WELCOME TO COMMUNAL TABLE BY GĒN
Located on Lebuh Presgrave—known in Penang Hokkien as Sa-Tiau-Lor—we sit at the heart of George Town’s historic Seven Street Precinct.
At Communal Table, the boundaries between the kitchen and the guest disappear. With just 24 seats arranged directly around our open kitchen, every meal is a shared experience. From your seat, you can watch the precision of our craft while overlooking the bustling, storied streets of Penang’s inner city.
We believe that fine ingredients and heritage flavors are best enjoyed in good company. It is a space for lively conversation, the clinking of glasses, and a front-row seat to the soul of our cooking. This is our dream realized, and there is no other place we’d rather be.
" Nothing brings people together like good food."
Our kitchen is a playground for seasonal Malaysian produce and heritage flavors. We craft adventurous, technique-driven dishes that challenge the boundaries of the traditional table.
From a quick, inspired snack to a lingering dinner fueled by natural wines and lively dialogue, we celebrate the art of the shared meal. No matter the occasion, there is always a place for you here.
WORK WITH US
We are looking for enthusiastic, positive, and hardworking individuals who want to bring their unique personalities to a progressive culinary environment. At Communal Table, we don’t just serve food; we create memories through connection.
Open Positions:
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Service Crew (Full-time / Part-time)
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Kitchen Crew (Full-time / Internship)
Who you are:
The ideal candidate is confident, responsible, and genuinely loves engaging with people. While a base knowledge of wines, beverages, and service is preferred, your passion for hospitality and a "communal" spirit are what matter most.
Ready to grow with us?
SISTER VENUE
gēn 根, translated as "ground roots," is the foundation of our culinary philosophy. It represents a commitment to staying true to our heritage by placing Malaysia’s incredible local produce at the very center of the plate.
For Chef Johnson, gēn 根 is more than a restaurant; it is a homecoming. It is a space where the technical precision of modern cooking meets the raw soul of our culture and childhood memories. By fusing passion with the highest quality local ingredients, we aim to redefine the Malaysian dining narrative—delivering an experience rooted in tradition, refined by craft, and served with the warmth of true hospitality.
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Perched above Communal Table, Wine Not is an intimate sanctuary for those who value the story behind the glass. Designed with the warmth of a living room, this casual hideaway makes the world of wine feel personal and unpretentious.
Our cellar focuses on biodynamic and low-intervention labels, championing small-scale producers who work in harmony with nature. Every bottle is as vibrant and "alive" as the seasonal ingredients in our kitchen downstairs.
Whether seasoned or curious, join us to slow down, explore a unique vintage, and feel right at home.
Root House by gēn 根家菜 is a natural evolution of our journey—a sister venture that finds its home within the storied walls of the 1926 Heritage Hotel.
While gēn serves as our foundation, Root House is where those roots branch out. It is a space designed to celebrate the intersection of time and taste, bringing our signature focus on Malaysian-Chinese terroir into a setting that breathes history. Here, we continue our dialogue with local farmers and artisans, crafting a dining experience that feels both grounded in the past and vibrantly contemporary.
At Root House, we invite you to gather in a space where heritage isn't just preserved—it’s tasted.
Every great neighborhood needs a spot to "talk nonsense" over a cold drink. How Shy was our dedicated oyster and social bar—a passion project built for the art of the unwind. It was a place where premium shucked oysters met a curated selection of craft beers, soulful wines, and addictive snacks.
The name reflected the spirit of the space: unpretentious, lively, and centered on the stories shared between friends. While we have hit the pause button on How Shy for now, it remains a proud chapter of our culinary portfolio. We are holding onto the memories (and the recipes) until the timing is right for its return.
