Petaling Street Malaysian Hawker Food: Malaysian, Sydney (8, 23 Feb 2012)

760 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9280 1006
http://www.petalingst.com.au

Malaysian classics to be had

In my search for the best Char Kway Teow in Sydney complete with the elusive clams I came across promising reports of Petaling Street Malaysian Hawker Food located in Haymarket. If you blink you’ll probably walk pass the narrow fronted shop front but there’s lots of seating to be had inside, especially if you’re directed to sit downstairs — and you can book ahead. On my first visit the Iced Grass Jelly Drink ($3.80) and Teh O Ice Limau ($3.50) hit the spot as a refreshing start which didn’t break the bank. The Singapore Fried Noodle ($10.50) was quite good including 2 fair sized prawns but more would have been welcomed. The Fried Koay Teow ($9.50) included about 2-3 decent clams although a few more would have made it better. There was even some fried pork fat to please the taste buds but a bit more wok hei could have been good. I thought definitely better than More More Cha which had small and slightly rubbery clams. The Ice Kacang ($5) was reasonably priced and looked impressive but soon became apparent how hard it was to mix in the small bowl. For me it needed more condensed milk, rose water and palm sugar syrup to make it more flavoursome so it didn’t have those pockets of just shaved ice taste.

On my second visit the Hainannese Chicken Rice ($10.50) was a winner. Tender and juicy meat as hoped with bones removed from the thigh — I’d certainly have again. The Petaling Street Style Short Rice Noodle in Claypot ($11.50) was a hearty dish of minced pork, chinese mushroom & rice drop noodle. I liked it but its rich flavours made it more of a dish to share for me. It wouldn’t be ‘authentic’ but I would have loved to put some in an iceberg lettuce leaf and eat it like a san choy bow to help cut through its heaviness — perhaps it’s something they could consider trying? The Combination Hor Fun ($10.50) looked like a very popular choice amongst the tables for lunch. It had potential with all the right ingredients and decent size but I felt needed more smokey wok hei and flavouring throughout. I still prefer the ipoh fried koay teow at Sayong or hor fun at Singapore Shiok. I was most interested to try the Asam Laksa ($10.80) because I’ve found it so hard to find a good one in Sydney. Malay Chinese still probably do the best one for me but this comes a close second — and it’s available all the time as opposed to only every 5 weeks as a special at Malay Chineses. It had good depth of flavour although perhaps needed a bit more balance of sour to sweet and some extra shredded fish meat would have been good throughout. Also I would have liked some more fresh mint on top.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Lots of menu choices, Extra seating downstairs, Bookings available, Service was pretty efficient and friendly enough, Portion size fairly decent for the price

CONS: Toilet smelt wet and damp, No paper towels on first visit but were on the second

MUST TRY: Char Kway Teow, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Asam Laksa

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1st visit - 8 Feb 2012

Iced Grass Jelly Drink ($3.80), Teh O Ice Limau ($3.50)

Singapore Fried Noodle ($10.50)

Fried Koay Teow ($9.50)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Clams in the Char Kway Teow — yeah!

Ice Kacang ($5)

2nd visit - 23 Feb 2012

Teh Tarik ($3.50)

Hainannese Chicken Rice ($10.50)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Petaling Street Style Short Rice Noodle in Claypot: Minced pork, chinese mushroom & rice drop noodle served in clay pot ($11.50)

Combination Hor Fun: Malaysia hawker type rice noodles with seafood, chicken & vegetable ($10.50)

Pickled green chilli goes well with the Hor Fun

Asam Laksa: Thick vermicelli, cucumber, red onion, pineapple served hot and sour fish soup ($10.80)

WORTH TRYING :-)

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Table setting with Dora tissues

Chilli available for some extra heat

Menu

Dessert menu

Other locations

Please wait to be seated

Tempting chickens in the kitchen

Ground floor seating

Downstairs seating

Head downstairs for more seating — sort of feel like you're heading to the toilet though. Some posters might be nice.

Toilet missing paper toweling or hand dryer on first visit. Paper towels appeared on second visit. Toilet still smelt damp and wet due to no ventilation.

Looking for a job — staff needed.

Opening hours

Outside street entrance


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