It’s time for our “Famous Places to Eat” series once again! And this time, we will be looking at the north-western part of Peninsular Malaysia, Kedah!
Kedah Darul Aman is considered to be “the rice bowl” of Malaysia as about half of Malaysia's total production of rice is produced here.
So, expect for a lot of rice-centred traditional food from this state like nasi ulam, pulut sambal, pulut inti, tapai pulut, laksa kedah and more!
1.Nasi Lemak Royale
 |
| (Photo sources: wahidayatulaswa.blogspot.com, ayudenira.blogspot.my) |
Although it is called “nasi lemak” which is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, the dish is actually “nasi kandar” which has yellow-coloured rice. Its “lemak” which literally means ‘fat’, indicates that the rice is deliciously creamy and will get you hooked once you’ve tasted it.
With a wide variety of side dishes to choose from; fried chicken, lamb curry, salted duck egg and also prawn or squid cooked with sambal sauce, every single dish at this place is absolutely tasty, and they are even more delicious when served with the aromatic yellow-tinged rice.
The place opens from noon until night, and it is always a full house! If you find it hard to travel all the way to Kedah just to have this dish, there is another Nasi Lemak Royale outlet located in Ampang.
Address: Jalan Raja, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
2.Chooi Peng Seafood
 |
| (Photo sources: malaysiafood.my) |
Tanjung Dawai is a small fisherman’s village in Kedah and it is very famous for its fresh seafood! Although there are quite a number of seafood restaurants there, one of the best places to eat is definitely at the Chooi Peng Seafood Restaurant.
Famous for its fresh and huge mantis shrimp, the restaurant also serves a variety of other fresh seafood like prawns, crabs, squid, and various types of fishes! Also, each of the seafood dishes comes in generously large portions and reasonable prices.
The restaurant is open daily except Tuesday from 3pm to 10pm, but it would be best to visit before 5pm and after 8pm, because those would be the busiest times!
Address: Sungai Petani No.187, Tanjung Dawai, Bedong, Malaysia
3.Restoran Pokok Pisang
 |
| (Photo sources: Restoran Selera Pokok Pisang's Facebook) |
Also known as Restoran Selera Pokok Pisang, the place serves authentic and traditional kampong dishes and is literally located next to a paddy field. The comfy windy breeze at this restaurant gives off a natural village environment and feel, making it the perfect place to relax while enjoying the surrounding’s greenery.
The place serves a variety of traditional Malay delicacies like freshly grilled fish, various ulam (a traditional Malaysian salad usually eaten with anchovies, cincalok or sambal), sambal belacan, lempeng and more!
Located at Jalan Suka Menanti, Restoran Pokok Pisang opens from morning until evening, but its dishes are normally sold out after 4pm.
Address: Jalan Suka Menanti, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
4.Usop Mee Udang Laut Pulau Sayak
 |
| (Photo sources: my.openrice.com, tintapelangihasyafiy.blogspot.com, cintazakirah.blogspot.com) |
Another great seafood place which you can enjoy by the sea at Kedah is none other than the one in Pulau Sayak, located at Kuala Kedah. The restaurant by-the-sea is known for its delicious prawn mee, and also some other prawn dishes.
The noodle dish is served in sweet broth which is made up of a unique blend of curry and tom yam, coupled with three humongous prawns, Chinese cabbage, half of a boiled egg, and a sprinkle of fried onions.
Other than the prawn mee, the restaurant’s other famous prawn-based dishes are the prawn tom yam, prawn fried rice, prawn fried noodle (mee, bihun and koay teow), and fried prawns!
The dishes are not so cheap as one plate of prawn mee cost around RM8, but considering the size of the prawns, it is actually really worth it!
Address: K639, Kompleks Bilik Sejuk Fama, Kampung Teluk Chengai, Malaysia
5.Naim Gulai Sembilang
 |
| (Photo sources: pinterest.com, koleksi1001resepi.com) |
The Naim Gulai Sembilang, is famous for its “ikan sembilang” or translated to English, the eel-tailed catfish.
The popular dish at the restaurant is the curry fish dish which is served freshly in a hotpot with lady fingers. Though the place is famous for its “ikan sembilang”, there are also other kinds of fish that can be found here like ikan temenong, ikan pari and more.
Also, it is highly recommended for visitors to try the grilled fish with sambal belacan, the gulai tempoyak dish, and also the fried prawns and squid.
Address: Sungai Petani Kampung Sungai Pial, Bedong, Malaysia
6.Iman Char Kuey Teow
 |
| (Photo sources: vitdaily.com, saji.my) |
Iman Char Kuey Teow has been dubbed as the most delicious char koay teow in Alor Setar, and is said to be a must-visit place in Kedah.
The dish is pretty simple. It is just fried koay teow with cockles, chives and beansprouts served with a fried egg. But the simplicity of the dish is what makes it so delicious as each of the fresh ingredients heightens the authentic taste of the whole char koay teow.
Every day around 7pm to 8pm, it will be difficult to find parking in the area as the restaurant will be packed to the brim. Nevertheless, the people there are willing to wait because the place doesn’t just serve good food, it also has fast and swift service.
Aside from the renowned “koay teow kerang”, the place also serve western food, chicken rice, roti arab and satay – which are all delicious!
Address: Lebuhraya Sultanah Bahiyah, Taman Pandan, 05350 Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia