Do you ever find yourself struggling to find a good meal during tea break hour? We got a busy schedule today and after we finish our appointments, already 3pm. Majority of hawkers and restaurants had already closed. And their next opening hour will be after 5pm or even later.
Knowing that we might get hangry, we made a point of driving around for a bit before our trip back to Penang Island. As luck would have it, we spotted a shop that still had a good number of customers even during the tea break hour and decided to check it out.
We ordered two small servings of Sa Ho Fan, one with soup and the other with soy sauce, as well as one Homemade Kaya bread, Pumpkin Milk, and Pumpkin Barley.
When the food was serve, as soon as my 1 year old son saw the delicious looking food, he became impatient and started wailing. It’s as if I did not feed him for days! Once he has taken the first bite it is clear that he likes very much.
You can see as the photo attached, the portions of the Sa Ho Fan were surprisingly big for the small size we ordered, and we were impressed with the aroma and flavor of both dishes.
The Homemade Kaya bread was a real standout, with an amazing aroma and taste that made us order a second plate, even though we were already full. My son was practically shouting for joy at the sight of it can’t wait to eat. Hahaha!
The Pumpkin Milk and Pumpkin Barley were also winners, with satisfying flavors and attractive colors.
When it was time to pay the bill, we were pleasantly surprised to find that there was no service charge or SST, making it an even more affordable and worthwhile experience. The service was impeccable, with a clean and ready baby chair provided without our having to ask. The staff were friendly and quick to take our orders, and the food arrived promptly. The hygiene and environment of the cafe were also noteworthy, especially for a local non-air-conditioned establishment.
Our Reviews
Overall:
Overall, our late lunch at Cook Idea Sa Ho Fan was a delightful and satisfying experience that we would definitely revisit soon. With its delicious food, affordable prices, and friendly service, we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good meal at any time of day.
Food Quality:
1 star – If you’re trying to lose weight, just come here and you’ll be running for the hills… or the gym.
2 stars – It’s like they tried to cook with their eyes closed, but at least they didn’t burn the food to a crisp.
3 stars – The food is like that one ex you keep going back to – not perfect, but you know what to expect.
4 stars – The food is like a hug from your grandma – warm and comforting.
5 stars – The food is like a love letter to my taste buds – it’s perfect in every way.
Taste:
1 star – If bland was a flavor, this dish would be the poster child for it
2 stars – It’s edible, but only if you’re really hungry.
3 stars – It’s good enough for a quick bite, but nothing to write home about.
4 stars – I’d come back just for this dish.
5 stars – I wanted to keep quite so that this place will not become crowded but hey, YOU MUST TRY IT.
Price:
1 star – Ouch, my wallet is hurting just thinking about it.
2 stars – It’s slightly more expensive than your usual hawker fare, but the quality is worth the extra bucks.
3 stars – The prices are just right for the quality of food and service.
4 stars – I need to come back and try everything on the menu.
5 stars – I’ll bring my friend, my neighbor, and my dog next time.
Portion:
1 star – If you’re on a diet, this is the place for you.
2 stars – The portion is small, maybe I ordered from the kids menu
3 stars – The portion size is like a balanced diet – not too much of anything, but enough of everything.
4 stars – You won’t need to eat for the rest of the day, but you also won’t need to skip your next meal.
5 stars – The portion size is like a challenge – you’ll need to bring a friend to help you finish it. Are you up for it?
Service:
1 star – The service here is like a date with someone who isn’t really serious about you – you’ll be left waiting, disappointed, and wondering why you even bothered showing up.
2 stars – The waiter seems to have mistaken me for their ex, because the service was ice-cold.
3 stars – It’s like the servers are on autopilot – they’re just going through the motions, but at least they’re getting the job done.
4 stars – The servers here are like a warm blanket on a cold day – comforting and welcoming.
5 stars – The service was so good, I almost proposed to the waiter/waitress.
Wait Time:
1 star – You’ll need a time machine to go back to when you weren’t starving.
2 stars – Any longer and you will start to get hangry.
3 stars – The wait time is just enough for you to start to get excited for your food.
4 stars – Okay, I like this kind of speed. It’s just about right.
5 stars – I thought I just ordered like just now? The food has arrived.
Hygiene:
1 star – You know that feeling when you touch something sticky and you’re not sure what it is? Yeah, that’s the kind of hygiene we’re dealing with here.
2 stars – If you squint your eyes and tilt your head, it almost looks clean. Almost.
3 stars – The hygiene here is like that one friend who’s always a little bit late – not great, but you can deal with it.
4 stars – I’m pretty sure the staff wears hazmat suits when they clean. And they clean everything. Twice.
5 stars – This place is so clean, I would eat off the floor. And I have. No shame.
Ambience:
1 star – The ambience here is like eating in a crowded bus station – loud, chaotic, and not a place you want to linger.
2 stars – It’s not exactly cozy, but it’s a step up from the usual hawker center experience.
3 stars – The decor is like a family-friendly chain restaurant – comfortable and predictable.
4 stars – The ambiance is lovely, and the attention to detail is impressive.
5 stars – It’s like dining at a palace – every detail is exquisite and meticulously planned.”
Environment:
1 star – You’ll sweat more than a glass of ice on a hot day
2 stars – It’s like sitting in a sauna, but with food
3 stars – The tables are well-spaced, the air is breathable, and you won’t have to peel yourself off the seats
4 stars – It’s cool and comfy, like a polar bear’s den
5 stars – You’ll never want to leave, you might even consider moving in
Location:
1 star- Somehow I just could not find the restaurant when I moved past it the first time
2 stars – you will have to stay very focused as the signage is not so apparent
3 stars – It’s located in a charming area, but you have to navigate some narrow streets to get there.
4 stars – The location is perfect – easy to find and conveniently located.
5 stars – The location is so perfect, it’s like the restaurant was teleported to the best spot in town.
Waze:
Use Waze to drive to Cook Idea Sa Ho Fan, 28 Jalan Kurau, Perai: https://waze.com/ul/hw0zqskpgc
Google Maps:
28, Jln Kurau, Taman Chai Leng, 13700 Perai, Pulau Pinang
https://goo.gl/maps/DskUePRpMUprDgXi8
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