MY WIFE Michelle and I indulged in a round-island cycling trip in Pulau Langkawi, recently.
We learned that there were some really good makan places there.
Her friend, Marina, who runs a homestay in Kampung Kedawang, introduced us to gulai kalut (quick-fix gravy) near the Langkawi International Airport at Padang Matsirat.
It is called Halim GP Gulai Panas (N 6°20’44.4”, E 99°43’58.5”) and this makan place is open only after 6pm.
We were privileged to join the local crowd in savouring one of the best gulai kalut dishes on the island.
Customers can select the fresh seafood at the gulai kalut shop.
Customers can choose their catch-of-the-day, ranging from ikan tenggiri (spanish mackerel), loban (Indo-Pacific mullet) and jenahak (snapper) to a wide variety of seafood.
Throw in a basket of ladies’ fingers and chillies and the gulai kalut experience is complete.
Besides that, customers can order side dishes such as ikan goreng garing (crispy fried fish).
Marina recommended the ikan kembung (Indian mackerel) and loban as the sides.
Deep-fried crispy Indian mackerels are part of the tasty dishes offered at Halim GP.
My personal favourite was the gulai kalut ikan sembilang (spear-tailed sea catfish), priced at RM5 for 100g.
You can choose to have your gulai prepared with the choice cuts since the ikan sembilang can be large.
While waiting for our food, we savoured the ulam-ulaman (raw vegetables) and I must say that the sambal that comes with it really has a “kick”.
The wait for our food to be served was brief and when the gulai dish was presented, it was excellent.
Fresh ikan sembilang and the tasty kuah (gravy) over a plate of hot rice really made my day.
Catfish in gravy served on a plate of hot rice.
The texture of the catfish was fine and its sweet-tasting flesh was a tell-tale of freshness.
After indulging in a good dinner, my bill for the fried fish dishes, gulai ikan sembilang, ulam and some take-away dishes for Marina’s husband came up to RM57.
I rate this makan place 9 out of 10 on the Samo-scale and will definitely make a return trip in the future.
Pulau Langkawi is accessible by flight from Subang Airport and the KL International Airport.
Michelle and I brought our folding bicycles into the island by ferry from Kuala Kedah where the return fare for one person is RM46.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement of Star Metro.
