Food outlets see roaring business after travel restrictions relaxed

GEORGE TOWN: The public is finally able to satiate cravings for nasi kandar, chendol and assam laksa, just to name a few.

“I have not made a trip to Penang for more than six months. This is the longest time I have not been here.

“Usually, I would come every month to get my ‘fix’ of nasi kandar and chendol, ” said factory manager Abdul Rahman Ariffin, 42, who lives in Kuala Lumpur.

He was seen at a nasi kandar outlet in Jalan Gurdwara yesterday where the queue stretched to about 50m.

“We were here early, yet it was already crowded, ” said Abdul Rahman, who was with his wife and two children.

“Since it had been a long six months from our last visit, we don’t mind waiting an hour in the queue, ” he said with a chuckle.

Over at Campbell Street, another long queue was formed outside a nasi kandar shop believed to be more than 100 years old.

“The food here is a must, especially now with the addition of lobster and giant squid dishes, ” said housewife Norhafisah Jamaluddin, 50, who was with her husband from Puchong, Selangor.

She had fond memories of the shop as her late father used to take her sisters and her there during their visits to Penang.

“The taste of the food has remained authentic, ” Norhafisah added.

Owner Syed Ibrahim Abdul Sukkoor said business had been good for the restaurant since the conditional MCO was lifted.

“However, we are mindful of the SOP and to ensure physical distancing was adhered to, we allow only a certain number of people to dine in at any one time, ” Syed Ibrahim said.

Other places enjoying good business included the cendol stalls on Penang Road and the assam laksa stall at the Ayer Itam market.

The Batu Ferringhi tourism belt also reported heavy traffic and crowds were seen at Penang Hill.