Make every second of your vacation count by starting your day early with a hike up one of Penang’s popular trails in Bukit Bendera, the highest point on the island, which offers a panoramic perspective of the surrounding landscape. If you are in a rush to catch the breathtaking sunrise view, there is an option to board the funicular train from the Lower Station at Air Itam from as early as 6:30am. The journey to the top only takes about 10 minutes.
TIGER CHAR KOAY TEOW
After the morning adventure, head over to Tiger Char Koay Teow on Lebuh Carnarvon for a satisfying and fulfilling breakfast. After all, no trip to Penang is complete without indulging in the stir-fried noodles. At this legendary establishment — a favourite among tourists and locals alike — diners can expect a superb charred plate topped with sausages, cockles and duck’s egg, warmly prepared by the cook who learnt the recipe from her husband and father-in-law.
See also: Coming full circle
PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION
To further immerse yourself in the state’s customs and traditions, Pinang Peranakan Mansion is one of the many cultural centres on the island that presents the history of the Babas and Nyonyas, a prominent community in Penang. A recreation of a typical home of a rich family from a century ago, the museum boasts over 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles from the era.
See also: Of reinvention, rest + refuge
HIKAYAT
A stone’s throw from Pinang Peranakan Mansion is Hikayat, an independent bookshop in Lebuh Pantai that transports visitors into a quiet sanctuary amid the city’s bustling business district. Currently helmed by researcher-cum-editor Gareth Richards, it carries more than 5,000 titles covering subjects such as Malaysian history, regional politics, Southeast Asian literature, social criticism and translated works from the world over.
JAWI HOUSE CAFÉ GALLERY
Foodies flock to Jawi House Café Gallery for its comforting Jawi Peranakan cuisine and cosy ambience marked by its traditional interiors. Guided by his mother’s advice, founder Nurilkarim Razha set up the dining room to showcase their unique heritage and culture, originating from Indian, Arab and Malay ancestry. Freshly cooked dishes such as nasi lemuni, bamieh (okra stew) and kuih serabai are made using passed-down recipes.
CAKOI 166
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Carnarvon Street is famously known for a plethora of food stalls and restaurants selling noodles and snacks. One vendor that should be on your radar is Cakoi 166. Spearheaded by young operator Cat Liew, this small corner-lot shop boosts energy and spirits of the early risers — it opens at 6am from Tuesday to Sunday — with crispy, fluffy cakoi (crullers), ham chim peng (fried Chinese doughnuts) and other traditional desserts made from peanuts or red bean, as well as soy bean.
SUCKLING PIG
Many might recognise Suckling Pig’s founder Adrian Foo from crafting and mixing drinks at the award-winning Jigger & Pony in Tanjong Pagar. Now back in Malaysia after a decade at the Little Red Dot, the Kelantan-native is shaking up the bar scene in George Town with a cosy watering hole, serving specialty cocktails and classic tipples rooted in Chinese spirits and oriental flavours, some of which are made using locally sourced (and unusual) ingredients.
HIN BUS DEPOT
In colonial times, Hin Bus Depot was a busy transportation hub that used to house and maintain the blue buses of Hin Company. Today, it serves as a creative playground for local talent, providing physical spaces for artists and small business owners to showcase their arts and products. If you are looking for souvenirs to bring home, this is a great spot to browse for thoughtfully handcrafted items.
