Yuu Shabu Shabu Cafe 勝火锅小品餐厅 @ Hutton Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Every diner gets their own hotpot at Yuu Shabu Shabu Cafe 勝火锅小品餐厅, a new hotpot joint at Hutton Lane (a stone's throw distance away from New World Park)... so there will be no fighting over which soup bases to order or any fuss over the toppings. The brand is not new in Malaysia and has presence in other states; this is their first outlet in Penang though. With 7 types of Japanese-inspired soup bases available- whether spicy or non-spicy, everyone gets to choose their own desired soup bases. The Shabu-Shabu set is fixed but add-ons are available at additional costs. The Express Lunch Set is more wallet-friendly though the usual Shabu-Shabu Set offers better variety. 

Experience A Taste of Italy with Marrybrown's Eatalian Series!

Craving for Italian flavors while waiting impatiently for the lockdown restrictions to be uplifted? Marrybrown, the largest homegrown Halal fast-food brand takes its fans on the second trip Around The World for the latest gastronomical journey. Italy is the second destination of Marrybrown's Around The World themed meal in celebration of Marrybrown's 40th Anniversary this year. The new Marrybrown Eatalian meals seek to provide something different- featuring the all new Italian Cheesy Rice Bites, MB Spaghetti with the option to pair with their signature MB Crispy Chicken and creamy Mushroom Soup. 

Amico Dining & Social House @ Nagore Road, Georgetown, Penang.

While it is not hard to find Italian food in Penang but this restaurant in the heart of Georgetown is something that you should try. Amico Dining & Social House opened its doors in late April 2021 and can be found occupying a prominent corner lot at Nagore Road. The exterior decor barely tells what the restaurant is offering. While it is place suitable for wine lovers (they carry a wide range of labels), the Italian-inspired menu is definitely worth-trying.  The selection ranges from appetizers to main course and desserts... with reasonable prices. We were satisfied and happy on what we had the other day- the quality has been quite promising and we are looking forward to another revisit.

La TAO Cakes @ 1Place Many Cuisine, Hutton Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Many might have not noticed the existence of 1Place Many Cuisine at Hutton Lane, previously the space was occupied as a Hotpot restaurant; like the name would have suggested, 1Place Many Cuisine is a space that comprises of a few proprietors offering different types of food. The menu is quite confusing- offering specialties from Korea, Japan and Western dishes. Put that aside, the highlight of this post is to share more about La TAO Cakes. The brand has been here for quite some time but was previously focusing on deliveries and cake supplies to cafes and restaurants. It takes up a space at 1Place Many Cuisine, with a small display fridge showcasing their fresh bakes of the day (their popular items are those alcohol-infused cakes). While the selection might be limited, the quality and delicacy make up for it. A very comfortable, spacious place to enjoy a delicate serving of alcohol-infused cake without putting a dent on the wallet. 

Lim MaMa Taiwanese Food 林妈妈台式手作美食 @ Carnarvon Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Filled with minimalist furniture and homey peaceful dining atmosphere, Lim MaMa Taiwanese Food 林妈妈台式手作美食 at Lorong Carnarvon is the place where you can find classic, home-cooked style Taiwanese delights in town. The menu is small but good enough to satiate your cravings for Taiwanese food- dishes are affordably priced and the serving portion is hearty. The seating capacity is limited and less accommodating for big groups at Lim MaMa's place so if you are planning a group visit there, do make your reservations earlier. 

Kara Kara @ Weld Quay, Georgetown, Penang.

The recent talk of the town- Kara Kara is one of the latest hidden cafes/ bars in town; it runs as a cafe during day time and turns into a happening bar in the evenings. One of the key reasons for Kara Kara's success is its chic, futuristic industrial interior decor with plenty of art sculptures adorning the place. The food menu is quite small- featuring some mains and sweet treats; the beverage menu on the contrary is bigger and that includes alcoholic drinks. Price points are of standard-average but we are not too sure if its a place suitable for casual hangouts or more appropriate as a pub as the seating arrangement is not really too comfortable.

Lot 20 Garage @ Island Glades, Penang.

Both accessible from Jalan Yap Chor Ee and Lorong Delima 20, Lot 20 Garage is tucked away in a vacant space with entrance (via a small, narrow alley) between a residence and commercial shop lot of Des Mutiara (where Domino Pizza Island Glades branch is located). The space is airy and spacious... on the cafe, it features a small Malaysian menu featuring Nasi Lemak, Toasts etc. Dishes are affordably priced, probably due to first few days jitters, the service quality is below par and has rooms for improvements.

The Vanilla Cafe By Kairos @ Kubang Semang, Penang.

A 10 minute drive away from Penanti Toll via BKE Highway will land you at The Vanilla Cafe, next to a farm that produces Vanilla Pods. The brand has bagged some awards and has some proud accolade like churning out Malaysians' own grown Vanilla Pods. The cafe is air-conditioned and offers a comfortable environment to enjoy the food. It does not have a main menu but some light snacks as well as an array of sweet treats; while not all are applicable, some dishes are made from the ingredients grown from the farm. Though it is a little off the beaten track, the place is worth a look if you are looking for an opportunity to escape from the city buzz. 

Chimac Station @ Straits Quay, Tanjong Tokong, Penang.

The name Chimac gives an impression that the place only serves Korean-style Fried Chicken and Beer (Fried Chicken + Maekju or Beer in English) but in actual fact, it dishes out a wide range of delicious Korean delights as well. The Korean restaurant is fairly new and tucked at one corner of Straits Quay; the interior decor is pretty standard but the menu is worth checking out... especially for Korean food lovers. Expect to find classics like Tteokbokki, Dakgalbi, Korean Pancakes, Steamed Eggs etc... price points are of average Korean restaurant level but the food quality has been consistently great.

Hey JoJo Cafe @ Nibong Tebal, Penang.

A spate of new cafes have opened in Nibong Tebal and Hey JoJo Cafe is probably the easiest to locate for those who are not familiar with the town. The cafe is easily noticeable shortly after turning out from Jawi Toll, it occupies a prominent corner lot of the a newly developed commercial area. The aesthetically pleasing minimalist interior decor has attracted cafe hoppers' attention. The place is popular for its cakes but it has a main menu worth-checking out either. 

Gertak Sanggul Tua Pek Kong Seafood 美湖大伯公海鲜 @ Gertak Sanggul, Penang.

Far end at Gertak Sanggul, the fishing village next to Teluk Kumbar has some hidden gems worth excavating, especially for seafood lovers. Opposite to Gertak Sanggul Seafood Fishing Stage is Gertak Sanggul Tua Pek Kong Seafood 美湖大伯公海鲜. The seafood restaurant is found right next to a Tua Pek Kong Temple, facing the beach/ sea. The setup is simple- with some basic tables and chairs on beach sand, there is no proper restaurant setting here and the tables are quite limited making it less-accommodating for big groups. The menu is fairly small- most of the offering would depend on the catch of the day.

The Coffee Cottage @ Nibong Tebal, Penang.

Though a little off the beaten track, The Coffee Cottage had a successful debut thanks to its picturesque, rustic country cottage style landscape. The cafe is well-hidden in a residential neighborhood of Nibong Tebal so you might need a navigation system to reach there if you are not familiar with Nibong Tebal. The cafe comprises of a few annexes- built from some unused scrap materials like old car and wood; they are then refurbished and put together creating an unusual but quaint space perfect for photo-taking. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available but the indoor seating is not air-conditioned so you will have to embrace the sweltering tropical heat. The Coffee Cottage does not serve main menu but only some drinks and desserts. 

Mama Diet Premium @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Weight watchers on KETO diet would be glad to know Mama Diet Premium, a healthy food provider offers a KETO-focused menu... featuring an array of KETO options. Diners can also choose to customize their own Poke Bowl should they prefer something else but generally, the toppings are of healthy and pack good amount of protein. Poke Bowl seems to be the only way out here but the combination varies depending on your choice. For those who enjoy a sweet treat after a meal, Mama Diet Premium offers KETO Low Carb Desserts as well. 

Emperor Villa 帝来山庄 @ Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A popular hiking trail amongst the Penang hikers, a hiking trail that leads to a place known as Emperor Villa 帝来山庄 (via Fig Tree Hill). The hiking trail has been there for quite some time but recently gained its popularity due to the quaint, attractive decor at Emperor Villa (around 45-minute walk from the entrance of the hiking trail). While the place is picturesque, the food is equally alluring. Imagine being rewarded a scrumptious meal after shedding off some sweat. The menu is pretty small- featuring the usual Hainanese Breakfast Toasts (with Soft Boiled Eggs and Coffee), some stir-fried noodles and some fried snacks. The prices are slightly higher than average but given that the place is quite remote, the price points are well-justified (and the food is delicious). To reach Emperor Villa, you will need to enter from Jalan Kenari- between Regency Heights Condominium and Sri Subramaniar Temple Sungai Ara.

Yun Korean Ssäm Bar @ Bayan Baru, Penang.

Unlike other classic Korean restaurants, Yun Ssäm Bar has a slightly different concept; the restaurant name does give some hint. The word Ssäm refers to "being wrapped" in Korean and typically refers to meat dishes wrapped using leafy vegetables in Korean cuisine. The menu is in-line with the concept and offers dishes with similar concept. The Ssäm dishes do not dominate the menu, other familiar Korean delights are also available. The place has a simple interior decor and exudes the homey vibes- the dishes on offer are also similar to those Korean home-cooked dishes. While the price points are not low, the dishes commensurate with serving portion.