Penang Food Trip Special - 7 Things to Try

We have just came back from Penang recently and were contemplating whether or not to share good food at Penang (as we are SGfoodfeed, hehe). Nonetheless, we decided to share some of our food findings from our 3 days 2 night trip.

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三條路 888 Hokkien Prawn Mee, Lor Mee

• Operating Days: Closed on Thursdays
• Operating Time: 4.30 PM to 12 AM
• Address: Lebuh McNair, 67-A Lebuh Presgrave, Georgetown

We took an evening flight from Singapore to Penang, and by the time we reached and check in to the hotel, we were all famished and ready to start our night right. It was just so happened that 3rd Road Lebuh Presgrave Hokkien Mee 三條路 888 was just minutes of walking distance from our hotel, and thus we decided to give it a try.

There were quite a number of people queuing in front of us when we reached slightly past 8:30pm. It wasn’t a long wait before our turn. There were 3 assistants seen helping out at the stall.

From the look of the prawn noodle, it is somewhat similar to what you always see in Singapore. However, the taste of the prawn Hokkien Mee here is slightly different. The prawn broth was flavourful and yet not too thick, with their homemade watery chilli adding to the kick of it. Definitely must try!

It was pretty much self-service when you are eating here. You are required to bring back the bowl to the stall owner yourself if you are not sitting at their stall (as they are always full House).

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Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 10 AM to 7.30 PM
• Address: 475, Jalan Penang, 10450 Georgetown
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Penang Chendol was also an item on my list to try and so here we are, trying out the highly raved Chendol at this standalone stall.

There were many people queuing up at almost all the standalone stalls we’ve seen along the same stretch of road (as it is one of the famous tourist spots). We waited for almost 20 minutes under the hot sun before it was our turn to order. The clearing of the queue was considered very fast (and we still had to wait for 20 minutes) so we were having high expectation on the Chendol.

Unlike the usual Chendol you see in Melaka (where Gula Melaka will be used), the Chendol at Penang is milky in colour, emphasizing a lot on the quality and freshness of the coconut milk. It tasted slightly saltier compared to the Melaka one, but still, the Chendol here is still one of better ones compared to the rest I’ve eaten.

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Penang Road Famous Chao Kuey Teow

槟榔律仁哥驰名炒粿条

• Operating Days: Closed on Wednesdays
• Operating Time: 9.30 AM to 6 PM
• Address: 475, Jalan Penang, 10450 Georgetown

Right beside the Chendol stall, we found a super duper long queue and out of curiosity, we followed and joined in the queue to check it out. While we were queuing, we realized that many of them have friends queueing up for Chendol as well. The clearing of the queue for Chendol is much faster compared to this queue, and therefore you will see many of them eating Chendol while queueing for Char Kway Teow. Actually quite smart eh?

Finally, it was our turn after a good 1/2 hour wait. Penang Road Famous Chao Kuey Teow is actually a small food stall right outside the coffee shop. Each plate was stir-fried upon order and most local will add in duck egg to their plate of kway Teow instead of chicken egg.

The taste of the duck egg may be too strong for some, but we totally love the taste. The Kway Teow was springy and it is not the usual kind of black char kway Teow you see in Singapore.

It was not a big portion given but the prawns they used were big and fresh! It was overall a nice plate of fried kway teow; until we found another one that totally won our hearts down.

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Tiger Char Koay Teow

老虎炒粿条

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 8 AM to 2.30 PM
• Address: 179, Carnavon Street, 10300 Georgetown

This is the legend! Tiger Char Koay Teow was one of the must-try items on our food list prior to the trip. It was about a 10 minutes walking distance from the hotel so we decided to walk over after our breakfast buffet at the hotel (yes, you’ve heard us right).

We were there at 8:30am and the coffee shop was relatively empty. You will need to order at least a drink from the coffee shop owner or else you will not have a seat.

The portion was not very big as well, but the overall taste is the bomb! Every kway Teow strand was fried perfectly under the right temperature, with wok hei taste. It might be a little oily for some, which we felt that it may be the reason why smaller portion was served instead of the usual portion served in Singapore.

It was so good that we finished the whole plate in less than 5 minutes despite being full from the hotel buffet. The prawn used was fresh as well. Definitely, thumbs up from us! We even dabao back to the hotel right before we leave. 

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Art Of Dragon Gallery Dragon Ice Ball

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 9 AM to 6 PM
• Address: 19, Lebuh Cannon, 10300 Georgetown

We were strolling along the famous art street and chance upon this stall. The weather was scorching hot and we decided to join the queue to for ice ball. 

The process of making ice ball from the shop owner, who was friendly and smiling to all her customers despite being busy.

The size of the ice ball was decent but it was difficult to eat at first. Nothing special about the taste (probably except for the Pepsi syrup they used), but definitely something to eat to beat the heat! There was a small scoop of ice cream inside the ice ball as well, and you can get to choose the flavours.

You will get a seat inside the shop if you purchase something from them. They will not chase you away despite their continuous crowd.

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Pasar Air Itam Penang Laksa

亚依淡巴刹叻沙

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 11.30 AM to 8 PM
• Address: Jalan Pasar Road, 11500 Georgetown

The itinerary of our trip includes the visit to 极乐寺, and we decided to start our day earlier by visiting Pasar Air Itam for another highly raved food item — Penang laksa!

For just 5RM a bowl, there was a lot of shredded tuna given, pairing with onion, perfecting the taste of the hot assam soup base. The Penang laksa here is slightly different from the common brands we see at JB. The soup base is not as sweet as the ones we’ve eaten and we really like this as well! Definitely, a good place to go if you are planning a trip down to visit the temple!

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Traditional Home Of Dessert

汕头街四果汤

• Operating Days: Daily
• Operating Time: 12 PM to 9.30 PM
• Address: 7A, Jalan Angsana, 11500, Bandar Baru Air Hitam

This dessert stall was actually a recommendation from a local friend who visits them regularly. It was about 9pm when we reached and it was still full house!

There weren’t any choices left for us to choose as they were about to close. We chose their only item — 雪耳汤 to try. The soup was a little too sweet for our liking, and it felt like we were drinking sugar syrup. Though the amount of ingredient given was considered adequate, the taste of the dessert did not leave us with a deep impression. We felt that the taste was pretty normal, and will not purposely make a trip down for this. It is, however, pretty popular among the locals and furthermore, we have yet to try the other items available here. Therefore, do give them a visit for other choices if you have a chance.

The trip to Penang will definitely not be the last trip for us as we have yet to try out so many other food stalls on our list. We have heard of the famous ah pek fried kway teow where the average waiting time for your kway teow to be served is around 2 hours. Do share with us any good recommendation you have if you are heading to Penang soon! 

Ah Balling Peanut Soup 75花生湯圓 - Lantern Festival 元宵节 dessert all year round.

Operating Days: Daily

Operating Time: 11 AM to 8.30PM (Weekdays)

Operating Time: 10 AM to 8.30PM (Weekends)

Address: Golden Mile Food Centre, 505 Beach Road, #01-75, S 199583

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If you are a fan of glutinous rice balls and peanut soup, you would have probably heard of Ah Balling Peanut Soup 75花生汤圆. This is one of the famous Ah Balling stalls with more than half a century of history in Singapore. So why the name Ah Balling? In the past, people used to make rice ball as big as the size of the duck eggs, with the shape resembling duck eggs as well. The Teochew called the duck eggs as "Ah Ball Leng 鸭母卵", and that’s how the term “Ah Balling” came about.

Starting price for 4 Glutinous Rice Balls is priced at $2. The Ah Balling comes with various filling, such as peanut, black sesame seeds, green tea, yam paste and red bean. They have also different flavours of soup to go with the rice balls — peanut soup, longan, ginger and almond milk.

In my opinion, peanut filling is the best, especially if you choose to have it match with their famous peanut soup. You can still see the peanuts in their original form, and they have been boiled to the right point of softness.

The peanuts are cooked for so long till they are soft and all the flavour in it were all in the soup!

Each rice ball is of similar sizes and they are extremely chewy. Be careful when you are eating as the filling in it would ooze out if you didn’t chew properly. The peanut filling inside also provides a crunchy bite, giving it a good contrast to the soft rice balls.

Ah Balling 75 花生汤圆 serves traditional glutinous rice ball dessert that is well-liked by many Singaporeans today. It is no longer a dessert most Chinese eat during major festivities which in the past, it symbolizes reunion (团圆/圆满). Do give them a visit if you are nearby!
P.S. If you happen to eat at the stall on Lantern Festival 元宵節, don’t be surprised to find pink rice ball in your soup!

Penang Bagus - Penang and Korean Food and Dessert Cafe

• Operating Days: Closed on Tuesdays
• Operating Time: Mon, Wed & Thu: 11.30 AM to 11 PM
• Fri & Sat: 11.30 AM to 11.30 PM
• Address: 232 Tanjong Katong Road, S 437020
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Penang Bagus is a newly renovated shop located beside Ponggol Nasi Lemak at Tanjong Katong, serving Penang street food, as well as serving Korean desserts and snacks.

Previously, this cafe serves only Korean Bingsu and other Korean snacks. It was only until recently, Penang Bagus took over the premises to sell Penang dishes, and still preserving the original Korean dishes.

This is an air-conditioned restaurant with a relaxing ambience. Most of the decorations from the previous Korean cafe were preserved, with adding of some Penang feel to it. Changes were quite a minimal as compared to previously.

One of the staffs informed us that all the food from the Korean menu will still be prepared personally by a native Korean.

So there is the Penang famous street art wallpaper with the real bicycle on it, very much similar to the original one located in Penang. With that, it felt almost like we were dining at a street-side stall in Penang, with the comfortable air-con ambience!

Penang Bagus is pretty much an all self-service restaurant. You order and pay at the counter, then collect your food when the buzzer beeps. There is no service charge here so the prices stated on the menu will be the nett price you pay.

 We ordered a Korean Injeolmi toast and a Chocolate Banana Bingsu.

The tiny mountain of shaved ice was covered with Milo powder and topped with banana slices, almond flakes, chocolate syrup, served with a scoop of vanilla flavoured ice-cream on top.

Like most bingsu, the ice shavings were milky and slightly sweet. Even with the ice-cream and chocolate syrup, the dessert was surprisingly not too overwhelming. In terms of texture, the shavings were more icy than creamy.

Next was the Injeolmi toast. It is actually a Korean rice cake sandwich. The toast was delicious, crusty and crispy on the edges and the cheese added a savoury dimension to it. It was thick with a good layer of rice cake sandwiched between the two bread slices. You can top it up with condensed milk but I liked it as how it is served.

The toast was slightly sweet, with the salty cheese layer which can be seen on the top. It was a nice combination in my opinion.

The air-conditioned dining space makes the overall dining experience a good one, with friendly staffs and the good service seen. We will be back soon to try out their Penang dishes.

Dessert Hut 甜品小屋 - A Traditional Chinese Dessert Stall with Korean Bingsu inspired desserts?!

• Operating Hours: 10 AM - 8 PM
• Operating Days: Daily
• Address: People's Park Centre, #02-48/58, 101 Upper Cross Street, S 058357
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The hot weather in Singapore gets even hotter these few weeks! Happened to chance upon Dessert Hut 甜品小屋 while we were running errands at People's Park Centre, so we decided to give this stall a try, as well as to seize the chance to enjoy the aircon in People's Park Centre.

A "mother-daughter" team established Dessert Hut 甜品小屋 in the year 2004 to share their passion in making Chinese traditional desserts with all the like-minded individuals. As time goes by, the owner has introduced new flavours and items to be added to their menu, to improvise their desserts and also to keep up with the market trends. 

There is another dessert stall right beside Dessert Hut 甜品小屋 that sell similar desserts, but you can't miss Dessert Hut 甜品小屋 as they have expanded their business space by buying over the area directly opposite their stall.

These are the hot and cold dessert they have.

We decided to go for their Oreo Kakigori (Shaved ice in Japanese), Milo Kakigori and Tau Suan.

The Oreo Kakigori came first and taking the first look at it, it is 90% similar to a bowl of Korean Oreo Bingsu! A good amount of crushed Oreo used, topping up with condensed milk; the only difference between the Oreo Kakigori and Korean Oreo Bingsu is probably the price. $4.80 for this bowl of goodness, seriously?

The amount of condensed milk used was just right for us. Though we all have sweet tooth, we can't really take desserts that are too sweet/rich, and very often we would stop eating halfway. The Oreo Kakigori here was what we are looking for - generous amount of Oreo powder used, topped up with the right amount of condensed milk on a bowl of snowflake ice that literally melts in your mouth. Perfect!

We were surprised to see a small piece of Oreo Cheesecake hidden in the middle of the bowl. To Oreo fans- this is a bowl of dessert you should go for. Highly recommended!

Next came was the Tau Suan. Priced slightly on a higher side ($2.20), the Tau Suan served here is actually a healthier version (as compared to the regular hawker stall), which is less sweet. 

The last item came was the Milo Kakigori. This was actually the additional order (as we really like the Oreo version) so we were having high expectation on this as well. Similar to Oreo Kakigori, a generous amount of Milo Powder was given, topped up with condensed milk and marshmallow bits. The condensed milk given in the bowl of ice was significantly lesser, not sure if it is due to the marshmallow bits are given - as it will definitely affect the overall sweetness level of this bowl of dessert. 

Instead of the Oreo cheesecake, a small piece of the brownie was given instead. The brownie was slightly dry but overall it does taste good as well when you pair it with the ice. Personally, we felt that the Milo Kakigori is a fusion dessert (Milo powder - Singapore, Kakigori ice - Japan and Bingsu look alike - Korea) whichyou can try if you are a fan of these three countries like us.

All in all, the dessert served at Dessert Hut 甜品小屋 are generally on a healthier side as it is not as sweet as compared to the desserts served at a regular dessert stall. Though we did not try many of their traditional desserts while we were there, we have seen many patrons ordering their hot desserts despite the hot weather. Being in the market for more than 15 years selling traditional Chinese desserts, we like how the owner improvised their menu to keep up with the current trend, opening up the new market with potential to attract a younger crowd to patronize their stall. Do give it a try and share with us how you feel after visiting!

Creamier - Good Waffle with Ice cream located in peaceful area

Operating Hours: 

12 PM - 10 PM (Tuesdays to Thursdays And Sundays)

12 PM - 11 PM (Fridays to Saturdays)

Operating Days: Closed on Mondays

Address: 

Toa Payoh - 128 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-835, S 310128

Gillman Barracks - 5A Lock Road, S 108927

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Started in 2011, Creamier opened its first cafe in Toa Payoh. In 2016, they opened their next cafe at Gillman Barracks. Both cafes are located at a peaceful area. Many people may wonder "Where is Gillman Barracks?" Although people were still asking this question, this Creamier branch still draws crowd especially at night and during weekends.

One thing I noticed about both cafes is the space between each table. It is quite cramped with limited seats. Creamier can hardly accommodate most of their customers especially during its peak hours. This place was packed with people! The one thing I don't like is the super small table and the cramp dining area in both cafes. I was sitting in the middle of the cafe and it was so cramped that I had to lean forward whenever a person walked pass me.

Creamier sells waffle, ice cream, and beverages. 

Creamier’s interior looks lovely with the hanging artworks. 

The most common thing people are doing when we were there was to wait, be waiting for a seat or waiting for their ice-cream waffle.

A must order is their Waffle with Ice cream at $9, and since we are already here, might as well just get an extra scoop of ice cream! 

Look at the number of different flavors they served! They have some unique ones, such as Thai Milk tea, Black Forest and Kaya flavors! Was told to wait for about 30 minutes to serve our orders.

Ordered their Waffle with Ice Cream with an additional scoop of Ice Cream. Ordered Cookies and cream with Kaya. They are generous in terms of the portion of their ice cream, a great plus. Their ice cream is very nice especially their Kaya, not too sweet and full of creamy milk taste, I will order their kaya flavor ice cream again in future.

The double thick waffles were slightly crispy around the edges and moist on the inside with egg fragrance,  topped with honey and chocolate sauce around the plate. 

Although there's always a large crowd, their waffles still maintain their fluffiness & crispiness and their ice cream are consistently good

With most cafes selling waffles, which is the best? At creamier, the waffle they served are one of the better ones I've tried so far. However, who knows there may be new cafe that serve better waffles appearing on street the next day.

The location of Creamier is quite inconvenient for friends who are not driving, but well nowadays private hire cars are quite affordable, but probably not for frequent visits unless you are driving or staying around the area.