[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Bangkok, Thailand (曼谷，泰国) 2024

Bangkok is always a food haven for food lovers to explore, be it wallet-friendly local street food or premium Michelin-awarded restaurants... not to mention the shopping with easy access to international premium/local Thai brands as well as the rejuvenating Spa sessions. It is easy for Penangites to visit Bangkok too; Firefly has recently introduced their direct flights from Penang to Bangkok. We took advantage of this promotion (for the record- we managed to get our return flight tickets for less than RM300/pax) and the experience was great. The plane landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport instead of Don Mueang, offering easy accessibility to different networks. 

1) Pang Cha Thai Royal Cafe

Pork-Free

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: Yes 7%

Address: 3rd Floor of Central World, Rama 1 Rd, Pathum Wan, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand.

Business Hours: 10:30 am to 9:30 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: +66 2106 3498

Pang Cha Instagram Page

Robataya Izakaya @ Queensbay Mall, Penang.

The only outlet outside of Klang Valley, Robataya Izakaya at Queensbay Mall sits at a corner at the North Zone of the mall (opposite Sen Heng). The Japanese restaurant has a big menu, other than the Izakaya items; diners can expect to find most of the Japanese delights- Sushi, Sashimi, Nabe, Noodle dishes on the menu. The restaurant has a comfortable Japanese setting and is able to accommodate big groups but do be prepared to pay a premium when dining out at Robataya (the rates are higher than many Japanese restaurants in town). 

Thum Kee Char Hor Fun 谭记炒河粉 @ Jalan Presgrave, Georgetown, Penang.

Manned by the fourth generation, Thum Kee Char Hor Fun 谭记炒河粉 is an old Penang food store that withstood the test of time. Their recent expansion at Jalan Presgrave is well-received and offers a more spacious, comfortable dining experience to the regular patrons. They also run a food store at Mount Erskine market and has garnered an appreciate following over the years (since 1981). Thum Kee specializes in Chinese-style Stir Fried Noodles like Char Hor Fun, Hokkien Char and the likes. This place at Jalan Presgrave is neighboring to the popular hawker place along the same street.

Zen Udon @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Not exaggerating but Zen Udon, a newly opened Udon-specialist at Bukit Mertajam could be your best bet for some of the best Udon-noodles in Penang. Located at the old town of Bukit Mertajam (behind Pek Kong Cheng), Zen Udon churns out fresh, handcrafted Japanese Udon using premium imported ingredients. The interior of the restaurant does not quite reflect the Japanese-element but the menu says otherwise. Zen has an Udon-focused menu along with some Japanese delights like Okonomiyaki, Japanese Curry, Tempura etc; items are reasonably priced... worth checking out if you do enjoy a good bowl of handmade Udon.

The Melbourne Cartel @ Straits Quay, Penang.

One of the latest additions to Straits Quay Penang is The Melbourne Cartel- where Australian vibes meet gourmet Waffles and Pancakes... inspired by Aussie culinary traditions and served in a creative twist. The cafe specializes in Waffles and Pancakes... but also offers an Aussie-influenced All Day Breakfast menu. The Coffee Beans are roasted and imported from Melbourne directly so you are literally getting a taste of the Down Under from Penang. If you must know- there are a couple of tables at the al-fresco area, especially suitable for pet owners.

[Year 2024] Food Hunting- Day Trip @ Lenggong Town 玲珑, Perak.

Slightly more than 100 km north from Ipoh, Lenggong 玲珑 is approximately 2.5 hours drive away from Penang island. The sleeping town is surrounded by lush greens and mountains. It is small and easy to navigate, it is also close to Lake Raban and famous for an archaeology site... making it a perfect short getaway for nature and history lovers. Apart from the rural-nature beauty of Lenggong, the town is also known to churn out some really fresh and delicious freshwater fish. For those planning for a quick getaway to Taiping, do consider to stop by Lenggong too.

1) Chat Sook Restaurant 七叔玲珑饭店

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Address: No. 201, Jalan Lorong Belakang Barat, 33400, Lenggong, Perak.

Business Hours: 12 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 012-598 1733

Chat Sook Restaurant Facebook Page

Mea1 一顿 @ Golden Triangle 2, Relau, Penang.

Mea1 一顿  is the latest addition to Golden Triangle 2; from the outside- the place looks like a curious cafe in shades of wood but the menu says otherwise. It is in fact a restaurant offering a modern, playful Malaysian-fusion menu, featuring Nasi Lemak with a twist, Japanese Curry and some Chinese dishes. It also churns out some freshly baked French pastries like Croissants, Madeleines, Croffins etc. Expect to spend RM30 to RM40 per pax for a meal here.

JHOL Coastal Indian Cuisine @ Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok, Thailand.

While Bangkok (capital city of Thailand) may not be the first destination that comes to mind for Indian cuisine, JHOL stands out as a Michelin-mentioned gem, bringing the vibrant flavors of coastal India to the heart of the city. Specializing in authentic coastal Indian delights, this exceptional restaurant offers a medley of fresh seafood, meat, aromatic spices and traditional recipes that instantly transport diners to the shores of India's diverse coastal regions. The 11-course Tasting Menu (THB1,999/or 14-course with optional supplement to the tasting menu) is perfect for those seeking a culinary adventure or looking forward to experiencing the highlights of the coastal Indian delights. JHOL is located on Sukhumvit Road and it is just 8-min walk away from BTS Asok. 

Many Thanks to JHOL for hosting us.

Mama Zen Hokkien Noodles 妈妈珍正宗福建面 @ i-Santorini, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Hailed from Alor Setar, Mama Zen Hokkien Noodles 妈妈珍正宗福建面 was born in the capital city of Kedah since 2014... churning out tummy-warming Hokkien Mee for almost a decade. The Hokkien Mee specialist has decided to expand its business operations to Penang (also Sungai Petani) at i-Santorini Tanjung Tokong... offering a more extensive menu that includes other noodle choices too (like Loh Mee, Scallion Oil Noodles etc). It offers an air-conditioned, comfortable space to dine-in; considering the affordable prices, the place is worth a look (especially for the folks staying in the neighborhood).

8 Reasons to Invest in an Apartment in Bali: A Smart Move for 2024

Bali, known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and thriving tourism industry, has long been a favorite destination for travelers and expatriates. In recent years, the island has also emerged as a hotspot for real estate investment, particularly in the apartment sector.

With 2024 on the horizon, now might be the perfect time to consider investing in an apartment in Bali. Here are eight compelling reasons why looking for Bali apartments for sale could be a smart move for your portfolio.

Ho Kee Pau and Noodle House 禾记手工面点餐厅 @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

A new addition to the Raja Uda food scene is Ho Kee Pau and Noodle House 禾记手工面点餐厅, a Chinese restaurant offering China-Chinese menu. Expect to find familiar dishes like Shanghainese Xiao Long Bao, Dumplings, Scallion Oil Noodles etc. Items are reasonably priced with plenty of options available, the place is also comfortably equipped with air-conditioners... but there are plenty of rooms for improvements as far as food quality is concerned...