QQ Thai Seafood, Bukit Mertajam Penang

UPDATE: Early 2009. Restaurant cannot be found anymore. Boo-hoo-hoo.

Yes, yes that is the restaurant's calling card. Interesting right? According to the staff, it's a picture of one of Thailand's most beloved early kings. In fact, this shop placed an altar to honour and give prayers to him on its wall facing the shopfront, not unlike how most Chinese businessmen will place the Guan-Gong God's figurine! However, on that altar no figurine but a casual picture of his majesty puffing a long pipe. I wanted to photograph it but thought better of it as it may be deemed disrespectful. Furthermore we were there for dinner, not to experience Thai-boxing in close proximity. =P

Now back to the main feature. The 6 of us were all geared up (thinly attired, thick pads of serviettes/tissue papers and cold drinks within easy reach) to attack the hot and numbing authentic Thai food in a chaotic non-air-conditioned restaurant. Chaotic because business was very good and the staff who were bussing around spewed Thai left right center. We ordered according to the staff's recommendations as well as less than discreet peeks over other patrons' tables.Fish Steamed in Siamese Style. Sour sour sour. Hot hot hot. Salty salty salty. We almost drained the broth!Otak-otak (Mixture of fishmeat, shrimps, squids and spices in eggs) (take 1) Otak-otak (take 2 - picture only, not 2nd order)Haha, yes, it was my favourite dish of the night. It would had been better if it was served as pictured in the menu, in an open top coconut.

Tomyum Soup. This was done with a special request by me. Only lalas (ie. clams) and no other seafood please. At first the rest were sceptical as we were used to either mixed seafood or just prawns/shrimps but the 'risk' was worth it! The clams were very fresh and juicy. Other seafood was not missed! *still continuing to give self back pats*.Pork Knuckle (Braised then roast or most probably deep fried). Phitoy insisted on this after eyeing it on the next table. It was no eye candy but whoa, melt in your mouth texture.Sambal Lou-soon (Chili Asparagus). Even our greens dish was hot hot hot! *wipe brow*Tamed the fire a little with refreshing 'ambla-sheng-boi' (ambla-suin-mooi in Cantonese)/kedondong with preserved saltysour plum juice. Actually not all had this. 2 ordered Iced Milo.

Our bill and the contact number:-Oh, there was no individual breakdown on the cost of dishes on the receipt though there were a few unintelligible scribble which a staff mentioned it's Thai in passing. Since they were still busy we did not bother enquiring further.

This would be one of the many posts (past & future) whereby I'll go "it's good, must try, highly recommended, best-best" but has no idea how to point the way there. But hey, one will never know right about who may be reading one's blog. Maybe I'll get lucky and you, yes you there, are able and willing to help give directions. Otherwise, do call the restaurant for directions. Not too difficult to find as it's location can be seen from the main road near the Sentosa/Kampung Baru area.