Penang Opens After Months of Inactivity
Local restaurant Penang and Tokyo (Penang) reopened on Oct. 11, after closing its doors earlier this year. Following 17 years of business, Penang had unexpectedly stopped business on June 19, a decision many in the community believed to be permanent. Penang is well-known on campus for being the only restaurant to serve sushi in town and delivering when other restaurants shutter their delivery services. With the return of the restaurant, Exonians can once again enjoy the broad menu of Malaysian, Chinese and Japanese cuisines.
The restaurant had abruptly ended business, announcing its closure through a Facebook post made 10 days in advance.
“To our dear customers: Sunday, June 19, 2016 (Father's Day) will be Penang and Tokyo’s last day of business. We would like to thank all of our friends and customers for the past 17 years. Sincerely, Penang and Tokyo Restaurant.”
The message followed the closure of several local restaurants during the previous school year, such as Good Karma and Rogan’s.
The wording had led many Exonians to believe the change was permanent. “I thought they closed down for good,” said senior Efia Nuako. However, the restaurant announced that the closure was not permanent in September, finalizing a reopening date on Oct. 7, again through Facebook. The Exonian also previously reported that Penang’s closure had been permanent, leading to further confusion and miscommunication.
“[Penang] kind of brings my dorm together because a lot of the time we ask others in the dorm if they want to order and we eat together which is a pretty good bonding experience.”
Upper Pa Sukhum speculated that the abrupt closing and reopening was intended to attract attention to the restaurant, bringing in more customers. “Honestly I think [the closure] was a publicity stunt, them opening and reopening, hence why they never sold the land. I guess it worked; there were lots of people when I went to eat there.”
Many members of the Exeter community were overjoyed by the announcement of the reopening. “I was very Excited when I heard the news,” upper Chiara Perotti Chorea said, as she had “been wanting to go [to Penang] ever since school started.”
The restaurant’s speedy and reliable delivery service had been missed in their brief closure.
“I'm happy Penang's reopening cause I used to order from there a lot,” Nuako said.
Exonians also missed Penang’s signature sushi, the only available in Exeter. “I was really happy about the Penang reopening because it's the only place I can get sushi in Exeter,” upper Jacqui Byrne said.
While Penang was closed, the Exeter community had a lack of restaurant options after 10 p.m., causing a lack of late-night delivery and Saturday night hang out options. “[Penang] was the only restaurant in town that was open until 11 p.m. on Saturday and it was nice to go there later at night,” upper Pedro Sandon said.
Penang has brought Exonians together over the years. Nuako noted the unifying power Penang has had in her dorm, Amen Hall. By ordering food together, the girls of Amen Hall have forged connections with one another.
“[Penang] kind of brings my dorm together because a lot of the time we ask others in the dorm if they want to order and we eat together which is a pretty good bonding experience.”
Nuako also felt that the restaurant provided much needed stress relief. Their cuisine has become a comfort food for Exonians.
“I guess Penang kind of releases stress because I usually order when I have a lot to do at night and scallion pancakes are a really good snack.”
The restaurant itself holds many memories for Exonians of meals shared with friends. For Perotti Chorea, dinner at Penang with friends was a weekly ritual, and the restaurant served as a shared space.
“It was the regular spot for Friday dinners with some of my friends.” She expressed joy at being able to return to that tradition. “I’m glad we can go back to that,” she said.
Byrne, too, felt an attachment to the restaurant, as it holds nostalgic value to her. “I have a lot of memories at Penang,” she said.
With the return of Penang comes the return of a gathering place for many Exonians. The restaurant serves as a stress-reliever, a unifier and a source of good food.
“Penang brings people together. It’s just a good place to eat some nice food and relax,” Sanson said.