KEN HUNTS FOOD: 8AM Hainanese Cafe @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Thursday, June 8, 2023

8AM Hainanese Cafe @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Probably the only Thai-Hainanese cafe in town, 8AM Hainanese Cafe is a new addition to the Georgetown cafe scene. Right smack in town, the cafe offers a menu with some Thai and Hainanese elements- the Thai element is represented by the Steamed Bread with Sangkaya and Thai Pan Eggs (Khai Krata) while the Hainanese element is represented by the Hainanese Toast. There are also some odd combinations like Polo Bun, Nyonya Kuih and Kolo Mee that make up the numbers. Food items are affordably priced but we hope to see stronger Thai and Hainanese elements here, we thought the menu is a little weak for now.

Thai Style Steamed Bread (Rm 8.90)

Toasted Polo Bun with Chicken Ham and Cheese Slice (Rm 9.90)

Khai Krata (Rm 12.90)

Kolo Mee (Rm 9.90)

We were excited to try the Thai Style Steamed Bread served with Sangkaya and Cha Yen dip; but we were a little underwhelmed to learn that the Sangkaya was fairly weak in flavors. The texture of the Bread was not right as well. As opposed to the much-desired soft and pillowy texture, this version came to be a little dry and chewy; it did not work well with the dips. The Khai Krata or Thai Pan Eggs were fine... served with Sausages, Lap Cheong and some minced Meat; a rather straight-forward dish. The Polo Bun was alright too, we had ours with Chicken Ham and Cheese; the texture was right and the flavor combo worked. For something more substantial, we had the Kolo Mee. The noodles were spot on but the condiments were slightly off the beaten track with the presence of Eggs and the absence of Fried Onions. Not bad on its own but it's not entirely the real thing.