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MAGNIFICENT MALAYSIAN Push your Chinatown boundaries at Penang BY SAM BRODEY | PHOTOS BY SARAH TSE So you’re tired of Chinese.Understandable—one can only take so much General Tso. And as much as you might love Thai, pad thai can get a tad boring, too. Thankfully for Asian cuisine fiends, the gods smile kindly upon Philadelphia, because there’s Penang. Located in the heart of Chinatown, rubbing elbows with takeout joints and fish markets on 10th Street, Penang stands out—it can boast being the only restaurant in Philly that specializes in Malaysian food. For the uninitiated, Malaysian is one of the richest and most complex cuisines of Asia, but also one of the continent's most under–appreciated. Its calling card: blending elements of Chinese, Thai and Indian food, resulting in tangy, spicy and richly savory dishes. Like its tastefully decorated dining room, Penang's menu PENANG Chinatown 117 N. 10th St. (215) 413-2531 DON'T MISS: The appetizers and curry dipping sauce. SKIP: Banana Leaf around the corner. $$$$ is spacious. It’s daunting for a first–time visitor, but the friendly staff will direct you toward the cuisine’s staples. Among the strongest of those are the appetizers. Roti canal ($3.25) is a Malaysian national obsession for good reason: the thin, naan–like pancake bread is flaky, crisp and complimented by a delicious curry dipping sauce. Also not to be missed is poh piah ($4.95) —small, pancake–wrapped rolls stuffed with fried tofu, jicama, egg, bean sprouts and a tangy peanut sauce. The appetizers are delicious, and the entree offerings are just as strong. The de facto Malaysian noodle dish, chow kueh teow ($6.50), is a great option for lo mein and pad thai lovers. The stir–fried flat noodles are rich and savory, the mixed–in squid and shrimp are fresh and delicately cooked and the chili paste (be sure to ask for it) adds a spicy kick. Among the noodle soups, the assam laksa ($7.50) is a standout. The noodles marinate in a broth flavored with tangy lemongrass, fish flakes and herbs—think pho with a healthy helping of sriracha. Out of the rice dishes, the curried chicken ($7.50) seems ordinary alongside Penang’s more exotic fare, but this plate slathered in a boldly spicy Indian–style curry is anything but pedestrian. The heaping portions are beyond generous, but for those inclined to save room, the fried ice cream ($6.95) is absolutely worth it. It’s a big scoop of fried vanilla ice cream—hardly delicate—but the coconut coating adds a great touch to this treat. Penang’s place as Philly’s ambassador of Malaysian cuisine is well–deserved: with an expansive menu and delicious dishes on a student's budget, it offers a memorable, satisfying and unique Asian food experience. Dining Guide 34TH STREET Magazine February 13, 2013 21
34TH STREET Magazine February 13, 2013 Dining Guide SEE SPOT YUM On a block crowded with food trucks, Josh Kim’s SPOT Burgers stands out BY JACK LAVIOLETTE | PHOTOS BY SARAH TSE "Let me tell you something… it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s by far the most fun job I’ve ever had.” That’s what owner Josh Kim had to say when I called him to ask about SPOT Burgers, his food truck located at 33rd and Arch Streets. When he opened up shop there a year ago, it was the only gourmet food truck in the area. Faced with the challenge of selling burgers from $6.50 so close to cheaper, greasier alternatives, Kim knew the only way to succeed was to create a product whose superiority was undeniable. And, as Zagat, USA Today and others have proclaimed, he’s done just that. Kim’s background helps to explain the uncompromising approach SPOT takes with its burgers, cheesesteaks and pork sandwiches. Just a few years ago, Kim, who holds both an arts and a culinary degree, was making six figures at a security firm. “Sure, it paid the bills, but it just wasn’t gratifying,” he told me. Fleeing the corporate ladder, he sought a job that could provide both money and happiness. The result? A six–foot long food truck. The Whartonites among us might scoff at such a decision; Kim would scoff back. “There’s no end to what you can do with a burger. It’s ordinary but the possibilities are endless,” he said over the phone. Take a gander at the menu, and you’ll see what 800-2Review 800-2Review (800-273-8439) (800-273-8439) | PrincetonReview.com | PrincetonReview.com !"#$%&'%(%)*+&',*)*-%,)(-*.()/%01%,2*%!(3%"42005%#-.&''&06%70864&5%9!"#7:;%$2*%&*3%&'%60,%(1?5&(,*-%3&,2%*)'&,A%0)%!"#7; LSTAT is a registered trademark of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). The Princeton Review is not affilated with Princeton University or LSAC. 22 he means. Drawing on his artistic creativity, both in and out of the kitchen, Kim dishes up unusual, unstoppable sandwiches like a burger (cooked perfectly medium rare, with 100% sirloin he butchered himself), covered in lettuce, pickled daikon, grilled onion, mushrooms, gochujang and teriyaki, all atop a toasted–golden bun. Or perhaps you’d prefer a pork sandwich, also butchered in–house, covered in slaw and barbecue sauce. Or maybe a cheesesteak, among the best in Philly, according to his cadre of regulars. The best part? Unlike most artists, Kim is perfectly willing to relinquish control and let you build your own burger— with unlimited free toppings. I went for the Butcher Burger, topped with crisp onion, thick tomato slices with surprising flavor for February, Russian dressing and homemade horseradish. Compared Free LSAT Events Free Free LSAT LSAT Events Events Sample LSAT LSAT Games Games Session Session Practice Test $2*%&*3%@6&>*)'&,A%7&,A%B% The Princeton Review University City- $2*%&*3%@6&>*)'&,A%7&,A%B% 3451 3451 Chestnut St Street 3451 Chestnut St Sample Sample $28)'-(A%C*D)8()A%EF%G%HGIJ%K.%B%LGIJ%K. LSAT Games LSAT Games Session Session Practice Practice "(,8)-(A%M()42%FH%G%FJ%(.%B%E%K. Test Test $2*%&*3%@6&>*)'&,A%7&,A%B% $2*%&*3%@6&>*)'&,A%7&,A%B% Thursday February 21: 6:30pm - 7:30pm $2*%&*3%@6&>*)'&,A%7&,A%B% $2*%&*3%@6&>*)'&,A%7&,A%B% 3451 Chestnut 3451 Chestnut Practice St St Test 3451 Chestnut 3451 St Chestnut St $28)'-(A%C*D)8()A%EF%G%HGIJ%K.%B%LGIJ%K. $28)'-(A%C*D)8()A%EF%G%HGIJ%K.%B%LGIJ%K. "(,8)-(A%M()42%FH%G%FJ%(.%B%E%K. "(,8)-(A%M()42%FH%G%FJ%(.%B%E%K. The Princeton Review University City- 3451 Chestnut Street Call 888 248 7737 x 5165! Saturday March 16: 10:00am - 2:00pm Space is limited. Reserve your seat today! PrincetonReview.com/Events Call 888 Call 248 888 7737 248 x 7737 5165! x 5165! Space LSAT® Space is limited. is limited. Reserve Reserve your seat your today! seat today! 800-2Review PrincetonReview.com/Events (800-273-8439) PrincetonReview.com/Events | PrincetonReview.com !"#$%&'%(%)*+&',*)*-%,)(-*.()/%01%,2*%!(3%"42005%#-.&''&06%70864&5%9!"#7:;%$2*%&*3%&'%60,%(1?5&(,*-%3&,2%*)'&,A%0)%!"#7; LSAT® LSAT® SPOT BURGERS University City 33rd. St. and Arch St. @spotburgers DON'T MISS: The Maui pork sandwich. SKIP: The cheesesteak —great, but available elsewhere, unlike his other sandwiches. $$$$ LELT030711508 LELT030711508 to other menu items, the Butcher is tame, but don’t be fooled by its relative simplicity. The spicy onion dovetails with the horseradish and the organic sweetness of the tomato teams up with the creamy Russian dressing. Together, the flavors combine to create a taste that is more than the sum of its parts. Meanwhile, the patty was cooked to perfection: juicy with the flavor of grade–A sirloin. While he’s not manning the grill at SPOT, Kim serves on the board of directors of the Pizza Rustica La Pizzeria Café LELT030711508 Grand Re-Opening Celebration! 3602 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-895-3490 Philly Mobile Food Association, where he fights against bureaucratic and outdated rules preventing others from opening up mobile food establishments. Despite his tour de force of a menu and skyrocketing popularity, he has nothing but encouraging words for other carts, even those stationed at 33rd and Arch. Frankly, it’s a safe position with a menu as compelling and ingredients as gourmet as his. So make the trek to Drexel one weekday and give SPOT a visit. If you’re like me, it won’t be your last. Rustica Rocks! Get a pitcher of Rolling Rock and a Large Pie for only $10.00 dine in only 3602 Chestnut Street 215-895-3490
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