LAKSA (PASAR AYER HITAM)

On arrival at the ferry terminal in Penang island, we drove all the way to Ayer Hitam town. The traffic was quite heavy because of the school's holidays. The narrow road leading to the Kek Lok Si temple was parked with cars and tour buses around the surrounding areas-made worst by a busy wet market. From the peak of the temple, the view of Georgetown was paranomic. A bronze statute of the Goddess of Mercy is still under construction. The long and narrow stairway leading to the temple was packed with tourists looking for a good bargain from the numerous souvenir, art and craft and clothes stalls. At lunch time we went to this famous landmark Assam laksa stall besides the Ayer Hitam market. Service was prompt and quick as lightning-only rm2.50/bowl. Parking at rm3/, is bearable. Here a lot of uncles and aunties acts as "jaga kereta."

The cook was busy as a bee-cooking non-stop.

The mouth watering Assam laksa with smooth and thick rice flour noodle-heavenly!

Topped with mint leaves, generous bits of Ikan kembong(mackerel), finely chopped torch ginger, big onion, Chinese lettuce, red chili, cucumber and gravies shrimp paste-soup was hot, spicy and sourish because of the tamarind juice-really perks me up-5 star ratings

This Muar Chee stall on a motor-bike, parked nearby, caught my attention, business was brisk for him, too.

Muar Chee is made from glutinous rice flour and the steamed, sticky Muar Chee is cut into bite size and mix with finely ground roast peanuts and fine sugar for added flavor.

Eat it by using the toothpicks provided-soft and smooth, it just melt into your mouth-rm2/

Fried popiah-eat it with the chili sauce-crunchy and full of sweet turnip and shrimp with every bite-i noticed that the "sweet young thing" at the next table dipped it into the Assam laksa soup for more kicks.

After eating all the heaty food - the best thirst quencher-iced cool sugar juice.

Location: Besides the Ayer Hitam wet market, PENANG.