Bittersweet Goodbye

After four years of living and working in Penang, our family left and returned to the United States of America. We wrote this blog to share our experiences with our friends and family, and now I close it to remember our rich memories shared with so many people.

I hope you enjoyed reading our blog as much as we enjoyed writing it.


~ Shien

Farewell Penang

My first strong memory of Penang was meeting Agnes in the wet market food stalls. She had noticed us there a few times that week and chose to give us a heart warm welcome!

In this post, I will collect random images of our favorite things in Penang.

We really miss our cats--they have such awesome personalities that fit in with our family! 

Mochi did not like being neglected by her staff...

Last Middle School concert for Aria

The fireworks... while illegal, there is a staunch and vibrant tradition of firing off a copious amount of fireworks to celebrate how prosperous your year has been. I've been told that in years past, when the economy was thriving, the sheer amount of powder smoke in the sky obscured the view of new explosions.

We look forward to eating at Miraku's Saturday Buffet every chance we can afford it. The chefs put out small portions of sushi, temaki and sashimi on the buffet so it is close to a la carte sushi counter fare.

I found serenity and moments of calm staring out our windows.

The kitchen windows offered a sweeping view up the green hill while the balcony showcased the sea.

Birds would often roost in the tree below the window. So many seasonal migratory birds would pass throughout the year.

Once in a while, a troop of monkeys would make themselves heard but rarely seen.

Indonesian rice... found this lovely authentic example on Jalan Transfer. Inexpensive with so many varieties of curry, stewed vegetable.

I especially like the green jackfruit and tiny fried fish, bittergourd. I do well eating just vegetables and rice this way.

I prefer this to Malay rice (pictured above), which tends to be on the sweeter more chili-edge side. Indonesian curries are softer on the palette.

Sometimes, it is the simplest foods that you ate most often that you miss the most. This is really fresh, silky tofu coated in a shrimp paste flavored batter and deep fried so it is crispy outside and moist and warm inside.

And the humble Kopi Kau. I call this drinking ink because it stains the cup. For just about RM1 a cup, I am very happy and wired.

The very unpretentious KwayTeowTeng is also very soothing any time of day. A good bowl doesn't make much of an impression, but it grows on you halfway through the bowl.

I have a love-hate relationship with modern malls like Gurney Plaza.

On one hand, they contain the modern comforts that I want.

On the other hand, getting around them is frustrating and time-consuming at best during off-peak hours, and hateful during special occasions such as Chinese New Year.

The rendition of Mee Rebus at the Jalan Mt Erskine stalls is like nothing I had. The gravy is mild, but there is a spicy braised squid that perks everything up. Deceptively simple but alluring each time I pass by.

The nonya economy rice stall also serves up really good otak which Monica adores, and haebee hiam. I could also eat rice with the curry gravies all day long...

There is a nonya economy rice stall in our wet market hawker center that features an Otak, braised bittergourd, and salt fish stew that I can't seem to get enough of.

Their stuffed 'nyeh buay' fish is also very good.

And these venerable ladies who faithfully share their cooking craft. 

Who knows how many we lose each year, never to be represented again because the next generation is not interested in committing to such a laborious life.

But Aria craves the roti canai with simple fish curry. She literally drinks the stuff, as I do.

Coconut milk presser

This is Ah Seng, our chicken vendor at the wet market. Over time, he has steered me away from product that he knows will not suit me. I love those small touches.

I shall miss gawking at the huge fish at the wet market when I pick up our chicken. This common Grouper is about 40kgs. During Chinese New Year, these monster fish fetch thousands of ringgit!

Over time, I developed a pretty good relationship with these pork sellers.

One of the first to welcome our family when we arrived was Agnes! She has since been a friendly face to us each time we meet in the market!

The Old City Cafe contains a few go-to eats for our family. There is a Thai Stall that serves really good laab moo, som tham (pictured above) and belacan fried rice. 

There is this thosai stall in the Old City cafe that delivers the softer, tangier version of thosai I like.

Trying hard to say good-bye to the Trescott family.

Sri Ananda Bhawan (SAB) has all sorts of yummy South and North Indian food. The staple is their tali meal--rice with curry and vegetables for just RM5.

Our favorite item at SAB, however, is Chicken Kurma... Somehow, it has hooked both Monica and Aria and they cannot get enough of the velvety concoction.

Their freshly pressed and grilled chapati is also earthy. An inexpensive side to a meal or a cheap snack.

Viva Stalls, our reliable family dinner option opens promptly at 6pm on just about every night of the week! the satay was a decent staple on our table.

The yongtaufoo was also good if only because it was one of the few options for leafy vegetables. Dad really liked it when he came to taste it.

 And of course, Monica's well loved 4 bean vegetable blend with that elusive fusion spicy sauce... 

Kimberley Street Kway Chap. Springy dumpling like noodle squares with melty, luscious cuts of pork and offal. The broth is complex and balanced and very drinkable. The chili sauce is fiesty and tart to spark the palette. Shortly after Monica captured this photo, my bowl was assaulted by my curious children who, on retrospect, should have had their very own bowls...

Being close to the Thai border, we have pretty good examples of mango sticky rice just every so often.

Kang Beef House. This is the great beef noodle soup that I remember reminiscent the example at Bugis Street, Singapore.

The RM12 bowl is stuffed with melting tendon, tender stomach, toothy flank, earthy brisket, crunchy tendon balls and collagen rich, heady broth. 

The Dalat School butterflies. These are endangered Yellow Birdwings. The females have two rows of dots on the edge of the yellow patch whereas the males have just one row.

Sunday worship at Fettes Park Baptist Church!

Cheap Thai food at the Hillside stalls. We adore their chicken soup.

Tuesday Night Market

Thai Porkleg Rice at the Old City Cafe--sometimes I have to fight Ian off my portion... :)

Putu Bambu... a steamed tapioca and rice flour dessert with shredded coconut and brown sugar.

I've been told that this dessert is fast becoming a heritage memory since it is labor intensive.

Getting to wear crazy socks to school...

Riding the swings in unique ways...

We only got to visit Ait Itam Dam a couple of times having discovered it just before we left. But the walks around the reservoir are cool even in February and actually chilly during the monsoon rains.

Fresh coconuts from the street corner vendor...

Indian Desserts from NR Sweets--fragrant, perfectly balanced spices and not too sweet!

One of the things I would miss most of all about the way of like in Penang is getting around on a moped. I was privileged to get a cruiser style, Jaguh.

We will miss you, Shoyu--and your quirkiness!

Dalat International School Staff Farewell dinner.

Good bye, and thanks for all the fish.

~ Shien