If you live to eat, then Penang should be your next short escape. This island off Malaysia’s northwest coast is a food capital of Asia—and it’s incredibly affordable.
🍛 Day 1: George Town on Foot
Explore George Town, a UNESCO site packed with street art, colonial buildings, and food stalls. Grab char kway teow (stir-fried rice noodles with shrimp, egg, and Chinese sausage) from Sisters’ Char Koay Teow.
Cool down with ais kacang—a shaved ice mountain with red beans, jelly, and condensed milk.
Dinner? Try Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, where dozens of stalls serve everything from roti canai to laksa.
🍜 Day 2: Temple to Table
Start the day at Kek Lok Si, Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple, for panoramic views. On the way back, visit Penang Hill for a breezy walk.
Before you leave, hunt down a bowl of Penang Assam Laksa—tangy, spicy, and full of mackerel flavor. You’ve never had soup like this.
Penang is a weekend trip that punches way above its weight. Food, culture, history—it’s all here in a tight, tasty package.
