Sambal Hijau - Delicious Kampung Cuisine @ Kg Penchala

Still on a roll on "Kampung Cuisine"...

Our group of VHRCs were happily eating our lunch (the lunch that we cooked) at Rohani Jelani's Bayan Indah and the conversation was centred on Food, naturally. I think it was Lyrical Lemongrass who asked Rohani if there's any good bite around that area (besides Rohani's cooking, that is!). Rohani immediately related that someone had introduced her to this place called "Sambal Hijau" which is located in Kg Penchala itself - a skip and a hop from Bayan Indah.

And that was what prompted me to blog about this now because I had actually eaten at this restaurant a couple of times and had not blogged about it!

Located right next to the unmistakable orange-coloured Masjid Jamek Taas in Kg Penchala (along Jalan Sg Penchala), this place is immensely popular! The few times I had been there, the place was absolutely crowded - at the tables and at the queue taking the food. It has been featured quite a bit in the malay media, so I guess that also contributes to its popularity.

The array of mostly malay kampung-style cuisine served here is - mindboggling, to say the least!

For example, the "Masak Lemak" style alone can have so many variants! All kinds of meats and vegetables done the "Masak Lemak" way...




The kerabus, ulams and vegetables selection was equally good...




I love their Kerabu Pucuk Paku!

And then you have the Curries, Sambals, Fried Chicken/Fish ...and all things spicy!



The tray of Pedal & Hati Goreng (fried chicken innards) was just as tempting...




This is the Sambal Hijau - its namesake...



It's green chillies and chilli padi, ground coarsely and cooked in some oil - it looked "lethal" but actually it's really not that hot. It's refreshing "greeny" flavour makes it stand out from the usual sambal belacan.



For me, every time I'm here, I never fail to head for the Ikan Panggang (Grilled Fish)...




The variety of fish - quite a good selection really, are grilled at a corner so you can get your Ikan Panggang fresh off the grill. Just pick your fish and then help yourself to the different sambals available (unlimited helpings!) to go with your fish!



This was my lunch there the other day, hehe! Nice?




Do go there early... the popular dishes tend to run out quite fast. There is a huge parking area behind the restaurant, so parking is not a problem. But it's advisable not to go there for lunch on a Friday though - the fact that it's next to a mosque, well, it's going to be preeetty crowded then, agree?



The map to this place is easily google-able, hehe!

UPDATE (14 June 2010):
OK, as I have received some queries on HOW to get to this place, well, here are some directions:

* Coming from LDP/Bandar Utama/1U, take the Penchala Link Exit 1101A
* Keep Left, then take Exit 2317 "KG SG PENCHALA/TTDI"
* As you approach Traffic Lights, turn left - signboard "Kg Sg Penchala"
* You will reach another set of traffic lights & the Orange-colored Masjid Jamek Taas - SAMBAL HIJAU is right next to the masjid.

I hope the above directions help :-)