Penang

Penang is a fun place to visit and a great place to eat. Five centuries of colonialism plus Chinese, Indian and Muslim influence on traditional Malay culture have created a diverse multi-cultural society--and good food.

Char kway teow--big rice noodles fried with egg, vegetables, shrimp and sausage in soy sauce.

Curry mee--egg noodles in spicy curry coconut soup with sprouts, prawns, cuttlefish, cockles, tofu and mint.

Hokkien mee--port soup with noodles, prawn, sprouts and egg.

Laksa asam--fish-broth soup with tamarind and mint with white rice noodles.

Steamboat--Chinese fondue with many thinly sliced meats, fish, tofu, vegetables.

Tom yam soup--spicy seafood soup with noodles, tomatoes, fish, prawns and crab.

At food courts, hawker stalls typically sell a plate of these dishes for about $1US.

Lodging--Cathay Hotel does "ooze with character" as the Lonely Planet says, but the music from the food court across the street inhibits sleep until 3 a.m. The noisy night hotel staff in the lobby doesn't help.

Oriental Hotel--please, clean, firendly hotel with central air and views.