When we talk about Penang Tau Sar Pneah and Tambun Pneah, the first two shops people think of are Ghee Hiang along Beach Street (now in Macalister Road too) and Him Heang along Burmah Road. Although Ghee Hiang is one of the oldest shops to be selling tau sar pneah and is quite famous, the quality of their tau sar pneah is sadly not so good anymore. In fact, it has nosedived so much that the only thing I ever buy from Ghee Hiang is their sesame seed oil which is still good.
As for Him Heang, which is opened by the cook who left Ghee Hiang years ago, it is okay lah, if you are not that picky. However, their quality has also dropped. So, I went in search of other tau sar pneah shops and found this small establishment called Soon Hiang.
The small shop is relatively unknown and they don’t produce as much tau sar pneah as the two big guns, Ghee Hiang and Him Heang. They also do not have all those nice, colourful packaging. It is a typical family business.
Their tambun pneah is really good. The skin are soft and not to thick and the fillings, thick and not too sweet. They also sell the best ever Phong Pneah but these are limited edition everyday so have to order in advance.
The prices are also quite reasonable as the tau sar pneah is RM2.50 per roll and tambun is RM8.50 per box.
So, if you are hankering for tau sar pneah and tambun pneah, Soon Hiang is definitely the place to go!
Address:
Soon Hiang
36, Jalan Kuantan
Datuk Keramat
Penang
Tel: 04-2295799.
Rating: 7/10
Price:$$
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i prefer the him heang wan at jalan burma
Him Heang’s no longer as good as before. Why? I took a look at the box and it says “vegetable oil”. Where’s the good old “bak ui”? They now taste so flat and lacking in that something we all love!
i like penang tau sar pneah. him heang brand. vegetable oil is supposed to be healthy.
There is one tau sar piah shop called Seng Hiang at Air Itam. The piah tastes great. So, the two famous shops could possibly take a step back now with this one.
falcon: oh well, so do a lot of others!
ex-pneahfan: that’s the problem lar. everyone into healthy lifestyle so they cut out the lard and use vegetable oil and in the end, the taste all out. It is just like bak chang without the bak.
baby: yep, vegetable oil is suppose to be healthy but then a little bit of lard doesn’t hurt anyone either, as long as we do not overdo it. If it is a halal item, then it is another matter lar.
naive: I’ve tried Seng Hiang. Okay only lar but you are right, it is still better than ghee hiang and him heang. Hmm…must be the lard!
Foong… yes I believe what you said… lard is still most important element in most Chinese food and cuisine. Just taste the Chinese food at hotels… not much oommph!!! as compared to our Penang Hawker food. Hokkien mee could be one good example… I am a fan of Hokkien Mee for many years… The Mee Udang at Gertak Sanggol, and many years ago also one outlet at Dalat Cinema (1st Floor Komtar) were good, but to people who dont take lard!
Dear Tau Sar Piah fans
Forgot to mention about the Tau Sar Piah at Hock Lok Siew located at Noordin Street obliquely opposite the demolishing Choon Man Hooi (Wembley Theatre). I believe this one could compete well with other famous joints in taste and price. Try it out!
naive: thanks for the tip.
when i was kid, i always eat Ghee Hiang..
when i was studying tat time, my friend intro me to Him Heang..Him Heang taste is nice..but 1 time they show me pao kong face…so i already block them dee….
then i back to Ghee Hiang..actaully the taste is not bad..but the service defenately is better than Him Heang..
My mom just brought new tau sar pheah to let me taste..is from Soon Heang..the taste actually is nice…
Ghee Hiang and Soon Heang is my first choice now…
Gal,
Try Hock Lok Siew suggested by naive 13/08/08 above.
Price is more competitive.
GH or HH may lose out!
In fact HH started their shop at Noordin Street/Bridge Street before moving to the new place.