Ayam Bawang Special (Saucy Red Chicken) = RM9.30 Sayur Mix (Mixed Vegetables) = RM3.00 Bendi Rebus (Okra / Lady Finger) = RM0.50 Nasi Kurang (Less Rice) Kuah Banjir (All Sauce Flood)

Total = RM15.50 6% SST Tax = RM0.93 Final Rounded Up Cost = RM16.45

Local Grab Drivers that I spoke with feel this Penang Kayu is not bad although it is considered one of the Expensive Nasi Kandars in Penang.

This was a Very Impressive Whole Big Dedicated Building with alot of Seatings. Its Open Air, not Air-Conditioned but was quite Cooling and Breezy. Thankfully Not Crowded and there were no queues when I was there at 5.30pm on a Tuesday Evening. The Staffs are Friendly and they keep to themselves.

The Most Unique Aspect of this Dish I feel, is the "Kuah Banjir" where you can choose any or all types of Curry Sauces to Flood your Whole Plate. Indian Curry itself is already Very Rich and Complex in Taste. Now just imagine Multiple Different Curries and Sauces all Lum and Mixed together. Rich and Complex upon Complex! Do note though, the Sauces are not Free of Charge. I've always thought its Free to Lum.

Rest of the Ingredients

There is a Grainy Condiment on the Rice which is a Deep Fried Roasted Chilli and Spice Mix. It is Complex and Intensely Salty with a Higher than Level Spicy Bite.

Ayam Bawang means "Onion Chicken". I feel this taste similar to Ayam Masak Merah. They look similar and taste similar too. Its Mildly Spicy, Very Saucy with a Sweetish Taste. What i like is that the Chicken is Tender enough for you to use a Spoon to tear apart. That said, I dun really find this very different from Ayam Masak Merah. If you have eaten such Malay-Styled Red Saucy Chicken before, you will know how this taste.

Sayur Mix is just a Mix of Broccoli and Cauliflower that I think is Coloured and Flavoured with abit of Yellow Turmeric. Tasted Cold, abit Nua Nua. They acted as a Palette Cleanser in the Dish.

Okra/Lady Finger or "Bendi" is something I always see people add when i see Videos of People eating Nasi Kandar. I even asked a few Grab Drivers why people choose Bendi, and the Universal Reply is "They dont know" or its just "Tradition."

Personally i feel it is just another Palette Cleanser. Its Soft and Veggie Taste perhaps helps temper too much of the Nasi Kuah Banjir and the Nua Nua nature give it a Different Texture? But thats just my Guess. Nothing really special about this, it tastes just like a Normal Okra actually.

Conclusion and Closing Thoughts

I feel the Soul of Nasi Kandar is really the Kuah Banjir. We all know Indian Curries are already Superbly Spiced and Flavourful. And to mix many types of them together is only a Good Thing, never a Bad Thing.

At RM16.45 (S$5.00) for only 1 Piece of Chicken on my plate, I have to agree that it is not Cheap to eat Nasi Kandar at this Place. If I were to choose another Meat or more Premium Ingredients, who knows how high the price can reach? I reckon this is probably Agar Agar the Price Range that you are expected to pay when eating Nasi Kandar.

One thing though, while this Place and Staffs were not Unfriendly, i feel its because there were No Queues when I went. If this is your first time eating Nasi Kandar, NEVER go when there is a Queue. I myself was Overwhelmed by the type of Choices of Ingredients. I do appreciate that this place not only list out the names of the dishes, but also the price.

Pro Tip: Before you start ordering, Plan on what u want, so you won't Kalang Kaboh slowly choose in the event when there is a Queue. Also Plan Sensibly and Choose Sensible Ingredients instead of Premium Ones to avoid racking up a Huge Bill.

Having said that, this was a Very Full and Filling Meal. If you are here in Penang I can definitely recommend to give Nasi Kandar a try since this is Penang's Most Famous Dish. The Kuah Banjir (All Sauce Flood) itself is worth the price to try at least once.

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