And then there’s Cad.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s absolutely becoming my next model.

Cad is an artist. The way she prepares the youtiao, or chakoi, is honestly mesmerising to watch. Every movement is precise. Every piece gets the same amount of attention, the same amount of love. It’s the exact same energy you put into design, into painting, into making something beautiful with your hands.

The whole place carries that feeling. Cad stands behind the counter furiously making fresh golden youtiao while somehow still smiling at everyone walking through the door, making the entire space feel warm and alive at the same time.

I had my first beignet with coconut and gula Melaka there and honestly… worth breaking your diet for.

The space itself is full of tiny details. A little poster here. A little clock there. A random Mona Lisa on the wall. Nothing feels overly designed, which is probably why it works so well. It feels human. Clean, pretty, welcoming, and full of personality.

And maybe that’s also what I love so much about Penang itself.

It’s a happy place. So many places there feel genuinely happy. People are happy to see you. You get the biggest smiles everywhere. People say good morning. They’re interested. Present. Warm. Nobody feels like they’re rushing through life.

We just spent the entire weekend shooting with Penang models and honestly, none of them seem to have any intention of leaving the island. And I completely understand why.

It’s a happy island filled with happy people, and you can feel it in everything. The food they serve. The shops they open. The way they live.

Whatever I always say is true:
what happens in Penang, stays in Penang.

And I absolutely love it there.