EID DIARY: 24TH SYAWAL 1446H

   23RD APRIL 2025    ~ After the 1 hour and 20 minutes bus ride from Shahab Perdana Bus Station in Alor Setar [READ HERE] and the 15 minutes ferry ride, Puan Aishah Aboo Bakar [a friend of the UPM TESL Class of 1993 group] came to pick me for my very short stay on Penang Island.

ROUND 1: Penang Laksa

The initial plan was to get dinner somewhere before going to the airport but I was taken to her house as there was already a lot of food.

I guess I came at the right time to enjoy all the delicious food on the 24th day of Eid.

ROUND 2: Briyani

I had to get to the airport to catch my flight back to Johor Bahru at 9:15 p.m. and my friend was kind enough to drive me there.

Thanks a lot to Puan Aishah and her husband, Mr. Ariff, for hosting and I shall be back again to Penang real soon.

MY PENANG GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE AT PADANG KOTA, PENANG

   17TH AUGUST 2024    ~ Even though I had been to Penang a few times, this was my very first time having my gastronomic adventure at Padang Kota. I was with the whole busload of people from the Johor contingent who attended a seminar in Seberang Jaya. They decided to get into the island before going home.

I chose to try the famous Penang Laksa and it was actually good. I used to eat this signature dish of Penang at Balik Pulau with my friends but now I knew where to get Penang Laksa in the city centre.

It was only a short stop at Padang Kota and we left Penang island right after that.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SECOND TIME FOR LAKSA JANGGUS

   25th FEBRUARY 2024    ~ To complete our gastronomic adventure in Penang this time, Mr. Ridwan took Puan Suhaila, his daughter and I to Laksa Janggus stall again in Balik Pulau.

There were still many people eating at about 5:00 p.m., suggesting this place as a popular eating spot on the island.

We had the must-haves Laksa Penang and Fried Bananas with sesame seeds.

That should conclude my short trip to Kulim and Penang in February 2024. Thank you again Mr. Ridwan Wahid, for giving me a lift, driving me here and there, when I was in Penang.

I will be coming back again at the end of May. 😊

MEE GORENG PANGGUNG WAYANG IN MERSING

   8th AUGUST 2023    ~ My very first gastronomic adventure in Mersing started with a brunch. My friends took me to this stall named Mee Goreng Panggung Wayang [TRANSLATE: Cinema Fried Noodles]. It was believed that the same stall operated many years ago in a cinema in Mersing and was very famous for its delicious fried noodles.

Two people ordered fried noodles while two others decided to have Laksa Sarang.

One had to be patient when visiting this eating place as the staff took a long time to get the food served even though there were not many customers at that time. I took the opportunity to go to the seaside opposite the stall.

The food finally arrived and it was actually worth the time waiting. I am not a fan of Laksa Penang but the food sold here would be something I would recommend to others. That should be a good start to my few gastronomic adventures during my 3-day stay in Mersing.

NOTE: search for "panggung cafe mersing" on Google Maps

WHEN IN PENANG, EAT LIKE PENANGITES DO

    14TH JULY 2023     ~ This time, I had a friend who drove me in Penang and the first destination we went to was Kampung Perlis in Balik Pulau. The gastronomic adventure was to get the famous Penang Laksa from a popular stall called Laksa Janggus.

There were many empty seats when we arrived which should be good news.

Four bowls of Penang Laksa and a plate of fried bananas for four people sure brought happiness to four travelers from faraway. I was later told by a colleague the bananas were also special as they were sprinkled with sesame.

I must confess I am not a huge fan of Penang Laksa but I would love to come back to this place again for the food.