Beef Noodle Soup & Hainanese Chicken Chop at Butterworth

Get to know this place from watching Axian's (阿賢) show on Astro AEC. There are basically 3 Kopi Tiam (coffee shops) along this row of shop houses and the one we went to was Luan Fong.

As we traveled from the Penang Island, we decided to take the ferry. Our journey was taken way back in January 2020. Sadly now this historic ferry which has been transporting people across the two lands for more than 100 years is no longer in service recently.

The unique characteristic of this ferry is you can drive right into it.

Stunning view from the ferry leaving Penang island.

The journey took about 15 to 20 minutes. It was a nice relaxing way of crossing onto the other side compared to the hectic driving on the Penang bridge.

The location of the shop is very close to the Butterworth jetty.

We purposely came for this uncle's Thai beef noodle soup, his name is Kang. During his interview on Axian's (阿賢) show, he told the story about how he learned to cook Thai style beef noodle soup. He used to eat a particular Thai beef noodle soup many years ago when he visited Thailand. It was so delicious that he asked the stall owner to teach him how to cook. The owner was initially reluctant as he scared he will give away his trade secret. However, uncle Kang told him that he only wanted to set up his business in Penang and assured him that he will not be his competitor. He succeeded in the end.

Delicious beef noodle soup.

Too bad we were too late when we got there as he had sold out his Thai soup, we only managed to order his normal beef noodle soup. It was still good anyway.

The trip to a Malaysian Kopi Tiam will not be complete without ordering the Kopi (local coffee).

Soft boiled egg on toast - a common sight of Malaysian breakfast.

You can also order this Hainanese Chicken Chop from the other shop and they can bring over.

有一次无意中在Astro AEC频道看到阿贤推荐这个地方。他介绍了这排商店中3家咖啡店。

我们决定从槟城乘渡轮越洋来到这里。这旅程是之前在2020年1月拍下的。可悲的是，这艘超过一百年历史悠久的渡轮，最近政府已决定不再使用了。从槟城到北海行程大约需要15到20分钟。乘坐渡轮远比驾车在槟威大桥来得舒服多了！

咖啡店的位置非常靠近北海码头。

我们特意要来吃这位大叔的泰国牛肉面，他叫阿江。在接受阿贤节目的采访时，他讲述了他如何学会煮泰式牛肉面的故事。许多年前，他去泰国时吃过他十分喜欢的泰国牛肉面。于是他就要求摊主教他如何做这道菜。摊主最初不愿意因为怕会泄露自己的商业秘密。但是，阿江叔告诉他，他只想在槟城开店，从没有打算在泰国和他竞争。最后摊主同意教阿江。

您也可以从其他商店叫此海南式鸡扒，他们可以端菜过来。

7 Village Koay Teow Th'ng

Everyone who lives in mainland Penang will know about 7 Village Noodle House (七廊粿條湯). In my bias islander's view, it is the only hawker food you can find in Butterworth that can rival its counterpart in George Town. 

It all started by the owner father in a small typical hawker stall at Kg Paya. Now they really make it big and not just remain as a humble hawker stall. They have expanded to be in a restaurant setting with a branch now in Penang island!  

Unlike most hawker stall in Penang island, 7 Village don't just offer Koay Teow Soup, they have many varieties of dishes to satisfy their customers' taste buds. Among the dishes you may find there include dry/ wet Koay Teow, Ramen, poached chicken, Lobak, deep fried squid, fish ball soup, minced meat and vegetable. 

2012 Recap

Today is the 6th of January 2013, we have lived passed 21st of December 2012. Perhaps the Mayans were simply ran out of paper on the 22nd December when trying to draft their calendar. Whatever the reason was, the most important thing that is truly relevant to us is the fact that we have survived the end of the world!

Let's recap some of the places in Penang that we have visited in 2012. Click on any items below for reviews:

Chu Char (煮炒)

• Chuan Bee Kopitiam
• Air Itam Curry Fish Head
• Chia Yean Cafe
• Bee Wei Seafood
• Sunshine Bay Seafood
• Sun Set View @ Butterworth
• Beach Corner Cafe
• Loke Sok 

Steamboat

• Sawara

Hokkien Mee

• Swee Kong Kopitiam

Koay Teow Th'ng

• Church Street
• Hutton Lane

Bee Hoon Th'ng

• Hor Chiu Hai (鬍髭海)
• Xiang Xia (鄉下)
• Ho Ping Kopitiam 

Tok Tok Mee

• Gurney Plaza
• Burmah Road

Nasi Lemak

• Sri Weld Food Court

Western Food (Penang Style)

• Esplanade
• Harvest Inn  

Duck Drumstick Noodle Soup (鸭腿面线)

•  Green Lane

Chicken Rice

• Green Lane

Thai Food

• Annathai Kitchen

Coconut Drink

• Abu Siti Lane 
• Esplanade

As we are still living, let's have at least one new year resolution that is dedicated to continue our quest for best food around us!

Buffet @ E&O Hotel

Most people enjoy going out for buffet for various reasons. Some like it because they think it is really value for money especially if they are those who can eat a lot. But there are also some like myself who simply loves the idea that you have so many choices spread out for you from entree through to dessert that you can take your own sweet time to finish them. It is a brilliant concept of giving people tremendous freedom of choice. And the atmosphere is always cheerful with crowd of people that make you feel like you are not just going out for lunch or dinner; but you are actually participating in a feast!

There are many places around Penang Island that offer buffet lunch and dinner in most hotels. Most of them serve good food. But I'm a strong believer that when we go out for dining, it is not just the food that affects our experience. The gourmet experience is the combination of food, presentation, service and environment. And the one place that come straight to my mind is the E&O Hotel in Penang.  

Firstly, you will be spoilt for choice with the huge array of various delicacies spread out in the newly refurbished Sarkies Corner at the E&O Hotel Penang. It is a mixture of local, international and Japanese cuisine. There is the salmon sashimi (my number one favourite), grill dori or salmon fish, grill lamb or beef, roasted duck, fresh oyster, baby lobster,various kinds of salad and sushi, smoked delicacies including the Unagi, deep fried seafood, dessert, tropical fruits and they even have local favourite like Char Koay Teow and curry fish head which I think are pretty good! So in terms of food, I definitely tick the box of approval.

Secondly the presentation is always great especially when you are in a 5 star hotel setting. And now with the new Sarkies Corner that offer a much spacious interior space, presentation wise is above average. 

Thirdly you can expect good service from E&O as they have a name to live up to. However, due to the large crowd especially during weekends, sometimes the crew can be overwhelmed which I think is still acceptable.

Finally, it is the environment that E&O stands out from all of its competitors. Located right at the northern strip of coastline of Penang Island, it offers a breathtaking sea view overlooking Butterworth and as fas as Gunung Jerai of Kedah! The garden along the entire sea frontage of the hotel is well maintained and is a favourite place to take a walk and explore the beauty of the surrounding. With heavenly view coupled with great food and architecture, E&O will remain at the top of the buffet food chain for a long period of time!  

Famous Penang Char Koay Teow

Curry Salmon Fish Head

Fresh Oyster

Grill Saba Fish

Salmon Sashimi

Sun Set View @ Butterworth

Have you ever wish to find a cheap eating place with a stunning view and wonderful environment? How about a romantic dinner with perfect view of sun set over the beautiful Penang island? The view of Penang island from across Butterworth is indeed breathtaking if you see it at dusk when the sun is about to descend behind Penang Hill. Every minutes is a magical moment when the the sky gradually changes its color much like an artist unveiling his next masterpiece with every stroke of the brush. The nearby fishing boat berthing ever so gently by the shore with the school of birds heading back to their nest only add on to the wonderful setting of the place. Together with fresh seafood and delicious Chu Char; Pantai Bersih is indeed a must go place in Butterworth to enjoy your next dinner!

Sun set over Penang Hill

Deep Fried Black Pomfret and cheap Chu Char food