We brought a Penang-born companion to Petaling Jaya's Ai Jiak to see if this George Town-loving stop would hit the spot. His verdict - folks seeking a bit of the northern state's flavours can take a bite, though Penangites are notoriously finicky about matters of authenticity and quality.
The Hokkien Char is our favourite, light and comforting, soft and gentle in taste and textures, made crunchy with pork lard and fiery with sambal on the side - the kind of noodle dish that warms the heart and soothes the spirit. The lobak is also worthwhile, channeling the honest, homemade soul of five-spice meat rolls that generations of Straits Chinese families have feasted on.
The hae ko-loving chee cheong fun and assam laksa also acquit themselves well, a hit of nostalgia for everyone who's ever enjoyed exploring Penang's street food. Our only letdown was the tau yu bak, less sumptuously succulent than expected - but four out of five ain't bad at all. Sip on ambarella or nutmeg juice to round out the expereince.
Ai Jiak Penang Food
9, Jalan 21/12, Sea Park, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Open Tues-Sun, 1145am-330pm, 530pm-9pm. Tel: 011-2778-8428
This post first appeared on eatdrinkkl.com
