HELEN ONG'S FOOD TRAILS
Probably the most popular : make the most of your time in Penang by combining the best of what we have – old buildings and food. The 3-hour tour will take you by rickshaw through old Penang, where in between some of our beautiful old buildings, we’ll be stopping by various kopitiams (coffee shops) where you will be introduced to some of our most popular foods, now into their second, third or even fourth generations. Tuck into a bowl of wantan mee at Ah Ngau’s – his father started the stall over 80 years ago. Or have a plate of Mee Sotong at Hameed’s, who took over from his father when he was still just a teen. We will also get a chance to try Ooi’s Hokkien Mee, one of Penang’s must-have dishes, or a bowl of sour fishy laksa from a vendor who has been selling from his cart for over 60 years.
Our markets are happening places, where locals fight for the freshest vegetables and best catch of the day. It is also where some of the most delicious hawker food is available. We will meet at one of the local markets, depending on whether you prefer it to be morning, afternoon or even night time, and after a short tour around the various stalls where you can see fish straight off the boat being gutted, fresh fruits and vegetables, and xx, we adjourn for a steaming hot bowl of noodles or rice.
Our kopitiams are the backbone of local food, and we have hundreds, some old, some new. This tour will give you an insight into how they operate, and allow you to try some of the food available.
They are unobtrusive, but these casual establishments are popular with all as it is somewhere you can go to for a quiet chit chat or to while away an afternoon over a relaxing cup of “pu er” tea. Most of these places stock a wide range of Chinese teas at various prices. Many also do some good local food so this is an opportunity to try them.
Malay food is a distinctive class of its own, quite different from Mamak Nasi Kandar (Indian Muslim) or Nyonya (Peranakan), although sometimes the lines are blurred between the three cuisines. There is usually a range of spicy curries and sambals cooked with chicken, seafood, mutton or beef, served with rice, accompanied by condiments and ulams and kerabus (salads). This trail will take you to some outlets where you’ll be able to try a selection of all the different dishes available. It’s a good opportunity to taste the subtle differences between the cuisines.
This is subject to various factors: number of people in the group, transportation, time it takes to complete the tour, the type and amount of food etc. Every tour is bespoke, and can be tailored to suit individual or group requirements. Please email or call me for further details. The only definite are that you require loose, casual clothes, a brolly (or sun hat), and an empty stomach!