East Eats West

Chinese teashop in Georgetown

Tea has been around for 5000 years. It has nourished millions, started wars and became an art form in China and Japan. With the advent of the tea bag and industrial production in the West it has been overtaken by coffee as the drink of choice. However, in recent years premium loose-leaf tea from China has staged a comeback. While vacationing in Penang, Malaysia, I went to the Tee Ten Yea Tea Shop and sampled some Oolong and Pu-er teas. I am amazed again and again how much people react to the distinct taste of the classic Pu-er tea, one of the oldest teas hailing from Yunnan province in China. 

The culinary delights of Malaysia

Picture: Preparting Roti Canai at an Indian streetside restaurant. 

It seems to me that Malaysia is still a bit of a backwater for most Western tourists. Thailand is much more famous for its culinary delights. It actually goes so far that a Malaysian restaurant sells its fare under the label “Thai”. A shame indeed as Malaysia offers a unique mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian delicacies. On a typical day I could have Dim Sum Chinese dumplings for breakfast, an Indian Tandoori chicken with butter naan bread for lunch and Malaysian Roti Canai bread with gravy for dinner. Do not expect fine dining with white table cloths but simple, fast and honest food that is incredible savory and amazingly cheap. And yes, you can even get Thai food in Malaysia as well as Lebanese, Japanese and Italian food. 

Picture: Indian Puri bread prepared by my amazing aunt in Kuala Lumpur. 

Picture: Homemade southern Indian food - the best ever! 

Magical overgrown café in Georgetown

Yes, this is a café next to famous Cheah Si Sek Tek Tong temple in Georgetown, Penang. Unfortunately it was closed that day I passed it (hopefully only temporarily). I was wondering what it looked like inside. 

Old Town White Coffee

 

Right next to Beach Street in old Georgetown Old Town White Coffee is where I get my daily coffee fix while visiting Penang. I love Old Town White Coffees relaxed and laid-back atmosphere and its coffee range. 

Website: www.oldtown.com.my

Thai Lamborghinis in Penang

After 10 years in production and more than 10’000 cars sold, the Lamborghini Gallardo will go out of production. Despite being around for that long, the car is still a head-turner and pops up in many exotic places. Those colorful Gallardo drove from Phuket to Penang in Malaysia.