Penang Culture has created a limited edition menu together with celebrity Chef Wan and the timing could not have been better.
With Malaysia currently in a state of emergency, Malaysian food fans will have to wait a while longer to satisfy their rendang, satay, and chendol cravings. In the meantime, halal restaurant Penang Culture comes to the rescue not only with their Penang signatures, but also the Chef Wan’s Specials menu. This includes familiar favourites such as mackerel in spicy and sour gravy and prawn rendang. It is available for delivery and takeaway from 15 Jan to 28 Feb.
Bubbly Chef Wan, whose full name is Redzuawan bin Ismail, has over 35 years of experience in the culinary industry. He is also a well known TV host and restaurateur to Singaporean and Malaysian foodies. Chef Wan’s Kitchen and 1 Market by Chef Wan were part of his foray into Singapore. Alas, both restaurants closed in 2018 and 2016 respectively. So this is the closest you can get to eating his signature dishes at home without a passport!
Malaysian food, the Penang Culture x Chef Wan way
There are five dishes under the Chef Wan’s Specials menu. They can be ordered a la carte, but we recommend getting the Specialty Set ($90 for 4-5 pax), which is a steal at 25 per cent off. The food is available for takeaway or islandwide delivery.
The Gerang Asam, or Mackerel in Spicy and Sour Gravy ($28), is a mouthwatering fish curry with a fragrant dried shrimp paste base. It packs a spicy punch and a tangy kick with kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass and laksa leaf.
The King Tiger Prawn Rendang, also known as Rendang Udang Galah ($28), is a creamy rendang of juicy king tiger prawns cooked over medium heat until the turmeric and coconut milk meld together into a fragrant dry stock. The prawns weigh an average of 60g each and are freshly shipped over from Malaysia.
Another signature dish is the Massaman Beef or Daging Massaman ($28), a traditional Thai beef curry dish where the meat is simmered to flavourful, tender perfection with spices like coriander, fennel, cinnamon and star anise. Chef Wan’s version has evaporated milk and peanuts for another layer of richness.
Of course, the familiar fried rice has to make an appearance as Chef Wan’s mother loved preparing it. Mum’s Fried Rice ($18) stirs in anchovies, eggs and kang kong (water spinach) for a comforting plate of homely goodness.
Oddle the menu from 15 Jan to 28 Feb
Penang Culture’s head chef Wong Thin Lipp, who hails from Penang, says that he is a big fan of Chef Wan’s food and had dined at his restaurants on both sides of the Causeway. Both chefs had discussed this menu’s dishes over the phone. They eventually decided on the final five based on Chef Wan’s observations of what Singaporeans love to eat at his restaurant and Penang Culture. Wong says: “Prior to the public launch, we invited some of Chef Wan’s good friends in Singapore to try and validate the taste. It all went well, and I’m extremely excited to be able to work with him to offer his recipes to everyone who miss his food, especially for all the Malaysians who can’t go back home this Chinese New Year.”
So don’t miss out on this menu while it’s available! As you add the limited-edition dishes to your Oddle cart, check out the other gems on Penang Culture’s menu. Delicious dishes such as Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodles ($12) and Penang Rojak ($8) will take you right back to food paradise.