Leong Keat Restaurant 亮吉小食店 @ Fortune Court, Farlim, Penang.

Tucked in the quieter setting of the Farlim Business Centre (a short walk from Sunshine Farlim), Leong Keat Restaurant is a hidden gem that has gained loyal support from the neighbourhood’s residents. The restaurant offers no-fuss Chinese fare with generous portions and reasonable prices. Unlike many small eateries, it is fully air-conditioned and spacious enough to accommodate larger groups — making it a comfortable pick for family dinners or gatherings. If you’re in the Farlim area and want a reliable, casual spot with good value, Leong Keat is worth checking out. 

Cai Yuan Xiao Chu 菜园小厨 @ Simpang Ampat, Penang.

Hidden in Simpang Ampat, Cai Yuan Xiao Chu 菜园小厨 is a place where you get to enjoy a homecooked-style Chinese meal right next to a vegetable farm. Be warned- there are plenty of houseflies; the place has no air-conditioner and it can be frustrating for the heat-intolerant. Menu-wise, they have a big variety to offer, mainly the usual Chinese stir-fry dishes. Reasonable price points but if you are seeking for a comfortable space to dine out, this is not a place for you.

Yu Xuan Kopitiam 渔轩海鲜煮炒 @ Kuala Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau, Penang.

Yu Xuan Kopitiam 渔轩海鲜煮炒 is a popular Chu Char restaurant at Kuala Sungai Pinang, Balik Pulau. The place is often full with regular patrons on weekends. The restaurant is air-conditioned and only accommodates 5 tables; it opens at 12:30 pm and tables are usually filled up by 12:45 pm. So if you are coming in a big group or a planned trip, it is best to call to reserve a table. They do not have any printed menu (or at least they did not show it to us), the server just recommends the signature dishes. Dishes are reasonably priced and the Seafood dishes are fresh; good option for family eat-out. 

Ho Kee Restaurant 好记海鲜煮炒 @ Jelutong, Penang.

Managed by the J&J group of restaurants, Ho Kee Restaurant 好记海鲜煮炒 can be found at Jalan Perak Jelutong (right next to Sunshine Jelutong Penang). The Chinese restaurant has other branches across Penang island and they have lured in many customers due to their competitive pricing strategy as well as good variety of dishes suitable for casual family eat-outs. Pretty standard zhu-char setup with no air-conditioning... many have shared their disastrous dining experience especially on the waiting time but it did not happen on us. But to be fair, we went at 5PM so our dining experience was okay. 

Kim Koe Restaurant 金口煮炒 @ Farlim, Penang.

A place for a quick fix over Chu Char, Kim Koe Restaurant 金口煮炒 at Farlim is a popular neighborhood Chu Char spot known for its inexpensive homecooked-style dishes. The place is partially air-conditioned, with simple setup like any other Chu Char places. But it does not have a printed menu- relying on the server to communicate and place orders. The server would advise on the freshest produce available and recommend dishes according to the number of diners. Be prepared for long waiting time though, the place is also infamous for its service- it takes a while for them to serve the dishes. Do not visit the place if you are in a rush. 

龙湘食谱 Dragon Full @ Golden Triangle 2, Relau, Penang.

Conveniently located at Golden Triangle 2,  龙湘食谱 Dragon Full has become one of the popular places for a regular quick fix for the folks staying in the neighborhood. It's common to see food delivery riders waiting eagerly outside the restaurant to complete their delivery tasks. For dine-in, the restaurant can accommodate quite a few tables; though air-conditioned, but be prepared on the poor ventilation. Menu-wise, expect to see a range of familiar Chinese Zhu Char-styled dishes... though affordably priced. Not too shabby for a quick fix but unlikely a place worthy to go all out for. 

Hai Jia Seafood Restaurant @ Permatang Damar Laut, Batu Maung, Penang.

Hai Jia Seafood Restaurant can be found at the far end of Permatang Damar Laut of Batu Maung, the place can be tricky to locate especially for those who are not familiar with the neighborhood. The restaurant lies deep in a residential area of Permatang Damar Laut but it's definitely worth your traveling time. Not only that the place offers a nice seaview, the menu is suitable for all age-range of diners (though the menu is a little limited). Price points are on the higher side if you must know.

How Kee Curry 豪记咖喱饭 @ Bukit Tambun, Penang.

How Kee Curry 豪记咖喱饭 is known for its Curry dishes as well as its fast, inexpensive Chu Char dishes. Before the pandemic and lockdown, the place was one the most-frequented supper places for the folks staying in the area due to its opening hours (it opens until late at night). Today, the place remains popular as a casual, family eat-out place. There is no fixed menu at How Kee Curry, you will need to walk to the order counter and check out the seafood of the day. You can of course, ask for recommendations as well as the prices. Not exactly very outstanding but the service is fast and the price range is wallet-friendly.

Khun Yuan Restaurant 坤园中泰餐馆 @ Sungai Ara, Penang.

The folks staying around the Sungai Ara neighborhood should not be new to the name- Khun Yuan Restaurant 坤园中泰餐馆. It has been there for quite some time, the same place was previously occupied as Hua Hee Restaurant. Unlike its predecessor, Khun Yuan offers a Thai-influenced menu featuring a wide variety of Thai delights. But the flavors are slightly toned down probably to suit the local palates. Prices are reasonably priced and given the vast options as well as comfortable dining atmosphere, the place is especially suitable for family get-together meals. 

Pulau Tikus Kitchen 浮罗池滑名厨 @ Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Sick of home-cooked food after long lockdown? Missing the times where you can enjoy some quality Chinese stir fry dishes at restaurants? Check out Pulau Tikus Kitchen 浮罗池滑名厨, a fairly new place at Pulau Tikus that has not gotten its much deserved attention. It can be found a stone's throw away from the Pulau Tikus Police Station, right opposite to TanMark Bookstore. The place may seem deceivingly simple from the outside and the menu may not appeal but the dishes do not disappoint. One of the main goals for Pulau Tikus Kitchen is to dish out restaurant-quality Chinese dishes at very affordable prices. While there might not be massive choices on the menu, the quality appears to be consistent and the prices are wallet-friendly. 

Many Thanks to Pulau Tikus Kitchen for hosting us.

Kee Heng Restaurant 奇香海鲜餐馆 @ Nibong Tebal, Penang.

Kee Heng Restaurant 奇香海鲜餐馆 has always been the de-facto family dine-out place at Nibong Tebal. Found right next to the main road of Nibong Tebal old town, Kee Heng has been around for decades and its one of the popular places for family gatherings or occasions. The place is known for churning out delicious classic Chinese stir fry dishes with consistent quality and inexpensive price tags. There is no menu at Kee Heng but rely on the servers to make recommendations. The dining area is comfortable- fully air conditioned and tables are well-spaced; these are some reasons why the place remains popular until today. 

Hin Hin Seafood Restaurant 兴兴海鲜煮炒 @ Bukit Paya Terubong, Air Hitam, Penang.

Half way up to Balik Pulau, Hin Hin Seafood Restaurant 兴兴海鲜煮炒 is a rather concealed space found at Jalan Tun Sardon/ Bukit Paya Terubong, a winding road/ junction of Bukit Jambul and Paya Terubong (connecting point to Balik Pulau). It takes a little effort to locate the small sign board along the road- the entrance to the place is on the right, a short drive from Paya Terubong towards Balik Pulau. The restaurant has a simple setup but the accompanying elevated view is spectacular... overlooking the bustling Bayan Baru town. Tables are limited so it's a great idea to book in advance. The menu is not fixed here... it all depends on the freshest catch of the day... the proprietor will introduce/ recommend some of the best ones available on that day. Reasonable prices, fresh Seafood, a quiet-serene place close to the nature are some of the pull factors of this place.

Shang Ping Restaurant 香賓餐館 @ Taman Hijau, Jelutong, Penang.

Hidden in a residential neighborhood of Taman Hijau, Shang Ping Restaurant 香賓餐館 is a friendly neighborhood restaurant that serves familiar Chinese-styled dishes- from a feast fit for whole family to as simple as a plate of Fried Rice, the place has some classic, old-school Hokkien-styled stir fries. The restaurant has been there for at least a decade. There is no fixed menu at Shang Ping, only a white board stating the dishes of the day and by words of mouth. The proprietor will introduce you on some of the signature dishes of theirs. Nothing's new, nothing's fancy, but a simple space for a local, inexpensive meal. 

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. 

Five Stars Restaurant 五星冷气餐厅 @ Batu Lanchang, Penang.

Five Stars Restaurant 五星冷气餐厅 is probably around for more than 20 years... it has been there since I was still studying primary school. It was one of the cool Chu-Char places due to its comfortable dining environment (fully air-conditioned) which was not common a couple decades ago. Fast-forward today, the place is still welcoming a steady crowd of regular patrons returning for their homey Chinese stir fry dishes. The wide variety of choices and inexpensive price points are some of the reasons why this place is still doing good today. But don't expect the place to have flashy interior decor or bewitching setting... just a casual-local family restaurant that offers dishes that are familiar to us.

San How Seafood Restaurant 三豪海鲜饭店 @ Sungai Bakap, Penang.

A little off the beaten track, San How Seafood Restaurant 三豪海鲜饭店 can be found near to Hijauan Valdor, a small town at the south of Perai. There is no sign of tourists, just a casual family restaurant serving the local community. The place is known to serve some of the freshest Seafood dishes around... and also its tummy-comforting home-styled cooking. There is a huge Zhu Char menu being displayed on the wall but the regulars would ask for the freshest catch of the day. Prices are very budget-friendly, at least more reasonable than big establishments found on Penang island. 

Quan Zhou (QZ) Restaurant 泉洲小厨 @ Sungai Pinang, Georgetown, Penang.

Quan Zhou (QZ) Restaurant 泉洲小厨 along Sungai Pinang (next to Perodua Service Center) is a popular lunch place for many white collars, the place is around for quite some time. The place is most crowded during lunch hours and famous for churning out Hokkien-styled dishes. They do not have a big menu but everything served is cooked with years of experience. The prices however, are budget friendly and this definitely contributes to the reason as to why this place is never short of returning customers. 

Fu Qi 大马煮炒 @ Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Simpang Ampat, Penang.

One of the best kept secrets by the folks nearby Simpang Ampat is Fu Qi Restaurant… a popular family dining place known to churn out fresh but inexpensive Seafood-Stir Fry (Chu Char) dishes. Many regular patrons would secure their tables by making reservation so either you do so or make your way there earlier; expect a long wait otherwise. The restaurant does not have a fixed menu but the server would recommend verbally; it’s always wise to ask for the freshest catch of the day. It’s a very simple, casual dining space without air-conditioners. A great choice if you are looking for good quality of Seafood without putting a dent on the wallet.

Look Yuen (乐园) Chinese Restaurant @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Located at the border of Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth, Look Yuen (乐园) has been the communal dining space for the nearby folks; not only that the long-established Chinese restaurant offers a big menu but most of their items are reasonably priced either. It does not have a proper menu but the servers are knowledgeable enough to advise on the choices. Parking is not an issue here but the heat-intolerant might be disappointed with the absence of air-conditioners... not the place for special occasion but if you are up for a casual family meal, this is one of the decent choices around. 

Woo Ng Kee Restaurant (胡伍记海鲜酒家) @ Kepong, Selangor.

Woo Ng Kee Restaurant (胡伍记海鲜酒家) occupies a few shop lots and is a perennial stop for families and visitors alike. The 60-year old restaurant with an old, not-aestheticized facade has withstood the test of time and has been the communal dining spot for the folks in Kepong. Stepping in the classic Chinese restaurant feels like traveling back in time... colorful tiles, old-school furnishings, closely arranged tables and chairs but what's important is... the generation-old recipes. The proprietor is the third generation manning the restaurant and is still offering some of the signature dishes introduced back then. A family restaurant with solid menu and inexpensive price tags.