Penang

The ancient principle of treating others as you wish to be treated yourself has found a modern home in Penang.

Nyonya cooking is matriarchal, with each family’s jealously guarded recipes passed down orally from generation to generation.

A search for authentic Penang food – a mashup of Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisines – proved to be more difficult than expected.

Food-loving Malaysians have been known to debate the best local food spots for hours. But one thing they all agree on is that the best char kway teow can be found in Penang.

Zavvy hoteliers in Malaysia have been buying up old shop houses and homes and transforming them into fine boutique hotels.

Ask any local food connoisseur in this Malaysian city where their favourite food stalls are and every one will give you vastly different answers.