Old Punjabi village with heritage gems and authentic soy milk pudding
- Jl.Kampung Benggali
Post-modern shophouses
The shophouses along Jl.Kampung Benggali are pretty unique. Not the typical colonial shophouses found on Penang island but a more modern version built in the 1960’s. Cleverly designed with concrete shutters and setbacks to provide much needed shade in the tropical climate and colourful mosaic tiles laid out in geometric patterns.
Kampung Benggali was a traditional village where many Punjabis lived, locally better known as Benggali.
What’ in a name?
Kampung Benggali was a traditional village where many Punjabis lived, locally better known as Benggali. The village is no longer there, but the road is still home to many old restaurants and businesses such a traditional chick blind maker and Bean Milk Trading that makes their own soy bean milk and soy on site. Try the silky-smooth pudding with a dash of palm sugar, it’s light and refreshing.
Last one standing
Kampung Benggali has given way to development, but one lone Malay-style kampung house still stands where the village used to be. The kampung house has been vacant for many years; parts of its roof caved in and the wooden floors rotted away.
Cathay Theatre
The Butterworth Cathay Theatre has been in operation since the 50s. Once a popular venue for RAAF pilots stationed here, now it is known as the Lotus Five Star Cinema which plays a variety of Indian films, many of its original features remain intact. This theatre is the only original movie theatre to survive in Penang.