I ordered an entire spread, per Adrian’s recommendation. The standouts were the Baba delight, curry kapitan, and sambal brinjal — but nearly every dish was delicious.
Marielle Descalsota/Insider
What I ordered: Nutmeg punch, 6MYR; kopi o, 5.50MYR; Baba delight, 44 MYR; sambal brinjal, 18MYR; sambal petai 28 MYR; curry kapitan, 28 MYR; Nonya fried rice, 15 MYR; nasi ulam, 18MYR. They threw in a trio of desserts on the house
The Baba delight offered a selection of Nonya light bites, and the cucur udang — deep fried minced prawn and vegetable fritters was one I couldn’t get enough of. They were crunchy, slightly salty, and paired perfectly with the sambal. I also enjoyed the kueh pie tee — thin pastry cups with spring onions and crushed chili — from the platter. It was light, refreshing, and crispy with an aromatic touch.
The curry kapitan, which is made with chicken, handmade coconut milk, and rempah, a Malaysian-style paste of spices like chili and shallots, was another dish that I’d happily order again. It wasn’t as spicy as the typical Malaysian yellow curry — thanks to the coconut milk — so it was creamy and balanced.
The sambal brinjal — eggplant smothered in a spicy and savory sambal sauce — was Gaik Lean’s mother’s recipe. While the bitter and smokey dish was too tangy for my taste, it’s one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant. Gaik Lean described the dish as “simple, appetizing, and cheap,” and while it wasn’t my favorite, the friends I was eating with enjoyed it.
Gaik Lean’s food is colorful, fun, and full of flavor. There are only two Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurants in the world, which show how underappreciated the cuisine is. Nonetheless, it’s a restaurant that truly lives up to the hype — the affordable prices are just the cherry on top.
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Total spent: 187.55 Malaysian ringgit (including tax), or around $41.80 for 6 dishes and 3 cups of drinks
Don’t miss this menu item: Curry kapitan — light, balanced, and full of flavor.
Parting thoughts: Gaik Lean’s Peranakan cuisine is delightful and worth flying to Penang to try.
Read the full review of Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery here.
