Barefoot Char Koay Teow

Prior to my trip to Penang, I was actively craving a plate of Penang Char Kway Teow, especially one fried with duck egg, which is surprisingly scarce in Singapore. After watching a few YouTube reviews and getting a recommendation from my sibling, we decided to check this stall out. Upon reaching Cecil Street Food Centre, we made our way to the far end to locate it. I was excited and immediately rushed to place my order.

Stall of Barefoot Char Koay Teow

The lady taking orders had a rather extraordinary method, she literally wrote the orders on the eggs. The stall only accepts cash, and a number tag is issued upon ordering. It’s entirely self-service, and I waited close to 30 minutes for my plate to be ready. Customers can choose between a duck egg or a chicken egg, which was a nice touch.

Number to be called

When our order was finally ready, we collected it and took a closer look. The Char Kway Teow was fried over charcoal fire, and the prawns were undeniably plump, with that expected smoky wok hei clinging to the koay teow. However, the first mouthful left me disappointed. All my expectations of a satisfying plate of Char Kway Teow came crashing down, it simply wasn’t as memorable as what I had in Penang months ago. The ingredients included duck egg, Chinese sausage, and prawns, but somehow the overall balance just didn’t hit the mark for me.

Barefoot Char Koay Teow - RM 8.50

Would I wait another 30 minutes for another plate? Probably not. There are better versions out there, and this one just isn’t my style. Browsing through the Google reviews later on, I began to understand why opinions were so mixed. Turns out, I’m not in the minority who felt the same way.

Barefoot Char Koay Teow
Location: Pasar Lebuh Cecil, Lebuh Herriot, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

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

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

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

PPT Kopitiam

Rinse and shine! We finally made our way into Johor Bahru, kicking off the day with a hearty local breakfast at PPT Kopitiam. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling breakfast fare immediately set the tone for a day of exploring this vibrant city.

Ppt Kopitiam

Menu

Kopitiam

Their Mee Siam comes with several variations, and one of us opted for it with Ayam Goreng Berempah. The Mee Siam itself was served with cucumbers, lime, roasted peanuts, boiled egg, and chili as the baseline. Visually, the Berempah chicken looked a bit dry, but it still added a flavorful punch to the dish.

Mee Siam Ayam Goreng Berempah 米暹马来香料炸鸡 - RM15.90

We also tried the Mee Siam Otak-Otak. The photo on the menu looked quite promising, but the actual dish turned out rather different, just two small pieces of otah sitting beisde the noodles.

Mee Siam Otak-Otak 米暹乌达 - RM13.90

he Almond Polo Bun looked irresistible with a thick slice of butter sandwiched in between. Its crusty, golden top was especially appealing, made even more inviting by the almond flakes clinging all over the bun.

Almond Polo Bun 

For the dry noodles, I went with the braised chicken. The meat was evenly braised, though nothing particularly outstanding. The noodles were nicely tossed in seasoning, giving a simple yet satisfying flavor.

Braised Chicken Dry Noodle 香卤鸡肉干捞面 - RM15.90

One of us ordered the Chicken Chop with Mala Dry Noodle. The chicken appeared slightly on the dry side, though the seasoning leaned towards a bold mala flavour that might appeal to those who enjoy a numbing and spicy kick in their meal. The noodles were tossed evenly in the mala sauce, giving each bite a consistent heat and aroma.

Mala Chicken Chop Dry Noodle 麻辣炸鸡扒捞面 - RM 14.90

When it comes to the Chicken Chop with Nasi Lemak, the rice was fragrant and carried a luminous yellow hue. Its presentation resembled a Mee Siam style, served on a banana leaf base and accompanied by classic sides like peanuts, ikan bilis, sambal chilli, cucumber slices, egg, and a generous slab of chicken chop. The combination offered a familiar local comfort with a slightly creative twist.

Nasi Lemak Fried Chicken Chop 椰浆饭炸鸡扒 - RM14.90

For those who prefer rice instead of Mee Siam with their Ayam Goreng Berempah, this makes a good alternative.

Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah 椰浆饭马来香料炸鸡 - RM15.90

While others kickstart their morning with coffee, I went for something different, a chilled cup of Cincau Longan, or Grass Jelly with Longan.

Cincau Longon 仙草龙眼 - RM5.20

If you’re thinking about toast, eggs, nasi lemak, or mee siam for your next meal, PPt Kopitiam is the place to visit.

PPT Kopitiam
Location: 41, Jalan Jaya Putra 7/6, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia

Chinchilla Trading

It had been a while since we heard about the chinchilla café in Johor, so we decided to make a spontaneous trip to check it out. The space was admittedly quite limited, but honestly, it was cozy enough for the experience.

Chinchilla Trading

One side of the café was dedicated to the adorable chinchillas, housed in clean, well-kept cages — and yes, they’re even available for purchase if you’re tempted to bring one home!

Meerkat

What made the visit more interactive was the option to feed the chinchillas with special feed available for purchase. It was such a unique and delightful way to spend some time up close with these fluffy little creatures.

Display

It feels oddly therapeutic being surrounded by posters and little Totoro figurines, a cozy touch that warms the space

Display

Posters Display

That’s so cute! They’ve even got the little Soot Sprites (Susuwatari) on display, such a whimsical Ghibli touch.

Soot Sprites

They have Totoro Plush too.

Totoro

We made our order next door at Chinchilla Fruit, where there were a few cakes in the chiller display.

Cake Order

Chinchilla Trading and Chinchilla Fruit

When your buzzer rings, you can head over to pick up the order.

Ordering Buzzer

They also have a transparent cage with air holes that doubles up as a dining table, allowing diners to feed the chinchilla while enjoying their meal.

Chinchilla

Looking at this cute little chinchilla, a fluffy ball of fur while dining feels surprisingly therapeutic.

Fluffy Ball of Fur

Over at the back of the café, there are numerous breeds of chinchillas waiting for someone to take them home. For those interested, the café can even arrange delivery and purchase to Singapore with all the necessary documents.

How Adorable?

Do you want to take them home?

Cutely illustrated and thoughtfully presented in a carton box with faux newspaper, the Tiramisu Totoro was a feast for the eyes. Though visually delightful, it was a little firmer than the usual tiramisu I’ve had.

Tiramisu Totoro - RM 23

The Oreo mousse caught my eye too. Even though I’m not exactly a fan of Oreo-based desserts, I have to admit it looked irresistibly cute!

Oreo Mousse 慕丝奥宝- RM 23

To pair with the desserts, we had some watermelon beverages, light, refreshing, and just perfect for beating the heat on such a warm day.

Watermelon Jasmine Tea Smoothie - RM 13

And of course, for chinchilla lovers, I think you should definitely make a visit here. Watching those fluffy little ones while dining adds such a charming and therapeutic touch to the whole experience.

Chinchilla Trading
Location: 37, Jalan Bendahara 9, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta'zim, Malaysia