Penang is one of those places where vegetarians really don't need to panic or worry about being able to find food. Not only can vegetarian food be found in great abundance in Penang, but the quality is also very high. This post marks my second review of Lily's Vegetarian Kitchen, my first review was conducted back in 2010.
Lily's Vegetarian Kitchen
The menu has remained pretty much the same, compared to three years ago. Lily's offers a variety of different cuisines, but mainly specialising in Chinese food. The owner Lily has a zero wastage policy. Customers will be able to find posters scattered around the eatery urging customers not to waste any food. If you're considering purchasing a drink, I strongly recommend the luo han guo (RM1.50).
We kicked our meal off with the Vietnam Spring Rolls. I have eaten authentic Vietnamese spring rolls in Vietnam before, and obviously these ones can't compare. The key to making Vietnamese spring rolls successful is the freshness of the ingredients. I found that mint was lacking in Lily's version, along with it being quite expensive for two small sized rolls.
Price: RM5.00. 5/10
Next dish we tried was the Chix Burger with Cheese. As a vegan, I requested for the cheese to be excluded from this burger. Thankfully, Lily and her staff were quite knowledgeable on what veganism is, and were happy to alter the burger to accommodate. I ate this same burger three years ago, and it has not changed one bit. It is a very decent burger overall. I have tried many vegan and vegetarian burgers over the years, and while not outstanding, this is definitely a solid attempt.
Price: RM4.50. 7/10
Everyone who visits Penang will know about the famous Penang Char Kway Teow. It is one of the signature dishes of the island. For vegetarians, you will definitely be able to sample many meatless char kway teow versions in Penang. Lily's version was acceptable, but I found it was lacking in smokey aroma, which is an essential aspect of this dish.
Price: RM5.50. 6/10
Another Western dish we sampled was the Fish & Chips. This was a surprisingly pleasant dish, with the mock fish being the highlight. The slab of fish comes with hole in the centre, which simulates where the fish bone would have been. The soy based mock meat is lightly battered, to ensure it is nice a crisp. The dish is served with french fries and a simple salad.
Price: RM10.00. 7/10
Conclusion - Nothing much tends to change at Lily's, and perhaps there is no need for change. If it isn't broken then don't fix it. Lily's still definitely ranks as one of the better vegetarian eateries in Penang, and certainly worth visiting if you're planning on travelling there.
Overall Rating
Food - 6/10
Ambiance- 7/10
Service - 6/10
Value - 7/10
Lily's Vegetarian Kitchen
Location: 98 Noble House, Madras Lane, Georgetown, Penang
Contact: (04)2263810
Opening Hours: 9.00am-9.00pmThe menu has remained pretty much the same, compared to three years ago. Lily's offers a variety of different cuisines, but mainly specialising in Chinese food. The owner Lily has a zero wastage policy. Customers will be able to find posters scattered around the eatery urging customers not to waste any food. If you're considering purchasing a drink, I strongly recommend the luo han guo (RM1.50).
We kicked our meal off with the Vietnam Spring Rolls. I have eaten authentic Vietnamese spring rolls in Vietnam before, and obviously these ones can't compare. The key to making Vietnamese spring rolls successful is the freshness of the ingredients. I found that mint was lacking in Lily's version, along with it being quite expensive for two small sized rolls.
Price: RM5.00. 5/10
Next dish we tried was the Chix Burger with Cheese. As a vegan, I requested for the cheese to be excluded from this burger. Thankfully, Lily and her staff were quite knowledgeable on what veganism is, and were happy to alter the burger to accommodate. I ate this same burger three years ago, and it has not changed one bit. It is a very decent burger overall. I have tried many vegan and vegetarian burgers over the years, and while not outstanding, this is definitely a solid attempt.
Price: RM4.50. 7/10
Everyone who visits Penang will know about the famous Penang Char Kway Teow. It is one of the signature dishes of the island. For vegetarians, you will definitely be able to sample many meatless char kway teow versions in Penang. Lily's version was acceptable, but I found it was lacking in smokey aroma, which is an essential aspect of this dish.
Price: RM5.50. 6/10
Another Western dish we sampled was the Fish & Chips. This was a surprisingly pleasant dish, with the mock fish being the highlight. The slab of fish comes with hole in the centre, which simulates where the fish bone would have been. The soy based mock meat is lightly battered, to ensure it is nice a crisp. The dish is served with french fries and a simple salad.
Price: RM10.00. 7/10
Conclusion - Nothing much tends to change at Lily's, and perhaps there is no need for change. If it isn't broken then don't fix it. Lily's still definitely ranks as one of the better vegetarian eateries in Penang, and certainly worth visiting if you're planning on travelling there.
Overall Rating
Food - 6/10
Ambiance- 7/10
Service - 6/10
Value - 7/10