Sometimes going to the same eateries over and over can get a bit dull, even if the food is tasty. Penang may be known as a food lover’s paradise, but many places are well-known and are usually flocked by crowds. Whether you’re a Penangite or if you’re a tourist and want to head a bit off the beaten track, don’t bother heading outside of the state but check out these lesser-known places instead!
Ipoh Curry Mee
Deep inside the Pepper Estate housing estate over in Tanjung Bungah, you can get yourself a bowl of Ipoh Curry Mee at this corner wooden house. Start your day by slurping up some spicy soup topped with mint leaves for breakfast. Here, you can also dig into Koay Teow Th’ng, a Chinese broth of flat and silky noodles that can be commonly found in Penang. There are limited tables, and they only open in the mornings so make sure you wake up early for this!
Note: This place was so obscure, we could only get photos from one source: OH my bite.
Address: 667, Pepper Estate Road, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 7:30 am to 12 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
Nada Natural Farming
When we visited this place recently, it was hard to believe we were in Penang! After travelling from an hour from our location by struggling with our navigation app through Balik Pulau’s winding roads and some dusty ‘kampung’ lanes, we arrived at this idyllic restaurant surrounded by greenery and flowers that was made up of a makeshift wooden structure covered with creepers.
Its signboard was obscured by vines, but there was a sizeable crowd so make sure you call or text ahead before visiting. We were warned beforehand that prices would be steep, but we found it to be fair as the ‘Squid & Ink’ pasta was served up in a huge portion that was cooked just right, as most placed tend to overcook the squid to a rubberlike texture.
Being personally obsessed with carbonara pasta, we also thoroughly enjoyed the dish that we tucked into which was generously loaded with crispy pork bits. Wash it all down with a refreshing bottle of fragrant water kefir. Go in the evening to take advantage of the view or visit at night for a romantic atmosphere, but make sure to pack your mosquito repellent!
Kham Khee Steamboat
This place has shifted locations several times, but they have been around since 1969! It is tucked in a residential area in Tanjung Bungah, but you’ll spot the place by the lanterns hanging just inside their gate. Despite some Google searches showing that their name is ‘Kham Khee Beef & Seafood Steamboat’, this cosy restaurant only serves up beef. Their steamboat set comes with base soup and generous portions of ingredients from beef slices, briskets, mixed beef balls to bone marrow and more. Make sure to call ahead and you may even want to book their ‘Stir-fried Beef Hor Fun’ in advance.
Address: 45, Jalan Bunga Rampai, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 6.00pm to 10.30 pm.
Hai Jia Seafood Restaurant
Enjoy an excellent sea view and affordable seafood, all at one go! For this, you’ll have to take a drive to the Southern part of the island to Batu Maung. Give their fried mantis prawns, quail, claims and ‘black tofu’ a go. We found the ingredients to be fresh, but the mantis prawn was overloaded with mayonnaise so make sure to request it on the side. They don’t serve rice but they do serve fried meehoon for you to load up on your carbs. Dine in one of their small huts as you sit back while being caressed by the sea breeze.
Address: 7135, Lintang Permatang Damar Laut, Rumah Murah Fasa 2, 11960 Batu Maung, Pulau Pinang
Business Hours: 10.00am to 5.00 pm.
Image source: facebook.com/cheryllamlam, facebook.com/ohmybite/