BreakX Cafe @ BreakX Hotel, Gelugor, Penang.

Housed in the newly opened BreakX Hotel at Bukit Dumbar or Udini (next to Stallion Apartment), BreakX Cafe is the in-house cafe under the hotel and it shares the same floor as the hotel lobby or check in concierge at Level 9. The cafe occupies half of the floor and offers a minimalist-chic interior decor in shades of grey. It is also a co-working space at the same time. The cafe offers a rather big menu, featuring both Western and Oriental dining options. Great ambiance with reasonable prices; a decent spot to enjoy a meal. At the time of writing- BreakX Hotel offers free parking at its multi-storey car park. 

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Guangzhou, China (广州，中国) 2025

With many Malaysian Chinese have roots in Southern China and thanks to the affordable flight tickets as well as ease of entry (waiver of tourist visa for Malaysians), Guangzhou has been a popular travel destination for many. There are plenty of options when it comes to flight, including many direct flights from Malaysia directly to Guangzhou. The costs of living are pretty much similar, if not lower in Guangzhou as compared to Malaysia. 

Moving around the city was a breeze- we utilized DiDi in our entire trip and never bothered to use the public transportation. DiDi costs are generally inexpensive in Guangzhou and the app is user-friendly (via Alipay). Accommodation-wise, we stayed in Mercure Beijing Road Guangzhou. The hotel is strategically located in the middle of Beijing Road Pedestrian Street and basically you get to explore everything in the vicinity with a breeze. High recommend! 

Sharing the below food places that we've been to during this trip:

1) Tao Tao Ju 陶陶居 

Address: 7th Floor of Tian He Mall, 168 Beijing Road, Yuexiu District, 510115, Guangzhou. 

Business Hours: 8 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily. 

Contact Number: +020-83700611

Liang Kee Nanyang Kopitiam @ Terubong Avenue, Paya Terubong, Penang.

Terubong Avenue is a new commercial area with business shop lots located at the end of Jalan Paya Terubong towards Balik Pulau/Relau; Liang Kee Nanyang Kopitiam is amongst the new spate of businesses that joined Terubong Avenue. Quite obvious by the name Nanyang Kopitiam- the place offers a local Kopitiam-style menu, featuring Nasi Lemak, Kaya Butter Toasts and various local delights like Hokkien Mee, Chicken Rice, Curry Chicken etc. Items are reasonably priced- worth a look if you are in the vicinity. 

Diva Viet Thai Cuisine @ Taman Kheng Tian, Jelutong, Penang.

A popular Vietnamese-Thai restaurant in the neighborhood of Taman Kheng Tian: Diva Viet Thai Cuisine, just opened end of last year but has garnered an appreciate following. One of the main reasons- the big Vietnamese menu featuring many classic Vietnamese delights like Spring Rolls, Beef Noodles, Vietnamese Pancakes etc. On top of these Vietnamese dishes, they do have some stir-fry dishes that are more acceptable to the wider range of diners. The place is manned by both locals and Vietnamese, a decent place to ease your cravings towards Vietnamese delights.  

Teo Chew Restaurant 潮州饭店 @ Lebuh McNair, Georgetown, Penang.

For those who are seeking for a good Teo Chew restaurant in Penang, Teo Chew Restaurant 潮州饭店 at Lebuh McNair (near to the junction of Magazine Road) is a hidden gem worth exploring. The restaurant offers a good Chinese menu featuring a mix of classic Teo Chew delights as well as Teo Chew-inspired dishes. The place gets very busy during dinner time on weekends, the restaurant has limited tables too so if you are coming in a big group, do make early reservations to avoid disappointment. Dishes are reasonably priced here, certainly a good option for family eat-out. 

Grower's Home @ Sungai Ara, Penang.

*Update: Grower's Home has no longer accept walk-in or dine-in. Their takeaway-business is still available.*

Hidden in the residential neighborhood of Sungai Ara, Grower's Home is housed in one of the bungalows at (Jalan Sungai Ara 5) Sungai Ara. The home bakery churns out daily fresh bakes but only open for dine-in 2 days in a week (every Wednesday and Saturday). The rest of the days will be on delivery or can be found at other locations. Expect to find some really quality bakes here including rustic loaves, homemade cakes and delicious pastries. The offering might not be too extensive but it will definitely excite any bread lovers. 

Yoofu @ The Sun, Sungai Nibong, Penang.

Yoofu offers a Japanese-inspired menu at The Sun, Sungai Nibong; the menu features an array of Japanese delights like Japanese Curry Omurice, Udon and even Snow Ice. Not the usual big Japanese spread but specifically Japanese Curry Omurice and Udon that come in different variants and toppings. Items are reasonably priced here with decent quality- do check it out if you are up for some Japanese Curry. It is noteworthy that Yoofu is a Pork-Free and Muslim-Friendly restaurant. 

Wedding Showcase April 2025 @ Parkroyal Penang Resort.

Calling all soon-to-be-weds! Happening on the 12 and 13 April 2025 (from 10 am to 8 pm at the Andaman Grand Ballroom of Parkroyal Penang Resort), the Parkroyal Resort Penang Wedding Showcase 2025 is your chance to snag incredible deals and exclusive perks for your big day. Discover exclusive wedding packages and special perks by the Parkroyal Resort Penang on these days. Secure your booking with just a 30% deposit by 30th April 2025 to unlock additional perks. On top of the wedding packages by the Parkroyal Penang Resort, partnering wedding vendors on site (such as Creation, Ivory Six, Asia Euro Wines, Anna MC, Snap.co, Joyew Management, Trimurti Hitz Enterprise, AREUM, UTU UTU, Lavande Musique, Motion In Style, Jewelry Direct Factory etc) will offer exclusive deals on 12 and 13 April 2025! 

Many Thanks to Parkroyal Penang Resort for inviting us.

Super Nice Koay Teow Th'ng @ Batu Maung, Penang.

Tucked in Taman Iping, Super Nice Koay Teow Th'ng is popular spot for a quick, inexpensive and casual quick fix for the folks working and staying in Batu Maung area. The proprietor runs the business in his own house, offering Koay Teow Th'ng and Chicken Rice at unbeatable prices (with generous servings). It is especially popular during working day lunch hours, the place will be thronged with regular patrons working in the factory zone. A decent option for those seeking for a value and satisfying meal in the neighborhood. 

Breath Cafe @ Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

A pet-friendly cafe hidden in the Lebuh Permai (Tanjung Bungah) neighborhood, Breath Cafe is a fairly new spot for the fur-kids to enjoy a leisure meal with the owners. It is easy to miss this place as the cafe is housed inside a residential bungalow without a huge signage. The facade makes it feel like entering someone's home but once inside, you will feel the warm-homey welcoming. There is limited food offering with a handful of main options; there are also some homemade desserts but subject to availability. More like a community cafe that serves the local neighborhood and a space that allows the paw pals to mingle around.  

Nodernus Restaurant @ Irrawaddi Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Unlike the typical cafe that offers a mundane Western menu, the newly opened Nodernus Restaurant at Irrawaddi offers a Japanese-inspired fusion menu. Find Soba, Don and Okayu (Japanese Rice Porridge) on the menu but with a local twist. Food choices may be a little limited at Nodernus, they have the edge over others in terms of pricing... imagine a decent portion of Japanese Rice Porridge at RM12. A decent option for a casual meal without putting a hole on the wallet. 

Claypot Foodie 煲仔家庭煲仔饭 @ All Seasons Place, Air Hitam, Penang.

A new addition that joined All Seasons Place (Air Hitam) in January 2025- Claypot Foodie 煲仔家庭煲仔饭, specializes in Cantonese-style Claypot Rice. On top of the rice options, there are some noodle choices as well as some additional sides. Dishes are reasonably priced and the restaurant is air-conditioned. Pretty decent and worth a try if you are in the vicinity- go for their signature Claypot Rice series and you will not be disappointed. 

1915 Mee Tarik 中国兰州拉面馆 @ Chulia Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Housed in the same building as Sleep Box along Chulia Street (opposite to the open space public car park near Penang Road)- 1915 Mee Tarik offers diners with Halal China Chinese noodle options. The typical choices like hand-pulled Beef Noodles and Dumplings are available, along with a few more noodle dishes. Dishes are affordably priced with generous serving portions, a decent choice if you are looking for a comfortable space for some tummy-warming beef noodles.  

Nohm Thai Boat Noodle @ Abu Siti Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Nohm Thai Boat Noodle is not new- the restaurant has set foot at Butterworth for a couple of years and they have just opened a second branch at Abu Siti Lane. The outlet at Abu Siti Lane offers a rather big Thai menu with a focus on Thai Boat Noodle as well as the usual Thai delights. Dishes are reasonably priced; a convenient spot in the heart of Georgetown for a bowl of lip-smacking Thai Boat Noodle.

Noodle and Bread Tea House 麵包茶室 @ One Foresta, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Housed in Ideal One Foresta (Sungai Ara) Bayan Lepas, Noodle and Bread Tea House 麵包茶室 is like the community canteen for those living in the neighborhood, the inexpensive and tummy-satisfying options are ideal for a quick fix. The kitchen churns out some simple rice and noodle choices but the place is popular for its Hakka Mee. Fresh bakes like bread and pastries are also available. Not something that one should go all out for but if you happen to be in the neighborhood, this can be a decent option.