Firstly, at least both sides of the political divide agree on something at last. Second, the survey must be mad to say that Singapore food is better than Penang food? I have not heard of Asians going to Singapore because of the "great hawker food" but then again, can we trust some Mat Salleh's taste buds? Also, I know of many Singaporeans who go to Penang just for the food and swear by it that it is the best.

Until the next time, cheers.

The Star, Tuesday July 24, 2012

Guan Eng and Teng stand united in defence of Penang hawker food

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Barisan Nasional chairman Teng Chang Yeow often find themselves on opposite sides of the fence on almost every issue.

However, the two are standing united in defence of the position of Penang hawker food, saying that they are more superior than that of Singapore.

Both questioned the reliability of the food surveys that listed Penang hawker fare as third best in the world, behind Bangkok and Singapore.

Local delights: These photos show two of Penang’s famous dishes – assam laksa and char koay teow (right).

 

“It is common knowledge that Singaporeans have been flocking to our shores for food,” said Teng, who was former state Tourism Committee chairman.

“They come here for our food and not the way around. We seldom hear of Penangites going to Singapore to try out their food,” he said, adding that Singaporeans accounted for the highest number of foreign tourists coming to Penang.

In a posting dated July 21 on VirtualTourist.com, a write-up with a Los Angeles deadline titled “Travel Picks: Top 10 cities for street food”, Penang emerged third.

Asked how Penang could have fallen behind Singapore, Teng said it was his opinion that it was due to promotional activities.

He cited an example where a local Chinese daily reported that Penang Global Tourism had drawn flak for its George Town Festival 2012 promotional activities in Singapore on a social networking site.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has called on those who think that Singapore food is more superior to come to Penang.

Stressing that there was “no contest” when compared to Penang food, Lim said that those who preferred the food from the country's southern neighbour had probably never tasted anything better.

“There are more tourists who travel to Bangkok and Singapore than to Penang.

“So naturally, they would feel that food in those places is good.

“Comparing Penang food to that of Singapore is like comparing Mount Everest to a hill,” Lim said.

“Tasting is believing.

“Penang food is regionally famous and one of the main attractions,” he said.

Saying that he himself had gained inches around the waist since moving to Penang, Lim claimed that even Singaporeans would not agree that their food was better.

“People from Singapore come to Penang to eat, not the other way around.