My Favorite Foods: Indian Cuisine

For this entry, I wanted to experiment with multimedia, so I decided to make a small video. I know some of my viewers have short attention spans, and rather see pictures than read (haha). I typically use programs like iMovie, so I felt very limited using Windows Movie Maker. I hope to do more video projects in the future, but for now, here is my Indian food experience:

List of Indian restaurants I’ve been to, featured in the video: 

Laxmi’s Indian Grille – 4425 Main Street Philadelphia, PA

Nanee’s Kitchen – 12th and Arch Philadelphia, PA

New Delhi Indian Restaurant – 4004 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA

Shere-E-Punjab – 208 West state street Media, PA

My Favorite Foods: Malaysian Cuisine

Next up, Malaysian cuisine! In my previous entry, we had a chance to explore the exquisite nature that is Thai food, one of three personal favorites. One could only follow up with a style of cooking that bears similarities.

Just as with Thai food, Malaysian cuisine is relatively new to me, but that doesn’t mean I am a novice when it comes to choosing really good dishes. Fortunately, the local Chinatown in Philadelphia hosts two very popular Malaysian restaurants, which have satisfied my appetite on many occasions. Those restaurants are Penang and Banana Leaf. I’m not lying when I say that Penang has been frequented by me at least 10-15 times, if not more. Located at 117 N 10th St., Penang stands out from all other restaurants in Chinatown, not appearing as another “hole in the wall.” With a sleek modern exterior, and warm, welcoming layout inside, Penang pleases not just the palate.

So, what attracts me to Malaysian food?

Similar to Thai, Malaysian cuisine has a host of rice and noodle dishes. On top of that, there are some delicious soups and breads that serve as staples. Typical of most countries in this part of the world, Malaysian cuisine has absorbed cooking styles from neighboring countries and cultures. For instance, Indonesian, Chinese, Thai, and Indian culture have heavy influences in many of their dishes.

If you’re like myself, I like meals that incorporate a lot of different elements and ingredients. That way, I feel as though I am getting more taste for my buck! I have found that Malaysian cuisine is perfect for this. Some of my favorite dishes, Indian Mee Goreng, Singapore Rice Noodles, and Seafood Scrambled Egg Chow Fun, combine an assortment of vegetables, seafood, spices, and sauces. The latter dish may look a little scary at first, but it’s very filling, and an adventure to eat.

Singapore Rice Noodles

Seafood Scrambled Egg Chow Fun

I have never started a meal off at a Malaysian restaurant without Roti Canai. Now you may be thinking, “Isn’t roti an Indian bread?” You are absolutely correct, which is why I love this food! Roti Canai, or Indian Pancake, is a crispy, yet chewy, piece of bread served with curry chicken and potatoes. It is an excellent segue into the other diverse flavors that Malaysian food has to offer. If you visit Penang, you can actually witness the cooks hand-tossing the dough used to make your roti, which is then molded. 

Overall, my favorite part about Malaysian cuisine has been the price! Every time that I’ve been to Penang, I usually don’t turn beyond the first few pages of the menu. The section entitled, “Fried Noodles,” has a list of cheap, amazing dishes, most under $7. And believe me, the portions are appropriate! Let’s say you’re not in the mood for fried noodles, but still want noodles! If you like spicy, Curry Mee With Young Tau Foo ($6.95) is an amazing seafood noodle soup. What about a rice dish? Nasi Lemak ($5.50), a very popular Malaysian dish served with coconut rice, a hard boiled egg, and other toppings, is tasty. And if you’re looking for a meatier rice dish, the Duck with Ginger and Scallion Rice ($5.25), is a favorite of mine and a few friends.

How can you beat these prices?

I highly recommend that if you’re in the area of Chinatown, that you give Penang and Banana Leaf some thought. If you’re looking for a superb, twist to your typical Asian cuisine, you will be pleased.

But I am warning you, this food is addicting! I’ve already visited Penang three times in the last month.

My Favorite Foods: Thai Cuisine

Siamese Princess

If someone asked me to name my favorite foods of all time, like yourself, I would hesitate at first. However, I would be able to name my favorite food cuisines. Hands down, I would choose Thai, Malaysian, and Indian food. This entry will be part of a three-part series, “My Favorite Foods,” in which I feature a few restaurants that I’ve visited recently, all Thai, Indian, and Malaysian.

First up, Thai food. From a very young age, I had always loved what I thought to be Chinese food, only to find out that it was really watered down, American-Chinese. Growing up in a diverse community on the outskirts of Philadelphia, I grew accustomed to different types of food. As I mentioned, American-Chinese food was the closest thing I had to being cultured. Needless to say, I had a lot to learn and much more to eat! Thinking back to my teenage years, Thai food was probably a catalyst for what currently could be described as an eclectic palate.

So, what do I like about Thai food?

Simply, everything! From its colorful dishes, which prove both tasty and healthy, to its variety of ingredients piled onto one plate, Thai cuisine has something for everyone, even the picky eaters. It only makes sense that a cuisine that has been influenced by so much culture, would blossom the way it did. Thai food has been shaped by the cooking of various neighboring countries, such as Burma, China, Cambodia, Laos, and Malaysia. It has even been touched by cooking traditions found in India. For instance, look at a menu of any local Thai restaurant. You will find many dishes serving different types of curry. This is not to say that Thai cuisine is the same as Indian, or the other aforementioned cultures. No, Thai food is very unique in itself. If you have not tried it, I encourage you to do so. Here are some places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting!

Image 1 - Vegetable Pad Thai (Little Thai Market)

Image 2 - Massaman Curry (Siamese Princess)

Image 3 - Drunken Noodle (Siamese Princess)

Overall, I’ve discovered that Thai food can be very inexpensive. One of the cheapest eats that I came across on my journey, was Little Thai Market, which is located at the Reading Terminal in Center City Philadelphia. If you’re looking for a good lunch to fill you up, I recommend this “little” place. On an average of $6 per meal, their portions outweigh the price, and their ingredients are very fresh. Depending on the time of day, expect a line. This is a very popular spot!

Another aspect of Thai food that I enjoy, are the vegetarian options. Although I am not a full-fledged vegetarian, still eating poultry and seafood, there are numerous meatless dishes. Other traditional dishes that use meat, can often be substituted with tofu, such as Pad Thai, a favorite mine (Image 1).

Do you like rice dishes? Try Thai! Siamese Princess, in Ardmore, PA has a delicious dish, Massaman Curry with tofu and vegetables (Image 2). What about noodles? Try Thai! Drunken Noodle, a stir fried rice noodle dish with exotic flavor, will put your local Lo Mein to shame (Image 3). Even if you’re just looking for something light, there are many delicious Thai soups. One of my favorites, is a shrimp coconut soup that Little Thai Market offers.

If you’re looking for other amazing Thai restaurants in the area, view my list below. You will not be disappointed!

Heng’s Thai – (1156 Baltimore Pike – Springield, PA)

Nooddi-Thai Chef (42 East State Street – Media, PA)

Pattaya Thai Cuisine – (4006 Chestnut St – Philadelphia, PA)

Mikado – – Thai Pepper – (64 East Lancaster Avenue Ardmore, PA)