Arab Food in Penang

It's pretty tough to find Arab Food in Penang.

Be ready to be shocked, I found acceptable Arab food in a Nasi Kandar!

Here I am at Nasi Kandar Istimewa in Jalan Bukit Gambir. It is located in the shop-lots at Ivory Plaza.

Nasi Kandar Istimewa has become one of my frequent dining places ever since I signed up for the Gymnasium upstairs. And you know the theory to gain mass and weight, whack (eat) after you work-out, best in 30mins right after a workout.

Anyway, back to Arab food. Check out the menu.Arab Food Menu Options

They didn't have the Kubsa, however they had the Maqlooba Chicken and Mutton. It seems Maqlooba has a Briyani feel, however according to my lovely food adviser, in Maqluba the chicken or mutton is cooked together with the rice, unlike Briyani where they are cooked individually.

I ordered the Mutton Maqluba ((Arabic: مقلوبة). I find usually in this type of dishes, I personally prefer mutton to chicken.

So here's my Maqlooba.

How It Was Served

Looks Delicious!

Overall the Maqluba was good. It was something different and new for my pleasure and taste buds. Rice was nice and fragrant with tasteful seasoning. Mutton was well done and tasty.

Per my conversation with the owner, who happened to be a pretty friendly chap, besides Maqlooba, Arabs like to have the Roti Arab with Liver (Hati). However the Arabian Bread is not freshly made like the Naan Bread, but re-heated. I'll give it a try InsyaAllah one of this days.


Find Nasi Kandar Istimewa in Jalan Bukit Gambir by clicking here.