A Taste of Penang In Sungai Petani

Penang hawker food is world renowned for its flavour sensation thanks to the variety of spices easily available in this part of the world. It is only natural that the demand for Penang food is even greater when you do not live in Penang.

Sungai Petani, the second biggest city of the Kedah state is located just a mere 45 minutes away by car from Penang Island. Take the North-South Expressway after crossing over via Penang Bridge, exit at Sungai Petani Selatan. After the first traffic light, turn left then go straight until you approach another traffic light, you will then find the first kopitiam on your left called Restoran Choon Nam. Look for a stall selling Curry Mee, Hokkien Mee and Lo Mee. To get a taste of Penang when you are living in Sungai Petani, this is the place to go.

Curry Noodle

Prawn Noodle Soup or 'Hokkien Mee'

The chili and fried onion are home made to ensure their freshness and fragrance intact. Each bowl of these delicious and mouth watering noodle soups costs a mere RM3.00! You won't get the same portion of it with that price in Penang Island! The husband and wife team start their business everyday at 7am and will usually sell out all their noodles by 10am! So wake up early and make sure you don't miss out!

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

Chinese Food In Alor Setar

Finding a Chinese restaurant or coffee shop in Alor Setar can always be a challenge to most people. It is quite ironic when Kedah is renowned to be the 'Rice Bowl of Malaysia'. I recalled one fine Saturday when me and my family were there; we could hardly find a single Chinese restaurant after driving around the city center in circle for about 3 rounds. Finally, we by the slimmest chance caught a glimpse of a signboard written in Chinese installed above a building which was tucked deep in one corner off the main road I was driving along. Without further hesitation as all of us had gotten hungry after the long searching around without any definite direction, I made a huge U-turn to get to the place that we saw just now. To our relief, it was indeed a Chinese restaurant called Hai Choo and they were opened for business that day! We rushed straight in to make our orders.

The restaurant is attached to a Chinese temple and the place is very close to the State Mosque. Although this may not be the best Chu Char in town but it is good enough as we really couldn’t find any other Chinese restaurants that were open for business that day. And when you are that hungry, anything would just taste like dragon meat!

I’m neither from Alor Setar nor Kedah and as such I may not know of any other alternatives there. Anyone who is familiar with Chinese food in Alor Setar, feel free to give us your recommendation here.

Location of the restaurant at the corner of a turning with a Chinese Gate Entrance.

 

At the back of the restaurant, there is a fantastic view of the Kedah River, State Mosque and Alor Setar Tower.