5 Places to Eat in KL when You Miss Penang Food

 If you happen to be a Penangite based in KL, then there will definitely be days where you crave the mouth-watering cuisine that made our little island famous. Whether it's the aroma of a hearty bowl of Hokkien Mee or a plate of Nasi Kandar with all the fixings, these are classic dishes that us Penangites have been raised on and it’s part of our DNA to want only the best.

Luckily for us, KL has come a long way and there are some pretty decent joints dishing out authentic Penang fare that tastes almost like home. However if this still isn’t enough, you can always hop on the next bus or flight back home and spend the weekend eating your way from Pulau Tikus to Georgetown. To save off your journey, Saleduck is a pretty great place to score travel discounts and vouchers for your foodie trip back home. On another note, you can also snag some pretty decent vouchers from the website’s food category here and save off your favorite restaurants around Malaysia. 

Now onto the food!

Kocha Express @ Elit Avenue, Bayan Baru, Penang.

A sister restaurant of the famous Taiwanese-joint in town- Taiwan Kochabi, Kocha Express seeks to offer value-for-money Taiwanese food for the workers working in the vicinity. The menu is a mix of some of the country's greatest hits but less-extensive as compared to the main branch in town; essentials like Taiwanese Beef Noodles, Drunken Chicken, Three-Cup Chicken, Salty Deep Fried Chicken are all available. Ala-Carte orders may seem a little grueling to the wallet but their Set Meals worth every penny spent. We dropped by for lunch on a weekday, the air-conditioned restaurant was comfortable but the service could be more swift. There were not many around yet we had to wait close to 20 minutes for orders to arrive..... If you must know, Kocha Express is the new tenant of the now defunct Sticks & Spoons. 

Sushi and Cocktail Making Contest by G Hotel

In the effort of showcasing SPOON's (G Hotel Kelawai's in house restaurant) amazing spread of Sushi, the management of G Hotel Kelawai organized a Sushi and Cocktail-making contest for the members of media. Sushi is one of the international dishes featured on the buffet line in SPOON, though the process of making Sushi seems easy, it actually requires a lot of practices and experiences. A live demonstration on how to roll the perfect Sushi and Cocktail-mixing session by the professional Chef and Mixologist were amongst the activities lined up that day. 

If you are keen to savor the Sushi and perhaps, other delectable dishes from the buffet spread, head over to SPOON for the themed Gourmet International Buffet Dinner.
Price: Rm 150 nett person, Rm 89 nett for senior citizens of 60 years old and above, 50% discount for children aged 6 to 12 years old.

Time: 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm, every Friday and Saturday.

Many thanks to G Hotel Kelawai for the event arrangement.

Tu Go Liang (猪锅亮) Steamboat @ 4th Street Club, Lebuh Tye Sin, Georgetown, Penang.

What better way to warm your bodies and stuff yourself with tasty food other than having Steamboat (Hot Pot)? This new kid in town has fast become one of the favorites for mid-class dwellers; with up to 8 types of soup bases to choose from. Classic soup bases like Pig Bone Soup and Tom Yum are available with a few exquisite and innovative offering for the adventurous, worth-mentioning are Milk Cheese Soup, Green Spicy Soup, Spicy Milk Soup etc. Soup bases aside, Tu Go Liang stands out in terms of the variety of steamboat offering; notable highlights include their home-made Yong Tofu, various types of Fish and Meat Balls, vegetables, meat and seafood. The atmosphere is casual here- the heat intolerant may opt to dine-in the air-conditioned room while those who prefer a more outdoorsy ambiance could choose the al-fresco dining area.

Mr. Churro @ Gurney Plaza, Penang.

The first churreria in Penang- Mr. Churro has started their business operations over the weekend, the popular Korean Churros brand is famed for their Spanish crispy fried dough. Recommended for those with a sweet tooth, Mr Churro's creations are all dusted with Cinnamon Sugar and further paired with sweet goodies (such as Soft Serve or Chocolate drizzles). All Churros are freshly made on the spot. Business was brisk over the weekend but the wait was not long. Mr. Churro's kiosk can be found at Lower Ground floor of Gurney Plaza.

Nomiya- American Izakaya @ Straits Quay, Penang.

We got a little overly excited with the opening of Nomiya- American Izakaya at Straits Quay; the name Izakaya gives an impression that the gastropub serves light Japanese Tapas and alcohol but this particular place got it all wrong. Nomiya serves limited Izakaya-related menu (no Yakitori, no Ikayaki, no Karaage, no Japanese-styled Grilled Fish nor American Tapas) but a series of mains with above-average (rather hefty) price tags (yet the quality/ serving portion failed to commemorate with price). Not only the menu and quality were disappointing, the service was equally lackluster as well. Orders were wrongly taken and the service lead time was long either (took them more than 45 minutes to serve all orders). Probably they were still new, our dining experience was rather bad and we reckon they have plenty of rooms for improvements still. 

Kesum Art Restaurant @ Stewart Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

An art gallery and a restaurant, Kesum Art Restaurant is one of the perfect spots for visual art lovers. The newly opened restaurant at Stewart Lane offers a menu featuring Southern Malaysian favorites; diners can have a simple tour at the art gallery on first floor and move on to lunch at the restaurant one floor lower. The restaurant is simple with only 5 tables available; not only seats are limited but they have limited quantity for their offering too (only 30 sets available daily). Exceptional food quality but sluggish service, it took them more than 40 minutes to serve our orders. The heat-intolerant be forewarned- while the place is fully air-conditioned, the temperature is usually kept at room temperature (approx. 28'C). But if you have great interest in both arts and Southern Malaysian cuisine, this is the place to go... without breaking your budget. Kesum Art Restaurant occupies a corner unit at Stewart Lane, right next to Chulia Lane.

Sloam Mit Thai Restaurant (门楼正宗泰式冷气河海鲜) @ Bagan Samak, Kedah.

We made another trip to Bagan Samak recently (my previous entry about Bagan Samak can be found here), a village at the border of Penang and Kedah states. The place is home to some of the best fresh water produces and one would be spoilt for choices. With more than 7 restaurants in the village, choosing one is one of the toughest decisions ever. We wanted something new for this round and hence, made our way to Sloam Mit Thai Restaurant. The restaurant has a huge facade with ample parking space; the menu consists of a vast Thai-influenced selection. Prices are reasonably friendly depending on your orders. 

Direction to Bagan Samak: Take North-South Plus Highway from Autocity-route, keep driving and exit Bandar Baharu toll. Once out of the toll, pick the first left turning (T junction with a traffic light), drive for a couple of minutes and you will find the entrance to Bagan Samak village. Follow the long and winding road and you will arrive in no time. 

Yu Shi Tang Fod & Beverage (御食堂) @ Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Staple for the working class heroes- Economy Rice has just got an upgrade here at Yu Shi Tang. Presentation is top notch... food does look more delicious with better presentation no? The offering here looks homey but the prices are very friendly to the wallet. From Rm 7.90 and above, diners are assured of a tummy-filling meal with at least two types of rice dishes. Despite of the discounted price, the comfort-level of the dining hall is not compromised. The place is clean and fully air-conditioned with tables well-spaced to ensure comfort. Food quality's slightly above average but not marvelous for us to go all out for them. Yu Shi Tang is housed in the same building as Burmahtel at Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus.

Flight Club @ Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Sepang, Selangor.

A false impression by many... that getting a good, affordable and healthy meal is nearly impossible. If you are concerned of the potentially dissatisfying plane food, it is always wise to have a quick fix before jetting off but with so many options choose from, it can be a little overwhelming. If the stomach is rumbling, get yourself a healthy fix at Flight Club without worrying the fat factor. Strategically located at the Mezzanine Floor of the Satellite Terminal (of International Departure), Flight Club is one of the dining labels under Plaza Premium Group and offers a selection of healthy cuisines to air travelers. "Herbs & Seeds" is the concept heavily promoted in Flight Club, all dishes are supplemented with a selection of herbs and seeds for better health benefits. Budget watchers would be glad to know that dining in Flight Club would not break the bank, a satisfying breakfast starts from Rm 16 nett or a glass of cold pressed Fruit Juice (from Rm 16 nett) would give you an opportunity to dine-in the restaurant with spectacular airport view and unlimited usage of high speed WiFi. The restaurant is not exclusive and opens to all public. 

Many Thanks to Plaza Premium Group for hosting us.

Kinfolk X French Kisses Patisserie (FKP) @ Village Mall, Sungai Petani, Kedah.

While the cafe scene in Sungai Petani may not be as happening as compared to Penang, there are still a handful of cafes that you might want to include in your list and Kinfolk X FKP is one of them. The popular spot has garnered an appreciate following since its opening and it bounds to serve you some of the most memorable sweet treats and Pizza. There are some seriously satisfying eats here, from breakfast items to Pizza, pastries to sweet treats. The cafe is housed in a gorgeous space in Village Mall, Sungai Petani; the interior features an open layout, community seating with sleek industrial vibe. The place may seem intimidating at first, with cramped tables and chairs but once you have tasted their food, you know you would make a come back.

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Siem Reap (暹粒), Cambodia (柬埔寨).

Siem Reap is one of the most-traveled destinations in Cambodia, the resort town Northwestern of the country is home to a thousand-year old ancient ruins stretching over 400 square kilometers. Angkor was believed to be the capital of Khmer empire (during 9th to 15th centuries) and fast forward today, it is now one of the most visited UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world. There seem to be many mysterious stories waiting to be unfolded but apart from the historical footstep tours, visitors can also have a feel on the local Khmer culture and the bustling tourist and food scene in Siem Reap. The best time to visit Siem Reap is November to February (dry season) but the temperature can be quite high and the streets are dusty so please prepare the necessary before hitting the road. Also note-worthy is U.S. Dollars are heavily used in Siem Reap instead of their local currency- Cambodian Riel. Please prepare small notes, notes in big amount such as USD $50 or USD $100 are not easily accepted here.

1) Angkor World Heritage (吴哥窟)

How to go: Hire a Tuk-Tuk driver, depending on the route you want to take and the number of temples you wish to visit (typically differentiated by Big Circuit or Small Circuit). Just for your reference, we hired a Tuk Tuk driver for half day Small Circuit Tour (3 temples) + Sunrise view for USD $20 and additional USD $5 for lunch at Srah Srang

Visiting Hours: 5 am to 6 pm Daily.

Admission: USD $20 for One Day Pass/ USD $40 for Three Day Pass/ USD $60 for Seven Day Pass *It is confirmed by the authorities that the prices will be revised in February 2017*

Sushi-B'rito @ sPICE Canopy, Bayan Baru, Penang.

The rise in health conscious customers has forced the industry players to be innovate and competitive. One of the items propelled by such change is Sushi Burrito;  ginormous mix of meat/ fish, crunchy veggies wrapped with Seaweed. The idea of turning the Mexican delight into Sushi form may be somewhat repulsive but the outcome is exciting. Sushi-B'rito is one of the first of its kind to offer the true fusion of Japanese and Mexican. The place Sushi-Burrito specialist joins the tenants at sPICE Canopy (formerly known as PISA); the interior is clean and bright, with ample seating. It adopts a fast-food takeaway concept- diners are to order at the counter and wait for their turns to be called. The menu is direct and straight-forward, with a few choices of Sushi Burritos, Rice Burgers and Japanese Don on offer; quality's good but the price might be a little hurtful to the wallet.

Super One Pot Restaurant (超集一锅) @ Bukit Bendera, Air Hitam, Penang.

The well-received help-yourself concept of Tom Yum is being taken to a different level at Super One Pot Restaurant, Bukit Bendera; it plays a brilliant bet on food presentation. The name might have suggested how... all self-picked ingredients are cooked then served in a small pot... individually. But that's all we reckon, variety is pretty standard-average here (with reasonable prices), with one or two special add ons such as Lor Bak, Pork Chop and Grilled Shrimps. If I must recommend one item, it would be their fiery hot Tom Yum. To find Super One Pot Restaurant, drive along Jalan Bukit Bendera, before reaching to the cable car station, Super Ont Pot Restaurant is on your right (beside the entrance to the Jade Emperor God Temple (天公坛).

Gelato @ Icon City, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

A relative new comer in the local gelato scene, this gelaterie serves some of the most imaginative gelato flavors (more than 20 flavors in total) that you can potentially find, with some exquisite flavors uniquely to Penang. Find familiar flavors like Pistachio, Vanilla, Matcha, Chocolate, Strawberry and more unusual offerings like Umbra, Durian, Bread, Biscotti etc. Long line of crowd was seen over the weekend and don't be surprised if you need to wait for a while, there is always a crowd during hot afternoons. The two-story gelatorie has ample seats but the unfortunate might need to climb a flight of stairs to reach the second floor. If you are looking for something more substantial, Gelato offers a series of sweet treats too (such as Pancakes, Waffles etc).