Zi Zai Restaurant @ Paya Terubong, Penang

What is the maximum dishes you had before? Probably 10? Well if you are looking to have a feast like the "Man Han Quan Xi (满汉全席)" or literally, Manchu Han Imperial Feast, where it was one of the grandest meals ever documented in Chinese cuisine, then head over to Zi Zai Restaurant at Paya Terubong Penang where we had our record-breaking 21 dishes dinner. Don't believe me? Read on!

Record Breaking 21 Dishes Dinner!

The last time we had our dinner at Zi Zai Restaurant was for the Gartien Crossover Partner and we had good dining experience especially the Poon Choi, Fried Chicken and Chung Ling Sambal Egg. This time around, we had the chance to savor on all 21 mesmerizing dishes which includes some of the new dishes as well. So, this is going to be a long post, you may not want to read with an empty stomach! 😂 

We started off with the Chicken with Sesame Oil 麻油雞 (RM14) whereby it kick-starts our appetite with the fragrance of sesame oil. This is like the one dish that suitable for the pregnant lady since there are ginger and sesame oil which is beneficial with health promoting nutrients, such as calcium and iron. Then we had Ulala 原味拉拉 (RM13) which was being stir fried at its original best. 

For dish number 3 and 4, we had Dark Soy Pork 黑肉 (RM14) and Ah Ma Fried Chicken 阿嬤煎雞 (RM12). These dishes are those old school flavors of yester-year which were really appetizing to go with a big bowl of rice. Then we had Belachan Chicken 馬來煎雞 (RM12) as well which reminded me my mum's Belachan Chicken! 

The 6th dish we had was a new dish by the chef which is Mistake Pot 不對鍋 (Small RM68/Large RM98). It is similar to the famous Korean Budae Jjigae ( 韓式部隊鍋) where the dish often incorporates ingredients such as instant noodles, sliced American cheese, ground beef, sliced sausages, baked beans, onions, green onions and so on. But for Zi Zai Restaurant's Mistake Pot, it consists of big prawns, corns, kimchi, onions and topped with lots of gooey cheese. 

Then we had Chung Ling Sambal Egg 碎蛋 (Small RM6/Large RM10) and Steamed Pork with Salted Fish 鹹魚篜豬肉 (RM14). I believe any Chung Ling alumni like myself would love the Chung Ling Sambal Egg as it brings back the memory and I highly recommend that you should try it too!

For 9th and 10th dish we had Sambal Prawns 三拜蝦 (Small RM26/Medium RM40/Large RM50) and Yaomak Chinese Cheese 腐乳油麥 (RM12). Sambal Prawns was quite good as it isn't too spicy but yet very appetizing with a lot of onions. 

Then Assam Prawns 阿三蝦 (Small RM20/Medium RM40/Large RM50) and Signature Fish Fillet Claypot 魚肉豆腐 (Small RM26/Medium RM35/Large RM50). Again, Assam Prawn is exactly how the way my mum would cook at home. 

The 13th and 14th are Three Flavour Black Pomfret 三味黑鯧 (RM 40) and Assam Curry Fish 阿三魚 (RM60). The hot and sourish Assam Curry Fish consists of one big whole fish so it could be shared by a big table of people and of course a lot of rice!

Then we had Taogeh Salted Fish 鹹魚芽菜 (RM12) and Super Curry Chicken 超級咖哩雞 (RM20). Super Curry Chicken is another new dish that I find it interesting since there's cheese on top of the curry which makes it a fusion of western and eastern style of cooking. Cheese lover would certainly love this!

The 17th and 18th dishes we had were Kang Kong 馬來風光 (RM 12) and Sour Plum Chicken 酸梅雞 (RM14). We had quite a number of chicken with different cooking method, but I like this Sour Plum Chicken the most. Deep fried chicken cutlet were succulent and appetizing with the sour plum sauce. 

Then here comes the signature dish of Zi Zai Restaurant - Tukachor/Vinegar Pork 豬腳醋 (Small RM20/Medium RM35). Many people would come here for this especially those that miss their home cooking. 

Lastly, the 20th and 21th dish are Clams with Hot Bean Sauce 灘 (RM13) and Fish Fillet with Bean Sauce 豆醬魚片 (Small RM26/Medium RM35/Large RM50). 

Overall, the 21 dishes were shared across a big table with 13 pax. We managed to finish most of the dishes but once again, it is important to tell you not to waste any of the food, so make sure you are there with a lot of big eaters or probably invite yours truly to go with you! 😁

For your ease of ordering, here's the whole list of 21 dishes:
1. Mistake Pot 不對鍋 - (Small RM68/Large RM 98)
2. Three Flavour Black Pomfret 三味黑鯧 - (RM 40)
3. Kang Kong 馬來風光 - (RM 12)
4. Taogeh Salted Fish 鹹魚芽菜 - (RM12)
5. Yaomak Chinese Cheese 腐乳油麥 - (RM12)
6. Orbak Dark Soy Pork 黑肉 - (RM14)
7. Steamed Pork with salted fish 鹹魚篜豬肉 - (RM14)
8. Tukachor 豬腳醋 - (Small RM20/Medium RM35)
9. Ulala 原味拉拉 - (RM13)
10. Belachan Chicken 馬來煎雞 - (RM12)
11. Ahma Fried Chicken 阿嬤煎雞 - (RM12)
12. Sour Plum Chicken 酸梅雞 - (RM14)
13. Chicken with Sesame Oil 麻油雞 - (RM14)
14. Assam Prawns 阿三蝦 - (Small RM20/Medium RM40/Large RM50)
15. Sambal Prawns 三拜蝦 - (Small RM26/Medium RM40/Large RM50)
16. Clams with hot bean sauce 灘 - (RM13)
17. Signature Fish Fillet Claypot 魚肉豆腐 - (Small RM26/Medium RM35/Large RM50)
18. Assam Curry Fish - (RM60)
19. Super Curry Chicken 超級咖哩雞 - (RM20)
20. Chung Ling Sambal Egg 碎蛋 - (Small RM6/Large RM10)
21. Fish fillet with bean sauce 豆醬魚片 - (Small RM26/Medium RM35/Large RM50)

Call for reservation now!

1239-G, Jalan Paya Terubong, 

11060, Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang ‎

Tel: 04-826 5713 ‎

Till then! ;)
Happy Food hunting!