GEORGE TOWN, June 16 — Penang is a treasure trove for street food, including a tiny pancake known as apom, sold by Apong Guan who operates a roadside stall along Jalan Burma.

For 50 years or more, this man has been regaling us with his stories while making fluffy small pancakes from a coconut milk batter at his stall. 

Eaten hot from the pan, the ‘apom’ has a fluffy texture with a rich coconut milk flavour lightly sweetened with the banana. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi
Eaten hot from the pan, the ‘apom’ has a fluffy texture with a rich coconut milk flavour lightly sweetened with the banana. — Picture by Lee Khang Yi

Each piece is cooked in a special pan over a hot fire, and he adds sliced bananas or corn to give it a slight sweetness.

According to a Facebook post shared on Penang Walkabouts group chat by Dennis Cheng, the uncle has finally hung up his apron and his son has taken over. 

Cheng shared in his post that the son plans to relocate the business to Kuala Lumpur, probably in August. 

Uncle Guan will add banana to the half cooked ‘apom’ (left). Some prefer a dollop of creamed corn (right ) with their ‘apom’. — Pictures by Lee Khang Yi
Uncle Guan will add banana to the half cooked ‘apom’ (left). Some prefer a dollop of creamed corn (right ) with their ‘apom’. — Pictures by Lee Khang Yi

It was also reported that he will use their existing food truck and target areas like Ampang, Cheras and eventually a shopping mall. 

At the news, a group member Andrew Sia called for the Penang authorities to preserve this famous food and maintain its legacy within the state.