Lifestyle

Shopping Malls

Penang has its impressive share of shopping malls to satisfy any shopaholic.

KOMTAR

In the heart of the city lies Penang’s famous landmark – KOMTAR. The iconic building holds many mid-range local boutiques and electronic stores.

1st Avenue Mall

There is also a walkway that links KOMTAR to 1st Avenue Mall, a newer mall with trendy high-street labels, karaoke joints and a cinema.

Gurney Plaza

Other popular shopping venues include Gurney Plaza, which is a stone’s throw away from Gurney Paragon on Gurney Drive.

Gurney Paragon

Other popular shopping venues include Gurney Paragon, which is a stone’s throw away from Gurney Plaza on Gurney Drive.

Straits Quay

Straits Quay is a marina-fronting upscale mall where shoppers can take a breather by heading out to enjoy the sea breeze and marvel at the docked luxury yachts. The mall also actively hosts workshops, contests and weekend markets.

Queensbay Mall

A strategic shopping pitstop is Queensbay Mall, the largest in Penang with over 500 tenants. Located just 10 minutes away from the Penang Bridge and Penang’s International Airport, the mall is a perfect start or finish to one’s trip in Penang.

Kompleks Bukit Jambul

Kompleks Bukit Jambul is ideally located within the burgeoning satellite township of Bayan Baru and is surrounded by hotels, office buildings and international colleges. Located just a short drive away from the Penang Bridge, Penang Second Bridge and Penang International Airport, the mall is known for its Muslimah fashion boutiques and mobile phone kiosks and shops.

Design Village

The first outlet mall in Penang and the largest one in Malaysia, Design Village is a sprawling complex that perpetually offers discounts. Buy branded apparels and home appliances at marked down prices here and return home with the satisfaction of grabbing a good deal.

IKEA

The first IKEA store in the northern region is located next to the Bandar Cassia Interchange in Batu Kawan. Spanning over 470,000 square feet (43,600 square metres) of retail space, it features over 8,000 well designed, functional, and affordable Swedish home furnishing products with some 49 showrooms, market, a bakery and a restaurant that seats 756 people. Drop by to scout for some furniture, interior design inspiration, or try their famous Swedish meatballs! Nearby attractions include Design Village and Central Park Batu Kawan.

Sunway Carnival

Sunway Carnival Mall is a stylish 4-storey shopping mall strategically located within the town centre of Seberang Jaya, one of mainland Penang’s must-visit retail haven, complete with the region’s largest cinema with an eight-screen cineplex and an amusement centre. Opened since 2007, the mall hosts international and regional retailers, exquisite dining and entertainment outlets to ensure more passion, fun and delights for the shoppers. Sunway Carnival Mall has approximately 220 shops and a convention centre. Shoppers can expect the largest GSC Cinemas in the northern region with 13 screens and several international, regional, and local retail brands such as Jaya Grocer, JD Sports, Bath & Body Works, Innisfree, Laneige, and Victoria Secret by April 2022, after the completion of the mall’s expansion.

Traditional & Modern Local Artisans

You’ll find plenty of shops and markets all over Penang selling everything from traditional arts and crafts to trendy hand-made goods. No matter what you’re into, Penang’s traditional and modern artisans have got you covered.

Penang Products

Penang is full of home-grown products, from traditional treats to beverages. Here are some locally owned and produced souvenirs to bring home from Penang.

Ghee Hiang

Ghee Hiang has a proud history that harks back to 1856 when it was established with the arrival of a Fujian pastry chef to Penang’s shores. Ghee Hiang’s founder invited the chef who then introduced the making of traditional pastries in Penang. By the 1900s, the brand debuted the famous Ghee Hiang Baby Brand Pure Sesame Oil. Today, Ghee Hiang is Penang’s leading heritage brand in traditional biscuits and pastries, beverages, and sesame oil.

S.M. Badjenid & Son

S.M. Badjenid & Son, established in George Town in 1917, is the country’s oldest manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of perfume compounds, essential oils, bakhoor, and oudh. The shop also sells canvas and custom-made canvas products, including tents and canopies. Now run by third-generation family members, the shop is packed floor to ceiling with thousands of exotic halal perfumes and eau de toilettes (which do not contain any alcohol).

Apple Brand Soy Sauce

Sin Heng Lee Food Industries Sdn Bhd is the proud owner of the Apple brand sauces and condiments. The brand’s soy sauce is made from carefully selected ingredients, precisely prepared to ensure the perfect flavour in your signature dishes.

Him Heang

Him Heang is a family-run pastry manufacturer in Penang famed for its Tau Sar Piah (a round-shaped Chinese pastry). This family-run business was established in 1948 by a Chinese immigrant and is now run by a third generation owner. Him Heang offers a wide range of local pastries, made fresh daily with no added preservatives.

Ghee Hup Nutmeg Products

Nuts about nutmeg? Head over to Ghee Hup Nutmeg Factory! You can find many products at its store such as pickled nutmeg, candied nutmeg, jam, concentrated juice, nutmeg balm and so much more. This educational factory also gives you the opportunity to learn about the nutmeg-making process as well as the nutritional value and uses of nutmeg.

Lean Seng Cooling Face Powder

Rice is not just food; it is a key ingredient used to make a traditional beauty product known as cooling face powder (bedak sejuk). It is believed to help remove skin blemishes, improve the appearance of skin and relieve itchiness. At Lean Seng Cooling Face Powder, you can buy quality face powder and get hands-on experience of making this product.

Jeruk Madu Pak Ali

Jeruk Madu Pak Ali is a leading jeruk (pickled fruits) brand from Penang. Known for its taste and aroma, the pickles are produced from quality fresh fruits. Jeruk Madu Pak Ali is halal certified by JAKIM.

MyKuali “Penang White Curry” Instant Noodle

MyKuali is a trusted brand in the instant noodle industry, with the L.A Times ranked MyKuali Penang White Curry #2 and Penang Spicy Prawn #7 in its “Best Tasting Instant Ramen 2019” list.

Salute Brand Local Coffee

The Salute Brand coffee and tea powder with the distinctive Sailor logo has been a household brand for more than half a century. The coffee brand offers varieties of packaged coffee and tea products such as 2 in 1 Kopi ‘O’, Kopi ‘O’ Kosong, Penang White Coffee, 3 in 1 Coffee Mix, 2 in 1 Teh ‘O’, and 3 in 1 Milk Tea.

Night Markets

Pasar Malam or night markets happen weekly to serve the needs of the neighbouring communities. Street vendors set up their stalls along roads around 6.30pm on a particular day of the week, usually near a densely populated residential area. Everyday household items and clothing are sold at affordable prices next to mouth-watering street food. Paying a visit to a night market is a perfect opportunity to sample local food, practice bargaining skills and maybe purchase a quirky t-shirt. It’s a great plunge into the local culture that will definitely leave an impression.

Pick a day or pick a place:

Art Centres & Galleries

Although Penang is famed for its street art, there is more to the state’s art scene than that. Peep into the many art galleries and be surprised by the thriving scenes inspired by life in Penang.