VOUK Hotel Suites

Special thanks to VOUK Hotel Suites for extending this food review invitation.

Se-Petang D' VOUK is held in front of VOUK Hotel Suites every Wednesday. The evening food fair, which runs from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, serves a variety of local street food at very affordable prices. This weekly event is open to the public.

Wooden tables and benches allow customers to enjoy dinner in a casual manner. While waiting for food, customers can be entertained with traditional games like congkak, batu seremban and sepak raga.

Se-Petang D' VOUK has around 10 food stalls in total. The actual dishes vary from week to week. Customers are asked to purchase food coupons from the cashier, and then proceed to the respective food stalls to collect their dishes.

The live action stalls are very popular, so do expect some waiting during peak hours. In general, the place becomes quite lively after 6:00pm. Arrive earlier if you wish to beat the crowd.

Satay is one of the crowd favorites this evening. Chicken (RM6.00 for 6 skewers) and beef (RM7.00 for 6 skewers) versions are available. Grilled to perfection, the skewered meats are typically eaten with sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce. Each serving of satay comes with complimentary nasi impit (pressed rice), cucumbers and shallots.

Rojak is a local salad dressed with a thick, savory sauce based on shrimp paste. A variety of fruits and vegetables can be used for rojak; shown here is jicama (sengkuang). Crushed peanuts are sprinkled on top for a crunchy finish.

Today's popia comes in two versions: basah (moist) and goreng (deep-fried). Both types are filled with shredded jicama, carrots and tofu. I personally prefer the moist version.

Asam laksa (RM5.00) is the bestselling dish for the past few weeks; it is often sold out before closing. The noodle dish uses a thick broth prepared from fish, tamarind and other spices. Other ingredients are pineapples, cucumbers, shallots, lettuce and mint leaves.

The aroma of char koay teow (RM5.00) is simply irresistible. Using flat rice noodle, the stir-fried dish also includes prawns, fishcakes, bean sprouts, garlic chives and eggs.

As for desserts, Malaysians simply love ice kacang (RM3.00)! The bowl of sweetened shaved ice contains classic ingredients such as attap chee (nipa palm fruit), red beans, crushed peanuts and dried nutmeg.

Meanwhile, ais tingkap (RM3.00) is a cooling beverage made of coconut water, rose syrup and young coconut flesh. The drink also includes basil seeds that resemble frog eggs!

Although most food stalls are staffed by the VOUK's kitchen crew, the hotel invites several outside food hawkers to sell their wares too. For instance, there is a stall from Bayan Lepas that sells apom balik. The crêpes typically contain crushed peanuts, sweet corn and sugar. Customers can also choose bizarre fillings like Oreo cookies and serunding (chicken floss).

Se-Petang D' VOUK takes visitors on a trip down the memory lane with a plethora of old school candies. Notable examples are kacang tumbuk (贡糖), iced gem biscuits (花占饼) and haw flakes (山楂饼). These tidbits from the yesteryears are seldom seen by city dwellers nowadays.

In case of rain, Se-Petang D' VOUK will be moved to the Hardwicke House. Throughout the evening, members of Persatuan Tongkat Putih Pulau Pinang offer back and foot massage services. Persatuan Tongkat Putih Pulau Pinang is a charitable organization that supports the visually impaired.

Name: VOUK Hotel Suites
Address: 57-G-3, Mansion One, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-370-8333
Business hours: 4:00pm-7:00pm, closed on Thursdays to Tuesdays
Website: http://www.voukhotelsuites.com.my
Coordinates: 5.42757 N, 100.32098 E
Directions: VOUK Hotel Suites is located on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, right next to Gleneagles Penang and across the road from Aroi Mak Thai Food Restaurant. Parking is available in front of Hardwicke House.