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Monday, October 1, 2012

A Taste of Penang


By Heather Michaud

A one of the more storied and colourful destinations you can fly to for a weekend getaway from Singapore is the island of Penang, off the west coast of Malaysia.  Recognized along with Melaka as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, the historic heart of George Town is full of exuberantly ornate temples and charming shophouses.  These provide the backdrop for what is undoubtedly the most popular pastime in Penang: EATING.

My husband and I traveled to Penang in early September and the Hungry Ghost festival was in full swing, with Chinese clans laying out spreads of food and incense burning in the alleyways to appease their ancestors. 

We were guided on our culinary quest for street food by our foodie friends and bloggers…and our eyes and noses.  Talk to anyone in Penang, and they’ll point you in the direction of a cart or hole-in-the-wall spot that serves up the best laksa, the best char kway teow, or the best cendol in town.  Locals delight in their island’s multicultural mix of Malay, Chinese, Peranakan, Indian, Thai, Portuguese, and more.

At the quaint Campbell House boutique hotel where we stayed, our host waxed poetic about the chicken rice in a nearby shop.  After breakfast, he walked us over to the place serving his favourite dim sum, wheeled through a crowded dining hall on
steaming, stainless steel carts.  After this second breakfast, we went in search of the famed coconut tarts at the local bakery.  We weren’t not able to sample them, however, as they are so popular that they sell out on weekends - by 9 in the morning.



For more information:
Reuter’s “Travel Postcard”:

Penang-based travel writer and foodie Robyn Eckhardt’s in the Wall Street Journal:

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