boon's log 3106.01: Welcome to Penang...

Recently, there has been a sudden influx/migration of oversea/over-strait franchises into Penang. Well, it does make Penang look more "international" and an international city needs more international "names" along her streets. I mean, I still remember when my hometown, Ipoh, had it's first McDonald's and Pizza Hut. We felt really international! :) Before that, KFC was the fastfood-king in town. No kid or no parents that does not know or have not heard of that name!

Just last weekend alone, IL and I visited two of them. On Friday, our colleagues and the both of us visited Subway. Yup, Subway has finally arrived in Penang. It was, of course crowded and people had to line-up from the counter, took a u-turn and then snaked until the entrance to the shop - so much so that they ran out of bread - that they had to use Pita bread wraps, instead. Imagine - such a long queue at SUBWAY! Anyway, we had a fair share of fun during lunch - the 11 of us. Yes - typical Subways have minimum seats available. We even saw a Gwailo (expat working for Motorola) taking a picture of the overcrowded Subway at e-Gate, Penang. He must be thinking to himself - these Penangites are real health fanatics! We, Americans need to learn from them. Or, maybe he's thinking to himself, "Bingo, perhaps I should take up the franchise for Quizno's. I bet it's gonna work with these health freaks running around...



Anyways, on Sunday, we then treated out tastebuds to Seoul Garden. Yeah, I still remember landing myself at Seoul Garden - suggested by Rene in Singapore about 8-9 years ago. Yup, the establishment has been running in Singapore for almost 10-over years. But only NOW, that they land themselves at Gurney Plaza, Penang. Well, it is just Korean steamboat+hotplate buffet. There have been "poor" write-ups about how this differs from the real-Korean-deal and the food is not fresh. But people still flock the branches and have their buffet lunches there - perhaps it's a more affordable option than the other more established and more authentic Korean restaurants.

Basically, not too bad. Wonder what's next! Well, personally, I think Penangites are pretty much ready for the 2nd choice for hamburgers - and you pretty much know what I'm thinking - Burger King! Yeah, many have been talking about it and we're just waiting for a bold enough businessman to take the risk and have the courage to go against the big hamburger giant, McDonald's. But hey, waitaminute!, I believe we DO have an alternative to supporting McD - and that's our very own Ramli Burger - remember, at one time (I'm not sure if we still are) we were shipping our hamburger patties to our neigboring Singapore! Way to go, Ramli! Speaking of which... I'm kinda hungry now...

boon out...