I cant remember which FB page have posted this place and it went viral. Even my dad know about this place and he insist to bring me here for lunch. So we head off to Half Acre Restaurant 半畝田台湾甕窯雞 at Balik Pulau, Penang. It is about 30-45 minutes drive if you are coming up from heritage zone. Famous for their Taiwanese Bake Chicken Style.
What I understand is that the lady owner told us that her son went to Taiwan, bought the recipe and trained there for 3-6 months before coming back here to operate the restaurant. I have never tried the hanging chicken in Taiwan and it seems it is a very famous dish in one of the small province.
Using clay oven with fierce fire and wood at the bottom to cook it up. Each urn only cater for 1 chicken. So do prepare to wait for a bit on their famous hanging chicken.
There are indoor and out door sitting. If you are seated inside, it is quite dim for photo purpose. Even though we made a booking on that day, but it was chaotic. No difference from walk in.
This is the famous Hanging Chicken or known as Klin Roasted Chicken @ RM 45.
As for Penang popular signature drink in Balik Pulau, do not miss out their home style Nutmeg Juice with Asam. Certainly will make your face smirk with its punch of sourness and indeed very refreshing as I always like it. Do give it a try as the taste might be quite unique too you.
Upon the serving onto the table, the aroma of roasted chicken is just amazing. The roasted chicken is serve with 2 special dipping powder and some of the juice ooze out from the cooking process.
You have two options to dine this chicken. The classic way is to eat it by tearing it off just as it hang there with plastic gloves ready for you. Another is by the lady boss to cut it into pieces and put onto the plate. We chose second method as I need to take pictures. When I am back next round, certainly will be enjoying it the classic way.
The chicken is roasted to perfection. Punch with marination flavour, soft and juicy on each bite and best to dip it with their powder which I believe is cumin and another (i do not know) :D. I ended getting another dipping power as it is soooo goood!
This is not the usual China Style Salted veggie spicy fish soup but the Tawainese style is equally good too. Turns out to be quite good as I did not put any expectation. Creamy style like KL Fish Head bee hoon, fragrant with Chinese white wine, fish is soft and each mouthful is satisfying.
This place indeed serve pretty good hanging chicken and if you are here do not miss it out. One of a must order dish. One of a good local Taiwanese food in Penang.
*NON-Halal
-= Ka Ching =-
Food Rating 8.5/10, Quite good, I like~-Stamped-
–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-
Location:
Half Acre Restaurant 半畝田甕窯雞
Lot 403, Jalan Titi Teras, MKM E,
11000 Balik Pulau, Penang.
Tel: 04 – 866 1151 / 016 – 350 5006 (趙旅田 Alan Teoh)
Business Hours: 12:00pm – 3:00pm & 6:00pm – 10:00pm (Closed on Mon)
Facebook: Halfacre.restaurant 半畝田甕窯雞
Wah this looks damn keat!