Penang today is very much an amalgam of the old and the new – a bustling port, a heritage city and an industrial base. Perhaps it has more to offer per square mile than any other place in the world. For sheer variety of locales, cultures and foods, Penang is hard to beat. Here are stories about Penang and more.
Ti Kuih, the sweet sticky rice cake, is known in Mandarin as "nian gao", which literally translates to "year cake". Its name also carries an auspicious homophone, symbolising "rising abundance" or "prosperity for the coming year".
"Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun" – George Scialabba
The "love letter", more commonly known as kuih kapit (a paper-thin crispy, fan-shaped biscuit), is an essential feature during Chinese New Year. However, when a classic item like kuih kapit becomes deeply entrenched in tradition, introducing a daring innovation to reinvent it can evoke mixed reactions – either embraced with enthusiasm for its novelty or met with scepticism and disapproval.
Looking back on my childhood, the memories that stand out most vividly are often tied to our kitchen – a space where I first discovered my love for cooking. My mother shared so much with me in that lively corner of our home and those lessons remain close to my heart. Whether it was preparing fiery sambal babi or crafting the crunchy, glistening Nyonya jelly known as chio hua (cheok hwa), her guidance filled my childhood with joy and the ho-chiak-ness of good food.
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.
Bak kwa, Hokkien for dried pork jerky, is one of the most beloved snacks during Chinese New Year and it is almost a crime not to have this truly "ho chiak" snack in your home all through the festive season. As the season approaches, roadside stalls across Penang pop up like mushrooms after a rainy day, offering not just bak kwa but also hampers, festive cookies and kam (mandarin oranges).
“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.
Some believe that oysters hold aphrodisiac qualities, while others claim that the tomato, known as pomme d'amour – French for "love apple" – is the true food of love. In Penang, however, there is a delicacy that, despite its romantic name, is neither an aphrodisiac nor a token of affection. Yet those who have tasted it often wax lyrical over its aromatic, sweet and lemak goodness. The "love letter", more commonly known as Kuih Kapit, is a popular favourite, particularly during the Chinese New Year.
In Chinese iconography, the Crane holds special significance. It is an auspicious symbol denoting longevity, and wisdom that comes with age. The Crane is said to manifest a peculiar interest in human affairs and is also often associated with good luck, high-mindedness, purity and freedom.
Nyonya Kuih Bangkit is a classic Chinese New Year cookie, cherished alongside favourites like Kuih Kapit, peanut cookies and pineapple tarts. Loved by Penangites, this petite, animal-shaped treat captivates with its sweet pandan fragrance that greets you at the first bite. Its slightly crisp outer layer encases a powdery softness that melts in the mouth.
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.
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.
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)