I have been patronizing Nasi Kandar Immigration (Imigresen) in Penang Island since way back in 2012.
This original blog post was published way back in April 2012. All the photos featured here were taken at that time.
The signage was still spelled in English, “Immigration“.
Now it is written in Bahasa Melayu (Malay language) “Imigresen“.
It named the stall “Immigration” is because in the past, it operated near the Penang Immigration Department in Beach Street (now known as Lebuh Pantai).
It has been my all-time favorite Penang nasi kandar stall all these years.
Actually I accidentally discovered this nondescript nasi kandar stall, because I was thirsty after walking around that area snapping photos.
So I popped over to Asia Cafe to quench my thirst.
While I was sipping my icy-cold coffee, I noticed quite a handful of customers were ordering their lunches at that food stall.
To satisfy my curiosity, I went over and ordered a plate of nasi kandar topped with a piece of chicken, and sprinkled with some cabbages.
To my surprise, it was simply delectable.
Or what the Penang Hokkien people say, “si pei ho liaw!” (it’s damn great stuff!)
I was hooked there and then.
From that day, each time when I made a trip all the way up to Pulau Pinang aka ‘The Pearl Of The Orient’, I would definitely stop by this roadside nasi kandar stall for a bite.
It is located just outside outside Asia Cafe, a Chinese kopitiam (coffee-shop)
Nasi Kandar Immigration Penang
To be exact, it is at the corner of Lorong Pasar and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling (Lebuh Pitt), Penang.
In fact it is near to the famous Goddess of Mercy Temple, a Chinese temple in the heritage enclave of George Town.
It opens daily from 10.30 in the morning right up to 9.30 p.m., and closed on Fridays.
The Nasi Kandar Imigresen has always been popular with the local Penang folks.
I say this is one secret nasi kandar stall in George Town, Penang which many Malaysian tourists have missed all this time.
You don’t see the local tourists thronging this roadside stall, even though it near to all the popular tourist attractions in the vicinity.
For instance, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Chulia Street, Armenian Street and Love Lane.
It is because all this while most, if not all the food bloggers have been following others, highlighting either Line Clear Nasi Kandar or Nasi Kandar Beratur.
Hidden Nasi Kandar Immigration/Imigresen
It is only lately some people has been calling this Nasi Kandar Imigresen one of the ‘hidden‘ or ‘off-the-beaten-path‘ nasi kandar outlets of Penang.
For your information, you can either eat by the roadside, or in the comfort of the Asia Cafe, which actually is a typical Chinese coffee-shop.
Here you can order you favorite local beverages, either hot or cold.
This coffee shop Asia Cafe is a pleasant place to cool off from the hot scorching sun of Penang Island.
It is filed with white marble top table together with the black vintage kopitiam wooden round-seat chairs.
Its wall next to the cash counter is sparsely decorated with a few timeworn collectibles (Old F & N signage, Shanghai girl cigarette ad poster, Craven ‘A’ calendar, etc.).
Frankly, it is great that Nasi Kandar Immigration or Imigresen is not that well-know to the local tourists.
Then I can get to enjoy my plate of delicious nasi kandar without having to wait in the long queue.
All its dishes are equally delectable. I have tried them all.
Be it skinless fried chicken, chicken curry, sotong (squid), beef, eggs, potatoes and cabbage.
The portion of the chicken is rather big and the meat is fleshy and tender.
Immigration Nasi Kandar dishes are not too spicy and also not overly salty.
The price is very reasonable.
So, the next time when you are around that part of the heritage enclave of George Town, do drop by Nasi Kandar Immigration or Nasi Kandar Imigresen.
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