Thursday, July 7, 2011

Gia Xiang Chong Qing Steamboat (家乡-重庆火锅馆)@ 8-row (Krian Road), Penang.

Craving for something special and hot/spicy enough to satisfy your appetite ? You should check this out then. Its the famous hot and spicy chong qing steamboat. Chong Qing (重庆) belongs to the Tze Chuan province, the people there prefer hot and spicy stuff, the signature dish of Chong Qing being this hot and spicy steamboat (麻辣火锅). So I've found a newly opened restaurant that serve rather authentic Chong Qing steamboat. Its abit rare and hard to find an authentic one here, the restaurant was run by a family from China.

We ordered two soup bases ( the clear soup and the spicy soup, Rm9 for each soup base). The chili oil wasn't sufficient if you were to compare to those you can find in Chong Qing.

Some corn peppers can be seen clearly too but they weren't enough. More should be added to enhance the flavour.

Shao Fen (苕粉, Rm4 per serving), something made from potato, it feels like abit starchy and quite soft. They are very common in China, most likely something they used it like noodles. Shao Fen has completely no taste at all and it has to rely on others to make it tastier. Texture can be soft or hard depending on the time used to cook it.

Beef slices are recommended for the hot and spicy soup base. Others are ok too but i would prefer beef personally, tho lamb and pork works perfectly ok too. Six slices of beef costs Rm6. The beef will merge very well with the aroma of the Chong Qing chilies. Sauce made from vinegar, sesame oil, garlics, and some soya sauce will work best with the beef. Its one of the most authentic way of eating Chong Qing steamboat.

Look at the boiling chili oil, I had this wrong perception earlier ago that Chong Qing steamboat will be very hot and spicy, but I must admit that i was wrong after all. They are not spicy at all, in fact, they have a very strong aroma and unique flavour to go with various kinds of meat and steamboat ingredients. Truly one of the steamboat soup base in the world. Highly recommended to those who haven't tried them out. Experience of the life time.

Fermented Glutinous Rice Ball (Rm 4). Using the fermented rice which will be having some alcoholic taste as the soup base to go with the glutinous rice ball. Its a very traditional Chinese dessert that you can find in China. Its brings a bit sweetness and has a very strong alcoholic taste. It is not recommended for those who do not take alcohol. The taste was very similar to the one I had in Shanghai back in sometime ago.

Gia Xiang Steamboat doesn't offer any buffet or any set/package. Everything will be in Ala Carte. They do have something very special like Tze Chuan poached fish in chili oil (水煮鱼), herbal chicken (药膳肚子鸡) and other spicy stuff that you can find in Chong Qing or Tze Chuan province. Please note that there will be government tax and service charge added to your bill.

Ratings:
Taste: 7.5/10
Price: 7/10
Parking: 8/10
Services: Very Good
Government Tax: Yes
Service Charge: Yes
Additional Information:
Address: No. 6&8, (8-row), Krian Road, 10400, Penang. (Beside Seang Teik Road and Macalister Road)
Business Hour: 5.30pm - 3.00am
Phone Number: 04- 226 4711
Google Map Here

No comments:

Post a Comment