Padang Kota Food Court in Penang needs no introduction—it’s a mecca for pasembur, mee sotong, laksa, and countless other local delights, making it a lunchtime hotspot for both locals and tourists. But during one particularly busy Saturday lunch rush, diners got more than just good food—they got a surprise guest.
Taking to social media, one netizen shared how a monitor lizard casually strolling through the food court ended up stealing the spotlight from the sizzling dishes.
The incident happened around noon, right in the middle of the lunch crowd. As people tucked into their meals, the lizard made its way between tables, prompting some diners to leap onto chairs and in one case, even a table to avoid getting too close.
Thankfully, food vendors quickly stepped in and managed to guide the reptile away from the dining and kitchen areas. Some speculated that it may have been drawn in by food scraps—or maybe it was just passing through on its own lunchtime adventure.
Here’s what netizens had to say:
“Bang, one pasembur please. Take away!”
One user jokingly said, “The floor is lava? No. The floor is biawak? Yes.”
“I get why people panicked. A bite or scratch could lead to infection,” commented another.
What would you have done in that situation? Would you run, freeze, or just act chill? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: “The baby was torn to pieces” – Abandoned Newborn in Thailand Reportedly Eaten by Monitor Lizard

