FOOD
Story by Chan Lilian
Pix by Alissala Thian
CAFE Pinggiran Laut or Cafe by the Sea is the perfect setting for a meal of homely Malay rice. Nestled in a kampung in Permatang Damar Laut with swaying coconut trees and right smack by the sea, one can momentarily forget the hustle bustle of the city when lulled with the sea breeze while tucking in lunch.
The landmark to locate the cafe and another one next to the cafe is the Masjid Al Qahhar, Lintang Permatang Damar Laut, 11960 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Watch out for the tiny lane and you will discover two different Malay rice stalls famous for their catfish curry or gulai ikan sembilang. Buletin Mutiara tried the stall run by Mithali Rosli’s family stall.
“My father started selling gulai ikan sembilang fifteen years ago. I took over 8 years ago and the curry is cooked by my mother. Ikan sembilang is difficult to find nowadays but we manage to get consistent supplies,” Mithali said.
Ikan sembilang or catfish from the sea tastes much sweeter, meatier and more flavourful than the more common and tinier ikan keli that are reared. The catfish is served in a traditional Malay curry which is less spicier but has enough spices to jazz up the lemak, delicious taste of the fresh and juicy catfish. On the day when Buletin Mutiara patronise the stall, they have ran out of the meaty parts.
However, if you are a fan of catfish you will know that the choicest part is the huge head with whiskers. The other on is the is the fish roe. The eggs are hard to find so grab some at the stall if it is available.
Cafe Pinggiran Laut offers lots of fresh, healthy ulam serve with sambal belacan and many other dishes. However, the focus is on the gulai ikan sembilang. You have to go early to enjoy the catfish as they are sold out fast. Otherwise, do call to confirm the availability as catfish is not always in season.
End your meal with a bowl of aiskacang or cendol by the seaside, watching fishing boats bobbing in the seas.
Cafe Pinggiran Laut
Address : Located next to Masjid Al Qahhar,
Lintang Permatang Damar Laut,
11960 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
Phone : 012-586 4035
Close on Tuesday
Opens from 11 am to 3.30 pm