Gēn 根

Gēn 根, modern Malaysian cuisine in George Town

Gēn 根 is a restaurant in George Town, on the island of Penang, that works with regional Malaysian ingredients and seasonal produce to build a contemporary Malaysian cuisine concept. The establishment itself presents its project as an edible translation of the Malaysian story, where memories, cultures and experiences of the country intersect.

The company operates under the business name Gen Penang Sdn. Bhd. and its main office is located at Unit 6, 8 Gat Lebuh Gereja, postal code 10300, George Town, Pulau Pinang.

Chef Johnson Wong and the origin of the project

Johnson Wong founded gēn 根 in 2018 after training in MICHELIN-starred kitchens in France, Denmark, Macau and Singapore. His stated goal was to turn the idea of "our Malaysian story" into a dining experience. That work earned him the MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award and a recurring presence on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, according to information released by the restaurant itself.

Its activity has expanded with other concepts, such as Communal Table by gēn and Wine Not, although gēn 根 remains the culinary anchor of the group. After a period of travels through China and Hong Kong to trace his family heritage, the project evolved in 根家菜 Root House by gēn, a line that delves into the Chinese-Malaysian diaspora.

Team and culinary approach

Yau Chin Wong is the head chef. Born in Sungai Petani, Kedah, he attributes his vocation to the influence of his grandfather. He joined gēn 根 in 2020 and was promoted to head chef in 2022. His work combines modern European techniques with a Malaysian base and is built around what the restaurant describes as "produce derivatives", an intuitive philosophy of full utilisation and zero waste of local ingredients. That technical line has taken the restaurant's concept to collaborations and residencies with international kitchens in Singapore, Jakarta, Bali, Guangzhou and Nagoya.

Sherrie Hoo, head of operations, was born and raised in George Town and trained professionally in Asia's leading culinary institutions such as Restaurant André in Singapore and RAW in Taipei. She joined gēn 根 in 2019 and has driven the restaurant's operational evolution and its international connections, coordinating collaborations with top chefs and representing the project in cities such as Jakarta and Hanoi. She also leads the restaurant's creative R&D initiatives, including a non-alcoholic beverage programme that integrates the zero-waste approach with local Malaysian produce.

Other concepts in the group

• Communal Table by gēn: sister restaurant in central George Town, conceived around the shared table, with a menu that balances local tradition and innovation and cooks with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
• Root House by gēn: sister project located inside the 1926 Hotel heritage building, focused on the cultural dialogue between Malaysia and China and on the "return journey" of recipes adapted to the new environment. Its concept traces the traditions of Malaysia's main dialect groups: Hokkien, Fuzhou, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka and Hainanese.
• Wine Not Penang: intimate space located above Communal Table, with a living-room format, dedicated to wine. Its cellar focuses on biodynamic and low-intervention labels, with attention to small producers.

Service and private experiences

The restaurant offers lunch and dinner service, and organises bespoke dining experiences for corporate gatherings, intimate celebrations and private milestones. Inquiries about events and bespoke commissions are handled through its email. The company also notes that its culinary and hospitality teams are open to applications, which should be sent with a CV and cover letter.

Access and surroundings

The main entrance of gēn 根 faces the street and is located next to Mcvis Florist Penang. To get there, the restaurant indicates that guests can park on the street, along Gat Lebuh Gereja, or use the parking at The Prestige Hotel, with access on Level 1 via the loading bay and the East Wing lift to the ground floor. The establishment offers one hour of hotel parking validation upon settlement of the bill.

Location and contact

Unit 6, 8 Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10300 Georgetown, Pulau Pinang · Phone: (+60) 12 511 3323 · Email: info@genpenang.com