Sometimes, you just need a quick escape from KL traffic and stress. Not too far, not too tiring. Just drive up, makan, enjoy the vibes, and drive back like a boss. This is my quick 2D1N Penang trip – with a pit stop in Ipoh for famous 鹽焗雞 (salted chicken), some sinful char kway teow in Penang, a Starbucks morning beside the beach, and ending with a surprise gem in Gopeng before heading back to KL.
Let’s go.
Start Your Journey – From KL to Ipoh (Morning Fuel-up)
Start your trip around 8am. Earlier if you can tahan, later also ok lah but avoid heavy jam at the toll. Around 2 hours drive and you’ll reach Ipoh, the land of white coffee, taugeh chicken, and our mission today – Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken (鹽焗雞).
This place is damn famous, no dine-in one, just tapao. The chicken wrapped in paper, juicy and salty but not too overpowering. Just nice to eat with rice or even straight from the box while driving (not I say la, my friend do one). One whole chicken around RM25-RM30, fits nicely in your car boot.
If still early and you’re hungry, drop by for coffee at Nam Heong or Sin Yoon Loong – both got their own die-hard fans. Up to your taste.
Onwards to Penang – Lunch with Proper Char Kway Teow
From Ipoh to Penang bridge is about 1.5 to 2 hours depending how fast you drive and how long you took to buy salted chicken. You’ll arrive hungry (again) so perfect time for lunch.
Now, Penang char kway teow is like religion. Everyone got their own favourite. Mine? I go for Siam Road Char Kway Teow. The uncle fry with charcoal, queue can be long, so be prepared. Smoky, oily, got wok hei, and they don’t stinge on prawn and lap cheong.
If you want a sit-down place with less wait, try Ah Leng Char Koay Teow or Tiger Char Koay Teow. Honestly, all three can try, depends what mood you in.
Afternoon Dessert Walk – Burn Off the Oil
After heavy lunch, walk a bit lah. Go China House for their cakes – got like 30 choices, I kid you not. Pair it with coffee, you sit there, act a bit hipster.
Alternatively, go visit Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, an old clan house in George Town. Very chill, cultural, and you can snap some aesthetic photos.
If got more time, go Chew Jetty, walk around the wooden houses on stilts. Sometimes got kids fishing or selling ice cream, quite wholesome.
Evening Vibes – Chill at Starbucks by the Beach
Now this one, super relaxing – Starbucks Batu Ferringhi. This is not just any Starbucks ok. It’s beachfront. Literally can sip frappuccino and stare into the sea like some K-drama scene. Sit outdoor, hear the waves, and if the weather good, sunset also quite syiok.
You don’t need to do much here. Just sit, talk cock with your friends, or pretend to work on laptop (with 0% productivity).
If you stay overnight in Penang, this place damn nice to wind down.
Day 2 – Light Morning, Explore, Then Head Back
Next day morning, wake up not too early. Maybe go Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque, take some nice shots, then head for light breakfast. Try Roti Canai Transfer Road or go back to George Town and have some toh soon cafe toast and egg set.
After breakfast, if still got time, visit Penang Hill or Kek Lok Si Temple. But if you only got limited time, maybe just jalan-jalan near Gurney Drive or buy some biscuits from Him Heang for souvenir.
By 1pm, time to start driving back to KL.
Secret Stop – Gopeng Hidden Gem at 4pm
Now here’s the twist – don’t just drive non-stop. Around 4pm, plan to stop at Gopeng, exit the highway and go to Restoran Hong Jai (康仔小炒茶室).
This place, wah, really underrated. No fancy decoration, but the food damn sedap. Their deep-fried tofu, crispy outside and soft inside, and the ginger steamed fish – super fresh. Price also very reasonable.
Locals eat here a lot, and you can tell by the way everyone order like they know what’s best already.
After makan, your energy full bar again, then continue your drive back to KL. Should reach home before 8pm if no jam.
This kind of short trip, no need plan too hard. Just drive, eat, explore a bit, and relax. The key is balance – one famous food, one local gem, one beach, one chill spot. Not too rushed, but enough to reset your brain before KL traffic and deadlines hit again.
If you never tried this combo before – Ipoh Salted Chicken > Penang Char Kway Teow > Gopeng Xiao Chao – go try sekali. Guarantee you’ll want to do again next month.
Safe drive and happy makan trip.
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