A taste of Penang (By a Non-Food Blogger)

Food blogging is not my forte (neither traveling - I cannot even classify my own space arrgh!) but I've tried a few times already. I love food and eating but I'm not really passionate about the taste, the aroma or any stuff about food. So here's my take on their food by making a compilation of my gastronomic journey (and my mom's hoarding, oh I mean shopping) around Penang, Malaysia.

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MCDONALD'S

We arrived at the Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) at around 2 p.m. and our flight to Penang was at 6 p.m. Good thing there were restaurants and shops at the terminal which killed the boredom. We tried Malaysia's version of McDonald's. We ordered McChicken, Big Mac, large french fries and a large coke - all for RM 21.20 (290-300 pesos), it was expensive because we were at the airport. It tasted a lot like what we have here except for its herb taste. And also, they have chili ketchup which I really loved.

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STARBUCKS

We first went to Kek Lok Si Temple when we arrived in Penang and after that, my mom asked for the shopping malls (ugh!) to buy some stuff (she stayed for a month there). So we went to Gurney Place along Gurney Drive where she went gaga over nice things for a few bucks. 

I'm not into clothes and shoes so I went to the gadgets section and It made me happy because everything was so cheap! There were loads of stuff - from cellphones, tablets, iphones, ipods, camera stuff, lenses and external hard drives. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a techie person but calculating every price on my mind makes me crazy. My camera for example was 18,000 pesos cheaper there than in Hidalgo, Quiapo. So I composed myself and scanned all the items from every store. I was so tempted to buy some lenses but I end up buying an external hard drive. 500GB external hard drive for only RM120 (roughly 1,600 pesos). Nice buy right?! 

I went back to where my mom and aunt was and saw that they bought some stuff for me (sweet). Like gold Ipanema sandals which is cheaper there by 500 pesos and she even bought a Starbucks tumbler with "Penang" on it - I wasn't even collecting. She knew that when I do have a tumbler I use it so she bought one for me to use it. And there were loads of other stuff and knick-knacks. In such a short time they bought a lot of stuff. 

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THE ISLANDER (Penang's Lifestyle Cafe)

After that we went out for lunch at Trader's Hotel in Penang. It was the Islander (Penang's lifestyle cafe) at the Trader's. It was buffet time when we went there and I was not hungry at that time - I was starving! That's why I didn't get to take that many photos around the restaurant. Their food was a Malay-Japanese inspired and there were no pork in any of the dishes. I didn't enjoy the food and the sushi bar (the rice was not cooked very well). It was more of my physiological needs that's why I ate much. Nothing was outstanding, not even their coffee. I didn't know how much it costs 'coz my aunt paid for it. So let's move on.

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STREET FOOD

Then we went to Georgetown for some shopping and food trip. Georgetown is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the buildings there looked all the same. Penang is a very diversed state in terms of its people. There were Chinese, Indians, Malays, Indonesians, Thai and even Westerners. I was often mistaken for either Malay or Thai. Some were speaking to me in their native language even if I keep on saying, English only. 

I saw some street foods there and I tried some of it. It was cheap and has a decent taste (I cannot even find the right words - food blogging is dang hard). 

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SUSHI KING

After that, we went to Sushi King and tried their sushi-go-round or the rotating conveyor belt sushi. We were eating Japanese food in Malaysia - amazing how my mom and aunt choose restaurants. I ordered a bento box for RM 16.00 (around 200 to 220 pesos) which includes a yakisoba noodle soup, mixed tempura, katsudon with rice, a leche-flan kind of thing and a yakult. It all comes with a free refillable tea. 

I also tried their sushi-go-round thing which was color-coded. Every colored plate corresponds with a certain price, the cheapest was RM 1.50 (21 pesos). My mom and aunt ordered different stuff and I cannot vouch for them but as for me, I enjoyed the meal (more than Trader's) but I was not amazed. Hard to please eh? Pansin ko lang, 'di ata pang mayaman ang tastebuds ko. 

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CARINDERIA 1

As for my Penang by foot Day 1 trip, I had lunch at one of the eateries along the street. I tried the Sambal rice and just because my mom and dad hail from Zambales - lame isn't it? I was surprised after eating it because it tasted very good. Especially the Kopi-o or the iced coffee. The food on this side of town rocks. For only RM 4.70 (roughly about 66 pesos) for the complete meal. It was really tasty and the people there were nice. 

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CARINDERIA 2

As for my Penang by foot Day 2 trip, I ate at one of the eateries around the Queensbay Mall. Again, I ordered a Kopi-o and a Hainanese rice meal. It was also RM 4.70 for the meal. What really stood out was their version of chili sauce. Both of the eateries have their unique version of chili sauce.

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STARBUCKS - AGAIN

On my way to Manila, I was left with 4 hours of waiting time in the LCCT terminal. I was left with a few Ringgits and I wasn't planning to collect money or whatever. I looked around for some shops and I went inside Starbucks. I saw a Malaysia tumbler there for RM 38.00 (around 500 to 520 pesos) and decided to buy one. 

As I was paying it (I was mistaken to be a Malay), I asked the server if I don't get a free coffee with it (kung makakalusot lang and that's how it works before if I remember it correctly), she said no. And the manager went to her and asked what was it. I dunno what happened but the manager asked me if I want a free coffee, I said, "Yeah!". So there, they washed my newly purchased tumbler and gave me a free coffee with some extra coffee sachets. Sometimes it pays to ask right?

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PENANG HILL

I didn't get to taste the what-you-should-eat-while-in-Penang stuff but I had my own version of Penang food action. Back in Manila, while strolling around the Shangri-La Mall - Edsa, I saw Penang Hill Restaurant and promised myself to try it with my mom.

Check Penang, Malaysia accommodations here

(check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Penang)