Root House by Gēn 根家菜 @ 1926 Heritage Hotel, Burma Road, Penang.

Root House by Gēn 根家菜 is one of the latest concepts by the team behind Gēn, housed within the newly restored 1926 Heritage Hotel on Jalan Burma. Rather than serving conventional Chinese cuisine, the restaurant explores the culinary heritage of Malaysia's Chinese communities, drawing inspiration from dialect groups such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese. Complementing the food is a quiet and sophisticated dining space that's well-suited for an unhurried meal or business gathering, with several private dining rooms available and a total seating capacity of 52 guests. While prices are undoubtedly on the premium side, the attentive service, elegant surroundings and thoughtfully curated dining experience help justify the cost. The restaurant is pork-free, though alcoholic beverages are available.

Many Thanks to Root House by Gēn for hosting us.

Bajie Gamjatang 八戒脊骨汤 @ Karpal Singh Drive, Jelutong, Penang.

Bajie Gamjatang at Karpal Singh Drive brings a lesser-seen North-Eastern Chinese dining style to Penang, blending hearty Chinese flavours with noticeable Korean influences, particularly through its signature Gamjatang — a rich pork bone soup that takes centre stage on the compact menu. While the overall selection remains fairly limited, the restaurant makes up for it with a handful of unique cold dishes and side items that add some variety to the experience. Prices are generally reasonable considering the generous style of cooking, and quality overall comes across solid and satisfying without being overly refined.

Umi Umi 槟宴 @ Penang Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Umi Umi 槟宴 redefines the dining experience by combining a seven-course Asian fusion dinner with a captivating 90-minute live theatrical production. Set in an intimate theatre-style venue on Penang Road, the immersive performance takes guests on a journey through Penang's rich history, diverse cultures and heritage, with every course thoughtfully presented alongside the unfolding story. The menu showcases Asian fusion cuisine with subtle touches of local Penang flavours, creating a dining experience that engages both the palate and the senses. With tickets starting from RM338, UMI UMI is more than just a restaurant—it's a unique cultural experience that offers both locals and, especially, international visitors a memorable way to discover the essence of Penang through its food and storytelling.

Many Thanks to Umi Umi for hosting us.

Atas Signature Dapur 天甲私房菜 @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

天甲招牌菜 Atas Signature Dapur in Pulau Tikus offers a relatively extensive menu built around familiar Chinese chu char-style dishes, alongside stone pot noodles and a handful of local-inspired creations, making it an approachable option for casual family meals. Prices are generally reasonable, though portions tend to come smaller than expected, especially when dining in groups, and the layout feels slightly less accommodating for larger gatherings. Food quality overall is decent and fairly average—nothing particularly outstanding, but consistent enough for a straightforward, fuss-free meal.

Pandan House @ Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Pandan House is one of the newer additions to the Beach Street stretch in George Town, offering a small, focused menu built around familiar Malaysian staples like Nasi Lemak, Char Bihun and simple toast sets, all within a fully air-conditioned space that makes for a more comfortable dine-in experience. The selection is fairly limited, and while the food quality is generally acceptable with nothing particularly off, the overall experience feels underwhelming—serving times can be quite long, and the pricing doesn’t quite translate into value. A decent spot for a casual stop, but one that leaves room for improvement. 

Elsewhere @ Lembah Permai, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Located in the Lembah Permai neighbourhood of Tanjung Bungah, Elsewhere is a French-Italian café bistro that centres around Galettes and Crêpes, supported by a small selection of mains and brunch-style plates. The setting is comfortable and easy-going, making it suitable for a relaxed dine-in experience, while food quality is consistently solid across the board. That said, prices lean more towards restaurant-level rather than typical café fare, positioning it as a slightly more elevated option within the neighbourhood.

Sora Japanese Dining @ Vantage Desiran Tanjung, Penang.

Located within the Vantage enclave in Tanjung Bungah, SORA Japanese Dining focuses on Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, offering a different take from the more common Kansai version—rather than mixing all ingredients into a batter, the Hiroshima style is layered with cabbage, pork, noodles and egg, resulting in a more structured yet surprisingly light bite.  The menu remains concise but purposeful, with portions that are generous for the price point, making it a fairly approachable option in the area. Overall quality is consistently solid, and while the concept is straightforward, it delivers a satisfying, well-executed experience that stands out for its focus.

Nanya Western Kitchen 南雅西厨 @ Abu Siti Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Located along the quieter stretch of Nanya Western Cuisine, this spot offers a dual-concept menu that shifts with the day—serving a more local, oriental-leaning selection in the mornings before transitioning into Western dishes in the evenings, giving it a broader appeal across different dining preferences. The space itself is air-conditioned and comfortably set up, making it a pleasant option for a relaxed meal away from the usual heat. Prices remain reasonable, while the morning offerings in particular stand out for their consistency and well-executed flavours, delivering a dependable start to the day. Overall, it feels like a practical neighbourhood choice that balances variety, comfort, and reliability without leaning overly ambitious. 

Tokyo Tonkatsu Aokiya @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Located in Pulau Tikus, Tokyo Tonkatsu Aokiya is a newly opened tonkatsu specialist that exudes a homey, understated Japanese vibe. The menu focuses on tonkatsu with some variation across different proteins such as chicken and prawn, offering a bit more range beyond the usual pork options. Prices lean towards the higher side, though this is balanced by consistent quality and the freshness of ingredients. Service can be on the slower end, especially during peak hours, but overall it remains a modest and reliable spot for a comforting tonkatsu experience. 

Chao Liu Xian 潮六鲜鸡煲 @ Macalister Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Along Macalister Road in Georgetown, Chao Liu Xian 潮六鲜鸡煲 offers a Chao Shan-focused menu that goes beyond its signature chicken hotpot, with a selection of stir-fries, claypot dishes and other cooked options for a more varied meal. Prices sit slightly above the usual casual dining range, which feels reasonable given the spread, though the overall value depends on what you order. The space itself is fairly simple and not fully air-conditioned, so it can get quite warm during peak hours—something to keep in mind if you are planning a more comfortable dine-in experience. 

Beton Dining @ Mokozoyo Hotel, Georgetown, Penang.

Set against the understated backdrop of Mokozoyo Hotel Georgetown along Argyll Road, Beton Dining presents a modern French menu that draws from classic foundations while weaving in subtle contemporary touches. The cooking leans refined yet approachable, with flavours that are clean and composed rather than overly experimental. Seating is intentionally limited, giving the space a more intimate, almost private dining feel—though it does mean larger groups may find it less accommodating, so reservations are best made in advance. Prices trend slightly above the average, but remain aligned with the quality and overall experience. Open only in the evenings, it naturally suits a slower, more deliberate dinner setting rather than a quick, casual stop. 

Korean Cafe Shwimpyo @ Victoria Street, Georgetown, Penang.

After 10 years of building a loyal following, Shwimpyo Korean Cafe has expanded to a new outlet along Victoria Street, bringing its familiar pork-free, Muslim-friendly Korean fare closer to the Georgetown crowd. The menu is slightly broader, featuring staples like tteokbokki, dakgalbi and hearty stews, with flavours that lean bold and comforting rather than refined. The space is simple yet comfortable, and prices remain reasonable, making it an easy, casual spot for a satisfying Korean meal. 

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Tokyo 2026

Following our travels to Kansai area 3 months back, our journey through Tokyo and its neighbouring cities unfolded at our own pace, thanks to the flexibility of a rental car. Beyond the capital’s dense skyline, we ventured into quieter pockets like Narita, Kawagoe, Yokosuka and Minamiboso, where the scenery shifts into a more relaxed, small-town rhythm. Driving through Japan’s countryside proved to be surprisingly smooth and manageable, with well-maintained roads and clear signage, but the experience takes a different turn once you enter a metropolis like Tokyo — where traffic density, narrow streets, and limited parking can quickly become overwhelming. Parking, in particular, is something to plan for, as fees can be a significant consideration, sometimes reaching up to ¥10,000 per day. 

1) [Kamakura] Great Buddha/ Daibutsu

Entrance Fee: 300 Yen

Address: 4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa 248-0016, Japan.

Business Hours: 8 am to 4:45 pm. Opens Daily.

HiYang Traditional Taste 海阳古早味 @ Elit Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

海阳古早味HiYang Traditional Taste brings an old-school hotpot vibe with a focus on charcoal cooking and traditional flavours, but the experience can be frustrating in a few key areas. The restaurant isn’t fully air-conditioned, which can feel uncomfortably warm if you’re sensitive to heat, especially with charcoal hotpots going beside you (not to mention the charcoal odor on the garment). Speaking of charcoal, prep time was painfully slow — we waited nearly half an hour before our hotpot was ready — and to make matters worse, the grouper wasn’t properly descaled, which made eating it more of a nuisance than a pleasure. While the concept of classic taste is appealing, these service and execution issues definitely take away from the overall experience. 

Kak Tao Lang 角头人 @ Victoria Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Kak Tao Lang 角头人 on Lebuh Victoria keeps things straightforward with a small, focused menu built around sour-spicy noodles and rice dishes paired with seafood or meat. The flavours lean bold and comforting rather than refined, and portions are generous enough to feel substantial without being excessive. It’s a casual, sit-down space where you come for a hearty meal instead of variety — expect to pay around RM20–40 per dish, which reflects restaurant pricing rather than hawker rates. A practical choice when you’re craving something punchy and filling in the heart of George Town.