As the co-founder of the beautiful Macalister Mansion boutique hotel in Penang that comes with its own stellar restaurant, The Dining Room, Datin Karen H'ng knows her food and she knows it well. 

Being based in Penang, the unspoken capital of good food in this country, has only widened and matured her palate for a variety of cuisines, whether it is indulgent fine dining or the island's colourful street food. 

"My favorite local hawker food is laksa, char koay teow and Hokkien mee, which are all uniquely Penang and you don’t find it anywhere else as good," she proclaims.

We got her to share with us her favourite spots for all the above and more. 

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I love the Hokkien mee in Old Green House on Burmah Road. It’s a favourite supper place for all the locals especially late night after parties. For char koay teow, go to the one in Siam Road. This old uncle still uses a charcoal grill to fry plate by plate. My favorite oh-chien (oyster omelette) is from stall in Lorong Selamat. If you like beef noodles, this little road side café on Lebuh Chulia opposite the fire station is the best in town. The noodle is a bit similar to the Vietnamese pho and if you are a fan of pho, I highly recommend this shop. 

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For laksa, ThirtyTwo Mansion serves a very famous crab laksa which is different and so tasty. There are plenty of good assam laksa around but my latest discovery is Laksalicious on Hutton Lane. It is newly opened and finally there’s a place that serves good laksa whole day and is air conditioned! 

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My regular seafood place is Bali Hai on Gurney Drive. It could be a bit touristy but it’s convenient and they have all sorts of seafood with so many ways of preparing, it’s quite amazing. Another one is Sea Pearl Lagoon Cafe in Tanjung Tokong. This little outdoor village café is beside a cove behind a kampong along Tanjung Tokong. Their specialty is baked crab in brine, lightly sautéed prawns and cockles. Their Malay satay is also really good. 

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The café scene in Penang is growing at a pace that I find it hard to catch up! There are probably 2 to 3 new ones opening every month so we are really spoiled with choices.  My regular hangout is Living Room in Macalister Mansion. I love the afternoon tea set with a variety which is quaint but delicious compare to other places. Secawan serves very good coffee and good cakes. Their pasta is not bad either if you are looking for something more sumptuous. Other favorites are Chulia Court, Basil and China House. 

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Nyonya food is my all time favorite in Penang. I have tried almost all the Nyonya places and my choices will be Perut Rumah, NyonyaBreeze and MaMa’s. All are slightly different in style but very delicious to me. Considering that I didn't grow up in Penang, I might not be as demanding as the folks here with their grandmother’s recipes.

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A place that I think is worth special mention is this little kuih factory on a small alley on Chulia street called Moh Teng Pheow. The owner was formerly a nyonya kuih supplier who had decided to retire, but as the second generation came back from overseas after their studies, they are helping out to keep this traditional business from dying and this place has now become a hidden gem.

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(Photos: Datin Karen H'ng) 

Another fan of Penang food: Bryan Loo of Chatime Malaysia who loves the char koay teow at New Lane, Macalister Road.