Laksa, laksa, laksa...

I first mentioned the popular Penang delicacy "laksa" in the first post of this blog site. Since then, I've stumbled on so many web pages and blog posts that mention laksa as one of the major reasons to visit this remote Penang town, besides "durian" of course that make so many spottings in earlier posts. But I've been slacking on highlighting this Malaysian delicacy since I personally don't eat laksa (or anything that has or taste like fish) anymore for some 20 years or so (since I was in primary school).

However, since The Star put up at least three articles on "laksa" this month in its Sunday, Aug 5 issue - "Assam laksa anytime" by Faridah Begum, "SMS senders' pick for best Assam Laksa" (none of Balik Pulau's make the top list though) and "The best has got to be in Penang" by Helen Ong, so here are the pictures and the links to savor yourself with the hot bowl:-

1. Time always for laksa at Tourism Penang
2. Laksa Balik Pulau Coffee Shop (LBPCS) at Asia Explorer
3. Assam Laksa Balik Pulau at KLmakan Blogspot
4. Peter Tan's Quick Trip to Balik Pulau
5. Balik Pulau Durian & Laksa at Gastronomics Diary

And while most writers and bloggers mention the famous Kim Laksa aka Balik Pulau Coffee Shop Laksa, there's a little known secret outlet, but famous for the locals and a few outsiders, one that I've stumbled upon early this year - it's Laksa Janggus or as Penangite would call it, "Laksa Jangguih". To get there, just follow south on Jalan Baharu from an intersection near Pekan Genting/Kg Paya Simpang Empat and just look on your left before you hit the intersection near Kg Pulau Betong. If you've somehow pass thru Kg Terang instead, you're just on the parallel road, and just make a right once you hit an intersection to Jalan Baharu, and Laksa Janggus will be on your right about 500-metre from the intersection. Actually, this self-service eatery outlet is not so secret anymore, as the popular aunty Chan Lilian ("Laksa Janggus Balik Pulau yang terbest") has blogged about it back in March taking a cue from Muteaudio's Kuihmanis.

A couple years back, my good friend, Ash, who's crazy about laksa has been querying on the good spots to get them good bowls but I can't seem to give a suggestion except pointing out pasar malams "perhaps around Bayan Baru" etc, but now I know.... Unfortunately though, this friend of mine who made a short stay in Penang already moved back to KL by now.

Well, despite me not having laksas anymore, I do frequent Laksa Janggus with my family, and I normally get Mee Th'ng instead plus fried cucur pisang. Stopped by the place again yesterday afternoon, but just got ABC special and picked up some 20-cent satays from entrepreneurial villagers at the roadside near Kg Perlis on the way back -- quite cheap huh, but you'll get what you pay for - tiny pieces of chicken meat!

I wonder if the big guys of Pizza Hut, McDonald's or Secret Recipe will ever arrive in Balik Pulau... till then...