Five Stars Restaurant 五星冷气餐厅 @ Batu Lanchang, Penang.

Five Stars Restaurant 五星冷气餐厅 is probably around for more than 20 years... it has been there since I was still studying primary school. It was one of the cool Chu-Char places due to its comfortable dining environment (fully air-conditioned) which was not common a couple decades ago. Fast-forward today, the place is still welcoming a steady crowd of regular patrons returning for their homey Chinese stir fry dishes. The wide variety of choices and inexpensive price points are some of the reasons why this place is still doing good today. But don't expect the place to have flashy interior decor or bewitching setting... just a casual-local family restaurant that offers dishes that are familiar to us.

Carbo And Bites [Pan Mee] @ Bayan Lepas, Penang.

The name- Carbo and Bites might not be too appealing to diet-watchers but the brand specializes in churning out piping hot bowls of home-made Pan Mee noodles served in Anchovy broth and various of delicious condiments. The proprietor is an expert in this field and has been selling Pan Mee for years... she was running a stall at Mandarin Cafe Island Glades previously but has since taken over the family business. The air-conditioned eatery along Jalan Aziz Ibrahim (near Sungai Nibong) is not a one-trick pony though, while their main core product is Pan Mee... there are also other options to top up the variety. Those who are on budget would be glad to know that a bowl of basic Pan Mee at Carbo and Bites is merely selling at Rm 6. No frills, straight-forward but tummy-comforting Pan Mee that one can eat on a daily basis. 

Many Thanks to Carbo and Bite for hosting us that evening.

Norm Micro Roastery @ Church Street Ghaut, Georgetown, Penang.

Looks like a curious warehouse from outside but inside, it's a lively space with minimalist interior decor with a little industrial vibe. Norm Micro Roastery is a new venture by Norm but this new space offers more food options... apart from its signature Tiramisu (available in both Norm and Norm Micro Roastery). The menu now features a list of brunch items, which are available all day long (even during evenings). The place is fully air-conditioned so there is no need to worry about the sultry hot weather, this place keeps you covered. Not a bad place for gathering over coffee and quick fix but it gets a little overly crowded in the afternoon, especially on weekends.

Cafe De Ohana @ Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A new space for dog lovers to play with their furkids and have a quick fix meals, Cafe De Ohana can be found along Jalan Tun Dr Awang. The new cafe opens to diners on the ground floor while the space on the second floor is meant for furkids and dog lovers to mingle. There are 2 resident dogs- a Pomeranian and a Sheltie but they are not always there. There are certain hours that the dogs are off duty, so its wiser to follow their social media page for the latest info. On the menu, it has a small list of mains consisting both Chinese and Asian options. Budget watchers would be glad to know that the mains at Cafe De Ohana are affordably priced with generous serving portion. It would be a plus if you are a pet lover otherwise, this place can be a good spot for a quick fix. 

Noodle History 尹面之家 @ New World Park, Georgetown, Penang.

One of the popular noodle joints from Alor Setar- Noodle History 尹面之家 has recently expanded its business operations to Penang... opening a branch at New World Park. Similar to its main branch, Noodle History offers its best product- honey barbecue Pork to Penang diners. The brand is also famous for its home-made Egg Noodles (almost similar to the classic Wan Ton Noodles but sans the alkaline lye water). The price points are slightly higher than usual but they are well-justified by the fairly large serving portion. Also worth mentioning is that the place is fully air-conditioned so its a comfortable space for a casual, quick fix. 

Biscotti Cafe @ Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Biscotti Cafe is one of the hippest cafes in Penang that took social media by storm, this new kid on the block caught the attention of many due to its creatively crafted Cheese and Mouse cake. It was very popular during the Chinese Lunar New Year period (beginning of Year of Rat). We did pay a visit to the cafe but it was fully occupied and we could not secure a seat. We tried our luck again recently and managed to squeeze in. The crowd was there but not as overwhelming as before. While Biscotti Cafe is known for its visually-appealing cakes, the cafe actually serves a main menu as well... though the price points are above average. 

Fifty Heng Kee Seafood Restaurant 50興記海鮮飯店 @ Tanjung Piandang, Perak.

Being a fishing village, there is no shortage of seafood supplies at Tanjung Piandang... a short 20 minute drive away from Nibong Tebal, the south-most town of Penang state. It is one of the popular destinations to source for some fresh seafood (and of course to satiate the cravings).  One of the few places to get really good and inexpensive seafood at Tanjung Piandang is Fifty Heng Kee Seafood Restaurant 50興記海鮮飯店, a well-established Chinese seafood restaurant that is known to almost everyone staying in the fishing village. The place offers a big Chinese menu, not only seafood dishes but the usual Chinese stir-fry dishes that you can find in most Chu-Char places in Penang. No frills and nothing overly showy, this place serves some of the freshest seafood supplies in the neighborhood and most importantly.... budget friendly. A place that you would not want to miss if you happen to visit Tanjung Piandang.

Kopi & Co. @ Eastern Hotel, Chulia Street, Georgetown, Penang.

It took me a while to figure out where is Eastern Hotel Penang (not to be confused with Eastern and Oriental Hotel)... it appears that I have seen it but does not have a deep impression on it, turns out that it is one of the recently refurbished budget hotels along Chulia Street (close to the junction of Penang Road). Kopi & Co. is the cafe housed inside Eastern Hotel. Opened for business in early 2020, the cafe serves a Western menu... offering both diners and hotel guests All-Day Breakfast items, with a few Pasta and local Asian delights. The place has an al-fresco atmosphere but can be quite warm on sultry hot afternoons.

Eki Sake Bar @ Sunrise Gurney Drive, Penang.

With a name like Sake Bar, one would expect the place to be an alcohol-focused space but to be fair, their food offering is worth a look either. Apart from the extensive alcohol beverages, Eki Sake Bar at Sunrise Gurney Drive (not to be confused with Sunrise Tower next to Gurney Plaza) does serve a Japanese-inspired menu, featuring quite a big selection of Japanese delights... from Otsumami, Agemono, Yakimono, Kushimono to Donburi as well as a few noodle choices. Its a place that embodies food and alcoholic drinks. Also noteworthy is the wide Cocktail and Japanese Sake selection. The place has a casual, relaxed ambiance with soft music as background and tall bar chairs (a little odd for dining though); the spaciousness (and tall ceiling) makes the place feels cozier and more pleasant. Moderate price points but above average food offering, if you do like a glass of Cocktail to go with your Japanese dinner, this place is a worth a look.

Uncle Don's @ Penang Times Square, Georgetown, Penang.

Popular chain- Uncle Don's has finally landed in Penang, the brand is known for serving ice-cold beer that comes straight from a subzero chiller; not only that it is a haven for drinkers, the food menu comprises of a feast of options (from local delights to Western dishes) at unbeatable prices. The outlet at Penang Times Square has a casual setting- whether indoor air conditioned or outdoorsy atmosphere. While the price points are wallet-friendly, the food quality is of mediocre standard... do not put high hopes on the food but nevertheless, we do agree the place is more suitable for a drink instead of dining.

Hakata Ichiran 博多一蘭 @ Juru Sentral, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

When Hakata Ichiran 博多一蘭 first opened at Juru Sentral a few months back, the place managed to lure in a big curious crowd due to its name and facade... which oddly similar to the famous Japanese Ramen chain- Ichiran Ramen. But if you look closer, this brand is not exactly Ichiran... just a market follower attempting to gain market share (with less interest in differentiating its products). On its Facebook Page though, it says the the brand is managed by a company from Hang Zhou (China) with the same roots as the authentic Ichiran Ramen. Not sure what it means though but both the food menu and restaurant setting are quite similar to the authentic Ichiran Ramen. It has the one diner layout as well as the standard tables; while the restaurant only offers one type of menu- Japanese Ramen (though available in various flavors) and some add ons. Reasonable price but definitely not on par with the authentic Ichiran Ramen.

Dai Cha Dim @ Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.

Many would be spoilt for choice at Pavilion but our recent trip brought us to Dai Cha Dim, one of the latest additions to the mall. Found on level 6, the Chinese restaurant has a big Hong Kong-influenced Chinese menu with a mix of local delights (like KL Hokkien Mee and Yong Tofu etc) and an array of Dim Sum dishes. There are plenty of seats available and service is generally considered quick. Given that it is housed in an upscale mall, the charges are reasonable. More like a family restaurant suitable for all age groups. 

The Izakaya Sushi 今井居酒屋 @ Tanjong Piandang, Perak.

Who would expect to find some seriously good Japanese food in the small fishing village of Tanjung Piandang... a short 20-minute drive away from Nibong Tebal. The Izakaya Sushi 今井居酒屋 has been around for quite some time and has strong presence on social media due to its uncommon and probably first in northern states to offer Mantis Prawn Sushi. One of the reasons that The Izakaya Sushi could constantly churn out this umami-deliciousness is the stable supply of this sea delicacy due to close proximity to the fishing village. But Mantis Prawn Sushi is not the only food offering at The Izakaya Sushi... it has way more than that to offer. It's easy to miss the place due to the absence of a proper signage but you will eventually find it since there's only a stretch of road for this village- The Izakaya Sushi can be found right opposite to SJKC Nam Hua.

Inderawasih Koay Teow Soup 凤凰现煮粿条汤 @ The Promenade, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Taking over the lot previously owned by Din Ding Tea is Inderawasih Koay Teow Soup 凤凰现煮粿条汤, a popular brand from Taman Inderawasih, Prai. As the name suggests, the place specializes in offering "cook on the spot" or commonly known as 现煮粿条汤. For the uninitiated, such term refers to the way of cooking and serving. The usual type of Koay Teow Soup would be to blanch the noodles and serve the pre-cooked soup as it is but the "cook on the spot" version would be to cook every single serving individually... typically with fresh, minced Pork and innards (popular options also include Fish Balls, Egg etc). Inderawasih's rendition seems to be murkier, with heavy pork notes. 

Xiao Er Laksa 小二 @ The One Mahsuri, Bayan Baru, Penang.

A popular Assam Laksa specialist from Sungai Petani (Kedah), Xiao Er Laksa 小二 has recently opened up a new branch at Penang. The new place can be found at Mahsuri One Square, right opposite to Hi Barry Dessert Cafe. While Xiao Er Laksa is known for its Assam Laksa, the establishment is not a one-trick pony. The menu is fairly big featuring Fried Bee Hoon, Koay Teow Th'ng and Nasi Lemak etc. The add ons are equally interesting, such as the Prawn Crackers and desserts. The menu is family friendly, diners of all age range could easily find something here to fit in. Good quality, reasonable price points and comfortable dining space (fully air-conditioned); a place worth dropping by if you are in the vicinity.