Experience Penang

Penang. One of the most visited tourist destinations in Malaysia. Finally documenting my short trip in 2019. I know I know, 2 years late. But better late then never. right?

Penang is a food haven. And these are the places I visited during the 4D3N there:

Kafka Penang

Wowtea

Chulia Street Hawkers

Manchu Penang

Backdoor Bodega

China House

The Canteen at China House

Penang Road Famous Laksa

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Joo Hooi Cafe

The Alley Penang

Hazels Murmur

Constant Gardener Coffee

Selfie Coffee @ Jupiter's Bay

Kafka Penang

After checking into our hotel, a friend who stays in Penang drove us to this cafe just cos we wanted to start off with the rich cafe culture here.

15, Jalan Kelawai, George Town

Wowtea

We went to the alley where a lot of bubble tea brands reside. Since the other brands are also found in Singapore, we decided to visit this brand. 

RM 13.90/2pax

172, Jalan Hutton, George Town

Chulia Street Hawkers

We were staying super near this line of street hawkers who will open up every 6pm-12am. So decided to try some of the food there, like the Wanton Mee, Char Kway Teow, and Lor Bak.  It was so near our hotel we decided to dabao the CKT back instead.

RM 6 for Wanton Mee

RM 8 for Lor Bak

RM7 for Char Kway Teow

Chulia Street, George Town

Manchu Penang

Our Penang friend brought us to this really cool oriental-inspired bar which has a non-existent hidden door. Really cool, crowded and well liked by the audiences.

RM 77/Asahi

38 & 40, Jalan Pintal Tali, George Town

Backdoor Bodega

Another cool hidden bar. This was totally off the radar as we had to walk through another shop, all the way into the back of it, before going into a unassuming backdoor to reach this bar. IT. WAS. SO. COOL. Bartenders also could concoct something based on your preferences. My fav place so far during the trip.

RM 200/3pax

37, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town

China House

One of the most famous eateries in Penang, I do not know anyone who will miss this place when they are visiting Penang for the first time. I love the cakes, especially the Tiramisu. For a cake lover like me, this is heaven.

RM 94.75/2pax

153, Beach Street, Georgetown

The Canteen at China House

This was the bar side of the China House eatery. Atmosphere was totally amazing and everyone was high, music was good. Damn I miss this place,

RM 75.05/2pax

183B, Lebuh Victoria, George Town

Penang Road Famous Laksa

When in Penang, must try their famous Penang Laksa! However, I didn't feel very wowed by this as I think I could find something similar in Singapore as well.

RM 5.50/bowl

5 Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

Right on the street where we tried the laksa, so we visited the supposedly famous cendol. Not sure if its because I wasn't really a cendol fan to begin with, or it was the wrong stall?

RM 3.20/bowl

4 2, Lebuh Keng Kwee, George Town

Joo Hooi Cafe

Oyster omelette here was so so. Think I can find better ones in SG and JB. But what's good about this place was that, you could sit down and order the Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul at the same time and will be served. 

475, Jalan Penang, George Town

The Alley Penang

Got to know some really cool people while we were drinking at Backdoor Bodega and found out they were working at this cafe, so we decided to visit this place!

RM 33/2pax

5, Stewart Lane, Georgetown

Hazels Murmur

Visited our friend's newly opened cafe. At the time of my writing, it has since changed owners :(

RM 70/2pax

11, Jalan Tanjung Bungah

Constant Gardener Coffee

Apparently one of the most famous baristas reside here. I had to come try their coffee!

Ground Floor, Penang Chinese Chamber Of Commerce Building, 9, Lebuh Light, George Town

Selfie Coffee @ Jupiter's Bay

Our last bar before we leave Penang. It had shisha, which my friend really wanted to try. Was also stalked by this creepy looking guy while we were sitting outdoors with our drinks and shisha, but the staff kindly helped to chase him away.

RM 40/2pax

37, Love Lane, George Town

We got stopped halfway too at another occasion while walking past a tipsy guy and he spouted some gibberish as well. The best thing to do? Be very aware of your personal belongings (cos you never know if they are just trying to distract you and pick-pocket) and just smile and walk away. (well if they look creepy then don't smile at all hahah)

Well, even though Penang was a pretty safe place, do be careful when going to night places like bars and clubs. After all, these are the places where creeps will prey on unknowing victims.

All in all, I loved my trip to Penang and would totally revisit again!

What to eat in Cebu

Mabuhay again!

Documenting some of the food places I went to during my 2019 Cebu trip. I would say, The Philippines really has some good Lechon and meat dishes.

-Cebu City Centre-
CNT Lechon
Jollibee

Turon

Max's Restaurant

Bo's Coffee

Cardinal Coffea

Greenwich

Abaca Baking Company

-Moalboal-

Genevieve's Garden Cafe

Cafe Cebuano

Pleasure Principle

Balut

Smooth Cafe

Makan

The French Coffee Shop

-Bohol-

Gerarda's Place

Mang Inasal

Cebu City Centre

Our flight stops at Cebu City Centre, before we could take a car to Bohol and other parts of Cebu which had more activities to do. However, there are lots of decent food in the city.

CNT Lechon

The first order of business after we touched down was to go the the nearest mall for some famous CNT Lechon. Fortunately, there was one in the food court of Ayala Mall and we ordered some to share. Have not tried other brands in Philippines but this was so good! It is a must try!

L4, Food Choice, Ayala Mall Cebu, Archbishop Reyes Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu

Jollibee

What is Philippines without some good ol' Jollibee. The meat here is definitely salty, but it's nice to have such sinful food once in a while. Though I would say, it's nothing special after you had it so many times.

Various outlets

Turon

Turon is a snack that is kinda like the Singapore version of Goreng Pisang. If you like Goreng Pisang, you would love this snack. Found it randomly in a booth while shopping in the SM Seaside City.

Max's Restaurant

A restaurant we found in SM Seaside City. Didn't know that it is a famous chain that has outlets in other parts of Asia and even Singapore. The fried chicken is apparently their specialty and I found it quite nice.

PHP 749/4pax

Various outlets

Bo's Coffee

Didn't realise that Bo's Coffee is a Filipino coffeehouse chain started in 1996 in Cebu City. No wonder I saw so many of their shops in Cebu itself! However, I find that there are more flavour varieties in Starbucks for Frappucino options (not sure about the normal coffee) so I'm not a fan.

Various outlets

Cardinal Coffea

A cafe famous for their cheese rolls, cakes and coffee. Glad to have tried out a decent cafe during the trip! Food was nice, but not very wowed as per the other comments you find online though. But it is worth a try if you really need to strike a cafe off your to-go list in Cebu.

PHP 469/4pax

Don Jose Avila St, Cebu City, Cebu

Greenwich

Had a random meal here in Ayala Mall on our last day in Cebu. This place reminds me of Pizzahut, with emphasis on pizza and pasta dishes. Not the best, but will do.

Various outlets

Abaca Baking Company

One of our last meals before leaving, wanted to find a trendy cafe to just sit down and chill for a bit before we say goodbye, and randomly found this place. This cafe serves artisan crafted breads, from-scratch baked goods and classic American food. Well, this Whoopie Pie was ok-ish. Forgot to take pictures of the coffee or smoothies we had!

PHP 800/4pax

The Terraces Ayala Center, Cebu City, Cebu

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Moalboal

This was the place we had to go for the most part of the adventures - snorkeling, canyoneering, hiking etc. The whole area gave off a very rustic and old skool vibe; not commercialised, houses were run down, can't be sure if the stalls had clean food etc. But well, that's just how the place is.

Genevieve's Garden Cafe

Was finding a lunch place after our snorkeling session. Walked a whole stretch of road under the hot weather only to find this and waited super long for our food too. Had Sinigang (Filipino soup), Pork Sisig (mainly pig’s parts such as minced pork meat, ears, and face) and San Miguel beer because that's the classic Filipino food and beer that one should order while in Philippines. Memorable because the place was super hot! And I almost fainted here due to the snorkeling session earlier and hot weather which resulted in a mild dehydration.

PHP 880/4pax

Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu

Cafe Cebuano

We were so tired (I had exhibited signs of dehydration as mentioned above) after snorkeling and had a good afternoon nap before going out to explore the Moalboal area for some cafes to sit around till dinner time. This was the cafe we chose. Can't say much about the food cos it was not memorable. But the view here was good, overlooking the sea, Very chill.

Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu

Pleasure Principle

Had pizza here, which was actually not bad. What was memorable was that the drinks here came in very traditional forms that one don't see in Singapore, and price was really reasonable.

PHP 530/4pax

Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu

Balut

After our dinner, we decided to walk around the area and hunt for Balut. In case you aren't aware, Balut is a developing egg embryo, ie. an almost fertilised egg (usually duck) and is a delicacy here in the Philippines. It tasted like a regular egg though, and you have to drizzle some salt and vinegar for better taste. Not for the faint hearted, since you can totally see the almost formed head of the little half duckling. yikes.

Smooth Cafe

Saw this prominent hipster cafe and I knew we had to come here. Food was actually quite good (I had quinoa salad), but expensive compared to the other eateries around the area. Seems hipster and catering to the tourists I guess, but at least I enjoyed the food and drinks here.

Approx PHP 300/pax

Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu

Makan

This is just some simple Filipino fare. Had the Sizzling Eggplant, Sizzling Calamari and Eggplant Omelette. Had Pork Sisig again because Hep said that the previous sisig we had at Genevieve's Garden Cafe didn't taste like how sigig should be. However, both are not to my liking.

PHP 1055/4pax

Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu

The French Coffee Shop

Had our last breakfast in Moalboal in this seemingly "French" cafe. Food was kinda bad. I would rather go back to the expensive cafe mentioned earlier and treat my tastebuds and stomach better.. this is not recommended.

PHP 550/4pax

Panagsama Rd, Moalboal, Cebu

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Bohol

This was our last stop before going back to the city. Bohol is known for their Chocolate Hills and touristy attractions like the Sipatan Twin Bridge, and cute Tarsiers. The area was more developed than Moalboal for sure. We had some of the best food from our trip here.

Gerarda's Place

This was highly recommended online, so we decided to try our luck and check out the restaurant. They serve Filipino cuisine with a twist, and we all loved the food here! I would dare say it was one of my favourites throughout the trip!

PHP 1295/4pax

30 J.S. Torralba St, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Beancurd

Was at Alona Beach and saw a makeshift vendor selling beancurd! As I love beancurd, thought we should give it a try. Tastes... like a regular beancurd so, great!

Mang Inasal

Had this before in Manila. It's one of the more famous Filipino fastfood joints with cheap prices and good marinated chicken. Except for the part where there is hardly any vegetables in their plates, I kinda like this. 

PHP 478/4pax

Various outlets

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So that is all! The sauces and flavouring in Philippines are really good! On the heavy or sweeter side definitely, therefore it is great for those who love flavourful food.

Click below for more of what went down in Cebu:

Our Canyoneering Adventures in Cebu

Cebu Vlog