Fujian Min Cuisine 福见 @ Pekaka Square, Penang.

A new addition to Taman Pekaka, Fujian Min Cuisine quietly opens its doors with a focus on comforting Fujian (or Hokkien) fare. During its soft-launch phase, the restaurant introduces a small menu that pays homage to traditional Fujian flavors, expect to see really classic Fujian dishes like Oysters Pancake, braised Seafood Noodles or Stew Rice etc. The interior is clean and welcoming, with well-spaced tables offering a comfortable dining environment for groups and families alike. 

Man Man Bakes & Coffee @ Taman Lip Sin, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Tucked away in one of the residential flats at Taman Lip Sin (right opposite to Red Tea Garden at Taman Lip Sin), Man Man Bakes & Coffee offers a cozy space for cafe-goers to enjoy their homemade cakes and pastries. The cafe has a retro vibe, with antiques and knick-knacks occupying some corners of the cafe. We were told by the proprietor that all cakes are baked in house on rotation basis- in other words, you might not get what you want on your visit, completely by luck. The good part is- you will never get bored with the offering. Due to limited capacity, the selection is small (only 5 types of cakes and pastries on our visit), same goes for the beverage menu. But this is definitely a cozy spot to enjoy a leisure afternoon treat without putting a hole on the wallet. 

Baby Claypot House 炭烧煲仔记 @ Lip Sin, Penang.

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.

Max Cafe @ Lip Sin, Sungai Dua, Penang.

Max Cafe is a new venture by the Maxim group, the Hong Kong Cha Chan Teng-styled restaurant can be found right next to the Maxim Dim Sum restaurant at Lip Sin. The new restaurant occupies the corner lot of the same place, offering a Hong Kong-inspired menu... featuring many familiar Cha Chan Teng-styled dishes. There are not much options when it comes to side dishes or quick nibbles though. Comfortable space but the price points seem to be on the higher side given the small serving portion...

Wu Jia Chinese Restaurant 吾家大酒楼 @ Pekaka Square, Lip Sin, Penang.

The successor to Sea Palace at Pekaka Square is Wu Jia Chinese Restaurant 吾家大酒楼, a Chinese food operator previously running its businesses opposite Pekaka Square but has since taken over the spot. Minor upgrade was done to give the place a fresher look. Like most Chinese restaurants, Wu Jia offers a big Chinese menu... featuring all sorts of stir fry dishes, stews etc. There is not anything special about the menu but the fully air-conditioned restaurant has a very spacious setting, making it ideal for family eat outs or any form of gathering over classic Chinese food. However, the price points are of restaurant-standard so don't expect to get a budget meal out of here. 

Sea Palace (海外天) @ Lip Sin, Sungai Dua, Penang.

[UPDATE: Sea Palace has since ceased its business operations]

Talk about Chinese restaurants and many Penangites will be psyched up to share about their favorites. Somewhere relatively quieter from the buzz of town, Sea Palace at Taman Pekaka has proven to be one of the local favorites when it comes to authentic Chinese dishes. The place is one of the popular choices when it comes to wedding dinner as well. It has a comprehensive menu, teeming with myriad of selection and options for diners to explore. The restaurant is most crowded during dinner hours, especially on weekends; advanced booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. To find Sea Palace, turn into Taman Lip Sin (opposite to Tesco Sungai Dua), Sea Palace is on the first floor of Bangunan Lip Sin, on top of Maxim Dim Sum.

Many Thanks to Sea Palace for hosting us that evening. 

Tok Tok Cuisine and Wine Bar @ Taman Pekaka, Sungai Dua, Penang.

It has been almost a year since Tok Tok Cuisine and Wine Bar's grand opening and many are still unaware of the place due to its concealed location at Taman Pekaka. To the right is Tok Tok Wine Bar, it has great setting with comfortable couches for a glass of leisure alcohol. It does not have much complicated setting but more towards minimalist sort of elegance in shades of wooden beam. On the left will be Tok Tok Cuisine, a restaurant offering a small Thai-menu with some local dishes. They do serve Thai food but the prices are slightly steeper (for the food) but fairly standard for alcohol so I can't see this as a regular dining place for me but I might step in for a glass of wine or so. Tok Tok Cuisine and Wine Bar is housed within Pekaka Square, next to Wang Chao Chinese Cuisine and same row as Maxim Dim Sum.

Granny's Hokkien Mee (奶奶福建面) @ Taman Lip Sin, Bayan Baru, Penang.

Nestled under one of the flats at Taman Lip Sin (beside the open-space Car Park), Granny's Hokkien Mee had fans licking their lips in anticipation since their opening a couple months ago. Expect to wait no less than 30 minutes for a bowl of their Hokkien Mee; you will be amazed to learn about the overwhelming responses from the nearby residents over this Hokkien Prawn Mee specialist. The Prawn broth was good and the quality may be slightly above average, but I am not sure if its good enough for the 30-minute wait though... To find Granny's Hokkien Mee, turn into Lengkok Nipah from Jalan Bukit Gambir, you should be able to see Granny's Hokkien Mee on your right shortly after Pan Palace Plaza (where Sunshine Lip Sin is located).

G-Xiang (奇香港式风味云吞面) @ Taman Lip Sin, Penang.

** This place has since ceased its operation.**

Being an ardent fan of noodles, I have been constantly looking for some decent Wanton Noodles and Shrimp Roe Noodles (虾子面), coincidentally, this place was introduced by a friend of mine- Sunflower. Located at Taman Lip Sin, where Sunshine Lip Sin and Red Tea Garden Dim Sum are situated. G-Xiang is facing the main road and should be quite obvious if you were to enter to Sunshine Lip Sin using the main entrance. Wanton Noodles and Shrimp Roe Noodles are some of their signature dishes, their menu is simple and earnest, offering their best dishes to diners. Despite the foods were not mind-blowing, but they do give me some standard satisfactions, I thought the prices are reasonable too; with ample parking spaces available at the basement of the building, I'd coming back for more! 

Sweet-i Dessert House (甜在心糖水屋) @ Lip Sin, Penang.

Sweet-i is always my favorite dessert house when it comes to home-made and healthy desserts, but due to some of their rental issues, they were moving around and now, they have finally stabilized and have their new outlet opened in Taman Lip Sin (opposite to the empty land next to Phor Tay Secondary school). Sweet-i serves their home-made desserts in a healthier way, as in all of their desserts are less-sweetened. In case you might be interested, they were previously located at Sungai Dua, opposite to Tesco Extra. They have moved into their new outlet few weeks ago. They do have some special desserts every day, if you wish to receive more of their latest/updated news, you might follow their Facebook page (will be provided below). Price-wise, I'd consider that as cheap considering their huge portion. Service will be very attentive since they have increased/hired a few staff. They will be offering some other non-dessert but healthy dishes as well, like their Herbal Soup (please check with them personally on the availability if you wish to savor this healthy Herbal Soup). Ample parking spaces around the area, you might park right in front of their place too. I strongly recommend those who have a sweet-tooth to try their desserts out, you will definitely enjoy all these homely and down to earth desserts. For the medicinal effects of certain desserts, you may ask them and I am sure that they will be very happy and proud to tell you that.