Gone are the days where travelling leisurely is reserved for the wealthy. Vacations need not be extravagant and Singapore’s closeness to other Southeast Asian cities have equipped us with the privilege to frequent weekend travels. Why stay at home when you can venture out? Furthermore, Malaysian state Penang is only an 85-minute flight away from Singapore!
After spending a week in Georgetown, Penang, it dawned upon us that a getaway at this UNESCO World Heritage City is really a lot more affordable than what most people think – especially when you would be travelling without having to compromise on comfort. Starving yourselves is absolutely unnecessary and it helps that Penang’s street food is incredibly cheap.
From exploring Ernest Zacharevic’s street art, sampling Penang’s famous assam laksa to riding a trishaw, here is How You Can Travel To Penang For A 3D2N Trip With S$250 (All-Inclusive).
#1 EXLPORE ERNEST ZACHAREVIC’S STREET ART
Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic’s street art is located all over Penang, where you can find interesting painted walls and wrought-iron caricatures. Each artwork humorously illustrates Penang’s unique colonial past and these 24 masterpieces are super popular.
$: Free
Various locations
#2 SAMPLE PENANG’S FAMOUS ASSAM LAKSA
The world-famous Assam Laksa encapsulates an interesting myriad of contrasting flavours; each mouthful of the tangy broth packs a punch of sweetness, sourness and even spiciness! Many ingredients – such as chilli, cucumber, mint leaves, onion, pineapple, prawn paste, poached mackerel, shallots and tamarind – are used to create this complex noodle dish.
$: Approximately RM$4 / S$1.30 per bowl
#3 PENANG ROAD FAMOUS TEOCHEW CHENDUL
Chendul (also spelt as chendol) is inherently a bowl of shaved ice dessert drenched in coconut milk and gula melaka. The refreshing treat is topped with kidney beans and pandan worm-shaped rice flour jellies. Eating this ice-cold dessert is a great way to combat Malaysia’s unbearable tropical heat. Chendul can be commonly found in roadside vendors across Penang.
$: RM$2.10 / S$0.70 per bowl
Jalan Penang, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-262 6002
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 7pm
Sat and Sun: 10am – 7.30pm
#4 RIDE OR HOP ON A TRISHAW
Over at Penang, you can either hop onto a trishaw or even rent an entire trishaw to ride it around the city! It may seem a little outrageous but the experience will be a memorable one that you would still remember in years to come. The price varies across each rental company so do look around for the best rate before settling for one.
$: Approximately RM$22.50 / S$7.50 per hour
#5 MACALLUM CONNOISSEURS COFFEE COMPANY
At first glance, one cannot help but to wonder if the industrial-chic Macallum Connoiseurs cafe is actually a warehouse. We soon found out that it was once a factory and has since then retained its container-like vibes. The place is so huge that it even has its own outdoor carpark! Macallum Connoiseurs is also a proud owner of an on-site coffee roastery and coffee academy.
$: Coffees from RM$6; Mains from RM$10
1, Gat Lebuh Macallum
10300 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-261 3597
Daily: 9am – 12am
#6 CHECK OUT HIN BUS DEPOT ART CENTRE
Hin Bus Depot Art Centre was formerly a bus garage, but has since then evolved into an open-space art venue. Artist Ernest Zacharevic had his first solo exhibition here and the rest is history. Today, visitors can drop by the art exhibits or check out the periodical pop-up shops.
$: Free
31, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-226 5691
#7 CHULIA STREET WANTON MEE
When daylight wanes away, Lebuh Chulia street awakens from her afternoon nap and transforms into a bustling food street. One particular vendor – with no visible signboard – is exceptionally famous for its springy wanton noodles. It is the go-to place for locals and tourists alike, even before celebrity food critic Anthony Bourdain sang praises of this glorious dish.
$: RM$3.50 / S$1.20 per small bowl, RM$4.80 / S$1.60 per large bowl
Lebuh Chulia, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
China House is arguably one of the most famous cafes in Penang. The multi-concept venue features 14 different spaces and spans across 16,000 square feet; it is simply amazing how they can actually coexist together harmoniously. Think live band entertainment, Australian-style cafe, outdoor Chinese courtyard, a local art gallery and more! A definite must-visit in Penang.
$: Beers from RM$12
153, Lebuh Pantai, George Town
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-263 7299
Sun to Thu: 9am – 12am
Fri and Sat: 9am – 1am
#9 HIKE UP PENANG HILL
Penang Hill -otherwise known as Bukit Bendera – stands at 2,732 feet and boasts the highest point in Penang. Situated six kilometres away from the city centre of Georgetown, the forested area comprises a number of hills and could be accessed by the funicular railway or foot.
$: Free
#10 BANGKOK LANE MEE GORENG
Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng has been unanimously coined by natives as Penang’s very best. The stall can be easily missed if you do not look hard enough. It is found inside Seng Lee Coffee Shop, where the cook whips up fragrant plates of sweet and spicy fried noodles.
$: From RM$3 per plate
Seng Lee Café, 270, Jalan Burma, Georgetown, 10050, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang Malaysia
#11 QUEUE FOR CHAR KWAY TEOW
As its name implies, Siam Road Char Kway Teow is located along Siam Road and you can opt for takeout or dine at the nearby coffee shop. The locals love him so much that many have nicknamed him as the God of Char Kway Teow. Each aromatic plate of stir-fried noodles is served with beansprouts, Chinese sausage, chives, cockles, eggs, fried pork lard and prawns.
$: Small – RM$5 / S$1.70, Medium – RM$5.50 / S$1.85, Large – RM$6.50 / S$2.20
Siam Rd. (off Jalan Anson), 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
#12 TELUK KUMBAR
For an unforgettable dining experience, head over to Teluk Kumbar, a tiny fishing village at the south of Penang Island. The remote area is where Penangites visit for the freshest mouthwatering seafood; in fact, you can see many sampan boats floating atop the waters! The deserted village also boasts a breathtaking views of the sunset, so don’t forget your cameras.
$: From RM$20 per person
#13 NEW LANE HAWKER CENTRE
New Lane Hawker Centre is a stretch of road with vendors lined up on both sides of the street. This is the one-stop destination where you get to savour a plethora of Penang local delicacies such as char kway teow, char koay kak, nutmeg juice and whatnot at very budget prices.
$: From RM$5.50 per dish
Lorong Baru, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Mon and Tue: 4pm – 10pm
Wed: Closed
Thu to Sun: 4pm – 10pm
#14 GRAVITY ROOF TOP BAR
Perched atop G Hotel Kelawi is Gravity Roof Top Bar, a stunning bar featuring alternative vantage points of Penang. Opened throughout the day and into the night, it is a great place to chill out with friends over a drink or two.
$: From RM$26 per cocktail
2 Persiaran Maktab, 10250, Penang, Malaysia
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
+60 4-238 0000
Black Kettle only opened its doors for less than half a year, but has already become a popular brunch destination amongst locals and expats alike. The bakery-cum-cafe offers a plethora of freshly baked goods as well as sumptuous mains. Our favourite items were hands down the Smoked Duck Pasta (RM$28 / S$9.15) and Ramen with Slow Braised Beef (RM$24 / S$7.85).
$: Coffees from RM$7 ; Mains from RM$18
105, Beach Street, Georgetown
10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-251 9270
Daily: 8.30am – 12am
TOTAL EXPENSES PER PERSON FOR 3D2N (ALL-INCLUSIVE)
4-Star Hotel Stay (2 nights): S$148 (for 2 persons)
Return Tigerair tickets: S$68** (per person)
Transportation + Return airport transfer: S$58
Food: S$50
Attractions: Mostly free
TOTAL: S$250 per person (all-inclusive)
** This fare is based on Skyscanner’s flight booking platform with no check-in baggage.
About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.
Your introduction to Penang has stirred my emotions and cravings to fly there immediately to try out the food, desserts and places of interest.
Like to know which Hotel did you stay?
BAD Experience in SAN CAFE Lorong Baru/New Lane Penang
Honest Review
unless you are not MMA fighter please try to avoid this place drink stall call SAN CAFE in Lorong Baru / New Lane Hawker Center
We are Tourist (we are 6 adults and 1 children). we just arrived there we decided to sit to the place near SAN CAFE. so all my family member ordering food and only left me stay in the place.
the owner ask me for the drink since i’m mention please wait for the rest so we can order togerher.
once my parent back they want to drink coconut so i decided to order 4 coconut from his stall, meanwhile for my brother and his wife i let him decide after he come back.
while ordering 4 coconut. he saw my brother come back with 2 coconut from another stall.
the owner absolutely not happy with it and say not allow to sit in his place. and off course i tell my brother to drink in another place first and it wont allow. and i tell him to appologies everything is ok if anything i will still continue ordering.
he show the crazyness and shouted at us and mention about he also pay the rent.
(i told my brother to drink in another place and yet he still mention the rent and money things to us, heh… did he bring his stress point to me? my brother even haven’t sit and drink)
his owner wife shouted that i’m already order 4 coconut from his stall, the owner with arogance say he dont want to sell anything to us and don’t need our money.. wohow… of course it doesnt make sense we already told we will move the 2 other coconut drink to another place and we apologies and yet he chase away us and want to pick a fight with me.
so that’s the honest review for my experience Drink in SAN CAFE lorong baru/new lane in penang.
I’ve been visited a few the makan places you shared. The Siam Road Char Kway Teow is worth trying (if you have a lot of patience as the waiting time is at least an hour) ; While the Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul has nothing to shout about, especially its branch at Prangin Mall.