Bakery (Penang): Soon Hiang Tau Sar Pneah(Tambun Biscuit)

If you have been to Penang, Malaysia, you would probably be familiar with their famous Tau Sar Pneah (Hokkien for Mung Bean biscuit). These are circular balls made of layers of thin puff pastry stuffed with Mung Bean filling, a mix of dried mung beans fried together with shallots in lard oil. Some shops have substituted the lard with vegetable oil to cater to the health conscious, which kind of dumbs down the taste. The most famous brands are Him Heang and Ghee Hiang. 
In a trip to Penang last year, while surfing for more information in my hotel room, I came across this website which described a small shop that does things the traditional way and I decided to take a chance and check out this place. 
Located along a row of 2 storey shophouses. We were met at the door by a matronly auntie who spoke in Hokkien and spoke with great pride about her products. She even gave samples of the biscuit to try. Fresh from the oven, the fragrance of the shallots and lard oil was permeating the air with a wonderful aroma. Needless to say we bought a few boxes from her.  
Fast forward to this year, my friend from Penang came back with a box of her mung bean biscuit and a bag of Beh Teh Soh so we could relive the experience.
Tau Sar Pneah

	Taste Verdict: Layers of soft pastry encase the sweet and salty Mung Bean Filling which retains the distinct flavour of the shallots and lard oil. Yum! However I do find the filling a little too sweet.

Beh Teh Soh
This was supposed to be the sideline but for me, it stole the show from the Tau Sar Pneah. Beh Teh Soh is a bigger, UFO shaped biscuit with layers of crumbly pastry and with a thin layer of sweet molasses at the bottom.

	Taste Verdict: The pastry is nice and crumbly. The molasses filling is soft and sticky and you can taste a slight onion taste. Heavenly! This is unlike most of the ones we have in Singapore which have an extremely hard filling. Note to self is to try to sample the best Beh Teh Sohs from Malacca which are quite famous too.

So next time you are in Penang, you might want to drop by this home run business to try some. Just a tip that since that time last year, its popularity has grown and my friend's advice is to call up a few days in advance if you want to buy more than 1 box from them.

Where: 36 Jalan Kuantan 10150 Penang. 
Tel No: 04-229 5799


Directions: From KOMTAR shopping complex, drive along Jalan Datuk Keramat past Gama Supermarket (which should be on your left). After Gama, keep an eye out for Jalan Kuantan on your left. It is a small lane just off the main road. Turn into the lane and look for no. 36 (the house/shop should also be on your left)