Cup Rice in Bukit Mertajam (BM), Penang
BY CK Lam
On the busy Jalan Danby in Bukit Mertajam is a stall that has been attracting customers with its serving of “cup rice” for lunch. This simple, wholesome and tasty dish is childhood food for many Penangites.
The stall is now run by the third generation children of the stall owner.
The name of the dish is derived from the small aluminum bowl in which the rice is steamed in. The preparation of this dish is simple. The steamed fluffy white rice in small aluminum bowl is turn over on a plate and served upside down with the shape of the bowl completely intact.
Then, the warm rice is topped with a combination of meaty goodness such as tiny strips of roast pork and roast chicken. The light lor or braising sauce is drizzled all over, coating the entire dish. Usually, a bowl of soup accompanied this dish and it comes in the same aluminum bowl which the rice was steamed in.
Allow the rice to absorb all the goodness of the braising sauce. The flesh of the chicken is succulent while the roast pork still has the roast fragrant but without the crispy skin. The plate of rice is even more delightful with condiments of green pickled green chilies as it adds a zing to it.
Today, it coasts around RM3.50, which is reasonable enough and makes it a definite must try. Be prepared to sweat it out as the stall is more of a makeshift with zinc roofs and tables placed by the side of the road. Seats are limited but turnover is fast so waiting time is fairly bearable.
Click here for the google Map Location.
Cup Rice
74 Jalan Danby
14000 Bukit Mertajam (大山腳)
Penang
Business Hours: 9am – 9pm
* This is a reproduction of my article published in TimeOut Penang 2013/14