A few days ago, a columnist wrote of her experience in Penang, and how “disconcerting” it was to witness how segregated Malaysians had become in their dining habits. She claimed the “unhealthy obsession” Malay-Muslims had with halal food discouraged many from dining with Malaysians of other races.

Being a Penangite who grew up indulging in all kinds of “island” food, and having a bevy of friends of different races who all ate together, I had to speak out.

For one, the columnist was obviously taken to all the wrong makan spots on the island, hence her observations.

When I take friends to Penang, it’s to places that portray the island at its best. The first stop is usually Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng – a Muslim stall located inside a Chinese coffee shop at the centre of Pulau Tikus; followed with Padang Brown Food Court in Jalan Dato’ Keramat – where an amazing spread of food can be found from Bah Kut Teh to Gado-Gado; and not forgetting Kedai Kopi Bee Hwa at Lebuh Dickens that serves mouth-watering dishes, the most notable being Hokkien Char and Wantan Mee.

All these places are teeming with diners of different races and religions – including the halal-obsessed, who apparently don’t seem to mind dining in predominantly Chinese makan spots.

I can go on and on about all the other wonderful places in Penang serving unity on a plate, but I think you get my drift.

I am happy to say Penangites do eat together and that is precisely why we’ve stayed united and harmonious. We do not look at each other’s food with “suspicion” or dread but do check each other’s plates out so we can better decide what to order next. Instead of scrutinising the menu, we Penangites prefer pointing at the next table and saying: “I want that!”

Let’s be honest – food is a personal thing. So much depends on one’s taste, preferences or culture. If some Malays do not wish to dine in certain places, suka hati dioranglah! There is no need to force one to sit at the same table with those of a different race or religion simply to portray a united front. And even if one did, its hardly worthy enough to prove unity in the real sense of the word.

The next time anyone heads up to Penang, give me a buzz. I’ll gladly let you see all that Penang has to offer in terms of good food and racial harmony.

Malays, Chinese, Indians, Bangladeshis, Burmese, Nepalese, Indonesians or the “lain-lain” – Penangites just love to makan until we drop. The only time we would kick up a fuss is when our food starts tasting like KL food – but that’s entirely a different story.