[Penang, Malaysia] Putu Mayong Times Square on Dato Keramat Road

klyeoh · April 17, 2024, 2:01pm

One of the most popular Indian snacks in Penang is the 𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜: steamed rice vermicelli, often sold with fresh, grated coconut and brown sugar.

Its Malaysian/Singaporean name is a misnomer, since the dish in question is correctly known as 𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙢 in South India, where it originates from.

In early Malaya, more than a century ago, the 𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙖𝙢, together with steamed 𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙪 (called 𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙪 𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 in Malay) were peddled by itinerant South Indian vendors who carried them around in rattan basket-trays whilst shouting “Puttu, Mayong” - the latter term comes from “mayang”, the local Malay term referring to the grated coconut. The Malays usually slice the “mayang” to obtain “air nira” (the sap of the palm tree).

So, local Malays mistook “puttu” as referring to the “idiyappam”. The name, even if incorrect, stuck. The Thais made a similar food-name fiasco when they called “eu char koay” (deep-fried Chinese crullers) “pathongko” (which came from “pak tong ko”/steamed rice cakes), because the early Teochew vendors in Bangkok would shout “eu char koay, pak thong ko” when they were selling the two wares together.

Currently, the most popular (and tastiest) 𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜 spot in Penang is 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘂 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗴 (𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲) on Dato Keramat Road.

Operated by the genial, friendly Arivalagan Ponnusamy, who’d been making 𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙜 and 𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙪 𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 for more than 30 years, the busy stall sees a non-stop stream of customers from the moment they open for business at 3pm, until they sell out in the late-evenings.

One of the best-tasting snacks in Penang!

Address
Putu Mayong (Times Square)
Dato Keramat Road, near Times Square, 10150 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +6011 6116 2974
Opening hours: 3pm to 9pm Mon to Sat. Closed on Sundays.

Saregama · April 17, 2024, 5:31pm

I was just wondering when I read putu / puttu and saw idiiappam

You guys have better access to south indian specialties than anywhere that’s not south in india!

klyeoh · April 17, 2024, 11:23pm

Huge South Indian populace in George Town, nearly as large as the Chinese majority. That’s because, at its founding by the British back in 1786, it was ruled as part of India, despite its location in Southeast Asia. Penang was known then as the Fourth Presidency of India, behind Bengal, Madras and Bombay.

At one point in its history, around the late-19th-century, Indians constituted the majority of its population. The influx of the Chinese began as the Manchu dynasty declined, and many emigrated to escape war and famine. The British welcomed them with open arms and soon, Penang and Singapore became virtual Anglo-Chinese-Indian cities.

Today, the Penang populace is an amazingly diverse, kaleidoscopic collection of cultures.