Here's another for the sweet tooth...something that is quite diffifult to find these days in Penang. Tee Ya Kueh or Knee Ya Kueh (depends on which area of Penang you say this), is hardly popular amongst the youngsters. As the name goes (in both pronunciation), Tee means "sweet" in Hokkien and Knee means "lye-water" were both guilty of making this kueh usual. In the days of old, lye-water was added to the mixture of self-grinded rice flour to give the end product a smooth and chewy texture. The mixture was then brought to a boil until it thickens. It was then poured out in a tray and left to cool until it looks like a tray of custard. Then it was cut in to chunks and served (some would chilled them in the refrigerator). The kueh is served with thick gula melaka cooked with a little coconut milk (santan). Nowadays, knee is hardly used, as there were rumours too much lye-water is harmful and santan is known for causing cardiac, therefore, out with the coconut milk from the caramel mixture too...
When I was staying in Chow Thye Road as a child, there was a man who sells Tee Ya Kueh from a tricycle, cycling along, shouting "Tee Ya Kueh! Tee Ya Kueh!" in a soprano pitch, while squeaking the hooter. Now, if you want to try Tee Ya Kueh, you can buy from the main stall that sells the famous Ais Kacang and cut fruits in New World Park. The kueh is not chewy, but soft and the caramel is made of brown sugar...no santan. It now even comes in green (supposedly pandan flavour, minus the fragrance). No kick, but to please the appetite, can make do. I remember the old saying..."chiak tee tee, tua tharn chnee" (simply means..."take sweet things and get more wealth"!!!), but these days is "chiak tee tee, pang tee jeow" (which simply means..."take sweet things and be diabetic!!! Hahaha!!!).
Ratings : 5/10
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