24 Amazing Foods You Need To Eat When You Visit Penang

It’s true – Penang has some of the best foods in the world.

Located on a small island of Malaysia, you can find the best restaurants, drinks, & snacks just about any corners. But we have compiled a list of the must-eats for you, including all of the best places to have these yummy foods.

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Assam Laksa

Penang is well known for many of its signature dishes, and one of the most popular is definitely the Assam Laksa. This delicious concoction consists of a sour and midly spicy noodle soup served with fish, pineapple, cucumber, lettuce and mint.

Pasar Air Itam Laksa
Address: Jalan Pasar, Paya Terubong, Air Itam
Opening hours: 11:30am – 8:00pm (Daily)

Joo Hooi Café
Address: 475, Jalan Penang, George Town
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 5:30pm (Daily)

Laksalicious
Address: 123, Jalan Hutton, George Town
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 7:30pm (Closed on Wednesday)
Tel.: +60 4 229 9178

Char Kuay Teow

Char Kuay Teow is a local staple especially for breakfast and lunch. Flat rice noodles is stir fried with a fragant dark soy based sauce and mixed with prawns, cockles, lap cheong (Chinese sausage), eggs and and bean sprouts.

Kafe Ping Hooi
Address: 179, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am to 2:30pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 16 458 0926

Kafe Heng Huat
Address: 108, Lorong Selamat, George Town
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 6:00pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 16 269 2222

Kedai Kopi Sin Guat Keong
Address:  86, Lebuh Kimberly, George Town
Opening Hours: 6:00pm – 12:30am (Daily)
Tel: +60 4 261 1815

Hokkien Har Mee

Hokkein Har Mee, which is also known as prawn noodles is a noodle dish served with a midly spicy prawn broth that has slices of pork, prawns, eggs, bean sprouts and fried shallots. It’s especially comforting on a cold and rainy day!

Kwai Lock Café
Address: 295B, Jalan Burmah, Pulau Tikus
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 1:30pm (Daily)

Super Hokkein Mee
Address: One Corner Café, No. 1, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 7:30am – 10:30am (Closed on Tuesday)
Tel.: +60 4 226 1300

Ah Soon Kor Har Mee
Address: 168, Jalan Macalister, George Town
Opening Hours: 6:30am – 1:00pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 12 435 9933

Lobak

Lobak is a Chinese dim sum staple. Also known as turnip cake, it is made out of shredded daikon, rice flour, chopped mushrooms, dried shrimp, lap cheong (Chinese sausage) and spring onions. It is steamed and sometimes pan-fried with eggs.

Kheng Pin Café
Address: 80, Penang Road, Goerge Town
Opening Hours: 7:00am – 3:00pm (Closed on Monday)

Hon Kei Food Corner
Address: 45, Lorong Kampung Malabar, George Town
Opening Hours: 9:00am – 3:00pm / 5:00pm – 12:00am (Closed on Thursday)
Tel.: +60 12 443 5559

Wanton Mee

Wanton Mee is a Cantonese noodle dish, which is usually served in a mild pork broth and topped with succulent pork dumplings, slices of roast pork and green leafy vegetables. But some stalls sell a version minus the soup, but with a delicious dark sauce instead.

Wan Tan Mee Stall
Address: 300, Lebuh Chualia, George Town (near Mugshot Cafe)
Opening Hours: 7:30pm – 11:30pm (Daily)

Swee Kong Coffee Shop
Address: Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus (Opposite Pulau Tikus Police Station)
Opening Hours: 6:00am – 9:00am (Closed on Monday & Thursday)

Kedai Kopi Kwai Lock
Address: Halaman Pulau Tikus, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 5:30am – 3:00pm (Daily)
Tel.:+60 16 404 1434

Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is known as the national dish of Malaysia. Fragrant coconut rice is served with condiments such as sambal (a spicy prawn paste), fried peanuts and anchovies, slices of cucumbers and boiled eggs. You can add on dishes on the side like fried chicken or beef rendang.

Nasi Lemak Liverpool
Address: Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim, Batu Lanchang, George Town
Opening hours: 6:00pm – 2:00am (Closed on Tuesday)

Ali Nasi Lemak
Address: Sri Weld Food Court, Lebuh Pantai, George Town
Opening hours: 7:00am – 5:00pm‬ (Closed on Sunday)
Tel.: +60 16 407 0717‬

Char Koay Kak

Char Koay Kak is a popular street food in Penang. Steamed rice cakes in cut into squares and fried with lard and a dark sauce, then mixed with pickled vegetables, bean sprouts, eggs and chives. It’s delicious and absolutely sinful!

Kedai Kopi New Cathay
Address: 425, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm (Daily)
Tel.:+60 16-452 1378

Seow Fong Lye Cafe
Address: 94C, Macalister Lane, George Town
Opening hours: 7:30am to 1:00pm (Daily)

Fried Oyster Omelette – Oh Chian

Oh Chian or fried oyster omelette is an iconic street food in Penang. There’s something absolutely mind blowing about biting into succelent oysters that is fried with a fluffy omelette that is mixed with potato starch. Perhaps it’s the contrasting textures and meld of yummy flavours!

Yi Garden Cafe
Address: 150-152, Jalan Macalister, George Town
Opening hours: 6pm – 10:30pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 16 458 8815

Kedai Kopi Seng Thor
Address: 160, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town
Opening hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Daily)
Tel.:+60 4 261 3285

Lam Ah Coffee Shop
Address:  194, Lebuh Pantai, George Town
Opening hours: 11pm- 3:30pm (Daily)

Popiah

This Teochew-style spring roll is usually found at Chinese hawker stalls. A wafer thin spring roll skin is stuffed with ingredients such as grated turnip and carrots, lettuce leaves, beancurd and eggs. There are versions with meat, seafood or vegetarian. The dish is normally served with a splash of chilli paste and sweet sauce.

Padang Brown Seafood Popiah
Address: Stall 17, Gerai Gerai Padang Brown, George Town
Opening hours: 1:00pm to 7pm (Closed on Thursday)

Pasembur

Pasembur is a Malaysian-Indian savoury street snack. Prawn fritters, fish balls, tofu and other fried goodness are topped with bean sprouts, cucumber and turnip, and drizzled with sweet and spicy peanut sauce.

Kompleks Makanan Persiaran Gurney
Address: Persiaran Gurney, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am – 7:30pm (Closed on Friday)

Union Street Famous Kareem Pasembor Rojak
Address: Union Street, George Town
Opening hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm (Daily)

Chee Cheong Fun

Chee Cheong Fun is a Cantonese side dish that is popularly found in dim sum menus. Thin rolls of rice noodles are steamed and served plained or stuffed with prawns, pork, beef, vegetables or other ingredients. It is then drizzled with a seasoned soy sauce and sui mei drippings.

Tai Tong Restaurant
Address: 45, Lebuh Cintra, George Town
Opening hours: 6:00 am – 2:30 am (Daily)
Tel.:+60 4 263 6625

Seow Fong Lye Cafe
Address: 94C, Macalister Lane, George Town
Opening hours: 7:30am to 1:00pm (Daily)

Penang Rojak

In Malay, the word rojak means mix, and the Penang version is the local take on a fruit salad. Cucumber, guava, pineapple, unripe mangoes and jicama are tossed in a dressing made of shrimp paste, sugar, chilies and lime juice. Cuttlefish, fried tofu and crushed peanuts are usually added to the mix too.

Hock Seng Rojak (Rojak King)
Address: Gat Lebuh Cecil, George Town
Opening hours: 1:00pm to 6:00pm (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Tel.: +60 16 403 0724

G. P. Soon Rojak
Address: Kompleks Makanan Persiaran Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, George Town
Opening hours: 9:00pm – 2am (Closed on Thursday)

Joo Huat Restaurant
Address: 1, Jalan Perak, Jelutong, George Town
Opening hours: 11am – 3:30pm (Closed on Sunday)

Fishball Kway Teow Soup

fishball kuay teow — www.kenhuntfood.com

Kway teow soup is a Hokkein noodle dish whereby flat rice noodles swim in a clear pork broth with fish balls, chopped or minced pork and vegetables. To add extra flavour, golden crisp-fried garlic and lard oil are sprinkled on top before serving.

Pitt Street Koay Teow Th’ng
Address: 183, Carnarvon Street, George Town
Opening hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm (Closed on Sunday and Monday)
Tel.: +60 17 479 3208

Hai Oan Restaurant
Address: 53/55, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am – 2:00pm (Closed on Monday)
Tel.: +60 4 227 4751

Kafe Kek Seng
Address: 382 & 384, Jalan Penang, George Town
Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Daily)
Tel:+60 16 412 1300

Loh Mee

Loh Mee is a slurp worthy Hokkein braised noodle dish, which has a thick dark gravy. Yellow noodles is tossed with the delicious sauce with other ingredients such as ngo hiang (five-spiced meat rolls), fish cake, sliced fish, chicken or pork dumplings, and boiled eggs. To give the dish an extra kick, you can add some vinegar and chilies.

Kedai Kopi New Cathay
Address: 425, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm (Daily)
Tel.:+60 16-452 1378

Presgrave Street Hawker Centre
Address: Presgrave Street, 10300, Georgetown
Opening hours: 4:30pm – 12:30am (Closed on Thursday)
Tel:+60 4-432 2201

Curry Mee

One of the pride and glory of Penang is its Curry Mee. Egg noodles or vermicelli are soaked in chicken stock and coconut milk, and topped with sliced chicken, boiled eggs, fried tofu and other condiments. There are two version, the regular one and the White Curry Noodles which is suitable for people who can’t tolerate spicy food.

Hot Bowl Nyonya Delights
Address: 16-A, Lorong Abu Siti, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am – 3:00pm (Closed on Monday)
Tel.:+60 4 227 3168

Sister’s Curry Noodles
Address: Jalan Paya Terubong, Air Itam
Opening hours: 8:00am – 1:00pm

Tua Pui Curry Mee
Address:  No 23, Lebun Kimberly , George Town
Opening hours: 9:am – 5:30pm (Closed on Wednesday)

Mang Chang Kuih

Mang Chang Kuih is a popular snack and street food in Penang. There are two versions of this pancake: thin and crispy or thick and fluffy. This delicious treat is stuffed with ground peanuts, canned sweet corn and sugar.

Anson Road Pancake
Address: Jalan Anson, George Town (In front of Lok Pin Cafe)
Opening hours: 10:00am – 5:00pm (Daily)

Pasar Pulau Tikus
Address: Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 7:00am – 11:00am (Daily)

Mee Goreng

Directly translated, mee goreng means fried noodles and Penang is famous for its sinfully delicious Mamak style mee goreng. Egg noodles is tossed in a red sauce which is sweet, sour and spicy at the same time, and is topped with ingredients such as fried tofu, eggs, sliced chicken and vegetables.

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng
Address: 270, Jalan Burma, Lorong Bangkok
Opening hours: 8:00am – 6:30pm (Closed on Monday)

Penang Famous Edgecumbe Road Mee Goreng
Address: Kompleks Makanan Persiaran Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, George Town
Opening hours: 9:00pm – 2am (Closed on Thursday)

Sar Hor Fan

Sar Hor Fan is a Cantonese hawker dish made out of flat rice noodles or yellow noodles. It has slices of pork, prawns, char siew (roasted pork) and green vegetables, and is drench in a thick and starchy dark gravy, which is usually soy based.

Kwong Ban Lee Cafe
Address: No. 1-0-9, Jalan Chan Siew Teong, George Town
Opening hours: 7:00am – 10:30am (Closed on Tuesday)
Tel.: +60 4 890 2440

Kedai Kopi Leong Huat Seng
Address: 86 G, Jalan Sungai Tiram, Bayan Lepas
Opening hours: 5:30pm – 11:30pm (Closed on Sunday)
Tel.:+60 4-687 8596
Koh Low Sar Hor Fan
Address: Yi Garden Cafe, 150-152, Jalan Macalister, George Town
Opening hours: 6pm – 10:30pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 16 458 8815

Ice Kacang

Ice Kacang is the local version of shaved ice, which is topped with condiments such as kidney beans, creamed corn, coconut milk, rose syrup, palm sugar, colourful jellies and ice cream. It’s creamy, sweet and delicious: perfect for you to cool down in the sunny weather!

Kafe Kek Seng
Address: 382 & 384, Jalan Penang, George Town
Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm (Daily)
Tel:+60 16 412 1300

Swatow Lane Ais Kacang
Address: New World Park Food Court, Lorong Swatow, George Town
Opening hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 4 227 8804

Stall No. 39
Address: Batu Lanchang Market Food Complex, Jalan Penaga, Jelutong
Opening hours: 1:00pm – 6:00pm (Daily)

Tau Sah Beng

Tau Sah Beng is one of Penang’s most famous sweet treat. Delicious red bean paste is encased in a golden ball of crispy baked pastry. Visitors often buy boxes of these pastries to bring back home as gifts for family and friends.

Ming Xiang Tai Pastry Shop
Address: 133, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am – 11:00pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 4 227 9880

Him Heang
Address: 62A, Jalan Burma, George Town
Opening hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 4 228 6130

Loong Nam
Address: 213, Hutton Lane, George Town
Opening hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm (Daily)
Tel: +60 4 227 2663

Nasi Kandar

Nasi Kandar is a Penang staple. Steamed rice is served with a variety of Tamil-Muslim curries and side dishes that are fragrant and spicy. The counter is usually set up in a buffet style where you can stack your plate up with all the mouthwatering dishes that are served.

Nasi Kandar Beratur
Address: Restoran Liqayat Ali, 98, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling
Opening hours: 10:00pm till 9:00am (Daily)
Tel.: +60 4 261 3984

Nasi Kandar Line Clear
Address: 1777, Jalan Penang, Pulau Pinang
Opening hours: 24 hours
Tel.:+60 4 261 4440

Restoran Kassim Mustafa
Address: 26, Jalan Todak 2, Seberang Jaya, Perai
Opening hours: 24 hours
Tel.: +60 4 397 1020

Lemak Laksa

Also known as the Siamese Laksa, this version is different from the Assam Laksa as the aromatic fish broth (made with herring or makarel) is both sweet and spicy, and deliciously creamy. In the soup sits a pile of rice noodles, which is topped with pieces of fish, cucumbers, pineapple, torch ginger flower, mint leaves and chillies.

Chop Wah Chee
Address: Pasar Awam Ayer Itam, Jalan Pasar, Ayer Itam
Opening hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Closed on Wednesday)
Tel.: +60 12 468 8886

Nan Guang Coffeeshop
Address: 67, Main Road, Balik Pulau
Opening hours: 12:30pm – 3:30pm (Closed on Wednesday)

Kueh Tiaw T’ng

Penang’s kueh tiaw t’ng is a speciality dish made of flat rice noodles that comes in a clear pork, duck or chicken broth. Each stall has a different version, but it usually is served with slices of pork, fish cake, bak lai (pig intestines) and coagulated pig’s blood.

Ah Soon Café
Address: Jalan Sungei Kelian, Hillside, Tanjung Bungah
Opening hours: 11:00am – 7:00pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Tel.: +60 12 455 0382

Kedai Makanan Kim Lee
Address: Lorong Macalister, George Town (behind Hong Leong Bank on Jalan Burma)
Opening hours: 7:30am to 3:00pm

Clarke Street Koay Teow Th’ng Stall
Opening hours: 7:00am – 2:00pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Address: Lebuh Clarke, George Town

Chendol

On a blistering hot day, you can see people lining up for a sweet and refreshing bowl of delicious chendul. This traditional dessert consists of shaved iced, which is topped with green pandan flavoured jelly, kidney beans, coconut milk and palm sugar.

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Address: Jalan Penang, George Town
Opening hours: 10:30am – 7:00pm (Daily)
Tel.: +60 4 262 6002

Pusat Penjaja Lebuh Cecil
Address: 40-48, Lebuh Cecil, George Town
Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm
Tel.: +60 4 226 2100 (Daily)

BM Best Cendol
Address: Jalan Danby, Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth
Opening hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm (Daily)