Captain of the channel
6 min read
The metal ladder in the ferry beckoned, and for a moment I was a young boy again, wondering what treasures were hidden up there. I felt a childlike giddiness as...
Death and the undertaker
5 min read
OOI THEAN CHOO, aka Ah Seng, is a soft -spoken, easygoing man who makes a living out of death. “I’ve been working as a funeral director for more tha...
Happiness is a haircut
6 min read
AS A CHILD, whenever I was in need of a haircut my father would take me to our regular Indian barber. I never understood why we always patronised the same shop....
Cooking From The Heart
3 min read
PEARLY IS A bundle of cheery energy and it’s apparent that her enthusiasm for life translates into intense, rapid-fire cooking classes. “An American...
The newsagent on China Street
3 min read
Syed Ibramsha is a very happy and friendly newsagent. His stall is based at the TNB box where China Street meets Beach Street. He is a working-day fixture sel...
The Tailor of Bishop Street
3 min read
I first met Lee in 1999 when my husband suddenly moved to a job that required him to be in an office and wear suits. Tukang Jahit Soon Loong was recommended by...
The Uncle of All Burgers
3 min read
Wong Keat Hin.One can find all the flavours of the world at Tanjung Bungah. From Bulgarian to Mexican cuisine, the variety reflects the multiculturalism t...
Bringing the Cendol to the World
5 min read
Tan Chong Kim.Penang’s street food is top notch – no arguing about that. But the work that goes into making these delightful dishes is often b...
The Supplier of Local Seafood in Tanjung Bungah
3 min read
A fisherman sorting out his net.Along Penang’s north-west coastline, semi-wooden houses lie in the shade of skyscrapers. Even before the sun rises a...
The Fish Farmer of Tanjung Piandang
4 min read
Tan Wei Kang.Have you ever wondered where the siakap or ang sai that you just ate for lunch or dinner came from? Most of us would think it was caught from...
Drive-thru for Yummy Snacks at Cintra
3 min read
A CAR ROLLS to a stop in front of a push cart along Lebuh Cintra. The driver places his order, “Two ham chim peng and two pak tong kou, please.” It’s teatime and nothing quite hits the spot like a traditional street snack, straight out of the wok.
Let’s Talk Food – Across Religious Divides
2 min read
Most religions are defined by their rituals and by the regimenting the collective behaviour of its followers. That is what ultimately defines a “religious...
