[Year 2024] Food Hunting- of Cafes/ Must-Eats @ Alor Setar, Kedah.

Slightly more than an hour drive from Penang island- Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah State; benefiting from the geographical location, Alor Setar is also home to many authentic, delicious southern Thai delights and of course, northern Malaysian dishes as well. The place has undergone many new developments in recent years with many new cafes/ restaurants. Follow us on our recent day trip to Alor Setar.

1) Ban.Na.Kin

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Address: No. 607-B, Jalan Menanti, Off Jalan Putra, 05100, Alor Setar, Kedah.

Business Hours: 8:30 am to 4 pm. Closed on Mondays.

Contact Number: 016-460 0115

Ban.Na.Kin Facebook Page

22 BS River Seafood Restaurant 22 河海鲜楼 @ Bagan Samak, Bandar Baharu, Kedah.

Bagan Samak (a short drive from Bandar Baharu toll/ approximately an hour from Penang island) is known for its Seafood restaurants and the availability of fresh water fishes. 22 BS River Seafood Restaurant 22 河海鲜楼 is one of the latest additions to the Bagan Samak restaurant scene. Opened in early 2022, 22 BS River Seafood Restaurant occupies a big corner lot on the main road. The menu has a little Thai influence but generally, the dishes are Chinese stir fries that most Malaysians are familiar with. The highlight of this place is of course- the Seafood as well as the fresh water fishes. Save for the bothersome infestation of houseflies around the neighborhood; it is safe to say that everyone in our family enjoyed the food here. 

Luodong 羅東 @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Started as a simple eatery that offers desserts, Luodong 羅東 has received great attention over the years due to its wallet-friendly price tags and aesthetically-pleasing sweet treats like Cakes and Swiss Rolls. The place has managed to transform itself into a café offering full-fledged menu from Taiwanese-influenced appetizers, mains and desserts. It is so popular right now and the place is often full to the brim, getting a table is not easy especially on weekends. Food offering-wise, the menu has some interesting eats... with an array of Taiwanese dishes and a big variety of sweet treats, best of all, all items are affordably priced. 

Xiao Lin Kitchen 小林私房料理 @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

A short drive from Sungai Petani's Industrial Zone is Xiao Lin Kitchen 小林私房料理, a popular restaurant in the neighborhood for serving budget-friendly, delicious Yong Tofu. The place gets very busy during lunch and dinner hours. The Chinese menu is suitable for all age range, offering some Chinese stir fry dishes and their signature dish- Yong Tofu. There is a selection counter where diners can handpick their favorite Yong Tofu and to be served Fried or with Soup. 

Dao Xiang Dim Sum 稻香点心 @ Kulim, Kedah.

There are only a handful of Dim Sum options at Kulim (Kedah) and Dao Xiang Dim Sum 稻香点心 is one of them. Strategically located at Taman Selasih and occupying a prominent corner lot, the place attracts diners of all age-range... mainly due to its big Chinese menu and well-spaced seating arrangement. Not only Dim Sum dishes are available, there are also some tummy-filling mains and stir-fry dishes as well as some Chinese pastries; importantly, they are all reasonably priced. Worth-dropping by if you are in the vicinity and looking for some classic, inexpensive Chinese eats. 

Canna Cafe @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

One of the latest places to get a good and budget-friendly Thai meal at Sungai Petani (Kedah) would be Canna Cafe, a Muslim-friendly Thai restaurant. Canna Cafe is fairly new but it has garnered an appreciate following since its opening. The menu is big and features a wide variety of Thai delights. The place is also accommodating for bigger groups, making it ideal for family meals or casual gatherings. Reasonable price points, generous serving portions and authentic Thai flavors are some of the pull factors. Canna Cafe is located near to Laguna Merbok, a short drive from Sungai Petani Utara toll. 

Seed & Mi @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

A short drive from Sungai Petani's industrial zone, Seed & Mi is especially suitable for diet-watchers. The cafe offers healthy food options like Poke Bowl (customization is available), All Day Breakfast, Japanese Onigiri and Smoothie Bowls. While there are other wallet-friendly options in Sungai Petani, Seed & Mi seems to be a popular spot with many returning regular patrons. The Poke Bowl is their signature dish, though they do not offer fresh Fish options, they do offer a good substitution for protein (like Chicken or Tofu for Vegan). Delicious healthy food in a comfortable setting, no wonder this place is gaining attention amongst the young cafe hoppers. 

Yu Xiang Restaurant 宇香海鲜楼 @ Kulim, Kedah.

For a budget-friendly, classic Chinese meal in the quiet town of Kulim, make your way to Yu Xiang Restaurant 宇香海鲜楼, one of the few air-conditioned Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood. The brand is not the longest-standing but has surely garnered an appreciate following. But the reasons are simple- comfortable dining space, wallet-friendly price tags and generous serving portions. The place is also a casual dining place for those staying in the vicinity... not exactly a place for occasion. The big Chinese menu is able to accommodate diners of all age-range. 

[Year 2022] Food Hunting- of Must-Eats @ Langkawi (兰卡威), Kedah (吉打).

Langkawi is always the go-to place when Malaysians need a short, domestic get-away but the tourist destination has gone through a lot when the pandemic hits; many places are closed but of course, some managed to stay competitive and survived. There's also a spate of new eateries have entered the market... offering more choices to visitors. But generally, the economic activities at Langkawi are quite slow and the tourism activities are still in the midst of catching up to pre-pandemic. Nevertheless, there are still a lot to do and a lot of eat at Langkawi.

1) Scarborough Fish N Chips Restaurant

Pork-Free

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: No

Address: Lot 1388, Jalan Tanjung Rhu, Mukim Air Hangat, 07100, Langkawi, Kedah.

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

Contact Number: 04- 959 4667

18°C Cool Blend @ Jalan Raya, Kulim, Kedah.

Found right smack in the heartland of Kulim old town, 18°C Cool Blend proves to be a popular dining space for locals... mainly due to its wallet-friendly price points as well as its wide range of food offering suitable for all age range. Apart from the usual mains, the cafe also rolled out some healthy meals for those seeking for balanced diet. There is nothing extraordinary about the interior deco but a comfortable space in Kulim old town for a meal or to enjoy a cup of Joe. 

Kemunting Lake View Restaurant (甘文丁湖上美食馆) @ Karangan, Kulim, Kedah.

Deep into Karangan, Kulim... approximately an hour drive from Penang island is a place surrounded by woods and lush greens but there's a rather hidden restaurant known to serve fresh and delicious River Fish. You will definitely need a navigation system to pull through this one. The restaurant is built on a pond full of fishes; not only do guests get to enjoy delicious food but also be surrounded in serene nature. Almost all regular patrons come back for the same dishes; their signature ones include 3-flavored Tilapia, Stir Fried Venison, various steamed fresh water fish. Though choices are pretty limited, the prices appear to be more affordable than some restaurants in Kulim. More like a place for novelty and the excitement of getaway from civilization in lieu of absolute taste.

Peng Huat Koay Teow Th'ng (丙发果条汤) @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

If you are heading to Sungai Petani town via the South Sungai Petani toll, chances of you passing by Peng Huat Koay Teow Th'ng (丙发果条汤) are high. The said Koay Teow Th'ng specialist occupies 2 prominent shop houses along the busy Jalan Kampung Baru and has since garnered an appreciate following since its opening. It does not only offer Koay Teow Th'ng but an array of side dishes that could go well-along; reasonable prices with huge serving portion... the type of comfort food that you can enjoy on a regular basis.

Mae Salong Thai Restaurant @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Mae Salong is one of the most popular Thai restaurants in Sungai Petani, at the south of Kedah. It only takes a little more than half an hour drive to Sungai Petani from Penang, the town is less-busier than Penang but has many hidden gems around. Ask any Sungai Petani folks to recommend Thai food and most would suggest Mae Salong. The restaurant is a little off the beaten track and it takes a while to locate... imagine you need to go through winding, narrow village road to get there. The restaurant was established in early 2010 and has since become the de-facto Thai restaurant in town. It occupies a huge piece of land, the owner turned it into a "secret garden" surrounded by tropical trees with a pond in the middle. Dining tables are being setup on wooden structures to give you the "back to nature" impression. If you are lucky enough, you may catch some wildlife (like monkeys) over there or caged pets (like Rabbits, Chickens). There are ample choices for Thai food and all of them are reasonably priced.

Sungai Kob Leisure Farm Restaurant (喜洋洋河鲜农场餐馆) @ Karangan, Kulim, Kedah.

Escape the city crowd and head over to Karangan, a quiet-remote area off Kulim Kedah... approximately an hour drive from Georgetown. Karangan is surrounded by many Palm Trees, driving into the area feels like entering jungles but the area houses many hidden Seafood restaurants. One of the latest additions is Sungai Kob Leisure Farm (喜洋洋河鲜农场餐馆), opened in late 2017, the farm is a good 5 minute drive away from the main road of Karangan (via bumpy roads surrounded with Palm Trees and woods). The setting definitely deserves a big "WOW", the dining area is beautifully decorated with many Chinese elements; especially note-worthy is the wooden hut built along the river... allowing diners to kick back, relax and enjoy the sumptuous meal amidst the greens. On the menu, the restaurant proffers a great variety of Chinese dishes with great emphasis on freshwater fish. The standard catch of Patin, Catfish, Tilapia are there but if you have an extra dollar to splurge, expensive option like Empurau is also available. 

[Year 2018] Food Hunting- of Cafes/ Must-Eats @ Alor Setar (亚罗士打), Kedah (吉打).

Following my quest to hunt for the best local eats in Alor Setar in June 2017, we had another stopover at State Capital of Kedah in December 2017 before continuing our journey to Perlis. There are plenty of hidden gems around the city center so if you have not done enough research, fret done, you may try your luck by turning into one of these busy streets and who knows, you might find something unexpectedly delicious. 

Lao Zi Hao Confectionery (老字号大饼家) @ Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Ask any residents in Sungai Petani on which is one of their favorite childhood snacks and many of them would tell you sweetened Mung Bean Biscuits (Tau Sah Pheah) from "Lao Zi Hao". Long established for more than 50 years, the classic biscuits and pastries made by this traditional confectionery have occupy a place in their heart. While some may have moved out from the quiet town, they would return to buy the biscuits from Lao Zi Hao whenever they are back. The old-school confectionery at Jalan Kuala Ketil has a work shop that allows visitors to have a glance on how the hand-made traditional biscuits are made. While they are known for the sweetened Mung Bean Biscuits, the other classic biscuits are worth trying as well. Expect to see classics like Brown Sugar Biscuits (黄糖饼), Ear Lobe Biscuits (耳朵饼), Horseshoe Biscuits/ Heong Peng (香饼), Walnut Pastry/ Hup Tou Sou (核桃酥), Wife's Biscuits/ Lou Poh Peng (老婆饼) etc. Lao Zi Hao is definitely one of the must-visit places if you happen to drop by this quiet town at Southern Kedah.

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.

5 Utara Thai Seafood Restaurant @ Jitra, Kedah.

There are quite a number of good Thai restaurants in the northern States of Malaysia and 5 Utara Thai Seafood is one of them. This is one of the Thai restaurants frequently visited by the students studying in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM); there are two branches in Kedah, one in Alor Star while another one can be found in Jitra. 5 Utara Thai Seafood offers a substantial range of Thai food, especially with the Southern Thai influences. The setting of the place is casual and the prices are very reasonable (considering the generous portion). One of the decent places to stop by if you happened to travel up to North.

[Year 2017] Food Hunting- of Cafes/ Must-Eats @ Alor Setar (亚罗士打), Kedah (吉打).

The state capital of Kedah, Alor Setar is approximately 1.5 hours away from Penang island; is home to many good and inexpensive eats. Not only that the place has many fine restaurants, the cafe scene is getting vibrant either. If you are in need of a short get-away or food-focused trip, Alor Setar is definitely a good choice. 

For your planning purposes, we've managed to complete the below food list in 5 hours.

1) SK Kim Chai Por Hu (合莎驰名菜脯鱼)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Address: No. 169-A & B, Kampung Perak, Jalan Putra, 05100, Alor Setar, Kedah.

Business Hours: 8 am to 3 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 016- 431 6655

Dragon Door Fresh Water Food (龙门河鲜餐馆) @ Bagan Samak, Kedah.

Claimed to be the first restaurant in Bagan Samak, Dragon Door Fresh Water Food was established in 1994 serving homey-unpretentious home-cooked dishes specializing in river food but with the recent expansion of the neighborhood, many new competitors have sprung up; Dragon Door has since been left behind. The pioneer offers a big menu, focusing primarily on Chinese delights but the river food variety paled when comparison to its competitors. Also, we thought the taste did not shine either. This maybe one of the options if you wish to dine-in at a quiet restaurant sans the clamoring crowd.