International tourists and ex-pats need not worry as there is an assortment of international food outlets and restaurants to remind them of home. Locals often patronise them for a change in diet . . . actually Penangites are game to eat anything, anywhere. Most of the international restaurants are pricey compared to local pricing standards.
Neapolitan delights
The Italians have great skills with pasta, turning this basic staple into a virtual encyclopaedia of dishes, ranging from marinara to lasagna.
Japanese temptations
The cuisine of Japan has enjoyed an unprecedented boom in popularity here in Penang. The Japanese believe a feast begins with the eyes and the presentation of even the simplest dish is always a masterpiece of colour and texture. Japanese temptations include sushi (seaweed paper spread with rice and topped with one or more fillings), sashimi (thin slices of raw fish), sukiyaki, tempura and teppanyaki.
Thai cuisines
Thai chefs are skilled in whipping up tongue-tingling delights at Penang's top Thai restaurants. A local favourite is tom yam soup with its fiery, rather acidic blend of flavours. Pandan chicken, featuring morsels of chicken barbecue in pandan leaf, is also extremely popular.
Western and continental fare
Fast-food chains such as Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut, Colonel Sanders' famous Kentucky Fries Chicken and Kenny Rogers' Chicken are everywhere and Penang. On the other side of the coin, you have fine dining restaurants offering a wide range of Continental cuisine. You can feast on wild game dishes, slice through a done-to-perfection steak or sample succulent Boston lobsters and leave some room for sinful desserts and treats.
Middle Eastern meals
Middle Eastern cuisine spanning parts of three continents includes Arab, Persian, Jewish, Assyrian, Kurdish, Cypriot and Turkish dishes. The cuisine of the region is diverse comprising primarily of hummus, falafel, tahini, tabouleh, baklava, pita bread, baba ghannouj, foul mudammes and lokum as well as various meats and vegetables. Their style of cooking incorporates heavy use of olive oil and a diverse variety of spices. Indulge and sample authentic Middle Eastern meals in Penang as there are good restaurants located within the heart of the city, along Tanjung Tokong and Batu Feringghi.
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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah © All rights reserved
Updated: 15 May 2021
Mango sticky rice (“kao niew mamuang” in Thai) is among my favourite Thai desserts. The fresh, sweet mango is paired with rich, soft pulut (glutinous rice) smothered with a creamy santan (coconut milk) sauce. Sometimes the dessert is sprinkled with toasted mung beans, adding a little crunchy texture to the delicious treat.
Dining out to celebrate Mother's Day on 9 May 2021, the eve of the third Movement Control Order (MCO) in Penang, was more than a chanced opportunity. The MCO was later announced to have been extended to the entire country stretching till 7 June 2021. It has been a while since my family and I visited a restaurant in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. We felt necessary to be safe than sorry. However on Mother's Day, although filled with trepidation, we went to Kaze Japanese Restaurant at Promenade for dinner.
JiangHu Edo offers a tantalising culinary experience using quality ingredients to accentuate flavours and textures that celebrate fine cuisine. The visual presentation of the courses was a masterful eye-arresting feast. Nothing was left to chance and everything was skilfully curated into an art form.
"Omakase" is the short term used for "omakase shimasu" which means "I will leave it to you (chef)". It gives creative freedom to the chef to conjure up an unforgettable culinary experience. This style of dining is best indulged with an open mind, a willingness to try new experiences, leaving all biases aside.
When it comes to good food, Penangites are spoiled for choices, from hawker fare to fine dining cuisine. Having said that, to mark a memorable evening, one would still have to ponder and think of an appropriate venue. Some restaurants have introduced fusion food that does not make sense while others have to implement nouveau cuisine with hardly anything on the plate and everything on the bill. Being prudent with their spending, Penangites would feel disgusted if they leave half full, having to stop at a nearby coffeeshop thereafter for a plate of sar hor fun. I would always assume that such places would not survive the tough clientele on the island, nevertheless although many have fallen, there are those who have managed to thrive. There are also many restaurants that serve mediocre meals that are simply forgettable.
You can now add Dozo to your list of Japanese restaurants to dine in Penang. It opened its doors on 1 August 2020 serving fine Japanese cuisine with an avant-garde flair.
With a giant crab scaling the facade of the building at Fettes Park, it is quite difficult not to miss Kazumasa Japanese Cuisine. It is here that the omakase menu was first brought to the shores of Penang. Besides the omakase and ala carte possibilities, set lunches are also available.
Located at Jalan Kelawai, Hachiban Izakaya serves more than just sake and pub grub. "Hachiban" means "No. 8" and "Izakaya" stands for a casual venue to chill out after work for drinking; similar to that of an Irish pub or a Spanish tapas bar.
As long as the meal is not meant to take centre stage, I highly recommend a trip up to Bukit Genting. Here, one can enjoy al fresco dining with amazing views of the Straits of Malacca and the South Channel. Surrounded by forested hills, the breathtaking vistas of the rustic village of Balik Pulau below come complete with paddy fields. The view at sunset when the sun dips into the ocean is even more spectacular!
Located on the first floor of the Blue Mansion, Indigo restaurant is inspired by Cheong Fatt Tze himself, offering a fusion between East and West. My friend and I had the 3-course set meal priced at RM75++ per person, available only for lunch. We selected one dish for each course.
My family and I enjoyed a memorable evening hosted by Dato' Welf and Datin Susan at Sigi's Bar & Grill at Golden Sands Resort Penang by Shangri-La. Although we could dine in air-conditioned comfort, or up on the upper deck with an elevated view, we chose an alfresco dining area near the beachfront of Batu Feringghi. The stunning vista of the beautifully landscaped gardens and the ocean beyond were priceless. The Resident Manager of the resort, Christoph Düker was at hand to greet Welf and Susan. He was also kind enough to take the above photo for us.
“When it comes to crafting a dish, each mouthful is meant to be savoured, like how it is when one reads a book. There are many layers to be explored and with every bite, we hope to bring you a surprising burst of flavour.” – The Book Sandwich Cafe
