Special thanks to Lao Ban Soya Beancurd for extending this food review invitation.
Located within the densely-populated district of Paya Terubong, Kuta Bali Cafe (峇里城食坊) is one of the largest hawker centers in Penang. Despite having over 50 different stalls, no two of them offer the exactly same type of food.
Along the eastern edge of Kuta Bali Cafe is a stall called Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (老伴港式冷豆花). This stall has been operating for several years now, but its low profile makes it relatively unknown beyond the immediate vicinity of Air Itam.
As the name implies, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd specializes in bean curd (豆花), a sweet jelly-like dessert which is typically served chilled. Using a secret recipe acquired several years ago, the bean curd is produced from premium quality organic soy beans.
The stall only does vending; the production of bean curd is done at home. Unlike most commercial brands, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd refrains from using artificial preservatives. Therefore, the bean curd needs to remain refrigerated at all times and must be consumed within 4 days.
Contrary to popular belief, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd’s products contain negligible amount of purine, making them ideal for those who suffer from gout. Using the bare minimum amount of sugar, the bean curd can be a part of healthy diet even for children. In addition, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd’s products are entirely vegan-friendly.
There are 6 flavors of bean curd to choose from. Original (原味) flavor is the most popular one to date. Almond (杏仁) and Honeydew (蜜瓜) are fast-moving too. Customers who prefer fruitier taste can try the Peach (水蜜桃) and Strawberry (草莓) variants. The Durian (榴莲) flavor is available yearlong but is only sold on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
To maintain freshness, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd maintains a small inventory of products every evening. As a result, it is not uncommon for certain flavors to be sold out before the usual closing time. For large orders, Lao Ban Soya Beancurd recommends advance ordering to ensure adequate supply for its regular customers.
Name: Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (老伴港式冷豆花)
Address: Kuta Bali Cafe, 19, Lintang Paya Terubong 1, 11060 Air Itam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-442-8289
Business hours: 6:00pm-11:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/LaoBanSoyaBeancurdPenang
Coordinates: 5.39094 N, 100.27662 E
Directions: Drive northwards along Jalan Paya Terubong towards Air Itam. After the fire station, turn right at the next traffic lights. At the end of this road, turn right again. Kuta Bali Cafe is located on the left. Lao Ban Soya Beancurd is one of the stalls on the far side. Parking is available around the hawker center.
