Ka Satu at The George Penang serves heritage on a plate

There is something quietly poetic about a restaurant named after the island it calls home. The George Penang by Ascott has just unveiled Ka Satu, its newly refreshed signature dining destination, drawing its name from an old Indonesian reference to Penang as “The First Island.” It arrives with an appetite for both history and good food.

Formerly known as Saffron Dining, the restaurant has been reimagined around the spirit of Muhibah — the deeply Malaysian idea of goodwill and harmony across cultures. As a result, the menu reads like a love letter to the island’s layered identity: Malay, Chinese, Western, and everything in between, all prepared in a Halal-certified kitchen.

Kampung comfort meets bold Chinese flavour

Start with something comforting and distinctly kampung at The George Penang‘s new dining room. The Sup Kambing Berempah, a slow-simmered spiced lamb soup, is the kind of dish your grandmother would have made on a rainy afternoon.

Alternatively, the Masak Lemak Cili Padi delivers rich coconut gravy with a slow burn that lingers pleasantly.

For those who lean Chinese, the Kung Pao and Kam Heong preparations hold their own — bold, aromatic, and unapologetically flavourful.

Meanwhile, Penang loyalists need not worry. White Curry Mee and Char Koay Teow make their appearance too, elevated in presentation but faithful in spirit.

And for the table that cannot agree, there is always the premium Angus Steak, crafted with quiet confidence that does not need to announce itself.

Afternoon tea with a Gamelan soundtrack

The real showstopper, however, is afternoon tea.

The West Orient Afternoon Tea Set is served daily from 3pm to 5pm. Furthermore, from Wednesday to Sunday, it comes with something you will not find at most hotel restaurants — a live Malay gamelan performance.

The gentle resonance of the instruments fills the dining room as guests work through a spread that bridges both sides of the Strait: crunchy shrimp fritters and sardin sandwiches sit alongside Portuguese egg tarts and tiramisu, with Teh Tarik to wash it all down.

It is the kind of afternoon that is difficult to leave in a hurry.

Located in the heart of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ka Satu Dining occupies a space where colonial-era architecture meets contemporary hospitality at The George Penang.

The setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, but the kitchen more than holds its own.

Heritage is a word that gets thrown around easily in Penang. At Ka Satu, it is something you can actually taste.

Ka Satu Dining is located at The George Penang by Ascott, 138 Penang Road, George Town. The West Orient Afternoon Tea Set (RM78+ per set for 2 pax) is served daily from 3pm to 5pm, with live Malay gamelan performances Wednesday to Sunday. For reservations, call +604-291 9000 or WhatsApp +6011-5501 9000.