Special thanks to Thai BBQ for extending this food review invitation.
Update: This business has ceased its operations.
There are two hawker centers in Bukit Mertajam by the name of “Fresh Food Court”. I have previously visited Fresh Food Court (新时代饮食中心) near Pusat Perniagaan Gemilang. Today, I am at Fresh Food Court (新时代美食中心) at Alma.
There are more than 20 stalls here. Nearest to the entrance is Thai BBQ (泰式烧烤), a stall which specializes in Thai-style barbecued meat. Sourced from Thailand, the meats are marinated using local Thai spices.
At Thai BBQ, the barbecue grill is heated by burning charcoal. The advantage of using charcoal over cooking gas is the tendency to impart “toastiness” to barbecued meat.
One of the signature items here is Thai Grilled Pork With Fresh Milk (泰式烤猪肉, RM2.30). The patty is a mixture of lean meat and tendon, giving the pork somewhat chewy mouthfeel. Meanwhile, the marinade makes the patty quite flavorful. I think it goes well with beer.
Nevertheless, my personal preference is Thai Grilled Chicken With Fresh Milk (泰式烤鸡肉, RM2.50). Like its pork counterpart, the chicken patty is also marinated well. Having said so, I find the chicken’s tenderness more appealing to my palate. Thai sweet chili sauce (น้ำจิ้มไก่) and lime are provided as condiments.
Big Fat Sausage (大肥香肠, RM3.00) has the strongest taste among all. In addition, its coarse texture provides multifaceted flavors as the sausage is chewed.
As for Thai Ham Sausage (泰式火腿香肠, RM2.50), there is a subtle yet lingering sense of tanginess reminiscent of cheese. I wonder whether actual cheese is used. Or have I mistaken the taste of ham?
On the other hand, the Thai Sausage (泰式普通香肠, RM2.30) is overshadowed by the other two sausages. Anyway, the sausages are served with lime and mayonnaise.
Several items on the menu may be unavailable because the supply of marinated meats from Thailand is inconsistent. However based on my experience today, I think it is a good idea to let the Thais do what they are good at. Besides vending at this hawker center, Thai BBQ also accepts large orders for private catering and nationwide delivery.
Name: Thai BBQ (泰式烧烤)
Address: 1818, Jalan Alma, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-422-2512, 010-377-1610
Business hours: 7:00pm-1:00am, closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiBBQAlma
Coordinates: 5.33086 N, 100.47616 E
Directions: Fresh Food Court (新时代美食中心) is located next to Jaya Gading supermarket in Alma. Thai BBQ is one of the stalls in this hawker center. There are parking spaces at the front.
