lifestyle

Penang International Food Festival Is Back! Here's A Sneak Peek At What You Can Expect

The RM2 Mini Festival will feature local favourites in miniature portions. How cute! :D

Cover image via Penang International Food Festival (Provided to SAYS)

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This Spotlight is sponsored by Penang Global Tourism.

As Malaysians, food is one of our love languages <3

From breakfast choices like nasi lemak and roti canai to supper food like roadside burgers and nasi kandar, we are spoilt for choice with the variety of delicious food we have in our beloved country. 

And if you're a true foodie, you'll know that Penang has a reputation for being a food paradise, with plenty of yummy delicacies at every corner. 

Rejoice, foodies! Making a comeback this August is the much-anticipated Penang International Food Festival (PIFF). Woohoo! :D

If you're ready to indulge in the state's diverse foodscape and learn about the food haven's culinary scene, including other local cuisines, be sure to make a trip down to Penang to join in on this nine-day festival. 

Apart from showcasing the abundance of Penang's world-renowned food culture, the festival also aims to bring communities together through a celebration of food. 

Here are the event details:
Date: 20 - 28 August 2022
Place: Across Penang island and mainland

The festival will feature two main events, 'Street Food Festival' and 'Taste of Penang', as well as six other mini festivals, across the nine days. 

Kicking off the festival on the first weekend, 20 and 21 August, will be the opening event, Street Food Festival

In conjunction with the Penang State Government's initiative to promote Seberang Perai, under the 'Opposite Side of the Island – Seberang Perai' campaign, the opening is set to happen in mainland. Event attendees will be greeted at Design Village Outlet Mall, Batu Kawan with a diverse selection of street hawkers gathered from the island and mainland, all under one roof. 

From wok hei dishes like char kuey teow to dishes with rich broths like assam laksa, your cravings will be definitely satisfied, seeing that the array of street food available are all made from original recipes perfected through generations. 

If you would like to continue the celebration at home, don't forget to bring extra containers to tapau some of the food!

There will also be a fireworks display, funfair, and live performances, making it a perfect weekend escape for the whole family. 

Here are the event details:
Date: 20 - 21 August 
Place: Design Village Outlet Mall, Batu Kawan
Time:
5 - 11 pm

On weekdays, there will be a series of mini festivals for you to explore, with each of them highlighting various unique features of Penang's culture and culinary scene

Want to have a cute Monday date to sweep off those Monday blues? Bring your bb to the Picnic @ Roof Garden to enjoy a breezy rooftop picnic, as you watch the sunset with snacks and finger foods prepared by the Golden Chef Culinary Academy (GCCA). Be ready to also be serenaded by live band performances to end this perfect night.

Something that has been gaining popularity on the streets of Penang or at pasar malams is the food-on-wheels scene. Want to get a taste of the best grab-and-go delights that combine innovative, modern, and classic dishes? Head to the Gertak Sanggul Food Truck Rally at Gertak Sanggul Beach for a chill Tuesday evening after work. 

If you're a curry lover, there is an event specially dedicated for you. The Mini Curry Festival at KOMTAR Walk will bring you drool-inducing curries, from different cuisines such as Nyonya, Japanese, Mamak, and more. Get your taste buds ready to indulge in these flavourful curries that will leave you wanting more.

As Thursday rolls in, you can make your way to Hin Bus Depot for Thirsty Thursday to cool off the stress from work with some good music, refreshing drinks, and delectable bites. Whether you prefer alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, there is something for everyone. 

For TGIF, you can celebrate by joining the RM2 Mini Food Festival. Yes, you heard that right! Find tiny bite-size portions of your local favorite dishes like murtabak, ais kacang, and more for only RM2. You'll be able to fill your tummy and save money too. Yay!

If you're an early riser, then you won't want to miss out on Santai Morning at Tropical Spice Garden. Soak in the morning sun while being surrounded by luscious greenery overlooking the beautiful sea view and be entertained by live music. Of course there will be good food and drinks too! 

To end PIFF, the second main event, Taste of Penang, will be happening on 27 and 28 August, featuring modern food from Penang's cafe scene and more

Taking place along Kelawai Road, event attendees can discover a bunch of modern cuisines at the various booths run by cafes, restaurants, and hotels. 

Gather your friends for a fun day out and sip on some coffee as you hop from one booth to the other, while capturing all the Insta-worthy pictures to fill up your feed.

Once you get tired from walking around, head over to the picnic area to catch a breather. Don't forget to watch the live performances and cooking demonstrations that will be happening throughout the day.  

Here are the event details:
Date: 27 - 28 August
Place: Kelawai Road
Time: 5 - 11pm

Here's a more detailed overview of the event happenings:

So, foodies, whatchu waiting for? Mark your calendars and get ready to satisfy all your food cravings. For more deets on the nine-day festival, check out PIFF's website.

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Image via SAYS

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