Sungai Tiram (GPS: 5.30297, 100.27706; Simplified Chinese: 过山, Traditional Chinese: 過山, Penang Hokkien: Koay1 Snua1) is a neighbourhood of Bayan Lepas in southeastern Penang Island. Sungai Tiram is located on both sides of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah just before the terminal building of the Penang International Airport.
Sungai Tiram is the name of a stream that runs eastwards into the marshland along the coast before emptying into the South Channel. The name means "pearl river", though there is no documentation of pearls ever been harvested or pearl oysters bred here.
The village that took the name Sungai Tiram occupied the area until the mid 1980's, when the encroaching development of Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone spilled into the area. Now light and medium-light plants have been erected in Sungai Tiram. The new regional head office of The Star newspaper was also relocated from George Town to Sungai Tiram a few years ago.
Masjid Jamek Sungai Tiram (9 August 2008)
Due to its proximity to the satellite town of Bayan Baru, Sungai Tiram has a number of eateries and food courts. The most famous among the Chinese community is Joo Leong Cafe, which specializes in seafood porridge. The coffee shop has been operating since the 1960's - I remember coming here with my parents in the early 1970's. At that time, the coffee shop was operating in front of a big open space.
I remember it being a dingy truck stop, with a slow-moving ceiling fan and bugs flying down from the florescent light. That was then. The coffee shop has transformed and expanded over the decades. In addition to its famous seafood porridge, it now also offers an equally famous toasted bread and satay, among others. Though many claim the seafood porridge is the best ever, I never developed a fondness for it.
How to go to Sungai Tiram
Bus stops in Sungai Tiram is served by Rapid Penang bus 102, 305, 306, 401 and 401E.
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, the main road in Sungai Tiram (4 February 2013)