By CK Lam

Da Ban Chinese Restaurant is renowned for serving Szechuan cuisine as well as steamboat. Its location in Jalan Zainal Abidin, stuck between Jalan Macalister and Burma Road, has a huge gold and black signboard on its facade.

A man-made bridge after the main entrance leads us into several dining areas. This fairly large air-conditioned restaurant has its interior decorated with Chinese furniture and bamboo plants.

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Tags: Bamboo Plants, Burma Road, Chili Padi, Chinese Cabbage, Chinese Furniture, Chinese Herbs, Da Ban, Da Ban Chinese Restaurant, Delicious Dish, Duck Tongue, Fish Broth, Fried Fish, Garlic Sauce, Jalan Macalister, Lotus Root, New Straits Times (Life & Times), Pork Belly, Pork Roll, Red Chili, Red Snapper Fish, Spring Onion, Spring Onions, Szechuan Cuisine, Szechuan Peppercorn, Wolfberries

By CK Lam

Having started off more than a decade ago in Penang, Shanghai Ding House of Dumplings is still drawing in the crowds, with many going for its noodles and dim sum.

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Tags: Attractive Price, Bamboo Steamer, Bean Sprouts, Black Sesame, Black Vinegar, Chicken Bones, Chinese Wine, Delicate Skin, Delicious Fish, Dim Sum Menu, Dumplings, Egg Tarts, Fried Radish Cake, Ginger Soup, Glutinous Rice Ball, Hearty Bowl, Juicy Meat, Laksa, New Straits Times (Life & Times), Noodle Dish, Oyster Sauce, Prawn Ramen, Prawns, Rich Broth, Savory Dishes, Shanghai Ding House of Dumplings Pulau Tikus, Shanghai Ding House of Dumplings Queensbay Mall, Signature Dish, Xiao Lung Bao, Yunnan Fish Noodle

By CK Lam

Khunthai Authentic Thai Restaurant is a place in Penang that locals and foreigners alike flock to for tasty Thai cuisine. Having made a name for itself in Raja Uda Butterworth, it recently opened another outlet at Teluk Kumbar on Penang Island.

This restaurant offers Thai delicacies specialising on seafood dishes. We started with the kerabu mango, which has plenty of vegetables, mango strips, cashew nuts and anchovies. The sour, spicy and sweet dish is a great starter as it whetted everyone’s appetite.

‘Kerabu’ mango RM9

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Tags: Abundant Seafood, Appetising, Authentic Thai Restaurant, Belacan Fried Rice, Chap Oong Ommelet, Charcoal Fire, Chicken Pieces, Cili Padi, Deep Fried Fish, Deep Fried Tofu, Gaeang Som Deep-Fried Fish, Khunthai Authentic Thai Restaurant, Khunthai Superstar, Lemon Juice, New Straits Times (Life & Times), Pandan Leaves, Pasir Belanda, Penang Island, Penang Restaurant, Poultry Dishes, Rsquo, Seafood Dishes, Sotong, Spicy Sauce, Sweet Dish, Teluk Kumbar, Thai Cuisine, Thai Steam Fish, Thai Style

By CK Lam

Suffolk House located at Jalan Air Itam in Penang launches another interesting menu. The new Anglo-Indian Brunch Tiffin menu was designed and created by Executive Chef Wan Helmi Zazalee and his team in honour of Suffolk House’s unique Anglo-Indian past. It reflects the dining sense and style of the Governors’ (including Captain Francis Light) who once lived in Penang’s first Great House.

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Tags: Air Itam, Anglo Indian, Anglo-Indian Brunch Tiffin, Captain Francis Light, Chef Wan, Ck Lam, Coconut Milk, Deep Fried Fish, Fish Cakes, Fragrant Lime Rice, Fried Onions, Hearty Soup, Indian Chicken Curry, Indian Courgette, Indian Spices, Lime Juice, Mulligatawny Soup, Mustard Seeds, Nasi Padang, Perfect Appetizers, Refreshing Flavors, Rice Cracker, Rijsttafel Style, Suffolk House, Tomato Chutney, Vegetable Dishes, Vegetable Korma

BY CK Lam

Ete Cafe, a family-owned coffee hotspot in Penang welcomes customers with its specialty coffee and tea besides freshly baked cakes. Situated on Carnarvon Street, this cafe is run by Taiwanese couple, Chiang Tsung Hsun and his wife, Venessa.

Both learnt baking skills from the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. At Ete cafe, Venessa is responsible for baking the pastry and cakes. Don’t be surprised to find delicious macaroons, gateau, chocolate mousse and tarts. These sweet treats ensure a loyal following from customers who want fine French pastries.

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Tags: Alhambra, Baked Cakes, Brazil Santos, Carnarvon Street, Chicken Pizza, Coffee And Tea, Columbia Coffee, Columbian Coffee, Cordon Bleu Cooking School, Creamy Dessert, Delightful Sandwich, Display Glass, Ete Cafe, Flavour Combinations, French Pastries Desserts, Fromage Baton., Gateau1895, Glass Unit, Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School, Lebuh Carnarvon, Macaroons, Moist Chocolate Cake, New Straits Times (Life & Times), Penang Cafe, Penang Coffee Hotspot, Savoury Dishes, Specialty Coffee, Taiwanese Couple, Tarte Normande, Types Of Coffee Beans, White Chocolate Mousse

***This place has closed down since August 2012

BY CK Lam

Chez Weng Modern Grill Restaurant has recently opened its doors at Precinct 10, a new dining scene in Penang. The restaurant offers contemporary grilled European cuisines along with a selection of alcoholic beverages.

Owner, Chef Weng opened the restaurant with a casual and cozy ambience. Colourful curtains, large light bulbs and chandelier added charm to the huge dining area with high ceiling. Seating areas are on the ground and first floor that looks directly into the restaurant below. There are live performances on alternate nights – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

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Tags: Aioli, Alcoholic Beverages, Chef Weng, Chez Weng Modern Grill Restaurant, Ck Lam, Contemporary Dining, Crunchy Vegetables, Deep Fried Calamari, European Cuisines, Food and Beverage, Fresh Products, Island Plaza, Kaffir Lime, Lemon Oil, Light Bulbs, Light Dressing, Light Seasoning, New Straits Times (Life & Times), Orange Salad, Pasta Pizza, Portabella Mushroom, Precinct 10, Refreshing Taste, Seared Tuna, Seating Areas, Serrano Ham, Smoke Paprika Aioli, Smoked Duck, Squid Ink Aglio Olio, Tangy Flavor, Truff, Weng