Sunshine Bay Seafood Restaurant in Tg. Bungah, Penang, offers the authentic Zhu Char dining experience without breaking the bank.
This no-frills establishment is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its reasonably priced dishes, making it a go-to spot for relaxed family dinners and satisfying weekend meals.
Sunshine Bay Seafood Restaurant Origins
Did you know Sunshine Bay Seafood Restaurant was formerly located in Kedai Kopi Sin Eng Huat, directly opposite the famous Penang Tanjung Bungah Goreng Pisang stall?
This Zhu Char restaurant (alfresco without frills, outdoor seats, and no air-conditioning) is a popular dining venue.
The prices are reasonable, and many families would gather for weekend meals here.
We used to park at the back of the coffee shop when the area was a disused burnt-down building full of undergrowth.
The promise of good cheap seafood was a significant pull factor, and it was enough to walk back to the car in the dark after dinner.
We were young and hardy back then.
I remember my friend Karen ordered her favorites the first time we went.
Karen seemed to know everyone in the shop, and we went into the kitchen, where a rattan basket full of fresh fish had just been caught earlier in the afternoon.
Sunshine Bay Restaurant is packed with diners on most days, including weekday evenings when we go with colleagues for dinner.
The rustic dining area of Sunshine Bay Seafood Restaurant exudes warmth and coziness.
Signature Dishes
The first meal in a restaurant sets the tone and the order for other meals after that.
- Fried “Snuah Chooi” Fish
- Tom Yam Prawn in a coconut shell
- French Beans
- Kap Pah Mee Suah
- Crab Noodles
After that meal, whenever I return to dine, the Kappa Mee Suah is the first thing I’ll order as it sells out quickly.
The Kappa (clams) makes the vermicelli sweet and delicious.
Other Favourites
- Bitter Gourd Fried Eggs
- Guinness Stout Chicken
- Salt & Pepper Squids
Kappa Mee Suah has a smooth, silky texture and is flavourful with the fresh Kappa, including the richness of the eggs.
Cooking with lard elevates this dish beautifully. It’s creamy and addictive.
Stir-fried noodles with Crab
If you’re quick with eating crabs, this yellow noodle dish is for you.
I couldn’t handle eating crabs and the noodles fast enough before they got soggy from the full crab juices and the full aroma.
The crab meat was juicy and sweet.
Sunshine Bay Restaurant’s famous Guinness stout chicken is known for its sweetness and tenderness, making it a delicious choice for diners.
Guinness Stout Chicken
Guinness is a taste that grows on you.
When cut pieces of chicken are marinated in Guinness, the flavor is sweet and earthy.
The reduced Guinness marinates coat the chicken pieces nicely.
The chicken pieces are tender and juicy.
The kids used to love this dish with the Kappa Mee Suah and still do.
Steamed “Pang Ngah” Sting Ray
I prefer Stingray, either steamed or BBQ.
The lemon/lime juice, ginger-garlic, and minced red chili give a high kick to this dish.
It’s tart, sweet, sour, and spicy.
Very tasty and mouth-watering.
Stingray is one of the most natural fish to eat, as it only has a few large bones that can be easily picked out.
The cartilage bones of young stingrays called “Pang Ngah” are edible, soft, and chewy.
Tom Yam prawns in a coconut shell
Sunshine Bay Restaurant’s Tom Yam prawns served in a coconut shell, with soup made from coconut water, is a must-try dish.
Part of the Tom Yam soup is served in a coconut shell, while the rest is in a big bowl, featuring giant and fresh prawns.
Kung Pow Mantis Prawns
This is the right combination of deep-fried mantis prawns stir-fried with the light scent of Lea Perrins sauce (or other similar sauce), onions, dried chilis, and spring onions as the main ingredients.
Getting the right texture of crispy with succulent flesh inside is not easy to perfect.
This mantis prawn dish is cooked a little dry with the prawn coated in Kung Poh sauce.
Less than perfect or not, we did justice and cleared the plate.
Kung Pow Mantis Prawns, a flavorful and spicy delight.
French beans sauteed with black soy sauce and “hare bee.”
Whole baby French beans deep fried and cooked with black soy sauce and “hare bee.”
The Hokkien in me says, “YES!!!”
Deep-fried whole baby French beans cooked with black soy sauce and ‘hare bee’ – a dish that delights the Hokkien in me!
Stir-Fried Bittergourd with Egg 苦瓜炒蛋
Stir-fried bittergourd with egg, a nutritious and flavorful dish.
Crispy fried cuttlefish, with a perfect texture of crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior, ideal for pairing with beer.
Behind the scenes: A glimpse into the bustling kitchen of Sunshine Bay Seafood Restaurant.
Sunshine Bay Seafood Restaurant Review
The restaurant serves all types of fresh seafood, including shellfish prawns, crabs cooked in home style, and cozy surroundings.
It’s almost like eating at someone’s kampong house!
Sunshine Bay Seafood
584-D, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Penang.
T: 012 – 473 7276 (Mr. Yap)
Opening hours: Wed-Mon, 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM (closed on Tuesdays)
Google: https://g.co/kgs/xVj7Y9Z
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
