GENs 传承食代 @ Island 88, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Tucked inside Island 88, GENs offers a kopitiam-style menu with a mix of familiar favourites and unique creations. Highlights include Nasi Lemak, Teo Chew Fried Porridge, and their signature Xi Xia Mi — a creative blend of Jawa Mee and Mee Udang. The setting is spacious and comfortable, making it ideal for casual meals. While the flavours are decent, the large serving portions make it a good-value spot for satisfying local eats.

Pin Yu Kopitiam 槟屿茶室 @ Macalister Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Taking over the former Shae.co lot, Pin Yu Kopitiam is a fresh addition to the neighborhood, offering a cozy space with limited seating and a familiar kopitiam-style menu. Think local favorites like Nasi Lemak, Kaya Butter Toast, and their standout Penang Curry Mee.  Items are reasonably priced and the place is air-conditioned, not too shabby for a simple Malaysian breakfast or lunch fix in town.

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Guangzhou, China (广州，中国) 2025

With many Malaysian Chinese have roots in Southern China and thanks to the affordable flight tickets as well as ease of entry (waiver of tourist visa for Malaysians), Guangzhou has been a popular travel destination for many. There are plenty of options when it comes to flight, including many direct flights from Malaysia directly to Guangzhou. The costs of living are pretty much similar, if not lower in Guangzhou as compared to Malaysia. 

Moving around the city was a breeze- we utilized DiDi in our entire trip and never bothered to use the public transportation. DiDi costs are generally inexpensive in Guangzhou and the app is user-friendly (via Alipay). Accommodation-wise, we stayed in Mercure Beijing Road Guangzhou. The hotel is strategically located in the middle of Beijing Road Pedestrian Street and basically you get to explore everything in the vicinity with a breeze. High recommend! 

Sharing the below food places that we've been to during this trip:

1) Tao Tao Ju 陶陶居 

Address: 7th Floor of Tian He Mall, 168 Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, 510115, Guangzhou. 

Business Hours: 8 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily. 

Contact Number: +020-83700611

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.

[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

Cheng Zheng Dim Sum 丞蒸点心 @ Georgetown, Penang.

Cheng Zheng Dim Sum 丞蒸点心 is one of the latest Dim Sum joints in town; it has modern decor, clean-accommodating and the place is air-conditioned. The fact that the place offers a cozy dining atmosphere is to attract local young crowd and by far, they are doing a great job. The food offering is not as extensive as compared to some long-established Dim Sum joints in Penang but most of the classic Dim Sum dishes are available, with some special ones (like their signature Portuguese Tarts which are quite good and comparable to Oriental Kopi's). Interestingly, the Dim Sum dishes are reasonably priced considering the the place is air-conditioned with great service (prompt service to assist with hot water refills for the Tea etc). Some hits and misses on the food but if you are seeking for a comfortable space to enjoy a Dim Sum meal with your loved ones, do check this place out. 

Lao Cheng Du 老成都 @ Burmah Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Step in Lao Cheng Du 老成都, a fairly new restaurant at Burmah Road and you will be instantly transported to the 1950'... with old-school building and various knick-knacks from the past. We were amazed by the effort put in for the interior decor. On the food offering, the restaurant serves Dim Sum dishes with a small spread of Chinese dishes in the mornings; the usual Chinese small plates will commence at Noon. There are aplenty choices here- from appetizers to mains like Dumplings, Bao or even Noodle dishes. Price points are fair and reasonable, worth checking out if you are up for something new. 

Dim Sum Cha Yun 点心茶园 @ Jalan Kebun Bunga, Georgetown, Penang.

Sharing the same space as ESH Landscaping and Big Ben near Botanical Garden, Dim Sum Cha Yun 点心茶园 is the latest addition to the place. Dim Sum Cha Yun started their business operations in late Dec 2022 but has since garnered an appreciate following... mainly family diners and park-goers. There are also ample parking lots available, which could be another reason why this place is popular. In terms of menu, the place does not offer plenty of Dim Sum choices as compared to some established Dim Sum joints in town, but they do have some Chinese stir-fry dishes which make up the numbers. Items are reasonably priced; this place is worth a look. 

Lhong Tou Dim Sum 龍頭點心 @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

A stone's throw distance away from the Pulau Tikus morning market, the newly opened Dim Sum joint Lhong Tou Dim Sum 龍頭點心 is suitable for those who seek for quality Dim Sum dishes yet willing to pay a little more for the premium quality. What differentiates this place from its competitors is the made-to-order Dim Sum dishes, the menu features pretty much the standard Malaysian Dim Sum fare with a few Noodle/Rice dishes. The place is comfortable (air-conditioned) and the service is attentive; despite the above-average price points, the place is still a good option for a weekend family meal. 

Modern Asia Kitchen 壹丰庭 @ De View Hotel, Air Itam, Penang.

A stone's throw distance away from the famous tourist attraction- Kek Lok Si is a new hotel- De View Hotel and Modern Asia Kitchen 壹丰庭 is a tenant that occupies a prominent spot of the hotel. The Chinese restaurant dishes out a Dim Sum menu in the mornings and usual Chinese menu in the evenings. While the Dim Sum menu is not very big, diners can also order some stir fry dishes from the Chinese menu. The prices are slightly on the higher side but they offer great quality in return... as well as comfortable dining atmosphere (spacious and fully air-conditioned). This place is definitely one of the better places to go to in Air Itam... for Dim Sum.

Superbest Restaurant 好犀利茶餐厅 @ Prangin Mall, Penang.

One of the latest additions to Prangin Mall is Superbest Restaurant 好犀利茶餐厅, a new Hong Kong-styled Cha Chan Teng-concept restaurant. The proprietor is related to Max Gourmet and this is one of his latest ventures... offering something different than the usual Dim Sum dishes. Situated on 3rd floor of Prangin Mall (Atrium A), the newly opened restaurant has a Hong Kong-styled menu... featuring some familiar dishes like Wan Ton mee and an array of Hong Kie delights (such as Egg Tarts, Polo Bun, Dim Sum dishes etc). The main menu is rather limited- a few rice dishes and some Wan Ton Mee or Sze Chuan-styled noodles. But the prices are surprisingly wallet-friendly- with a huge bowl of Wan Ton Mee priced at Rm 5.90 only. Good value of money and decent quality, a good stop for a quick fix. 

Hong Xing No. 1 Dim Sum Restaurant 鸿星1号点心茶楼 @ Precinct 10, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Sharing the same place with Lobster and Beef Hotpot but operating in the morning is Hong Xing No. 1 Dim Sum Restaurant 鸿星1号点心茶楼, a popular and well-established Dim Sum brand from Ipoh. The interior decor remains unchanged, but do not expect to see classic Dim Sum carts around; instead, diners will need to submit their orders and they will served individually. Choices are rather limited compared to some and prices are slightly on the expensive side but the Dim Sum dishes commensurate with serving portion and quality. One of the few decent options if you are seeking for a comfortable, fully air-conditioned place to enjoy piping hot Dim Sum dishes (but don't mind paying a little more).

Oriental Cravings @ One Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Oriental Cravings is probably one of the oldest and most popular family-styled restaurants in One Utama. Through various channels, it seems like the place is infamous for its service but we did not have any bad experience there. The restaurant has a big Chinese menu... featuring a lot of familiar local eats and Chinese stir-fry dishes. One particular thing that caught our attention was the heavy usage of Petai. Prices are of standard restaurant-pricing. Though the serving portion was huge, we did not find the meal exceptional (not that it was bad but really nothing special).

Thong Sum Dim Sum 同心茶楼 @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

A new Dim Sum joint found at the busiest street of Butterworth, Thong Sum Dim Sum 同心茶楼 started its business operations in mid April 2019 but has since gathered an appreciate following. The place is most crowded on weekends, expect to queue for tables during its peak hours (partly due to the limited tables). The Dim Sum restaurant is fairly modern with new tables and chairs; items are properly organized and arranged on the carts as well as display counter near the entrance. While we were happy to find out the wallet-friendly prices, we thought the choices were a little limited. Not a bad choice if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Ling Zheng Xiang 凌蒸香正宗广东石磨肠粉 @ Chai Leng Park, Perai, Penang.

Malaysians have certainly professed their love for Chee Cheong Fun (steamed Rice rolls)- whether the local form of Shrimp paste-laden Chee Cheong Fun or the KL-styled sweet paste Chee Cheong Fun or even the Hong Kong-styled steamed Rice rolls served with light Soy sauce... we know where to find the best ones. Though it is usually a hawker fare, Ling Zheng Xiang (凌蒸香正宗广东石磨肠粉) has given the Chinese delicacy a little upgrade... with various types of toppings being introduced to the Rice rolls. Found at Chai Leng Park, the Chee Cheong Fun-focused restaurant is gaining its popularity... partly due to its budget-friendly prices and interesting variety. You'll have to check it out if you love your Chee Cheong Fun, particularly Hong Kong-styled Chee Cheong Fun.

Yao Ya Gan Dim Sum (有一间点心) @ Batu Lanchang, Jelutong, Penang.

Yao Ya Gan Dim Sum (有一间点心) is probably one of the less-known Dim Sum joints in Penang... first, the newly opened Dim Sum joint is merely 2 month-old and it is housed within a residential neighborhood of Batu Lanchang. It does take some effort to locate this place if you are unfamiliar with this area, it is of the same row as Sebaidee Thai Restaurant and Soon Lai Seafood. Occupying more than 3 shop houses on the same row, Yao Ya Gan Dim Sum is like the communal dining place for the folks living nearby; the variety may not be as extensive as some established ones but the prices are friendlier and the tables are well-spaced. Air-ventilation is good, offering windy and airy atmosphere. Not a place for absolute taste but more to a place for casual-weekend family breakfast.

HK Boy Cart Noodles (香港仔车仔面) @ The One, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Malaysians have certainly professed their love for Hong Kie food, ever since HK Boy Cart Noodles (香港仔车仔面) first opening in central, the response has been more than positive. Fortunately, Penang is included in their recent expansion plan and their first branch in Penang is located at The One Mahsuri, Bayan Lepas. Over the opening weekend, the place was thronged with curious foodies, waiting eagerly in queue to taste the Hong Kong delights. As suggested by the name, the brand's signature dish is Cart Noodles... a popular Hong Kong street food that allows diners to customize and build its own bowl of noodles... with a variety of toppings and ingredients. To suit the theme, the restaurant's interior is designed accordingly... with bold Hong Kong characteristics. Aside from the signature Cart Noodles, the restaurant churns out many popular Hong Kong snacks as well. 

Leong Kee Tim Sum (龙记点心) @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Right smack in Georgetown, Leong Kee Tim Sum did not seem to get the attention of Penangites as compared to its competitors... as though the place has been long forgotten by time. The place is definitely not new, probably around for more than 2 decades but it withstood the test of time. Though it did not appeal to the younger generations, the place is still the favorite Dim Sum place for some. Swing by in the morning and you will find many senior citizens gathering at the place for early breakfast. The kitchen churns out classic, no-frill Dim Sum dishes at most affordable prices (more wallet-friendly as compared to some big establishments). One of the relatively quieter Dim Sum places with old-school setting in town.

Culinary Exploration (食途老马) @ Campbell Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Not exactly a tasteful name, Culinary Exploration sounds like a scam but thankfully, the Chinese name does sound proper (though a little catchy). Next to a well-established Tea House along Campbell Street, Culinary Exploration is a new Chinese restaurant that offers China Chinese-delicacies as well as local home-cooked delights. Some of the dishes are uncommon but if you have stubborn palate that is hard to please, there are a range of familiar Chinese eats available as well. Prices are standard average but the lack of air-conditioner may leave the heat-intolerant underwhelmed... not a bad place for a change I guess. 

Tea Hall (堂茶茶艺馆) @ Abu Siti Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

The facade might not look promising but behind the door is a Chinese restaurant serving home-styled dishes and an array of premium Chinese Tea. Tea Hall (堂茶茶艺馆) is a time-honored restaurant that has been around for years... most of its businesses are by referral, the place sees constant gathering by a group of Chinese Tea-aficionados. Though it seems to be operating as a tea house, the menu is surprisingly extensive but all items are competitively priced. The air-conditioned restaurant is suitable for family gathering or a casual meal, it is popular amongst the white collar workers in the vicinity.