JiangHu Edo Restaurant (江户) @ Magazine Road, Georgetown, Penang.

You might not even notice JiangHu Edo's existence, the slightly oddball restaurant situated at Magazine Road (few doors away from Magazine 63) specializes in Japanese-Fusion dishes. Sure the name would ring a bell but many have not even heard/ seen the name; the fact that the place carries no signage makes it even harder for the public to notice. Enter via the main entrance at Magazine Road and make your way to the end of the space... a modern dining hall with minimalist type of elegance where sleek and clean utensils are carefully displayed. JiangHu Edo does not offer big menu but 3 types of course dinners and a list of ala-carte items. Prices are middle-upper range... pretty fine offering, more like a choice for times when you need to seriously impress or for occasions. 

Oppa Korean BBQ @ Hillside, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

With an inviting, homey setting, Oppa Korean BBQ has quickly become one of the favorite casual dining spots in the neighborhood but the Korean restaurant is not new. It started off in Gurney Paragon Mall's food court but has since relocated to this present location near Hillside of Tanjung Bungah. Though the menu is not as extensive as other established Korean joints, the pricing appears to be more budget-friendly. The restaurant is manned by a Korean so the authenticity factor speaks for itself. Reasonably priced, comfortable dining environment; this could be one of the decent options to sate your Korean cravings without putting a dent on the wallet. 

Joies Cafe @ Moulmein Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Started off as a Sourdough specialist, Joies Sourdough has finally expanded and opened a new cafe at the clamoring Pulau Tikus area. Expect the menu to be Sourdough-centric... with various add-ons to the bread; additional offering includes a small variety of Pasta dishes, Pizza and Salad. The health-conscious will be glad to know that Joies does not use Sugar and artificial flavoring for its range of traditional artisan Bread. It was also learnt that Joies Cafe does not serve meat... only plant-based ingredients and dairy/eggs. Modern-chic and comfortable atmosphere, the place is a great choice over breakfast and light-meals (serving portion might be too small for proper meals); superior food quality by the way.

Fisherman's Wharf (槟城渔人码头)- Great Cheap Eats @ Karpal Singh Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

Penang is a State blessed with myriad of street and hawker food; hawker centers are part of our lives and we are never bored of getting excited to visit all these hawker centers! If you are one of us or intend to indulge in a great variety of local food (this is the best way to savor authentic and yummy local delights), make your way to Fisherman's Wharf.... one of the largest food courts in town. The place is not new but was recently taken over by a new management (since last quarter of 2017) and therefore, given a new face to the place. It is now more organized, cleaner with more food choices  available (Fisherman's Wharf houses more than 40 food stalls). The locals' favorites- Curry Mee, Hokkien Mee, Char Koay Kak, Koay Teow Th'ng, Lam Mee, Lor Bak, Bak Kut Teh etc are all there but if you or your guests prefer a little international variety, there are Pizza, Shawerma, Burgers, Japanese and Korean dishes as well. Rest-assured, all items are reasonably priced to the "hawker" standard and will not put a dent on your wallet. It's also worth mentioning that at certain hours, there will be live band performances.... imagine spending your weekend evenings on great food, chilled Beers and live performances at the beach front. Ample Free Parking space too if that's your concern.

This post is brought to you by Fisherman's Wharf.

Leong Kee Tim Sum (龙记点心) @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Right smack in Georgetown, Leong Kee Tim Sum did not seem to get the attention of Penangites as compared to its competitors... as though the place has been long forgotten by time. The place is definitely not new, probably around for more than 2 decades but it withstood the test of time. Though it did not appeal to the younger generations, the place is still the favorite Dim Sum place for some. Swing by in the morning and you will find many senior citizens gathering at the place for early breakfast. The kitchen churns out classic, no-frill Dim Sum dishes at most affordable prices (more wallet-friendly as compared to some big establishments). One of the relatively quieter Dim Sum places with old-school setting in town.

Chloe Cafe (茶约) @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

Talk about expensive Milk Tea or Taiwanese beverages, the newly opened Chloe Cafe has got to be one of the most expensive cafes in Penang to offer these beverages. It's customary to have a serving of Taiwanese Milk at slightly over Rm 10 but it's definitely uncommon to pay slightly more than double for that but cafe hoppers do pay the price for curiosity at Chloe Cafe. Apart from the quality, they pay for its comfortable, chic atmosphere. It has the modern, minimalist touch to it and it does not only offer beverages... the food menu has an interesting blend of Western-Asian delights... with some of their own twists. Prices are generally higher here, especially in the Butterworth neighborhood but given the food quality and exceptional dining atmosphere (comparing those in the same area), the place is worth a look.

Ang Ang's Roastery @ Alma, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

A relatively quieter location from the clamoring Bukit Mertajam town, Ang Ang's Roastery is a comfortable gathering spot for Coffee lovers and Tea connoisseurs. Push the door open and you will be welcomed by a strong Coffee aroma... which permeates through the whole cafe. The interior decor is minimalist... brilliantly spaced, casual couches and comfortable lighting, the whole package makes it a great place to unwind or to do some reading. The team behind Ang Ang's Roastery seems to be very serious about their Coffee and Tea, everything is carefully brewed and served. The place does not pay great attention to the food menu though... only a couple of Sandwich, Toast choices; more like a place for casual meet ups over Coffee or Tea than proper meals. 

Alfresco G Trattoria @ Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang.

Replacing the spot previously owned by Italiannies, Alfresco G Trattoria is a new restaurant that places great focuses on its Salad Bar. Like its previous tenant, the newly opened restaurant offers Western menu but with a healthier touch.... any order of the Pasta, Pizza or Main will entitle the diner to unlimited helpings at the Salad Bar (worth Rm 27.90/ no sharing is allowed). But Greens are the only items there... expect to see a great variety of fruits, soup and condiments, also... free flow of drinks (including soft drinks). The interior decor carries a sleek modern industrial design, tables are well-spaced with the option to dine-in at the alfresco dining zone. Prices are indeed high but they commensurate in terms of quantity, the restaurant is children-friendly. 

WhatSaeb Thai Boat Noodles @ Carnavon Street, Georgetown, Penang.

WhatSaeb Thai Boat Noodles made its first debut in The Saw Emporium earlier this year, the Boat Noodle specialist is well-established in Klang Valley but has recently relocated to Penang. The new location can be found at Carnavon Street and the place offers an array of Thai delights; expect to see some authentic, robust Thai Noodles, Rice dishes and sides. Prices are standard-average but the serving portions are smaller than our expectations.... more like a place to taste the diversity (of flavors) than a place for filling meal. 

Izakaya By Sango @ Noordin Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Set in a bar setting, Izakaya By Sango is the latest addition to Penang's Japanese dining scene. The barely signposted spot is hard to notice and does not suggest Japanese hospitality. But as the name suggests, the place runs as an "Izakaya"... a casual Japanese Pub, the variety of liquor is a thing, the place offers worth-looking modern Japanese menu. We could tell that the place serves good Donburi as the variety suggests but there are also some Japanese delights uncommonly found in classic Japanese spots. The setting is suitable for a drink over some Japas "Japanese Tapas" or a quick Japanese meal in lieu of proper family dining; do not expect things to be lowly priced here but not to the extent that it will break the bank. 

Blue Chang Modern Thai Cuisine @ Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Serving modern Thai food with a cozy, casual cafe vibe, Blue Chang is a new comer to the Penang food scene. Housed in the Penang Club annex, the Thai restaurant takes up a corner space of the building; the atmosphere is intimate- modest but exudes minimalist elegance (without heavy Thai knick-knacks) . The menu features flavorsome Thai food, often with a modern twist; do not expect the prices to be low here... but they commensurate with large serving portion. If Pulau Tikus is within your usual lunch area, their Set Lunch is worth a look. 

4FINGERS Crispy Chicken @ Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang.

Singapore home-grown brand, 4FINGERS Crispy Chicken has made international appearances in several countries (Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia) and has been receiving great responses over the years. Though the country of origin is not from Korea, it is said to serve some of the best Korean-influenced Chickens ever. Its earlier entrance to Penang stirred up a wave amongst Chicken lovers. The Chicken specialist offers up quite a variety... menu favorites are the signature Chicken types (Soy Garlic or Hot or Mixed), Burgers, Rice or healthier options like Salad. 4FINGERS Crispy Chicken is a Muslim-friendly restaurant.

Tummy Bowl @ Elit Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

It's hard to find good Poke Bowl in Penang as compared to Kuala Lumpur but the recent explosion of Poke Bowl's fandom has expanded to Penang... with more openings of Poke Bowl specialist. Hailed from Ipoh, Tummy Bowl has both counter-style or make-your-own Poke... it has an extensive list of toppings for you to choose. There's also vegetarian options for plant-based eaters. Like some of the big players in KL, it adopts self-ordering system.... diners are required to fill in the order form and hand it over to the counter, a number will be given to you while you wait for it to be called. Though my favorite is still The Fish Bowl but Tummy Bowl is nevertheless, the closest we can get here in Penang. 

APlace 26 @ Bangkok Lane, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Sharing the same building (and same management) as Angelash Eyelash Extensions, the new "APlace 26" occupies one of the houses along Bangkok Lane. Push the door open and you will be welcomed by a cozy, homey cafe setting... but the menu is rather small. As the place only opens for breakfast and lunch, the offering features a small choice of breakfast items with a couple of lunch specials. One could tell that the healthy-element is there... perhaps a good thing for the health-conscious. However, the prices are on the steeper side, but if you yearn for a healthy breakfast in a comfortable setting, do give this place a go. 

Mystery Village Cafe & Pub (神秘村庄) @ Chulia Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Tucked away in a hidden corner of the bustling Chulia Street, Mystery Village Cafe & Pub is accessible from a hidden, curious passageway opposite to the junction of Cintra Street and Chulia Street. Push the door open and you will find yourself in a mysterious but lovely garden filled with an array of local delights. Traipse up the stairs and you will plenty of seats under the marquee... with live song performance on weekends. On the food offering, the place runs like an upscale food court... where visitors may order the food from specific vendor and they will then send the food to your table. Not much of choices for now (only Pi Pa Duck, Grilled Seafood, Western Food, Satay and of course alcohols) but more variety will soon be added. Prices are higher than usual but you pay for the chic al-fresco atmosphere.