Pulau Tikus Claypot Apom

Pulau Tikus Claypot Apom (18 March 2017)


B. Melayu

Pulau Tikus Claypot Apom (GPS: 5.43047, 100.31261) is a famous apom stall in Pulau Tikus, Penang. It is owned by an Indian man named Ravi. The stall operates out of Kedai Kopi Swee Kong, at the junction of Burmah Road with Moulmein Close.

I had tried this apom once before with my wife, but it did not register in my mind as being outstanding in any way, until my Singapore friend Evonne told me that this is the best apom she has ever tasted. When Evonne raved that the apom is made in the most traditional fashion, with stacks of claypots over open charcoal stoves, it did not strike me as special.

So this Saturday morning, my wife and I woke up early to make the trip to Pulau Tikus, to check out Ravi's apom. We arrived at the stall around 6:50am, when the sky was still dark. I had a chance to meet up with Ravi himself and had a nice, friendly chat with him. I found out that the apom stall was started in 1922, the same year that the coffee shop opened for business. It was established by his father, who was then 23 years old (the father was born in 1899!) From his father, the business passed on to his eldest brother, and then his second eldest brother, before coming to him, who started helping out at this stall in 1993.

The apom stall had already gained a high reputation even during the time of his two elder brothers, and they have had the opportunity to go to Australia and the United Kingdom to make their apom on the international stage. Although Ravi has not yet been invited overseas, he has been invited to make apom elsewhere in Malaysia, most notably for the Sultan of Pahang, who would fly him to Pekan, as often as twice a month, to make the apom for His Royal Highness and guests (though not yet in 2017, as Ravi was too occupied). Ravi even has a full set of claypots at the sultan's palace for the purpose of making apom.

Ravi wanted to treat my wife and me to his apom, so we sat down to breakfast at the coffee shop, and ordered the Hokkien Mee as well. He served us four pieces of his apom. In addition I ordered ten more pieces to take home, to be shared with my in-laws. Do I like Ravi's apom?

Four free pieces of Pulau Tikus Claypot Apom, a free treat from Ravi to my wife and me. (18 March 2017)


To be honest, when I tried it again, I thought that it was okay, but I still could not understand why people were so delighted for it. However my wife pronounced that it is very good apom. So I placed a second order of another ten pieces, bringing a total purchase of twenty apom from Ravi. At RM1 per piece, it was a lot more expensive than apom I got elsewhere.

From Pulau Tikus, my wife and I headed to Jelutong Market, our usual haunt, so that we could buy the apom there, for comparison sake. On the journey from Pulau Tikus to Jelutong, our car was filled with the aroma of Ravi's apom, and the aroma began to persuade me that I have something extraordinary in the car.

The Jelutong Market Apom, photographed in its plastic bag on my car seat. (18 March 2017)


At the Jelutong Market, we bought 6 pieces of apom for RM4. It was selling at RM0.70 a piece. As you can see, it is much cheaper than Ravi's. Back in the car, we had the chance to try both apoms, and that's where I have to admit, Ravi's apom won hands down. Appearance wise, the Jelutong apom actually looked nicer, and is slightly on the salty side, but taste wise, Ravi's apom is more aromatic and tasty. It was when I had the chance to compare the apom from two places that I saw the difference and can finally appreciate Ravi's apom as simply superb.

Operating Hours

The Pulau Tikus Claypot Apom Stall, or Apom Manis Pulau Tikus, operates daily from 6:00am in the morning until the batter finishes, which is about 3-4 hours later. Rest day is Thursday, though occasionally it may also close on Monday. Ravi often gets big orders from regular customers. To order his Apom, call him at 012 470 7039.

The apom baking in a claypot. (18 March 2017)


Ravi uses a pot cover with handle to cover the claypot while the apom bakes inside. (18 March 2017)


With a swift hand motion, Ravi flips the apom in the claypot. (18 March 2017)


As soon as the apom leaves the claypot, Ravi stirs the batter for the next apom. (18 March 2017)


It's a claypot dance. (18 March 2017)

Pulau Tikus Claypot Apom is on Map of Burmah Road, Penang

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