@KennethT, thanks for the Saigon food and travel adventures. Nice reading.
sartoric & kbjesq (and KennethT), have a look at the relevant section of another food forum - although basically inactive now, it is stuffed full of posts and recommendations from well-regarded posters and food-obsessed people who had posted copiously there over the years on food in Malaysia including Penang and Ipoh. Here is also one blogger whom one former poster (IMO the most prominent) in that section on CH trusted as a blogger-guide.
BTW Tony B's episode on Penang included a sweeping generalization on "laksa" - basically it seemed like there was no other sort than what he was eating then. He talks a lot, but sometimes... here's one thread that may be informative for folks who wish to read more about laksa in M'sia & S'pore.
ETA: The one dish that I really miss is properly/professionally prepared KL Hokkien Mee. Sigh. And, BTW, "Hokkien Mee" means very different things in Penang, KL and Singapore. You will need to be very clear in your mind about what you are asking for, what you are expecting, the differences between them, and WHERE you are when you ask for it. :-)
