KEN HUNTS FOOD: Xiang Yue 湘约 @ Ivory Plaza, Bukit Gambir, Penang.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Xiang Yue 湘约 @ Ivory Plaza, Bukit Gambir, Penang.

Xiang Yue 湘约 is a new spot near USM (University Science Malaysia) where you can get your spicy, Ma-La Hunan Cuisine cravings fixed. The newly opened Hunan Restaurant offers a big Chinese menu, featuring many Hunan highlights as well as a small Noodle list. While there are some spicy, Ma-La dishes, the menu features mostly China Chinese home-cooked dishes... suitable for all age range. The kitchen follows authentic recipes from China so the flavor-combo is as close as it gets. Items are reasonably priced with generous portion. The place is air-conditioned and offers a comfortable dining space for a casual, quick fix. This place is worth a look if you are in the vicinity.

Braised Beef Noodles (Rm 18.90)

Zha Jiang Noodles (Rm 16)

Braised Beef (Rm 8)

Braised Duck Tongue (Rm 7)

Rock Sugar Snow Pear Drink (Rm 6)

We started off with the side orders- some braised Beef and Duck Tongue. We did not like both of them, the Braised Beef was something out of our expectation, it was almost like Beef Jerky. The texture was dry and overly chewy (but well seasoned). The Duck Tongue was nothing out of the ordinary. The noodles were great, Mi Xian (round Rice Noodles) was used and offered a great bite. The Braised Beef Noodles carried a hint of spiciness with small cubes of Braised Beef. The soup was nicely seasoned and with extra condiments like Coriander, Garlic and China picked Chili; we thought it was quite an enjoyable dish. Equally good was the Zha Jiang Noodles- the chewy noodles worked well with the minced meat sauce, slightly salty towards the end but worked well with the pickled Chilies.