Cafe Hopping and Street Food in Penang - Best Food Guide with a Budget (Part II)
Friday, April 24, 2015
Refer to my blogpost: Part 1 of Cafe Hopping and Street Food in Penang for 2 days worth of places to eat in Penang!
#Day 3
1. Toh Soon Coffee
Nasi Lemak (RM1)
Yes, you read that right. Their Nasi Lemak is just RM 1 per packet! The quirky thing about this coffee shop is that you do not order the Nasi Lemak from them. Instead, you should go look for a tray that contains packets of Nasi Lemak and just grab the amount you want back to your table. The tray might be on some other tables, just "buay paiseh" (no need to feel embarrassed) and take. No one will judge you. (Unless you take 10 packets)
And do not, for a second, think that RM 1 means not good. This is seriously, one of the BEST Nasi Lemak I have eaten! The chilli is fragrant and spicy, the rice fluffy and aromatic, and the ikan bilis are crispy and just the right amount of salty. There are no fancy ingredients in here, but a lot of times, the most simplest things in life can give you the most pleasure.
I highly recommend you to take 10 packets.
Bread Toast Set with Half Boiled Eggs and Coffee (RM 4)
The half boiled egg is served in a cup, which is a good thing because there is no need to crack the eggs yourself! #lazylevel1000
The bread toast and the coffee are simple, yet delightful. Definitely one of the must eat breakfast if you are in Penang!
- ORDER: Nasi Lemak (RM 1), Bread Toast Set (RM 4) = RM 5
Toh Soon Coffee (多春茶室)
184 Campbell Street, George Town,
10100 Pulau Pinang
Tel : +60 4-261 3754
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Closed on Sundays
2. Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
If you have been to Penang, you would agree with me that it is the perfect city to have free sauna. IT IS HOT ALL DAY. It's so unbearable that we have to go back to the hotel in the late afternoon to take a shower before we can continue with a fresh body.
And with the sweltering heat, iced-cold desserts would appear to be like the oasis in the desert to everyone. I am serious. Look, everyone flocks to the oasis:
There are 2 stalls selling the exact same thing in that alley. I think it's a trend in Penang to see 2 stalls selling the same things, facing each other (Like the famous Char Kway Teow in my Part 1 guide). They are taking "monitoring opponent's moves" in the literal terms.
Both stalls have their own supporters in various blogs, but if you are a Singaporean like me, you would go where the queue is. That is DESPITE the other stall having zero queue. Well, Singaporeans are sometimes...... just weird.
Chendul (RM 2.40), Ice Kacang (RM 3)
Penang food just continues to be amazing for me, because the Chendul and the Ice Kacang are just so, so good in the weather. Plus, the fact that you are standing by the roadside and devouring these icy desserts just gives rise to a whole new meaning of Street Food.
This is how you should be eating street food people, you gotta stand on the street and eat them.
- ORDER: Chendul (RM 2.40), Ice Kacang (RM 3) = RM 5.40
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
27 & 29, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town,
10100 Pulau Pinang
Tel : +60 4-261 8002
Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri - 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
Sat-Sun - 10:00 am - 7:30pm
3. Coffee Shop down the Chendul Store
Just down the chendul store is a coffee shop that sells Penang's variations of some hawker fares.
Just down the chendul store is a coffee shop that sells Penang's variations of some hawker fares.
Otak Otak 鲤鱼包 (RM 3.50)
If you are Singaporean, you might be very familiar with Otak Otak, or Otah as we call it. In Penang, their Otak Otak is actually steamed fish cake made from a mixture of eggs, fish fillet and a whole lot of herbs including serai (lemon grass), lengkuas (galangal), ginger, kunyit hidup (fresh tumeric), dried chillies, daun mengkudu (morinda), daun limau purut (kaffir lime leaf), on a bed of daun kaduk (Piper sarmentosum, pointed pepper), and wrapped with banana leaf (according to http://www.penang-traveltips.com/otak-otak.htm).
The texture is akin to chawanmushi, the egg custard dish from Japan. It is very smooth in texture and taste totally different from the Otahs that Singaporeans are used to. Give it a try, because #YOLO.
Muah Chee 满钱 (RM 3)
Muah Chee is a fairly common Asian street snack which is made out of sticky rice balls coated with sugar, ground roasted peanuts, and sesame seeds. The interesting thing about Penang's Muah Chee is how auspicious they named it in Chinese.
They call it 满钱, which literally means full of money. And you know how we treat auspicious things? We eat them up. HUAT AR! (An auspicious dialect saying for prosperity and loads of money)
- ORDER: Otak Otak (RM 3.50), Muah Chee (RM 3) = RM 6.50
3. "Laksa Bisu" - Mute Laksa (哑巴叻沙)
We were recommended by the friendly locals to try the Laksa Bisu, which they thought was one of the best Assam Laksa in Penang. 'Bisu' is a Malay word for mute. And yes, the stall is operated by mute guy and thus the name.
Assam Laksa Bisu (RM 4)
There are generally 2 camps on which is the "best" Assam Laksa in Penang. One is which they call the "Tourist Laksa" - the Laksa stall at Air Itam wet market corridor, on the left side of the one-way street. The "Tourist Laksa" is actually recommended in a lot of blogs, thus its popularity. The broth is, according to one blog, "mild and plain broth suitable for first timers".
The locals and true foodie insiders would recommend the other store just opposite the "Tourist Laksa", inside Air Itam Market Annex Food Court. The broth here is so THICK it might not be suitable for the faint hearted. Loaded with shredded fish meat and huge quantity of chilli and spices, this aromatic sour-spicy laksa is the best treat your belly can ever have. This filled-to-the-brim Laksa Bisu would definitely delight all foodies with inclination for stronger taste!
- ORDER: Assam Laksa (RM 4)
Laksa Bisu (哑巴叻沙)
Jalan Air Itam,
11500 Ayer Itam,
(Intersection between Jalan Air Itam and Jalan Pasar)
Opening Hours:
Daily (except Tuesdays): 10.00 am - 5.30 pm
Closed on Tuesday
Total food expenses for Day 3: RM 20.90
#Day 4
1. Brown Pocket Cafe
Went all the way to the Gurney Drive for our 4th day for some shopping at their Gurney Paragon, which is one of the more "atas" (high class) shopping malls in Penang.
True to its name, the interior of Brown Pocket is.. mostly brown.
Pockolate - Classic Chocolate (RM 14.90)
If you thought this was "Milo dinosaur", give yourself a pat on the back for being so smart! This tasted almost like Milo dinosaur, except that instead of Milo powder, they added chocolate powder. Very expensive for a cup that taste almost like Milo Dinosaur though.
Pro tip when drinking: Never, ever suck from the top. You are gonna choke. (Why does it sound so wrong?)
Mix Berries Yogurt (RM 11.90)
This is their yogurt that is layered with berries compote and muesli. The yogurt was smooth and the muesli and berries went well together. Order this to feel slim.
Yo-Grape Waffles (RM 13.90)
Served with fresh grapes, homemade yogurt and granola, this dish is almost guilt-free with all the healthy toppings and the very small waffles. IS IT ON PURPOSE THAT THE WAFFLES IS THAT SMALL? I could have popped the whole waffles into my mouth and still have some space left to fit in another 3 grapes.
Nothing really spectacular about their food, but the huge space and the dreamy ambience at night makes this cafe a good place to rest your legs after all that shopping.
Cafe Rating (out of 5 Evilbeans):
(3.5)
- ORDER: Mix Berries Yogurt (RM 11.90)
Brown Pocket Cafe
Level 6 Lot 11, Gurney Paragon Mall,
10250 Penang
Tel: +60 4-218 9668
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
.jpg "Penang Cafe Huey and Wah - 18plus")
This cute Insta-video of a marshmallow dropping into the latte is the sole reason why you need to order one yourself!
We spent almost 2-3 hours in the cafe just reading and playing board games. It was such a therapeutic break from the fast paced life in Singapore. Definitely one of the most cozy and most fun cafes that I have visited in my life. Can't praise this cafe enough!
.jpg "Penang Cafes - Huey & Wah Cafe Exterior")
Huey & Wah Cafe
(5!)
Mon - Sun: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm
2. Huey & Wah Cafe
We left the shopping mall and cafe-hopped over to Huey & Wah cafe, which in my opinion, is one of the MUST VISIT cafes in Penang. I really "Wah!" when we were there..
The owners must have put in their everything when they designed this cafe - every nook and cranny in Huey&Wah is meticulously decorated with potted plants and memorable quotes, which makes every photo you take very "Insta-worthy". Don't even need to think of caption, they have done it for you.
If you have the luxury to choose where to sit, the Evilbean strongly recommends the high seats by the glass window, as it is the BEST PLACE for you to people-watch and for you to take in the sights of Penang, all while sipping a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Wholegrain Wrap Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Hawaiian Chicken (RM 16)
Toasted to crispy perfection, this wholegrain sandwich should be a role model for all girls to learn how to properly make sandwiches. The creamy cheese, the pineapples and the chicken went so well with each other that I thought maybe it's time someone try to breed Pineapple-Cheese flavoured Chickens. They would sell extremely well.
"MEEP!"
Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows (RM 10)
I LOVE their table and the quote printed on it: "If life was easy, where would all the adventures be?" Everything that we experience in our life adds to our character and shapes who we are today. I am glad my life experiences have shaped me to be a cocoa-lover, because this Hot Cocoa with Salted Caramel Marshmallow and Stout Marshmallow is one of the most interesting drink that I have tried! I didn't know marshmallows can significantly make hot chocolate taste even better, until I tried Huey&Wah's concoction. Another MUST TRY!
The true heavenly experience in Huey&Wah begins when you ascend the rainbow stairs to their second level.
The second floor is where all the fun are. There is an accessories section where you can browse some of the jewelries and items that are handmade.
Source: http://www.stimfish.com/2014/07/huey-wah-favorite-place-of-mine.html
There is also a shelf containing board-games and books that are either donated by other patrons or sourced by the owners.
Source: http://www.stimfish.com/2014/07/huey-wah-favorite-place-of-mine.html
I might not look like it, but I really love to read! And one of the best enjoyment in life is to be able to read a book while having a cup of coffee and a few slices of cake.
18-Plus (RM 12)
The 18-plus is a rich chocolate cake that is infused with stout, layered with stout marshmallow frosting and salted walnut. This marshmallow frosting was too sweet and the texture of the cake was too dry. The walnuts were also too soft to add a crispy texture to the cake. I think it might have been better if they added the walnuts separately instead of being mixed together with the marshmallow frosting.
Marshmallow Cheesecake in a Jar (RM 13)
I know, this shot is so wonderfully taken. I heard your brain, thank you for your compliments! 
This marshmallow cheesecake in a jar taste just as good as it looks, and the wooden ice-cream stick adds a wooden flavour to the sweet, creamy cheesecake. The ice-cream stick also makes you feel like you are eating an ice-cream, where you will subconsciously lick the stick a few times before digging into the jar for a refill.
Latte with Handmade Rose Marshmallow (RM 10)
This cute Insta-video of a marshmallow dropping into the latte is the sole reason why you need to order one yourself!
We spent almost 2-3 hours in the cafe just reading and playing board games. It was such a therapeutic break from the fast paced life in Singapore. Definitely one of the most cozy and most fun cafes that I have visited in my life. Can't praise this cafe enough!
- ORDER: Wholegrain Wrap Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RM 16) + Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows (RM 10) + Marshmallow Cheesecake in a Jar (RM 13) + Latte with Handmade Rose Marshmallow (RM 10) = RM 49
Cafe Rating (out of 5 Evilbeans):
(5!)
(5!)
368-1-14, Bellisa Row,
Jalan Burma, 10350 Penang
Jalan Burma, 10350 Penang
Tel: +60 4-228 3962
Opening Hours:
Sun - Thu: 8:00 am – 10:30 pm
Fri - Sat: 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Closed on Mondays
Sun - Thu: 8:00 am – 10:30 pm
Fri - Sat: 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
Closed on Mondays
Total food expenses for Day 4: RM 60.90
#Day 5
1. Macallum Connoisseurs Coffee Company
Just when I thought I have seen it all, Macallum comes right out of nowhere and delivers their finisher to me - by being one of the LARGEST CAFE I HAVE EVER BEEN TO.
INSANELY SPACIOUS, THIS CAFE.
In Singapore, due to high rentals, the cafes are borderline claustrophobic and everyone would die if a fire breaks out because it takes you at least 3 minutes to maneuver from one table to another.
Not in Macallum Connoisseurs Coffee Company. In fact, if you are claustrophobic, step in here and you will be healed from claustrophobia. I am serious.
Macallum's Coffee Spaghetti (RM 18)
Yes, just like what I have described on my Instagram, this coffee spaghetti is a parade of flavours! Rich, smooth and the fragrant aroma of coffee is mixed into this al dente spaghetti that will totally delight carbonara+coffee lovers! MUST TRY, OR YOU WILL DIE WITH REGRETS!
Get Drunk Raisin Crepe (RM 13)
LIARS, I couldn't get drunk on this crepe.
Notice the big Macallum mural wall behind? That wall is awesome. Not only does it makes the best backdrop for your food, it is also a great place to pose for your #OOTD on Instagram.
You can even put your drinks on their floor for a truly artistic photo!
Aussie Strong Latte (RM 11)
Macallum Connoisseurs Coffee Company - where anyone can be an artist and a place to heal claustrophobia. MUST.VISIT.
- ORDER: Macallum's Coffee Spaghetti (RM 18) + Aussie Strong Latte (RM 11) = RM 29
Cafe Rating (out of 5 Evilbeans):
Cafe Rating (out of 5 Evilbeans):
(5!)
Macallum Connoisseurs Coffee Company
1 Gat Lebuh Macallum,
10300 George Town,
10300 George Town,
Tel: +60 4-261 3597
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun: 9:00 am – 12:00 am
(4)
Mon - Sun: 9:00 am – 12:00 am
2. The Mugshot Café
We had about an hour left before our taxi comes to pick us up from our hotel, so we walked around the area and visited one last cafe - The Mugshot Cafe.
See that Foosball machine? It's FREE-FLOW BALLS. Totally the best way to while away time.
Iced Mocha (RM 14)
Bagel Muffin with Turkey Ham and Cranberry Sauce (RM 12)
It might be due to the fact that we were leaving, but this bagel muffin tasted SO GOOD. Looks really simple with just a slather of cranberry jam and a slice of turkey ham, but like I have mentioned earlier: the simplest things might sometimes gives you the most pleasure. I wished I have ordered more for my takeaway to the airport.
Besides this turkey ham and cranberry sauce combination, they also have Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon, and the fail-safe Nutella & Banana combination. ALL SOUNDS AWESOME TO ME.
- ORDER: Iced Mocha (RM 14) + Bagel Muffin with Turkey Ham and Cranberry Sauce (RM 12) = RM 26
Cafe Rating (out of 5 Evilbeans):
(4)
The Mugshot Café
302, Lebuh Chulia, Georgetown,
10200 Pulau Pinang,
Tel: +60 12-405 6276
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sun: 8:00 am – 12:00 am
Total food expenses for Day 5: RM 55
And with that, the Evilbean concludes his Cafes and Street Food in Penang travelogue. If you follow my recommended ORDER list that is at the end of each food outlet, you would have only spent:
Total Cafe and Street Food expenses for entire 5D4N Penang: RM 284.50
Yes. Under RM 300 for 5 days of Cafe and Street Food! Just like I promised in my first Part of Penang's food guide.
Yes. Under RM 300 for 5 days of Cafe and Street Food! Just like I promised in my first Part of Penang's food guide.
Penang is a pearl that is slowly unraveling its shine to the world with its wide diversity of street food and intricately-designed cafes that exudes personality and character. I am thoroughly entranced by their culture and food in just a matter of 5 short days.
I will definitely be back Penang, for your eclectic mix of old world charm and modernity.
Read why I drank 5 cups of coffee AT ONE GO during my Sydney trip with this guide on the
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