Zi Zai Restaurant 自在饭店 and 21 dishes Challenge @ Air Itam, Penang

Zi Zai Restaurant's main Chef, Mr Hock Chai has been practicing their family recipe, determine to serve the guest with authentic and kochabi homey dishes as their shop's name suggest. "Poon Choi" 盆菜 has been their signature dishes especially during Chinese New Year season, advance booking required. Though striving to keep the tradition, they have been creatively add on new menu such as Mistake Pot to cater for everyone needs. Though the location is somehow secluded, Zi Zai would be a great place for you to dine as if at home with variety of choices tagged in reasonable price.

Zi Zai Restaurant 自在饭店 with 21 dishes Challenge @ Air Itam, Penang

Mistake Pot 不对锅 (RM 68 small/RM 98 large), available upon preorder through 016-4217392

They have recently refined their Mistake Pot with more luxurious ingredients. It is akin the Korean's Army Stew (Budae Jijigae 部队锅), one of the most popular hot pot dish that made of easy ingredients and processed meat. Zi Zai has upgraded their Mistake Pot with lotsa fresh big prawns, coated with sinfully dense cheese. Challenge yourself by pulling the cheese as tall as you can. Tips, best savour the pot right after served.

Assam Curry Fish (RM 60)

Three Flavour Black Pomfret 三味黑鯧 (RM 40) that crisp at the outside but tender inside, topped with generous portion of onion, spicy hot chilipadi and golden garlic flake.

Signature Fish Fillet Claypot 魚肉豆腐 (RM 26 small/ RM 35 medium/ RM50 large), silky soft tofu complemented with fried snapper fillet.

Fish fillet with bean sauce 豆醬魚片 (RM 26 small/ RM 35 medium/ RM 50 large)

Signature Assam Prawns 阿三蝦 (RM 20 small/ RM 40 medium/ RM 50 large), chewy and juicy prawn capsuled with tamarind sauce.

Sambal Prawns 三拜蝦 (RM20 small/ RM20 medium/ RM50 large)

Ulala 原味拉拉 (RM13), fresh lala stir fried with their unique spicy sauce.

Clams with hot bean sauce (RM 13)

Sour Plum Chicken 酸梅雞 (RM 14) with crispy nugget ladled with appetizing sour plum sauce. Crunch the nugget with onion for more exciting sensual.

Ahma Fried Chicken 阿嬤煎雞 (RM 12)

Belachan Chicken 馬來煎雞 (RM 12)

Chicken with Sesame Oil 麻油雞 (RM 14)

Steamed Pork with salted fish 鹹魚篜豬肉 (RM 14)

Orbak Dark Soy Pork 黑肉 (RM 14)

Tukachor 豬腳醋 (RM 20 small/ RM 35 large) , tender meat after hours of simmering with palate-excite ginger and garlic.

Chung Ling Sambal Egg 碎蛋 (RM 6 small/ RM 10 large) that makes you reminiscence your schooling time in Chung Ling High School.

Yaomak Chinese Cheese 腐乳油麥 (RM 12)

Taogeh Salted Fish 鹹魚芽菜 (RM 12) The taogeh has been thoughtfully removed the brown end, then wok-fried with ginger slices, chili, spring onion and salted fish. Feel the crunch and freshness in every bite.