Once known as the Alcatraz of Malaysia, Pulau Jerejak has been transformed into a haven for holiday-goers. BACK in the 1960s to the early part of 90s, if someone told you “if you break the law, you will be sent to Pulau Jerejak”, that was considered a dire warning or a threat. These days, though, [...]

To get to know a place well, there’s no better way than to stroll along the streets. EWE PAIK LEONG picks six streets that presents the many facets of George Town, Penang. THE multi-faceted streets of George Town are as varied in atmosphere as the ingredients of Penang rojak. Here are six popular streets that [...]

Built between 1808 and 1810, Fort Cornwallis is situated on the Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah road which is actually the esplanade. Its main cannon, Seri Rambai, was originally from Johor but ended up in Penang in the 17th Century. Come evening, diners who throng the Kompleks Makanan Medan Renong here for scrumptious mee udang, pasembur, [...]

Prawns, breadfruit, deer and an old pirate’s grave. These are just a few of the things that make a trip to Pulau Aman worthwhile for EWE PAIK LEONG. FROM a distance, one could see colorful boats moored at the jetty, gently bobbing up and down. Scattered huts dot the land between the hills and the [...]

Lebuh Pasar is the heart of George Town’s Little India. It intersects Lebuh Penang (aka Penang Street). A distinct festive air hangs in these two streets as Bollywood music blares from VCD stores and five-foot ways are choked with mannequins draped in sarees and piles of cook-ware made of clay and aluminum. Hawkers do a [...]

Think hawker food, think Persiaran Gurney! Persiaran Gurney is also referred to as Gurney Drive. Most Penangites called Gurney Drive a millionaire’s row seafront promenade due to the fact that it’s a 2km seafront promenade lined with cafes, million dollar condominiums, 5 stars hotels and high class restaurants. For a detail description of Persiaran Gurney, [...]

Considered the heart of Chinatown, this former red-light district, is now a pedestrian mall. Cheap shoes, handbags, ceramics, household and electrical products can be found here. For excellent Indian Muslim food, Hameediyah is second to none. Established in the 1900s, it serves delicious murtabak (chicken, beef and mutton), chicken briyani and beef rendang. Map, Location [...]

Economy is the keyword in Lebuh Chulia or Chulia Street. Believe it or not, this street is popular with backpackers from all over the world. A drive down Lebuh Chulia reveals nothing extraordinary save for rows of colonial shophouses with five-foot ways. However, this once-sleazy sailors’ haunt with its many bars, is a hive of [...]

Dubbed Penang’s “Street of Religious Harmony”, this road is home to Masjid Kapitan Keling, Kuan Yin Teng and the Sri Mahamarriam Temple. Masjid Kapitan Keling dates back to the 19th Century. Its original structure was built by Indian Muslim settlers, who named it after their headman, Cauder Mohideen. The Magnificent Kapitan Keling Mosque Just a [...]

Ku Din Ku Meh, the former Raja of Satun in the 19th Century, would turn in his grave if he could see the hustle and bustle that’s Penang Road now. His mansion, which is now a boutique hotel, is located in the upper part of the road. Home to several other hotels, this stretch of [...]

The newly-opened Hard Rock Hotel in Penang is a living museum of rock memorabilia. WHEN I told a friend, who plays in a band, that I was off to Penang for a two-night stay at Hard Rock Hotel, the dude quipped: “Bring along an empty guitar case.” “Why?” I asked. “So that you can carry [...]

The pasembur is a popular cuisine or maybe street food among the locals in Penang. The pasembur is actually a salad of vegetables and it is made up of ingredients such as yam bean, cucumber, blanched bean sprouts, and different kinds of fritters, all doused with peanut gravy. The origin of the pasembur is unknown [...]

Looking for the best roti canai (Indian Pancake) in Penang to savor? Head out to Sheikh Usman Gerai Roti Canai at Argyll Road which serves the best roti-telur (egg pancake) and beef curry combination. Although the curry is a bit spicy, it tastes excellent when it goes with the roti-telur. The secret of this tasty [...]

Looking for the best nasi kandar in Penang? Then head out to this restaurant located in Kampung Melayu in Air Itam for its divine signature dish. This restaurant has been in business for over 35 years. The nasi kandar served here is possibly Penang’s best kept secret that is famous not only to locals but [...]

I know some of you might say that after trying the bean sprout chicken in Ipoh, you don’t want to try at other places. But rest assured that the one in Penang is comparable to the Ipoh version bean sprout chicken in terms of taste and look. I found out about this place thru a [...]