This is Tasty of Penang, a casual Malaysian restaurant specialising in Penang-style hawker dishes, with a focus on wok-fried noodle dishes.
The menu centres on a variety of noodle dishes, with different combinations of noodles, proteins and sauces. A selection of signature dishes was available for $14.00 during weekday lunch and $18.00 for weekday dinner, with payment by cash only.
Char Keow Teow with Egg ($14.00)
The dish featured flat rice noodles stir-fried with scrambled egg, bean sprouts, garlic chives and a few pieces of lap cheong, alongside a single prawn.
There was some wok hei, although a little more would have given the noodles greater depth. Protein was relatively minimal, but the dish was otherwise reasonably well executed, with a flavourful and satisfying overall profile. Mild chilli provided an enjoyable tingly heat without overwhelming the other components. Decent value at the price, particularly given the current cost of dining out.
Char Hor Fun (Mixed Noodle) ($14.00)
The dish combined flat rice noodles with rice vermicelli, stir-fried with pork, choy sum and fish cake, before being topped with egg gravy and served alongside chillies in vinegar. The rice vermicelli was a less welcome addition, given its brittle texture, which contrasted with the softer flat rice noodles.
There was some wok hei, similar to the previous dish, while the combination of greens and meat provided greater variety. The vinegar chillies introduced a tangy, pickled quality that lifted the overall flavour profile. Although not quite at the level of Albee’s Secret Recipe or PappaRich, the dish was still very decent and satisfying for the price. Of the two, this was the better-executed dish and offered stronger value.
Overall, a casual Malaysian noodle offering with a savoury, wok-fried flavour structure and generally satisfying execution. The Char Hor Fun stood out for its combination of ingredients and tangy accompaniment, while both dishes represented reasonable value at the weekday lunch price.
Tasty of Penang is located at Shop 106, Level 1, Burwood Chinatown, 127 Burwood Rd, Burwood NSW 2134.