Celebration 100 Years of Penang Adventist Hospital

Written by Adrian Cheah and Josephine Choo
Cover design and book layout by Adrian Cheah

Designing a 204-Page Book Celebrating a Century of Healing and Care

Taking the Challenge

When the Penang Adventist Hospital 100th Anniversary book project came to me, I was tasked with designing the publication, while Josephine Choo was responsible for researching, collating information, and writing the stories that would take readers on an epic journey through a century of healing and care.

Set up your own 2- or 3-course lunch at Blacklinen

Situated on the ninth floor of The Millen Penang, Blacklinen, a contemporary grillroom, now offers a thoughtfully composed lunch set, inviting diners to experience its Michelin-recognised kitchen at a more approachable price point. Diners may choose between a 2-course set at RM78++ (starter or dessert with a main) or a 3-course set at RM98++ (starter, main, and dessert). The one-page lunch menu is concise, with options of four starters, three mains, and two desserts. A handful of additional items are also available à la carte for those who wish to explore further.

A 6-course set at Wu Jia where size matters, especially the abalone and prawns

Do you know that eating a meal with someone can actually be good for your health, and maybe even your longevity?

Most of us think of food as fuel or indulgence, but research tells a deeper story. Dr Will Bulsiewicz, a leading gut health expert, explains that sharing a meal reduces loneliness and stress, which in turn supports gut health; and chronic loneliness can harm health as much as smoking cigarettes. (The Diary of a CEO, 2026) Similarly, studies show that communal meals release oxytocin and endorphins, strengthen social bonds, lower cortisol, and improve mood and overall wellbeing. (National Geographic, 2023)

George Town World Heritage Site: The story of the Chinese in nineteenth-century Penang

By Mark Thompson and Karl Steinberg with photographs by Adrian Cheah

Walk between two of George Town’s most famous landmarks with this illustrated guide. Discover the story of the Chinese in nineteenth-century Penang and explore some of the community’s fascinating characters, customs, architecture and events.

For as long as it has existed, George Town in Penang has attracted travellers and settlers from across the globe and is a true confluence of cultures. Today, this UNESCO World Heritage Site continues to enchant visitors with its traditional charm and its well-preserved historical townscape.

Learn how to make authentic Nyonya Jiu Hu Char

“Jiu hu” is Hokkien for “cuttlefish” and “char” means “fry”. Thus, Jiu Hu Char means “fried cuttlefish”. Although the shredded cuttlefish is the star ingredient (providing a potent umami flavour), there is more in that dish than just cuttlefish. The ingredients for this popular Nyonya offering consist of jiu hu si (dried shredded cuttlefish), yambean, carrots, cabbage, pork belly, mushrooms, onions and garlic.

RM68+ never tasted so good: set lunch at Third Culture Dining

There is a spellbinding magic when tradition meets innovation, when culinary techniques rooted in European precision are combined with passion and local ingredients to create something truly sedap-licious. At Third Culture Dining, the three-course Lite Set Lunch, priced at RM68+ per person, is a standout offering, especially considering the cost of such thoughtfully selected produce. As a Penangite, we are always on the lookout for great value, and I was simply charmed by this unbelievable offer.

New tempting offerings at Siam Social

Since its launch in January 2025, Siam Social has achieved a 4.9-star rating from 349 Google reviews (as of 13 January 2026), an impressive showing for a restaurant still young, yet already familiar in the way old favourites are.

A pre-birthday luncheon at Auntie Gaik Lean Old School Eatery

“The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, Friendship, Essays: First Series (1841)

So often, people say they want good friends, yet forget the underlying truth that friendship begins inwardly. It requires generosity of spirit, self-awareness, and the ability to show up without expectation. When insecurity, entitlement, or self-interest takes centre stage, genuine friendships struggle to take root. Emerson’s words remind us that friendship is not something to be acquired, but something to be practised.

The Han Jiang Ancestral Temple of the Penang Teochew Association – linking past and present

You cannot miss the building. Nestled among rows of old Indian Muslim carpet stores, jewellers and eateries, the ancestral temple of the Teochew Chinese stands out with its pronounced Chinese architecture and imposing doors featuring twin larger-than-life Chinese warriors in full regalia. This silent and formidable pair with their red faces and weapons, frightening to foes yet welcoming to members and visitors, have been standing guard to the temple's peaceful interior for more than a century. Their presence recalls to mind a rather popular Chinese tercet: "Like the spring rain to a lotus blossom, thou art welcome; come, rest within".

Indulging at the award-winning Chin's Cuisine

Chin's Cuisine represents owner Dave Chin's unique interpretation on Chinese cuisine, primarily inspired by Sichuan and Hunan flavours. Dave and his team of chefs draw inspiration from the vast treasure trove of Chinese cuisine, a culinary tradition that has evolved over thousands of years.

Lifting hope in Penang at Wat Buppharam Buddhist Temple

Wat Buppharam may not appear on every traveller’s must-see list in Penang, but those who step into its tranquil embrace are often rewarded with sacred and unexpected discoveries. Can a silent statue whisper the truth of your wishes? Within its shrine hall rests a humble, one-foot-tall figure known as the “Lifting Buddha”, a sacred icon believed to be able to reveal just that!

"À Table!", a magnifique six-course French dinner at Morpheus

Come, join me as I take you through “À Table!”, a French dinner crafted by two of Penang’s brightest culinary talents, Chef Andy Lai of Morpheus and Chef Hooi Shing of Le Petit Four Pâtisserie. Held in celebration of Le Cordon Bleu’s 130th anniversary and in conjunction with the French Festival’s “Gastronomy Month", the evening hosted by Alliance Francaise Penang was anything but ordinary.