Finding Kansas BBQ Pork Ribs at NK’s Kitchen Food & Dessert House inside this little cafe was a great discovery.
The location is along a row of shophouses on Penang Kek Chuan Road, Named the World’s 17th Most Beautiful Street in 2023!
I had wanted to visit Epicure, and as fate would have it, the restaurant was moving out that day.
Since I took a Grab there, and my friends were meeting me there and using Grab, I figured it made sense to eat nearby.
I stood at Epicure and looked at the row of the most beautiful shops in Penang.
A Thai restaurant, a Pasta cafe, and NK’s Kitchen Food & Dessert House were at the other end.
Walking further is the Food Court, and I know there’s that delicious celebratory boutique steak place Myth Dining nearby.
So, we took a chance and headed to NK’s Kitchen Food & Dessert House, thinking maybe we’d get some Taiwanese food and soupy desserts!
As it turns out, the restaurant is run by a husband-and-wife team serving Asian fusion, barbecue, and Korean food.
On our first two visits, we had their incredibly delicious Ramen sets. Mei Cheh swears by their Kimchi Ramen.
Bee and I loved Taiwanese NK’s Taiwanese beef noodles; they hit the right spot with their flavorful broth.
The bowl was generous with the tender beef chunks, balls, and tendons.
We tried other dishes that hit the mark, delicious with a home-cooked flavor.
But.
Yes, there is always a but.
Bee and I were in Bukit Mertajam one day and wanted to try a cafe or two.
When we stepped in and looked at their menu, we thought, why not head back to the island and have our favorite Ramen instead?
As it turned out, NK’s Kitchen Food & Dessert House closes on Tuesday.
So we headed to 7 Village for Kway Teow Thng instead.
But at the back of my mind was always this massive dish that caught my eye on the menu since day 1 of entering the cafe.
Kansas Barbecued Ribs
When we talk about “ribs” in American cuisine, we usually mean barbecued pork or, occasionally, beef ribs that are served with different kinds of barbecue sauce.
Unlike in Chinese restaurants, Kansas BBQ Pork Ribs are served as a rack of meat rather than individual ribs.
Typically, diners can break off the meat from the rack by hand and eat it straight off the bone.
The Barbecue prepared in the Kansas City style is slow-cooked and served with a sweet sauce made of sugar, vinegar, and spices combined with tomato soup or ketchup.
Its use of hickory wood chips in the smoker gives it a true “barbecue” flavor, which contributes to its smoky hickory flavor profile.
The result is a decadent, richly dark slab of ribs that beguiled me.
I just had to find the time to head there to try.
Kansas BBQ Pork Ribs wins SmartDory’s vote! I finished that by myself!
Kansas BBQ Pork Ribs
As usual, I went on a Wednesday and was concerned it was not a wasted trip.
The previous night, we got news of a Penang water shortage.
Again.
So I called bright and early when the restaurant opened and reached there around 1.45 pm; there was massive year-end traffic in George Town (thank you, visitors).
Close-up of what’s hearty and delicious – Kansas BBQ Pork Ribs – NK’s Kitchen Food & Dessert House.
I had ordered the Kansas BBQ pork ribs and couldn’t wait to dig in.
Verdict: It was well-marinated and juicy! Meat so flavorful and tender that it just fell off the bones and melted into your mouth.
The ribs are served with sweet potato chips, a salad, and condiments: ketchup, mustard, and pickles.
Combining the rich ribs with the pickles works perfectly to cut the grease.
Overall Atmosphere: The restaurant is exceptionally clean and pleasant, and the food and service are amazing.
When I tried the Kansas BBQ Pork Ribs, it was my third visit to the cafe!
I will definitely return for more!
NK’s Kitchen Food & Dessert House
8, Jalan Kek Chuan, 10400 George Town, Malaysia,
012-412 0707
Google ; https://g.co/kgs/E2mMg4
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
