Swatow Lane Ais Kacang @ New World Park, Penang
November 9, 2008 | 7,014 views
The famous ABC (Ais Batu Campur) stall, now relocated into the newly-built New World Park.
But Penang’s really kind to hawkers and traders. Building a revamped and spacious area to house the stalls, and then various other restaurants, cafes, and retail outlets, complete with a parking area, under the moniker, New World Park.
Though some might argue the place has lost its originality and authenticity, but slurping on an iced-cold ABC under the shades, with sufficient airflow and fans, and cleaner surroundings appeals more to tourists and locals alike. Of course, commercialization breeds inflation. But ever so slightly. Imagine a lady selling “Freshly (ahem)made Sushi” from table to table, and the prices of the food/beverages bumped up a notch. Small price to pay, really.

I’ve actually not been here before so dun worry about others blogging about it before… It’s a first for me! 🙂
…now I got a craving for Lor Bak…
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wei.. changed to new place ar?? better lo.. more hygiene ma, rite??
yeah~~ miss the ABC with papaya and banana… weird combination hor… but i *HEART* it… hehe…
ei.. y no pic for char kuey teow?? =P
and y so many ‘ahem’?? got phlegm stuck in ur throat ar?? hahahaha…
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I agree that the New World Park is offering a more hygenic and comfortable space for all eventhough I am one of those who missed patronizing those Swatow Lane stalls under hot sun.
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hey ..I'm in Penang too.. also for a short trip.. let me know if you got time to meet up for a meal.. or if you need some directions or food place recommendations, do ask. (but since you stayed in Penang before I guess not huh? )
Whatever it is, enjoy your stay & yes, Penang food is something to savour ;p
However, I must say the standard has really dropped. For Ais Kacang there is usually black syrup or sarsi flavoured syrup in addition to the red one. Somehow, it taste just like sugar water to me now.. but yeah..a scoop of ice cream sure helps to "cream" it up!
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Hmm…Motormouth, did u try the famous laksa behind Dorsett, just outside Giant (Penang Plaza) back entrance? Its an Indian man on motorcycle serving laksa from his motorcycle with a myriad of titbits (fried popiah, tofu, nyonya kuih) NOrmally he is there btw 3pm -6pm daily. Very nice & unique.
Been some year since i last tried.. not sure if he is still there….but if u do stay in Dorsett again, u should try it out.
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u have a sore-throat with all the “ahem”. Back to old memory lane with a new twist now. Like the century egg, looks so good with the lor bak…one of my favourite of Penang is lor bak…
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I like the ABC ice-kacang too…
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There one stall selling banana pancake, it’s nice. Will post a review about it soon.
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life for beginners : hahaha, sure thing. I crave for the ABC more though.
KCA : really got phlegm now. bad case of flu. sigh …
din eat CKT lah. the stall also not many business one, dunno same uncle or not.
cariso : yeah. it’s more comfortable. but lost its original charm, i’d say. it looks like a plain food court like many others.
thenomadgourmand : hi! I’m back in Ipoh though. guess this posst came a tad too late? 🙂
D-Tourist : oh, I din notice that! selling on a motor? means only takeaway? or can sit on stools, roadside, to enjoy? 🙂
jencooks : I like century eggs. one part creamy/mushy, another part gelatinous/springy. yeah, really sore throat now.
little inbox : ditto.
allie : banana pancake near there as well? do post that up.
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There can never be enough blog posts about New World Park. The place is crammed full of goodies! The ais kacang looks like a million bucks! My choice of topping – nangka!
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Yes i do agree the Dorsett’s really over-rated – in reality, it was quite disappointing. I have tried that same ice-kachang, huge bowl, couldn’t finish it!
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i don’t like the new world park in swatow lane… really miss eating under the canvas sheets by the road side. But I still make my way here for the or kueh (yam cake)!
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550mL Jar of Faith : oh yeah hor. I also forgot got nangka or not this time. but i rmbr last time they din put ciku one. a nice addition.
pureglutton : regretted choosing Dorsett. for that same amount of money, we could’ve gone to other choices, such as hotels in Tg Bungah.
jasmine : oh so the yam cakes are nice? never knew though
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Yesss~ I soooooo agree w Jasmine! Yup, the yam cake is nice, so is his other stuffs.
The dude on the bike moved into the coffeeshop also near where he was based last time I think. That was when I was in Pg months ago, now got to chk again if he’s there or not..
Yeahh..your post came a wee bit too late! ;p
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Swatow Lane is now New World Park, and although I agree the food quality is below expectation now, I don’t oppose to the idea of modernization of this famous tourist haunt:)
Who wants to sit and enjoy specks of dust in your ais kacang along the road when you can have it under a shaded area with a big fan or fans, blowing your hair messy?:D
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The indian man has the laksa etc… all on his motor.. and u can haf the laksa either standing by the road side/behind giant or u can squat… no stool one.. 🙂 tats why very unique
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thenomadgourmand : yam cake also within the premise? din notice that lah. wasted. we were looking for snacks for tea break that day even.
christy : well, there's some truth in that I admit. the previous stalls by the roadside were not the most hygienic ones out there.
d-tourist : hehe, imagine piping hot & spicy laksa, and sweating it out squatting at one corner and relish that bowl. unforgettable experience, I'm sure.
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Yupe 🙂 just dun let the environment deter u 😛 heheheh!!! after u finish ur laksa noodles u can ask for some fried popiah dunked into the laksa soup… 🙂 C’est bon!
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fried popiah and laksa soup?!! *_*
works meh?
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They are those finger sized fried popiah… and they work in a wonderous way … 🙂
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please tell me the delicious swatow or jien and majestic rojak are still there.. ._.”
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d-tourist : oooh… fried popiah. like the Malay version? yummy.
sc : the Majestic rojak still at the Sin Se Kai coffee shop. but the Or Chien isn’t, It could’ve moved into the New World Park, but I cant be sure.
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not malay version, no chilli sauce on the hard crust one…same size but. more like chinese “char chun kuin” with thin crust…
beside popiah can add “tau kuah chien” – fried semi-hard taufoo
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d-tourist : oh ic. OK, i like spring rolls no matter how they’re made. steamed or fried, a perfect accompaniment to noodles, or snacks.
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gosh….. Penang Food at ur blog… looks so yummy la…
cannot tahan liao…. but hor in order for tourist to try local penang food, it is good to have it like new world park or gurney, all in one….
but they won’t get the best among those hawker food.
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I found the ABC from new world park not so nice….
the best I can find in penang is opposite Tecso Extra sungai dua.
Open at night…. the ABC with gula melaka! taste good!
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J2Kfm Reply:
January 12th, 2012 at 9:50 am
The house one you mean? Near to Hamna?
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