Penang Road Street View: Trishaws’ Rest Stop

Several old traditional Penang trishaws parked alongside the pavement of Penang Road, George Town. This is a popular rest spot for trishaw riders, and the large trishaw art mural can be seen across the road from here.

George Town Street View: The Benggali Roti Seller

The Roti Seller

The traditional mobile bread (roti) seller on a trishaw in Penang.

Locally known as the Roti Benggali seller, Roti Bengali or the Benggali bread had its origin from Sheik Mohd Ismail, an Indian Muslim from Madras, who set up Roti Penggali (which meant bread shareholders in Tamil) with his friends back in 1920s. However, the word “penggali” was apparently mispronounced and later on, evolved into “benggali”. The name was stuck locally as such ever since. The loaf bread of white and soft crumb with thick crispy golden crust is a popular local choice here.