Hung Steam Cup Rice @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang

It has been some time since our trip to Bukit Mertajam for a luncheon. On the spur of the moment, we craved for the cup rice in Bukit Mertajam, recalling the steam white rice soused by the peculiar sauce. Due to our unretentive memories, we were kinda lost at the Bukit Mertajam town and we arrived at Hung Steam Cup Rice, mistakenly thought it was the cup rice we had years ago but with a revamped eatery. However, it turned out to be a lucky moment during an unlucky experience as Hung Steam Cup Rice served surprisingly good cup rice as well!

A set of cup rice with roasted pork (RM4.00) served in a way resembles a volcano, as the starchy sauce drenched the steamed rice while the excess floats around the plate, then the roasted porks are sprinkled on top of the rice. The sauce is the cardinal component of the cup rice, as it emanated a strong distinguished taste. A tad of the souce accompanying the rice is enough to get the taste to linger in your mouth.

The strong taste being exerted by the sauce actually diminished the presence of roasted porks. Add on slices of green pickles to the rice to give it a mixture sourly and sweet taste. Soup is provided complimentary on the container used to steam the rice, what a creative utilisation of resources.

It now leads me to think that this is actually another variety of chicken rice not available in Penang Island yet.

My curiosity drew me to observe how the chef prepares the cup rice. The individual steamed cup rice is taken from the steamer and roasted pork or chicken is added, then the chef pour the special sauce on top of every bowl of the rice.