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Category: Penang Food

Chilling, Just Chilling At Bora-Bora, Batu Ferringhi

The government has just announced another round of CMCO (Conditional Movement Control Order), me being deprived from travelling locally and overseas has been making me a little depressed. Gladfully, there’s still a good spot in Penang to chill myself off these crazy time.

Sipping of icy cold beer and chomping on crunchy pizza, while the sun sats faraway into the beautiful horizon has reminded me Penang has a beautiful beach; Bora-Bora Batu Ferringhi is not an uncommon name and they has been around for quite a long time.

While cafe hopping was a fun thing to do and kill times, I find that the beach is equally good, or even better. I like the salty wind hitting on my face, the laughter of children building sand castle and the beach vibe playlist from Bora-Bora made my Saturday evening really great. Perhaps it’s the lack of patron that amplified the entire chill time, though I do still hope that business to be back to usual as soon as possible.

A quick shout out to the food, the Hawaiian Pizza was sweet and crunchy enough to made us a good dinner meal.

When can we go travel again?

November 8, 2020
Very Good Mee Goreng & Coconut Shake At Bukit Mertajam
Food hunting in the mainland? One must not miss this Mee Goreng stall located on Jalan Kulim – Haji Mohamed Mee Kuah Ketam Tokun. The eatery stall name does indicates Mee Kuah Ketam (crab flavoured gravy fried noodle) but my heart went all in for the Mee Goreng and it did not disappoint.

Topped with sweet-spicy cuttlefish, extra potato cube, chopped lettuce and cut chilli, the malay fried noodle dish does definitely brings in a wonderful explosion of flavour in the taste buds. Comparable to the Mee Sotong at Esplanade, but a differently good.

On my next visit, I must try their OG Mee Kuah Ketam, which is their first star dish, but Mee Goreng must not be missed too. I ordered the Special variation, with extra cuttlefish and potatoes.

Another star player here at this roadside eatery is Coconut Man, pairing their coconut milkshake with pearl and fresh coconut juice together with a hot plate of Mee Goreng, these do fused into a wonderful meal combination while eating in a warm environment.

The place is not exactly near to Tokun, but it’s on the way to Tokun if you are coming from BM old town. Very easily to find, you may park your car at the Caltex petrol station just beside it.
- Mee Goreng Special: RM6.50
- Coconut Shake with Bubble Pearl & Nata De Coco + Coconut Juice: RM9
Opens 9am – 6.30pm (Close on Friday)

Google Map / Waze
February 26, 2020
Penang Secret Avatar Garden & Seafood Dinner At Pearl Garden
It’s no more secret anymore as the name on Google maps shows ‘Secret Avatar Garden’ as many people has been flocking into this little north east corner of Penang where the historical Tua Pek Kong shrine is located at. Tanjung Tokong Tua Pek Kong Temple is the commonly known name which has been around for century and the small seafood cafe still standing strong after decades and business gets rocketed with this ‘Secret Avatar Garden’.

Pearl Garden Seafood Cafe, looking simple, but it’s amazingly local.

Total damage of the night – RM153.

Satay was OK, so I did not take any photo of it.

Checking out the century old shrine before heading to the hilly slope to see the installation.

View tower on the beach lights up with cool neon light.

So what’s this secretive all about? A man-made light installation on the tree top that resembles the magical look of the famous James Cameron’s flick – Avatar. This is not Jiuzhaigou hilly forest, but I am confident the the light installation will amaze you.

There’s a old bunker by the seaside and it looks extremely amazing with this neon colour.

How about some Chinese Chess?

A visit to this place would be nice during evening before sunset to catch a glimpse of the beautiful straits and enjoy a little simple seafood meal. Nothing fancy, just grilled crab, steamed prawn, fried noodles and coconut juice, it makes a simple meal great though. As night falls, the light installation turns on and you can slowly make your way to the hilly slope at the back of the seafood place.

It’s crowded, even during weekdays, and it’s no doubt became the new attraction of Penang. Have fun!

Here are some tips:
- Just drive your car all the way to the beach, there’s car park attendant collecting payment and they will help you to look for a good parking spot. Parking @ RM3.
- Weekday visit would be good, weekend would be crowded, on the road.
- Seafood is reasonable, so have a feast first before checking out the area.
- Going over by Grab/Uber? Just key in – Thai Pak Koong Temple Tanjung Tokong.
August 5, 2017
Tua Bui Teik Durian Stall With Authentic Local Penang Durian

Durian prices has shoot up very high this year with the famous Maoshanwang selling at almost RM90/kg, that’s very crazy compare to last years about RM60/kg. But then, coming to Penang for a durian trip is not about looking for the all time durian king, but to savour the local type of durian that’s grown in the hill of Balik Pulau which is well known in this island and throughout the region too!

Not many durian left during our after lunch visit on a weekday.

Forget about Maoshanwang, forget about D24, when you are in Penang, you eat what the locals eat, you eat what the local produces e.g. Ang Hair (Red Prawn), Tek Ka (Bamboo Leg), Hor Lor (no idea), Orh Qi (Black Thorn) and so on, funny name right. I don’t know how to differentiate yet, I only know how to spot the real Maoshanwang, that its ass has a 5 point star shape.

But, how do you know you are eating good Penang durian? Just check out Tua Bui Teik (you can just call him Ah Teik) stall located on side of Perak Road, in front of a little Tua Pek Kong Shrine, he’s the real good man who introduces good local durian at a reasonable price. I know there’s a another stall that is nearby which is very famous, and I am pretty sure you will get a shock on the bill too, which adds its fame.

Xiao Hong (Little Red), totally no idea how she got its name.

Tek Ka (Bamboo’s Leg), funny name and it taste like Maoshanwang’s brother, but still cannot be the king yet.

You will never go wrong with Teik’s durian! Damage of the day, RM130 for Tek Ka & Xiao Hong. Personal new favourite – Tek Ka.

Just note, he started his selling in the morning which he will pack up when the durian finishes at about 3-4pm. Lunch time is a good time to visit.

August 3, 2017
Dimsum At Chong Qing Lao Huo Guo, Kelawai Road

The Chinese hot pot chain at Kelawai Road has been making the limelight lately in Penang for its good late night steamboat (that’s what we call hot pot in Penang) and every time I passed by the restaurant, it’s always full of patron’s vehicles from evening till midnight.

Though, the funny thing is I have yet to try the steamboat and I am looking forward for my next steamboat meal. As their opening hours is 5pm before sunset – 5am before sunrise, the restaurant was always close in the day and just until recently, it serves dim sum during the day which somewhat makes it an all day restaurant.

Being a Cantonese descendant, dim sum is essential in life. Hahaha, and we went for a Sunday breakfast. The crowds was strong but the waitress seemed unused to the dim sum serving as it took them long for us to make the order.

However, serving was pretty quick and thereafter, we were chomping our yummy siu mai (pork dumpling) and har gao (shrimp dumpling) all the way. A quick recap with the dim sum I had, it’s not the best to my taste buds, yet it’s somewhat a step up if to compare with local Penang’s dim sum in Farlim or Lip Sin. I’ve been to dim sum in KL, Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Guangzhou and still nothing in Penang resembles the authentic-ness yet.

Tips, don’t order wan tan noodle and the cheong fun, it’s just, not good. Noodle soup was too blend, the noodle was soft and not springy; while the cheong fun’s shrimp was not fresh and the soy sauce was totally tasteless. Come back again? Probably. Still in search for good dim sum in Penang, I remembered Forum Restaurant at Island Plaza was good when I was small.

重庆老火锅 – Kelawai Road Branch

41, Kelawai Road,
10250 Georgetown, Penang
Tel: +604-2295155

Daily: 5pm – 5am

July 20, 2017
Two Buns, A Very Hipster Burger & Booze Restaurant

Update: Our last visit (Nov 19) shows that this awesome burger eatery has closed down. Sad.

Two Buns, a very hispter burger shop on Carnavon Street, blends well with beer, that’s where their tagline comes in – ‘Burger & Booze’.

Hello, I am back again, after hiatus for more than a year and I find it exciting to write a blog post, sharing good food; and no, this is not a sponsored post. Just came across this hipster outlet a few days back while running errand in town. The artsy minimalist decorated eatery caught my attention, and the combination of burger and beers is just tempting.

Invited a few friends along on a Saturday night for a burger night out. Burger starts from RM10, and bottled Tiger, Heineken, Guinness and imported craft beer are available. Settled with a bucket of the mighty Tiger (RM65) and a Don Pablo (RM15) burger for myself.

Don Pablo – Deep Fried Chicken, Bacon & Cheese sandwhich is fragrant sesame bun.

Char Siu Pork Burger, sweet enough but I still like Don Pablo more.

Thai-style Sio Bak (Roasted Pork) with sweet chilli sauce. Crispy enough, but cooled when serve. Got to improve a little on that yo.

I was just happy that they are not another black charcoal burger copy-cat. I am sicked of everyone copying each other. Classic sesame bun is still the best.

One thing that needed to improve – THE LONG WAITING TIME!

Two Buns – Burger & Booze is at No. 177, Lebuh Carnavon, 11000 George Town. See their Facebook page for more detail. Parking is available by the roadside!

January 19, 2017
Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih & Canteen

Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih & Canteen – Tucked in a hidden alley, there lies a traditional nyonya kuih making kitchen. A deep tour pass the kitchen showcases an old school setting of tables and chairs that resemble a typical grandma’s kampung house. Greeted by two young and lovely owner of the ‘canteen’, we sat down by the air well away from the direct scorching sun ray. We picked this place instead of the inner air-conditioned dining hall to get myself closer to the wonderful architecture of a Penang’s shophouse.

People would hardly know about this place without a proper signage except introduction from friends. I’ve get to know about this through the newspaper and wallaaaaa, I was here for lunch. Nyonya kuih, Nasi Lemak & Asam Laksa were the food for 3 of us. Nasi Lemak was old school style as describe from my parents, just the authentic sweet fragrant nasi lemak compliment with spicy sambal, spiced shrimp and fish. Asam Laksa on the other hand had a very sweet and sour sensation which the thick laksa noodle was lovely to blend with the soup. Not much of a comment for the kuih as I am not a kuih lover, but they are similarly good.

Pricing was not cheaper than hawker centre, but reasonable to my wallet. Well, I’ve found a gem in town after a year of opening!

Jalan Masjid (Off Chulia Street), 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

*The small alley cum carpark beside Sky Hotel where the famous Char Siew Rice Stall is housed.*

Business Hours: 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays.

Contact Number: 6012- 415 2677
Kuih Nyonya Moh Teng Pheow Facebook Page

January 13, 2016
Kwong Sang House, George Town

Kwong Sang House, George Town – Heritage-style cafe and restaurants are now here and there in this UNESCO World Heritage City of George Town. There’s so many to visit right now and I know that there’s still more to come in the future! Somehow, do you realised the food that each of these heritage-style cafe offered are similar? Coffee, pastry, pasta, pizza and sandwiches. Hopefully I will something different like parmesan port chicken pie, jumbo hot dog, grilled marinated lamb shoulder, pork chops and stuff like that.

Anyway, Kwong Sang House, a restaurant converted from an ex-tailor shop which has a tailor-theme in the little heritage shophouse which serves food like pizza, pasta, chicken chops, fish and chips and more. Food is tuned to a more localised taste, similar to those western food stall that you can find at food court, but with a better setting, bigger portion and more beautiful food presentation.

I recently went to tried their Spaghetti Aglio Olio & Chicken and Ham Pizza. My personal liking goes to the spaghetti, but then it’s not better than the one at I had at Redbean Bags @ Publika. Chicken and Ham Pizza was rather plain with lesser ingredient. I might come back to try out some other food in their menu provided the price is quite reasonable at about RM10-RM20. The restaurant itself is simple and relaxing too!

Kwong Sang House 廣生洋服

36 Leith Street 10220 Georgetown Penang

Tel: +6012-556 5509 / +6012-4939 230

Business Hour: 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm (close on Thursday)

View Shiok Or Not : Food & Travel Map in a larger map

August 27, 2013
Penang: Lighthouse Coffee, Bishop Street

Penang: Lighthouse Coffee – Drinking a cup of aromatic coffee in the core of UNESCO World Heritage City of George Town, Penang, together with a small slice of cake just bring the relaxing experience to a greater level. Coffee shops are popping up here and there in this little city of George Town. The recent one that I have visited was Lighthouse Coffee, located in Logan Heritage by Bishop Street, it’s just off the famous Beach Street which is filled with colonial-styles building.

It is a very small cafe which serve coffee of course, a great variety of coffee and desserts cake. I am not a coffee addict, it’s just something to drink for relaxing and to freshen up the mind. So, I went to check around Foursquare and has got some recommendation which is the Mochaccino and tiramisu.

Well then, Mochaccino and a small slice of Tiramisu was accompanying me and Clarice in the hot sunny afternoon. The Mochaccino was good, the aroma of coffee beans and a little bit taste of chocolate did indeed brings pleasant stream through my taste buds and down my throat.

Tiramisu on the other hand blends well between the alcohol and the sweetness. Somehow, the texture was not spongy enough and I still prefer the one at China House. However, this is up to the level too for a good tiramisu. It’s just that it has a very small portion.

So, if you are craving for a coffee and a good quiet place for your afternoon, do check out Lighthouse Coffee.

Lighthouse Coffee

Logan Heritage Building

No 4 Bishop Street,

10300 George Town, Penang.

Telephone: +6012-436-0836

View Shiok Or Not : Food & Travel Map in a larger map

June 1, 2013
Penang: Kampai 9.9 Taiwanese ‘Zhu Char’, E-Gate

Penang: Kampai 9.9 Taiwanese ‘Zhu Char’, E-Gate – Despite being tensed with the General Election 2013, while waiting for the result to be announced later, I think I shall write some food post to release some tension. =D Let’s head to Penang, for food!

So this place that I visited last weekend was Kampai, located at E-Gate, the place used to be Tao Japanese Cuisine. It’s quite a surprised to see the once very famous Tao is gone and replaced by Kampai. Later then, I just realised that Kampai is from the same person who runs Tao! That’s why.

Kampai is actually a Chinese restaurant, just like ‘zhu char’ (dai chao) restaurant but in a up-scale environment and atmosphere and selling mainly Taiwanese dishes, starting from RM9,9/dish. It’s quite interesting trying Taiwanese-style of ‘zhu char’ because all the while, Taiwanese food is just beef noodle, 3 cups noodle and deep fried chicken.

Fried Bittergourd with Salted Egg

Pork slices with garlic sauce together with toufu under the pork slices.

Sweet and sour pork which was rather hard to chew.

Ma Po Toufu which is quite standard, nothing fancy.

Well, actually the taste is quite good in my opinion, but my brother commented that it’s quite standard, taste like what he had in Singapore. The fried bittergourd with salted egg was good, the pork slices with garlic was good, but the sweet and sour pork andma po toufu was just not fancy enough. But after all, I kinda enjoyed my lunch at there.

Kampai @ E-Gate

1-01-05 & 1-01-06, Ground Floor,

E-Gate, Lebuh Tunku Kudin 2,

11900 Gelugor, Penang.

Telephone: +604-6587826

View Shiok Or Not : Food & Travel Map in a larger map

May 5, 2013

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