Hua Hee Restaurant (欢喜中餐厅) @ Sungai Ara, Penang.

Opened in late 2016, Hua Hee Restaurant has quick become one of the favorite dining spots for the factory workers nearby and the nearby residents. The restaurant offers plethora of genuine home-styled Malaysian Chinese cuisine; staples are available but parents will be relieved to hear that there are plenty of kids-friendly options. While classics can be found here, expect to see some with a creative twist. Reasonable price points, sincere serving portions with flavorful dishes, the fully air-conditioned restaurant is suitable for any casual family meal, or a quick lunch to fuel your day. 

Yuan Wei Restaurant (圆味粥面馆) @ Cintra Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Yuan Wei has since ceased its business operations.

Yuan Wei took social media by storm earlier ago when it was first introduced and made famous by Penang social media players. Many were impressed (visually) by the hearty, home-cooked Cantonese spread but a meal does not come cheap here at Yuan Wei. A basic bowl of Fish Meat Bee Hoon would cost up slightly more than Rm 10 but the portion commensurate with the price tag and quality. Notable highlights include their Fish Meat Bee Hoon with Milky Soup, Tom Yum Noodles, Cantonese Porridge, Stir-Fry dishes and Deep Fried Crispy Fish. Regardless of your age, the big menu would be able to offer something for you; the fully air-conditioned Chinese restaurant is a place most suitable for a casual family meal.

Ji Bao Wang (鸡煲王) @ Georgetown, Penang.

It's hard to miss Ji Bao Wang (鸡煲王), not only does the strategic location (at the corner of Larut Road to Hutton Lane and Burmah Road, next to KFC Larut Road or opposite to Hotel Royal Penang) gives the restaurant an edge in exposure, the playful-catchy banner that says "我要叫鸡" has caught a lot of attention as well (shall not be translated into English). As the tagline may suggest, the place specializes in serving various types of Chicken Hot Pot but the signature dish here is the Sze Chuan-influenced Chicken Hot Pot. The dining concept is somewhat interesting- diners will be served a ready-to-eat Chicken Hot Pot, hot soup will then be added when you are done. It then becomes Steamboat and diners may now adjourn to the display fridges to pick up the preferred ingredients to be added to the soup (prices vary according to the colors of the plates). The interior decor is modern and chic but with a touch of China Chinese flair. Price points are high but the quality is less-satisfying, the authenticity is missing (lackluster service and below-par quality, pretty disappointing). Ironically, we then found out that this place is a sister restaurant to Chong Qing Steamboat (at Kelawei Road).

Kulim Forest Restaurant (森林海鲜村) @ Kulim, Kedah.

It's always fun to have a quick getaway from the bustling city center and get closer to nature; if you agree with this statement, then make sure Kulim Forest Restaurant on your to-visit-list. Deep in the heart of Kulim, Kulim Forest Restaurant is tucked away behind the residential of Kampung Padang Tembak; once you have turned into the residential area (full of one-storey terrace houses), follow the signage and you will find yourself at a place surrounded by serene neighborhood with a man-made pool in the middle. Every corner offers a good photo opportunity, the atmosphere is most relaxed and the surrounding is picturesque. There is no written menu at Kulim Forest Restaurant but the server will recommend the freshest catch of the day. Fresh water produce is commonly served here, with a range of familiar Chinese dishes... reasonable price points if you must know.

15 Grams Coffee Bar @ Mahsuri Promenade, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

One of the first tenants to open its doors to the public at Mahsuri Promenade is Room 18 but it is not entirely a Hair Salon... part of the place is rented out to 15 Grams Coffee Bar, a snug but cozy space housed within the same lot. Like the name, 15 Grams runs as a Coffee Bar so do not expect the place to have a large menu. It does however, have some cakes and pastries on offer. Seats are limited but there are some seating space right in front of the coffee bar that allows coffee enthusiasts to witness the entire brewing process and perhaps, some exchange of opinions with the barista. Also worth mentioning is the Instagrammable-spot right in front of the glass door, the natural light that floods in offers great backdrop for hipstery photos. A pretty cool place for a cup of Joe but might be a little confined to hang out, especially for big groups. Mahsuri Promande is the new commercial building between D' Piazza Mall and Elit Avenue.

[Nasi Melayu] Cafe Pinggiran Laut @ Batu Maung, Penang.

There is no shortage of Malay food at Batu Maung but navigating the area requires experiences, especially without the aid of proper road signage and small alleys connecting the villages. One of the most popular places for Malay Rice at Batu Maung is Cafe Pinggiran Laut, an unassuming place by the seaside. Not to be confused with Kak Ani Kari Ikan Sembilang operating side by side, Cafe Pinggiran Laut is easily recognized by the clamoring crowd. The place starts as early as 11 am but expect the crowd to throng in slightly before noon. Most dishes will be gone by noon, so visiting before noon will be wiser choice... for the spread. There is a good variety here, from some uncommonly seen Kerabu to myriad of curry dishes (though most of them are Fish curries), down to the quintessential Fried Chicken and Ulam-Ulaman. The wallet-friendly price tag is also one of the pulling factors to draw the factories workers working nearby.

Chicken Rice @ Restaurant Green Glow (頂好茶餐室), Sungai Petani, Kedah

Chicken Rice is one of the Malaysian staple comfort food, everyone has his/her own favorite(s). To pick the best will likely stir up a passionate debate but let's agree to disagree, this hauntingly mouth-watering Malaysian delight is never easy to cook and has no definite recipe to it. For a plate of simple, straight-forward Chicken Rice; navigate your way to Restaurant Green Glow (頂好茶餐室) at Pekan Lama, Sungai Petani (Kedah). This is definitely one of the long-established ones around; with more than 38 years of experience (since 1979), this humble stall has garnered an appreciate following, most coming for their remarkably luscious Chicken (the stall is known as 喜相逢爱芬鸡饭). But a good Chicken Rice is not just about the Chicken, purists will argue that the flavored-Rice and the addictive Chili dip is part of the package.... and this stall has it all. 

Many Thanks to Leong for hosting us that afternoon.

Ancient Road Seafood Restaurant (古代一路泥土鸡) @ Bagan Jermal, Butterworth, Penang.

Beggar's Chicken (叫花鸡) has been one of the signature China Chinese dishes and its history can be traced back to the Ming-Qing Dynasty in China; today, the dish is popular in Jiangsu Province (of China). Inspired by this great dish, this Chinese restaurant tucked in a terrace house along the bustling Jalan Bagan Jermal has recently gained the attention of netizens for serving this old Chinese delicacy. But Ancient Road Seafood Restaurant is not a one trick pony, it has a great selection of Chinese Zhu Char dishes as well; in fact, we thought some of the Zhu Char dishes outshined the signature Chicken dish. Prices are most affordable except for the Chicken but if you appreciate the interactive process (diners ordering the Chicken may proceed to "unwrap and release" the Chicken from the Soil by hammering it), you will probably find it worth it. 

Cia Siang Seafood (Claypot Crab Rice/ 佳乡海鲜蟹皇饭) @ Bukit Tambun, Simpang Ampat, Penang.

It's all about Seafood at Bukit Tambun, a small fishing village famous amongst seafood lovers. While there are many seafood restaurants in the vicinity, not many offer Claypot Crab Rice and Cia Siang Seafood Restaurant (at the junction of Simpang Ampat and Bukit Tambun) claims to be the first to offer this specialty. It's hard to miss Cia Siang, the restaurant has a huge facade with gigantic signage and ample parking space. Though the restaurant is not air-conditioned, the high ceiling allows natural wind to flow in and the ventilation is good. There is no standard menu, once you entered the restaurant, you will be ushered and seated quickly. The cantankerous proprietor will then approach you in lightning speed and rush you for orders. While the food did not disappoint, they did not shine either; we thought the food was of standard-average quality but... with outrageous price tags. 

Hakka Noodles (夜來香海鮮茶餐室) @ Yeh Lai Siang Food Court, Sungai Petani, Kedah.

It's always fun to have a short getaway from home and one of the nearest cities to Penang- Sungai Petani (Kedah), a city that is often overlooked by many. It offers a good selection of traditional delicacies, some can no longer be found in urbanized cities like Penang. For this reason, the quiet town of Sungai Petani makes a great short trip to search for the lost flavors of yesteryears. For a bowl of classic, authentic Hakka Mee, make your way to Yeh Lai Siang Food Court near the old town of Sungai Petani. Possibly the only authentic Hakka Mee in Sungai Petani, this 14-year old noodle stall uses recipes passed down from previous generations to churn out home-made springy, flat noodles. But they are not a one-trick pony, their home-made Dumplings are not be forsaken as well. The Dumpling skin is home-made and the Dumplings are wrapped on the spot. Freshness is of essence here and they take it seriously. This humble stall housed within the classic local food court setting is definitely one of the best to savor the Hakka-influenced delicacy.

*Many Thanks to Leong for hosting us the other day.*

Dandy Modern Food @ Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Western and Fusion food are commonly found in the Penang cafe scene but Middle Eastern cuisine has not gotten the same attention and limelight. Dandy Modern Food is making a breakthrough here... a new kid on the block at Arena Curve that offers Mediterranean fare with a Fusion touch in a comfortable-cozy cafe atmosphere. The cafe uses an open-kitchen concept and allows diners to have visual access to the Shawarma meat-carving process or reassuring the hygiene conditions of the cafe. The menu covers an interesting array Middle Eastern food and some Western dishes; price points are standard-average but the entire package, including the service level and quality is somewhat spectacular. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary cafe fare in the vicinity, Dandy Modern Food might be a good option.

Souper Tang (汤师傅) @ Gurney Plaza, Penang.

Most Malaysians can relate their diets with Soup as most of us growing up associating with Soup so when the proud Malaysian brand- Souper Tang (汤师傅) opened a new branch at Gurney Plaza, we were not surprised to see the long queue of curious gourmands scouting the new restaurant. Souper Tang is known to offer invigorating Chinese double boiled Soups that are believed to bring medicinal health benefits and a variety of wholesome Chinese dishes. Price points are high and the service staff lacked proper training so the waiting time can be rather long. Souper Tang is just opposite to Canton-I at 1st floor of Gurney Plaza.

Chong Qing Skewer Hot Pot (重庆串串香) @ Trengganu Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Leveraged on the power of social media, Chong Qing Skewer Hot Pot (重庆串串香) has recently made known as one of the few restaurants that offers spicy Sze Chuan-influenced Hot Pot in a unique way. But they may have underestimated the crowd and due to weak manpower planning, the service was horrible. The Hot Pot restaurant housed in one of the corner units (terrace house) along Trengganu Road has a simple setting- customers are expect to dine-in at the house yard. There is no air-conditioner but a few weak fans and blowers (heat intolerant be warned!); with that being said, the ventilation is fairly bad. The concept is simple- order your preferred Soup base(s) and pick up your desired ingredients at the display fridge (skewered/ Rm 0.90 per skewer). But do not expect to get a big piece of meat at that price, instead.... for a miserable piece of Chicken Wing, it comes with 2 skewers (Rm 1.80).  Apart from the Hot Pot, diners may opt to order their range of barbecued items as well. 

Miga Korean BBQ Restaurant @ Bay Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Miga Korean BBQ Restaurant is a new Korean restaurant near Bay Avenue, Queensbay Mall that places real emphasis on Korean traditional and classic delights. Not only does the place has the standard Korean restaurant setting, the menu offers plates and set menus with options like Korean Barbecue, Hot Pots, Bibimbap, Jap Chae, Tteokbokki and various Korean noodles. Playful creations are not found here but clean, straight-forward Korean cuisine. This new kid on the block does the classics well, with slightly more polished service (though foreigners) than many established spots in town. But let's be frank, it would not a cheap meal here but the quality and attentive service set it apart from its competitors. 

Tasty Toasty @ Cantonment Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Long before the rise of artisan European bread, local Toasts were staples for any working class in Penang; the locals' favorite way of enjoying a crisp-fluffy toast would be none other than Kaya Butter Toast with soft-boiled Eggs. But Tasty Toasty is churning out Toast with style... giving the bread an upgrade. Unlike the typical cafe fare, Tasty Toasty has a menu dedicated entirely to Toast/ Bun, with a small selection of Pasta dishes. We were told that all Toast/ Bun are made in-house so there will be no preservatives or artificial flavoring. Competitive price points but they don't skimp on food ingredients... impressively done for a humble beginning. Tasty Toast can be found in front of Bandar Baru Supermarket at Cantonment Road (behind Pulau Tikus Wet Market).

Gayo Coffee @ Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

**Gayo Coffee has since ceased its business operations**

More choices for cafe hoppers in Georgetown with the opening of Gayo Coffee... near the artsy corner of central Georgetown- Armenian Street. Right next to China House, Gayo Coffee is a big contender to the former name; it boasts over its long structure (claims to be the longest cafe in Penang) with a touch of heritage. Massive works have been done to upgrade the place but retaining its vintage facade; every corner of the building is picturesque and most suitable for taking vintage-styled photographs. Note-worthy is the center air-well with an old vine tree that exudes a mysteriously calm and tranquil atmosphere... seeks to embolden the beauty of Georgetown. On the menu, Gayo Coffee offers a good European spread with slightly above-average price points. Servers are attentive but the food quality can be further improved. It's a place where we find the atmosphere outshines the food; if we ever were to recommend, it would be the environment only.

Foo Chow Delights @ Cowboy Street Cafe, Georgetown, Penang.

Traditional-classic Foo Chow delights are not common in Penang's food scene, at least not ubiquitously found in any hawker centers but one particular coffee shop in town has been dishing out Foo Chow delicacies for years. Right smack in town, Cowboy Street Cafe is a stone's throw distance away from the famous mural art paint at Armenian Street. Foo Chow classics basically make up the menu, along with some localized Western dishes and nibbles but the price points are slightly above average (imagine Koay Teow Th'ng with Foo Chow Fish Balls at Rm 10). Hefty price tags but if you in dire need to satiate your craving for Foo Chow dishes, this is the place you should go.