Double Six Cafe 六六咖啡馆 @ Terengganu Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Double Six Cafe 六六咖啡馆 gets busy as early as 7 am in the morning, this place is now a popular breakfast place for those staying in the neighborhood. It is housed in a corner lot along Terengganu Road, offering Malaysian delights at unbeatable prices. Their signature dishes include Xixiami (a hybrid version of Jawa Mee and Teluk Kumbar Mee Udang), Nasi Lemak, Kaya Butter Toast as well as Pork Lard Rice. The place is not air-conditioned so expect the sultry hot weather to kick in after 9 am but still worth checking out.

Ah Huat Pek Char Hor Fun @ Lok Khoon Coffee Shop, Balik Pulau, Penang.

At the far end of Balik Pulau is Kampung Jalan Baru where Lok Khoon Coffee Shop is located, the place is popular amongst the local residents for being the de-facto breakfast place in the neighborhood but it has gained a lot of attention lately due to the broadcasting of TV show introducing the place. Many travel far just to have a taste on this unique dish- Deep Fried Hor Fun and it is offered by one of the food stalls in Lok Khoon- Ah Huat Pek Char Hor Fun. Apart from the Deep Fried Hor Fun, there are plenty of other local delights as well. Worth checking out if you are in the vicinity but not something that I would travel all the way there to eat.

Deep Fried Hor Fun (Rm 6.50)

Stir Fried Bee Hoon (Rm 5.50)

Hokkien Char (Rm 5.50)

Fried Prawn Fritters with Fried Tofu (Rm 12)

Fried Oyster Pancake (Rm 12/ small)

Curry Duck

Braised Pork Trotter

Braised Tofu and Eggs

Assam Fish

Probably the best seller, Ah Huat Pek's Deep Fried Hor Fun was very unique and second to none. The Hor Fun was first deep fried to a light, crispy texture and served with the delicious, gooey gravy. The contrast in texture was what made the dish interesting. It was however, very greasy and can be monotonous towards the end. Sharing is definitely recommended. There were also other items available at the place but the Fried Prawn Fritters with Fried Tofu were probably something worth trying. The Prawn Fritters worked well with the Chili sauce, the addictive crunchy texture and the unique smoky aroma from the Prawns was the real draw factor for this dish.

Ratings:
Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7.5/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Parking: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 6.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:
Address: Kampung Jalan Baru, 11000, Balik Pulau, Penang.

Business Hours: 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Contact Number: N/A

OO White Coffee Cafe 噢噢白咖啡 @ Waterfall Hotel, Penang.

If you happen to tour around Penang island (or a local here), chances are high that you have seen or tried this brand- OO White Coffee Cafe 噢噢白咖啡. The striking turqoise-colored signage is recognizable from afar and the brand has presence in Queensbay Mall, Georgetown (Carnavon Street) and now the latest spot is Waterfall Hotel (at Waterfall Road). It takes up the spot previously occupied by Duesey Coffee. OO White Coffee Cafe has quite a number of items to offer- from their signature Toasts, Coffee to mains like Nasi Lemak, Chicken Rice, Hokkien Mee, Pan Mee, Char Koay Teow or even Oyster Omelette; all are reasonably priced. The dining hall is very spacious and could accommodate quite a number of tables, a convenient and comfortable spot to drop by for any meals (whether breakfast or lunch). 

Cafe World War II @ Ghee Hiang Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

One of the oldest brands for Tambun Biscuits- Ghee Hiang is known for churning out pastries and biscuits but they have recently welcomed a nice addition to their outlet at Beach Street... opening up a new cafe inside the shop. Unlike Teels at the Burmah Road branch, Cafe World War II offers a local, Chinese menu featuring an array of Hainanese breakfast items (like Toasts/ Soft-Boiled Eggs), Rice dishes and some specialty Coffees. Nothing spectacular on the interior decor nor seating arrangement but a simple space over a casual meal. But do avoid peak hours when planning your visit unless you want to to sign up for a long-hour meal and muscle your way through to get the orders served on your table (we did not have a pleasant experience if you must know).

A.M. Noshery @ Island Glades, Gelugor, Penang.

Unlike any other places that serve Western Breakfast, AM Noshery serves breakfast differently. The 'Breakfast in a Cup' concept is popular in other countries but not in Penang but that is exactly what makes AM Noshery stands out amongst the rest. Leveraged on the brilliant idea of combining Bacon with Egg, the unassuming cafe within the neighborhood of Island Glades has proven to be one of the favorite spots for the parents to convince their young children eating breakfast. Those with stubborn Asian palate are not forsaken here, AM Noshery offers Asian staples like Rice and Noodles but ironically, we found the noodle dish out-shined its signature AM cups.

Relau 88 Assam Laksa @ Relau, Penang.

Penang has never run out of hidden gems, especially when food is concerned. Relau 88 Laksa is one good secret, the Assam Laksa stall housed within a garden supply shop at a corner house along Jalan Paya Terubong at Relau has been serving pleasurable Assam Laksa for months. Since it shares the same place as the garden supply store, the place is surrounded with charming flowers but it does get stuffy under the sultry hot weather. Positive reputation spread through words of mouth, the place is now thronged with patrons in the know. It is particularly busy on weekends, especially for those who yearn for a light, refreshing lunch/ snack. But Relau 88 is not a one trick pony, the locals' favorite icy sweet treats- Cendol and Ice Kacang are also available to cool your summer day.

Braised Beef Brisket Noodle @ Wei Liang Coffee Shop, Georgetown, Penang.

Having been in business for years, Wei Liang is certainly a local favorite; the Chinese-noodle joint is constantly crowded and never falls short of customers. Gourmands who are in the know will make their way there for their braised Beef Brisket Noodle, an incredibly tasty Cantonese-influenced delight that is uncommon in Penang. But it does not really matter if you are not a big fan of Beef, their Pork Rib Noodle and Pork Leg Noodle are good enough to please any stubborn palates. A series setback is however, the odd business hours... probably meant for early risers, the owner started the day early and the noodles often sold out by noon; so the best time is visit is probably in the early morning. Wei Liang Coffee Shop can be found at Jalan Kuala Kangsar, a short road right next to Kimberley Street and Keng Kwee Street.

Lao Jie Fang Coffee Terrace @ Gurney Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

Lao Jie Fang, a familiar brand name in the traditional confectioneries and native local products in Penang has ventured out of its usual business scope... opening a Coffee Shop (otherwise known as Kopitiam) at Sunrise Gurney, a new commercial building right next to Jalan Birch and Gurney Drive. It serves up some Malaysian/ Singaporean staples such as Kaya Butter Toast, Nyonya Kuih, Nasi Lemak etc. It certainly reminds us of establishments like Old Town and Papa Rich except that it offers slightly different variety as compared to the duo. Might be good place for a quick afternoon tea but the dishes were a tad too common with elusive quality for us.

Ipoh Chicken Rice and Hor Fun @ Beng Aun Coffee House, Relau, Penang.

Pride of the Ipohan- Ipoh Nga Choy Kai/ Ipoh Chicken Rice can now be found at Relau area... no less. The place is especially famous amongst the factory employees and would be most packed during lunch hours. The most attractive factor apart from the above-average taste would be their extremely wallet-friendly prices... I mean, where can you find a bowl of Hor Fun at Rm 1.50 and a huge serving of blanched Sprouts at Rm 3? Locating the place can be a little tricky for the uninitiated, while you are driving from Bukit Jambul towards Relau area, after the traffic light right in front of sPICE Arena, go straight and before you hit the second traffic light, Beng Aun Coffee Shop is on your right. The Chicken Rice stall is housed inside Beng Aun Coffee Shop.

Abalone Koay Teow Th'ng @ Chang Senr Coffee House, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Penangites' all time favorite- Koay Teow Th'ng just got an upgrade. Proudly introduced by two gentlemen, this particular stall manned by the duo at Chang Senr Coffee House (opposite to CIMB Bank Pulau Tikus) sells their Koay Teow Th'ng with an attitude... luxurious condiments can be added to your Koay Teow Th'ng. Diners can opt to have Abalone or fresh Scallops to be added while expecting to pay around Rm 20.50 to Rm 40 for a bowl of Koay Teow Th'ng. Was it worth it? It was a fun experience but we did not think it was a wise choice for fork out Rm 20 for such a miniature Abalone to go with the bowl of Koay Teow Th'ng.

JJ Fish Head Noodle Station @ Relau, Penang.

Fish Head Noodles see a gain in popularity in recent months with so many Fish Head Noodle specialists mushrooming in town and the newly introduced Milky variant seems to be well-received by Penangites either (it was not common earlier ago). JJ Fish Head Noodle Station seems to be catering well for the free industrial zone workers, especially during lunch hours; it occupies a corner lot of the newly built shop houses behind PISA Corner (an area right next to Golden Triangle). There are ample parking space available in the vicinity but the fact that they place does not come with any air-conditioners may frustrate the heat-intolerant. They have a vast selection of Fish Head Noodle-inspired dishes (noodles are not the only option here) but we thought the prices are not as wallet-friendly as we would have hoped. After trying a few of dishes of theirs, we thought they were indifferent to those hawker stalls selling Fish Head Noodles in the neighborhood and a trip dedicated to the place is unnecessary. 

Wanton Mee @ Tai Wah Coffee House, Argyll Road, Georgetown, Penang.

One of the oldest Wanton mee establishments in Penang, the Wanton Mee stall in Tai Wah Coffee House has been operating for more than four decades and definitely sets a spot in many old Penangites' hearts. The Wanton Mee is a reminiscent of my childhood, a dish that is still preserving the flavors of yesteryears. My dad brought me to this shop 10 years ago and my recent visit was the second visit after so many years. The quintessential flavors were still there, almost on par, if not better than the famous stall at Chulia Street. Be there as early as possible, the place attracts a morning crowd as early as 8 am in the morning. Tai Wah Coffee House is located at Argyll Road, facing Caltex Petrol Station at Transfer Road.

Jit Seng Hong Kong Roast Duck (日昇香港烧鸭) @ Carnarvon Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Jit Seng Hong Kong Roast Duck at Carnarvon Street needs no further introduction as the place is well-known for its lip-smacking Roast Duck (ala Hong Kong style) and infamous for its extremely slow service. Spare yourself an hour if the coffee house is fully occupied with hungry regulars but expect no less than 30-minute wait otherwise. Albeit the items here (including Roast Pork Belly/ Sio Bak) are priced higher than market rate but it is still one of the few places that you can enjoy a decent plate of Hong Kong Roast Duck Rice. 

Hokkien Prawn Mee/ Wanton Mee @ Air Itam Market, Air Itam, Penang.

Walk until the end of the Air Itam Morning Market (across the bridge), you will come to this obscure and unpretentious coffee shop- Kapin, right next to a traditional Chinese Medicine Shop, facing the junction of Jalan Rambutan and Jalan Air Itam. It should be quite apparent as your attention will likely be caught by the long queue right in front of a stall selling Hokkien Prawn Noodle and it tends to be sold out by 9:30 am. Be sure to wake up early if you wish to have a taste of this Hokkien Prawn Mee. The Wanton Mee, on the other hand, is hand-made by using Bamboo Stick; or you might be more familiar with the name Jook-Sing Noodles/ Bamboo Noodles/ 竹升面 (read more information about the noodles here). It is not too commonly seen in Penang. This is definitely the place to have a quick breakfast especially if you are in the vicinity. 

Ling Mian Fang (琳面坊) @ Carnavon Street, Georgetown, Penang.

It is easy to find Ling Mian Fang (琳面坊), the eye-catching coffee shop occupies three shop lots along Carnavon Street and interestingly, it serves Lam Mee only. A question that pops up in my mind immediately: what makes it stands out among the ubiquity of Lam Mees? The layout of the coffee shop is simple and standard but I did notice there is a twist to the conventional Lam Mee- Dry Lam Mee and their own creation, Special Lam Mee. Spiciness is what distinguishes between the normal Lam Mee and Ling Mian Fang's special Lam Mee. Prices are generally reasonable, though a little higher than those available in hawker centers but what Ling Mian Fang offers is a cleaner and spacious seating for its customers. 

Ah Lai Cafe- Under The Big Tree @ Church Street Ghaut, Georgetown, Penang.

Despite explosion of brunch places are sprouting out in Penang, there are some locals' favorites which are still standing strong after many years of operations. When asked about the locals' favorite place for brunch, you will often hear the name "Ah Lai Cafe- Under The Big Tree". The simple and no-frills cafe is operating under a huge tree and the ambiance might not be too appealing for some. It offers some old-school dishes with evocative flavors- Instant Noodles, well-executed Hainanese Coffee and some Toast. The place has garnered an appreciate following and regulars since then, you will also find the place throng with office workers during lunch breaks on weekdays. The cafe is located at Church Street Ghaut, opposite an open-space car park along the road. 

113 Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng (台牛后) @ Lebuh Melayu, Georgetown, Penang.

I believe Koay Teow Th'ng is another top favorite for most Penangites, tucked within the old building along Lebuh Melayu, 113 Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng is well-known to the locals for serving quality Koay Teow Th'ng for many years. Chanced upon the place during a food hunt and I guess serendipitous finds are always interesting. Located at the end of Lebuh Melayu and junction to Carnavon Street, right next to Ping Hooi Cafe, the place is always full of patrons during lunch hours. I was not able to trace the prices for each dish but the total damage for our meal was Rm 14 for three dishes and great service from them, our orders were served to us in a jiffy.

The Twelve Cups @ Beach Street, Penang.

With the recent hype of the Mille Crepe cake which the word "Crepe" originated from French, meaning to stack few layers of the thin pancake and spread with flavored cream. I have been receiving plenty of complaints regarding Humble Beginnings due to its below-par quality, I have decided to hunt for another eatery/cafe which offers similar product and I have came across this place, The Twelve Cups. The Twelve Cups is a newly opened cafeteria which located at The Whiteaways Arcade, Beach Street (few door steps away from Standard Chartered Bank and opposite to Am Bank/ Maybank). Apart from the palatable Mille Crepe cakes, The Twelve Cups offers distinct and freshly brewed coffee. Price-wise, I'd say reasonable as the prices listed are nett and service was attentive. It has a very good and homely ambiance too, you can even find a couple of comfortable couches towards the end of the place. The only cons would be the parking, do avoid peak hours as the area is always packed with cars.

Nadeje Cafe @ Mahkota Parade, Malacca.

I suppose many will agree with me that Nadeje is one of the must-visit when it comes to Malacca, the Mille Crepe cakes found in Nadeje is so famous that every single foodie should at least heard of it. Nadeje was one of the first/pioneer when it comes to Mille Crepe Cake, established since the year 2006, Nadeje prides itself with their freshly hand made Mille Crepe. There are three outlets in total but due to its strategic location at Mahkota Parade (one of the largest shopping malls in Malacca), we've decided to pay them a visit here. The name- Mille Crepe cake has received its name from the French, meaning layering. It is not easy to make a Mille Crepe cake as one would have to spread cream layer over layer. I've actually tried Nadeje before few months back during my visit to Malacca, however, due to time constraint, we couldn't actually savor the cake in the restaurant and have opted to take away instead. The taste was a total disaster and differ from my experience this time. Hence, I would recommend my readers to dine in instead of take away as it affects the taste and the texture.

Humble Beginnings @ Straits Quay, Penang.

"Mille Crepe- Twenty layers of crepes with a delightful combination of fresh cream and vanilla custard between each layer. The topmost layer is caramelized to give it a nice smoky sugary flavor. Everything is hand-made and hand-layered: a true labor of love"    - Humble Beginnings.

I believe the Mille Crepe Cake fever has been here for quite long and finally, one of the pioneers (other than Nadeje) has finally landed Penang (with their own shop). Opened on last Sunday, Humble Beginnings has its first outlet in Penang opened in Straits Quay, right beside Fruuze Frozen Yogurt and Paparich Cafe. As they have just began their business few days ago, choices were rather limited and I was told that they will bring in more flavors in the near future. As for those who wish to order one whole cake, you may order online via their website (Citibank Card users may receive discounts up to 20%- terms and conditions applied). Prices are okay considering they are serving every single customer (dine-in) a cup of plain water (with some lemon juice), I would also like to advice my readers not to take-away and try to have it fresh by dine-in as it tends to affect the texture and smoothness of the cream. As choices and seats are limited, I would advice you to go as early as possible to avoid any disappointments.