Sunshine Residence Suites

There are many shops in Penang selling roasted duck, but this stall's tender braised duck is packed with flavour, including soy sauce, anise and cinnamon. They also serve braised pork belly, pork intestines, egg and bean curd.

Open for half days, this small store draws long queues – mostly tourists and young customers. They serve just one dish: stir-fried koay teow. The wok-fried flat rice noodles emit a charcoal aroma, are well seasoned and come with quality ingredients that can be spiced to taste.

Run by a husband-wife team, Winn’s Cafe is situated in a detached house with dining rooms spread over two storeys, the upper floor of which exhibits work by local artists. The menu features Peranakan classics, such as otak otak fish cake seasoned with coconut milk and local herbs grown in their backyard and boasts silky smooth texture. Asam tumis stingray seduces with bouncy, flavoursome meat and a rich, complex sauce made with nine herbs.

The third-generation owner makes his famous laksa noodle soup according to his grandparents’ recipe dating back 50 years ago. The soup strikes a fine balance between sweetness, sourness and spiciness, while the cucumber, shallot and pineapple cut through the heat nicely. The starter platter is also worth-trying.

Since 1920, this stall has been selling its famous apom: their crispy crêpes with a soft, puffy centre cooked in claypot over charcoal are fluffier and more coconutty than most. Come early – they tend to sell out by 9:30am.

White curry mee is served in a coconut milk-based broth with a bowl of curry paste on the side so that you can adjust the heat to your liking. The curry paste is available for sale by the bottle; it takes two hours to hand-stir the spices with dried shrimps and chillies. Optionally, pair your mee with deboned steamed chicken, spiced loh bak or Teochew guang jiang. The clear broth noodle soup with chicken meatballs is also worth trying.

Hidden in a Malaysian-style café, this shop serves mee in a savoury-sweet white curry base made with coconut milk that is freshly prepared every day. Among the various toppings offered, roasted pork is phenomenal. Make sure you try the homemade chilli sauce.