Diet Splurge: Farlim Night Market (Part 1)

I was not a fan of night market in Penang. I’ve always envision night market in Penang similar to the Batu Ferringhi Night Market – a place that caters only for tourist. I was proved wrong when a friend pointed me to Farlim Night Market (Pasar Malam) – a FOOD HEAVEN for gluttonous fiend like me!

Once I see the gazillions of food stalls in the night market, I know there is no going back. There are just so many choices to choose from and one will not be able to try everything in one go even if one has a diet splurge! *facepalm*

We seldom eat on the spot and always takeout the food since we have two monsters tagged along. Thus the review here might be a bit bias to those foods that only taste good even when served cold. Some food just tasted gross when you do not eat them piping hot. =(

One of our favourites? Oops.. MY favourite – the imitated (aka FAKE) sharkfin soup! I just have a soft spot for this kind of treat especially when it’s drowned with vinegar. It’s only RM3.50 per bowl.

The FAKE Sharkfin Soup

Another favourite? – the Mini Ric’s Sliders! Remember the famous pork burger *oink oink* in night market that ended up opening a shop in the one – Ric’s burger (link)? Well, apparently this is the kid’s version! The mini slider! The patty and other condiments taste exactly like the big brother but with a forth of its size! Great news for dieters like me! A classic slider costs RM3 whereas 4 classic slides only costs RM10. The YUMsss!!! The patty is cooked on the spot thus you won’t see any samples display. I was quite hesitant to order it as I’m one of those people who like to see sample! But my gamble pays off when my end product was served and it definitely exceed my expectation – aesthetically (it looks SO CUTE!!!) and taste (its crispy, juicy and greasy patty made from minced pork – such a guilty pleasure!!!).

Look at this! HOW CUTE!!!

It's really YUMMY too!!!

There are 2 stalls selling grilled pork – 1 stall with thinner & smaller pieces (satay style) and 1 with thick slice of pork. Both have its own advantage – the satay style comes with a super spicy sauce if you buy 10pcs and the spicy sauce is really nice. It also helps that the smaller slice of pork cuts down your calorie intake. LOL! The stall also sells curry fishballs which I find average. The stall with thick slice of pork gives you a chewy and organismic experience – it tastes like the grill pork that we taste in Hatyai night market (link) with a more expensive price tag. FAT DIE ME!!!!

The Thick Pork Slice near Ah Hua Soya Stall

There are also many stalls selling soya bean products and we normally buy our soya drink from ‘the Beans’. However, we buy our tau hua from ‘Ah Hua’ as their black bean tau hua literally melt in your mouth! Remember to ask for black bean tau hua! It doesn’t look black and looks like normal tau hua but the texture is totally different!

The Beans

Ah Hua Tau Hua

Order the Black Bean Tau Hua!!!

Another must-try is the Belacan Chicken – we skip this during our earlier visit since there is always a crowd for it and we are lazy to wait. We finally tried it when there was less crowd during a rainy night and were immediately addicted. We ordered the chicken wing and a pack of small chicken meat (鸡粒) and immediately fell in love with the chicken meat. The small chicken pieces provide maximum Belacan taste and you don’t even have to get your hands dirty to eat that since it’s boneless! =)

Belacan Chicken Wing

Small Belacan Chicken Pieces

There are also 2 stalls selling deep fried mushrooms and I must say I prefer the one with less queue which I have no idea what its name is *facepalm* – the one with long queue (炸菇菇) tastes so gross when I only eat after reaching my house.

Deep Fried Mushroom

There is also this famous ‘Uncle Bob’ Taiwanese snack stall selling deep fried chicken, Taiwanese mee sua & giant deep fried hotdog. I must say Shilin snacks (link) do taste better than this if compared with their XXL crispy chicken & oyster mee sua. However, I kind of like the giant deep fried hotdog even if it’s just a simple cheese hotdog deep fried with battered bread clogged with tons of calories. =P

Taiwanese Mee Sua

Deep Fried Giant Hotdog

HOTDOG!!!

There are also other stalls which are not so memorable but might want to give a try when the mood is right.

The Japanese Gyoza - Sometimes I just crave for this! Nothing too fancy but it makes me return for more. It’s 5 for RM3.50 only.

Fried Gyoza

There are 2 stalls selling Quail egg - one is quite new and even has tea leaves quail egg! Nevertheless we are quite smitten with the tea leaves quail egg – mini in size but cater the taste like a normal tea egg. Beware of cholesterol level though!

Quail Egg on a Stick - Near Ah Hua Soya

Spicy Quail Egg - new stall

Tea Leaves Quail Egg - new stall

Frankie’s Pizza – the local pizza with crispy base! It’s really yummy but kind of greasy at the bottom.

Frankie Pizza!

Yummy but FAT!!!

Deep Fried Giant Squid – this definitely looks impressive when on display at the stall but less impressive once it’s cut into small pieces. It does taste scrumptious even after we bring it home. RM10 per giant Squid.

Deep Fried Giant Squid

Tako balls – the Japanese tako ball is just normal. Didn’t really like it too much as it tastes too flour-y!

Tako Balls

Bubble Waffle – the kids love this but it just tastes ordinary for us. I think it might taste better when eat it hot from the pan.

Bubble Waffle

Apom & Kuih – this stall definitely brings back the nostalgia! The spicy kuih (which I have no idea what it’s called!!!) is awesome with tons of ingredients inside.

Apom

The Kuih that i have no idea what to call

With Spicy Coconut-y thing inside

Prawn Paste Deep Fried Mini Crabs - they also sell other deep fried stuffs coated with prawn paste but we've ony tried the mini crabs - crispy and taste a bit weird! Kind of like eating a giant spide! LOL!!!

Deep Fried Mini Crabs

Tomyam Fried Rice Vermicelli - this is just forgettable... a bit dry if you ask me...

Tomyam Fried Bihun

Malay Deep Dried Stall - they sell tons of deep fried food on a stick but we've only bought the squid balls since we are in the mood. The oil just oozes out after we eat it at home.. >.<

Deep Fried Squid Ball

On the rare chance that we finally eat on the spot, we tried the laksa, fried oyster, horfun rolls and fried koay kak which located near to each other. The laksa noodle is different from the normal one but the soup is just okay. The fried oyster is not up to my expectation if compared to the one at Carnavon Street. The hotfun rolls do taste nice though.

The Rare Occasion to eat in

Laksa

Horfun Rolls

Fried Oyster

Loh Han Drink

There are 2 stalls selling fried koay kak in Farlim night market and we actually prefer this stall near the fried oyster – not the one near the tau hua. Do try it if there is a chance.

Fried Koay Kak - ask for extra chilis!

What is a night market if there are no Tidbits? There are 2 major tidbits stall there and each sells something that the competitor does not have! One has the Fish Cracker Stick whilst another one the super thin spicy potato sticks! Both not to be missed! Of course there is the POPCORN! If you bought it once and would like to buy it again – bring the existing empty container! 1 small popcorn costs RM5 but re-fill only costs RM4.

All the Best in one room!

Tomato Juice from a random stall - don't buy this! I thought i was drinking a whole borrle of syrup!

Farlim Night Market is located at Farlim Padang opening every Wednesday night.