Chap Goh Mei

This took place about 2 weeks ago.

So we just got back to campus thinking there will be a test but found out that it was canceled at the last minute. Hence, out we go through the campus gates straight away.

1st thing we did when we reach Penang Island was to savour a bowl of herbal soup. Situated in Sg Pinang Food court, it looked just like any other stall except it's a tad bigger. We ordered a black chicken herbal soup. It wasnt too shabby albeit the soup was seriously black in colour.

We then went to try 'Kou Lou Sah hor fun.' Now i've known this place a few years back. My dad brought me here but i kept forgetting to introduce this place. Coincidentally, sue searched online for good 'Oo chian' Fried Oyster and it was located at this very same stall.

Unsurprisingly we ordered both at the same time. =)

 

Since it was about 4pm and we had a planned dinner at 7-8pm. We needed to do some walking! But we had to find the location of the restaurant first.. We parked on king street and just started walking as 'The Sire Museum' is located on King's street.

We walked the whole street but couldn't find it. Something smoky caught our eyes. It seems there are some procession or event up front. Since we needed some digestive help anyway we walked towards it.

We saw lots of people gathering infront of the Kuan yin temply and there was a structure with holes erected in front of it. Next to it was a chinese association building and then we saw it. We are in our very first Chap Goh Mei festival in Penang!

 

Stuff like this, you dont get to see it in kl. And having been to Penang countless times, this is the first time that i got to experience.

 

There was also a street food section where people where invited to hawk their wares. We noticed a 'Char ke' stall which was frequented by many people. Alas, we were still full.

Having planned to catch a movie at 9pm, we chose to forgo that to play audience to this celebration.

There were flag throwers and cute little girls selling 'Kam' which is mandarin oranges.

You buy the 'kam' and throw into coloured holes of the hole-y structure i mentioned earlier. Each colour bears a different wish. If i remember correctly, Blue-Career, Yellow-Wealth, Green-Health, Red-Family.

Took me 4 times to get my orange into the hole. Sue was being a showoff.

We found out there will be a lion dance perfomance at around 9.30-10pm by the main troupe of Penang. Promises to be spectacular. Since people were gathering inside the Chinese Association for the opening ceremony, we continue our search for The Sire Museum and have our dinner.

I whipped out my bb and using google maps found out that the restaurant was located a few meters from where i parked my car. But if we did find it earlier, we wouldnt have seen the Chap Goh Mei festival. Blessing in disguise i guess.

Free bread! Woohooo, we all like free stuff.

Sue had her mushroom soup. Which wasnt one of the best but it's one of the good ones. Being not creamy, we could really taste the mushroom and feel the texture of grinded? Blended? mushroom.

Sue ordered a Salmon with Croissant. The salmon was generously served and it was fresh. What more could u ask for from a RM28 dish?

I ordered lamb cutlets with mushroom sauce. It was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! Having not eaten lamb for quite some times now. And i dont know why. This lamb is just the thing that tempt the gluttony in me for lamb. I dont need to describe it, just take a look for yourself. And it's cheap to, about RM38 if im not mistaken.

After that Sue dragged me to cam whore around the restaurant.

Once she was satisfied, we rushed back to the temple to watch the Lion Dance. Alas, it was almost over when we reach. Oh wells, there's always next year.