Happiness 33 Cafe

Special thanks to Happiness 33 Cafe for extending this food review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Next to TSS Cafe & Restaurant is Pusat Perniagaan Tambun Permai, a commercial block of buildings which includes Galaxy Hotel. This 48-room budget hotel in Simpang Ampat provides accommodation at reasonably low prices.

Next to the hotel's lobby is Happiness 33 Cafe (33喜乐咖啡厅) which opened around 3 months ago. Besides catering breakfast for hotel guests, this pork-free eatery also enjoys a steady stream of walk-in customers. "33" refers to the age at which Jesus Christ was crucified; the proprietors are devout Catholics.

Happiness 33 Cafe's menu covers a range of all-day breakfast, snacks, Western and local dishes. The Jumbo America Breakfast (RM12.90) is one way to get the engine started in the morning. The platter comprises of sausages, ham, buttered toast, fried egg and baked beans.

For something lighter, Tricolour Sandwiches (RM10.90) is a sensible choice too. The dish consists of three pieces of buttered toast made from thick-cut bread. Each piece is topped with egg, ham, lettuce, sesame seeds, mayonnaise and Thousand Island salad dressing.

Mushroom Soup (RM7.90) is one of the bestselling items at Happiness 33 Cafe. The soup is made from genuine mushrooms, which explains why it is saturated with pleasing mushroom goodness. The creamy soup is littered with bits of mushrooms, providing satisfying mouthfeel sip after sip. The actual serving includes toasted bread.

Moving on to main dishes, Carbonara Spaghetti (RM10.90) is blessed with creamy sauce made from egg, cheese and butter, which is best consumed before it thickens. This pasta dish also includes sliced chicken, ham, mushroom and cherry tomatoes. A shower of chopped herbs helps to improve aroma and flavor.

One of my personal favorite dishes is Happiness Sour & Spicy Three Colour Chicken Rice (RM12.90). The chicken, tender and juicy, is flavored by savory gravy which strikes a chord with my palate. Also included a fried egg and pickled mango salad. The latter is similar to Thai mango salad (ส้มตำมะม่วง) and is addictive indeed.

However, the most visually captivating aspect of this dish is the heap of "rainbow" rice which consists of 5 types: plain rice (white), rice dyed with pandan (green), whole grain rice (red), rice dyed with ginger (yellow), and rice dyed with butterfly-pea flower (blue). Like other dishes at Happiness 33 Cafe, only natural coloring is used. Aesthetic appeal aside, I must say that I enjoy the rice thoroughly.

The next dish is Creamy Garlic Butter Special Chicken Chop (RM14.90). Deep-fried chicken is topped with roux made from butter and garlic, followed by oregano herbs. The meal also includes cabbage salad and a miniature shopping cart filled with French fries.

Compared to the previous dish, I feel that the texture of chicken is not as appealing as its batter coating is too thick. Meanwhile, the creamy roux is acceptable in small amount, but becomes overwhelming if consumed in excess amount. Nevertheless, I feel that the fries work quite well with the roux. This is probably why additional roux is served in a heart-shaped bowl.

Youngsters may find the Happiness Fish Burger (RM13.90) to be particularly appealing. The centerpiece is a baked fish fillet with delightfully crispy texture. Also sandwiched between two halves of a charcoal bun are lettuce, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and Thousand Island dressing. The burger is accompanied by French fries on the side.

Happiness Spicy Three Colour Fish Rice (RM13.90) is usually served with rice; this presentation is solely for the purpose of this review. There are two versions: kapitan and curry. The former is featured here.

The kapitan gravy is perfectly flavored with various spices, resulting in pleasant sensation which is not excessively spicy despite the absence of rice. Meanwhile, the gravy contains generous amount of deboned fish pieces. As the fish's texture is easy on the mouth, this dish should serve everyone well including children and the elderly.

Moving on to Black Pepper Chicken Chop (RM12.90), the grilled chicken is seasoned with sweet-savory black pepper sauce and respectable amount of oregano for aromatic appeal. Besides vegetable salad, there is also a layered tower of "rainbow" rice. Among all main dishes served today, I think this dish comes in a close second.

As for drinks, Happiness Strawberry (RM6.90) and Happiness Blue Sky (RM6.90) are fizzy carbonated beverages that are flavored by syrups of different colors.

However, I personally enjoy Happiness Italian Cappuccino (RM5.90) to a greater degree. Although the aroma and flavor of coffee are largely lost in a cold drink, this cup of iced coffee is nevertheless pleasing especially during a hot noon.

Happiness 33 Cafe prepares home-cooked, wholesome food using natural ingredients. Cutting no corners, I sense that the proprietors are putting their heart and soul into the creation of every dish. Given the premium food quality, the restaurant's pricing is surprisingly affordable. It is also interesting to know that Happiness 33 Cafe provides catering and delivery services to nearby areas.

Name: Happiness 33 Cafe (33喜乐咖啡厅)
Address: 42, Lorong Tambun Permai 1, Pusat Perniagaan Tambun Permai, 14100 Bukit Tambun, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-233-6789, 012-405-3197
Business hours: 9:00am-3:00pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Happinesscafe33
Coordinates: 5.27595 N, 100.45862 E
Directions: Traveling southbound along North-South Expressway (Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan), take exit 158 towards Bukit Tambun. After the toll plaza, turn left at the next intersection and then turn left again at Pusat Perniagaan Tambun Permai. Happiness 33 Cafe is located next to the lobby of Galaxy Hotel. Parking is available in front of the hotel and at the basement.