Kompleks Bukit Jambul was the largest shopping mall in Bayan Baru before it was superseded by Queensbay Mall. Today, Kompleks Bukit Jambul specializes in apparel and electronics. The mall also has a cineplex and a bowling alley at the top floor.

Today marks the grand opening of Tasty Asian Foodcourt on the 1st Floor. The eatery occupies the former location of Kenny Rogers Roasters. The food court serves a variety of food that should appeal to most people.

Tasty Asian Foodcourt is operated by the mall management, but food and drinks are prepared by individual vendors. Most of these vendors used to set up food stalls in front of Kompleks Bukit Jambul on weekends. Due to popular demand, the mall management decided to give them a more permanent place to sell their wares.

The first counter, Sempoi Cafe, serves a mixture of Malaysian and Western dishes. Shown here are Kari Ikan Royal, Asam Pedas and Gulai Itik. There is also a Sarawakian dish called Ayam Pansuh.

In addition, Sempoi Cafe serves Malay-style Char Koey Tiaw (RM6.50), Char Koey Kak (RM6.50) and Nasi Bombay Ayam (RM6.50) too.

The adjacent stall specializes in Malay-style Nasi Campur. Customers can select food items like kari kepala ikan (fish head curry), ikan bawal goreng (fried pomfret), sotong kembang (spicy cuttlefish), ulam (raw vegetables) and sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste).

Meanwhile, The Wrapz specializes in burgers and wraps. The signature wrap is Beef Smokey (RM9.90). As for customers who do not take beef, Chicken Rendang (RM8.90) is recommended. The Wrapz serves Mushroom Soup & Garlic Bread (RM5.90) too.

Tasty Asian Foodcourt has a counter which serves Arab food. Shown here are Hummus, Arab Salad and Thousand Island Salad. The salads are surprisingly good. Customers can also order Chicken Shawarma and Chicken Mandi from the same stall.

As for noodles, Curry Mee (RM5.00) comes with cockles, cuttlefish, fish balls, tofu puffs, yardlong beans, bean sprouts and chili paste. The curry is reasonably appetizing.

There are additional food stalls just outside Tasty Asian Foodcourt. The most popular vendor is the one selling Asam Laksa (RM5.00). This local Penang dish uses a savory fish broth infused with tamarind.

As for desserts, go for the ultimate ABC 3 Flor (RM8.00) where sweetened shaved rice is topped with 3 scoops of Oreo ice cream!

From now till 11 November 2019, Tasty Asian Foodcourt is giving RM10.00 cash vouchers to each of 20 early birds every day. In addition, customers who spend at least RM20.00 in a single receipt can redeem a cup of espresso-based coffee. This offer is only applicable on weekends between 11:00am and 3:00pm.

Tasty Asian Foodcourt operates from 11:00am to 10:00pm daily. The prices here are comparable to those of open-air hawker centers. All dishes in Tasty Asian Foodcourt are pork-free.

Name: Tasty Asian Foodcourt
Address: 1-37, Kompleks Bukit Jambul, Jalan Rumbia, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-645-6788
Business hours: 11:00am-10:00pm
Website: http://www.kbj.com.my
Coordinates: 5.33387 N, 100.29130 E
Directions: Tasty Asian Foodcourt is situated at Level 1 of Kompleks Bukit Jambul. The shopping mall has multistorey parking.

Se-Petang D’ VOUK is held in front of VOUK Hotel Suites every Wednesday. The evening food fair, which runs from 4:00pm to 7:00pm, serves a variety of local street food at very affordable prices. This weekly event is open to the public.

Wooden tables and benches allow customers to enjoy dinner in a casual manner. While waiting for food, customers can be entertained with traditional games like congkak, batu seremban and sepak raga.

Se-Petang D’ VOUK has around 10 food stalls in total. The actual dishes vary from week to week. Customers are asked to purchase food coupons from the cashier, and then proceed to the respective food stalls to collect their dishes.

The live action stalls are very popular, so do expect some waiting during peak hours. In general, the place becomes quite lively after 6:00pm. Arrive earlier if you wish to beat the crowd.

Satay is one of the crowd favorites this evening. Chicken (RM6.00 for 6 skewers) and beef (RM7.00 for 6 skewers) versions are available. Grilled to perfection, the skewered meats are typically eaten with sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce. Each serving of satay comes with complimentary nasi impit (pressed rice), cucumbers and shallots.

Rojak is a local salad dressed with a thick, savory sauce based on shrimp paste. A variety of fruits and vegetables can be used for rojak; shown here is jicama (sengkuang). Crushed peanuts are sprinkled on top for a crunchy finish.

Today’s popia comes in two versions: basah (moist) and goreng (deep-fried). Both types are filled with shredded jicama, carrots and tofu. I personally prefer the moist version.

Asam laksa (RM5.00) is the bestselling dish for the past few weeks; it is often sold out before closing. The noodle dish uses a thick broth prepared from fish, tamarind and other spices. Other ingredients are pineapples, cucumbers, shallots, lettuce and mint leaves.

The aroma of char koay teow (RM5.00) is simply irresistible. Using flat rice noodle, the stir-fried dish also includes prawns, fishcakes, bean sprouts, garlic chives and eggs.

As for desserts, Malaysians simply love ice kacang (RM3.00)! The bowl of sweetened shaved ice contains classic ingredients such as attap chee (nipa palm fruit), red beans, crushed peanuts and dried nutmeg.

Meanwhile, ais tingkap (RM3.00) is a cooling beverage made of coconut water, rose syrup and young coconut flesh. The drink also includes basil seeds that resemble frog eggs!

Although most food stalls are staffed by the VOUK’s kitchen crew, the hotel invites several outside food hawkers to sell their wares too. For instance, there is a stall from Bayan Lepas that sells apom balik. The crêpes typically contain crushed peanuts, sweet corn and sugar. Customers can also choose bizarre fillings like Oreo cookies and serunding (chicken floss).

Se-Petang D’ VOUK takes visitors on a trip down the memory lane with a plethora of old school candies. Notable examples are kacang tumbuk (贡糖), iced gem biscuits (花占饼) and haw flakes (山楂饼). These tidbits from the yesteryears are seldom seen by city dwellers nowadays.

In case of rain, Se-Petang D’ VOUK will be moved to the Hardwicke House. Throughout the evening, members of Persatuan Tongkat Putih Pulau Pinang offer back and foot massage services. Persatuan Tongkat Putih Pulau Pinang is a charitable organization that supports the visually impaired.

Name: VOUK Hotel Suites
Address: 57-G-3, Mansion One, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-370-8333
Business hours: 4:00pm-7:00pm, closed on Thursdays to Tuesdays
Website: http://www.voukhotelsuites.com.my
Coordinates: 5.42757 N, 100.32098 E
Directions: VOUK Hotel Suites is located on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, right next to Gleneagles Penang and across the road from Aroi Mak Thai Food Restaurant. Parking is available in front of Hardwicke House.

Duck Porridge & Kway Chap (鸭粥粿汁) is arguably the most popular stall among the four. It is not unusual to see a long line of people waiting in front of the stall before opening. It opens from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and is closed on Thursdays. The stall is located in front of Restoran Kimberly (汕头街权记鸭粥粿汁专卖店), which I suspect belongs to the same owner.

Kway Chap (粿汁, RM9.50 for regular portion) is what the hype is all about. The dish’s soup is stewed from duck and pork for several hours, making it extremely savory. Also important are the thin sheets of rice flour which appear like mee hoon kueh (面粉粿). The bowl of Kway Chap also comes with soy egg (卤蛋), duck meat, pork rind (skin) and pork offal (such as stomach and intestines).

Across the street and in front of Gan En Wu Tang Shui (感恩屋糖水) is another “king”, Sky Emperor Chicken Feet Koay Teow Soup (天皇鸡脚粿条汤). The stall is notable for combining koay teow soup (粿条汤) with braised chicken feet (卤鸡脚). It operates from 6:30pm to 12:00am every day.

The bowl of Chicken Meat Koay Teow Soup (鸡肉粿条汤, RM4.50 for small portion) contains chicken slices, pork liver and fish balls. The noodle is flavored by a clear soup that is prepared from pork bones. On its own, this noodle dish is rather unimpressive.

However, I recommend that you order some Chicken Feet (卤鸡脚, RM10.00 for large portion) to complement the clear soup. Stewed in sweet dark sauce, the chicken feet are truly succulent. Other savory items from this stall are braised chicken thigh (卤鸡腿), chicken wings and soy eggs.

Moving on, Char Koay Teow & Mee (炒粿条炒面) is a stall is directly in front of Sin Guat Keong (新月宫茶室). It opens from 5:00pm to 11:00pm daily. This stall should not be confused with another char koay teow stall inside the kopitiam itself.

The plate of Char Koay Teow (炒粿条炒面, RM9.00) is stir-fried with eggs, bean sprouts, garlic chives (韭菜), garlic, soy sauce and chili paste. It also contains several mantis shrimps. The shrimps have been fried upfront, so they lack the toasty aroma that I seek. If you ask me, this dish is overrated as there are many stalls elsewhere in Penang that can cook better.

Last but not least, Traditional Home Of Desserts (汕头街四果汤) sells a variety of sweet soup desserts (糖水). As a matter of fact, all neighboring shops have similar menus but this one is arguably the most popular. This dessert shop runs from 6:30pm to 12:30am and is closed on alternate Mondays.

Si Koh Soup (养生四果汤, RM4.00 for small portion) is a traditional Hokkien (Fujian) dessert. Its name refers to 4 key ingredients, namely ginkgo seeds (白果), lotus seeds (莲子), red beans (红豆) and longan (龙眼). Meanwhile, white fungus (雪耳) is optional and only costs RM1.00 more. Served in sweet syrup, Si Koh Soup can be prepared warm but the cold version is more popular.

Address: Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 5:00pm-12:30am
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The most popular hawker stall here is probably Sungai Nibong Koay Teow Th’ng (天桥下粿条汤). It is open from 6:30am to 3:00pm. The stall receives uninterrupted orders during breakfast and lunch hours. Fortunately, the noodles are cooked rather quickly. In the evening, the proprietor operates in another shop in Bayan Baru.

The soup for Koay Teow Th’ng (粿条汤, RM5.30) is very tasty as it is infused with rich flavors of pork. In addition, the minced pork is heavenly indeed. Meanwhile, the fish balls here are made from whitefin wolf herring (西刀鱼). Also included are fishcakes and egg. I cannot recommend this dish highly enough.

Pancake (曼煎糕) is also known as “apam balik” in Malay. It is made from flour dough that is cooked in a round griddle. The crêpe is topped with a variety of ingredients, and then folded over once the dough is cooked.

There are several choices of ingredients. I opted for opted for Peanut (花生, RM1.20) and Brown Sugar (黑糖, RM1.30), which are more common ingredients. More exotic choices are Peanut Butter (花生酱, RM2.20) and Cheese (芝士, RM2.70). I think the shell is thicker than it should be. It feels a bit doughy; I prefer it to be crispy.

My caffeine fix comes from a hot cup of Kopi Susu (RM1.40). The black coffee has a layer of condensed milk at the bottom. Good cup of coffee is my way to start off the day on the right foot.

Address: 247-F, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Taman Sri Nibong, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 6:30am-10:00pm, closed on Mondays
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Fisherman’s Wharf Penang (槟城渔人码头) is a large hawker center at Fortune Park. The seaside eatery was formerly known as Karpal Singh Drive Food Court & Market. Under the new management, the place has been renovated extensively and is significantly more presentable now.

Fisherman’s Wharf is very popular especially on weekends. It features around 40 individual stalls, selling nearby every hawker dish that you expect to find in Penang. Note that not all stalls are available at all times. Some stalls may start operating from 11:00am, but most are usually ready by the evening.

Apam Balik (曼煎糕) can be ordered from a stall near the entrance. The pancakes are filled with ingredients like crushed peanuts and sugar. Examples of premium ingredients are meat floss (肉丝, RM3.00) and banana & coco cream (香蕉可可, RM3.20). I like the crispiness of the thin crêpes.

Asam Laksa (叻沙, RM6.00) is Penang’s signature dish. The spicy fish broth contains tamarind (asam) to provide sourness. Besides thick rice noodle, Asam Laksa also contains shallots, ginger flower (姜花), cucumber, bird’s eye chili (cili padi) and shrimp paste (虾膏). There is a piece of cracker too.

Hong’s Curry Mee (鸿记咖哩面, RM6.50 for basic ingredients) contains pig blood curd (猪血), blood cockles (血蚶), prawns, fish balls and mint. A scoop of chili paste allows customers to customize the spiciness level. This dish has an interesting twist: customers can optionally add roast pork (烧肉) and cheese too!

Lam Mee (淋面, RM5.00) is also known as “drenched noodle”. This is the Nyonya version, which is more prevalent in Penang and differs from the version in Kuala Lumpur. To prepare Lam Mee, yellow noodle is cooked separately and is only drenched with broth afterwards.

If you are fond of pork offal, you may want to go for Koay Teow Soup With Intestines & Liver (内脏粿条汤, RM5.00). Also included are minced pork, pork slices and fish balls. Thanks to the rich broth, the noodle is delectable indeed.

Fried Dumplings (煎锅贴, RM17.00 for 10 pieces), also known as potstickers, are very popular in northern China. These pan-fried dumplings contain minced pork, cabbage, ginger and scallions.

White Cut Chicken (白斩鸡, RM7.00) differs from most chicken dishes in the fact that it is not cooked all the way. Instead, the heat source is removed as soon as the water reaches its boiling point. From then, the chicken is cooked by residual heat in the water. As a result, White Cut Chicken has juicy flesh and soft skin.

Golden Salted Egg Chicken (黄金流砂鸡, RM7.00) is one of my favorite dishes here. Chunks of chicken are coated with a savory paste made from salted egg yolks. Served over rice, the chicken is very appetizing. I cannot recommend this dish highly enough.

One of the stalls here specializes in fried noodle and fried rice. The signature dish is probably Char Hor Fun (炒河粉, RM6.00). The noodle is fried with dark sauce and then drenched with starchy egg gravy. Prawns, pork slices and choy sum (菜心) are added too.

Dry Bak Kut Teh (肉骨茶干, RM12.00) is cooked and served in a claypot. Unlike the soup version, the herbal broth is reduced to thick gravy. This makes the taste more intense. This scrumptious dish is also braised with okra (lady’s fingers) and dried chili peppers.

Yong Tau Foo (酿豆腐, RM1.50 each) comes in several forms. For instance, there are pieces of eggplant (brinjals) and tofu that are stuffed with fish paste. At this stall, the fish paste is made from a type of fish called Bombay duck (豆腐鱼). According to the proprietor, the homemade fish paste does not contain preservatives or borax.

Pork Trotters Vinegar (猪脚醋, RM15.00) is a Cantonese remedy for women who are undergoing postnatal recovery. Stewed for several hours with rice vinegar and ginger, the stew attains a distinctive taste which pleases the palate.

Speaking of herbal remedies, there is another stall which offers a variety of herbals soups like Black Bean Pork Tail Soup (药材黑豆猪尾汤, RM10.00), Ginseng Herbal Soup (洋参须鸡汤, RM10.00), Dang Shen Bei Qi Chicken Soup (党参北芪鸡汤, RM10.00) and more. Each serving comes with a bowl of rice.

Pasembur is a local Penang street food dressed with sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce. The salad contains a variety of ingredients such as keropok udang (prawn fritters, RM4.00), telur rebus (hard-boiled eggs, RM1.00), tauhu (tofu, RM1.00), ubi kentang (potatoes, RM2.00), and jicama and cucumber (RM2.00).

Sup Kambing (RM7.00) is extremely rich in taste. Inside the soup are succulent chunks of mutton. Mutton has been cooked reasonably long until it becomes very tender. Since this is an extremely “heaty” food, remember drink plenty of water afterwards.

Roti Tissue (RM4.00) is a spectacular sight at mamak stalls. Standing 2 feet in height, the flatbread uses the same dough as Roti Canai but it is rolled into a cone. Chocolate sauce is drizzled on top. Roti Tissue is named so because the crêpe is thin like tissue paper.

Belacan Fried Rice (ข้าวผัดกะปิ, RM7.00) can be ordered from the Thai food stall. The fried rice is flavored with savory shrimp paste (กะปิ), making it tasty and aromatic. Side dishes include fried prawns, roasted pork (หมูย่าง), sliced omelette, unripe mango salad (ตำมะม่วง) and onions.

Still on the topic of Thai food, the fiery Tom Yam (ต้มยำ, RM7.00) is guaranteed to put your taste buds on fire. The noodle dish also contains fried fish fillet, which I find very delectable. Instead of Tom Yam, customers can alternatively request for Fish Soup or Sour & Spicy Soup.

If you are fond of seafood, be sure to try the Fisherman Wok Bake Crabs (渔夫干锅烤蟹, RM60.00 per kilogram). The ideal way to highlight the brown crabs‘ freshness is by not using any gravy. A hammer is provided to crack their tough shells.

Dry Chili Frog (宫保田鸡, RM17.00) is another exquisite delicacy. The frogs are cooked with dried chili peppers and ginger. Although the taste is not too spicy, this dish still delights my taste buds.

Next, the barbecue platter comprises of BBQ Pork Ribs (口琴骨, RM16.00 per serving), BBQ Squid (烧烤苏东, RM28.00 each) and Duck Leg Wrap (秘制鸭脚包, RM3.50 each, RM10.00 for 3 pieces). All items are marinated in-house. For the BBQ Squid, the actual serving size is larger than the one shown below.

Colonial Hailam Chicken Chop (RM9.90) is a local adaptation of Western-style fried chicken with Asian-style onion gravy. A slice of garlic bread allows one to mop up any remaining gravy. The meal also comes with free mushroom soup.

Pizza Mix Seafood (RM20.00) uses a moderately thin crust, which is neither too crispy nor doughy. The crust is covered by a layer of molten cheese, and then followed by various seafood toppings. The pizzas here are available in take-away boxes.

One of the stalls sells a variety of Japanese dishes. Ironically, the most popular dish here is a Westernized Japanese dish (洋食), Spicy Cheese Butter Chicken (スパイシーチキンカツ, RM11.00). The deep-fried chicken cutlet is covered with cheese and Japanese spice mix (七味唐辛子). It also comes with rice, miso soup (味噌汁) and salad.

Korean food is available at Fisherman’s Wharf too. Seafood Pancake (해물전, RM12.00) is a popular Korean food that is often eaten as a side dish (반찬). Unfortunately, the Korean pancake is not as flavorful as I hoped it to be. Perhaps it would be good to allow customers to customize the amount of seasoning.

As for Middle Eastern food, Mr. Majd serves several types of shawarma (شاورما‎) and manakeesh (مناقيش‎). Shawerma Special (RM15.00) is suitable to be shared around the table. Using pita bread as the base, it is topped with grilled chicken and molten cheese. The snack resembles a thin-crust pizza.

3D Jelly (RM28.00) is extremely time-consuming to prepare but it is undisputedly visually appealing. The handcrafted jelly comes in several flavors like passion fruit, blackcurrant and coconut cream. Not all flavors are available, so prior booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

As for kuih, customers can sample an assortment of local favorites such as Kuih Sago (沙谷糕), Pulut Tai Tai (咖椰糯米糕) and White Sugar Sponge Cake (白糖糕). Pulut Tai Tai is usually eaten with kaya (coconut jam). In addition, I also love Chai Kueh (菜粿). These steamed dumplings are filled with garlic chives (韭菜) or jicama (沙葛).

Moving on to desserts, Ais Kacang (红豆冰, RM5.00) and Cendol (煎蕊, RM4.00) are clearly local favorites. The former contains ingredients like attap chee (亚答子), grass jelly, kidney beans, creamed corn and crushed peanuts. The dessert also comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The signature Iced Lemon Tea here contains a blue layer at the bottom. The coloring is naturally derived from butterfly-pea flowers (蝶豆花). The drink’s citrus tanginess is perfect for quenching thirst especially during a hot afternoon.

With so many stalls at Fisherman’s Wharf, there is really no shortage of choices for people from all walks of life. As for visitors to Penang, this place offers a great opportunity to sample Penang’s diverse hawker fare under one roof. But unlike tourist traps in downtown George Town, the food pricing here is more affordable.

Fisherman’s Wharf has a large parking space in front, making it very convenient for customers. In addition, the promenade adjacent to the hawker center is also a scenic place to take a walk in the evening.

Name: Fisherman’s Wharf Penang (槟城渔人码头)
Address: 92A, Lebuh Sungai Pinang 1, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-404-0265
Business hours: 11:00am-2:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/fishermanswharfpenang
Coordinates: 5.39389 N, 100.32585 E
Directions: Fisherman’s Wharf is located next to the sea at Fortune Park. There are plenty of parking spaces in front of the hawker center. Parking is free of charge.

Restaurant House Of Food (好口福美食中心) is a modest hawker center at Taman Bandaraya, Bukit Mertajam. It is within a short distance from St. Anne’s Church. There are around 10 stalls serving various hawker fare. It is not uncommon to see the place packed with customers on weekends.

Marcellus Famous Chicken Rice (麦思乐著名传统烧腊饭) is the flagship stall here. In lieu of rice, customers can order homemade egg noodle (手工全蛋面) instead. The noodle is of premium quality as it contains high egg content. In fact, the springy noodle does not have any unpleasant taste of lye water (碱水).

At Marcellus, the choices of meat include char siew (叉烧), roast pork (烧肉), roast chicken (烧鸡) and chicken feet (凤爪). The noodle also comes with a bowl of soup. The type of soup varies daily; today it is carrot and onion soup. Meanwhile, the stall’s chili sauce is homemade and is based on Marcellus’ own formula.

Speaking of homemade food, the Lor Bak (卤肉) uses pork slices (肉片) as opposed to minced pork (肉碎). As a result, the snack feels quite dense. Lor Bak is seasoned with five-spice powder (五香粉), wrapped with tofu skin (豆腐皮), and then deep-fried to golden crispiness.

Another stall here serves Hokkien Mee (福建面). The broth is prepared from pork bones and shrimps. Also included in the spicy broth are shrimps, sliced pork, hard-boiled egg, water spinach and fried shallots. Chili paste is provided separately in a spoon. The same stall also serves Dry Hokkien Mee (福建面干) and Loh Mee (卤面).

Kee Mei Siew Pow (奇美烧包) is a famous Cantonese pastry shop in Seremban. Restaurant House Of Food is one its distributors here in Penang. There are two types of siew pow (烧包): chicken and pork. As soon as the buns leave the oven, their fragrance is simply mouthwatering.

As for Mummy Fish Head Soup (妈咪鱼头汤), the fish is supplied by the proprietor’s relatives who are fishermen in Kuala Kurau, Perak. The choices of fish are leather jack (鸡肉鱼), silver pomfret (白鲳), barramundi (金目鲈) and more. Deep-fried fish is also available. The fish’s freshness is guaranteed. If it falls short of customer’s expectation, the proprietor is willing to replace it with a new bowl.

Mummy Fish Head Soup is prepared from fish head and meat stock. No chicken is used. Despite its rich taste, the soup is pretty soothing to the palate. The soup is meant to go with white rice. Alternatively, the stall also offers porridge and rice vermicelli (米粉) versions.

Koay Teow Soup (粿条汤) is essentially flat rice noodle (粿条) in pork-based soup. The springy fish balls are made from whitefin wolf herring (西刀鱼). Other ingredients are minced pork and fishcakes. The dry version of this dish is also available.

Prepacked Nasi Lemak is prepared too but is often sold out early in the day. Wrapped in banana leaf, the savory rice retains its moisture and absorbs some aroma from the leaf. Essential ingredients for Nasi Lemak are sambal (chili paste), ikan bilis (anchovies) and hard-boiled egg.

Should customers prefer more dishes, Nasi Lemak is also available à la carte. Today’s dishes include curry chicken, chili prawns, fried fish and fried okra (lady’s fingers).

At Restaurant House Of Food, Nutmeg Juice (豆蔻) is sourced from Balik Pulau. Red nutmeg juice is prepared by boiling nutmeg seeds, while white nutmeg comes from blended nutmeg. The drink’s unique taste gives it superb thirst-quenching properties.

In addition, Restaurant House Of Food also serves Char Koay Teow (炒粿条), Hong Kong Dim Sum (港式点心) and Pau (包点). The above-mentioned dishes are generally available until 4:00pm. In the evening, the restaurant serves Chinese stir-fried dishes (煮炒). Some of the signature dishes are Braised Pork Knuckles (红烧猪脚筋), Indonesian Curry Prawns With Bread (面包印尼虾) and Nyonya Steamed Fish (娘惹蒸鱼).

Name: Restaurant House Of Food (好口福美食中心)
Address: 2, Lorong Sepakat 1, Taman Sepakat, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-408-1866
Business hours: 7:00am-11:00pm, closed on alternate Wednesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/marcellusfamouschickenrice
Coordinates: 5.34963 N, 100.47947 E
Directions: From Taman Sentosa, drive west on Jalan Kulim towards Kulim. After passing St. Anne’s Church on the left, turn right at the next traffic lights. Restaurant House Of Food is the first shop around the corner.

The open-air hawker center consists of three rows of shops under one roof. Maxwell Food Centre has over 100 stalls that sell largely Chinese hawker fare, but there are also some food from other ethnicities.

The most popular stall here is Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (天天海南鸡饭) at lots # 10 and # 11. It is open from 10:00am to 8:00pm but is closed on Mondays. During lunchtime, it is not uncommon to see a long queue in front of the shop. One way to explain Tian Tian’s popularity is that it has been visited by celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Anthony Bourdain.

The signature dish here is the Hainanese Steamed Chicken (香滑白鸡, SGD12.00 for half chicken). The main satisfaction comes from its skin that has jelly-like softness. In addition, the chicken’s flesh is smooth and tender. The steamed chicken is served with light soy sauce and coriander.

A serving of Spare Parts (内脏, SGD3.00) consists of chicken liver and gizzard. I feel that it lacks the strong taste of chicken offal that I expect. You can skip this entirely unless you are particularly fond of innards.

The chicken rice (香油饭, SGD0.80) is reasonably nice but it is possible to find similar quality in Malaysia. One interesting observation is that the rice grains are mostly whole. Meanwhile, the chili sauce is somewhat lackluster; this is an area that deserves improvement.

Another popular stall (judging by the queue length) is Yi Jia Teochew Fish Porridge & Fish Soup (一家潮州鱼粥鱼汤) at lot # 66. The Pomfret Porridge (鲳鱼粥, SGD5.00) is prepared using fish stock. Unlike Cantonese-style porridge, the Teochew version has rice grains that are still intact. Included in the porridge are pieces of silver pomfret (白鲳). The condiments are fermented soybean paste (豆酱) and ginger slivers (姜丝). Although this dish is fairly tasty, I think that it does not justify the long wait.

Stall # 56 is the only stall at Maxwell Food Centre which sells Rojak (啰惹, SGD3.00). This salad is a mixture of pineapple, jicama (芒光), cucumber, youtiao (油条), tofu puff (豆卜), bean sprouts and crushed peanuts. Ginger flower (姜花) is an ingredient that is seldom used in other rojak stalls. The Rojak is dressed in sweet-spicy sauce based on shrimp paste (虾膏).

Meanwhile, stall # 57 sells soupy desserts such as Peanut Soup (花生汤, SGD1.00). Compared to Peanut Paste (花生糊), Peanut Soup is more watery and has visible pieces of peanuts. Also included are thin slices of youtiao (油条). For SGD1.00 more, the Peanut Soup comes with four pieces of tangyuan (汤圆) that contain sweet peanut paste (花生酱) or black sesame paste (黑芝麻酱).

The same stall also serves Tau Suan (豆宣, SGD1.00). This warm dessert consists of mung beans suspended in thick syrup. Due to its starchy consistency, this dessert is quite filling. If you are new to Tau Suan, I suggest that you give it a try.

Maxwell Food Centre is packed with customers during lunch hours. I notice that regular patrons have the practice of reserving seats using personal belongings. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the peak hours if you can. Customers are expected to clear their own dishes after eating, or hand them over to one of the elderly attendants.

Address: 1 Kadayanallur Street, Singapore 069184
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 5:30am-8:30pm

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Old Georgetown Cafe (乔治市咖啡店) is a small hawker center at Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong. It is just across the pedestrian bridge from Komtar Walk. The eatery comprises of three shops that have been combined as one.

An attap-thatched stall towards the back of the shop is Balik Pulau Nyonya Asam Laksa (浮罗娘惹阿参叻沙). This stall sells several types of Nyonya laksa with prices ranging from RM5.00 to RM15.00. In addition, the stall also sells lobak (卤肉) and prawn cutlet (虾煎).

The most eye-catching dish here is Coconut Laksa (椰子叻沙, RM15.00). It is essentially Nyonya laksa that is served in a hollowed coconut. Coconut flesh is scraped so that it imparts its sweetness more thoroughly. The stall claims that it hails from Balik Pulau but I have not encountered any similar dishes during my visit there.

The fish broth contains thick rice noodle, mackerel, pineapple, cucumber, ginger flower (姜花), onion, red chili pepper (红辣椒), bird’s eye chili (小辣椒) and mint leaf (薄荷叶). Shrimp paste (虾膏) and prawn cutlets are added on top. Compared to asam laksa, the Nyonya version relies on richness of coconut milk.

After having a spicy meal, I ordered a bowl of Cendol (煎蕊, RM2.80). This slushy dessert is made from shaved ice, coconut milk and gula melaka (palm sugar). It also contains red beans and green jelly noodle.

Other stalls at Old Georgetown Cafe serve Hokkien Prawn Mee (福建虾面), Satay and other local favorites. The lighting here is attractive but I feel that the place is not so well-ventilated. By the way, there is a photo opportunity at the alley beside the shop. This alley leads to Lebuh Keng Kwee where the famous Teochew Chendul is located.

Address: 268, Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 019-870-7074
Business hours: 8:00am-12:00am, closed on Tuesdays

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Update: This business has ceased its operations.

The Saw Emporium is a historical building at the Seven Streets Precinct of George Town. Adjacent to Macallum Connoisseurs, this building was formerly a sawmill – the first of its kind in Penang. To keep up with the times, the owner is repurposing this prime piece of real estate in several phases.

A year of planning and preparation culminated in Swallow – A Pecking Paradise. This novel dining concept will be held for around 6 months; future development depends on the public’s response. The management has handpicked several intriguing eateries to be hosted under one roof. Swallow’s concept revolves around casual dining with emphasis on finger foods that can be easily shared around the table.

For its inauguration, Swallow is housed in the warehouse across the main building. This rectangular structure has been refurbished to accommodate the new dining concept while still preserving its original character. At each of its four corners is a resident eatery with its respective kitchen. The center of the dining hall is where drinks are sold. In the evening, a live band performs to keep the ambience lively.

Weather permitting, diners may opt for al fresco dining in the evening. A long wooden table, 5 meters in length, forms the focal point of the courtyard. The table is constructed from two pieces of timber that were formerly workbenches in the sawmill. While taking advantage of the soothing breeze, diners are also mesmerized by the alluring lighting overhead.

Most tables and chairs at the courtyard are sponsored by Kian, a contract furniture designer which specializes in residential and commercial settings. Some of Kian’s furniture products are intelligent. An example is the solar-powered picnic table. Solar cells on its umbrella are used to generate power for LED lighting and USB charging ports.

One of the eateries at Swallow is Teppei Syokudo (哲平食堂), which literally means “Teppei’s cafeteria”. The menu is crafted by Chef Yamashita Teppei who owns several Japanese eateries in Singapore such as Man Man (鰻満). Chef Teppei specializes in omakase (お任せ) dinners and rice bowls (ちらし寿司).

Popular dishes on Teppei Syokudo’s menu are Ten Don (天丼, RM28.00), Chicken Nanban (チキン南蛮, RM16.00), Salmon Teriyaki (鮭照り焼き, RM24.00), Japanese Pork Curry (カツカレー, RM20.00) and Edamame (枝豆, RM6.00).

Soi 55 Modern Thai Food offers contemporary interpretations of Thai cuisine by incorporating modern elements into traditional Thai recipes. Its signature fusion dishes include Garlic-Scented Fried Chicken Wings (RM15.50), Sesame Prawn Toast (RM15.50) and Crispy Thai Mango Salad (ตำมะม่วง, RM15.50).

Meanwhile, Embers is a Western steakhouse that uses Asian-style marinades and condiments. The gas-fired barbecue grill supplies a steady flow of roasted meats. A carnivore’s favorite is Grilled Aussie Beef Bavette (RM28.00). Inspired by a similar Chinese dish of ginger and scallion, the beef is grilled instead of being stir-fried.

Slow Braised Pork Belly (RM21.00) is a sound choice too. The juicy slices of pork belly are glazed with thick soy sauce, presenting a combination of salty and savory flavors. The dish is sprinkled with crushed peanuts, and then garnished with coriander.

Charred Prawns (RM28.00) is renowned for its buttery aroma especially while the dish is hot from the grill. The plump shrimps are roasted with their shells intact, allowing the flesh underneath to be cooked by indirect heat. Lemon juice and kimchi butter contribute in the taste department.

Moving on to beverages, Taps Beer Bar is the largest craft beer distributor in Malaysia. There are 47 different labels on display this evening – probably the largest collection in Penang yet. In lieu of commercial beer, craft beers provide alternative choices to beer enthusiasts who appreciate unconventional brewing techniques and complexity of flavors.

Taps sources its beers from microbreweries in many countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, United States, Australia and Japan. Besides operating several stores in Klang Valley, Taps also supplies craft beer to other restaurants, cafés and bars. Shown here is a bottle of Harviestoun’s Bitter & Twisted Golden Ale. Brewed in Scotland, this refreshing beer carries a hint of zesty citrus.

If beer is not your cup of tea, Qwenchers Beverage Bar offers non-alcoholic options such as fresh juices, milkshakes and soda drinks. Selected drinks from the juice bar are Ron Weasley (RM13.00), Grapefruit Greatness (RM10.00) and Lemon Lime Fizz (RM10.00).

Moving on to desserts, Utterly Ice Cream specializes in homemade ice cream, cakes and cookies. Its biggest hit is the D24 Durian with an actual piece of Musang King durian on top. This premium delicacy gives the ultimate gratification that any durian lover can ask for. Meanwhile, 62% Dark Chocolate is suitable for people who love the bitterness of rich cocoa. Besides this store in Swallow, Utterly Ice Cream also operates a kiosk in Gurney Paragon Mall.

In summary, Swallow offers a unique dining experience that is unheard of in Penang. The place is currently open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (4 days a week). The management is constantly seeking new restaurants to work with, so expect to see new additions from time to time.

Name: Swallow – A Pecking Paradise
Address: 1, Gat Lebuh Macallum, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-388-9877
Business hours: 10:00am-12:00am, closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/TheSawEmporium
Coordinates: 5.40823 N, 100.33146 E
Directions: Swallow is located along Macallum Street Ghaut (Gat Lebuh Macallum), adjacent to Macallum Connoisseurs and directly opposite of T+ Hotel. Customers can park their vehicles at the private parking lot next to Jalan C.Y. Choy.

Kim Tan Garden Cafe (盛满园饮食坊) is an al fresco (open-air) hawker center at Auto-City. Formerly called Xuan Garden (轩庄), the place has been given a new lease of life with substantial landscaping and beautification. The ambience is particularly romantic after sunset, especially with lighted Chinese lanterns dotting the treetops.

The place is well-maintained and is reasonably clean despite its outdoor setting. Dining tables, made from solid wood, are arranged in well-ventilated gazebos and lean-to shacks. The latter is decorated with wine pots of various sizes, giving the impression of a classical Chinese tavern (客栈) that is commonly featured in martial art movies.

The drinks counter offers all sorts of drinks that one would expect at a hawker center. But instead of taking shortcuts, the proprietor opts to prepare drinks from scratch. For example, green tea is brewed from actual tea leaves as opposed to powdered tea. Rojak (RM4.00) also comes from the drinks counter. The rojak uses shrimp paste (虾膏) dressing with youtiao (油条), crushed peanuts and several types of fresh fruits.

One of the most popular stalls here is Kim Papa Curry Seafood (咖喱海鲜). Similar to the dining style at Paper Lobster, cooked seafood is spread over a large sheet of banana leaf on the tabletop. The seafood is cooked in savory gravy, resulting in mouthwatering aroma as soon as food reaches the table. Despite being spicy, the gravy tantalizes the palate with its sweet, pleasant flavor.

The basic package (RM60.00) comprises of one brown crab (肉蟹), 6 to 8 pieces of large shrimps, clams (蛤蜊), squid rings, corn on the cob, potatoes and okra (lady’s fingers). These ingredients make excellent use of the gravy. The seafood is extremely fresh because it is sourced from the market every morning. In fact, crabs are kept alive until orders are placed.

The basic package is ideal for 2 persons. For larger parties, just add RM30.00 per person so that food portion will be increased proportionately. Each person is given 4 pieces of homemade mantou (馒头). Although gloves are provided, don’t hesitate to use your bare hands. After all, the food is finger lickin’ good.

If you are not craving for seafood today, check out Ah Hean Bak Kut Teh (阿贤肉骨茶, RM13.90). Served in a claypot, the stew consists of pork delicacies such as pork ribs (猪排骨), pork belly (五花肉), pork intestines (粉肠), pork stomach (猪肚) and pork meatballs (猪肉丸).

The herbal soup is infused with medicinal goodness of 32 different herbs including red dates (红枣), wolfberries (枸杞), American ginseng (洋参), poor man’s ginseng (党参), dong quai (当归), Szechuan lovage (川芎), scented Solomon’s seal (玉竹) and Chinese liquorice (甘草). As tempting as it is, go easy with the soup because your body may not be able to cope with such strong herbal essences.

Meanwhile, there is a Thai stall which specializes in Lemongrass Fish Head Steamboat (香茅鱼头火锅, RM35.00).

Heated by glowing charcoal inside a metal claypot, the milky soup is loaded with John’s snapper (红皂), taro (芋头) and tofu skin (腐皮). I like the rich taste of the soup to the last drop.

Another special dish from the same stall is Pattaya-Style Vegetable Fern Salad (巴提亚巴菇菜, RM15.00). The vegetable is called “pucuk paku” in Malay and is commonly eaten in Southeast Asia. Pucuk paku is stir-fried with onions and garnished with crispy strips of squid. The tangy seasoning is somewhat similar to som tam (ส้มตำ) in Thai cuisine.

Crispy Fried Squid (脆炸苏东, RM15.00) is a scrumptious dish indeed; once you get started, there is no turning back. The crispy batter enhances the squid’s freshness but does not attempt to steal the limelight.

Spicy & Creamy Clams (奶辣咖巴, RM15.00) is stir-fried with unique yogurt-like sauce. Flavored with curry leaves and bird’s eye chili, this clam dish is worth trying especially if you love to spice things up.

I personally recommend the Fried Bitter Gourd With Salted Egg (咸蛋炒苦瓜, RM15.00). The salted egg coating provides scrumptious crisp, making this dish so appealing to my palate. Bitter gourd is cut into thin slices to prevent its bitterness from ruining the overall taste. In fact, I initially thought that the slices were made from eggplant.

As for desserts, another stall called “I Love Special Pancake” (我爱加料曼煎糕) sells various types of “ban chean kuih” (曼煎糕). The batter for this Nyonya-style crispy pancake is made from flour and eggs. A thin layer of batter is applied to the surface of a hot pan, causing it to solidify into a crispy shell.

The shell is typically filled with crushed peanuts, sweet corn and sugar, and then folded over like a taco. Other popular fillings are banana slices and chocolate sauce (RM3.00).

Kim Tan Garden Cafe has around 18 stalls in total, so these dishes are only the tip of the iceberg. This hawker center is certainly a hidden gem at Auto-City because it is still not well known outside the local neighborhood.

Name: Kim Tan Garden Cafe (盛满园饮食坊)
Address: FK, Jalan Perusahaan, Auto-City, 13600 Juru, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 012-470-0571
Business hours: 6:00pm-12:00am, closed on 1st Monday of the month
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Tan-Garden-Kafe-588721081309343
Coordinates: 5.33694 N, 100.42638 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head west. Turn right at the end of the road, and then take the next left turn to arrive at Auto-City. Kim Tan Garden Cafe is located behind Shop-In D’ Park. The closest parking lot to the hawker center can be reached by crossing the bridge behind Pizza Hut. Parking is free of charge.