21 on Rajah presents a Penang Street Feast with an all-you-can-eat durian buffet

The must-try Penang picks

You can’t say you’ve been to a feast with Penang’s most beloved street food without having a taste of sup ekor sapi Mami Tanjung (Penang-style traditional oxtail soup) to whet your appetite.

It’s thick, aromatic, and exceptionally comforting. The meat on the bones fell apart effortlessly, too. If it weren’t for a buffet spread, we wouldn’t have minded having this, and only this.

Next, we headed straight for the udang rajah rempah ratus (king prawn with masala spices), kueh pie tee (which were available at a DIY station), cucur udang sambal manis (prawn fritters with sweet chilli sauce).

The standout of the three was the king prawns. 

They were incredibly fresh and plump — so they were a breeze to peel — slathered in bold-flavoured spices that left quite an impression. The deep-fried fritters were also enjoyable, with the crisp batter having little hint of greasiness.

21 on Rajah’s DIY kueh pie tee station proved tricky at first, as the pie tee shells struggled to keep upright on the plate while we were filling them up.

However, once we got the hang of it, these delightful snacks were a great appetiser, leading up to the main stars of the buffet line.

One pro tip: Fill up the pie tee cups with the “heavier” ingredients first, such as the braised radish, to keep the base more stable.

From there, we enjoyed a nice serving of rendang daging “Tok Perak” (braised beef fillet with mixed spices and brown coconut paste). 

This drier-style rendang may not be everyone’s preference, but it’s undeniably flavourful, especially with a spoonful of white rice.

You might think it’ll be worth skipping on the carbs, but don’t skip the tobiko egg fried rice — subtly briny from the roe, it’s a great companion to the richer dishes.

From the proteins, we moved onto the heartwarming bowls of Penang assam laksa (with thick broth made from a spice mix, tamarind, and fish flakes) and Penang white curry noodles. 

Between the two, we recommend savouring the former — if you’re only saving space for one bowl.

The assam laksa hits the nail on the head with its tangy, fishy notes, which can be an acquired taste, but absolutely lovely for those who are ardent fans of the dish. 

On the other hand, the Penang white curry noodles were strong on the curry leaves and had a more watery broth, especially when compared to the punchy assam laksa.

Still, we can see the white curry noodles catering to those who prefer their broths light and gentle on the palate.

While the focus is on Penang street eats at 21 on Rajah, the carving station’s slow-roasted black Angus beef rib-eye deserves a mention, too. Tender, well-seasoned, and a satisfying departure from the spice-heavy mains, it’s worth making room for.

Sweet endings

Once we had our fill of savouries, the desserts were next. 

With several mini portions of various sweet treats to choose from, we picked the fresh durian mousse with coconut cream and gula melaka, Penang muah chee, Manjari chocolate mousse with crunchy pearls, and black sesame durian cake.

Dessert here is a mix of local classics and durian-heavy indulgences. We made a beeline for the fresh durian mousse with coconut cream and gula melaka, Penang muah chee, Manjari chocolate mousse with crunchy pearls, and black sesame durian cake.

The durian mousse and cake were our favourites; the former unapologetically rich, the latter lighter with just a hint of durian between fluffy sponge layers.

It’s hard to go wrong with a decadent chocolate mousse, so we’re glad we snuck in a portion.

The Penang muah chee was also a classic hit, with a satisfying chewiness and crunchiness from the crushed peanuts.

Not satisfied with just a durian mousse cake? 

On weekends, durian lovers can take it up a notch with the all-you-can-eat mao shan wang buffet top-up (additional S$50 per diner). 

Tell the staff your preferred flavour profile (sweet, bittersweet, or bitter), and they’ll crack open a fruit for you on the spot — plastic gloves included, for fuss-free feasting.

A feast for Penang fans (and durian lovers)

With its line-up of well-executed Penang favourites, generous promotions, and a durian buffet that’s hard to resist, the Penang Street Feast at 21 on Rajah is an easy pick for weekend gatherings or weekday indulgence.

Come hungry, bring friends, and be prepared to go back for seconds (and thirds).

For the latest eats, read more about the new Starbucks x Mofusand strawberry collection and The Sunday Bucket at Madison’s.