Yeng Keng Hotel x The Mugshot Café x ChinaHouse @ Penang, Malaysia

One fine day, my mom's friend brought us around the heritage city of George Town. We went to Yeng Keng Hotel, a heritage boutique hotel located in Chulia Street. The building was originally built in the 1800s as a private residence for an Indian-Muslim family, which was later sold off to trustees of the Cantonese Club "Ying Han Pit Shu". It has a very traditional Chinese facade and I love how it blends well with the modern elements. The hotel has only 20 rooms, thus guests could enjoy the place without worrying about it getting too crowded at any one time.

The doorway - that leads to the backyard of the hotel - is actually very low. A five feet tall person like me even has to bend to pass through!

Address: 362, Chulia Street, 10200 George Town, Penang

Tel: +604 262 2177

Website: www.yengkenghotel.com.my

Next, we went to this corner coffee shop (it's just a couple of shop houses away as you exit Yeng Keng Hotel and turn left) that sells delicious char siew and roast duck. I can't remember the shop's name but it's apparently quite famous as there is always a long queue of people (mostly tourists) in front of the stall during lunch hour. We were lucky to get a table when we went there, but had to wait for half an hour to about one hour for our food to arrive. 

Roast duck.

Char siew.

If you haven't had good roast duck or char siew before, you should definitely pay a visit!

A couple of minutes' walk later and we came to The Mugshot Café. We didn't order anything and just went in to have a look. The place was rather small with limited tables, and since it is situated strategically on a busy street, there will always be a crowd in here. They specialise in bagels and homemade yoghurt, which I want to try so badly!

Cute doodles on the walls!

Address: 302, Chulia Street, George Town, Penang

Opening hours: 8am-9pm daily

Tel: +6012 405 6276 

Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mugshot-Cafe/217836308341636

From Chulia Street, we passed by Armenian Street Ghaut and saw this huuuuge mural of a cat. I think it was completed in June last year, so it's still quite new!

Next to the mural, there are sculptures of cats made from colourful wire mesh and cotton.

After that we decided to stop by ChinaHouse. It occupies three heritage shop houses linked by an open air courtyard, with one end facing Victoria Street and the other end facing Beach Street. We entered from Victoria Street and walked through The Canteen.... which was so quiet with not a single soul in sight. I only found out later that this place will turn into a happening bar at night complete with live music performances.

Hahahaha such a funny toilet sign.

We came to the Courtyard, where customers can also dine here.

The Courtyard is dotted with cute metal art pieces such as these.

A moon gate!

Walking towards the other end of ChinaHouse.

This is the Reading Room, where books and magazines are available for customers to browse through while waiting for their food to arrive.

At Kopi C, a casual café facing Beach Street.

Beach Street Bakery, where a wide variety of cakes and pastries are displayed neatly on a long table. Truly a heaven for dessert lovers (like me)!

Saw a plate of red velvet cupcakes on the opposite side.

The place was SO crowded that we had to wait for quite a while before we got a table. Because of the crowd, service was rather slow.

While waiting for a table, I took a selfie with Audrey (my mom's friend's daughter, who is a cute bubbly talkative girl)...

...and went up to the first floor to explore the art gallery.

We FINALLY got a table, right next to this mirror menu. 

My mom and her friend ordered some tropical fruit juices, while I ordered a hot mocha.

I can't remember what cakes are these... (haha but the right one is obviously chocolate).

The red velvet cupcakes look too delectable not to have it.

It's so adorable that she already has an interest in photography at only eight years old! :P

I really love the vibe of ChinaHouse, and I would recommend this place if you are looking for a cool place to chill with friends and/or family. It's a perfect place for any functions or events as well. I didn't eat enough to conclude the overall taste of the food, but the cakes that we ordered were satisfying to the stomach :)


Address: 153 & 155 Beach Street and 183B Victoria Street, 10300 George Town, Penang

Opening hours: 9am-12am (Sunday to Thursday), 9am-1am (Friday and Saturday)

Tel: +604 263 7299

Website: www.chinahouse.com.my / http://www.facebook.com/ChinaHousePenang/timeline