Forbes Asia - October 2018

OCTOBER 2018 FORBES ASIA | 95

WHEN IN MALAYSIA...

JANE A. PETERSON

Merlene Narcis, the in-house historian, gives tours of the hotel’s museum, which its traces its history and displays notable artifacts. Guests can opt to stay in the

Heritage Wing, established in 1885 with 100 suites, or in the newer, and slightly less expensive, Victory Annex with 128 suites. Among the restaurant options is Sarkies

Corner, a casual cofee shop; or Sarkies, the main dining room featuring local and international dishes; and 1885 if you are in the mood for formal afternoon tea or

dinner in the “finest traditions of colonial-style dining.”

Visit two beautifully restored mansions. The mint green Pinang Peranakan Mansion, now a museum, was

once the home and oice of merchant Chung Keng Quee in the 1800s, while the Blue Mansion belonged

to Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze, known as China’s last mandarin, first capitalist and “Rockefeller of the

East.” Now a boutique hotel, the Blue Mansion ofers daytime public tours.

Begun as a rice stall in 1965, the no-frills Teksen

Restaurant on Carnavon Street ofers a mix of cuisines:

Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka and Perankan. Expect to get

a playing card that marks your place in the fast-moving

queue. Don’t fret—it’s worth the wait. Signature dish:

Assam Tumis fish and trotters in black vinegar.