gēn 根

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In Chinese, gēn signifies “roots.” We believe that to move forward, one 根 must understand where they began. Our kitchen is a laboratory of heritage, where locally sourced ingredients, often overlooked or forgotten are elevated to their highest expression. For the global traveller, we offer the definitive taste of modern Malaysia. Our mission is a relentless pursuit of the "hyper-local." By sourcing local ingredients from the diverse landscapes of the Malaysian peninsula, we transform humble, indigenous produce into a sophisticated dialogue between tradition and innovation. From heritage-bred poultry to the complex umami of traditional ferments, every plate is a seasonal narrative of our home.

Johnson Wong

The Chef and the Brigade

“For Chef Johnson Wong, cooking has always been a search for home. His culinary journey took him far beyond Malaysian shores, refining his craft in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens — from the meticulous Michelin-starred restaurants of France and Denmark to the high-pressure culinary scenes of Macau and Singapore.

After years spent in these global gastronomic capitals, Johnson returned to Malaysia with a singular vision: to translate “Our Malaysian Story” into a tangible, edible experience. This vision gave birth to gēn in 2018, quickly establishing itself as a cornerstone of modern Malaysian cuisine and earning him the Michelin Guide Young Chef Award, as well as repeated recognition on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. ”

“gēn 根restaurant is managed and developed by 2 talented, innovative Malaysian chefs who take pleasure in creating wonderful and new dishes while taking the environment into account by being responsible and by helping the community. Penang is mostly known for its delightful street food, but gēn 根 elevates traditional Malaysian dishes to become a new identity.”

Kim, the discoverer.

Atmosphere

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Since 2019, Gēn 根 has grown into a culinary collective woven into the soul of George Town, Penang. The restaurant specializes in restoring the city’s architectural icons from our sun-drenched flagship at The Prestige Hotel to the lively Communal Table on Lebuh Presgrave. At Gēn 根, the "glass house" design manifests their philosophy of hostmanship. Polished terrazzo, Japandi craft, and glass blocks trade industrial coldness for organic warmth. Here, the open kitchen is an invitation; guests observe the technical choreography of the pass from their own tables, turning the craft into a shared, inclusive dialogue.

Cuisine

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Gēn 根is a living reflection of the Malaysian narrative. We believe that local flavors are more than just ingredients, they are vessels for culture and memory. By bridging the gap between seasonal Malaysian produce and the intangible weight of their heritage, the team translates relinquished memories into a tangible dining experience.

Through their interpretation of local terroir, they aim to transport the palate back in time, inviting guests to reminisce and rediscover the richness of a shared history through every bite. “This is our foundation: a modern dialogue with our past. This is Our Malaysian Story.”

Facilities and Highlights

Wifi
Air Conditioning
Wedding/Event
Wine Cellar
Indoor Dining
Locally Sourced Produce
Chef/Tasting Menu
Contemporary Cuisine
Creative Cuisine
Vegetarian Dishes Available

See All >

Useful Information

GENERAL

Opening time:

Wednesday to Sunday (Closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Lunch)
Dinner: Wednesday to Sunday; 6pm - 11pm on (last seating at 8pm)
Lunch: Thursday to Sunday; 12pm to 3pm on (last seating at 1pm)

Annual closing:

none

Time zone: (GMT+08:00) Kuala Lumpur
Currency accepted: MYR
Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay
Electricity voltage: 240V
Electricity plug type:

ACCESS

The most efficient way to get to the restaurant is by Grabcar or RAPID bus. However, parking is available at the Prestige Hotel for one hour free of charge. Stamping should be requested upon bill payment. There is also street parking by the Lebuh Gereja.

CONTACT

Unit 6, 8 Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10300 Georgetown, Penang

CONTACT HERE

Visa for Malaysia

Travel Insurance

CONCIERGE

Your concierge is ready to assist you with planning and completing your reservation,
contact them on dine@secret-retreats.com

We Care

Understanding each component and communities from where they are derived is crucial to us at gēn 根. We get our products from nearby farmers that uphold sustainable methods and take an active interest in the welfare of their land and resources. We advocate for buying locally grown food and abstain from using chemicals and processed goods. We choose to support small farms rather than multinational conglomerates. We go to each farm directly to better understand the true costs and achieve minimal waste. In order to reduce our environmental impact, we also employ techniques like ferments, pickles and preserves in our menus to that incorporated environmentally friendly production, processing, distribution and consumption to reduce our environmental footprint.

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