Probably the only place to enjoy a bowl of southern Koay Teow Kia would be at Lu Lai Liao 鹵來了... previously occupied a stall at Terengganu Road but it has since relocated to this new location at Jalan Krian, Georgetown. The menu has expanded, from the signature braised goods to a bigger menu offering Chinese stir fry dishes. Good thing is that the prices remain reasonable. The new place is now air-conditioned and offers a more comfortable space to enjoy a meal.
There is no shortage of good Chicken Rice in the Jelutong neighborhood but this particular one- Sunbright Roast Chicken Rice 日光烧腊鸡饭 has constantly been attracting regular patrons back for their roast goodies. Previously located near Perak Road wet market, Sunbright has since relocated to this location, right next to Sunshine Jelutong. The signature sauce (with Oyster Sauce) and home-made Chili sauce contribute to the winning factor (also being wallet-friendly). The place is often at its busiest at noon or lunch hours, so if you wish to have more meat variety, make sure you arrive early.
A new place at Relau for bread lovers to explore is Ginza Pastry Cafe, one of the latest additions to Golden Triangle 2. With a Japanese name, the bakery cafe rolls out a series of Japanese-inspired buns, loaves, pastries and cakes. There are plenty of options at Ginza Pastry Cafe, not only the usual bread but some freshly steamed buns, Macarons, cakes or even sandwiches. The prices are surprisingly wallet-friendly, it's just that the seats are cramped and less-accommodating for larger groups (not very comfortable for small groups either).
Popular across the world- Japan is known for their world-class food and also their vast variety of Japanese snacks. Unless you spend a lot of time checking the specialty shops for all these delicious imported snacks, it is challenging to get access to them. But that should not stop you from experiencing Japan from home, you can do so by subscribing to TokyoTreat Snack Box where you can try new and delicious items curated and delivered to your door every month! Launched in 2015, TokyoTreat has become one of the most popular choices for monthly subscription boxes of Japanese snacks today. Read more about TokyoTreat at this link here.
One new spot to satiate your China Chinese food craving will be at Mai Xiang China Chinese Cuisine 麦香中国私厨美食, Lorong Carnarvon. This new restaurant is run by a China Chinese family, offering mainly China Chinese delights like Dumplings, Noodles and various snacks. The price points are very reasonable considering the portion, the place is also fully air-conditioned and comfortable to dine in. Worth a visit if you are in the vicinity.
Four Beans 四夕豆花, a brand from southern Malaysia has recently expanded its business operations up north to Penang... opening a new branch at Jalan Krian, Georgetown. The brand brings along its signature Tofufah (Soy Bean Pudding), Soya Milk as well as shaved ice desserts. It lured in a big crowd during its first few opening weeks, with long queues spotted right outside the place. No mains are served, mainly chilled sweet treats perfect to put a stop on the sultry tropical heat. There are plenty of desserts on offer and they are all reasonably priced. But do take note if you are visiting the place in a big group, it is less accommodating as the place is pretty cramped with less-comfortable seating.
In today's fast-moving society, traditional Claypot Rice cooked over coal fire is fast disappearing but this new spot in the Lip Sin Neighborhood- Baby Claypot House 炭烧煲仔记 is bringing it back to life. As per the name suggested, Baby Claypot House focuses on Claypot Rice but the menu also features other Chinese stir-fry dishes; there are also various toppings available for add-ons. The place is not air-conditioned and merely like a local Coffee Shop, the price points are 20-30% higher than normal Claypot Rice stalls. More like a place for novelty experience and not worth the trip all the way there for this. To find Baby Claypot House, simply locate the main entrance of Pan Palace Plaza, the same building that houses Sunshine Lip Sin and Red Tea House Dim Sum.
One of the few destinations that Penang has direct flight to would be Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon), it only takes less than 2 hours to reach Saigon from Penang. Vietnam has undergone rapid development in recent years, things were so different during our last visit in 2017. The city's booming food scene making it very attractive for foodies to explore- from affordable street food to fine dining, or even Michelin-starred restaurants (Michelin rolls out its food guide- Saigon version earlier this year).
8 October 2023 marked the grand opening of The George, a 5-star boutique hotel by The Crest Collection. Managed by The Ascott Limited (Ascott), The George is the first property in Penang that sits in the prestigious rank of The Crest Collection. With its strategic location, The George is set to redefine the concept of luxury hospitality, seamlessly blending heritage charm with contemporary elegance. This is the fifth property under the Ascott Malaysia. The George is strategically located at Penang Road and within the UNESCO World Heritage zone; with 92 exquisite rooms and suites as well as an exceptional fusion of classic and contemporary boutique decor, the management is confident that it will appeal not only to international travelers but local connoisseurs too. Find out more about the property here.
Calling all foodies in the northern states as KITA Food Festival returns to Penang this year with a bang! For the uninitiated, KITA Food Festival is an annual event offering a range of exceptional experiences with some of the finest Chefs, Winemakers, and food thinkers from all over the globe. The KITA Food Festival 2023: The Great Mezze sees multi-Chef cook up: a total number of 8 Chefs (4 Chefs from Singapore paired with 4 Chefs from Penang). There will be a total of 8 dishes (hot and cold) to try, including sweet treats; the ticket includes one drink as well.
Join us this 15 October 2023 from 6:30PM at China House Penang; for more information and purchase of tickets, click this link. Each ticket admits one and it is priced at RM210 per ticket.
7 Siam Mini Market at Lebuh Katz is one of the go-to places for some imported Thai snacks and seasonings but the proprietor has taken a step further, opening up a new Thai restaurant on the upper floor of the unit. Enter via the small entrance right next to the mart, it will lead to you to the restaurant right above the mini mart. The restaurant has a big Thai menu, featuring many northern Thai delights, including Khao Soi (they are probably the first and only Thai restaurant in Penang to offer this) and various classic Thai dishes. The place is clean and spacious, the proprietor is also friendly and accommodating. With the superior food quality, we thought the price range is fair and reasonable. Do give it a try if you yearn for good Thai food.
There is no best time to enjoy a plate of good Nasi Lemak and this can be seen from Foo House Pandan Nasi Lemak at Sungai Ara. The crowd gathers as early as 9 am and the queue will slowly build up This is one of the best best-kept secrets from the folks living in the neighborhood. Foo House started as a stall in one of the Coffee Shops in Sungai Ara, the business expanded and they have since moved to this proper lot facing the main road. With better resources, Foo House is able to introduce more dishes and toppings to their signature Pandan Nasi Lemak. Do not be taken aback by the queue, it does not take that long. Should you wish to avoid long queues, reach the place before noon as the place is most packed during lunch hours.
More than just typical barbecue, Firewood Restaurant in Georgetown is taking the traditional wood-fire cooking to the next level. The restaurant specializes in premium quality steaks, cooked over coal fire. Far from being a steakhouse, Firewood offers a menu with a well-diversified choices... from imported premium quality meats to comfort sharing food like Salad, Pasta, Burgers and Desserts etc. It has a big beverage menu too- from different labels of Wines, Cocktails to non-alcoholic options. The restaurant takes their food seriously, with an aim to impart coal-smokiness to all of their dishes. In order to achieve this, Firewood has their own recipe in mixing the coals... from traditional Charcoal to Binchotan, constantly experimenting and exploring multitude ways to manipulate the fire and perfecting the cooking. Firewood is a Pork-Free and Kids-friendly casual restaurant; early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment, especially for bigger groups.
Many Thanks to Firewood Restaurant for hosting us.
