nasi kandar line clear

Penang had long been the nasi kandar "headquarters" of Malaysia which are the signature dish of the mamaks (Indian Muslim) vendors that had grown into a chain of restaurants across Malaysia with some commonly known restaurants of Pelita, Kayu and many more.

However, when in Penang, none of this names really stand-out but the most sought after would be Line Clear Nasi Kandar, Nasi Beratur Stall, Kassim Nasi Kandar, Hameediyah Restaurant and Restoran Kassim Mustafa.

The Nasi Kandar which I had patronise since I first stepped into Penang and till now had always been Line Clear Nasi Kandar which operates in the alley along Jalan Penang. The taste had remained intact through the years as I believe that the recipe had been now handed now through many generations.

Gone were the blackboard used to jot down the price charge for each customer and replaced by the small bill which can be typically found in any mamak restaurant today. I miss the moment when you pay, the cashier would remove the charge from the board and declares "line clear".

And that's exactly how the stall had been named Line Clear.

What used to be a dark and little less hygienic stall, these had been upgraded with cemented floor with proper roofs over the dining tables with industrial fans blowing overhead to keep diners cool from the spicy and tasty curry being served.

The stall now seems much more organized and very much cleaner now which improves any possibility of me continuing to dine in Line Clear Nasi Kandar.

Pictures and newspaper clippings related to the stall now adorned a section of the wall while the wall of the shops have large printed pictures of the stall over the years and the city of Penang.

My call would still be Line Clear for the next nasi kandar Pulau Pinang lunch or dinner!