Eat Scream

Special thanks to Eat Scream for extending this food review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Directly opposite of Noordin Street House is a modest eatery called Eat Scream. Due to its proximity to 1st Avenue Mall, this family business at Lebuh Noordin is popular among office workers on weekdays.

The signature dish here is Indonesian Nasi Lemak With Rendang Chicken (RM13.80). Served on weaved rattan platter, this dish is formulated based on a recipe from the proprietors' maternal grandmother in Medan. In Indonesia, this dish is more commonly known as "Nasi Uduk", which literally means "mixed rice".

Indonesian nasi lemak revolves around santan- (coconut milk) infused rice seasoned with pandan leaves, lemongrass, cloves, kayu manis Cina (Chinese cinnamon) and other spices. But unlike its Malaysian counterpart, the Indonesian version does not rely too heavily on santan. This explains why the large heap of rice does not feel too surfeiting.

Another difference between Indonesian and Malaysian nasi lemak is the type of chili sauce. The local Malaysian version focuses on savory belacan (fermented shrimp paste), whereas the Indonesian sauce - called "Sambal Lado" - appears fresher and carries sweet-cooling sensation. At Eat Scream, a fresh batch of sambal lado is prepared every week.

Also included is a piece of rendang chicken thigh and drumstick. Braised in thick gravy, the chicken presents more savoriness than spiciness. There are also stir-fried yardlong beans, corn, capsicum and shrimps in fermented soybean paste (豆酱). Other items are hard-boiled egg, sliced cucumber, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts and fried onion. For a single person, the food portion is quite filling.

As for snacks, Salad O Pocket (RM7.80) is a new item on the menu. The crispy pieces are essentially youtiao (油条). The youtiao goes through two stages of frying, resulting in dual layers of crispiness.

On the side is a cup of mayonnaise-based sauce. This sweet-tangy emulsion serves as dipping sauce for youtiao.

Gado-Gado (RM8.80) is an Indonesian mixed salad comprising of boiled egg, tofu, potato, long beans, cucumber, bean sprouts, lettuce, cabbage, crackers and fried onions. Individual items are brought together by spicy peanut dressing that tantalizes the tongue in a playful manner. This dish is not listed on the regular menu because it may not be available every day.

As for specialty drinks, the 3 types of Traffic Light (RM7.80) are Red Stop, Yellow Ready, Green Go. Using carbonated soda as the base, the drinks are flavored by chipped pieces of popsicles (冰棒) called "Ice Ganefo". The different colors of Traffic Light are provided by strawberry, pineapple and cucumber-lime respectively. Actual fruits are used.

Ice Ganefo is named after Games of the New Emerging Forces (GANEFO), a sporting event that was held in Indonesia at the height of the Cold War (pun is not likely intended). The popsicles are also sold for RM2.00 per stick. There are roughly 20 different flavors in total. Once popular in rural areas where commercial ice cream was not available, it is increasingly rare to find homemade popsicles nowadays.

Bubur Cha-Cha (RM5.80) is a traditional Nyonya (Peranakan) dessert that has entered Malaysia's mainstream cookbooks. At Eat Scream, this sweet dessert is only available on Fridays and Saturdays due to the lengthy preparation process.

To prepare this dessert, coconut milk and pandan leaves are boiled to produce sweet, milky syrup. The thick soup also contains banana slices, taro (yam) and three different colors of sweet potato (yellow, orange and purple). Meanwhile, the translucent jelly is made from tapioca flour with food coloring.

Although there aren't many Indonesian restaurants in Penang, Eat Scream's Indonesian nasi lemak is able to convince me that Indonesian cuisine has a unique character of its own. I think it is worthwhile your time to try this signature dish. If I were to nitpick, one minor blemish during my visit is the "oily" state of air in the restaurant. This is due to the enclosed nature of the kitchen. Perhaps the ventilation system should be improved.

Name: Eat Scream
Address: 66, Lebuh Noordin, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-499-8807
Business hours: 12:00pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm, closed on Sundays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/EatScream
Coordinates: 5.41164 N, 100.33109 E
Directions: From Lebuh Mcnair, turn right into Lebuh Noordin. Eat Scream is approximately 30 meters on the right, just opposite of Noordin Street House. There are ample street parking spaces on both sides of Lebuh Noordin.