Food Picks: A legit taste of Penang at Food Republic at Shaw House
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Asam Laksa at Anfu Laksa in Shaw House.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
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SINGAPORE – Food Republic at Shaw House has recently carved out a section of its 700-seat foodcourt to push out Penang delicacies.
Penang Jiak, launched on Dec 1, comprises four stalls which sell popular dishes in Penang. Three are manned by hawkers from Penang – Anfu Laksa, Georgetown Hokkien Mee and I Mum Mum, which specialises in ban mian and nasi lemak. The fourth is a drinks stall which also sells Penang rojak.
The one that stands out is Anfu Laksa, run by brothers Stephen Ooi, 47, and Joss Ooi, 44, who serve up hefty portions of assam laksa. Their Asam Laksa ($6 for small, $7.50 for large) features fresh-tasting ikan kembong (Indian mackerel).
The tangy broth is packed with plenty of fresh mint, raw red onion, cucumber, lettuce and slippery rice noodles, topped with chopped torch ginger flower. My only gripe is the accompanying prawn paste served in a spoon is too diluted and lacks punchy, prawn flavours.
While assam laksa is the signature dish, I prefer the stall’s Penang Char Kway Teow ($6.90 for small, $8.90 for large), which is worth splurging your calories on.
Penang Char Kway Teow at Anfu Laksa.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
The fried items are whipped up by Vietnamese cook Tran Van Bien, 30, whose wok skills are admirably on point. The fried kway teow, which is more like thin hor fun, has smoky wok flavours without being charred.
The dish is laden with bean sprouts, slivers of garlic chives, Chinese sausage slices and bits of pork lard. If fresh prawns were used instead of frozen ones, it would be a near-perfect plate.
The stall also dishes out a credible Fried Oyster Omelette ($8 for small, $10 for large).
Fried Oyster Omelette at Anfu Laksa.
ST PHOTO: HEDY KHOO
The egg-and-flour mixture is slowly and steadily fried into a golden brown pancake with crispy edges. Frozen South Korean oysters, which are juicy and delectably briny, are used. Six to seven oysters go into the small version, which is sufficient for two to share. The stall is also generous with its garnish of fresh coriander.
Where: Anfu Laksa, B1-02 Food Republic at Shaw House, 350 Orchard Road
MRT: Orchard
Open: 10am to 10pm daily
