My first experience of Roti Bakar Kacang Phool was reading about the dish in Johorkaki’s blog.
Food Blogger Tony Boey wrote about the Original Kacang Pool Hj Stall @ Medan Selera Larkin Hawker Centre, Johor.
The thick slab of Roti Bengali toast and a bowl of thick, lumpy bean gravy got to me.
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Contents
What Is Kacang Phool?
Roti Bakar Kacang Phool, or Foul Medammas Toast, is a protein-packed Middle Eastern-flavored Bean Stew Served With Thick Toast and Fried Egg.
The beany stew uses simple ingredients I could (hopefully) replicate at home – broad beans, ground peanuts, minced beef, and curry spices.
So, I put that on my food wish, which translates to my travel list.
Where To Find Roti Bakar Kacang Phool?
The Kacang Phool dish is commonly found in Singapore (7 outlets) and Johor (2 outlets) but rare in other Malaysian states.
Since I couldn’t travel, I googled to see if there was a Kacang Phool Stall in Penang.
I found it at Kompleks Penjaja Desiran Tanjung, which has several delicious finds.
Nona Azizah Bakso Leleh is a worthy contender for delicious noodles.
Her stall is right across from Nazzeerah’s Roti Bakar Kacang Phool.
There are several fried and soup noodles, such as vermicelli, Mee Badung, and fried rice.
Beef Mee Bandung at the stall directly opposite Nazzeera’s Roti Bakar Kacang Phool Penang
Nazzeera’s Roti Bakar Kacang Phool
Nazzeera’s stall serves the Kacang Phool with toasted Bengali roti (thick slices of fluffy white bread).
The Kacang Phool served here is the owner’s version of the Middle Eastern Ful made from fava beans, and Phool is another spelling for Ful.
Kacang Phool is the local Malay take on “ful medames,” a famous Egyptian/Arabic spiced fava bean stew.
Aside from the stall in Johor, Kacang Phool is not typical in Penang.
A quick search shows Nazzeera’s is the only stall selling this snack.
The beany stew was non-existent in Penang until Nazzeera’s opened in June 2015.
Owner-chef Nasirah Shariff’s version of the dish is delicious.
The start of Nazzeera’s Kacang Phool was relatively unknown at the almost deserted food court in Tanjung Tokong.
What I ordered – Beef Kacang Phool.
Besides the bean-only stew (the vegetarian option), you can order the Chicken or Beef Kacang Phool.
If you don’t take onions, you can request to omit these garnishes.
Otherwise, remove before stirring the egg into your bean stew.
The tastier option is the Beef Kacang Phool, which has a more robust flavor.
Best eaten with a thickly-cut slice of toasted Roti Bengali slathered with margarine.
We ordered
- Roti Bakar Kacang Phool (Beef)
- Roti Banjir
Coffee, Milk Tea, Roti Bakar Kacang Phool and Roti Banjir
We wanted to try other equally tasty items, especially the Roti Jala.
However, the Roti Jala is only available on Thursdays and Fridays.
Roti Jala is not a type of bread but Malaysian crepes that are delicate and lacey, with the good ones being eggy and light.
The Roti Jala is folded into triangles like little handkerchiefs and served with a piquant chicken-and-potato curry.
Roti Banjir Kacang Phool. The poached egg yolk broke, but it’s okay.
Kacang Phool Taste
The gooey Kacang Phool is served with a sunny-side-up egg with a runny yolk, chopped raw onions, sliced green chilies, and half a calamansi.
You have a choice of beef or chicken for your bean stew.
I chose beef for its robust taste because chicken tastes like chicken in any dish.
The thick, rich, beany, gooey Kacang Phool is delicious and made with the right spiciness.
The bean stew is smooth and beany and, like a rich, thick stew, has deep, intense flavors.
The stew is garnished with freshly chopped onions, green chilies, and fresh calamansi lime, topped with a fried sunny-side-up egg.
The gravy has a unique flavor. It is mild, not spicy or hot, slightly savory, and enhanced with a fresh sour taste from the calamansi.
First, break the egg yolk, stir the onions, and squeeze in the lime juice.
You eat it by breaking the bread, a thick slice of toasted margarine Roti Bengali (local Indian-Muslim bread), and dipping it into the Kacang Phool gravy as the dip.
The thick margarine toast works best to mop up every last drop of the gravy.
Beef Kacang Phool topped with sunny side egg, chopped raw onions, and Calamasi lime.
Thick Margarine Toast
The Roti Bengali was nicely toasted and slightly crispy on the outside.
The lightly toasted bread is crisp on the outside and soft and chewy inside, perfect for mopping up the tasty Kacang Phool stew.
When sliced bread was first invented, it was a standard loaf of about 20 to 24 slices.
Each slice of bread is about 3/8 to 5/8 inches thick.
Hence, the foremost reason I love Roti Bengali is the thick slices! Look at the thickness of the bread!
A thick slice of toasted margarine Roti Bakar
Nazzeera’s Roti Bakar Kacang Phool Review
Nazzeera’s is a good food stall hidden in a quiet food court off the tourist belt.
The food court is located away from the main roads.
Business is brisk with the breakfast and brunch crowds; however, the stall is understaffed.
When I went, an adult managed the cooking, payment, drink-making, and service.
Although self-service would help, there was no explicit instruction.
Depending on how busy they are during peak hours, there may be a long wait.
I’ve visited over the weekends and would leave because there are too many orders.
If you go at off-peak hours, the service is quick.
Give Kacang Phool a try if you have not had it before.
If you love Arabic food, you will enjoy the taste.
Let me know of any famous food near you that I should try.
How To Get To Roti Bakar Kacang Phool
The fastest way to find Roti Bakar Kacang Phool is from Jalan Tanjung Tokong.
Turn into Jalan Sri Tanjung Pinang across Island Plaza enroute to Straits Quay.
Turn left into the first junction after the warung and drive for another minute.
Kompleks Desiran Tanjung’s hawker center is on the right.
The Roti Bakar Kacang Phool is the first stall facing the main road.
Kompleks Penjaja Desiran Tanjung is a government-built food court in Tanjung Tokong.
Nazzeeras’ Roti Bakar Kacang Phool Penang
GPS: 5°27’08.7″N 100°18’30.4″E
5.452406, 100.308445
Stall No. 1, Kompleks Desiran Tanjung
Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong
10470 Penang
Hours: 8.00 am to 6.00 PM, Tue to Sun (Closed Mon)
Facebook: Nazzeeras’ Roti Bakar Kacang Phool Penang
Note:
Kompleks Penjaja Desiran Tanjung is a government-built food court in Tanjung Tokong.
The location is off the main road, and many locals are unaware of its existence.
If you are heading from George Town, the easiest way to get there is to turn right along Jalan Tanjung Tokong and turn right at the traffic lights immediately after Island Plaza.
Turn left after 200 meters. You will pass a warung (closed in the mornings)
Kompleks Penjaja Desiran Tanjung is located 200 meters on the right.
There are parking spaces on the road at the food court side.
Roti Bakar Kacang Phool Penang is the first stall at the front.
Source: Original Kacang Pool Hj Stall @ Hawker Centre beside Larkin Fire Station in Johor Bahru
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
