I’ve heard of Nasi Campur Awet Muda from my friends who know the right keywords that make me join them.
Early lunch, brunch, Ulam, Kawah, Bakar bakar and this time Tapai Pulut.
No kidding.
When Kak Maz mentioned we were going for lunch and meet me there – I made an effort to travel south of the island to Nasi Campur Awet Muda.
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Nasi Campur Awet Muda Cuisine
Nasi Melayu in Penang is where you would head to taste a familiar variety of Malay home-cooked delicacies, grilled chicken, and fish.
Don’t save your appetite till dinner because the restaurant only opens for breakfast and lunch.
Why Awet Muda?
If you want to feel always young, stop by Awet Muda, which translates to Staying Young forever.
The Ambiance
The Warung type of restaurant is an upgraded shack with a metal roof and an open-sided dining area with plastic tables and chairs.
The atmosphere remains the same, lively with visitors.
Some diners share a table; if you visit during peak hours, they usually wait outside.
There are two entrances, one for you to walk in and “jom” or reserve a seat or table.
The other is a queue to take your plate of white rice.
A vast buffet-style table with a Kuali Kawah Kenduri (giant wedding wok) with boiling Beef Gulai.
The Kuali Kawah Kenduri (giant wedding wok) with boiling beef goulash is the most inviting.
You pick the dishes you want from a big table laden with trays of food with several types of Kerabu, Gulai, Lauk, Chinese style vegetables, Fried Fish, Fried Chicken, and Fried Shitake/Enoki Mushrooms.
To one side is the Ulaman with fresh green herbs and raw vegetables and a few types of Sambal Belacan.
At the end of the table, a big pot of Beef Soup is bubbling away.
Next is a Bakar Bakar Station with BBQ fish and BBQ chicken with the aroma wafting through at a corner.
The next station is the cashier, where you pay and order your drinks (for self-pickup later)
Bakar Bakar Station with BBQ fish and BBQ chicken
Nasi Campur Awet Muda Menu
Typically of Nasi Melayu, the restaurant has a wide variety of dishes.
It is probably the biggest in terms of selection.
Soup, Ulaman, Fried Fish, Gulai, Kawah Besar, and side dishes are open.
The side dishes include fresh herbs, raw vegetables, and delicious sambals.
Side dishes include fresh herbs, raw vegetables, and delicious sambals.
If you love to eat fish, there are grilled, fried, and curry fish.
The Kuali Kawah Kenduri (giant wedding wok) with boiling beef goulash is the most inviting.
Tea O Ice, Lemon Ice Syrup, and Iced Lychee are popular drinks.
Tapai Pulut
Tapai Pulut is one of the most popular desserts among the Malay community and is usually consumed as dessert.
I was surprised to find the Tapai Pulut available at every table for RM1 per packet.
It is a traditional food in Malaysia and is very popular among the Malay living on the East Coast, especially in Terengganu and Kelantan.
Tapai Pulut is made from glutinous rice and yeast (baker’s yeast).
The steamed glutinous rice and yeast mixture is wrapped in a rubber tree leaf and left to ferment for several days to produce a sour flavor.
It was the first time, and I enjoyed the sweet-tasting soft rice with a touch of sour.
Tapai Pulut is made from glutinous rice and yeast (baker’s yeast).
What I ate at Nasi Campur Awet Muda
With the extensive buffet spread, I circled the dishes like a hawk – just too many things I wanted to try.
Kak Izza reminded me to take the Batter Fried Shitake Mushrooms, an A-List dish.
When I arrived at 1.00 PM, it was all gone!
Others – Batter Fried Enoki Mushroom and Batter Fried Udang Lipan (Silver Mantis Prawns) with tiny quantities left.
I just scraped the bottom of the tray for every little morsel.
The first thing I did, which I always tell my friends not to do – was order like a Singaporean Malay.
A tiny bit of rice and six dishes on my plate!
The joke is for Penang Kiamsiap (Stingy) types.
We just take meat, some Veg or Ulam and Sambal Belacan, an egg (either hard-boiled, half a salted egg or omelet), and Kuah banjir.
Penang people like to eat white rice drenched with a lot of curry gravy!
A sure sign it’s a Penang person.
For our lunch, Kak Maz had a serving of Sea snail traditional Malay dishes in coconut cream.
Nasi Campur Awet Muda Review
With the wide variety of food available, eating here is a real treat!
The food tastes good, and everything is nice and warm.
Drop-in early if you want to try the fried fresh mushrooms – a delicious treat!
The top items are the Fried Mushroom and Fried Mantis Prawns.
Regulars at Nasi Campur Awet Muda
The loyal regulars of this restaurant are mainly the USM staff, students, and residents around Sungai Dua.
Specialty Menu
- Gulai Kampong Ayam (Village chicken curry)
- Gulai Itik
- Gulai Daging Rusa
- Gulai Ikan Sembilang
Lots of delicious Gulai to try.
Like greens cooked with spicy sambal?
You can have Chinese-style stir-fries if you don’t like raw greens.
Pro: Many delicious Malay dishes are available with some Chinese-style stir-fried dishes.
The BBQ section is inviting with smoky, juicy grilled chicken.
The variety of Ulam is plentiful, green, and crunchy and goes well with Sambal Belacan.
Unusual items are the Gulai Pisang Muda (Green Banana Curry); the tart taste of the whole bananas with skin in is delicious.
Another item is the Siput Sedut Masak Lemak Cili Padi for shellfish fans.
Con:
Overeating is the most challenging part of eating here.
Parking can be challenging during lunchtime, and the best way is to park near the shop lots at KFC Sg. Dua.
A 4 min walk down Lorong Sungai Dua will take you to Nasi Campur Awet Muda on your left.
You can’t miss the restaurant as the truck with the brand name park next to the entrance.
Location of Nasi Campur Awet Muda
For those who do not know the location of this shop, it is at Jalan Sungai Dua.
After the USM Entrance (Pintu Sungai Dua), find the left turn traffic light.
The KFC is right at the traffic light junction on the right.
Nasi Campur Awet Muda at the corner lot.
Nasi Campur Awet Muda
795-B, Lorong Sungai Dua, Kampung Dua Bukit, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012 – 494 7478
Hours: 10.00 AM to 4,00 PM (Closed on Sun)
Facebook: Restoran Nasi Campur Awet Muda
Variety of Malay foods! Tastety but expensive. And the guy at the bakar bakar section has always been extremely rude to customers. He needs to be rested for the survival of Awet Muda, honestly.