Penang

Updates from Star newspaper :-
Best char kway teow - either Lorong selamat stall (evening) or Sisters char kway teow at Macalister road

Best banana leaf rice - Passions of Kerala at Burma square

Best nasi kandar stall - Kayu nasi kandar outlet at penang road

Best chicken rice - Fatty Loh at Fettes Park

Best ice kacang - stall at Swatow lane (afternoon tea time), across the road from corner coffeeshop.

Best fruits - tropical fruit farm in Teluk Bahang (fruit juice bar)

A collection of food haunts for each and every category possible (good or outdated, you can comment)

CHINESE
Ah Thooi Mee Suah (Vermicelli with Duck Drumstick soup)
a) Roadside Stall at Jalan Sungei Pinang infront of Boon Siew Honda workshop
Bak Chang*
Roadside stall in Swatow Lane (afternoon)

Bak Kut The*
Carnation coffee shop, Gurney Drive for breakfast and lunch;
coffee shops along Dato Keramat Roadin the evenings;
and street stall in Rangoon Road beside Lai Lai Supermarket in the evenings.

Ban Chean Kuih (Chinese Pancake)
a) Ah Kee Chinese Pancake, stall beside coffee shop at junction of Taman Sri Nibong and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah - night only Tel:012-482 1077b)Cart beside Chartered Bank - afternoon c) Cart in front of General Post Office - afternoon (Muslim)

Beef Koay Teow (Glutinous Flat Noodles in Beef Soup)
a) Lebuh Victoria Bus Terminal hawker complex

Char Tung Hoon (friend glass noodles)a) Ang Hoay Lor Restaurant, Jalan Gurdwara

Char Kweh (carrot cake) – Alan’s
New lane hawker stall – near sunway hotel

Char Koay Teow (Fried Glutinous Flat Noodles with prawns, cockles)
a) Sisters at Jalan Macalister (near junction of Jalan Macalister/Jalan Perak) –morning to noon*b) Lorong Kulit/Jalan Dato Keramat junction - nightc) Lorong Selamat stall opposite coffee shop - afternoond) Ah Hoe Char Koay Teow , junction Jalan Carnarvon/Lebuh Melayue) New Asia Coffee Shop, Air Itamf) Pulau Tikus Market - nightg) Song River Cafe, Persiaran Gurneyh) Lebuh Kimberley – night*i) most hawker stalls serve good char koay teow (Gurney drive, Lor.Selamat, New Lane)*j)
Halal (Muslim) stalls
a) Rudy's at Tanjung Bunga Hawker's Complex opp Copthorne Hotelb) Stall at Jalan Chee Seng, Tanjung Bunga - night only

Chee Cheong Fun
a) Coffee Shop at Lorong Macalisterb) Jalan Baru / new lane
Chendola) Stall at junction Jalan Penang/Lebuh Keng Kwee, beside Joo Hooi Café / Opposite police HQ, off Jln Penang / Kek Seng, Penang Rd
b) Stall at Super Komtar foodcourtc) Sar Chew Restaurant, Jalan Cantonment

Chicken Broth
a) Padang Brown Hawker Complex, Jalan Anson

Chicken Rice (Hainan)
a) Fatty Loh
- Tanjung Bunga, opp. Chinese Swimming Club
- Jalan Cantonment, Pulau Tikus, opp Maybankc) In front of Agora Hotel, Jalan Macalister
b) Coffee Shops (several specialists along Lebuh Chulia)
c) Kheng Pin Coffee Shop, junction Jalan Sri Bahari/Jalan Penang
d) Poly Cafe, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus

Curry Mee (known as Laksa in KL - Yellow Round Noodles in Curry Gravy with cockles, prawns, cuttle fish, pig's blood, toupok)
a) Bee Hooi Coffee Shop in Lorong Pulau Tikus/Jalan Burma junction (Pulau Tikus) - morningb) Cathay Cafe, Jalan Burma (opposite Union Primary School) - nightc) Sin Nam Hong Coffee Shop at Komtar second leveld) Lorong Kucinge) Lorong Seratus Tahun*( off Macalister Road in the mornings)f) Lorong Swatowg) New Asia Coffee Shop, Air Itam*h) Stall at Jalan Loh Poh Heng, Hillside, near Esso petrol station afternoonDim Suma) Bee Hooi Coffee Shop, Jalan Burma/Lorong Pulau Tikus junctionb) Hong Kong Tea Garden, 162-164 Jalan Macalister, opposite District Education Office
* from tourism website :-
a) Shangri-La Hotel’s Chinese Restaurant in Georgetown (pricey but first-rate);
b) Tho Yuen at 92, Campbell Street;
c) and coffee shops along Chulia Street, Kimberly Street, Gottlieb Road and Golden Thai at Gurney Drive.
d) Evening dim sum: Coffee shop in Kampung Malabar off Penang Road and Chulia Street.

Ewe Char Koay
a) Popular Stalls, Lebuh Cintra

Fish Head Beehoon
a) Sky Cafe, Lebuh Chulia

Hum Chin Peng (Chinese "doughnut")
a) Cart at Lebuh Kimberley/Lebuh Cintra junctionb) Popular Stalls, Lebuh Cintra

Hokkien Mee (known as Prawn Mee in KL - Yellow Round Noodles in Prawn Soup)
a) Coffee Shop junction of Jalan Burmah/Jalan Cantonment - morningb) Crystal Food Garden, Jalan Tanjung Tokong, near to Sandy Bay Beachcomber - eveningc) Sin Kim San Coffee Shop, junction Jalan Macalister/Jalan Rangoond) Coffee Shop several doors to the left of Midtowne Hotel, Jalan Macalistere) Song River Cafe, Persiaran Gurney - night onlyf) Swee Kong Coffee Shop (opp. Pulau Tikus Police Station) Jalan Burmag) Coffee Shop at Jalan Perak/Jalan Kebun Nyor junction
Hokkien Chara) Bee Hooi Coffee Shop, Jalan Burma/Lorong Pulau Tikus junction

Hoo Wan Tung Hoon (glass noodles with fish ball, soup)
a) Garden Inn Hotel, Jalan Anson - set lunch

Ice Kacang (shaved ice with beans, etc.)
a) Kek Seng Coffee Shop, Jalan Penangb) Low Eng Hoo Coffee Shop, Lorong Selamatc) Lorong Swatowd) Lebuh Keng Kwee/Jalan Penang junction

Ipoh Koay Teow (bean sprout chicken)a) Jalan Air Itam

Joo Hoo Eng Chai (cuttle fish and vegetables)
a) Song River Cafe, Persiaran Gurney

Koay Chiap (thick glutinous noodles with duck meat soup)
a) Air Itam Market - night

Koay Kak (Fried Steamed Glutinous Rice Cubes)
a) Coffee Shop, Lorong Macalister - morningb) Air Itram Marketc) Jalan Anson Market

Koay Teow Th'ng (Glutinous Flat Noodles Soup with fish balls, pork strips, pig's blood)
a) Hai Oan Coffee Shop, Jalan Burma, near junction of Lorong Macalister - morningb) Side Lane between Jalan Hutton/Lebuh Dickens (opp Police HQ) - morningc) Jalan Argyll (opp back of Island Girls' School) - morningd) Jalan Hutton (opp Sek. Pendidekan Khas) - morninge) Kek Seng Coffee Shop, Jalan Penangf) Lorong Swatowg) Roadside Stall junction of Lebuh Beach/Lebuh Market

Laksa (Large Round White Noodles in Fish Gravy: Assam Laksa - sourish variety; Siam Laksa - spicy hot variety)
a) Air Itam Market (next door to the famed Kek Lok Si Temple)*b) Balik Pulau Market (corner coffee shop opposite the T-junction leading into the main and only street of Balik Pulau)*c) Kuala Jalan Baru, Balik Pulaud) Helena's Laksa (franchise) at Bukit Jambul Shopping Complexe) Kek Seng Coffee Shop, Jalan Penangf) Kheng Pin Coffeeship, junction Jalan Sri Bahari/Jalan Penangg) Lorong Selamat off Macalister Road*h) Lorong Swatowi) Swee Kong Coffee Shop opposite Pulau Tikus Police Station, Jalan Burma

Lok Lok (skewered seafood dipped in boiling pot of water, served with gravy)a) Esplanade Hawker Complex - night b) Padang Brown Hawker Centre, Jalan Anson/Jalan Perak junction c) Pulau Tikus Market

Lor Bak (Fried Minced Pork Sausage in Dried Beancurd Covering)*a) Coffee Shop at junction of Lebuh Carnarvon/Lorong Melayub) Kek Seng Coffee Shop, Jalan Penangc) Kheng Pin Coffee Shop, junction Jalan Sri Bahari/Jalan Penang
* - from penang tourism
a) New Lane coffee shop off Macalister Road in the evenings;
b) Sisters’ coffee shop off Macalister Road, near Perak Road junction from 9:00am to 3.00pm;
c) Lorong Selamat;
and Gurney Drive.

Nasi Lemak
a) Garden Inn Hotel, Jalan Anson - set lunchb) Johnny's, Pulau Tikus Marketc) Swee Kong Coffee Shop (opp. Pulau Tikus Police Station) Jalan Burmad) Potbless - 2 Lorong Hutton; 1-Stop Midlands; 98 Lintang Mayang Pasir 2

Nyonya Dishes (kiam chye boay, joo hoo char, otak-otak, acar raveet, perut ikan, asam prawn, asam pedas and curry kapitan).
a) Jaws at Gurney Drive;
b) Hot Wok, Gurney Plaza; and
c) Nyonya Secrets, Service Road.

O' Chien (Oyster Omelette)a) Coffee Shop junction of Lebuh Carnarvon/Lebuh Kimberleyb) Coffee Shop Junction of Jalan Macalister/Lorong Selamat - eveningc) Ocean Green Restaurant, 48F Jln. Sultan Ahmad Shah Tel:226 2681d) Song River Cafe, Persiaran Gurney - night

Popiah (Mixed Vegetables and Crabmeat in Thin Pancake Covering)a) Coffee Shop junction of Jalan Macalister/Lorong Selamat - eveningb) Kek Seng Coffee Shop, Jalan Penangc) Wah Leong Coffee Shop, Jalan Burmad) Lorong Swatow

Rojak (cut fruits in prawn paste)a) Van outside Poly Cafe, Jalan Burma

Sar Hor Fun (Fried Glutinous Flat Noodles and Beehoon with Pork and Seafood)a) Coffee Shop junction of Jalan Macalister/Lorong Selamat b) Coffee Shop in front of Penang Jail, Jalan Datuk Keramat c) Coffee Shop junction of Jalan Burmah/Jalan Nagore d) Foo Heong Restaurant, 56-58 Lebuh Cintra Tel:261 2350 e) Sky Cafe, Lebuh Chulia

Satay (Chinese) (barbequed skewered meat - Pork, Chicken)a) Coffee Shops junction Jalan Penang/Kampong Malabarb) Lebuh Cinac) Kheng Pin Coffee Shop, junction Jalan Sri Bahari/Jalan Penangd) most coffee shop stalls
e) Relau (Indonesian satay – Alan’s)

Seafood Broth/Pork Brotha) Roadside cart at Lebuh Chulia, opp Lorong Cinta - nightb) Coffee Shop in front of Penang Jail, Jalan Datuk Keramat

Wantan Mee (Thin Round Yellow Noodles with Prawn Dumplings - Soup or Dried variety)a) Jalan Burma (in front of Union Primary School) - night onlyb) Swee Kong Coffee Shop, opp Pulau Tikus Police Station, Jalan Burma / Corner coffee shop in Pulau Tikus opposite Church of the Immaculate Conception in the mornings*c) Coffee Shop opposite Lai Lai Supermarket, Jalan Burma - eveningd) Coffee Shop, junction of Jalan Anson/Lebuh Melakae) Lorong Selamatf) World Cafe, junction Jalan Nagore/Jalan Bawasahg) most coffee shop hawker stalls (Gurney Drv / New Lane)*
Yong Tau Fooa) Padang Brown hawker complex - evening

INDIAN
Mee Goreng/Mee Rebus (Fried/Boiled Round Yellow Noodles)
a) New Asia Coffee Shop, Air Itamb) Kek Seng Coffee Shop, Jalan Penang - Chinese Mee Rebusc) Lorong Swatowd) Coffee Shop junction of Jalan Burma/Lorong Bangkoke) Larut Cafe (beside Sheraton Hotel) - formerly at CRCMurtabak (Indian 'roti' (bread) filled with minced mutton or chicken over hot plate)a) Hameediyah Restaurant, Lebuh Campbell

Nasi Kandar
a) Craven A Cafe, 4 Jalan Dato Keramatb) Stall behind Immigration Dept. and Penang State Assembly building, Lebuh Lightc) Kassim Nasi Kandar, 14 & 21 Jalan Gurdwara, opposite Gama Supermarketd) Kedai Kopi Merlin, 1 Lebuh Penange) Sabuhan, Jalan Burmaf) Lebuh Tamilg) Line Clear, junction of Jalan Penang/Lebuh Chulia

Pasembor (various fried seafood in water chestnut salad – Indian and Chinese variety)a) Persiaran Gurney - evening (Indian)b) Padang Brown hawker complex - afternoon

Roti Canai
a) Hameediyah Restaurant, Lebuh Campbellb) Indian stalls at Jalan Transfer (beside the mosque), Jalan Argyllc) most Indian coffee shops/stalls

Tosei
a) most Indian coffee shops, especially along Penang Street, Market Street, in the morning


MALAY
Rice and Malay Dishesa) Tanjung Tokong UDA Flatsb) Hawker Stalls opposite Mar Vista Resortc) Hawker Stalls around Penang Parkroyal Hoteld) Junction of Jalan Kelawei/Jalan Jonese) Hawker Stall opposite Sheraton Penangf) Larut Cafe beside Sheraton Penang,
Satay (barbequed skewered meat - Chicken, Mutton or Beef)a) most coffee shopsJAPANESEa) Crystal Food Garden, Tanjung Tokonga) Winston Hawkers Centre, Jalan AnsonVEGETARIAN
Chinesea) various coffee shops in Jalan Transfer, Jalan Kedah, Lebuh Pitt, Jalan Magazine
Indiana) various coffee shops in Lebuh Pasar, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh Queen, Lebuh CinaInternational Cuisine IN


HOTELS
CHINESE
BERJAYA SHARKSFIN, Berjaya Georgetown Hotel, Jalan Burma, PulauTikus Tel:226 9680CANTON PALACE, Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Persiaran Gurney,Georgetown Tel:226 9988FU LING MEN, Cititel Penang, Jalan Penang, Georgetown Tel:3701188GOLDEN LOTUS, City Bayview, Georgetown Tel:263 3161GOLDEN PHOENIX, Hotel Equatorial, Jalan Bukit Jambul Tel:6438111HOUSE OF FOUR SEASONS, Penang Mutiara Beach Resort, TelukBahang Tel:885 2828HUA TING, Copthorne Penang, Tanjung Bunga Tel:890 3333MARCO POLO, Garden Inn, 41 Jalan Anson, Georgetown Tel:227 9167SHANG PALACE, Shangri-la Penang, Jalan Magazine, Georgetown Tel:262 2622SHANG COURT, Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1811TAIPAN FINS, The Northam All-Suite Hotel, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Georgetown Tel:370 1111TAI THONG, Paradise Beachcomber Hotel, Tanjung Bunga Tel:890 8808

INDONESIAN/WESTERNTIFFINS, Penang Parkroyal Resort, Batu Ferringhi

ITALIANIL RITROVO, Casuarina Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1711LA FARFALLA, Penang Mutiara Beach Resort, Teluk Bahang Tel:885 2828PEPPINO, Shangri-la's Golden Sands Resort, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1911THE VIEW, Hotel Equatorial, Jalan Bukit Jambul Tel:643 8111

JAPANESEGION, Penang Parkroyal Resort, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1133THE JAPANESE RESTAURANT, Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1811KAMPACHI, Hotel Equatorial, Bukit Jambul Tel:643 8111KIRISHIMA, Cititel Penang, Jalan Penang Tel:370 1188
MALAYELIZA THE MALAY RESTAURANT, City Bayview Hotel, Lebuh Farquhar Tel:263 3161KOPI TIAM, City Bayview Hotel, Lebuh Farquhar Tel:263 3161

WESTERNEAST 'N' WEST, The Northam All-Suite Hotel, 55 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Georgetown Tel:370 1111FERRINGHI GRILL, Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort, BatuFerringhi Tel:881 1811STONEGRILL, Waterfall Hotel, Jalan Utama Tel:229 5588THE BRASSERIE, Shangri-la Penang, Jalan Magazine Tel:262 2622OUTSIDE


HOTELS
INDONESIANTAMBUAH MAS, 560-564 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Sg. NibongTel:656 9722ITALIANLITTLE ITALY, 8J Jalan Tun Dr Awang, Bukit Jambul Tel:642 1301MARIO, Ground Floor, Ferringhi Mutiara Arcade, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 3775MODESTO'S, Bellisa Row, Jalan BurmaRISTORANTE BELLA ITALIA, 1-7 Bellisa Row, 368 Jalan Burma Tel:227 2195GERMANWUNDERBAR, 417 Jalan Burma Tel:2291095JAPANESEAKEBONO, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1263MATSUKI, 62 Cantonment Road Tel:229 5504MIYABI, 216 Jalan Macalister, Georgetown. Tel:228 8803SHIN MIYAKO, 103A Jalan Penang Tel:263 8702SUSHI KINGa) Bukit Jambul Shopping Complexb) Midlands Park, Pulau TikusSYOGUN, Grd. Floor, Axis Complex, Jalan Cantonment Tel:228 3228TEPPANYAKI JUNCTION, Desa Tanjung, Tanjung Tokong Tel:899 0800YATAI MURA, 403A, Grd. Fl., Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus. Tel:222 6018KOREANSAM OH JEONG KOREAN RESTAURANT, 64 Jalan Cantonment Tel:229 4461 (SetLunch RM9)SEOUL GARDEN, 1st Fl., Sunrise Towers, Persiaran Gurney Tel:2298705THAID' CHIENGMAI, Burma Close Tel:227 2400NAM PRIK, 14 Jalan Tengah, Bayan Bahru Tel:641 5281THE GREEN CHILI, 1, Jalan Sungei Kelian, Hillside, Tanjung Bunga. Tel:890 8727 - promo 5 to 18 July, Thai dessert complimentary for dinner.PLOY THAI, 11-G-1 New Bob Centre, Jalan Gottlieb Tel:229 5911YELLOW LIGHT, 1C Jalan Fettes Tel:899 1471Specialty RestaurantsChinese• 747 CAFE, YMCA Bldg., 211B Jalan Macalister Tel:229 6228• CLUB ILHAM, Junction Jalan Macalister/Jalan Utama Tel:229 7506• CORNER CLUB, Persiaran Gurney• CRC RESTAURANT, Chinese Recreation Club, Jalan Victoria Green, Georgetown.• DRAGON INN, 27B Jalan Gottlieb Tel:2277049 • FOONG KIM CHEONG RESTAURANT, 1228R, Mk13, Jalan Paya Terubong. Tel:828 5643• FORUM, L-3 Island Plaza, Tanjung Tokong Tel:899 0088• FULL SUN 600cc HOUSE OF DAIRIES, 12 Concourse 4, Komtar• HOLLYWOOD RESTAURANT, 543 Tanjung Bunga. Tel:881 1404• MANDARIN GARDEN RESTAURANT, 33 Anson Road Tel:227 0300 - functions only• MAPLE GARDEN, 99 Jalan Penang Tel:263 4158• MAPLE GOLD, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah Tel:227 9640• MAY GARDEN, 70 Jalan Penang Tel:261 6435• MIDLAND'S COURT RESTAURANT, 1-Stop Midlands Centre, Jalan Burma Tel:226 7788• NEW GOODWILL RESTAURANT, 2-01-19 Harbour Trade Cente, 2 Gat Lebuh Macallum Tel:263 3823• STARVIEW, 66 Jalan Burma Tel:226 5213• TAIWAN LITTLE CHEF, Midland Park Tel:226 6871 MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• TOWER CHINESE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE, Level 59 Komtar, Jalan Penang Tel:262 2222Chinese/Local/Western• 600CC RESTAURANT,a) Komtar Tel:261 3373b) Komplex Bukit Jambul Tel:646 3373MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• EVE'S GARDENIA RESTAURANT, 15 Lorong Hutton Tel:263 7263• ADAM'S TERRACE, 11 Lorong Hutton Tel:263 3762• EDEN SIDEWALK CAFE, 78 Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1193• LOKE THYE KEE, 2B Jalan Burma Tel:292 0046• RESTORAN MERRYLAND, 20 Jalan Tengah, Taman Tunas, B. Lepas Tel:643 2448MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• POPULAR FERRINGHI, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 3454• POTBLESSa) 2 Lorong Hutton Tel:263 7984b) 98 Lintang Mayang Pasir 2, Bayan Bahru Tel:641 2976c) Grd. Floor, 1-Stop Midlands Centre, Jalan Burma• SA CHEW, 37B Jalan Cantonment Tel:228 0488• THE SHIPa) Jalan Sri Bahari Tel:263 3551b) Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 2142• VICTORIA STATION, 17 Lorong Mayang Pasir 5, Bayan Lepas Tel:642 5988• SIN KHEANG AUN, Lorong Chulia Tel:261 4786• HOLLYWOOD RESTAURANT, 543 Jalan Tanjung Bunga Tel:890 7268• ANG HOAY LOR, Jalan Gurdwara Tel:262 4841• JAIPUR COURT, 11 Lebuh Leith Tel:263 0306 MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• KASHMIR, 105 Jalan Penang Tel:362 7411• PASSAGE THRU INDIA, Tanjung Tokong• TANDOORI HOUSE, 34-36 Lorong Hutton Tel:261 9105• ARATI VILAS, 9 Tanjung Bunga Park Tel:899 1379• INNIRA, Taman Tun Sardon• DAWOOD, Lebuh King Tel:261 1633• HAMIDEEYAH, 164A Lebuh Campbell Tel:261 1095• RESTORAN FTZ, 6A-G/6A-I, Jalan Rumbia, Sg. Nibong Kecil Tel:6461286 MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• Minah Restaurant, 362S Sungai Gelugor Tel:658 1234• AUNTY CHILLI'S NYONYA RESTAURANT, Jalan Perak• CHI-KI NYONYA RESTAURANT, Jalan Burma• DRAGON KING, 99 Bishop Street Tel:261 8035• HOT WOK, 125D Desa Tanjung, Tanjung Tokong Tel:8990858• NYONYA CORNER, 1-4-01 Persiaran Bukit Jambul 1, Sri Relau Complex Tel:641 3231• COCA THAI, L-3, Island Plaza, Tanjung Tokong Tel:890 6808 MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• ET STEAMBOATa) 7M Jalan Gottlieb Tel:226 1767b) 4 Jalan Rangoon Tel:226 6025c) 20 Taman Sri Tunas, Bayan Lepas. Tel:641 3015• GOH HUAT SENG, 59A Lebuh Kimberley Tel:261 5811• GOH SWEE KEE, Jalan Sri Bahari Tel:263 6932• GOLDEN GATE STEAMBOAT, 77 Jalan Cantonment. Tel:226 7509• KAM RESTAURANT (beef steamboat), 27C Jalan Gottlieb• BEGINNING OF THE WORLD, Batu Maung• EDEN SEAFOOD VILLAGE, 69A-B, Batu Ferringhi Tel:881 1236• END OF THE WORLD (Ah Sim), Teluk Bahang fishing village Tel:8851189• HAI CHOO HOOI (Tanjung Tokong Tua Peh Kong Temple), 338 Mk. 18 Tanjung Tokong Tel:899 0375• KUAIKUO LE SEAFOOD, 205 Blok K, MK 12, Batu Maung Tel:626 3027 MBf Countdown Card Member 10% discount• OCEAN GREEN, 48F Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Tel:226 2681• SHUANG HUAT SENG, 418 Jalan Sungai Tiram, Bayan Lepas• YELLOW POINT, 486 Mk2. Teluk Bahang. Tel:229 2314• FOR YOU YEN VEGETARIAN CENTRE, 347-349 Jalan Datuk Kramat Tel:229 3078• HAPPY REALM VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT, Jalan Burma Tel:227 1918• HOCK SIEW CHAI VEGETARIAN CENTRE, 110E Jalan Transfer, 10050 Pg Tel:228 0629• IM SIM VEGETARIAN, 14 Jalan Mayang Pasir Tel:641 4615• TZECHU-LIN VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT, 229C Jalan Burma, 10050 Pg Tel:226 3357• ANNALAKSHMI, Temple of Fine Arts, 1 Babington Avenue Tel:228 8575• NUTRILAND VEGAN HEALTH FOOD CENTRE. 11 Jalan Rangoon, 10400 Penang. Tel:229 2910 preservative free, chemical free, msg free, aspartame free, colouring free, pesticide free, plant based, no genetic engineered food


Gluttons unite in Penang's foodie haven
Throw dietary caution to the wind as you join the quest for great food and outdoor dining
LET food be your mantra the next time you set out for Penang, a hawker's paradise. Even if you spend 10 whole days on this exercise, you will not quite complete the hawker crawl on the island, once billed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohammad as Malaysia's food capital.
Forget big-time restaurants and hotel eateries and go for the hawker fare.
Why not start with breakfast, along busy Jalan MacAlister, where an unpretentious kedai kopi called Ping Heang nestles among colonial mansions and shophouses.
A small cart serves as workstation for the popular Sisters Char Kuay Teow, a business run by the Lam siblings, Yoke Khee and Miew Heng.
'We took over this business from our father, who started it 60 years ago,' says Madam Lam Yoke Khee, as she heaps generous helpings of crabmeat and giant prawns on the noodles.
A signboard over the cart says 'Sisters Char Kuay Teow'. Extra Quality - RM5 (S$2) - this is the deluxe version, topped up with crabmeat.
The shrimps and other ingredients for the noodles are delivered fresh to the stall, saving the sisters the time and effort of marketing.
A regular customer has this to say: 'Sure, you can get it cheaper elsewhere, but I am willing to pay more for the fresh ingredients.
'I've still not found char kway teow as tasty as this elsewhere on the island.'
If fried noodles is not your idea of a breakfast meal, try Thniah Cheng Hai's lor mee or Hokkien mee instead.
Mr Thniah Ah Hai and his wife Lim Mooi Moey's fame have spread beyond the island as they have been guest chefs in hotels in Singapore and Kuching.
You can tell how fresh the prawns are the minute the steam from the bowl of noodles hits your nostrils.
'We shop for our ingredients daily and need to be up at 5 am to select them at the market, as well as cook the broth and prepare the ingredients,' he explains.
Foodies can take their pick from chicken legs, lor bak (braised pork) or otak otak sold at the coffeeshop, which opens from Tuesdays to Sundays from 8.30 am to noon.
Those who prefer Malay food can head to Jalan Jones - off Jalan Kelawai, in Pulau Tikus - a popular haunt of politicians and journalists.
Even tourists who stay along the Batu Ferringi tourist belt make it a point to sample these curry puffs.
The deep-fried curry puffs come with very generous savoury fillings of chicken (RM1), beef (60 sen) or sardine (60 sen). One is usually enough for light eaters as an in-between snack.
An assortment of Malay kuih, roti canai, and nasi lemak (with a spread of scrumptious curries for you to pick) is available.
If you have a 'karipap' craving for tea, take a drive to Jalan Tanjong Tokong and stop at No. 90, where Idris Karipap serves piping-hot curry puffs with either chicken or beef filling, mixed with potatoes. The pastry is light and perfect to still that minor growl from your tummy and keep you going till your next meal.
But Penang is not just food, food, food and nothing else.
It is also the perfect place to indulge in some shopping.
The heritage-rich shophouses in Georgetown showcase some really good finds which are not found in shopping malls.
Check out Penang Road, where Chinese arts and crafts abound - crisp cotton, linen and organza pillowcases, cushion covers, hand towels and fabrics of various hues and textures.
Pick up a length of Chinese silk fabric to make either a blouse or add class to your living room with a silk lampshade.
Further up on Penang Road, make a left turn to Lebuh Chulia for some nyonya cakes at Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay.
This family business, located off Lebuh Chulia, is run by Mr Mok Hian Beng and his wife.
They supply sweets and savouries, such as springrolls and curry puffs, to restaurants and hotels on the island.
'My father started this business over 60 years ago. Today, we are one of the few remaining nyonya cake suppliers on the island,' Mr Mok says. 'I took over the business in 1980 when my father died and my other siblings showed no interest.'
Lebuh Chulia is also home to many of the dying arts which are no longer found in other parts of Malaysia.
Visit rattan furniture maker Wong Kar Chong at Yee Hoe and Company and watch him make bamboo chicks and rattan furniture.
Alternatively, mailbox-maker Khew Kim Pang at Ban Hin Store can share stories of the early days of Penang's postal service and how letter boxes came about.
No trip to Penang is complete without a meal at Gurney Drive, the promenade along the seafront where foodstalls - either in pickup trucks or carts - brim with terrific food. Just ignore the flies.
The pungent aroma from the sotong bakar, Penang's best rojak, the classic assam laksa, pasembor and ice kacang are some of the favourites found here.
A recent addition to Gurney Drive is Kafe Crepes, which describes itself as the ultimate pancake and ice-cream parlour.
Located on the grounds of a quaint colonial bungalow, it serves 30 varieties of pancakes and crepes. The long wait is worth every second as baker Agnes Chee whips up your order.
The banana pancake, sprinkled with sesame seed and raisins, is highly recommended, along with the garlic-and-chicken crepe.
Still on desserts, a very unusual find is Joo Lai Hieng, a Chinese prayer store, which also sells Chinese treats at its entrance.
Joss sticks and paper, candles, wicks and other paraphernalia form the backdrop for a cart where ang tao chui (red bean soup), gandum (wheat dessert), rice dumplings, yam cake and peanut soup are sold between 80 sen and RM2 each.
Proprietor Ooi Siew Keow also serves curry puffs, springrolls and fried noodles.
The places suggested here serve only a portion of Penang's food; many off-the-beaten-track spots are still waiting to be discovered. --NST