Yong Pin Dim Sum, Penang

Dim Sum for supper? Well that was what we had just now after our Fellowship meeting. We went to Yong Pin on Jalan Sungai Ujung, near to the junction of Cintra and Kimberley Street. I have not patronised that place for almost 10 years. I can still remember during my teens, me and my friends would go there after our camping trips or after our walk at Gurney Drive. Things has changed and we are all getting older and fatter!

'Mah Tai Ko' or water chestnut cake was my favorite, I even had seconds. The cakes were firm and fluffy on the surface and crunchy on the inside due to the loads of water chestnut slices in them. The taste was light and sweet (not too sweet), and you could still taste the water chestnut scent in them. If you could get the ones with their side slightly crisp, it would bring the feel to another level. Imagine the caramelised crisp sugary surface and the fluffy and crunchy insides!

Deep fried 'Lo Pak Ko' or Reddish Cake, the surface was crisp but the insides were a bit too soft. The taste was average with slight taste of dried shrimps (har mai) and not much of reddish taste. You could skip it if do not fancy this dish.

Then came the 'Siew Mai's or pork meat dumplings, we had two types the normal Siew Mai and the 'Kau Choi' Siew Mai. The tastes were quite traditional, porky, slight sweetness and creamy. The creaminess came from the Siew Mai skin itself. Siew Mais are one of my favourites and a must have for any dim sum meal as you tell the quality of the ingredients especially the pork meat and skill that was put in making it.

Then we had the fish balls, it was told that the fish balls and all the other dim sum and Paus are made in-house. They do not buy from other suppliers. The fish balls were soft and not as firm as those found in other dim sum shops. Taste wise they were not really that tasty, may be because not much MSG used!

We also tried their 'Chu Kyiok Chou' or Vinegar Pork Trotters. The gravy was a bit too sweet for my liking, but the trotters were tender and soft, and the fatty layer were very 'lemak'(creamy). For some of the meat chunks, they were a bit dry to the tongue. Still the home cook version feel and taste better.

Another dish that we order was the 'Keong Ngap Mun Min' or Simmered Noodle with Ginger Duck. The noodles were actually Yee Mee which has that unique taste to it. The Yee Mee was simmered or stewed in the Ginger Duck gravy. Thus, the noodles itself also have the aroma and taste of duck and ginger. The noodles were smooth and rich. It was anything but soggy.

On average, I would give this place:

• 3.5/5 for value (Everything for only RM 27.20, can't complain)
  
• 3.6/5 for taste & texture
  
• 3/5 for service
• 2.9/5 for cleanliness
• 3/5 for atmosphere

GPS Coordinates: to be added!

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