Ask any Malaysian about Penang, and they’ll definitely talk about the food. From char kuey teow to nasi kandar, cendol to rojak and more; there’s just so much to taste and try at the food capital of Malaysia. So where do you begin, you ask? Fret not, we’ve gone on the hunt for all the must-try goodies and compiled them for you here.
First stop: Jalan Burma
Must try:
Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng
Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng
Seng Lee Cafe
270, Jalan Burma, Georgetown
Opening hours: 8am – 6pm (Closed on Monday)
One of the most famous mee goreng (fried noodles) stall in Penang, the Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng is a great way to start your gastronomic adventure. The stall has been operating for generations at the corner of Bangkok Lane and Burma Road. Flavourful noodles fried to perfection with potatoes and spicy sotong (cuttlefish), topped with a squeeze of lime.
Also in the area:
Assam Laksa Lemak Laksa
Kedai Kop Sin Hwa
329, Jalan Burma, Georgetown
Opening hours: 10.30am – 4.30pm (Closed on Thursday)
Apom Manis
Stall at Lorong Kuching, next to Kedai Kopi New Cathay
425, Jalan Burma, Georgetown
Opening hours: 7am – 1pm (Closed on Sunday)
Next stop: Jalan Rangoon/Lorong Selamat
Must try:
White Curry Mee
White Curry Mee (Non-Halal)
Hot Spicy Bowl Nyonya Delights
58, Jalan Rangoon, Georgetown
Opening hours: 8am to 3pm (Closed on Monday)
Don’t be surprised when your bowl of curry noodles is served white. There’s a container of chilli paste on each table for you to add into your noodles – you can put as much as you want! Topped with fresh cockles, cuttlefish, tofu and bean sprouts, the flavour of the curry mee here is truly authentic.
Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow
Lorong Selamat Char Kuey Teow (Non-Halal)
Kafe Heng Huat
108, Lorong Selamat, Georgetown
Opening hours: 11:30am – 6pm (Closed on Tuesday)
No trip to Penang is complete without a plate of char kuey teow (fried noodles). The Lorong Selamat version of the char kuey teow may be one of the most expensive in Penang, but it’s hands down one of the best in town. Flat rice noodles, fried to perfection with large, juicy prawns – you may wipe the drool off your chin now
Third stop: Jalan Penang
Must try:
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Teochew Chendul
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
475, Jalan Penang, Georgetown
Opening hours: 10:30am – 7pm (Monday to Friday) 10am – 7:30pm (Saturday to Sunday)
There’s nothing better than an ice cold dessert on a hot, sunny day. Chendul (also spelt cendol) is a popular dessert made with coconut milk, palm sugar syrup, kidney beans and green jelly, topped with shaved ice. This roadside stall has been in operation since 1963! You can queue up for the chendul and have it standing around the stall, or enjoy it in the coffee shop next to it for a slight surcharge.
Assam Laksa
Assam Laksa
Joo Hooi Cafe
475, Jalan Penang, Georgetown
Opening hours: 11:30am – 5pm
Ranked 7th in the world’s 50 best foods by CNN, the assam laksa is another Penang favourite. The thick, sourish soup is made with fish and tamarind, and topped over thick rice noodles. The Joo Hooi Cafe version is really addictive, with just the right amount of sourness.
Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar
Nasi Kandar Line Clear
Corner of Lebuh Chulia and Jalan Penang, Georgetown
Opening hours: 24 hours
Located in an alley at the corner of Lebuh Chulia Jalan Penang, Nasi Kandar Line Clear might not be the prettiest sight in town. But one whiff of the curries, and you’ll forget about the surroundings. You’ll be given a choice of plain steamed rice or briyani rice, and a selection of meat, curries and vegetables.
Also in the area:
Popiah
Kek Seng Coffeeshop
382, Jalan Penang, Georgetown
Opening hours: 11am – 4:30pm
Lorbak (Non-halal)
Kafe Kheng Pin
80, Jalan Penang, Georgetown
Opening hours: 7am – 3pm (Closed on Monday)
Fourth Stop: Lebuh Union Lebuh Chulia
Must try:
Pasembor
Pasembor
Kareem Pasembor Rojak
Lebuh Union, Georgetown
Opening hours: 11am – 7pm (Closed on Sunday)
Pasembor is a kind of salad consisting of shredded cucumber, potatoes, fried beancurd, prawn fritters and egg topped with a special sweet and spicy nut sauce. You can choose to mix and match the ingredients, or order one with everything. The texture of the prawn fritters are just right, not too soft or chewy. And with a generous helping of the sauce, Kareem’s pasembor doesn’t disappoint.
Chicken Tandoori
Tandoori
Restoran Kapitan
93, Lebuh Chulia, Georgetown
Opening hours: 24 hours
The chicken tandoori here is very tender and flavourful. Served with a fluffy naan, it’s a pretty filling meal. If you’re looking for a heavier meal, the claypot briyani at Restoran Kapitan is also recommended.
Also in the area:
Hot Puthu
Jelutong Hot Puthu
Lebuh Penang, Georgetown
Opening hours: from 5pm
Mee Goreng Hameed Coconut Shake
Kota Selera Padang Kota Lama
Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Georgetown
Opening hours: 11:30am – 8pm (Closed on Sunday)
Last stop: Lebuh Kimberley Jalan Siam
Duck Kway Chap
Duck Kway Chap (Non-halal)
Restoran Kimberly
Lebuh Kimberley, Georgetown
Opening hours: 6:30pm – 11:30pm (Closed on Thursday)
Kway Chap is a special handmade rice noodle, served in a slightly herbal broth. This stall here has been serving duck kway chap for over three decades. Each bowl comes with a generous portion of braised duck, innards, egg and a choice of kway chap, rice or porridge. The flavoursome soup is really delicious, you’ll be slurping till the very last drop!
Jalan Siam Char Kuey Teow
Char Kuey Teow (Non-halal)
Siam Road Char Kuey Teow
Jalan Siam, Georgetown
Opening hours: 3pm to 11pm (Closed on Monday)
Ask any Penangite where the best char kuey teow is, and they’ll most likely lead you to Jalan Siam. A 5 minute drive away from Lebuh Kimberley, this char kuey teow stall has been here for decades. An elderly man fries the noodles, while his son brings them over to the coffeeshop opposite where you can sit and have your meal. A word of advice, don’t come here on an empty stomach as the wait can be up to an hour! It’s worth the wait though, if you have the time.
Also try …
Here are some other yummy goodies you should try, if you are in the area.
Hokkien Mee
Hokkien Mee (Non-Halal)
Cecil Street Market
40-48, Lebuh Cecil, Georgetown
Opening hours: 7am until late
Curry Mee (Non-Halal)
Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee
Lorong Seratus Tahun, Georgetown
Opening hours: 7:30am – 2pm (Closed on Thursday)
Apom Chooi
Apom Manis
Apom Chooi
Jalan Burma (Near Union Primary School), Georgetown
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (Closed on Sunday)
Hawker Food (Non-halal)
New Lane Hawker Centre
Lorong Baru, Georgetown
Opening hours: 6pm till late
Here’s a map to help you on your food hunt:
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Hope we’ve got your stomach growling with this guide! Book your trip to Penang now, or find out more at www.tourism.gov.my
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not represent Tourism Malaysia and is not endorsed by Tourism Malaysia.
