How do you like your eggs in the morning? I tend to sway between scrambled, poached or Sunnyside up. There’s just something extra alluring about a golden, trembling yolk waiting to spill across the plate.

Sunnyside is one of many highly recommended cafes on Penang island. Unlike the others, this particular brunch spot requires a short drive out to Tanjung Bungah. We visited on a rainy Sunday morning so it was quite quiet.

The cafe is located in a seaward-facing house, with private parking at the front. Its Northeast-oriented facade and lack of much ambient lighting plays heavily into its Sunnyside moniker, chancing on the morning sun’s glow. Unfortunately the overcast weather during our visit meant that most of the interior was cloaked with a moody dimness. If you chase natural light for food photos (like me) and OOTDs, you’d prefer to sit by the window or one of the outdoor tables.

Curious how an Nacre Experience article is formed?
From The Editor: What Makes An Experience Worth Sharing

Breakfast

Before we ordered, a quick look through Sunnyside’s tags revealed that the must order here is the Shokupan Babi Bikini (RM24)—a deceptively simple sandwich of fluffy milk bread, flavourful five-spiced pork mince with caramelised onions and back-sliced chives on a dark slate plate. A glossy soy yolk gelée contributed to the egg-spect of this dish, and a luscious mouthfeel to the filling. This was very good, I see why it’s the popular choice.

For sharing, we were recommended the Sunnyside Breakfast Plate (RM42): A generous tower of homemade ham, sunny-side up eggs, sautéed mushrooms and blistered cherry tomatoes built on a potato waffle drizzled with hot honey. The waffle was on the softer side, lacking texture but otherwise tasted lovely with the sweet heat. The ham, in particular, stood out for its depth of flavour and princely portioning, offering a savoury anchor to the plate’s sweet-spicy balance.

The Balado Baked Eggs (RM18) were served hot in a cast iron skillet. Whites were just set in an aromatic and lightly spicy tomato-based sauce, while the yolks retained their silky run. The pair of eggs were garnished with a generous handful of fried shallots and more chives, playing into the balado flavour profile of spices and alliums. While we were warned that this dish may be quite spicy, it turned out mild at most, which I appreciate. If you’d prefer a more fiery experience, the chilli crunch on the side is packs quite the Scoville rating.

A quiet standout was the sourdough toast served with the baked eggs. These were light, crisp and not too chewy—a gripe my mother has with many a loaf these days.

Coffee

The beverage menu is quite extensive, with your usual espresso-based suspects and an even longer list of non-coffee sips. Being coffee people, we kept it classic with a Mocha (RM14), a Black (RM10), and a White (RM13). All of which were nicely poured and served in handsome ceramic cups.

Sunnyside Menu

While the prices at Sunnyside are on the higher side—our breakfast for totalled about RM133—the quality and execution made bill total more palatable. Portions are also decent, this meal kept us satiated for the long drive back to KL until dinner. If you find yourself in Penang with a few hours to spare, Sunnyside makes a compelling case for stepping out of George Town and into the glow of Tanjung Bungah.

Sunnyside Breakfast & Brunch
30 Jalan Tanjung Bungah,
Tanjung Tokong, 11200,
Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang (Maps)

Operation Hours:
Wed–Mon: 7.30AM–3.30PM
Tue: Closed

Instagram: @sunnyside_________

---

From the table to the world beyond, Nacre brings you dining, travel, and lifestyle experiences worth savouring. Explore more with us on Instagram or TikTok @nacre.asia.