Koay Teow Th'ng @ Jalan Kuala Kangsar

The thing that I miss most about Penang is that I could have hawker food as breakfast. We are spoilt for choices as to the sheer number of variety we could choose from as soon as we wake up. It is a serious decision making process each morning as to where and what to eat simply because there are just too many places and way too much food that I want to eat each morning!

We went to Jalan Kuala Kangsar in the heart of George Town where there is a street market every morning. Before we reached the market there is this small little shop at the corner of Jalan Kuala Kangsar and Lebuh Keng Kwee. There was only one hawker stall within that shop selling Koay Teow Th'ng 粿條湯 or rice noodle soup. 

I couldn't see the name of the shop as it was covered by a blind spanning the width of the shop and a few motorcycles casually parked in front of its entrance (a very Malaysian way of parking by the way). 

What attracted me to try their food was that they are serving duck meat Koay Teow Th'ng (鸭肉粿條湯) as it is particularly sweeter than most other stalls which are offering shredded chicken instead.

The little corner shop @ Jalan Kuala Kangsar, George Town, Penang.

We order an extra plate of shredded duck meat, yum!

鸭肉粿條湯

Mount Erskine Roadside Food Stalls

Penang is renowned for its street food culture. It is indeed a unique feature that is quite common throughout in Asia but not in the Western world. Perth has started to see the appeal of street food that there are food trucks allowed to do their business in the heart of the city on every Friday evening. It says in the travel brochure that people could experience the street food culture of KL in Perth. The statement shows how little the Aussies know about Malaysia because Penang is actually the undisputed street food capital of Malaysia!

Anyway, there are countless hawker stalls scattered throughout the island but most tourists only got introduced to a few popular ones such as Gurney Drive and Red Garden Food Paradise in Leith Street. The locals usually go to better places that offer value for money quality food such as the road side food stalls along Jalan Mount Erskine.

It is a makeshift mini hawker center by the roadside that sell variety of Penangites' favourite food. It is a good place to have some light meals during the day. People usually park along the service road in front of a row of terrace houses. Parking spots could be hard to find during peak hours. 

Customers happily dined in under the temporary shelter erected by the road side - a common sight in Penang.

A fresh coconut drink to start with in quenching our thirst under the hot and humid tropical weather.

Asam Laksa is the trademark of Penang food and is a must try whenever you are on the island.

Char Koay Teow is good in this place.

Some light snacks if you are on a diet.

Ferringhi Coffee Garden

Are you the type of person who likes to have breakfast but are just too lazy to wake up early in the morning? Worry no more! There is a place in Batu Ferringhi where you can have your favourite breakfast even after lunch time! It is the Ferringhi Coffee Garden besides Parkroyal Penang Resort.

Ferringhi Coffee Garden entrance

Extensive landscaping around the forecourt

The interior was decorated with mini lion dance props during the Chinese New Year period

FCG is not hard to find as its entrance and forecourt are decorated with beautiful landscape making it stands out from the other outlets along the street. There were not many people when we got there as it was already past lunch time. There was a group of expatriate housewives enjoying their afternoon and chatting in the outdoor seating area. The staff were friendly and never stop smiling whenever they look at you. The whole atmosphere was simply comfortable and relaxing.

Baked Egg Omelette - Melted Cheese with mixed Mushrooms, Beef Bacon, accompanied with Baked Beans inclusive of a slice of daily toast  @ RM18.80

"FCG Breakkie" - Choices of homemade Chicken or Beef sausages, preparation of Eggs, Beef Bacon, Potatoes and grilled Tomatoes inclusive of a slice of Daily Toast @ RM27.80

Mixed Fruit Juice @ RM9.80

Location: 43-D, Batu Ferringhi, 11100, Penang, Malaysia.

Business Hours: 8am - 6pm, last order at 5pm.

Contact: +60 4-885 1192

Wanton Mee @ Lebuh Melayu

We originally wanted to look for a famous Koay Teow Th'ng hawker stall at Lebuh Melayu or commonly known by the local Hokkien community as (台牛后) but couldn't find a parking spot ( a thing that everyone should get used to whenever driving around George Town), so we ended up somewhere in the middle of the street where we accidentally discover a make-shift stall with lots of people. It was located at the corner of Lebuh Melayu and Lorong Tok Aka in front of a heritage building:

The stall in front of a heritage building along Lebuh Melayu where we are about to talk about.

We decided to explore this place simply because there is a parking spot available in front of us (finding a parking spot along the street in Penang is sometime harder than looking for gold). As the tables around the stall have been fully occupied, we have no choice but to sit across the street. There were a few tables set up along the five-foot way in front of a heritage shop house. We peeped inside the house and saw a poorly maintained living room, not sure whether there is anyone living there. Anyway our focus is on food, not history of the house so we went across to make our order but was asked to go back to our seat to wait for them to come to take the order instead. They were so busy that they had to take care of those who ordered first plus those waiting eagerly in front of their stall for takeaways.

Fortunately it didn't take long before a lady came along and took our order of two bowls of wanton noodles and soya bean.

You know why most people fall in love with Penang food so easily? It is because of their stingily small portion that makes you crave for more! Somehow they know just the right amount to make you feel good without filling your gastronomical tank. The texture of the noodles is fantastic and the sauce is simply wonderful: not too salty but making the whole dish juicy.

Quite reasonable price @ RM3.60 per bowl.

Location: Corner of Lebuh Melayu and Lorong Toh Aka

Business Hours: 12.30pm - 5pm

My Own Cafe Opposite Khoo Kongsi

Don't be misled by the title of this post as I still haven't own any cafe yet. The name of the shop that I'm about to introduce is actually called 'My Own Cafe' or it's Chinese name '我的咖啡館'. 

We went for the weekly night market at Armenian Street on a Saturday last January and accidentally came across this new cafe while I was about to enter into Cannon Square taking photos of Khoo Kongsi temple. It is a heritage terrace house converted into a modest cafe selling just Char Koay Teow and Penang Asam Laksa. This cafe is a good addition to the fluorishing Armenian Street area as there aren't many hawker stalls at the moment. 

My Own Cafe Entrance

Penang Asam Laksa

Penang Char Koay Teow

3D wall art has become a trend in Penang ever since the famous 2 kids riding a bicycle art work by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. While this is is not created by him, it adds creativity into the interior of this little cafe.

Location: 2 Lebuh Cannon, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: +6012-453 2453

Bak Kut Teh 王排肉骨茶 @ Gurney Drive

Penang is constantly evolving fast and what used to be the Coffee Island at Gurney Drive is now selling Bak Kut Teh called 王排肉骨茶. It is obvious that this post has been delayed as you will later see in one of the pictures with Christmas decoration as it was taken December last year.

Personally I feel that the change is for the better as the previous Coffee Island concept was not very practical. They used to sell Penang hawker food in Coffee Island with higher price and less authentic taste. People might as well walk further to the nearby food court near the roundabout which is famous throughout the region.

Now back to Bak Kut Teh which is one of the local's favourite food has managed to attract substantial crowd in the morning. The food is good, seating area is quite comfortable and clean but the service can be a bit slow at times.

This location has witness many businesses came and went for the past decade. Initially it was a private club next to the Penas office, then came Over Time and Coffee Island. Let's just hope that 王排肉骨茶 could stay a little bit longer than its predecessors. 

Omelette with bitter gourd

油菜

油炸鬼

Location: 77 Persiaran Gurney, Penang, Malaysia

Business Hours: 7.30am - 3pm

Kampai 乾杯 @ e-Gate

After a year didn't been to e-Gate I realized a few changes. For instance Tao is no longer there and I believe that a new outlet called Kampai 乾杯 is taking over its place. Initially I thought that Kampai is a Japanese restaurant due to its name and also a few photos of their food displayed at the entrance. Upon closer look at the menu it turns out that they are actually serving Taiwanese cuisine. 

Since it is new and the outlet was really beautifully renovated, we decided to have a go with it. Their beautiful wall paper which at first glance one would think that they are Chinese poems are actually part of their menu displayed on the wall with different sizes and creative fonts.

However, there is no time to appreciate their interior as we were all hungry and it's time to just order our dinner ASAP.

3 Cups Chicken 三杯雞 RM9.90

Claypot Crab Meat Tofu 蟹黄豆腐煲 RM9.90

Grille Mackerel RM9.90

Taiwanese Roast Pork 烤咸豬肉

Bitter Gourd 鹹蛋苦瓜 RM9.90

The good thing about this restaurant is that most of their dishes are only RM9.90 although they come in small portion. It is a good way to order variety of dishes and have a taste of Taiwanese cuisine in this modest beautiful outlet. 

Location: 

1-01-05 & 1-01-06, Ground Floor, e-Gate, Lebuh Tunku Kudin 2, Gelugor, 11700, Penang, Malaysia.

Operating Hours:

Mon-Sun: 12pm - 2am

Contact:

+604 658 7826