Taiwanese Delight KoChaBi Restaurant @ Penang

It has become a fact that we have fallen in love with Taiwanese style food after 2 separate trips there. Generally, the creativity of spice usage in Taiwanese cuisine has drove us missing them dreadfully, as it induced a pleasant and appealing sensation upon savouring. Though the night markets in Malaysia have been trying to replicating Taiwanese snacks but so far none of it really matched identically those snacks we have tried in Taiwan. Well, not until we went to KoChaBi restaurants..

The minced pork rice tasted above average with a certain percentage matching Taiwan's standard. Comparing to Taiwan braised pork rice, KoChaBi's version is more skewed to using lean meat instead and the taste derived from soy sauce is different as well. It does satisfy the crave for a bowl of Taiwan braised pork rice since the last trip to Taiwan was some time ago. 

Besides, the choice of grains are different too with our preference of choices go to authentic Taiwan braised pork rice because they are using smaller size grains, and the coating of flavorful oily sauce yield the irresistible taste.

The fishball soups tasted nice with a light aromatic scent. The other dishes merely serve to compliment the carnivorous minced pork rice then.

Taiwan Chicken Chop Ramen Set Meal (RM 19.00) looks like more a combination of 2 famous Taiwanese cuisine to us. The dried ramen tasted averagely and nothing is excited about it but the chicken chop leaves a lingering nice taste on our tongue. The crunchy chicken chop is heavily seasoned with chili powder, making the crispy sound upon biting. If you are a lady on a date, make sure to take care of your images when biting the crunchy chicken chops!

Complimentary puddings and drinks from milk tea, red tea, green tea or coffee is available to be chosen to complement the set. The milk tea definitely needs some additional work as it tasted just mediocre.

Updated 21st May, 2016

During our second visit, we tried their Curry Chicken Rice (RM 24.50). That have been very considerate that prepared the curry sauce in separate bowl so that we can just dip the chicken into it, keeping the fried chicken's skin crispy. We glad to find the white rice flavored with a bit of pork mince.  We ordered them in set with warm red tea and complimentary pudding.

It was not common to find milk steamboat. This personal Taro Milk steamboat (RM 27) were well seasoned, with sweet end came from the stewing veges, fish ball and mushroom. The special sweet sauce was the highlight of all. We had it during the rainy weather, felt wonderful having some warm soup to sooth our body.

There are currently 3 branches of Taiwan KoChaBi restaurant in Penang, namely at Gurney Paragon, Jalan Burmah and Penang Times Square (please correct me if I am wrong). We had our meal at KoChaBi at Gurney Paragon, and if you have any feedback on their other outlets, do let us know too!

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