Penang is just a little bit snobby about its durian.
Yes, they have some of the best durian I’ve ever tasted, but at prices so high that it can be hard to really feel satiated.
So when a friend told me about this All-You-Can-Eat durian restaurant in Georgetown, I definitely wanted to visit.
Returning To Penang
I returned to Penang in late July of this year after a great time in Northern Thailand, where I took my first tour group to a small durian area called Uttaradit (Rob was still in America).
My friend Roy and I took the train from Bangkok, which is already a long trip. This last time it was delayed by more than 4 hours, making our total travel time closer to 26 hours and ensuring that by the time we arrived in Penang, I was very hungry.
What made the train trip more fun is that we happened to be sitting a few seats away from Rachel and Patrick, who are fans of this blog and who had emailed me just earlier that week. I was absolutely delighted and flattered when they told me they had been using “The Durian Tourist’s Guide to Thailand,” as their sole travel guide for their adventures in Thailand!
I knew from the moment I met them they were true durian fanatics. Just look at these very cool postcards Rachel was making to send home.
So when we arrived in Penang I invited them to come along to Ting Siang Hock Trading’s Eat-All-You-Can Durian Buffet.
The buffet is one of the few durian locales open all year round in Penang.
They import durians from the mainland, which explains why they are a bit cheaper as well.The lowest buffet package was 30 RM, which did not include the big tickets like Musang King and Black Thorn.
Later Alfred, our server, snuck us a Musang King anyway.
We were all a bit dirty from the train ride, so we washed our hands in the sink provided and took a seat toward the back of the restaurant. Most durian stalls I’ve been to are open-air affairs with tarps or umbrellas for cover, so it was a nice change to be inside of a building.
I was so hungry I wanted to just rip open the durian myself. But Alfred took the time to make a special presentation for us.
The tower of wrinkled, bruising cream was a good first impression.
Everyone snapped a few photos (and I snapped a lot). Then we dug in with glee.
What made the experience even more delicious was that Rachel, Patrick and Roy had never eaten a Malaysian durian before. They were so excited!
And with reason. After just a few weeks away in Thailand I was really super stoked to be eating these durians too!
Alfred started us with two pillowy D24’s piled high. Then he brought a lesser known durian called Tembaga.
I was shocked to see Tembaga, as the last time I’d tasted it was in Sarawak, Borneo.
It didn’t look pretty. The flesh had turned a bit translucent, hinting at watery vinegar.
But wow, what a flavor! We all agreed that we liked Tembaga more than D24, and tried to get Alfred to bring us another. I’d really love to taste this one fresh sometime.
I’m not certain if it was the same “Tembaga” that I ate in Borneo. Tembaga just means “copper” in Malayu and might be a common name for kampung durians with orangey flesh.
The other surprising durian was Butter, a Penang local special that I’d only heard of this year.
This durian is amazing. Each piece was swollen with a soft, silky cream that was both sweet, bitter, and a tiny bit salty. I imagine this, as well as it’s creamy color, is where it gets it’s name.
As we plowed through more durians, Alfred must have decided we were close to finished because he brought out a few pieces of Musang King, piled on top of our D24 order.
We weren’t close to finished, but we appreciated the gesture and the free Musang King.
Musang King never disappoints.
None of the durians were the fresh, eat-this-in-reverie durians that you can often find on Penang, but for a post-season buffet the durians were really good.
We left the buffet stuffed, happy, and a little bit high from the all the durian phytochemicals buzzing around in our systems.
With friends, a comfortable environment, and an endless supply of good quality durian, it was the perfect durian meal.
Ting Siang Hock Trading’s Eat-All-You-Can Durian Buffet
Open Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Monday-Saturday, All Year Long
Address: No.74, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, Georgetown Penang
Prices: 30 RM buffet without Musang King and Black Thorn, 60 RM Buffet with
How to get there: If you are staying on Chulia Street, the buffet is an easy 10 minute walk. From Chulia Street,merely walk down Jalan Carnarvon and hang a left. It’s located across the street from Prangin Mall.
Lai. K H says
Very informative. Good for all.
Kathy Kennedy says
My name is Kathy and we live in Canada. For the past 18 years, we have been travelling back to Kuala Lumpur every year after our visit to our mother who lives in Australia to celebrate her birthday in September. We are usually in Kuala Lumpur in early October. I am an durian addict and durian season was always over when we are there. Our mother passed away this year in Australia and as a result we have no time restrictions on when we can visit Kuala Lumpur.
Can you please let me know when is the perfect time to visit so that the durians will be in abundance and we do not have to pay an arm and a leg for it. I really want to go all out and have durians every day. I am willing to pay for the airline ticket just to savor them, Do you do road durian trips to visit all the durian farms in Malaysia? We would love to visit Penang, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur etc Please advise as we would like to plan it for 2020. We live in America six months of the year and so from October till April of any year, is not good for us. Other than those dates, we are free to fly back.
Al says
“merely walk down Jalan Carnavaran and hang a left”
It not Carnavaran but Carnarvon. Correction please..
[email protected] says
Done. Thanks for catching this!
ray says
i just got back from buffet thanks for letting me know about it! lot money though! I was told buffet was 58RM as not enough durians at moment. I was only just prepared for 30 which is already loads not double! anyway i walked away then changed my mind as had durian on brain. Managed to eat 6 durians about 1.5-3kg size at a guess, and a small tray of pre-prepared durian. Was fun though! Just need to not eat for a week now to balance the money 😉
[email protected] says
Hi Ray,
Thanks for the update on the pricing! This year’s durian season is a bit scarce, but I hope the pres will come down! Sounds like you still got good value for your money 🙂
liyana talib says
Hi 🙂 hmm how about this year ? 2015 ? Is the durian buffet will be available ? 🙂
liyana talib says
Hi 🙂 hmm how about this year ? 2015 ? Is the durian buffet will be available ? 🙂
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Liyana, yup, it will be there!
Anonymous says
What's the time limit for a durian diner's meal, between the 11 am and 11 pm ie 12 hour maximum feast?
Eric Lee says
Hi there, which is better? Ting Siang Hock trading buffet or bao sheng buffet?
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Eric,
I would not compare the two, as they serve different purposes. It would be like comparing a Vineyard with Wine Bar. Ting Siang Hock Trading is cheaper and the durians are not as fresh as at Bao Sheng. It is more convenient as it is the middle of Georgetown. Which you want to go to depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.
CHONG says
Hi,
I visited the shop today at around 4pm. The durians are sold all year round, but the buffet is only offered when there are enough durians in the market. The vendor told me to wait about 3 more months for the buffet.
Durian available today (RM per kg): Butter(RM28), King of Kings(Wang Zhong Wang)(RM35), Sultan(RM33). The vendor said if customer satisfactory is guaranteed.
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Chong, thanks so much for the update! Really appreciate it. I remember Butter as being a very good durian, what did you think? I've never had King of Kings, any good?
CHONG says
Hi Lindsay,
I haven't try Butter, I tried the King of Kings. Bitter sweet, thick white color flesh, expensive for me and my wife, one 1.9kg fruit for RM66. The shell was mark with a little bit of red paint. Will try Butter nex time.
Lindsay Gasik says
That is expensive! You must really love durian 🙂
Lyndsi Keves says
Lindsay, thank you so much for the information! I just booked my flight to Penang and will be enjoying durian for dinner here in 10 short days. Looking forward to it! Thanks again!!
Lindsay Gasik says
I'm glad this article will be useful! I really hope you find some good durian there. You are a bit smackdab in the middle between seasons, but there still should be some D24 and Musang King around! Do let us know about your experience and what you find 🙂
Anonymous says
Lindsay, you said that she is a bit smackdab in the middle between seasons. What range of dates are considered in season in Penang for D24 and Musang King?
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Anonymous,
The main durian season for Penang is May until late July. Sometimes it has a very minor second season end of November, but not often. When I visited, the durians were coming from the Pahang region which has a later season, July-September and again late November to January. Remember that you are going to be hard pressed to find Penang-grown D24 and Musang King any time of year, as those varieties do best in the Pahang region.
Anonymous says
Update: I just returned from Penang and had been to this store. Unfortunately, although it advertised "all-you-can-eat" on a banner that still hangs outside the store, they told us that due to low supply right now, they cannot offer us the buffet. Of course we were disappointed but their service was good; they offered to change a durian they opened for us with another because we don't like the texture/taste of it. It was rather pricey though.
Lindsay Gasik says
Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for giving an update with your experience. Glad it was good, if pricey. Out of season durian tends to be a bit on the expensive side, but at least it's there.
Anonymous says
Wow, having some delicious durians and the mouth-watering pictures. The durians that you cant find anywhere in the world except Malaysia.
Fruitarian Mango says
I wasn't aware of this place in Penang.. Feel like I missed out! Hanging out for the ozzy durian season to start again.. sad now that apparently coles no longer import thai durian.. it's been far too long since the last one!
Lindsay Gasik says
That is sad! When were you on Penang? I only discovered this place this year.