HiYang Traditional Taste 海阳古早味 @ Elit Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

海阳古早味HiYang Traditional Taste brings an old-school hotpot vibe with a focus on charcoal cooking and traditional flavours, but the experience can be frustrating in a few key areas. The restaurant isn’t fully air-conditioned, which can feel uncomfortably warm if you’re sensitive to heat, especially with charcoal hotpots going beside you (not to mention the charcoal odor on the garment). Speaking of charcoal, prep time was painfully slow — we waited nearly half an hour before our hotpot was ready — and to make matters worse, the grouper wasn’t properly descaled, which made eating it more of a nuisance than a pleasure. While the concept of classic taste is appealing, these service and execution issues definitely take away from the overall experience. 

Khao Thai Kitchen @ Bayan Baru, Penang.

Khao Thai Kitchen in Bayan Lepas offers a warm, homey vibe and a Thai-run kitchen with plenty of menu options. The RM 15.90 set lunch (main + drink + dessert) delivers good value, while their regular dishes cover the popular Thai flavours you’d want. Cozy and comfortable, it’s one of the better picks for an affordable, casual Thai meal in the area. 

Mono Haus @ Sungai Ara, Penang.

Mono Haus is a new café nestled in the quiet neighborhood of Sungai Ara. The space is bright, spacious, and cozy — perfect for casual hangouts or coffee sessions. The menu features a range of familiar café fare, from hearty mains to desserts and coffee, all at reasonable prices. While the food still has some room for improvement, the coffee and desserts make it a pleasant spot to unwind. 

Chinese New Year Reunion Promotion @ Iconic Marjorie Hotel Penang.

Iconic Marjorie Penang welcomes the Year of the Horse with a Chinese New Year 2026 celebration that blends festive tradition with contemporary elegance. The hotel is adorned with auspicious décor inspired by the Horse’s energy and grace, creating a vibrant yet refined setting for reunions, shared moments and new beginnings. The overall atmosphere reflects optimism and momentum, making it a fitting place to gather and usher in the Lunar New Year.

Chinese New Year 8-Course Menu (RM2,888+)

• Prosperity Fresh Fruits Yee Sang, Fresh Salmon and Hokkigai Scallop with Salmon Skin 鱼贝同辉捞喜气
• Double Boiled Village Chicken, Fish Maw and Dried Scallop with Chinese Ginseng 海宝山珍浴凤凰
• Combination of Roasted Sesame Chicken and Pi Pa Duck 瑞禽双贺福满年
• Steamed Pearl Grouper Fish in Hong Kong Style 鱼跃马腾满堂春
• Braised Flower Mushroom, Abalone, Sea Cucumber, Sea Moss with Garden Greens 海味绿叶发千家
• Steamed Lobster Meat, Glass Noodle with Fresh Scallop 龙皇披纱赐玉贝
• Prosperity Golden Seafood Fried Rice with Prawn Meat 金光泛满喜遐迩
• Double Boiled Bird's Nest with Coconut Water 椰林百果燕弄春
• Teo Chew Yam Paste with Gingko Nut 潮州白果芋泥

Happō @ Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A new spot in the neighborhood, Happo brings a Japanese-inspired menu with a special focus on Chicken Ramen. While the menu isn’t extensive, the dishes are thoughtfully prepared, highlighting quality over quantity.  The cozy dining atmosphere makes it an inviting place for a casual meal, and the comforting flavors of the ramen definitely make Happo worth checking out if you’re in the area.

Silkroad Lanzhou Beef Ramen @ The ZEN, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A new China Chinese Mee Tarik restaurant has opened up at The Zen Bayan Lepas. Managed by a group of Chinese Chinese Muslim, the eatery specializes Lan Zhou hand-pulled noodles complemented by a selection of Chinese stir fries and barbecue items. The space is air-conditioned though the ventilation could be improved — diners may leave with a hint of cooking smell. Dishes are reasonably priced and come in generous portions, making it a decent option for a quick, fuss-free meal.

Grower's Home @ Sungai Ara, Penang.

*Update: Grower's Home has no longer accept walk-in or dine-in. Their takeaway-business is still available.*

Hidden in the residential neighborhood of Sungai Ara, Grower's Home is housed in one of the bungalows at (Jalan Sungai Ara 5) Sungai Ara. The home bakery churns out daily fresh bakes but only open for dine-in 2 days in a week (every Wednesday and Saturday). The rest of the days will be on delivery or can be found at other locations. Expect to find some really quality bakes here including rustic loaves, homemade cakes and delicious pastries. The offering might not be too extensive but it will definitely excite any bread lovers. 

Noodle and Bread Tea House 麵包茶室 @ One Foresta, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Housed in Ideal One Foresta (Sungai Ara) Bayan Lepas, Noodle and Bread Tea House 麵包茶室 is like the community canteen for those living in the neighborhood, the inexpensive and tummy-satisfying options are ideal for a quick fix. The kitchen churns out some simple rice and noodle choices but the place is popular for its Hakka Mee. Fresh bakes like bread and pastries are also available. Not something that one should go all out for but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, this can be a decent option. 

Tang Xiao Loong 唐小龙 @ Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A short walk from the Penang Snake Temple is where the newly opened Tang Xiao Loong 唐小龙 located at (next to OO White Coffee Snake Temple). The Chinese restaurant occupies a huge lot and has quite an impressive interior decor. The restaurant is air-conditioned with well-partitioned seats, offering good privacy to diners. In the mornings, the restaurant offers a Dim Sum menu (with some stir fries and noodle options); and Hot Pot in the evenings. The Dim Sum menu is extensive with reasonable prices; a place worth checking out.

Hao Zhou Dao 好粥到 @ Elit Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Hao Zhou Dao 好粥到 is a newly opened Porridge-specialist in Elit Avenue, offering a Chinese Porridge-focused menu. The signage mentions 'Fried Porridge' but pretty much a misnomer, nothing seems relevant to that. The menu features Porridge options with 6 different toppings as well as some side dishes. Items are reasonably priced with a portion of Porridge goes as low as RM8.90 per pax. 

Zhong Hua Herbal Chicken Pot 中华药膳鸡火锅 @ Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Zhong Hua Herbal Chicken Pot 中华药膳鸡火锅 is one of the new additions to Bayan Bay (the shop houses outside of Queensbay Mall); manned by China Chinese, the place serves only one type of food- Herbal Chicken Pot. There are other toppings and sides to be added but the main draw here is the Herbal Chicken Pot. An alternative to the usual Hot Pot and suitable for family dine-out. 

Hainan Street Traditional Chicken Rice @ D' Piazza Mall, Bayan Baru, Penang.

One of the latest additions to D' Piazza Mall is Hainan Street Traditional Chicken Rice; like what the shop name says- Chicken Rice. Other than Rice, diners also have the option to go for Porridge while the Chicken is available in 2 variants: Steamed Chicken or BBQ Chicken. The menu is basically fixed and it is easy for everyone- you basically get everything including the carbs and the rice. The place is air-conditioned and can be a convenient spot for a quick, inexpensive fix.  

Maroon Fusion Cuisine @ Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Maroon Fusion Cuisine is the latest Muslim-friendly eatery at Arena Curve... offering an array of Malaysian's favorites. Expect to find some Mamak stall-focused dishes on the menu like Nasi Kandar, Maggi Goreng, Nasi Kandar... as well as Nasi Lemak and sides. The bright side- you get to enjoy these delicacies in a clean, air-conditioned and comfortable environment. Dishes are also reasonably priced with generous serving portions.

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). 

Kou Shui Ya Roasted Delights 口水鸭烧腊 @ Bayan Lepas, Penang.

UPDATE: Kou Shui Ya Roasted Delights Bayan Lepas branch has relocated to i-Avenue Bayan Lepas (find full address below)

Kou Shui Ya Roasted Delights 口水鸭烧腊 has a few outlets across Penang island. This outlet at Bayan Lepas is the 3rd and latest branch of the brand (another 2 branches can be found at Astaka Hillside Tanjung Bungah and Macalister Road). As suggested by the name- it specializes in roasted Duck (marinated with Dang Gui) and various Cantonese roasted meat. The place opens as early as 7 am in the morning and it is usually most crowded during lunch hours. Apart from the roasted Duck, Kou Shui Ya also churns out Black Pepper Char Siew, Siew Yoke, Honey Roasted Chicken Thigh... served with either Noodles or Rice. 

Tanuki Japanese Canteen 狸猫食堂 @ Golden Triangle 2, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Tanuki Japanese Canteen, a neighborhood Japanese restaurant at Golden Triangle 2 has been around for quite some time but the place has drawn a lot of attention lately on social media. The place specializes in Japanese-inspired dishes like Omu Curry Rice, Udon, Gyoza and some rice dishes. The interior is simple, offering a comfortable space for family diners or those seeking for a convenient spot for a quick fix. The place is especially busy on weekends (lunch or dinner) so do plan your visit accordingly. 

Auntie May Nyonya Kopitiam @ Elit Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A Kopitiam-concept restaurant with some Nyonya elements, Auntie May Nyonya Kopitiam is one of the latest additions to Elit Avenue at Bayan Lepas. The tagline for Auntie May is "When Modernism Meets Nyonya Food", that being said... don't expect to find authentic, classic Nyonya food here but dishes with Nyonya elements or Nyonya dishes with a modern twist. The menu is quite "Nyonya-focused", you can find many familiar Nyonya-dishes here like Curry Kapitan, Ayam Ponteh, Assam Fish etc... they serve them in a Rice set with side dishes and rice. There are other options like Nasi Lemak and some Noodle dishes too; expect to pay in the range of Rm 20 - Rm 30 per pax. 

FOOJI Canteen 福七食堂 @ Bay Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

A new addition to Bay Avenue (Bayan Lepas)- this is FOOJI Canteen 福七食堂's second outlet in Penang (the first is in Machang Bubuk/ opened in mid 2023). FOOJI serves a "kopitiam" style menu, featuring Malaysian delights like Kaya Butter Toast, Chinese Rice dishes, Noodles, Fried Rice etc. The seats are well-spaced and the place is air-conditioned, offering a comfortable space for a quick, casual meal. Unfortunately we did not have a good experience here- from service to food quality, there are rooms for improvements definitely.

Onya Modern Asian Restaurant @ The Promenade, Bayan Baru, Penang.

Previously known as Golden Bowl (associated with milky Cheese noodles if you still remember), the same group of people is now managing a new brand- Onya Modern Asian Restaurant at The Promenade, Bayan Baru. Unlike the previous menu, Onya rolls out a modern Malaysian menu... featuring many familiar Malaysian delights with a twist. The restaurant at The Promenade is spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned; making it very accommodating for large groups as well as diners of all age range. Dishes are reasonably priced and with a diverse menu, this place could be a popular lunch spot for those working in the vicinity.

Harajuku Japanese Restaurant 原宿 @ Golden Triangle, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Harajuku Japanese Restaurant 原宿 at Golden Triangle has been around for quite some time; it is a popular go-to place for those living or working in the neighborhood. The attractive part about Harajuku is its wallet-friendly prices, diners can enjoy a decent Japanese meal for a little over Rm 20; making it ideal for big family. The menu is quite extensive, featuring many familiar Japanese delights including Sushi, Sashimi, Salad, Grills and various Bento sets. A place where you get to satiate your cravings for Japanese food without putting a dent on the wallet.