[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Xiamen, China (厦门，中国) 2025

Located along China’s southeastern coast, Xiamen (厦门) is a port city in Fujian province known for its laid-back charm, colonial heritage, and strong Minnan (闽南) cultural roots. As a former international trading hub, the city blends tradition and modernity effortlessly—something that’s especially evident in its food. Xiamen is slightly more than 4 hours away from Malaysia with direct flight options from Penang (via Xiamen Airlines) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines). An easy, accessible city for those who like to experience the Minnan culture. 

1) Yan Yu 宴遇万象城店

Address: Level 3 of Xiamen MixC, 99 Hubin E Rd, 361009, Xiamen, Fujian, China.

Business Hours: 11 am to 2:30 pm; 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Opens Daily. 

Loh Kei Cha Chan Teng 罗记茶餐厅 @ Leisure Cove Hotels and Apartments, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Popular local Penang Koay Teow Th'ng brand- Loh Kei 罗记 has recently expanded its footprint to a new coffee shop, bringing more food options to the Tanjung Bungah neighborhood. Housed in Leisure Cove Hotels and Apartments, Loh Kei occupies a big space on the ground floor. The coffee shop is air-conditioned. On top of its signature Koay Teow Th'ng, the menu now includes a variety of local favorites like Hokkien Mee, Western delights (available from 11 am onwards), Porridge and Rice dishes etc. A convenient spot for nearby residents to grab a quick and affordable meal.

Peninsula House @ Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Hidden in one of the heritage buildings along Beach Street, Peninsula House has been around for quite some time. Word of mouth has it that the place serves some really delicious Aussie-inspired dishes. On its official website- Peninsula House is a modern Aussie restaurant with casual contemporary Dining. Make your way up the stairs from the unassuming entrance (opposite to The Whiteaways Arcade) and you will be welcomed by a well-spaced, modern-casual restaurant with high ceiling... as well as fog machine setting the mysterious tone. They serve different menus for lunch and dinner, our visit was on a fine Saturday Noon. Not overly crowded but if you are visiting in a large group, early reservation is suggested. 

Celebrate a Prosperous Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner @ Penang Marriott Hotel

Celebrate the Year of Snake with Penang Marriott Hotel's 8-Course Abundance Prosperity Set, a symphony of flavors designed to usher in luck and prosperity. The said Abundance Prosperity Set is only available on 27 and 28th of January 2025 starting from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Gather your loved ones and savor an unforgettable feast that honors tradition and heralds a prosperous year ahead. Exclusive offer: book and pay by 31 December 2024 to enjoy the dinner at RM3,388 nett per table (of 10 pax) and receive a stay voucher for Marriott Executive Apartments Penang (1-bedded room) valid for 6 months. There is an option to upgrade to 2-Bedroom Apartment with a top up of RM188 nett. 

Many Thanks to Penang Marriott Hotel for hosting us.

Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice 肥肥鸡饭 @ Sungai Dua, Penang.

Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice 肥肥鸡饭 has been around for quite some time, they first started out at Terengganu Road branch and recently expanded its business operations, opening the second branch at Sungai Dua (same row as McDonald's). Fatty Fatty is known to churn out some quality, inexpensive Chinese roasted meat. Their signature includes roasted Duck, Char Siew and Siew Yoke, with various add-ons like braised Tofu, Egg etc. This particular branch at Sungai Dua is air-conditioned and especially crowded on lunch hours. It is a popular lunch place for both working crowd and students studying in the neighborhood.  

Lu Lai Liao 鹵來了 @ Jalan Krian, Georgetown, Penang.

Probably the only place to enjoy a bowl of southern Koay Teow Kia would be at Lu Lai Liao 鹵來了... previously occupied a stall at Terengganu Road but it has since relocated to this new location at Jalan Krian, Georgetown. The menu has expanded, from the signature braised goods to a bigger menu offering Chinese stir fry dishes. Good thing is that the prices remain reasonable. The new place is now air-conditioned and offers a more comfortable space to enjoy a meal.

[Year 2023] Food Hunting- of Cafes/ Must-Eats @ Ipoh, Perak.

There is no shortage of good hawker fare in Ipoh but the cafe scene is also on a burgeoning trend. A short 1.5 hour drive from Penang will land you at Ipoh- a place filled with Cantonese delicacies and recently, a myriad of new eateries and cafes around waiting to be explored. We recently did our annual foodie trip to Ipoh, trying to excavate some real hidden gems that are only patronized by locals as well as exploring some newly opened cafes. This blog entry records some of the must-try food places in Ipoh (2023 edition). You can also read our older entries here at: 2022 & 2021, 2020 and 2019.

1) Kum Kee "Big Small Leg" 锦记大小脚茶室

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Address: 798, Jalan Raja Muda, Taman Pasir Pinji, 31650, Ipoh, Perak.

Business Hours: 4 pm to 12 am. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 012- 512 5219

Mott 9 Restaurant 九號公館 @ E-Gate, Gelugor, Penang.

Found right next to The Seven Restaurant  and under the same management team, Mott 9 Restaurant 九號公館 is one of the latest additions to E-Gate. Though both restaurants are sitting next to each other, both offer different menu. The Seven offers a Hunan-inspired menu while Mott 9 has a slightly localized Chinese menu. It would be easier for Penangites to relate as most of the dishes are familiar and can be found in any established Chinese restaurants. The price points however, are slightly on the higher side; also, the tables are not as well-spaced as we would have hoped... so it feels like a little cramped dining over there. 

The Three Wines @ Bay Avenue, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Both a wine house and a restaurant, The Three Wines is one of the latest additions to Bay Avenue Bayan Lepas. The place has a big selection of imported wine labels and is open for retail. On top of that, the place could accommodate a small group of diners. The menu is not big but more than good enough for those looking for some dishes that could go well with their wines. The price points are slightly above average but quality seems to be pretty consistent. A worth checking out place especially if you like a good sip of wines with decent dishes. 

The Durian Tree Bistro @ Tropics Eight Suites, Georgetown, Penang.

The Durian Tree Bistro has got no relationship with Durians at all, the newly opened restaurant at Tropics Eight Suites is related to Duesey Coffee. The place is hard to notice from far but once you are near the entrance to Tropic Eight Suites, you will find this restaurant right next to the main entrance. The place has a classy, sophisticated setting... with various seating options- bar chair and table, sofa or the usual dining table. Menu-wise, it has a Western menu with quite a number of familiar dishes- from pasta to meat dishes... and affordability seems to be one of the strengths. If you don't mind the slightly smaller portion, this is a comfortable and quiet place for a casual Western meal. 

Hidden T Cafe @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Found on one of the upper floor units at Pusat Perniagaan Bukit Mertajam, Hidden T Cafe is one of the latest spots at the local cafe scene. The place is known to churn out healthy Rice Bowls with a lot of colorful elements and often made appearances on various social media platforms. Its quite easy to locate this place... it has a huge signage on display and found on top of Spade's Burger (same row as Subway Bukit Mertajam). On the interior decor, it has a clean, simple setting... not too fancy but comfortable enough as a cafe. Menu-wise, it is not too big and features a few choices of Rice Bowls, Wraps and desserts... those who are on budget would be glad to know that food items here come in big portions but affordable priced (mains usually cost less than Rm 15). 

Cun Xiang 村香燉品屋飯店 @ Permatang Tinggi, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Residents staying at Permatang Tinggi should not be new with Cun Xiang 村香燉品屋飯店... not only that it can be found facing the main road (near the entrance to the residential area) but it is also a popular dinner place for those staying in the vicinity. While the place does not offer a big menu, it does churn out delicious yet invigorating Chinese Herbal Soup and stir up some familiar home-cooked dishes. Prices are most affordable and the dishes are intimating, a place for a casual quick fix without putting a dent on the wallet.

Sin Bee Beans And Food Cafe @ Ong Yi How, Butterworth, Penang.

One of the latest dining spots at Butterworth is Sin Bee Beans And Food Cafe, a Western-styled cafe that offers a big Western menu (except the name... which is quite "Chinese"). It can be found at Lorong Seri Tanjung, the commercial shop lots adjacent to Chung Ling Butterworth. It occupies the prominent corner lot and offers a spacious, cozy dining space. There 3 different dining tables available- the usual ones, low dining table with couches and long communal dining tables at the end. The menu offers a wide range of brunch items, pasta dishes, grills and snacks... with surprisingly wallet-friendly prices. Suitable for any occasions... whether casual dining or social gathering over food. 

Dai Cha Dim @ Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.

Many would be spoilt for choice at Pavilion but our recent trip brought us to Dai Cha Dim, one of the latest additions to the mall. Found on level 6, the Chinese restaurant has a big Hong Kong-influenced Chinese menu with a mix of local delights (like KL Hokkien Mee and Yong Tofu etc) and an array of Dim Sum dishes. There are plenty of seats available and service is generally considered quick. Given that it is housed in an upscale mall, the charges are reasonable. More like a family restaurant suitable for all age groups. 

Viking Steakhouse @ Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Housed in one of the bungalows surrounded by luxurious condominiums at Tanjung Bungah, Viking Steakhouse has been operating for more than a year. With a name like Viking Steakhouse, one would expect the menu to be meat-focused but the restaurant boasts more than just a steakhouse. The menu has a great variety of Western dishes which span across Salads, Soups, Pasta and Seafood as well as an extensive wine list. Prices are slightly higher than average but in return, you will be dining in a modern, clean and cozy space. 

Sugar Tang 糖书阁 @ Carnavon Street, Georgetown, Penang.

A modern but minimalist space at Carnavon Street, Sugar Tang 糖书阁 is one of the latest additions to the clamoring Penang cafe scene. The place took social media by storm during its opening stage... every corner seems to be ideal for photography. While it does offer quite a variety of sweet treats (pastries and cakes), the main menu seems to be on the weaker side... with Japanese-inspired dishes like Sushi and Don; lacking of noodle choices or other lighter options. Not a bad place for casual meet ups but perhaps not so much for a proper meal.

Bee Chin Heong Old House Restaurant 美真香老房子 @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Run by a local tycoon, owner of Bee Chin Heong 美真香... whom is passionate about cooking aside from running his businesses. He sets up a dining space in one of the Old Houses 老房子 (belongs to Bee Chin Heong and painted in pink) along Kimberley Street. Step in the space and you will find yourself surrounded with Chinese antiques and large, wooden dining tables. The place opens for both lunch and dinner but there is no menu for lunch. The owner will cook up whatever available and serves; so the interesting part is... you would not know what's for lunch until you are there (priced at Rm 16 per pax/ 3 dishes with rice and a soup). The menu dinner is fixed on the other hand, and would require advance reservation. There are a few different tiers with the cheapest start from Rm 41 per pax to Rm 220 per pax, depending on your budget. We had a mid range version at Rm 100 per pax....

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. 

Platform 9&3 Quarter Fine Dining and Cellar @ Magazine Road, Georgetown, Penang.

A dreamy surprise for Harry Potter fans as there is a new magical dining spot in town that offers diners to dine-in amidst the wizarding world. Established in late 2018, Platform 9&3 Quarter is rather obscure and first-time visitors may have a sense of mysterious as they will need to walk in a shop next to the bustling street but without signage, go through a narrow walkway and to discover the whole new world. The front part of the space is converted into a bar, which will turn lively after 10 pm; keep walking and you will find yourself in a classy dining space with comfortable velvet chairs and spacious dining tables; there are also books flying around and wizard-themed knick-knacks on the tables for diners to play with. Though the theme is fairly obvious but the food offering is totally irrelevant to the interior decor. Like most fine-dining restaurants, Platform 9&3 Quarter offers a European-Fusion Chef Tasting menu along with some ala-carte dishes. Definitely a place for occasions or surprises.

Many Thanks to Platform 9&3 Quarter for hosting us.

[Hotel Review] The WEIL Hotel @ Ipoh, Perak.

An elegant-lofty building next to the central shopping mall of Ipoh- Ipoh Parade; apart from its strategic location in the heartland of Ipoh town, The WEIL Hotel is fully equipped with everything you need for a seriously comfortable stay. Opened in early December of 2014, WEIL Hotel has been upholding its status as the town's most glamorous hotel and to live up to its standard as a 4-star hotel. The city hotel is also the de-facto hotel choice for many corporate events or special occasions... or merely a time for celebration over good food.

Many Thanks to WEIL Hotel for hosting us.