The Morning Tea House Culture in Penang, Malaysia – Spend a Leisurely Morning Enjoying Tea and Dim Sum

Text & Photos /Shao Sheng

Yee Wo Teahouse is located on Lebuh Carnarvon in George Town, Penang. Actually, I had noticed this shop when I first came to Penang, but didn’t visit it at the time. It’s a local habit in Penang to gather at teahouses in the morning to enjoy morning tea, dim sum, read the newspapers, and spend a leisurely morning.

So after we got up in the morning and met up with our friend, she took us to Yee Wo Teahouse. At that time, the teahouse was packed with people who had come for morning tea and a chat. This is truly the most local way of life for Penang folks.

We ordered Pu’er tea at this Hong Kong–style teahouse to enjoy a relaxing morning. The Pu’er tea at Yee Wo Teahouse had a rich aroma and a pretty good flavor – I quite liked it.


Char Siu Bao – The skin of the char siu bao was slightly soft and moist, while the filling had a strong flavor, salty with a hint of sweetness. Overall, the filling tasted somewhat like the southern style – on the sweeter side – but the taste was fresh and delicious. The only downside was that the bun’s skin was a bit too soft, which affected the texture.


Shao Mai – This shao mai contained shrimp, so I didn’t try it.


Taro Croquette – The taro croquette, made from taro, had a crispy exterior and soft interior, with a flavor that was salty and sweet. The taste was pretty good.

Douchi Pork Ribs – The douchi pork ribs were pretty decent. With one bite, the meat easily separated from the bone, yet still retained the firm and springy texture of the pork. I thought the ribs were quite tasty, and the flavor from the douchi was well-balanced and suited my taste. The only downside was that they were a bit oily; otherwise, I would have liked them even more. But overall, they were quite good.


Phoenix Claws – This golden-colored dish was phoenix claws. The phoenix claws at Yee Wo Teahouse had a nice texture – the meat was thick, very springy, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and well-seasoned. We absolutely loved this dish.


Glutinous Rice Chicken – This dim sum is called glutinous rice chicken. Sometimes it contains chicken, pork, or is vegetarian. The one we ordered this time only had sausages on top. However, the glutinous rice flavor was strong, giving it a rich, soft, and fragrant taste. Although it was a bit oily, the flavor was still quite good.

Egg Tart – The best thing we had at Yee Wo Teahouse was the egg tart. The crust was firm, while the filling was uniquely delicious – the tender egg tart filling was rich with a strong egg aroma, making it irresistible. We enjoyed it so much that we ordered another one afterward. That’s how good it was.

This visit to Yee Wo Teahouse gave us a taste of Penang’s morning teahouse culture and the leisurely lifestyle of the locals. The Hong Kong–style dim sum at Yee Wo Teahouse were all quite delicious, especially the egg tarts, which were unforgettable. Though we had hoped to enjoy a relaxed time, it wasn’t meant to be – our foodie group had to rush off to the next spot.

[Yee Wo Teahouse]

Address:Lebuh Carnarvon, Georgetown, 11600 Pulau Pinang
Shao Sheng’s Wandering Journeyhttp://rt009211.pixnet.net/blog

Every journey, every trip is a quest. Though I’m not entirely sure what I’m searching for, what I ultimately gain often exceeds my expectations. And so, my wandering journey will continue endlessly.