Urban Spice Cafe @Tanjung Bungah, Penang
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Tucked away next to a collective of food establishments in Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah, Penang, is Urban Spice Cafe. The cafe previously at the touristy Acheh-Armenian Street has since reopened at this new location.
In the space of just six months, the cafe has become the neighborhood hot spot, patronized by both locals & staying expats. The menu offers Asian Fusion cuisine with refreshing salads, to hearty mains and even a weekend special.
One of the recommended dishes is the Oxtail Stew with Mash. The dish consists of tender meat, carrot, barley, and peas in an aromatic stew prepared with selected spices. Served along with the homemade mash, this dish with a whisper of peppercorn is a pure comfort. Definitely a hearty dish for diners to return for.
Oxtail Stew and mash – urban spice style RM24
We also sampled the Urban Spice Duck Confit which is available only on weekends. The duck confit comes served on a bed of fresh mixed greens with beetroot, juicy orange segments, and sweet pomelo. Prepared with a tender moist texture, the duck is well paired with the sauce which has a striking balance of citrus and sweet flavors.
Weekend Specials – Urban Spice Duck Confit RM28
For lamb lovers, you are in for a treat. The Lamb Shank is shimmered with carrot and tomatoes in house herbs recipes – tender and served on a base of creamy mashed potato.
Lamb Shank RM29
The Lamb Burger has homemade spiced lamb patty and a generous amount of onions, beetroot, and tomato sandwiched between a soft bun. Nicely charred, the patty has a pronounced lamb flavor to it and went well with the accompanying salad.
Lamb Burger RM20
Besides the many Western options, Urban Spice Cafe also has some local delicacies. Whether you are craving for Mee Goreng, Ayam Percik, Pasta with Seafood Sambal Tumis, Peranakan Laksa, or Roti Ketam, you are in for some interesting Asian favorites.
The kitchen dishes out a classic Peranakan Laksa, the pride of the Nyonyas. The plate of yellow noodles, garnished with large de-shelled prawns, cucumber, bean sprouts and bungah kantan comes with a thick coconut-based spicy soup infused with herbs.
Peranakan Laksa – a popular spicy noodle soup RM18
The Roti Ketam RM16 has a filling of mixed shredded vegetables stir-fried with minced chicken and crab meat tucked between two slices of bread. Coated with egg and then fried, the pockets of bliss with a dab of accompanying Worchester sauce makes an excellent bite.
Roti Ketam RM16
Hokkien Char with housemade sambal
Another local delicacies option on the menu is Ayam Percik. The traditional Malay dish of grilled chicken marinated in turmeric, cumin, coriander, lemongrass, tamarind and coconut milk is served with blue pea rice. Additionally, the dish is accompanied with a bowl of pickles.
Combining pickled vegetables with the grilled chicken and rice is a bite with a pleasant combination of flavors.
Ayam Percik RM22
As for dessert, there is a line up of choices, including Churros, and Banana Crepes. The texture of the churros is a little too heavy to have while the banana crepes is sure to delight many.
The meal can be enjoyed with a choice of hot or cold beverages. For those in the excitement of trying exciting flavors, do opt for the Nutmeg and Sour Plum Slush.
The cool beverage acquired a more local taste, punctuated with the sharpness of sour plum and lovely taste of nutmeg.
Nutmeg and Sour Plum Slush
The combination of Western food and Asian favorites at Urban Spice Cafe is a beautiful thing and these two things are exactly what keep diners returning again and again. Offering lunch and dinner across six days of the week (closed on Wednesday), the cafe is a nice place to organize a party, celebrations or just tuck into a simple meal.
Urban Spice Cafe
12A Lebuh Lembah Permai 4
Tanjong Bungah
Penang
Tel: 04-8930268
Business Hours: 11.30am – 3pm & 5.30pm – 10pm