CW's Food & Travel

Taipei 2012 - Taipei City

2012-05-27T06:00:00.000+08:00

Taipei is one of the top foodie cities in Asia and I have always wanted to visit, but never had the chance until recently. Originally the trip was supposed to be last year - in order to catch the Taipei Floral Expo, but due to the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan it was put off until this year.

The city itself is as I have expected - as I have seen it countless times in movies. Taiwanese directors love to use Taipei as their backdrop, much like New York or Los Angeles. In many ways it felt like visiting an old friend.

Taipei city itself is laid out on a functional grid, with major roads running East-West and North-South. Shimin Boulevard divides the city into the Northern and Southern sections, whereas Jianguo Road divides the city into Eastern and Western sections. Due to this grid pattern, it is not difficult to find your way around town. Howevre it is the small roads and laneways behind the main roads that are the most interesting. During the trip, I must have walked around half of Taipei City on foot - it is not as big as you might think.

The Taipei undeground MRT system is one of the best in the World - and it is also the most convenient way to move around the city. If you are in a hurry - taxies are plentiful and relatively cheap. It is refreshing not to have to haggle over taxi fare, and Taipei taxi drives are some of the most courteous and friendly I have met.

Eating in Kuching - iChef Cuisine

2012-05-24T06:00:00.000+08:00

Another week, another new restaurant in town ! Actually iChef Cusine has been around for a few months already, but it is new enough to still feel fresh. I drive pass it every day on the way to work, as it is along the main road. We usually wait until a new place has cooled down a bit before trying it out, and a couple of weeks ago we decided to finally check it out.

The restaurant is in a converted single-storey detached house. The house is quite small, but they have pitched some tents next to it to provide more dining space. As it was still early and the place was empty, we chose to sit inside the house which is air-conditioned. The space is expectedly small, but it was cosily decorated.

The menu is mainly simple bistro food - pasta, steaks and grilled meat. We ordered some pastas and a pizza, with some garlic bread and onion rings to start off.

The garlic bread didn't have any taste of garlic at all - more liked buttered toasts. The onion rings were equally disappointing - with batter that was too thick and oily.

The Spaghetti Bolognese looked nice enough, but the taste was a a bit bland.

Next came my Pasta Aglio Olio with seafood. The plating was quite sloppy. Though the taste was okay and the prawns quite fresh, the mussels were not in the best condition and tasted a bit past their prime.

The pizza fared a bit better - with proper salami and cheese.

There haven't been many reviews written about iChef, and what's out there seem to have good opinions about the place. Maybe it was an off night, or we ordered the wrong things, but I don't think we will be going back in a hurry.

Eating in Kuching 2012 - Rock Road Seafood Restaurant

2012-05-21T06:00:00.000+08:00

In Kuching we are still fortunate to be able to enjoy very good seafood at relatively reasonable prices. Though the variety can't compare to Kota Kinabalu, the quality and freshness of what we do get is usually pretty peachy.

You can find seafood restaurants almost anywhere in Kuching, but if you are looking for Halal outlets then there are really only 2 options - Top Spot Food Court right in town centre - or Rock Road Seafood. Rock Road Seafood has been around for a very long time, and they haven't changed much except the decor has been incrementally upgraded over the years. This is one of the most popular restaurants with our local political class, especially during the State Legislative Assembly Seatings.

The ground floor of the restaurant is like a mini wet market. Here you can select the seafood and other items that you want, and let them know how you want the items to be cooked. You can also get them to weigh the items so you know exactly how much you will be paying - instead of getting a sticker shock later.

We ordered the usual - starting with stir-fried midin with garlic. It was very good.

The Sweet Corn Soup was one of the best we've had - very tasty and with chunks of fresh crab meat.

The Oyster Omelette was pretty standard - and with lots of oysters.

Buttered Prawns with Egg Floss - nicely done, with the prawns still tender and sweet.

The main reason we went there - Crabs in "Satay Sauce". This is one of their signature dishes, and it never disappoints. I don't know why the sauce is called "Satay Sauce" because it doesn't taste anything like its namesake, but is sure is tasty. We picked two of the largest crabs they had - and they were both excellent - with lots of fresh, sweet meat inside the gigantic claws.

The food at Rock Road Seafood has steadily improved over the years. Today I would say they are one of the best seafood places in town, but you will be paying a bit more then most other establishments. However since you get to actually pick the seafood yourself, you are getting what you pay for.

Eating in Kuching 2012 - Bayridge Seafood Restaurant

2012-05-18T19:51:00.000+08:00

Damai Beach finally has a new attraction - Damai Central. Built by the government, this is a resort-style multi-purpose complex which houses shops, cultural venues, food outlets and restaurants. Located right opposite the Damai Culture Village and right next to the sea - the place is still new and not fully occupied. Expect that to take a few years as things in Kuching usually move at snail's pace.

The reason we went there was to check out Bayridge Seafood Restaurant - the latest dining sensation in town. It is operated by the Lok Thian Group - one of the most established restaurant groups in Kuching, so you can expect a reasonable standard.

The restaurant occupies one of the most prominent corner of the Damai Central complex. The internal dining area is quite basic, and your best bet would be to take a table on the terrace which offers great views of Damai Beach.

Nice views of the sea from the terrace.

Being a seafood restaurant, the dishes are what you would usually find at any seafood establishment in town. However if you decide to splurge they can also amp up the menu for you - but pre-arrangement is required.

The food was of a reasonable standard - though not outstanding. The Midin with Garlic was nicely cooked and crunchy.

The Braised Tofu - a dish we always order for the kids.

The Buttered Prawns were way overcooked.

Crabs in Spicy Sauce. This was the best dish of the meal, unfortunately the crabs were a bit small.

The Oyster Omelette was Crispy but there were too few oysters.

Dinner at the Bayridge Seafood was quite pleasant especially when you are in a leisurely mood. Prices are not exactly cheap, but you are paying for the location.

Eating in Kuching 2012 - Kim Joo Cafe

2012-05-15T06:00:00.000+08:00

Kuchingite's appetite for "Kolon Mee" is insatiable and no matter how many kopitiams there are in town, there will always be the essential Kolon Mee stall somewhere. One of the oldest kolon mee stalwarts in Kuching, it is not far from another famous shop at Bishop's Gate Street, at the Eastern end of Carpenter Street. The name of the shop is Kim Joo Cafe, and they sell only one thing - the Kolon Mee. The good thing is they are usually not as busy as the other shop down the road where you famously have to wait for a table and then wait again for the noodles to be served.

While every one has their own personal favorites, in my view the Kolon Mee at Kim Joo is only second to the more famous shop - Min Joo. The style of the Kolon is the same, and you normally order the Kolon Mee Kosong - which is just plain noodles tossed in oil, and a bowl of pork soup.

The noodles are cooked al dente - with a really nice bite. And because they are flavoured with a healthy slashing of pork lard with just a hint of vinegar, they are really delicious.

The pork soup also is no slouch. It is a very clear soup served with different cuts of pork, with various innards added for more interest. The soup is very clean tasting, and the pork slices very tender and flavourful.

Go to Min Joo Cafe if you want a taste of the best Kolon Mee in Kuching - but be prepared to wait up to an hour for it. Or you can just head down the road for the second best - or some say the best version of this defining Kuching delicacy.

Langkawi 2011 - Panaroma Langkawi

2012-05-12T06:00:00.000+08:00

After the thrilling cable car ride, you end up at the top of Gunung Machinchang. The Langkawi Tourism authority has named this Panorama Langkawi and it is definitely the best attraction on the island - not to be missed !

There are several viewing platforms where you can catch spectacular views of the island from different angles.

The best part is the suspended bridge seemingly hanging from the sky - it is an experience you wouldn't soon forget. Not recommended if you are scared of heights. To get there you need to go on a short trek which is a bit tricky if you are not using proper footwear - so do wear proper trekking shoes on the trip.

Whatever it is - don't leave Langkawi without going up to Gunung Machinchang.

Langkawi 2011 - Langkawi Cable Car

2012-05-09T06:00:00.000+08:00

One of the things you shouldn't miss in Langkawi is to take the cable car up Gunung Machinchang, one of the tallest mountains on the Island. There is always a long queue for the ride, but it moves quick fast and we waited around 45 min for our turn. The round trip fare for adult is RM 30 and for kids RM 20. Malaysians get a special discount on presentation of ID card.

The ride up is quite steep and not for the faint-hearted.

The ride stops at a mid station where you can hop out and take a look around. I recommend that you go right up to the top station where views are spectacular.

Due to erratic wind conditions, sometimes the cable car ride is suspended for safety reasons. We went in the morning and were told that wind speeds were too high and the service was suspended for at least a few hours. Luckily it was operational in the afternoon. It may be inconvenient to have to go back, but it is good to know that they do take safety matters seriously.

Langkawi 2011 - Oriental Village

2012-05-06T06:00:00.000+08:00

One of the main attractions in Langkawi is the cable car, and to get to the cable car you need to pass through a tourist trap called Oriental Village. This is a venue obviously designed to make tourists part with their dollars, but it is surprisingly low key. There are no touts urging you to visit their massage palour, or to buy things from their shops. You are pretty much left to wonder around the place alone, which was quite pleasant. Besides the cable car, there are several other attractions which you can book from here - including a tour of the Langkawi Geopark, elephant rides, and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) rides through the jungles.

The architecture is a mixture of Malaysian, Chinese and "Oriental" styles. There is a large landscaped pool in the middle of the complex. With the majestic Machinchang Range as the backdrop, the place is quite a picturesque distraction.

Tough the architecture is kitschy, the beautiful surroundings more then made up for it.

Langkawi 2011 - Laman Padi

2012-05-03T06:00:00.000+08:00

Laman Padi must be one of the oddest attractions in Langkawi. It is supposed to be a museum to showcase the history and heritage of rice planting in Malaysia. This should have been a great idea, however when we visited the place it was totally deserted, and there was not even a notice board to provide information on the opening hours, programme and exhibits. I thought we might have visited at the wrong time, but a search on the web brought up similar experiences from other visitors.

Though there was nobody around, the place wasn't fenced up and you are free to wonder the compound. For the kids it was quite an interesting experience to see actual rice fields and different stages in the rice planting process.

There is a restaurant at the museum called Jimmy's Cafe but it was closed at the time we visited. Reviews of the restaurant are quite good so it may be worth a try. The buildings at Laman Padi are quite nicely done, and the rice fields looked like they had been well kept. It was just strange that nobody seem to be tending to visitors and most people would have come out of the place a bit perplexed. Another case of building the hardware bit forgeting about the equally important software - sadly a common problem in Malaysia.

Langkawi 2011 - Kampung Kuah

2012-04-30T06:00:00.000+08:00

Kampung Kuah is the main town in Langkawi and out of curiosity I decided to make a trip there on the last morning of our Langkawi sojourn. It was like any other small town in Malaysia, with the ubiquitous shophouses and some small official buildings. The main reason for visiting Kampung Kuah would be to see the giant eagle statue at Dataran Helang. The eagle statue is around 12m high and would be the first thing you see if you arrive in Langkawi via the ferry.

Kampung Kuah - a sleepy small town with not much to offer.

The main attraction - Dataran Helang.

The famous eagle statue of Langkawi.

The view from Langkawi Jetty.

If you don't have the time, you wouldn't miss much if you decided to skip Kampung Kuah. There's not much to see beside the eagle, and even the ocean view here is not as nice as elsewhere on the island.

Langkawi 2011 - Tanjung Rhu Beach

2012-04-27T06:00:00.000+08:00

Driving around Langkawi is a very enjoyable experience. Though the roads are small, they are quite smooth and the traffic is seldom too heavy. Most of the places of interest are well connected with tar-sealed roads, and being a small island you are never too far from any where.

We decided to visit Tanjung Rhu Beach on the North-Eastern side of the island on our second day in Langkawi. The Four Seasons Resort and Tanjung Rhu Resort are both located there - unfortunately both had no visitors policy.

Arriving at the beach, we were immediately wowed by the sight. While all the beaches in Langkawi are very nice, Tanjung Rhu is definitely the most beautiful.There are some stalls selling tourist trinkets here but they are not as in your face as in Phuket or Bali.

The beautiful Tanjung Rhu Beach.

If you want to spend some time in the water exploring the area, there are many boats for hire.

Langkawi 2011 - The Andaman Resort

2012-04-24T06:00:00.004+08:00

The Andaman Resort is near The Datai and shares the same beach fronting the Andaman Sea. Unlike The Datai which is an exclusive luxury resort, The Andaman is a 5-star resort geared towards tourists and families.

The buildings looked nice enough in photos, but in real life lack finese and charm.

Its best feature is the really large and impressive leisure pool right next to the beach.

The resort, being so remote from the rest of Langkawi Island, also has exclusive access to the beautiful beach.

The Andaman Resort is not cheap, and is quite far from the rest of the tourist spots on the island. Its redeeming feature is the impressive leisure pool and the private beach. If you want quiet and exclusivity, this is your resort.

Langkawi 2011 - The Datai

2012-04-21T06:00:00.000+08:00

The Datai is probably the most renown luxury resort in Langkawi. Located at Datai Bay with spectacular views of the Andaman Sea, the resort is also surrounded by a beautiful tropical forest. Datai Bay is quite remote and a long drive from the normal resort enclave at Pantai Cenang. However the drive is quite scenic and pleasant, except the last stretch where you are driving on quite narrow and windy roads up the side of the mountain.

The resort was designed by famous Australian resort architect Kelly Hill, and bears all his hallmarks of understated elegance. Capitalizing on the hilly location, the buildings are chased into the hills and surrounded by trees. Overall there is an "Aman Resort" ambiance to the place. It is not surprising as the resort is managed by GHM which is chaired by Aman founder Adrian Zecha.

The rooms are accommodated in long blocks cut into the hills. There are also villas but they are not visible from the lobby areas.

The famous view of the main pool, beyond which is the Andaman Sea.

If you have the budget The Datai is without a doubt one of the best stays in Langkawi. Not only is the resort design beautiful, the location stunning, and the service should be up to the usual high Aman standards.

Langkawi 2011 - Dinner at Boat Restaurant

2012-04-18T06:00:00.010+08:00

For an established tourist destination, it is surprising that Langkawi hasn't developed much of a culinary reputation. If you search on the internet, most of the recommendations are restaurants and cafes in hotels and resorts. Outside of the resorts, the selections are quite limited.

We were looking for a place for dinner near our resort along JalanPantaiTengah, and came across this simple-looking seafood restaurant that seemed to be quite popular. It is basically just a shed with some tables and chairs, but the food looked quite decent.

If you have been around Malaysia, you will know that most of the dishes at seafood restaurants are very similar. It is as if the cooks at these restaurants all went to the same cooking school. These were what we ordered.

Stir-fried kangkong (morning glory) with belachan.

Deep Fried Prawns with Frosted Egg Yolk. The egg floss was nicely done, unfortunately the prawns were way overcooked.

Tom Yam Seafood Soup.

Stir-fried veggies.

Braised Tofu on hot-plate.

Squid in Kung Pao Style (with dried chillies). One of the best dish of the night. The squid was really fresh and tender.

The food at Boat Restaurant is reasonable for the price you pay. It is also one of very few options along Jalan Pantai Tengah. Recommended if you are staying nearby.

Langkawi 2011 - Temple Tree Resort

2012-04-15T06:00:00.007+08:00

Temple Tree Resort is the more glamorous sister resort to Bon Ton and is right next door to the older resort. Unlike Bon Ton which consists of mostly timber Malay houses, Temple Tree is a collection of old houses of different legacy.

Like Bon Ton, it has a nice private pool for the guests.

There is also a smaller and quieter lap pool at another corner of the estate.

Some of the buildings are really beautiful exmaples of Colonial architecture.

There are quite a large number of villas on the property, each one formerly a family home or residential quarters that has been carefully restored. There are Chinese Houses, Penang Houses, a Black and White House, Colonial Houses, and many more. All of these were sourced from different parts of Malaysia and brought piece by piece to Langkawi, and all are great examples of their particular building type. So this resort is like an architectural museum of Malaysian vernacular and Colonial houses. It must have taken much effort and determination to get the project realized. No trip to Langkawi would be complete without a visit to this unbelievably beautiful resort.

Langkawi 2011 - Lunch at Bon Ton Resort

2012-04-12T06:00:00.013+08:00

Being such a small resort with only 8 villas, it is surprising that Bon Ton boasts one of the best restaurants on Langkawi Island. The restaurant called Nam serves fusion Western and Asian cuisine with an emphasis on herbs and spices. There are dishes with Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian and Indian influences. There's also pasta and sandwiches.

We went to Bon Ton right after we landed in Langkawi and it was a real treat to have a great meal in a great setting.

The Chicken Satay were nicely grilled but tasted just ordinary. The sauce could be a bit more aromatic.

The MeeMamak was a bit better but still can't compete with its roadside cousin.

The best dish we had was this Nasi Campur which came with several delightful morsels of traditional Malaysian fare.

Right in front of the restaurant was a small but handsome looking Malay house which served as a reading room and pub for in house guests. It is beautifully decorated inside, and has a quiet verandah where you can sit and contemplate your next holiday destination.

The pricing at Nam is on the high side and similar to 5 star hotel standards. However considering the unique ambiance and beautiful surroundings, it is a price worth paying.

Langkawi 2011 - Bon Ton Resort

2012-04-09T06:00:00.005+08:00

There were a number of resorts I wanted to visit in Langkawi, and Bon Ton was one of them. Developed and owned by expat Narelle McMurtrie, this is not your typical holiday accommodation. It is a collection of traditional wooden houses which she has collected and painstakingly rebuilt in this little piece of paradise on Langkawi island. The setting is beautiful - with great views of expansive grassland and coconut trees. The houses are all prime examples of Malay architecture.

There are only 8 villas on this property. Though the location is listed as Pantai Cenang, the resort itself is quite far from the beach. However that is not a problem it has its own beautiful swimming pool, and the setting is so nice that I don't think you will miss the beach much. Staying here is like staying in a Malay kampung where you can truly relax. This resort is definitely one of the most unique in Langkawi.

Langkawi 2011 - Awana Porto Malai Resort

2012-04-06T06:00:00.006+08:00

We were looking for a kid-friendly resort and Awana Porto Malai seems to be one of the most kid-friendly on the island. It is located at the Southern tip of Langkawi, reachable through Jalan Pantai Tengah. The location is a bit isolated from other resorts in the area, but the resort itself has most of the amenities to keep guests happy except a beach. They do provide a shuttle service to private beach nearby.

The architecture of the resort is based on a pseudo-Spanish theme. Overall ambiance is slightly below 4 star standards.

The resort is owned by the Genting Group and right next to the Star Cruise terminal.

The room is of a generous size and the best feature is the large balcony with really spectacular views. However it is in need of an overall refreshment as the decor and furnishing are looking a bit tired - especially the bathroom.

The view from the room is just great.

Overall the stay at Awana Porto Malai was quite pleasant and the kids really enjoy the leisure pool and the large areas to roam around.

Langkawi 2011 - Holiday Island

2012-04-03T06:00:00.004+08:00

Langkawi - one of the most famous holiday islands in Malaysia, has long been a magnet for International tourists. I have always wanted to visit the island, but didn't manage to do so until recently. A case of "too near, yet too far syndrome" I guess.

Once you touch down on the island, you can see why it is such a popular destination. The scenery is just beautiful. It has turquoise seas, majestic mountains, and an idyllic kampung setting. Though there are not as many resorts as in places like Bali or Phuket, but that is a huge part of its low-key charm.

Beautiful beaches of Langkawi.

Turquoise seas.

Idyllic kampung scenes.

The mountains.

The sunrise.

Penang 2011 - E&O Hotel

2012-03-31T06:00:00.004+08:00

The E&O Hotel in Penang has the same storied history as Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Both are important social institutions in the Colonial hey days, and they have played host to some of the most eminent dignitaries and celebrities of the era.Douglas Fairbanks, Rubyard Kipling, Sun Yat-Sen and Somerset Maugham are just some of the famous personalities who have stayed at the E&O.

In those days, most locals probably couldn't even set foot on the front lawn. It is great that today anybody can walk straight into the lobbies without a second glance from the uniformed doormen who still stand duty at the main entrance.

A stroll along the seafront at E&O is both nostalgic and romantic.

The owners of both the Raffles Hotel and E&O Penang have felt compelled to capitalize on the fame and heritage of their properties by building large extensions to the original buildings, and I feel that the huge extensions have not done the original buildings much favour. In E&O, the only original part left is probably the entrance wing and the lobby.

Penang 2011 - George Town White Coffee

2012-03-29T06:00:00.004+08:00

In recent years quite a number of cafe chains have cropped up throughout the country capitalizing on Malaysians' love for street food and instant service. One of the most successful is Old Town White Coffee and it is a formula that has been copied all over. At first glance this George Town White Coffee outlet at Komtar Walk looked exactly like an Old Town outlet - even the lettering and colour scheme looked the same. But this is the Penang version - not the Ipoh version.

The interior is very nicely done and it looked like a pleasant enough place for a light dinner. We ordered some of the Penang staples to try.

First came the Assam Laksa. You could see from the presentation that it was made without much care - and the taste confirmed it.

Next came the Loh Bak. Again it looked like a distant cousin of the real thing - and tasted worst.

The "Ju Hoo Eng Chai" sauce was just salty.

The Prawn Noodle fared a bit better, but still paled in comparison to most of the road side stalls.

It is a pity that they could not produce food of the same quality as the decor. Otherwise they would have a winning formula in their hands.

Penang 2011 - Lone Pine Hotel

2012-03-26T06:00:00.001+08:00

Lone Pine Hotel was apparently the 1st proper hotel in Batu Ferringhi, so it has an interesting history. It has been taken over by the Eastern and Oriental Group, and now converted into another modern and stylish resort. They have retained the original bungalow style accommodation near the beachfront, and inserted a new five-storey long block for the new rooms. The design is quite minimalist and like many recent resorts - dabble in some eco-sustainable themes. Here I am glad to say that these are quite well integrated into the overall design concept.

The minimalist design combined with lush landscaping creates a modern yet cosy atmosphere.

The nice swimming pool.

The older wings facing the beach.

The resort has direct access to Batu Ferringhi Beach.

The design lends itself really well to the beautiful location with its mature casuarina trees lining the beachfront. A nice beach, beautiful trees against chic whitewashed buildings - what more can you ask for.

Penang 2011 - Chew Jetty

2012-03-23T06:00:00.006+08:00

Being an island, it was natural that many of the early Chinese settlers in Penang were fishermen. They built their homes on stilts along the shores of the island, and for community and safety reasons those who came from the same areas in China tend to settle together. These became what is commonly known today as the "Clan Jetties".

There are eight of these jetties along Weld Quay in George Town. The largest and most well preserved of these is the Chew Jetty. The residents are descendants from the Xin Lin She Village of Fujian Province. It is not a museum, but an actual living community that is still growing and changing. You can still see new houses being built, and their resourcefulness is evident in the way they built the foundation for the buildings - bascially using just plastic buckets as permanent formworks for the concrete footings.

The temple that protects the residents right at the entrance to the jetty.

Entering into a different realm.

New houses are still being built - with very simple but effective foundations.

A visit to one of the Clan jetties is a must as this is a glimpse into the history and culture of the Chinese immigrants of Penang. It is also very picturesque and full of photographic opportunities. Early morning or late afternoon would be the best time to visit.

Penang 2011 - Snack at Famous Penang Road Teochew Chendol

2012-03-20T06:00:00.006+08:00

It is good to see that some of the Penang street food stalwarts have outgrown their origins and moved on to bigger things. If they are able to maintain the same food quality and taste, they should do very well. Not every one likes to enjoy their favourite snack under the hot sun - especially if you have a few kids in tow.

While wondering around Penang Road, we came across a new semi-open air food court in front of Komtar. A big sign on top of one of the shops annouced proudly "Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol". It being a very hot day and we were looking to rest our feet for a while, we dicided to go in for a snack. It turned out that besides chedol and other iced desserts, they also served food. So beside ordering the iced chendol, we ordered the Assam Laksa as well.

The Chendol was just OK. It did not have a rich enough Gula Melaka (palm sugar) taste that we like. The chendol was also more of the soft and soggy type which is not our usual preference. I think our own Kuching chendol can easily give it a run for its money.

The kids had the Ice Kacang with 2 large scoops of ice cream which they were slurping up with relish.

The big surprise was the Assam Laksa. It was really good and one of the best we tried on the trip.

We wanted to go back for a second helping of the Assam Laksa but unfortunately time did not permit. You must give it a try if you are in Penang.

Penang 2011 - Yeng Keng Hotel

2012-03-17T06:00:00.004+08:00

Yend Keng Hotel is another stylish boutique hotel that has opened recently. It is located along Lebuh Chulia - right inside the core conservation zone. So it was surprising that they managed to make so many changes to the original buildings in the redevelopment. Maybe the buildings were already too dilapidated to be saved.

What is interesting about Yeng Keng is the Impressive Entrance Archway from the street. There is a forecourt before the main building. On the left of the forecourt is the in-house restaurant, and the left of the main door is a lobby. Everything was quite cleverly laid out to get maximum exposure.

Past the main lobby - the rooms are all in a 2-storey block. This part of the building looked like is was completely new.

On the side of the new accommodation block there was a small swimming pool. Sandwiched between buildings - it nevertheless looked very cozy and pleasant.

Yeng Kang Hotel looks like a really nice place to stay. Located right within the heritage zone - it would also be a great base from which to explore the historical centre of Penang.