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Saturday, 20 October 2012

Info Post
Penang Island - George Town*updated 04March2013
GMT +8

To Do On Penang Island
"A place to find the art of doing nothing, and to do it slowly. Relax and enjoy."


Must Do 
(Attractions Organized Geographically
from the Northern Tip to the Southern End of Penang Island) 
Penang Butterfly Farm
A well maintained enclosure with a variety of free roaming butterflies. Fruits and nectar pods encourage butterflies to rest and dine, a perfect setup for budding photographers.
It also has a wide selection of, exotic live and preserved insects, small reptilians in its enclosures as well as a great interactive, touch and feel presentation, educating the public on large stick and leaf insects as well as giant millipedes.

Located a drive past Batu Ferringhi shopping stretch and easy to find with large signages pointing to Penang Butterfly Farm. 

Click here for ABBA location of Penang Butterfly Farm No. 830, Jalan Teluk Bahang
Click here fro ABBA details of Penang Butterfly Farm

Penang Toy Museum
(NOW CLOSED!!)

 This unassuming bunker, has a respectively large collection of toys and large statue busts, replicas. Some of the toys on display go far back with one-hit-wonders like, Biker Mice From Mars, and some classics, like ghostbusters. Almost all genres are represented in this space.
Worth a look for those looking to reminisce.
Click here for Review from Trip Advisor
Caution: It has however have a for-lease signage which may either mean a complete closing down or under new management.

Batu Ferringhi

*images taken from internetStreet side vendors selling anything and everything. From faux clothing brands, watches, toys, bootleg DVDs and music CDs, to bags, side lamps and various trinkets. It's all about the Barter Game and who gives in first.

A great variety of products, colorful atmosphere and good food along the stretch to keep you entertained. Open from night till late.
Click here for ABBA location of Batu Ferringhi

Penang Botanical Gardens
Looking for a nature walk and hike and see wildlife? By that I mean be prepared to be hounded by very bold and daring monkeys which roam the grounds.

You can purchase peanuts from the vendors outside the park to feed the monkeys, but once inside, be very careful as these wild monkeys may snatch at the peanut bags when you are not looking. They recognize food containers, so either keep them concealed or hidden from sight.

Overall a fun experience, just be aware of the risks and be smart in concealing your packaging. They will leave you along when you have nothing left to give.
also see Batik Factory Outlet
Batik is synonymous with Malaysia. Take a look at the intricate process of batik printing and painting at this factory outlet. Free entry. Located along road entry into Penang Botanical Gardens.

Kay Lok Si
A giant goddess of mercy statue, stands overlooking Air Hitam, offering patrons and worshippers alike a panoramic view of Penang.

Prangin Mall, Komtar

The malls are interconnected via aero-bridges and have a wide range of offerings.
Prangin mall offers many non-mainstream brand clothings as well as bootleg DVD and PC softwares on the top floor, with some dedicated computer shops.
Adjacent to Prangin is ICT digital mall @ Komtar to fulfill the rest of your computer and digital needs, from original to third party batteries, branded cameras, LED lighting solutions and much more. It is still under construction to have the entire building fully operational. 

A revival attemp of the once crowning glory that which was Komtar, the tallest point in the city center. 
Click here for ABBA location of Komtar malls, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, 10100 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia 

Penang Snake Temple
*Pictures from internet source
As the name suggests, a temple filled with non-venomous tree snakes. A definite unique experience as you are free to touch and stroke these unattended snakes which litter the temple grounds.

and of course To EAT
*Disclaimer: These are all personal preferences,
and nicknames of the place are what we call them.

But food is definitely Awesome!
A foodies haven! In Penang, Penangknights are their own best food critics. It is through the spread of reputation and reviews, which guarantee only the best foods in Penang survive and stay open. You are pretty much assured great hawker food wherever you go.

Below, are a few of the many, many great eats in Penang and have listed down by area, from the Northern End to the Southern Tip. 

Focusing largely on the signature dishes, that are definitely worth  the pilgrimage. Most of the great hawker foods all have some back story to them, which adds that much more history and color to the dining experience.


"The Floating Mosque"
Home cooked Muslim food. Simply grab a plate of rice, and dish for yourself whatever dishes they have for the day. From Beef Rendang to Spiced Squids and curried Vegetables, all of which have great flavor. Prices are calculated by the staff at the counter.
What is their pricing policy? Like many other self service pick and choose, no one has an idea but food always taste great.
ABBA insight: It is said that during the tsunami, which hit George town in Dec of 2004, this floating mosque' which stands protruding out into the waters, was miraculously found to be completely untouched or damaged by the event. 
Click here for ABBA location of The Floating Mosque

"Uncle Burger"
 
Famous Uncle burger serves up chicken/beef patties with options of cheese and egg and a generous heap of beautifully caramelized onions between two large soft sweet buns. The perfect balance of ingredients and a handful of sinful delight.
People will make the pilgrimage from the southern most tip of Penang, to the Northern tip in Tanjong Bungah just to queue for Uncle Burger. Go for the works, it's absolutely worth a meal or a late night snack. He also serves hotdogs, split down the middle to get extra caramelization when fried on the hot pan.
When asked why they weren't open the previous day, their reply was," We don't take holidays, only as and when needed"Open from Evenings till late.

Viva Food Heaven
Worth a mention at Viva, are the Oyster Omelets, cooked with local sweet oysters, served alongside a semi-sour chili sauce, a perfect pairing. The other foods stalls are pretty good ad well and even the Japanese stall serving Sashimi Makis weren't too bad either.

Located beside the Chinese swimming club, this collection of hawker food fare, span from Western, Indian, Fusion, Purely Penang and much more. It is one of the many food centers, generously spread all over Penang Island to feed the foodies. Open afternoon and mostly evenings till late. 
Click here for ABBA location  of Viva Food Heaven, Lot 303,Jalan Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Tanjong Tokong, Penang, Malaysia

Street eats:
Roti Bak Kua (Sweet soft bread with BBQ sweet pork.) 
Roti Bak Kua is a great street snack. Steamy soft sweet buns, lathered in sweet sauce, topped with charcoal cooked Bak Kua. A simple street snack that brings back tons of memories.
ABBA insight: Back in the day, Roti Ba Kua used to be bought along side Cachang Puteh (an assortment of nuts) before watching any movie. What popcorn is to cinemas, was Roti Bah Kua.


Ban Chan Gui
(Crispy Peanut Pancake with assortment of condiments)
Another favorite snack of mine is Ban Chan Gui. With original fillings of sugar and peanuts, plain or with addition of jar gong (sweet corn).
Overtime variants have sprung up with options of white or brown sugar (a much more fragrant sweetness) and an assortment of fillings.
Some concoctions gaining popularity are the chocolate and banana with brown sugar which have garnered great reviews.
ABBAtip: The Best way to enjoy Ban Chan Gui is to open a tab and devour them fresh off the stove. Pay after you've had your fill. Having it packed to go, will often leave them soggy and disappointing.

"Under The Tree"
This by the roadside store is has an array of home cooked, largely Chinese dishes. You can have your pick of home cooked foods and staff on hand will charge accordingly.

The bonus of eating here are the other supporting stalls which are the Penang Laksa, Dessert Stalls, Curry Mee, Ice Kanchang and other miscellaneous, all convenientlylocated under big trees. A nice place to have home cooked food and still not miss on other old time Penang favorites.
Click here for ABBA Location of Under The Tree, located at the end of Jalan Fettes
Komtar Area (Main City Area)
Click here for ABBAlocation of Komtar Area


Sin Seow Fong Lye Coffee Shop
(Macalister Lane)

Chee Cheong Fun.
ABBAInsight: The Chee Cheong Fun business is all kept in the family. One of the three stalls located around Penang. The other is found in Chowrasta Market, review below. 
The other operates at Fatty's area, in the coffee shop beside Roti Ba Kua, reviewed above. 
Carrot Cake here are also a must try. Done Penang Style with fat carrot cake, cooked to a crisp on its sides, done either in black sauce with or without chilli.


Chowrasta Market: Kedai Kopi Soon Yuen
The star is the silky smooth Chee Cheong Fun. It is one of the three shop lots located in the town area, which are all run by the family. Their half roll and chop technique ensure the right amount of both prawn and chilli sauces to adequately cote it's silky smooth rice rolls.  You can also have it plain, with oil, light soy sauce and sesame seeds which tastes equally good.
One of the other stalls is at Macallister Lane, reviewd above. Their Wan Tan Mee, Kway Teow Teng and Curry Mee here are really good too. 

Chowrasta Market is also the community market for the area. Be amongst the people in the morning as Penangknights get their catches of the day and groceries for the week.
Click here for ABBA location of Kedai Kopi Soon Yuen Coffee Shop
 
"The Famous Cendol"
 Cendol is a sweet dessert. Ice shavings, with string like green jelly, served with red bean in coconut milk and the right balance of gula melaka (palm sugar). 


"Sky Hotel Char Siew"
 
The Best Char Siew (BBQ Meat) in town. Right amount of caramelization, smokey carbon bits, and juicy, fatty morsels spread throughout the meat. Fantastic. 
ABBAinsight: Hugely popular. They will not allow others to buy up the whole char siew. By 11am, everyone will be waiting for their serves. Just make your order and the Uncle at the store can remember every order. Seconds are a definate must.  
Da Jie Xi Cafe
- Assam Stingray -

Economy RiceMust try Assam Stingray. I must say it is one of the most fragrant ones I've ever had. Other curries and side dishes are available. Pick and choose what you want but the winner here is definitely the stingray.

Keat Seng Restaurant
Opens mostly in the evenings and must tries:
- Seafood/Meat Haw Fun-
*pictured center


A mix of Beehoon along with fat white noodles. The Hawfun here has a distinct fragrant char from being wok fried by huge flames, coupled with its starchy soup broth and egg topping, great joys on one small plate.
- Ikan Bakar BBQ seafood-
*food stall in Keat Seng

Malay style hot plate seafood and vegetable dishes done just right.
Ordered stingray and Kachang Bottle (four cornered vegetable) with Ocra/Ladies Fingers vegetable dish.
Stingray had the right amount of caramelization, with just the right amount of dry curry spiced rub, to not be overpowering on the taste buds.
Kachang Bottle was cooked well, without leaving any green leafy after-taste. Fried with chilli padi, charlottes, fragrant hei bi hiam (prawn paste) and garlic. The crunch and sweetness of the Kachang Bottle along with Okra and spices worked well together.
- Other must eats at this food center are the thick Porridge with deep fried pig intestines, Lor Bak Store, and Curry Mee. 
Click here for ABBA location of Keat Seng Restaurant along Jalan Air Putih 

"By the River - Nasi Kandar"
(Indian Muslim Cuisine)
An array of spiced dishes are there for your choosing. Each curry, rich in flavor and distinctly different in aromas and tastes from the other. Located across a small bridge, by a very small, slow-flowing water stream, in Kedai Kopi Joo Heng Coffee Shop.
Click here for ABBA location of By The River, Kedai Kopi Joo Heng Coffee Shop



Red Tea House Dim Sum
Available only in the mornings opening from 6am-12pm. A wide array of Dim Sum available for your pickings at reasonable prices. A great breakfast/brunch location for everyone. Pick what you want or choose from the push cart as it comes along.
Click here for ABBA location of Red Tea House Dim Sum, located Opposite Sunshine Farlim(old), Fortune Court, Jalan Thean Tek, 11500 AIR ITAM, PENANG N5 23.898 E100 17.261

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