I remember first writing about Jason Penang Cuisine at ABC Food Centre some 14 years ago (time flies!).
Happy to know that the stall has finally gotten some recognition with a NEW Michelin Guide entry.
(Note that this is not quite the same as Michelin stars, as even newer food writers themselves use the terms interchangeably as though they mean the same thing.)
Penang-born Jason Khaw and his wife are known for selling traditional Penang food, at budget-friendly prices.
The three signature items are Penang Prawn Noodle Soup, Penang Fried Kway Teow, and Penang Assam Laksa, with each bowl starting from an affordable $4.
What you see in the main cover photo is just $12 in total.
Unknown to many, the humble hawker was the British High Commissioner’s Resident Chef for 14 years, assuring a quality in his food.
The stall’s specialty is the Assam Laksa ($4, $5) which comes with a sour and spicy broth, with a hearty amount of ingredients and finishing touches of mint leaves and chilli padi.
The broth was rich with bright citrusy notes and had a sweet and spicy finish.
While some Assam Laksa around can be quite one-dimensional in taste, this had a layered tangy-spiciness to it.
The prawn sauce is optional, but do drizzle some over for more authenticity.
The Penang Prawn Noodle Soup ($4, $5) is another must-try.
Penang Prawn Noodles typically feature a richer, more robust and aromatic broth, simmered with a variety of spices, prawn shells, and occasionally pork ribs, contributing to its distinct depth of flavour.
This contrasts with the Singaporean version, where the broth tends to be lighter and sweeter, focusing more on the pure flavour of prawns.
As for Jason’s version, the was flavourful without being overly salty, though slightly sweet.
Mix in some of the chilli paste for some punch.
Another popular choice is the Penang Fried Kway Teow ($4, $5, $6).
However, I thought that while the rice noodles had some smokiness and wok-hei, it seemed to be lacking in flavours and distinctiveness of Penang’s usual versions.
Maybe also because Penang’s style traditionally uses duck eggs.
Jason Penang Cuisine has been around for so many years, with Penang dishes that are quite authentic-tasting and comforting.
An affordable Michelin-recommended option for a taste of Malaysian food without crossing the border.
Jason Penang Cuisine
ABC Brickworks Market & Food Centre #01-112, Jalan Bukit Merah, Singapore 150006
Opening Hours: 11am – 2pm, 5:30pm – 8pm (Wed – Sun), Closed Mon, Tues
Other Related Entries
EatAlley (Orchard Gateway)
Penang Culture (JEM)
Da Ma Restoran (Bencoolen)
Tracy’s Sarawak Kitchen (Geylang)
GO Noodle House (VivoCity)
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