Special thanks to Fu Er Dai for extending this food review invitation.
The morning dim sum (点心) at Fu Er Dai (富二代) is well-received especially on weekends. Fu Er Dai also served Thai-style steamboat (หมูกระทะ) previously, but this meal service has since been discontinued sometime last year.
Just recently, Fu Er Dai has brought in the expertise of Road Side (大路边) to serve fish head noodle. Road Side used to operate a restaurant at Jalan Bagan Jermal.
There are 3 types of soup to choose from: tomyam (东炎), milky soup (淡奶) and clear soup (清汤). Porridge (粥) is also available but it is not as popular.
Each type of soup has 3 preset versions: pork (猪肉), fried fish (炸鱼肉) and fresh fish (鲜鱼肉). Alternatively, customers can customize their own ingredients with a variety of add-ons. Seafood choices include shrimps, squids and cuttlefish.
Fried fish uses meat from snapper and is coated in crispy batter. I think fried fish works better with tomyam.
As for fresh fish, grouper (石斑鱼) is used instead. In terms of compatibility, fresh grouper is somewhat more universal when it comes to matching soup.
Other add-ons include meatballs, yong tau foo (酿豆腐), mushrooms, tofu, egg, seaweed and leafy vegetables. There are also a handful of noodle choices like carrot noodle (萝卜面) and spinach noodle (菠菜面).
The bowl of Tomyam Fish Head Bee Hoon (东炎鱼头米粉) is too spicy that it produces numbing effect on my lips and tongue. I think it is better to ask for a milder version if you are not sure whether you are able to handle the fiery pungency.
The reason why fried fish (RM9.50) is preferred with tomyam is because its coating prevents the soup’s spiciness from penetrating too deep into the fish.
I personally prefer the Milky Soup Fish Head Bee Hoon (淡奶鱼头米粉). Enjoyed with fresh fish (RM11.00), the milky soup is tasty to the last drop. Yes, I literally emptied the bowl to the very last drop!
Also compatible with the soup are minced pork and pork balls. I recommend that you try both because they are succulent.
As for side dishes, the plate of Deep Fried Prawn Mantis (炸虾蛄, RM6.00 for medium portion) is sufficiently large for 2 or 3 persons. Coated with light batter, the fried mantis shrimps do not feel too greasy as I had feared. This delicacy is best enjoyed while it is still hot from the fryer.
Overall, I think the Milky Soup Fish Head Bee Hoon is still my cup of tea. I also recommend that you try both types of fish, minced pork and pork balls. In terms of pricing, the food here is pretty reasonable compared to other eateries in George Town.
Name: Fu Er Dai (富二代)
Address: 7, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-251-9289
Business hours: 6:30am-2:00pm, 6:00pm-12:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/fuerdaipg
Coordinates: 5.42322 N, 100.33275 E
Directions: Driving westward along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Fu Er Dai is located on the left immediately after the Old Protestant Cemetery. The restaurant is directly opposite of Thirty Two At The Mansion. There are parking spaces next to the restaurant, and also on the private land adjacent to it.
