Monday, June 4, 2012

You are Invited to Penang, No Reservations needed

Penang doesn't seem to be very high on Americans' list of places to visit in Asia. It falls way below Japan and China, somewhere under Bangkok and Bali, but hopefully above North Korea. However, word is finally getting out about this spectacular tropical island. Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations Penang episode starts airing this week. In a local interview, he describes Penang as "everything I like about gastronomy in one place." That's high praise coming from him. The much chirpier Travel Channel host, Samantha Brown, lists Street Hawkers in Penang as one of her favorite Malaysian experiences in her Asia series. A few months ago, the venerable New York Times published a travel article, "36 Hours: Penang."  Come now so that you can sagely say, "When I was there, back before it was overrun with tourists..."

According to Bourdain, "It seems that everywhere you point, there are
bright colors, characters, beautiful things." 

Discover an Asian British colony
Wander around George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a trip back in time. According to the UNESCO website, "The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the town with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible." Some of the shophouses have been renovated whereas others still retain a more humble appearance. Unlike Singapore which shares a similar history, George Town still has an authentic feel.

Rozana's Batik on Lebuh Acheh showcases Rozana's work as both a batik artist
and designer. In addition to creating clothing, she has earned a place in art exhibitions.


Explore the fusion of three cultures
One of the best things about Penang is that it's a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage with a little bit of British influence thrown in. Stroll down The Street of Harmony and visit the mosque, Chinese temple, Hindu temple, and Anglican church that sit along it. Shop for saris in Little India, then take a seat at Tek Sen on Carnarvon street for phenomenal Malaysian influenced Chinese food with flavors unlike any that you've had in America. (I'm Chinese American, so believe me, I've been to a lot of Chinese restaurants in America, both the kind that offer chop suey or egg foo young and the kind that's filled with other Asians.) 

Hindu woman sells floral offerings for the nearby temple.

Tempt your tastebuds
And the food! Oh my goodness, the food! The open air hawker stall centers are cheap and delicious. Assam Laksa, a spicy fish broth noodle soup flavored with sour tamarind took 7th place in CNN Go's World's 50 Most Delicious Foods. That's two spots higher than #9 Ice Cream. It outranks Ice Cream! My favorite lunch is a flat rice noodle dish with prawns, eggs, and Chinese sausage called Char Kway Teow. Penang supposedly has the best in Malaysia. You could stop by a kopitiam (coffee shop) to try a cuppa teh tarik (pulled tea) or Malaysian style coffee. If you're sightseeing and get hungry, find a street-side food cart and spend a few cents on curry puffs, peanut pancakes or samosas. You will not go hungry in Penang.

Nasi Lemak is rice steamed in coconut milk and flavored with pandan leaves.
Fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, a crispy cucumber slice, half a boiled egg and
spicy sambal chili paste are added before bundling it all up in a banana leaf. 

Escape to a jungle beach
If you want to get away from the city, take a drive around the island to Malaysia's smallest national park. Arrange for a longtail boat to meet you at Monkey Beach before setting out on a hour long trek through the rainforest. The boat driver can even prepare a beachside barbecue for you to enjoy while relaxing on the sand. Then, take in the view as you ride back across the water.

Penang is a fascinating place. You need to come and experience it for yourself. To quote Bourdain in his Travel Channel blog, "Penang is the kind of place that ruined me for an ordinary life." I wholeheartedly agree.



This post is part of Friday Daydreamin' at R We There Yet Mom?

19 comments:

  1. That's it! I am traveling to Penang. It definitely ranks above North Korea! This post has made me seriously hungry. Thank you for sharing your travels with us.

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  2. I've been to Penang before and am planning a weekend back just for the food. OMG the food. We can get it all in KL, but some of the stalls we went to in Penang were better than anything I've ever tasted before.

    We definitely wasted a lot of precious eating opportunities last time we were there by parking next to the resort's pool.

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    1. Stay in Georgetown next time so you're near all the great food. Then take a taxi up to Golden Thai in Batu Ferringhi so you can enjoy dining by the beach at sunset.

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  3. It's still all about the food for me! Penang grows on you.

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    1. I am looking forward to more of your reviews of Penang restaurants on your blog.

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  4. Well you have convinced me! Until a few months ago, I had never heard of Penang but I have been very impressed by what I have read since - it seems like a great family-friendly destination.

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    1. It's been a lot of fun living here, I didn't know anything about this place before we moved (hadn't even heard of it 22 months ago). There are lots of Australians/New Zealanders and Arabs who visit, but Americans are few and far between.

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  5. I keep hearing about Penang. I think you are right that soon it will be overrun with tourists. We need to get there soon!

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  6. Wow - you guys sure are packing in a ton of adventure - I love how you take advance of where you are & learn some awesome things!

    Thank you for linking up with us this week!

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    1. Thanks for Friday Daydreamin. I love hearing about everyone else's adventures.

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  7. Penang has actually been on my list for a while. Somehow while en route to India (where I go every couple of years), I always go through Singapore instead of Malaysia...probably because I love Singapore Airlines. But next time I'm in Asia I definitely need to go through Malaysia instead and hit up all that INCREDIBLE sounding food in Penang!

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    1. There are always flights from Singapore to Penang. You should stop by on your next flight over. I've never been to India, and I wonder how much Penang's Little India is like the real thing.

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  8. I have to admit that before reading this post, I'd never heard of Penang. *blush* It certainly sounds like an interesting and eclectic destination to visit. I'll have to check out some of the No Reservations epidodes.

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    1. I will admit that I had never heard of Penang before my hubby told me he had an offer to transfer there. It's hard to imagine moving to a place if you know absolutely nothing about it. I didn't even have any stereotypes to fall back on. Since we've arrived, I've realized that it IS an interesting and eclectic place. I'm so glad we took the plunge and moved.

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  9. That sounds like an incredible place to visit - admittedly, I had to go look it up on a map to visualize where it is!

    Thanks for linking up this week!

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  10. we aren't even living in KL yet, but Penang is already on the top of our list to visit. Thanks for your blog. I'm enjoying getting to know the area before we have even settled in there. It will help in our move! My husband is a foodie and has already talked about going to Penang.

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    1. Even though I was really apprehensive about moving overseas, I have come to really love the decision that we made. It has been such a wonderful experience for everyone. I hope you feel the same way, too, after you've settled in.

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