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Travel Penang Food Tour ideas

August 9, 2015 by Tania 11 Comments

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Hand made noodles Penang

Have you ever been to Penang? Have you ever wondered where it is or heard about the incredible food or how easy it is to travel in Malaysia?

Preparing Duck at the Skyline

I have a long history with Penang. When I was younger ( ahem*), I was so in love with Penang that I went there 6 times in the space of 2 years. It was the food, the tropical weather, the people, the music and the laid back charm of the old town that just kept me enthralled.

Interesting Characters around every cornerLast year I returned, after a long absence. I wondered if Penang would once again weave it’s magic spell on my heart and….it did. I was worried that if I was older (and more sober), if Penang would still pull me in as it had years ago, when I went to the clubs and ate at the restaurants that spring up on the streets late at night. Well it did.  In fact I loved it more. I spent my days peeking into cafes, food stalls and cooking schools and eating 4 meals a day ( I know but someone has to). I discovered local dishes that I had never heard of and met people that were only too happy to talk about their town.Making indian treatsPenang is a melting pot of cuisines . Indian, Chinese, Malaysian, Nyonya and the new modern Penang as well.  And when you are sick of food ( if that could be possible), trade it in for a trip to the coast and a walk along the sand in the cool breeze.

 

Great little restaurants

It’s the perfect place. If you have never been to Asia before ... you’ll soon feel at home, we can look together… and if you have…..well, you’ll love it, there is so much to explore. It’s for everyone. Bring your sister or your daughter or your husband… and bring your appetite and travel Penang.

Market stallsYou’ll have a chance to try some Penang specialities like Assam Laksa and Chendul (a shaved ice dessert that is one of Penang’s most Instagramed attractions)

Assam Laksa and Chedul stall

Then if that’s not enough, lunch at one of Penang’s oldest Indian restaurants for Murtabak and Nasi Kandar , a well known and much loved curry dish . Walking off the snacks around the Georgetown heritage listed centre will prepare you for more snacks to come.  This town is such a mixture of old and new, you are going to love it. The streets are flat and there are plenty of opportunities to take photos. The local government in Georgetown are progressive and support street art. Each year there is a street art festival, so there is plenty to see.

Street art

You can visit an old Chinese settlement where the houses are built on stilts over the sea and the traditional home made snacks will sustain you till dinner then try Street food from one of the many hawker stalls where locals eat. Even if you aren’t hungry ( really?) you will love watching food being cooked.

Hawker Market Meals

Find some Roti Canai for breakfast. This is a hugely popular hot layered breakfast pastry with a curried dipping sauce. After breakfast walk past some of the temples that are part of the Penang streetscape and also take a peek inside one of Penang’s oldest houses to get a feel for some of the colourful reasons why this city is so vibrant and full of history.

Roti canai

Lunch at a Nyonya restaurant. This is one of my personal favourite cuisines in Penang. It is a blend of Chinese ingredients with various distinct spices and cooking techniques used by the Malay/Indonesian community. Colourful and full of flavour and herbs.

Old Temples

the old penang meets the new

A Nyonya Feast

Nyonya Cuisine

This part of town is also on the road out to the beachside town of Teluk Bahang, because even food fiends need a bit of sea air.  Under the cool of the trees and right on the coastline is a  Tropical Spice Garden, where all kinds of herbs and spices are grown. There is a Tropical Botanical Garden here too with lots of naughty monkeys. While here try some local desserts and snacks. Crunchy prawn fritters and sticky rice dumplings. Never miss an opportunity to try something.

Spice garden Doors Penang

The Spice Gardens are a beautiful tropical place with a chance to see some of the herbs and spices used in cooking, growing in the garden.

Oyster omlette

 

Coastline

Visit to Little India. This is always a place to see incredible delicacies, colourful temples and sometimes see street festivals.  Try Teh Tarik, Malaysia’s famous pulled tea with condensed milk.

Indian sweets

Visit Wat Chayamangkalaram  where there is one of the biggest reclining Buddha’s in the whole of South East Asia. Explore the city yourself by dropping by a local cafe and try the famous nutmeg juice or sit and watch the world go by with a beer or wine. I n the evening you could head down to the wharf and choose some fresh seafood or head to the trendy China House Cafe for a cocktail and some music or even head along to a fine dining restaurant on Lebuh Muntri or  Muntri Street for a refined evening.

Fish at the Wharf

Have Yum Char or stand in line to get some of the best duck in Penang. Or have coffee and Kaya Toast in the morning.

The Markets off Larong Chulia

Prawns

 

Georgetown views

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Filed Under: News and New Things, RECIPES, reviews, Travel Tagged With: Chendul, China House Penang, eating around penang, Food Tour, Food Tour of Penang, Food Tours with My Kitchen Stories, Malaysia, Penang, Penang Spice Gardens, travel, Travel Penang, Traveling to Penang

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joy

    February 1, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    You are so right when you said Penang is a melting pot of cuisines. Indeed. I always find it very helpful while travelling (especially in places where language and culture might be different) to have a local friend/guide to show me around cos the information they bring is valuable.

    You can contact me at joy@delishasia.com for more information as I run food experience tours in Penang

    Reply
  2. Dani @ House in Tillford

    November 29, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    Sounds like a delicious trip! Hope the tour is a success (im sure it will be !)

    Reply
  3. Nagi@RecipeTinEats

    September 19, 2015 at 5:16 am

    Hi Tania! WOW this sounds incredible! Oh my gosh, I can’t imagine a better foodie holiday than with YOU!!

    Reply
    • My Kitchen Stories

      September 19, 2015 at 8:57 pm

      Thanks Nagi thats so nice of you

      Reply
  4. Maree

    September 18, 2015 at 8:13 pm

    Sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, when I clicked the “get a brochure” tab on the Rush site it brings up a North India tour and when you click on ‘make an enquiry’, this tour isn’t one of the options. Will try again another day. Love the sound of this!

    Reply
  5. Hotly Spiced

    September 18, 2015 at 7:38 am

    It sounds like an excellent tour full of all the exciting flavours of the food spectrum in Penang. That roti bread looks good! And you’ll be an excellent host, Tania, because you’re so familiar with Penang and its food scene. This is a fantastic opportunity and I do love boutique tours xx

    Reply
  6. Helen | Grab Your Fork

    September 13, 2015 at 4:01 pm

    Penang is such an amazing destination for food. Love the pics in this post too.

    Reply
  7. InTolerant Chef

    September 11, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    How exciting indeed Tania! What an awesome experience! I’ve always wanted to go to Penang and this tour has it all xox

    Reply
  8. Iron Chef Shellie

    September 10, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    Sounds like a lot of fun! Hope it goes well 🙂

    Reply
  9. The Surprised Gourmet

    September 9, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    This sounds like a fascinating trip between the sights, sounds and taste. You can learn so much about a country through its food.

    Reply
    • My Kitchen Stories

      September 9, 2015 at 9:55 pm

      Oh hello, yes I do love to get to know a country through food, i would suggest you come but you are in the states!

      Reply

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About Me

Tania Cusack Hi, I'm Tania and this is My Kitchen Stories. I share all kinds of recipes here. Most recipes are quick and easy, just perfect for families. BUT, you could also find vegan, cakes and desserts too. Come and have a look around Read More
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