LUM LAI Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng

Our morning ride to Cecil Street Food Court was all about getting a taste of local breakfast and immersing ourselves in the everyday rhythm of Penang’s food culture. We were there with one clear goal in mind, the famous Barefoot Char Kway Teow. However, as I navigated my way through the bustling food court, a long queue caught my attention, and the words “Duck Koay Teow” immediately drew me in.

We settled down at our first stop and placed our order at the Char Kway Teow stall, collecting a number tag while waiting. With time to spare, I set myself a second mission, to join the queue at Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th’ng, a stall also recommended in the Michelin Guide. Despite having more than ten people ahead of me, the wait moved surprisingly fast, thanks to the efficient teamwork behind the stall. Each member had a clearly defined role, keeping the operation smooth and impressively organised.

Lum Lai Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng

Ordering was straightforward, with only two options available, small or big, no medium. Knowing Penang’s portions tend to be modest, and having queued for quite some time, I opted for the big bowl.

Pricing

The broth was the star of the dish, prepared by slow-simmering whole duck with pork bones, intestines, and loin for at least two hours. The result was a comforting, flavourful soup that complemented the duck beautifully, with a subtle sweetness that softened the duck’s natural robustness. The duck meat was deboned and cut into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to enjoy. The bowl was completed with fishballs and fish cakes, adding extra texture to an already inviting dish.

Duck Koay Teow Th'ng - RM 8.50 (Big)

Would I eat it again? Why not, especially if I find myself back at Cecil Street Food Court once more.

LUM LAI Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng
Location: Cecil Street Food Court, 24, Lebuh Cecil, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

PPB X London Fat Duck

Ushering in the Chinese New Year of the Horse, PasirPanjangBoys partners London Fat Duck to present a thoughtfully curated Chinese New Year Festive Menu. This collaboration celebrates Peranakan heritage and local flavours, bringing together comforting and celebratory dishes designed for reunion, abundance, and sharing, perfect for the festive season.

The PasirPanjangBoys Chinese New Year Set, priced at $248, features a well-balanced lineup of festive favourites: Scallop Ngoh Hiang, Huat Huat Babi Pongteh, Itek Sio London Duck, and the ever-essential Prosperity Fruity Yu Sheng.

London Fat Duck 

As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, Yu Sheng remains a quintessential highlight of the season. The Prosperity Fruity Yu Sheng is a vibrant and auspicious creation, showcasing crisp vegetables and multi-coloured fruits thoughtfully arranged to form layers of texture. Beyond its visual appeal, the dish carries a natural fragrance that elevates the overall experience. Aromatic ginger flower and lemongrass lift the flavours beautifully, symbolising prosperity, harmony, good health, and new beginnings for the Year of the Horse.

Properity Fruity Yu Sheng - $58

Here’s the classic Babi Pongteh, featuring generous chunks of pork belly slowly cooked until beautifully tender and richly flavoured. The savoury gravy is deeply infused with fermented soybean paste, gula melaka, onions, and aromatic spices, creating a well-rounded balance of sweetness and umami.

What we especially loved was the addition of creamy yam, which brought a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture that complemented the richness of the pork perfectly. Every spoonful felt comforting and luxurious, a true indulgence and a timeless Peranakan favourite.

Huat Huat Babi Pongteh - $58

Taking centre stage on the festive table is the collaborative signature London Duck, jointly presented by London Fat Duck and PasirPanjangBoys. This standout dish marries London Fat Duck’s signature richness with the deep, aromatic character of the traditional Peranakan Itek Sio, creating a harmonious balance of flavour and heritage.

Itek Sio London Duck - $138

Prepared using premium Irish duck, the texture stood out immediately, noticeably more tender and succulent compared to the usual duck varieties. The duck is patiently braised, allowing the essence of the spices, fermented elements, and aromatics to fully permeate the meat. Each bite carries layers of savoury depth, gently spiced yet comforting, with flavours that linger pleasantly on the palate.

The rich braising sauce ties everything together, making it an undeniably satisfying and homely dish. As a festive centrepiece, the London Duck not only embodies indulgence but also reflects the spirit of reunion and abundance, perfect for sharing during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Yummy

Featuring the handmade Ngoh Hiang, each roll is thoughtfully prepared with fresh pork and generous chunks of scallop meat, complemented by chestnut that adds a delightful crisp crunch. Every piece is beautifully cooked to a golden-brown finish, releasing an inviting aroma upon serving.

Scallop Ngoh Hiang - $28

The fillings are fragrant, plump, and well-balanced, with the scallop meat standing out for its natural sweetness and succulent bite, a truly laudable touch. Dipping it into the accompanying sweet sauce further elevates the flavours, adding a gentle contrast that rounds off each mouthful perfectly.

It's so good

Do make your pre-orders early while slots last.

Orders can be placed via:

📞 Phone: 6972 3825

💬 WhatsApp: 9695 4124

Operating Hours

Monday to Friday

11.30am – 3.00pm

5.30pm – 9.30pm

Saturday & Sunday

11.00am – 9.30pm

Operating hours may vary on public holidays.

Chinese New Year Operating Schedule

16 February 2026 (CNY Eve)

Takeaway collection: 10.00am – 3.00pm

Lunch dine-in: 11.00am – 3.00pm

Dinner dine-in: 5.00pm – 10.00pm

(Set-menu reservations only)

17 February 2026 (CNY Day 1)

Takeaway only: 10.00am – 12.00pm

18 February 2026 (CNY Day 2)

Dine-in & takeaway: 11.00am – 9.30pm

London Fat Duck
Location: PLQ Mall, 10 Paya Lebar Road, B2-25 Singapore 409057

Hui Shang Ying Self-Made Rice Dumpling Specialty Store

We were running out of time after waking up from a short nap, so we decided to head over to Hui Shang Ying, just a few doors down from Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice. With time not on our side, we grabbed the menu and quickly made our selections before settling in.

Menu

We ordered the Sour Plum Calamansi Juice, refreshing and appetising, with just the right balance of sweet and tangy. It’s a familiar go-to that I almost always order whenever I’m in Malaysia.

Sour Plum Calamansi Juice - RM 9 Each

The BBQ Chicken Rice was pleasantly presented, a sunny-side-up egg crowned neatly on a mound of rice, accompanied by a juicy chicken steak glazed in a glistening BBQ sauce. A small serving of greens on the side added a refreshing touch and balanced out the plate nicely.

BBQ Chicken Rice - RM 16.90

Still not fully awake, I ordered the Hokkien Prawn Noodle, assuming it would be similar to our Singapore-style HKM. It wasn’t until the bowl arrived in front of me that reality kicked in. What was served turned out to be a comforting bowl of prawn noodle soup instead, complete with hard-boiled egg, kang kong and prawns swimming in a rich, savoury broth.

Hokkien Prawn Noodle - RM 12.90

Overall, if I were to choose again, I would likely skip this place, if not for its convenience and close proximity to our accommodation.

Hui Shang Ying Self-Made Rice Dumpling Specialty Store
Location: 4H & 4J, Desa University Commercial Complex, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Mommy Irene @ Sungai Dua

While taking a walk around the hotel vicinity after lunch, we spotted a Tau Fu Fa specialist right across from the hotel and decided to drop by. I don’t recall noticing this shop during our visit last year, so it felt like a pleasant little discovery.

Mommy Irene

We walked into Mommy Irene’s Kitchen, and it honestly felt like stepping into someone’s landed home. That said, it’s quite common in Malaysia to find eateries or service spaces set up in residential-style properties, so the experience felt both familiar and welcoming.

Menu

We had the Cantonese Tau Hua, which comes with a choice of brown sugar or chrysanthemum sugar. We went with the former, and the syrup was thoughtfully served in a separate bowl. The tau hua didn’t fill the bowl entirely, but it was silky-smooth in texture.

Brown Sugar Tau Hua - RM 5.50

We poured in the brown sugar syrup, and the sweetness was just right. The silky, wobbly texture was almost jelly-like, making each spoonful light and soothing. Served chilled, it was incredibly comforting and refreshing.

Wobbly

We also went for something warm the recommended Bubur Pulut Hitam, made with Thai black glutinous rice and topped with fresh coconut milk for a rich, comforting finish.

Bubur Pulut Hitam - RM 5.80 

The sweetness was just right, and every mouthful felt like a traditional indulgence. Comforting and satisfying, we polished the bowl clean before heading off.

I love this taste

We had planned to return for their Bubur Cha Cha, especially since our accommodation was nearby, but time never worked in our favour. On top of that, Bubur Cha Cha is only served randomly on weekends. Well then, we’ll just have to see if there’s a next time for us to visit again.

Will want to be back

Mommy Irene @ Sungai Dua
Location: 727F, Jalan Sungai Dua, Desa Permai Indah, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Long Kee Wanton Noodle

I had heard quite a fair bit about Long Kee Wanton Noodle, often recommended as one of the must-try stalls at 505 Jurong West Market & Food Centre. With a day off on hand, we decided to head over to Jurong West for a comforting bowl of Wanton Mee for breakfast.

As expected on a weekday morning, the hawker centre was mostly filled with retirees. Long Kee, however, stood out immediately with its snaking queue, which I assumed was the norm whenever they are in operation. Despite the long line, the lady taking orders was friendly, and to my surprise, the queue moved along at a decent pace.

Long Kee Wanton Noodle

I ordered the Wanton Mee with chilli, and lo and behold, this plate checked every box on my personal Wanton Mee checklist. It was a bowl full of nostalgia, the kind of noodles I would yearn for from my childhood. The slices of char siew were lean, not the glossy, oil-laden kind, but more of a steamed-style preparation. While the dish may look simple at first glance, the noodles were well tossed in seasoning and paired beautifully with their fiery chilli sauce, making each bite deeply satisfying.

Wanton Mee - $4.50

The wantons were pleasant too, with two pieces served per bowl, simple, comforting, and well done.

Wantons

Given the long queue, I figured it would be a waste not to try more, so I went ahead and ordered an additional bowl of dumpling soup. 

Dumplings Soup - $5.50

The dumplings were plump and generously filled with well-seasoned minced meat. What stood out were the chunks of chestnut, which added a refreshing texture and an appetising bite, rounding off the experience nicely.

Dumpling

If I ever return to Long Kee Wanton Noodle, I would definitely order their chicken feet and mushroom noodles as well, alongside their classic wanton noodles, this time without chilli, to better savour the flavours.

Long Kee Wanton Noodle
Location: 505 Jurong West Street 52, #01-185, Singapore 640505

Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice

We had tried Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice as a takeaway on our previous trip, so this time we decided to dine in. It ended up being our very first meal in Penang, right after checking in nearby. Its a simple, comforting, and exactly what we needed to kickstart the trip.

Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice

The place was crowded, but the queue moved quickly and everything felt well organised, with an assistant ushering us to a table almost as soon as we joined the line. The interior wasn’t anything fanciful,just simple and straightforward, with old-school ceiling boards, cassette air-conditioning, and basic tables and chairs.

Interior

After placing our orders, the soups were served first, comforting and tasty, with a natural chicken sweetness. Carrots and potatoes rounded out the homely, nourishing bowl.

Soup 

We also ordered longan ice drinks to go with our meals. Lightly sweet and refreshing, they came with a few pieces of dried longan for an extra touch.

Longan Ice - RM 2.40

The rice was fluffy and packed with fragrance. Just by looking at it, you could already tell the grains were light, loose, and well cooked.

Rice

We ordered the Mix Four Rice, which lets you enjoy the best of all worlds: chicken (roast or steamed), BBQ pork, roast pork, and BBQ sausage. The portion is perfect for one, giving you a taste of four different kinds of meat in a single meal. I love the variety it offers, and since both of us wanted to try it, one of us went for the roast chicken while the other chose the steamed chicken.

Mix Four Rice - RM13.50

The sweet dark sauce on the plate was more than enough to drizzle over our rice, adding that perfect touch of flavor. Combined with the fragrant chicken rice and the charred BBQ pork (char siew), it was absolutely delicious. The charred edges brought a subtle smokiness, while the caramelized pork added a rich, savory-sweet punch.

BBQ Pork

The roast pork was delicious as well. The crackling skin on top wasn’t too tough, hitting just the right balance of crispiness. The texture was spot on, with the meat and fat clearly distinct yet perfectly harmonious, every bite was satisfying.

Roast Pork

I didn’t manage to take photos of both the steamed and roast chicken, but I would say they were tender overall. That said, the roast chicken leaned slightly towards the drier and saltier side. If I were to choose again, I would definitely opt for the steamed chicken in the platter instead, it felt more balanced and enjoyable.

The next item on the plate was none other than their BBQ sausage. It carried that classic Chinese sausage flavor, yet it wasn’t overly salty. Well-balanced and comforting, another spot on choice!

BBQ Sausage

For those craving roasted delights, do make a stop at Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice, it’s definitely worth a try.

Fatty Fatty Chicken Rice
Location: 4P, Desa Universiti Commercial Complex, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

LINO @ Binjai Park

With someone craving Italian food for a birthday celebration and Cacio e Pepe closed on a Monday we started looking for alternatives. After tossing around a few suggestions, we settled on LINO, an Italian concept by the Les Amis Group.

LINO

The festive mood still lingered, with the restaurant adorned in warm seasonal decorations, giving us even more reason to celebrate and soak in the joy of the season.

Entrance

Tucked away at the corner of the non-air-conditioned seating area was a charming garden-like nook, softly lit and lush with greenery, complete with a small basin by the side that added to its quaint, laid-back appeal.

LINO

Let’s browse through the menu and see what we ended up ordering.

Menu

For antipasti, we started with the Tuna “Crudo” as our cold starter. The lightly seared tuna loin (saku-cut) was dressed with pistachio, green olives, peperoncino, a squeeze of lemon juice, and finished with fragrant, fruity olive oil, clean, refreshing, and beautifully balanced in flavour.

Tuna "Crudo" - $16

For the hot starters, it was a rather familiar choice on the table. We went with the calamari, classic breaded squid rings served with lemon and Japanese mayonnaise. Nothing out of the ordinary, but comforting and enjoyable nonetheless.

Calamari - $16

Moving on to the mains, we had the Crispy Duck Leg Confit served with braised lentils and a mixed salad tossed in the restaurant’s Italian house dressing. The duck leg was crisp on the outside yet tender within, making it a satisfying and hearty main.

Duck Leg - $29

The Seafood Stew was both appetising and addictive. Brimming with prawns, snapper, octopus, and clams, the stew was simmered in a fragrant aromatic broth enriched with white wine, and best enjoyed with slices of toasted bread to soak up every last drop.

Seafood Stew - $36 

Moving on to the 12” pizzas, we went with the Mixed Meat. Loaded with pork fennel sausage, bacon, salami and spicy ’nduja, it was balanced with red onions over a base of tomato passata and melted mozzarella. The crust was nicely blistered, holding up well to the generous toppings while delivering bold, savoury flavours in every bite.

Mixed Meat - $29

As we were already quite full from dinner, we decided to share a Tiramisu to end the meal on a sweet note. The housemade Italian mascarpone was beautifully done, layered with coffee-soaked sponge that was rich yet light, making it a satisfying but not overly heavy finish.

Tiramisu - $14

LINO @ Binjai Park
Location: 7 Binjai Park, Singapore 589821 
Website