Onya wasn’t a place I’d rave about. I just find myself going elsewhere if I wanted somewhere cool and quiet.
Eating out with Vege Girl (Bee) always adds a new flavour to familiar places.
This time, we went to Onya, a café I’d already visited twice.
And decided not to write about the place.
With Bee around, it felt different.
Sometimes, it really does take three visits to get the right feel for a café or restaurant.
My First Two Visits to Onya Didn’t Click
Bee asked, “What turned you off about Onya?”
Fair question.
Looking back, it wasn’t just the food.
It was the full experience.
Strong Flavours
i realised that too strong flavours don’t work with me.
The first visit was with Ms Lisa.
We ordered Maggi mee with a blacken chicken.
The photo presentation looked promising.
But the flavour leaned way too hard on cinnamon.
It overpowered everything.
The only cinnamon I like came in a bun!
Second visit was a birthday lunch with Elsie.
She ordered a spread.
Tom Yam noodles, rice, more Maggi mee.
I know Malaysians can’t get enough of Maggi Goreng but, it felt odd paying café prices for something so familiar.
It just didn’t hit the mark.
Seating
Where you sit really does matter.
Bee then asked, “Where did you sit?”
First time, we were plonked right in the middle aisle on a tiny table, with people constantly brushing past.
Terrible.
It was so awkward.
Not relaxing at all.
Second time, we sat “upstairs” on the café’s upper level.
The staircase felt a little sketchy, and somehow the space didn’t feel settled.
Peak Hour = Peak Chaos
Both visits were at lunch rush hour.
Going at 12.30 to 2pm was bad timing for me.
The café was packed.
No soft furnishings meant noise bounced off every surface.
It wasn’t cozy; it was chaotic.
For those of us who enjoy quiet spaces to unwind and eat; it felt like high school canteen.
Everyone talking at the top of their voices to be heard (of course)
My Third Visit to Onya
Something changed on the third try.
“Me,” said Bee.
“No,” I replied.
“It was a Sunday at 3.30pm.”
That small exchange made me laugh, but it also got me thinking.
Maybe Bee was part of the change.
But timing, mood, and setting played a big role too.
Onya felt different.
Quieter, more relaxed, like it had finally exhaled.
Off-Peak Timing
The café was much quieter.
We had room to breathe, no crowd shuffling past, no noisy cutlery clatter.
We ordered some food to share.
- Cold Hainan Cham
- Creamy mushroom pasta with cheese
- Fried mushroom snacks
Cold Hainan Cham
Creamy mushroom pasta with cheese
Breaded Button Mushroom
Everything felt more balanced.
The pasta was rich and satisfying.
Even the drink hit the right spot.
So we order two coffees each and I’m up writing because of that decision!
Maybe it was the time of day, or just good company.
“Me again,” quipped Vege Girl.
So it worked.
Onya Not Perfect
We sat comfortably and chatted for ages.
It was one of those unhurried meals where everything just flowed.
Except for one thing.
A nearby table had their phone on speaker, playing videos loud enough for the whole café to hear.
It broke the calm and snapped us out of the moment.
It’s a small ask, but I think Onya would really benefit from a gentle house rule.
No loud audio in shared spaces.
It would help keep the vibe peaceful for everyone.
Worth a Try, With Tweaks
Would I recommend Onya?
Yes, but set yourself up right.
Go during off-peak hours
Choose your seat carefully
Don’t let one bad meal define the whole place
Sometimes, it takes a few tries to really know a café.
My third visit to Onya showed that the same place can feel completely different.
Depending on timing, company, and mood.
Give it a second (or third) chance—you might be surprised.
Onya Modern Asian (Macalister)
Address: 288, Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Penang
Business Hours: Daily 8:30 am–10 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am–10 pm
Breakfast
8:30–11:30 am
Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from featured establishments. These are some of the cafes that the editor visited while exploring Penang.
