Undeniably, Penang is renowned for its abundance of delicacies. The thought of its delicious food always leaves me salivating, but the hassle of travel and traffic congestion deters me from visiting. So imagine how thrilled I was to learn about Lorong Seratus Tahun in SS2 in Petaling Jaya, a place celebrated for its authentic Penang cuisine.
Lorong Seratus Tahun began its operation in George Town, Penang, in 1960. About 20 years ago, the owner decided to expand the business to KL, allowing residents here to enjoy Penang delicacies without having to travel so far. The eatery is situated at SS2, and over the years, they have further extended their presence with 2 more outlets in Sunway Putra Mall and Publika.
I visited the SS2 branch as it appeared to have more endorsements in comparison to the other. The owner meticulously renovated the restaurant to capture the essence of Penang, making you feel as if you’ve been transported there the moment you step inside.
What I tried at Lorong Seratus Tahun
I had a hard time deciding what to get, as all of the dishes looked tempting. I ended up ordering a plate of Char Koay Teow (RM14.90), requesting it without bean sprouts (not a fan of it). The noodles were adorned with 2 pieces of prawn, cockles, and some spring onions.
A standout feature is the prawn used in the Fried Koay Teow. Honestly, I was prepared to find those translucent ‘plastic’ prawns in my dish, as is commonly seen at many eateries. However, this restaurant surprised me with genuine prawns that were solid in colour and, most importantly, shell-free! This was such a delight for me, as I always struggle with deshelling. In addition, the prawn had a natural crunchy texture— fresh and sweet.
The kuey teow was also an enjoyable treat. It wasn’t the broad type of kuey teow; instead, it was thin and had a translucent look. It also had the right amount of moisture, with a light coating of oil evenly spread on each strand. It carried the fragrance of the fried egg and a hint of wok hei.
Since I had travelled all the way to PJ, it was silly to sample just one dish. So, in addition to the Char Koay Teow, I had a plate of Chee Chong Fun (RM8.50). It came with chilli sauce on the side and was topped with fried shallots and sesame seeds.
The Penang version differs greatly from what we usually have in KL. The rice rolls are complemented with shrimp sauce instead of sweet sauce, imparting an intense umami flavour with savoury notes and a pungent aroma. If you like that, you’ll enjoy this.
Though I typically enjoy shrimp sauce, the one here had an overpowering bitterness, which was quite a turn off. I usually love to unroll the Chee Chong Fun before consuming it to ensure each part is evenly coated with sauce. However, this one felt slightly overmoist, making it difficult to unravel.
Final thoughts
My visit to Lorong Seratus Tahun had its highs and lows. On the positive side, the Char Koay Teow impressed me with its ingredients and flavour. On the down side, the Chee Chong Fun was kind of a bummer. I anticipated a blend of savoury and bitter notes, but it fell short of expectations.
I would suggest visiting only if you’re hanging around the PJ area, as the dishes didn’t quite justify my travel hassle. In hindsight, perhaps I didn’t pick the right dishes. I wouldn’t say the dishes tasted identical to those in Penang, but they came close. I would still regard it as a decent place to satisfy my cravings for Penang delicacies, until I discover a superior option.
Expected damage: RM15 – RM25 per pax
NamGor Hainan Kopitiam — Rebranded kopitiam specialises in Penang Siam Laksa & Curry Mee
Price: $ $
Our Rating: 3 / 5
Lorong Seratus Tahun
56, Jalan SS 2/66, SS 2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 47300
Lorong Seratus Tahun
56, Jalan SS 2/66, SS 2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 47300
