Hungry Go: Kedah
10 Famous Food Spots Along The Kedah Food Trail
Dad likes the news, mum loves cooking, my brother lives for football while I can’t live without fashion, but there is one interest we share in common and that is food. Together we did many memorable jalan-jalan cari makan trails throughout the nation since I was young. Out of all the gastronomical tours, there is one that we’ve done a few times tirelessly, and that is The Kedah Food Trail.
So if and when you decide to make a road trip to the Jewel of Kedah instead of taking a flight out, this food post will get you covered throughout your entire journey. Say goodbye to expensive and meagre airport or airplane meals, and hello to real food that is born from the riches of Muda River!
From where you are, plan your journey to reach Alor Star in time for dinner.
Day 1
KEDAH
What's for dinner?
Food Spot #1: The LARGEST Fish Head Swimming in Curry You’ll Ever See
Good Chinese food in Malaysia is usually found at unadorned restaurants spelled ‘Restoran [insert Chinese name]’, habituated under shabby structures (as seen above).
This special one is labelled ‘kafe’ on its sign, when it is actually a ‘restoran’ with the most unexpected name when it comes to curry fish head. Nonetheless, it is a promise that Hainan Orkid Tropika won’t fail to surprise.
Dato’ Lee Chong Wei, celebrities, politicians and local TV food shows had come all the way here just to taste this badass fish head.
{Fish head VS human hand}
{A T-shirt for every occasion – wearing a reverse-mermaid tee to fit the night’s fishy theme!}
Kafe Hainan Orkid Tropica
Address: 8, Jalan Langgar, 05460 Alor Setar, Kedah.
Phone: +6019 576 8699
Opening Hours: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m., 4.30 p.m. – 10 p.m., close on Mondays.
Overnight in StarCity Hotel.
Day 2
What's for breakfast?
Food Spot #2: Kedah Prawn Mee with Pork Ribs
Everyone knows Penang Prawn Mee, but what’s it like for the one in Kedah? This bowl is a STAR. If you are a fan of ‘ba kut‘ and can handle a serious breakfast, head over to:
Address: 88, Lorong Air Putih, Taman Air Putih, 05050 Alor Star, Kedah.
Resume your road trip from Kedah to Langkawi with a happy tummy. Make sure to catch the ferry in time for lunch!
LANGKAWI
What's for lunch?
Food Spot #3: A HUGE Variety of Thai Food That Serves No Disappointment
Some might have the perception that a halal restaurant, can never beat a non-halal restaurant when it comes to food; which is not necessarily wrong.
It is not about having pork in the dishes, but more of the different techniques Chinese chefs use when it comes to cooking. Wan Thai, however, is a halal restaurant that is totally game; making it a favorite amongst all races.
Instead of bombarding you with 10 individual shots of each dish, I think it might be more useful if I took ONE picture containing ALL the must-have-dishes, so that you can just show the waitress this picture and tell her you that want THIS SPREAD ideal for a family trip.
Wan Thai Langkawi Restaurant
Address: 80 & 82, Langkawi Shopping Mall, Persiaran Bunga Raya, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.
Phone: +6012 430 8014
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., 6.30 p.m. – 10 p.m., daily.
Recommended stay in Langkawi for big families: Dayang Bay Serviced Apartment & Resort comes with an infinity pool, free wi-fi throughout the resort, and most importantly clean, customer-friendly-designed apartments to accommodate every one comfortably without compromising privacy. This property is also rated the best value in Kuah!
What's for tea?
Food Spot #4: A Bowl of Tender Loving Care
A visit to Gua Maha makes for one of the most treasurable memories in Langkawi, as we learned so much about the expensive produce and also got around savoring an entire bowl of the delicacy to ourselves.
Gua Maha
Address: Lot 2836, Kg Buluh Penyumpit, Langkawi Highway, 7000 Langkawi.
Phone: +6012 421 1816
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 7.30 p.m., daily.
After a cooling bird’s nest factory tour, make a compulsory visit to the SkyWalk and capture the evergreen sunset.
What's for dinner?
Food Spot #5: A Classic Romantic Dinner by The Beach (just like in the movies)
a.k.a. Dining Like A Celebrity Because You Can!
While dressed appropriately for such occasion ala Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift, you-name-it, it didn’t feel fitting to carry a monstrous DSLR around so in the car it faithfully stayed.
I hope these pictures taken with my phone don’t deter you from trying out this gorgeous dining experience that offers an ocean view and the pleasure of secretly digging your feet into the soft, soft sand while feasting.
{What to order: Their lamb rack!}
La Sal Restaurant
Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang, Mukim, Kedawang 07000, Langkawi, Kedah.
Phone: +604 955 2388
Opening Hours: 7 p.m. – 10.30 p.m., daily
Tip: Call in advance to reserve good seats by the beach. Wear beach-friendly shoes, i.e. No heels.
Day 3
What's for lunch?
Food Spot #6: A Humble Spot Malay-Food Lover Can NOT Miss
Imagine a plate of steaming nasi kukus, udang masak asam, sambal telur, crispy marinated fried chicken and a dash of sambal budu all in one plate in front of you . . . A person who knows masakan melayu always has a space in his / her dear heart for nasi campur.
P.S. The dishes I mentioned (especially the prawn is a Must-Have).
{The variety of lauk-pauk Sinaran offers – simply pick any and you’ll still end up with a delicious mix}
{Don’t judge a plate by its looks!}
Restoran Sinaran Langkawi
Address: Jalan Pandak Mayah 5, Kuah Perlis, Kedah.
What's for dinner?
Food Spot #7: A Meal Seriously So Great It Makes You Forget to Take Any Pictures
If there was only ONE restaurant I can pick out of this food list as an ultimate recommendation, it would be this. Ironic is when this is also the only participant without any pictures to prove, except for my disclaimer that our dinner spread was so amazing; none of us remembered to take out our phones / cameras and when we did, we couldn’t be bothered – we just wanted to focus on enjoying all the food!
Rootian Seafood Restaurant
Address: 89, Jalan Pandak Mayah 5, Pusat Bandar Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah.
Phone: +6012 433 3338
Opening Hours: 5.30 p.m. – 11.30 p.m., daily.
Tip: Go earlier to get a table!
Day 4
Leave Langkawi for Kedah.
ALOR STAR, KEDAH
What's for breakfast?
Food Spot #8: The Moistest Char Siew in The World (?)
Unlike #1, this noodle literally lives up to its name as its ‘pasta’ tastes as if it has history weaved in. I have never quite tasted char siew so moist (I am stuck on this word here) – it melts in your mouth like soft-centered candy and trickles down your throat like honey – yet you’ll never feel sick of it, leave alone ever having enough. Don’t get the impression that its all about sweetness. Its glaze mix is a char siew lover’s dream.
Here’s another good news: For those who prefer lean meat, it is still magically: MOIST!
{Take a look at this beauty}
My dad, a diehard durian lover, nicknamed this ‘durian char siew‘ because this delicacy is as moist as the perfect durian wedge.
Noodle History
Address: 294, Jalan BSG11, Bandar STARGATE, 05400 Alor Setar, Kedah.
Contact: +604 771 0807
Opening Hours: 8.30 a.m. – 5 p.m., daily
After pork galore, go 165.5 meters up Menara Alor Star to get a glimpse of the peaceful skyline while enjoying a breezy 360 degrees tour.
When passing by the heart of Alor Star, you can not miss Zahir Mosque, reigning as #4 in the list of Top 10 Most Beautiful Mosques in the World!
What's for lunch?
Food Spot #9: A Taste of Kedahan Childhood
I never get why this is called nasi lemak, when it is nothing like nasi lemak. This nasi kandar used to be in a stall before moving into a shop. Background story: Ong learned the secrets of his curries from an indian friend.
Just like Kafe Hainan Orkid Tropica, this is another spot that newspapers and TV Food Shows like to feature. Judging from the nasi kandar taste itself, I think it’s either the bizarre queue that acts as a crowd-magnet or the fact that it is a childhood taste that Kedahans grew up with thus can’t live without. Nevertheless, you can’t go wrong with a spot that caters more locals than tourists.
{Because telur masin with curry is <3}
Nasi Lemak Ong
Address: Jalan Putra, 05100 Alor Setar, Kedah.
Phone: +6012 498 3660
Opening Hours: 10.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m., close on Wednesdays.
Tip: Be prepared for a 1-hour queue.
Burn some calories by shopping around Aman Central (the biggest shopping centre at Kedah) before sinking your teeth into soft warm buns.
What's for dinner?
Food Spot #10: Where to Get Good Burgers in Kedah
I personally didn’t get to try this but from what I heard, though it is not ‘the best burger’ on the planet, Big Bob offers decent, well-constructed burgers.
Big Bob Burger
Address: Lot G 63A-B, Lebuhraya Darul Aman, 05100 Alor Setar, Kedah.
Contact: +603 51217486 | HP : +6012 9468411
Opening Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., daily.
Happy nom-ing!
[…] 5. The dialog that came with this random trash during our Kedahan food trip […]