mabel's attentive service and the restaurant's commitment to traditional Nyonya cuisine making for a truly...

This little shop along Burmah Road in Pulau Tikus serves some of the best nonya kuih and dishes I have tasted in a long while. Parking is not easy here as there are no spaces in front of the shop, you'd have to park a little away, either in Bangkok Lane or near the Pulau Tikus market area, and take a stroll there.

The focus of the shop is obviously the nonya kuih as it's placed right at the front of the shop on dispay shelves, all boxed in plastic containers, the cafe at the back hides a great menu of some dishes which I chose to try as an early lunch.

I ordered the roti jala, nasi lemak kapitan and also a nutmeg soda. All three were served promptly. There is a generous helping of curry chicken which comes with the roti jala, and it was perfect. The nasi lemak lent itself well with curry Kapitan, and was quite a pleasant surprise as I have never had this combination of nasi lemak and curry kapitan before. The nutmeg soda was very refreshing, with bits of sweetened nutmeg at the bottom.

Prices for the dishes were very reasonable, but I have an issue with the nutmeg soda, which was priced higher than the roti jala. That was too expensive for a drink, I felt.

On the way out, I also picked up some of the nonya kuih offerings and I must say that the seri muka has got to be one of the best I've tasted in a long time. The other staples like kuih talam, kuih kochi were all good as well.

It's cemented it's place in my go to places in Penang for a quick and simple meal, and one that's guaranteed to be good as well. Well...