CHEAP, BIG, THICK & SWEET.....

"Cheap, big, thick and sweet". Ask any Penangites and they know that I am referring to the humble "Ban Chan Kueh"....a typical local pancake many foodies will be familiar with.

However, if you come across as a "hard bargainer"when you are out shopping at the local market or "pasar malam", the shopkeeper may turn sarcastic by asking you whether you are buying a piece of "Ban Chan Kueh"!!

"Ban Chan Kueh" in it's basic form is a simple pancake made of flour cooked on a cast iron pan with sugar and grounded peanuts sprinkled on it and topped with a dab of margarine for added flavour. The traditionalist will use charcoal fire but nowadays cooking gas are also used to heat up the cast iron pans.

Basically in Penang, there are two basic types of "Ban Chan Kueh". The difference is only the sizes that they are made. One is about 6 inches in diameter and the other is about 15 inches in diameter. The smal one is thinner and the big one is thicker. The small version is served folded individually, while the the big version is folded half and then cut into wedges or irregular polygons for ease of eating.

But over the past few years, the humble "Ban Chan Kueh" has gone through a "metamorphosis" in terms of toppings other than the original grounded peanuts. It used to have only slight variations like brown sugar instead of white sugar and extra toppings like canned sweet corn.

Let me introduce you to the stall that changes this humble snack into something else....
This stall is located at the "Supertanker Hawker Centre" in Taman Lip Sin, next to the newly completed SMK Phor Tay and the Jubilee Home for the Aged. This stall makes the smaller version of "Ban Chan Kueh".

It is run by a stout couple, both heavily tattooed (real tattoos, mind you) and donning their standard white "pagoda" t-shirts. Their menu, nicely computer- printed and neatly laminated proudly presents more than 50 or 60 types of different toppings!!! They ranged from the sweet stuff like chocolates to savoury things like tuna etc..There are also extra toppings like cheese, red beans, bananas, fresh coconut shavings etc.....

Wow...I think I will like you to find out for yourself the varieties of toppings available in this stall. This couple has "rebranded" the whole "Ban Chan Kueh" business!

The stall is known as "Aki Pancake" and they are open nightly during weekdays. During weekends and public holidays they will be open during breakfast time too. Depending on the type of your preferred toppings...you will have to leave out the "cheap" part in describing this humble "Ban Chan Kueh"

Personally, I still prefer the bigger and thicker traditional version with just plain brown sugar and grounded peanuts. To me "Ban Chan Kueh" is a comfort food and it will lift your spirit when enjoyed with a mug of steaming hot kopi-oh!

"Pan Ghee, Tua Tay, Kau, Thnee"....thats Penang Hokkien to describe "Ban Chan Kueh"