Penang Hidden Gems

19/03/2025

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞 "𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐡" (𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧) 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? 🤔

The first origin story is Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr. Hajah Asmah, the origin of the expression "terima kasih" comes from business activities. She states that the kasih in terima kasih does not mean love, but comes from the word kasi.[1]

Some believe it's linked to an ancient Indonesian teaching called "Ilmu terima kasih" from the Srivijaya empire, which shares principles with the Buddhist practice of Tonglen – receiving suffering (terima) and giving happiness (?). [2]

Which version do you subscribe to? We are also very fascinated that Indonesians and Malaysians share the same expression of gratitude.

References:
[1] https://lamrimnesia.org/2024/11/03/warisan-budaya-muara-jambi/
[2] https://soscili.my/ucapan-terima-kasih-sebenarnya-tiada-dalam-peradaban-orang-melayu/

16/03/2025

Penang Hidden Gems was honored to be part of a meaningful breaking of fast (buka puasa) with the Tahfiz children of Masjid Terapong Batu Feringhi at Halaachef Restaurant on March 15, 2025. We're grateful for YB Zairil Khir Johari's generous contribution that made this event possible and extend a special thank you to Puan Mahimah Shah from Urban Life Volunteers for tirelessly organizing this wonderful community event.

15/03/2025

15/03/2025

Ever heard of a market where you bid in whispers? Discover the fascinating secret of Penaga's Whispering Market with Fairus and Moe!

Watch for yourself the age-old tradition where buyers whisper bids for the day's freshest catches. Thank you Spotlight Media Production for capturing this hidden gem!

Intrigued? Watch the full video now and let us know in the comments if you've ever experienced a market like this!

14/03/2025

Our BTS for Pasar Bisik video by Spotlight Media Productions.

13/03/2025

Mohd Fairus Saad took us on a journey to experience one of Penang's Hidden Gems.

10/03/2025

Calling all writers (and illustrators) from Penang!

The Malaysian Writers Society / Persatuan Penulis Malaysia in Penang (MYWriters Penang) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an exciting anthology themed "Milestones." 🌟

They are looking for submissions in both Malay and English, across all genres. Whether you're from Penang, based here, or have a strong connection to this vibrant place, they want to hear your story!

⏰ Deadline: 30 April 2025
💰 Honorarium for selected works + retain copyright
🔗 More details & submission guidelines: https://nutmagzine.weebly.com/submissions.html

P’s: They are also seeking talented illustrators to bring the selected works to life. ✨

10/03/2025

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐦𝐬' "𝐄𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞" 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟐

Ok, here’s a hidden historical gem. 💎

Did you know that Albert Einstein visited Penang in January 1923, not long after he received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics?😮

According to the book "Einstein on the Road By Josef Eisinger", the author explained the following:

“Although they were pursued by rickshaw men, they persisted in wandering around Penang on foot. The town’s buildings, its boats and its people had real style, in Einstein’s view. He was particularly taken by a strikingly beautiful and very insistent beggar woman. In Penang, he and Elsa also visited a Buddhist temple, which was decorated with glaringly colourful paintings that Einstein found mysteriously terrifying; also a mosque with slender white minarets and an attached public bath, where several men lounged. Toward evening, they returned to the ship, along with several Japanese passengers.”

The question is, where in Penang did Einstein go?👣🤔

The clues are:🔍
1) A Buddhist temple, which was decorated with glaringly colourful paintings that Einstein found mysteriously terrifying
2) A mosque with slender white minarets and an attached public bath, where several men lounged.

To enter:
1) Let us know the places you think Einstein could have visited (together with a brief explanation) in the comment below.
2) Like or Follow Penang Hidden Gems and Royale Chulan Penang
3) SHARE this post!
Challenge ends on 15 March at 10 p.m.

One lucky winner (commenters in this original post) will be announced on 16 March at 10.p.m.

P’s: There’s no right and wrong answer lah ‘cause there’s no way we can ask Einstein where exactly did he go. Admin only wants to give away Royale Chulan Penang's Ramadan Buffet for 2 (and to boost our followers)! 😛

07/03/2025

Feast your eyes on this rare nighttime photo of St. Xavier's Institution on Farquhar Street, Penang, all decked out to celebrate the coronation of King George VI in 1937. The breathtaking lighting was courtesy of Wee Chor Electrical Company. 🌟

Sadly, this magnificent building was destroyed at the end of World War II during the American bombing of George Town. But, oh, what a sight it must have been!

This photo is part of the commemorative book "A Coronation Souvenir," a record of the celebrations held by British subjects of H.M. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth - The Queen Mother in Penang on May 12, 1937. 📖👑

On the façade, you can see the lit words: DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM NOSTRUM GEORGIUM (Lord, save our King George).

Source: "A Coronation Souvenir," UK National Archives Ref: CO 1069/502

05/03/2025

𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒘...

The Penang Hidden Gems team was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Azmi Hussain today.

We have always regarded him as a master of his craft—one of the rare few who built something from nothing and transcended various demographics, making friends with all. No matter how highly we praised his work, he would always respond with the utmost humility, saying he was still improving, still developing...every single time.

His life story was one of pure grit, and his work became the vehicle that gave voice to our everyday local culture. He showed us that the mundane is, in fact, not mundane after all.

Such genius, yet so much happiness and laughter were woven into his creations. He drew the best version of us all, no hate, no politics... just laughter, memories, life and food.

He represented a new breed of artists—those forged in the struggles of the every person rather than in comfort and luxury. Very few artists possessed such a gift.

Our condolences to his family and to all who knew him. He was truly one of a kind. There is literally no one that can replace him as a friend, and as a pillar of the Penang based Artists community.

In honor of Azmi Hussain, we would like to share his TED Talk here—𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰.

Join Azmi Hussin in his journey of making arts and comic drawing his career. Find out how he changed his life for the better by a twist of fate. Mohd Azmi Hu...

05/03/2025

𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐭
𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑅𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐶𝑖𝑡𝑎 𝑅𝑎𝑠𝑎 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝐻𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑜𝑛.

Enjoy our early bird price of RM 98 nett (for the first 500 vouchers).

Standard prices are RM 118 nett for adults, RM 88 nett for seniors aged 55 and above, and RM 68 nett for children aged 7 to 12 years old.

For booking: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mcCy78ez8Em2W-IiIvXjWKBXhnem6HJGhEgmU7fPtINUMVU3NVI3Sk5FUDgwV1pZN0NOTURGRDQ2Wi4u&route=shorturl

01/03/2025

Thank you Penang City Eye 城视报 for featuring us, bringing us closer to the audience from the Chinese medium ♥️🙏

24/02/2025

𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥.

For those who crave hearty, soul-warming dishes, our buffet offers an extensive selection of hot mains, including Tandoori Burung Puyuh, Ketam Masak Lemak Nanas, Rock Salt Baked Yamyeong Chicken Drumstick, Daging Dendeng, Udang Masak Diraja, and Oxtail Osso Buco. Indulge in the rich and aromatic flavours of Asam Pedas Tetel, Kari Kepala Ikan Berbendi, and Sambal Tumis Udang Petai, which capture the essence of Malaysia’s diverse culinary heritage. Complement your meal with steamed fragrant rice or our specially prepared Nasi Arab Kabsah.

No Ramadan feast is complete without a grand selection of desserts, and this year, guests will be delighted by Bubur Pengat Pisang Emas Raja Bersagu, Bubur Kacang Merah, Taiwanese Tapioca Ball with Soya Milk Pudding, and Grass Jelly. Indulge in our live dessert stations, serving freshly made Croffles, Apam Balik, Pasembur, and Cucur Udang. Traditional kuih selections, cookies, and decadent treats such as Chocolate Raspberry Bread and Butter Pudding promise a sweet ending to the evening.

As you savour the sumptuous feast, immerse yourself in the soothing melodies of traditional music, enriching the dining experience with a sense of nostalgia and cultural warmth. A prayer room is available for the convenience of our guests, ensuring a seamless and fulfilling iftar experience.

The Ramadan Nostalgia Senandung 2025 Buffet Dinner at Swez Brasserie is available from 3rd March to 28th March 2025 (7.00 pm – 10.00 pm), priced at RM148 nett per adult. Senior citizens can enjoy the buffet at RM128 nett, while children aged 6 to 12 years enjoy 50% off. Groups can also take advantage of our Dine 10 Pay 9 promotion, applicable to full-paying adults only. Additionally, don’t miss our Weekends Promo (Saturday & Sunday) and Early Bird offer at RM128 nett.

Reignite the spirit of togetherness this Ramadan with an unforgettable culinary journey at Eastin Hotel.
Penang. Gather with family, friends, and colleagues to create new memories while reliving cherished
traditions.

23/02/2025

Together with , we hosted a post-chinese new year dinner for our Abah becas (trishaw riders).

It does not take a lot to make them feel appreciated. It was our first time hosted a dinner for abah beca, and we can feel that we are disconnected with the men behind Penang’s iconic trishaws.

We hope to be able to break that barrier. With guidance, we will be able to break that communication barrier in the future.

Meanwhile, we gave them a merry moment and gave them our Penang Hidden Gems latest t-shirt! A collaboration with Spotlight Media Production.

Thank you so much to all our friends who came king karl, , teh, Peter Yeoh. Kak mahimah, your generosity and kindness for the abah beca community is heartfelt and inspiring. Lets continue to do our best for abah beca.

Thank you also to YB for your generosity!

23/02/2025

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫

The Ramadan Nostalgia Senandung 2025 Buffet Dinner at Swez Brasserie is available from 3rdMarch to 28th March 2025 (7.00 pm – 10.00 pm), priced at RM148 nett per adult. Senior citizens can enjoy the buffet at RM128 nett, while children aged 6 to 12 years enjoy 50% off.

Groups can also take advantage of our Dine 10 Pay 9 promotion, applicable to full-paying adults only. Additionally, don’t miss our Weekends Promo (Saturday & Sunday) and Early Bird offer at RM128 nett.

23/02/2025

Captain Francis Light died on 21 October 1794, 8 years after establishing Penang as a British trading port. Ever wondered what Captain Francis Light's last thoughts were?

Thank you to Muzium Negeri Pulau Pinang for us with a copy of the original "Francis Light Last Will and Testament".

Fun fact: This will also contains the earliest known reference to George Town which Light spelt as two separate words. The fused spelling Georgetown - a more common spelling of various other similarly named settlements in the British empire - was often incorrectly used by writers and occasionally local authorises; and causes confusion till this day.

21/02/2025

Royale Chulan Warna Rasa Ramadan

Enjoy authentic Malaysian dishes like Kambing Golek, tons of action stalls, and delicious desserts. Regular price starts at RM128++. Call 04 259 8888 or WhatsApp 016 330 3408 to book!

Photo credit: 48 Holiao