Zen Xin Vegetarian, Penang

Zen Xin Vegetarian ("ZXV") is the reason for my many visits to Penang. Ok, besides the culture & heritage, the view of the beach and..."lengchais" of course! The dishes do not contain eggs, onion or garlic. I always order similar dishes on my visit to ZXV because they never disappoint me.  The wind may change direction, you may grow fatter, but ZXV continues to retain its reputation and standard by continuing to deliver scrumptious food!  

1) Baked Nyonya Oats Fish 
partially eaten nyonya fish due to my "fight OR fight" response!

The chewy and slightly fishy taste of the soya-baked fish (wrapped in a layer of seaweed sheet) immersed and baked in a slightly sweet and spicy assam sauce makes gives you a delish experience and you can never be satiated!

Rating: 10/10

2) Sour plum chicken

The crispiness of the skin, juicy and chewy interior make this dish an unforgettable one! Taste very much like real fried chicken but without bones and healthier! They come either without the sour plum or with the sour plum sauce. I recommend adding the sauce as it gives it extra oomph, and sweetness, while adding some moist to the "fried-ness". Please do inform them to add more sour plum sauce as they may sometimes give you too little of it!

Rating: 9/10


3) Abalone mushroom with sweet and sour sauce and pineapples

The fresh abalone mushrooms are well battered, fried, and saturated with sweet and sour sauce - not too sweet nor sour! The fried abalone mushrooms retain its crispiness despite the sauce. The sauce and the pineapples add a boost of appetising feel to this dish!  

Rating: 9/10

4) Claypot tofu with mushrooms and capsicums 

Tofu is soft, fragrant and fresh, coupled with a variety of fresh mushrooms and capsicums in light brown soy sauce resulting in a hearty, healthy, yet yummy dish! 

Rating: 8/10

5) Claypot fried tofu with mixed vegetables

Provides an alternative hearty, healthy and yummy dish and similar sauce to above dish no. 4. I prefer the tofu in dish no.4, as the fried tofu slightly buries the natural soy fragrant from the tofu.  I also prefer the mushrooms in dish no.4 over the mixed vegetables because the choice of mixed vegetables make it convoluted and indistinctive. Perhaps suitable to those looking for varieties of nutrients from different vegetables?

Rating: 6/10

6) Home-cooked java mee

made with love and selfless-ness

Somewhere in the kimberley street of Penang, lies a retired chef who now only cooks for her loved ones. This is her signature java mee - enough tomato sauce, spice and ingredients to make you want two plates to feel satisfied!  

Rating: 10/10 - or maybe I am just bias?

Zen Xin Vegetarian, Penang
Address: No. 42, Jalan Nagor, 10050 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +604-228 6828, 016-563 4383
Website: https://www.facebook.com/zenxinvege

Retired chef, Penang
Address: secret
Contact: secret
Website: secret