6 Days in Singapore and Malaysia

It’s hard to believe Singapore and Malaysia were once colonial backwaters. The mishmash of local Malay and imported Indian and Chinese cultures have created two of the most food-centric countries in Asia. It’s the only place in the world where you can partake in a perfectly fried roti in the morning, a creamy laksa in the afternoon, and a tenderly-poached chicken and rice in the evening. If you’re looking for the ultimate gastronomic experience, look no further than hawker stands of Singapore and Malaysia.

Singpore Accommodations:

🛏️Luxury: Marina Bay Sands, The Fullerton Hotel

🛏️Moderate: Hotel Jen Orchard Gateway, Hotel Indigo

🛏️Budget: BEAT. Capsules, Adler Hostel

Penang Accommodations:

🛏️Luxury: Seven Terraces, Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Shangri-La (Batu Ferringhi)

🛏️Moderate: The Blue Mansion, Campbell House

🛏️Budget: East Indies Mansion

Transportation:

Singapore public transportation is extremely efficient. You can purchase a 3-day pass for access to most local buses and subways, If you’re traveling with multiple people, you might consider using Grab, the local Uber or Lyft app. You will need cash if you pick up a taxi on the street. In Malaysia, I would recommend using Grab in both Penang and Kuala Lumpur and avoiding public transportation altogether.

Day 1: Singapore

Begin with Little India, sampling Dim Sum for breakfast at Swee Choom Tim Sum, before catching a glimpse of traditional India at one of the many Indian temples. Continue to the hidden Sungei Road Laksa for some of the best laksa in Singapore before grabbing a Roti Prata to go at the Tekka Center, the most famous hawker center in Little India. Continue walking south towards Arab Street, stopping at the trendy boutiques and juice shops ending at Sultan Mosque. If you’re still up for eating, swing by Zam Zam for the Murtabak in Singapore before continuing south to the National Museum of Singapore. End the day with a stroll down Orchard Street for shopping or Emerald Hill for a bit of old-school Chinese architecture. For dinner, head to Dempsey Hill for the best fish head curry at Sammy’s.

📍Little India

🍴Swee Choon Tim Sum

📍Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

🍴Sungei Road Laksa

🍴Tekka Center

📍Arab Street

📍Masjid Sultan

🍴Zam Zam Restaurant

📍Bugis Street

📍National Museum of Singapore

📍Orchard Road

📍Emerald Hill

🍴Sammys or Chopsuey (Dempsey Hill)

Day 2: Singapore

Begin the morning with a traditional Chinese Carrot Cake (radish cake) at Albert Hawker Center. Head south to the National Gallery for a walk through the largest collection of Southeast Asian modern art. Walk down South Bridge Road to the heart of Singapore, Chinatown, and sample some of the best chicken and rice outside of China, including the world’s cheapest Michelin-star restaurant, Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, or Anthony Bourdain’s favorite, Tian Tian Haianese Chicken Rice at the Maxwell Food Center. Head over to Merlion Park for views of Marina Bay before heading to Ce La Vie bar, atop the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, boasting the best views of the infamous infinity pool. I recommend heading to the Gardens by the Bay just after sunset to catch the light show. I explored the flower dome in the Gardens by the Bay during daylight but would recommend skipping the paid gardens all together and opting for the Singapore Botanical Gardens (planned for tomorrow). End the evening with a traditional Peranakan meal at the famed Violet Oon.

🍴Albert Hawker Center

📍National Gallery Singapore

📍Chinatown

🍴Hong Kong Soya Sauce

🍴Tai Chong Kok

📍Buddha Relic Temple

🍴Maxwell Food Center

📍Chijmes

📍Merlion Park

📍Ce La Vie

📍Gardens by the Bay

🍴Violet Oon

Day 3: Singapore - Penang

After an early morning exploration of the Botanical Gardens and Michelin-star lunch at Candlenut, grab the next flight to Penang, Malaysia, home to capital city, George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for its eclectic architecture and world-renowned mixture of cuisines and street food. With the rise of tourism in Penang (still modest compared to Southeast Asia), sites such as the Spice Garden have sprouted up but I didn’t feel these were worth the trip. In my opinion, your time is best spent eating, eating, and well...eating. Kebaya Dining Room in Seven Terraces Hotel was one of the best meals I’ve ever had and the Gurney Drive Hawker Center is the perfect place for a Cendol dessert or a final course of Laksa.

📍Botanical Gardens

🍴Candlenut

✈️Fly to Penang

🍴Kebaya Dining Room (2 seatings)

📍Batu Ferringhi Night Market

Day 4: Panang

🍴Tai Tong Restaurant

📍Penang Peranakan Mansion

Armenian Street

🍴New Lane Street Food Stalls

📍The Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)

🍴Gurney Drive Hawker Center

Day 5: Panang - Kuala Lumpur

If you’re heading home after Penang, you’ll likely fly through Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. While KL doesn’t have a lot to offer, it’s certainly worth a day trip. The Batu Caves, a Hindu temple on the outskirts of KL, is not to be missed. The famed Petronas Twin Towers, Menara, and the National Mosque of Malaysia are the most overt examples of postmodern Islamic architecture and are vastly different than the melting pot of Penang’s architecture. While the views atop these skyscrapers are beautiful, the most spectacular views can be found atop KL’s fancy rooftop bars such as the Heli Lounge Bar.

📍Penang Hill

📍Kek Lok Si Temple

✈️Fly to KL

🍴Jalan Alor Market

Day 6: Kuala Lumpur

🍴Choca Foodstore

📍Batu Caves

🍴Restoran Rebung Dato Chef Ismail

📍Islamic Arts Museum

📍National Mosque of Malaysia

📍Central Market

📍Menara Kuala Lumpur