BBQ Chicken @ Gurney Plaza, Penang

Korea's No. 1 Chicken Restaurant. Really?

A break from the norms of digesting hawker food in Penang, I dragged Mum to Gurney Plaza instead, in hopes of locating new outlets. Tempted to step in to Chili's at G Hotel, which is right beside the shopping complex, but Mum wanted something lighter. Ended up at this newly opened (since Sept 07, but didn't realize it's been THAT long since I visited Gurney) restaurant serving a variety of chicken dishes, and then some.

Look at the cook in action, grilling the meat behind the bar

They claim to fry their chickens using 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Hmm, good for those on diet then? NAH ......

Brewed Coffee (complimentary for any main dish ordered)

They are running a dinner promotion, for any set meal ordered, you'll get free coffee, or a scoop of ice-cream. Both me and Mum being caffeine addicts, we chose the obvious option hands down. Their coffee deserves a mention, thick and aromatic, certainly not the 3-in-1 type of instant mix.

Teri-Q Stick (RM12.50)

Mum ordered the Teri-Q Stick, which is fried chicken marinated with teriyaki soybean sauce, coupled with garlic flavouring, and lightly coated with fine glutinous rice powder. No, my battered palate did not detect all the marinade, but the chicken was deep-fried to perfection, maintaining the crisp, though coated with the sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce. Delicious.

Jerk BBQ (RM14.50)

Yeah, the grilled chicken is named Jerk BBQ. Perfect for someone like me? =P Seriously, the chicken was marinated with special BBQ sauce that was slightly spicy, red pepper grain and over 20 natural seasonings (copied from the menu, hehe). The flesh was so deep in flavour, and succulent, retaining its natural juices. Though some might find it a tad oily. But small price to pay, for such an engaging piece of meat. Appeased my carnivorous appetite instantly.

Prawn Fried Rice

The main dish is served with either mashed potatoes, or prawn fried rice. Curious to see mashed potatoes on a Korean food menu, and to avoid potential disaster in sampling canned variety of the potatoes, we opted for the fried rice instead. We did not expect much, but the rice though looked bland at first glance, was fried just the way we like them. Soft, fluffy grains of rice, thrown into the wok with shrimps, the serving ain't small either. The waiter admitted the rice used is from the glutinous family.

A satisfying meal, far beyond our initial assumption. The place was rather empty when we walked in, but was half packed when we finished our meal. Wanted to order their dessert Pat Bing Soo (Red Bean Sherbet), but they ran out of the item.

Location : Gurney Plaza,No. 170-G-41, Persiaran Gurney 10250 Penang Tel:- 04 210 0222. Click HERE for more information from their website.

They have several outlets in Klang Valley, and another at New World Park, Swatow Lane. The waiter provided such impeccable service, assuring a decently and immensely satisfying meal for us. He proudly explained the restaurant's history, how they have 900+ outlets in Korea alone (!) and several others in Japan, China, and Australia.