Penangites back at their favourite food haunts

Out after a long time: Ummi Amirah (left) with her parents Siti Tukiah Mohamad Nayan, 46, and Faisal Abdullah, 51, dining at the nasi kandar restaurant in Campbell Street, George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: With more places offering dine-in for those who are fully vaccinated, Penangites are coming out in droves again to enjoy their favourite local cuisine but with caution.

A. Sahotaran was seen eating roti canai at a stall he went regularly before in Jalan Kebun Bunga.

“It has been a while since I have eaten out like this. Now that I am fully vaccinated and dine-in is allowed, I can enjoy my breakfast as I read the newspaper,” he said.

“I feel safe dining in as I saw all the customers are following the SOP.

“I know there are other places that have reopened but this stall is nearer and safer for me,” added the 73-year-old.

Sahotaran said it was a nice feeling to be able to sit in the premises, eat freshly prepared food and sip a hot drink.

“For now, I have not ventured to other places,” he said.

The stall operator, who declined to be named, said she strictly adhered to the SOP by making sure only a maximum of two persons to a table.

“I wear double masks to protect myself and our customers,” she said.

At a popular nasi kandar restaurant, a family of three was seen tucking in plates of nasi kandar after almost a year.

Dental nursing student Ummi Amirah Faisal, 21, was with her parents eating out after what she described as a “long wait”.

“We have not dined out for many months. My mum usually cooks at home. It’s nice to eat out again while we followed strict SOP,” she said.

Ummi Amirah said their first meal out had to be nasi kandar.

“Certain food like nasi kandar is nice to eat out. The atmosphere adds to the experience.

“But we are still cautious and glad to observe strict SOP with physical distancing in place,” she said.

Restaurant Hameediyah director Muhammad Riyaaz Syed Ibrahim said the dine-in service was planned according to the number of vaccinated workers.

“Right now, five have had both doses while 15 others got their first dose.

“We have been strict about the SOP. We want everyone to be safe, including our customers.

“Since we have started offering dine-in, it is important that we maintain a high level of hygiene and safety standards,” he said.

So far, most of the customers are families and small groups of two to three people.

“Once more people are fully vaccinated, we expect more customers,” said Muhammad Riyaaz.